Chapter 11: Shadows of the Sect

Sliced a pound of stewed beef and downed some aged huangjiu.

Li Che’s mood grew slightly somber.

It was his first killing, yet he felt no overwhelming turmoil.

Born into a chaotic era where the imperial court was in decline and lawlessness reigned, life was as cheap as grass.

Though the burly thug wasn’t as obstinate as Lei Chunlan the midwife, his ill will toward XiXi ensured that Li Che wouldn’t hold back.

He avoided killing in front of Old Chen, deliberately finding an excuse to circle back.

After all, murdering someone right before Old Chen would leave undeniable evidence.

Wasn’t it Old Chen himself who’d once refrained from shedding blood?

But it was the thug’s dying words that now sat uncomfortably in Li Che’s throat…

Xu Ji, could it be that even you can’t keep the Lingying Sect in check?!

Li Che exhaled and set off on foot along the main street. Passing a government bulletin board, he paused to take a look.

He discovered that the wanted notice for Lei Chunlan had been torn down sometime ago and replaced with a flyer for a flower-stealing criminal.

“So they’ve canceled Lei Chunlan’s warrant?”

“Has Lei Chunlan died? Or… did someone from the Lingying Sect step in to cover it up?”

Li Che furrowed his brows as his expression darkened further.

Killing one thug from the Lingying Sect hadn’t eased his worries much.

“Until you’ve moved into the workshop courtyard, you can’t let your guard down…”

Battling through wind and snow, he returned to the Wood Carving Shop. Removing his straw hat and cloak, warmth washed over him, accompanied by XiXi’s continuous babbling.

His heart softened instantly upon entering the workshop. There, Old Chen cradled XiXi, his face alight with delight as he playfully swayed from side to side.

“Chomp, chomp, chomp—give Grandpa Chen a smile, XiXi,” Old Chen chuckled.

XiXi cooed and tugged at Old Chen’s beard with her chubby little hands, causing his laughter to grow even louder.

Nearby, some veteran craftsmen paused their work and gathered around, smiling warmly.

A child was a rare sight in the shop; her cheerful presence lifted the spirits of many.

“Li Che, you’re back? Head to the back yard—Second Manager is waiting for you.”

“Don’t worry, XiXi is here with Old Chen. I’ll keep an eye on her. If anyone even dares to harm her, I’ll smack them to death,” Old Chen called out as he spotted Li Che.

Old Chen quickly shouted upon noticing Li Che.

Li Che nodded, setting aside the beef and huangjiu. After offering a few comforting words to his wife, Zhang Ya, in the workshop, he made his way to the back yard.

……

……

The snowstorm grew fiercer, with heavy, swirling flakes filling the air.

Several figures had already arrived at the practice field.

Along with Li Che, woodcarvers Zhao Xuan and Wang Zhengpin were diligently practicing skin polishing under Second Manager Xu Beihu’s orders.

Li Che quickened his pace and greeted the two managers with a respectful bow and clenched fists.

“Second Manager, Third Manager—sorry for being late,” he said.

Third Manager Xu You sat under the eaves of a side building at the practice field, using tongs to clip winter plums before dropping them into boiling water, then sprinkling in a few pieces of fried tea leaves.

Seeing Li Che, Xu You nodded in acknowledgment.

“Old Chen explained everything; the reasons are understandable,” he remarked.

“Your daughter… Is she being targeted by the Lingying Sect?”

Xu You asked calmly, making no fuss about Li Che’s tardiness.

“The Lingying Sect… they meddle in every affair. What could possibly be good about those mysterious rites from their temple? So many people worship that Spirit Infant Cult Leader, and several influential families in the city secretly support him… These idiots will eventually bring about disaster!”

Towering and imposing, Xu Beihu snorted at the comment; his powerful qi sent a drifting snowflake scattering into dust.

“Come and learn skin polishing. True strength is your real capital. Otherwise, in this world, you won’t even have the means to protect your wife and daughter.”

Xu Beihu looked at Li Che and boomed,

“Off you go. I’ve arranged for your relocation. Tomorrow, join Old Chen in inspecting the courtyard,” Xu You added while preparing tea.

“Even if Xu Ji is in the Outer City, the Lingying Sect wouldn’t dare act recklessly. Our Wood Carving Shop remains safe.”

“When your daughter grows up, she’ll train with the younger generation at Xu Ji’s courtyard in the Inner City, laying a solid foundation…”

Li Che paused, mulling over the prospect of training in the Inner City with Xu Ji’s apprentices.

Was it a blessing or a curse?

Without overthinking, Li Che bowed and headed into the courtyard.

Xu Beihu patted Li Che on the back and, raising an eyebrow, remarked, “Your natural talent shows promise. Though you’re older, with enough hard work, there’s hope you can reach the Bone Tempering stage.”

“Skin polishing is really just the initial phase of mobilizing your qi and blood.”

“Qi originates within, radiates outward, and feeds back in—a perfect synergy. Polish your skin with blood, refine your muscles with qi!”

Then, Xu Beihu began instructing Li Che on the art of skin polishing.

Li Che listened intently, not daring to let his focus slip for a moment.

Though he had taken a life today, it was done using a clever contrivance. If only his personal combat prowess matched Old Chen’s…

Hmm, if only a mechanism could handle the kill…

Killing with engineered devices felt far more satisfying.

……

……

Amid the swirling snow and biting chill…

Li Che was sweating profusely, with heat radiating from him as beads of sweat tumbled down his forehead.

After a day of grueling practice, he felt his skin burning. Though he hadn’t mastered skin polishing, he had grasped its fundamentals.

“The skin polishing technique has been imparted to you. From now on, practice diligently regardless of the season—only relentless effort in martial arts yields progress.”

“Once you perfect skin polishing, I’ll teach you the Muscle-Opening Technique.”

“But perfecting skin polishing will take at least two years. Work hard—train in the morning and carve in the workshop in the afternoon. Every six months, your progress will be evaluated.”

Xu Beihu declared in a deep, resonant tone.

His piercing gaze swept over the three with an air of immense pressure.

The three responded with respectful bows and clenched fists.

……

……

After returning from the practice field, dusk had already settled.

Though Li Che’s skin ached, his spirit soared—his martial training had officially begun.

Old Chen, cradling XiXi, roamed the workshop, proudly introducing her to every master as if she were a familiar face.

Li Che could tell that Old Chen truly adored XiXi.

It was said that Old Chen, a solitary man without a wife or child, had dedicated his entire life to Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

Unlike other masters with crowded households, he had no wife or offspring.

A skilled master could support an entire family. Though not yet a master himself, his carvings were in high demand, making money come easily.

Take his recent carving, ‘Nine Sons Embracing Lotus’—it earned him 150 taels in one go!

“Practice’s over? Time for skin polishing then,” Old Chen remarked cheerfully as he spotted Li Che, cradling XiXi.

At the sight of Li Che, XiXi reached out her arms, eager for a hug.

“Oh, you heartless little thing—after Grandpa Chen has held you all day, you act like you don’t care at all!” Old Chen teased, pouting playfully.

Li Che laughed as he took XiXi. With her full-month-old chubby cheeks, luminous skin, big bright eyes, and long lashes, she looked like a tiny sprite.

“Old Chen, there’s something I need to ask you.”

Old Chen, still playing with XiXi, waved his hand dismissively.

“I know what you’re getting at—you want me to watch XiXi tonight, don’t you? Even though you haven’t moved into the courtyard yet, your heart just won’t let go.”

Old Chen laughed.

Li Che felt no embarrassment. In these troubled times, fearing death was nothing to be ashamed of.

Besides, he truly had his reasons for concern.

“Don’t worry—XiXi and old man Chen get along just fine. Besides, tomorrow she’ll come with me to inspect the courtyard.” Old Chen casually scooped XiXi from Li Che’s arms. “Alright, enough—hand over XiXi to Grandpa Chen now.”

Li Che chuckled silently. He hadn’t been holding her for long—it hardly counted as a long embrace.

Back in the workshop, he saw his wife, Zhang Ya, tidying up neatly, and his face instantly brightened with a smile.

A warm hearth, a loving wife, and a child…

This was all he ever wanted—only for his wife and daughter to be safe.

He longed to watch his daughter grow up…

So, Lingying Sect, don’t push him!

If you push him too far…

If he can kill someone today, then one day…

He wouldn’t hesitate to wipe out the entire Lingying Sect!