Chapter 12: Paths of Change

After work, Old Chen carried XiXi and braved the wind and snow to return home with Li Che and Zhang Ya.

To protect little XiXi from the biting cold, Old Chen even channeled his inner strength to melt away the chill, ensuring not a single flake touched her.

Back at their humble Earthen House, Zhang Ya and Li Che immediately got to work, inviting Old Chen to stand guard while they prepared a hearty meal.

They served fine wine and sumptuous dishes, sharing a lavish dinner together.

“Xiao Ya, your cooking is excellent. With you around, Old Chen is in for a treat every time.”

Old Chen enjoyed his food and wine, squinting his eyes in pure delight.

Little XiXi sat on a wooden baby chair crafted by Li Che, waving her arms as if begging for a taste of Old Chen’s gourd wine.

After sharing a few drinks with Old Chen, Li Che decided not to drink any further.

After all, tonight he had to stay alert—there were reports that the disciples of Lingying Sect were resorting to desperate measures.

After dinner, Old Chen played with XiXi while Li Che sat by the oil lamp, taking out wood from Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop to practice carving and experiment with mechanism crafting.

Perhaps because they were close, Old Chen casually mentioned between sips that he would forgo payment for the borrowed copy of Tang’s Mechanism Chronicle.

Now that Li Che had become a full-fledged woodcarver, losing a meager fifty coins seemed trivial; still, he toasted in thanks for Old Chen’s generous spirit.

With the Sleeve Crossbow finished, Li Che didn’t stop there. He planned to craft two more pairs—one to conceal in the sleeve of his other arm and another for his wife, Zhang Ya, just in case.

Sure enough, after one round of work the Dao Fruit had reached its maximum maturity; to further ripen it, he would need to craft a different mechanism.

Outside, the wind and snow roared in full fury.

Inside, the oil lamp’s wick danced and flickered, casting moving shadows.

In the deep of night…

While Old Chen guarded XiXi’s sleep, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and slipped out silently, leaping onto the roof.

His surging qi roared like a furious dragon amid the wind and snow.

Several dark figures, sensing his qi, did not hesitate for a moment—they lunged to seize him.

Old Chen’s face darkened. Those disciples of Lingying Sect were truly mad, daring to carry out such heinous acts under cover of darkness.

“With one Tendon Burst and four Skin Polishing moves… if I fall tonight, young Che won’t be able to protect XiXi…”

Old Chen uncorked his gourd and downed a gulp of wine.

A fierce glint burned in his eyes.

Lingying Sect…

They’ve truly thrown Feilei City into chaos.

Returning indoors, Old Chen nodded to Li Che before rejoining the sleeping XiXi.

Li Che’s hand, gripping his carving knife, bulged with veins like twisting dragons. After a long moment, he slowly exhaled and resumed carving with calm determination.

He silently vowed to remember Old Chen’s favor this day.

……

……

The next day, the weather cleared and the wind and snow had ceased.

Early that morning, Zhang Ya began to pack, preparing for the move.

Although her husband said little, her keen intuition told her that with Master Chen summoned to the house, danger was looming over their little family.

So there was no sorrow in leaving—only the anticipation of moving into the spacious courtyard of the Wood Carving Shop.

There wasn’t much in the old Earthen House anyway; a few household items were gathered, and soon a donkey cart was called to haul everything over to Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

Neighbors peered out in amazement, watching with surprise and envy.

“Moving, huh? This family’s on the rise—they’re breaking out of this backwater place.”

“I hear Li Che went from a mover to an official woodcarver… soon he’s going to make a fortune!”

“You can tell Li Che is destined for greatness! Now as an official woodcarver, each piece he sculpts can fetch ten taels of silver!”

“They’re clearly in a league of their own now.”

……

The neighbors murmured with envy as they watched the donkey cart crush the pristine snow, disappearing around the corner.

Arriving at the Wood Carving Shop, they headed straight inside.

Li Che didn’t see Third Manager, but he met an elegantly dressed elderly man in a butler’s uniform, holding a bunch of keys.

“Master Li, the manager has been waiting for you. He wants to accompany you as you inspect the courtyard,” the butler said with a smile, then glanced at Chen Daba, who was cradling XiXi.

“Oh, Master Chen is here too?”

Old Chen smiled, “Old Sun, just take Li Che to the second courtyard opposite my house—we’re going to be neighbors now!”

The butler, known as Old Sun, grinned broadly, “In that case, come this way.”

The group entered the shop’s courtyard, navigating narrow alleys between high walls until reaching the residential area, where a row of courtyards lined the lanes.

Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop spanned an enormous area!

After all, Xu Ji was wealthy, influential, practiced martial arts, and mastered inner strength. He had developed Feilei City over two centuries, building a legacy of deep roots.

Compared to even major landlords, his holdings were vast—he had acquired a great deal of land.

Old Sun used a key to unlock a door, pushing it open. The snow piled on the roof tumbled down, revealing a spacious courtyard blanketed in thick snow.

“Master Li, take a look around. If you’re not satisfied, we can show you other courtyards.”

Old Sun regarded Li Che with warm respect.

Rising from a mover to an official woodcarver took immense talent. And to become the manager of Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop required a keen eye—never doing anything to offend.

Li Che led Zhang Ya into the courtyard and, after a careful inspection, his tension finally eased.

A smile crept onto his face, “Excellent—simply excellent.”

Zhang Ya gazed around in awe at the bright, elegant courtyard; it was leagues better than their cramped Earthen House!

“In a few days, we’ll invite Uncle’s family over for a housewarming feast. At last, we can settle down.”

After admiring the new home, Zhang Ya snuggled into Li Che’s arms, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Her husband had promised a brighter future, and now… that promise was coming true.

Days were finally looking up!

“You two, tidy up the courtyard and finish moving. I’ll take XiXi to play at home. Once you’re done, come join us for a meal—I’ve arranged a table at Spring Breeze Pavilion, right opposite your courtyard.”

Chen Daba, still holding XiXi, mumbled a few words before returning to his own courtyard.

They were so close that one could even hear XiXi’s giggles as she played with Chen Daba.

Li Che smiled knowingly, “I never expected Old Chen and XiXi to get along so well…”

“Master Chen is truly kind. With XiXi by his side, we can all work in peace,” Zhang Ya replied with a smile.

The couple exchanged a glance before energetically beginning to tidy up the courtyard.

……

……

Time waits for no one; the seasons flow relentlessly.

Moments scattered like wood shavings from a carving knife, gradually blanketing the ground.

It was XiXi’s first birthday.

In the courtyard,

The autumn chill had barely faded when winter snow began to fall, piling up like soft white cotton.

Li Che and Old Chen sat by the stove. On the fire, a batch of old yellow wine gently simmered, and on the table were platters of sliced braised beef and pig ears tossed with cilantro and garlic—irresistibly fragrant.

Meanwhile, one-year-old XiXi toddled around on a wooden walker crafted by Li Che, joyfully chasing the drifting snowflakes.

Old Chen watched XiXi with doting eyes, never once looking away: “Oh, little stinker XiXi, it’s snowing outside. It’s cold—come back in and play.”

“Uncle Chen, it’s fine. Let her run wild. When she tires herself out, she’ll be easier to soothe to sleep. Otherwise, she’d end up staring wide-eyed like a pair of bells in the night.”

From the kitchen, Zhang Ya emerged with a steaming plate of stir-fried soybeans, laughing as she said,

“Hey, XiXi’s turning one today—weren’t you planning a party? I want her to receive gifts in style. I’ve invited a few of the old gents; you’d better set up several tables!”

Old Chen grabbed a handful of soybeans, chuckling as he ate.

Though Li Che hadn’t originally planned a birthday banquet—even though since moving to the shop’s courtyard for nearly a year the Lingying Sect had been silent—deep down, he remained cautious.

And as XiXi’s birthday drew near, Li Che’s vigilance only grew.

After all… back then, Lei Chunlan specifically targeted one-year-olds!

However, after discussing it together, the couple finally decided to hold a celebration. With the courtyard spacious and their home safe, it was the ideal venue.

After warming the old yellow wine, Li Che poured a cup for Old Chen.

He poured himself a cup as well, taking a gentle sip. The wine’s aroma filled his throat and chased away the winter chill.

Suddenly, Li Che felt a subtle thrill in his heart.

A vivid scene flashed before him.

In a vast, barren land, a towering treasure tree rose skyward, its branches lush and vibrant. Slowly, a resplendent, multicolored fruit emerged, radiating brilliance as if reflecting all of XiXi’s growth over the past year.

Li Che’s eyes lit up immediately.

Long-awaited hope finally bloomed in that moment.

One-year-old XiXi—the second Dao Fruit…

It had arrived.

……

【Your daughter turns one, safe and sound. You have received the Dao Fruit ‘Longxiang Jingang.’】

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