Chapter 49: Whispers of Divine Fate

Zhao Xuanhai…

Li Che’s hair stood on end as he felt the wind and rain vanish around him, replaced by an overwhelming, burning heat. A massive, furious Buddha statue loomed from the sky, staring down.

Staring at it for too long would unsettle anyone, leaving them trembling and drenched in sweat.

Li Che closed his eyes to break the gaze, and when he opened them again, he felt noticeably calmer.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xuanhai—who had been sitting in front of the workshop—rose to his feet. His imposing, bear-like stature reached nearly two meters, with wild whiskered features and densely coiled muscles.

Li Che set down his work and, clasping his fists in a respectful bow, said, “I am Li Che, the Four-Blade Wood Carver of Xu Ji. Greetings, officer.”

Zhao Xuanhai, cousin of Zhao Chuanxiong and one of Inner City’s three great Divine Catchers…

A divine cultivator!

What is Zhao Xuanhai doing here? Could he have come to avenge Zhao Chuanxiong?

But then wouldn’t he be after the Ogre? What business would Li Che have with him?!

Li Che couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

“Master Li, there’s no need to be nervous. I’ve come for two reasons…”

With his arms folded and an air of quiet authority, Zhao Xuanhai spoke coolly.

Feilei City’s three great Divine Catchers were top-tier experts of immense strength, so Li Che naturally avoided any direct confrontation with them.

In the distance, hurried footsteps echoed.

Three figures approached from outside.

Li Che glanced over in surprise—because the three shopkeepers from Xu Ji’s Outer City Wood Carving Shop had all arrived together.

The Senior Shopkeeper Xu Helil, the Second Shopkeeper Xu Beihu, and the Third Shopkeeper Xu You.

All three of Xu Ji’s sons had come at the same time.

Even the elusive Senior Shopkeeper Xu Helil, who rarely made an appearance, was here.

After so many years at Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop, Li Che had seen Xu Helil only a handful of times.

Since becoming a woodcarver, this was his first encounter with him.

Xu Helil was strikingly handsome, his upright posture and eyes shimmering with secret light. A treasured sword with dangling tassels rested at his waist. Though reserved, he could unleash a divine, razor-sharp strike in an instant.

A divine cultivator!

Xu Helil, too, was one.

In fact, both Xu Beihu and Xu You were divine cultivators as well—though their divine prowess was modest and unmanifest compared to Xu Helil and Zhao Xuanhai, whose very presence radiated awe-inspiring divine energy.

The first stage of divine cultivation is about nurturing one’s essence, and even that comes in varying degrees.

Seeing all three managers arrive, Li Che felt a slight easing in his heart, convinced he was safe for now.

“What kind of storm could have blown Divine Catcher Zhao all the way to our humble shop?” Xu Helil said with a smile, lowering his eyes as he clasped his fists toward Zhao Xuanhai.

“Hahaha, I’ve come to see Master Li for two reasons. First…word has it that you are Xu Ji’s brilliant woodcarver, and I have an enticing job in mind for you,” Zhao Xuanhai laughed.

“It seems Young Master Xu isn’t far from forging his divine foundation. Among Feilei’s three young masters, perhaps Helil is poised to take the lead,” Zhao Xuanhai remarked, squinting as he looked at Xu Helil.

“Forging a divine foundation is no easy feat—what appears trivial is actually a monumental task… Divine Catcher Zhao, you’re exaggerating,” retorted Xu Helil.

Without changing his expression, Xu Helil remarked, “Master Li is not yet a true woodcarving master. With your status, Divine Catcher Zhao, you should be seeking someone more skilled…”

Zhao Xuanhai waved his hand dismissively, “This job doesn’t require a woodcarving master. Strictly speaking, it’s a conscription…”

“Conscription?”

At these words, everyone fell silent in shock.

Li Che’s brow furrowed. Conscription… that meant higher authorities were involved.

“Exactly—it’s a verbal conscription from the City Lord, calling upon the finest craftsmen from the major families’ woodcarving shops to complete a project. The pay is generous: ten days of work, for a total of ten Gold Leaves…”

Ten Gold Leaves?!

A thousand taels?!

Everyone gasped in surprise.

“May I ask… what exactly is the task?” Xu You inquired on Li Che’s behalf.

Zhao Xuanhai shot a glance at the third of the Xu family and replied coolly, “I can’t divulge all the details—it’s essentially about carving some woodwork for the City Lord. It isn’t particularly challenging, nor does it require the finesse of a master. However, the City Lord needs a large quantity without compromising quality, so only the best will do.”

Xu Helil furrowed his brow. So Zhao Xuanhai had come solely for this matter?

They had assumed it was due to Zhao Chuanxiong’s death, but if Li Che weren’t a naturally gifted woodcarver with the potential to become a master, Xu Helil wouldn’t have bothered coming at Xu You’s request.

Xu Helil looked at Li Che and asked, “Master Li, would you take on this task?”

Li Che clasped his fists and sincerely replied, “With all due respect, Senior Shopkeeper, I decline.”

Working for the City Lord?

At first glance, it was obvious that was no easy job!

Although a thousand taels was a tempting offer, Li Che—fresh off a recent windfall—managed to exercise restraint.

“Decline?”

Xu Helil paused, clearly surprised that Li Che would so flatly refuse a job worth a thousand taels, especially one for the City Lord’s establishment.

Zhao Xuanhai was equally speechless. In other shops, woodcarvers eagerly accepted commissions for the City Lord, as such work could secure valuable connections.

Yet Li Che’s stance was entirely different.

“Master Li, this is a conscription from the City Lord—and the pay is exceptionally generous!” Zhao Xuanhai frowned.

“Divine Catcher Zhao, as you mentioned, it’s merely a verbal conscription from the City Lord, and it’s optional. Since Master Li isn’t interested, let the other craftsmen handle it. I’ve already counted the numbers at Xu Ji’s,” Xu Helil interjected.

Xu Helil stated calmly.

Zhao Xuanhai looked deeply at Li Che. Rumor had it that this gifted woodcarver from Xu Ji was cautious, risk-averse, and timid. But now it seemed…

Si Mu Bai’s assessment was spot-on.

“Fine, if Master Li is unwilling, then so be it.”

As soon as his words fell silent, Zhao Xuanhai suddenly lifted his arm and, like lightning, vanished from his spot—abrupt as a storm of wind and thunder.

He reappeared by Li Che’s side, his hooked fingers seizing Li Che’s right shoulder.

In Zhao Xuanhai’s eyes, a divine force burned like blazing fire—as if a Buddha had come alive with billowing hair, roaring in fury!

A surge of divine energy flowed from Zhao Xuanhai’s hand into Li Che’s body, racing through him in an instant.

The turn of events happened too quickly!

Xu Helil’s eyes narrowed. With a resounding sword song, the tassel-adorned sword at his waist was unsheathed in a flash, its light weaving densely throughout the workshop.

“Hahaha! Xu Family’s [Xuan Si Liu Jian] truly lives up to its name—its edge is exceptionally sharp!”

The moment Xu Helil unsheathed his sword, Zhao Xuanhai, like a fleeting shadow, released his grip on Li Che’s shoulder and retreated back to his original spot.

Clutching his long sword, with eyes flashing like lightning, Xu Helil asked, “Divine Catcher Zhao… what is the meaning of this?”

Zhao Xuanhai laughed, “I heard Master Li is a martial prodigy—only two years of training and you’ve already entered the Bone Tempering stage. My curiosity got the better of me.”

Then he waved his hand. “Since Master Li isn’t interested, I’ll be off. It’s a pity—someone with your skill shouldn’t let such opportunity for wealth slip by.”

“I take my leave.”

After speaking, Zhao Xuanhai turned and headed out of the Wood Carving Shop.

Donning his bamboo hat without an umbrella, he plunged straight into the pounding rain.

The moment he stepped away from Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop, Zhao Xuanhai’s brows furrowed deeply.

“Not him?”

“Some unorthodox martial arts can consolidate one’s qi and conceal true power until the opportune moment. Ogre’s repeated outbursts are all connected to Li Che…”

“Sun Changbiao, Lei Chunlan, and even the inept cousin Zhao Chuanxiong… they’re all fixated on Li Che’s prodigal daughter.”

“We thought Li Che was merely playing dumb to hide his strength, but now it appears…”

“Is Li Che really a pig?”

With a towering, bear-like build, Zhao Xuanhai stood in the rain, letting the downpour etch a misty outline on his body. He glanced back at Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

“Ogre… is he really connected to Xu Ji?”

“Ha… not important.”

Zhao Xuanhai gave a faint smile and continued to wander into the rain.

But after a few steps, his brows knitted in concern.

“Strange… merely circulating through Li Che’s body and already his divine energy is so depleted?”

“It’s as if something had taken a huge bite out of it.”

……

……

Inside Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

Having just turned down Zhao Xuanhai, Li Che returned to his own workshop.

He sensed an unbearable, scorching heat in his arm—a divine force seething like an enraged snake.

Rubbing his fingers together, a small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Divine Catcher… smells so good.

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