Chapter 7: The Wood Carving Examination

Looks like there’s stock!

This ancient text… it might greatly benefit the 【Xiangong】 Dao Fruit!

Suppressing the surge of emotion from the Dao Fruit, Li Che took a deep breath. His mind was turbulent, but he didn’t dare probe further.

When the copper gong rang out, everyone in the wood carving shop set down their tools, and the atmosphere instantly grew heavy.

As the courtyard door swung open, wind and snow burst in, and several figures poured inside.

At the head, two figures—draped in fox-fur cloaks, wearing tied crowns, with piercing eyes and a commanding aura—seemed capable of capturing anyone’s soul at a glance.

The pair exuded such robust energy that not a trace of snow clung to them, even though they had come straight through the blizzard.

These two were the Second and Third Shop Managers of Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

Usually, the Outer City branch of Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop was overseen by Third Manager Xu You, while Head Manager Xu Heli and Second Manager Xu Beihu resided in the Inner City. Today, however, Second Manager Xu Beihu was present for the evaluation.

Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop in the Inner City was by no means weak; indeed, it could be called formidable. The strength of these three managers—each a master in his own right—was undeniable.

Inside the shop, having removed their fox-fur cloaks, the two sat upright in prestigious chairs, casually scanning the gathered apprentices.

“The wood carving master evaluation is held once a year. Three apprentices are selected each time. Once you become an official wood carver, you’ll receive a fixed monthly wage of five taels, and you’ll earn 40% of the sales from your carved pieces, the rest for yourself.”

“Of course, once you become a wood carver, each additional carving in the annual review cuts the shop’s share by 10% and increases your monthly wage.”

Third Manager Xu You sat gracefully, his clear eyes and gentle aura reflecting his refined demeanor.

In contrast, Second Manager Xu Beihu lived up to his name—imposing and robust, sitting upright with generous shoulders and a solid waist, exuding an energy as fierce as a blazing furnace.

After Third Manager Xu You finished speaking, Second Manager Xu Beihu spoke in a voice as resonant as a bell, causing the room to seem as if waves were surging.

“Once you become an official wood carver here, you’ll have the opportunity to train in martial arts and develop inner strength. To excel in wood carving, inner strength is essential. Our Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop has a 200-year legacy in Feilei City. Without martial prowess, you won’t be able to uphold our family business.”

“Furthermore, by choosing to participate in this evaluation, you implicitly join Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop. Betrayal will be met with no mercy.”

“I, Xu Beihu, despise traitors above all!”

His gruff words thumped through the room like a tiger’s roar, sending shivers down the spines of every apprentice.

Li Che felt a chill in his heart as well.

“Now, those willing to continue with the evaluation, please register to receive your wood material.”

After Second Manager Xu Beihu’s intimidating gesture with his staff, Third Manager Xu You’s gentle voice flowed like a spring breeze.

Quickly, the apprentices formed a line, registering their names and collecting their wood.

“Xiao Li, get moving,” Old Chen chuckled, taking a swig of his wine and squinting.

After clasping his fists in greeting, Li Che also stepped forward to register.

“Li Che?” Third Manager Xu You raised an eyebrow in mild surprise upon seeing him register.

A few days ago, when Li Che had come seeking him, Xu You hadn’t made a fuss. After all, every year there were laborers envious of the high returns from wood carving who’d try their luck in the evaluation, only to give up after a few attempts.

It was rare to see someone like Li Che actually come forward to participate.

Was it a lack of self-awareness, or… did he truly have talent?

“There have been cases of laborers turning into wood carvers before. I hope you can surprise me, do your best,” Xu You said encouragingly in his gentle manner.

Li Che nodded, picked a piece of wood, and then found an empty workbench to take his place.

Once all the candidates had chosen their wood, Third Manager Xu You stood with hands behind his back, surveying the group coolly. “This year’s wood carving evaluation subject is… the Four-Armed Bodhisattva Embracing a Child.”

With his words hanging in the air.

Third Manager lifted the red cloth covering the wooden artifact on the table, revealing its true form.

A sculpture of a four-armed Bodhisattva cradling a child, each arm posed uniquely—one forming a mudra, one holding a jade vase, one grasping a ruyi, and the last gently embracing a boy with a beaming smile and sky-high braided hair.

“Hiss—”

A collective intake of breath rose from the apprentices.

This year’s subject… could it really be this difficult?!

Even the veteran masters watching on showed expressions of astonishment.

In past years, the subject had always been a simple Bodhisattva statue. This time, however, it included a child and required four arms.

Adding an extra arm in wood carving drastically increases the challenge in composition, precision, and overall craftsmanship.

So difficult, so difficult!

Master Chen muttered with a grimace, “Xiao Li, your luck is unreal… you’re just too unlucky. With this subject, there’s no way to get by by half-hearted efforts.”

Li Che’s gaze fixed on the Four-Armed Bodhisattva sculpture, but he couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of relief…

“My luck’s holding out!”

This is a style he had practiced before!

It’s a sure thing!

Old Chen had previously carved a ‘Nine Sons Embracing Lotus’ worth 150 taels, and Li Che had already experienced that piece, learning how to carve figures of children. Moreover, the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva had provided him with techniques for carving Bodhisattvas…

The only shortcoming was… the four arms.

But with his Level 2 Dao Fruit 【Xiangong】, Li Che was confident he could carve it!

“Hmm… I shouldn’t have any issues finishing this carving, but after all, I’m just a laborer taking the evaluation. I can’t be too showy, or it’ll be hard to explain later. Wood carving skills take years to perfect.”

“So, I just need to focus on showcasing my innate talent, and maybe let the craftsmanship appear a bit effortless.”

Li Che pondered, formulating his plan for the evaluation.

He didn’t need to hide his skills, but his trump card had to be revealed gradually. For now, simply exhibiting his natural flair was enough…

That innate talent—this almost mystical essence—could only come from raw ability.

For a laborer to demonstrate carving skills on par with the master craftsmen of the shop… it would be hard to justify otherwise.

“You have four periods to work. When time’s up, all tools must be put down. Anyone who doesn’t comply will be disqualified. Understand?”

Second Manager Xu Beihu stood up, his imposing presence delivering the warning.

All the apprentices, including Li Che, responded in unison.

“The Outer City Xu Ji Wood Carving Evaluation begins now!”

With a sweeping gesture, Xu Beihu’s commanding energy surged through the shop.

Four periods were allotted to carve the Four-Armed Bodhisattva Embracing a Child. The time was tight, not a moment to waste.

So, the apprentices immediately set to work, holding their wood and beginning to sketch with ink.

All the wood had been pre-dried, skipping a few preliminary steps.

Li Che placed his piece on the bench, ran his hand over it, and mentally outlined its external and internal contours. Moments later, he began inking the lines onto the wood.

The workbench was equipped with axes, hammers, saws, and files—tools for rough carving.

The rough form was all about capturing the essence of the design in simple geometric shapes, reflecting layers, movement, proportion, and balance.

The rough carving was crucial and tested one’s innate talent the most.

After a moment, as the apprentices finished marking their outlines, the sound of tools striking and chipping away filled the air.

The 【Xiangong】 Dao Fruit trembled, and Li Che closed his eyes only to open them again—he seemed to undergo a transformative change in his very aura.

Old Chen, standing nearby with his wine gourd, paused the instant Li Che picked up his carving knife and his demeanor shifted dramatically. It was as if he were looking at a younger version of himself.

Chen Daba muttered, “This kid… he’s really got a look about him.”

Yet, as Li Che began chiseling and outlining the rough form, Chen Daba squinted his eyes.

Scraps of wood and sawdust fluttered down as the sharp blade sliced through, cutting through the wood’s fibers and leaving clear marks.

The rugged lines already began to reveal the overall shape of the rough form.

Time slipped away like sand through one’s fingers, every moment marked by the soft rustle and scrape.

Third Manager Xu You strolled slowly past each apprentice’s bench, checking their progress and quality with measured steps.

Suddenly,

Xu You halted and glanced at Chen Daba, who was standing statue-like. He paused, surprised.

Following Chen Daba’s gaze, he noticed the bold laborer, Li Che.

“Look at him—completely absorbed in his work!”

A surge of curiosity hit Xu You. That a seasoned master like Chen Daba was so captivated…

Could it be that this laborer really had something special?

Xu You continued to stroll, hands clasped behind his back, his lowered gaze scanning Li Che’s focused face before shifting his attention.

It finally rested on the wood carving itself…