Chapter 7: Four-Armed Bodhisattva with Child Statue
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It seems there's something valuable here!
This ancient text... it might be of great help to the [Divine Artisan] Dao Fruit!
Li Che took a deep breath to calm his heart, which was still trembling with excitement, but he didn't dare to investigate.
As the sound of the Bronze Gong echoed, everyone in the Wood Carving Shop put down what they were doing, and the atmosphere became solemn.
The door to the yard opened, and the wind and snow rushed in. Several figures hurried in.
The two leaders were draped in fox cloaks and wore headbands, their eyes sharp and full of a powerful aura that seemed to captivate the soul just by looking at them.
The two of them exuded strong vital energy, and the wind and snow did not touch their bodies. Even after walking through the storm, not a single snowflake clung to them.
These two were the Second Manager and Third Manager of the Xu Family Wood Carving Shop.
In the Outer City, the Xu Family Wood Carving Shop was usually managed by the Third Manager, Xu You. The Chief Manager, Xu Helì, and the Second Manager, Xu Beihu, both resided in the Inner City. Today, for the Evaluation, the Second Manager, Xu Beihu, had come in person.
The Xu Family Wood Carving Shop was by no means weak in the Inner City; it could even be called a powerhouse. The main reason was these three managers, each of whom was a top-notch craftsman, with no one lacking in skill.
Once inside the shop, they removed their fox cloaks and sat down in the grand armchairs, their gazes sweeping over the gathered apprentices.
"The Evaluation for the shop's woodcarvers happens once a year, and we recruit three new apprentices. After becoming a one-knife woodcarver, you will receive a fixed monthly salary of five taels. For each finished woodcarving sold, the shop takes 40%, and the rest goes to you."
"Of course, after becoming a woodcarver, each additional year of service adds one more knife to your title, and the shop's share decreases by 10%, with an increase in monthly salary."
The Third Manager, Xu You, sat calmly, his gaze sweeping over the apprentices. He had a fair complexion and a gentle demeanor.
In contrast, the Second Manager, Xu Beihu, lived up to his name, exuding a powerful aura. He sat straight, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, his body radiating vital energy like a blazing furnace.
After the Third Manager finished speaking, the Second Manager also spoke, his voice booming like a bell, causing a ripple in the room with each word.
"After becoming a formal woodcarver in the shop, you will have the opportunity to practice martial arts and cultivate Internal Energy. To advance further in the art of woodcarving, Internal Energy is essential. The Xu Family Wood Carving Shop has been passed down for two hundred years in Feilei City. Without some martial prowess, we couldn't have protected this family business."
"Additionally, choosing to participate in the Evaluation means you are joining the Xu Family Wood Carving Shop. If you betray us, don't blame us for our ruthless actions."
"I, Xu Beihu, hate traitors the most!"
His rough words echoed like a tiger's roar, intimidating every apprentice.
Li Che also felt a chill in his heart.
"Now, those who wish to continue with the Evaluation, please come forward to register and receive your evaluation wood."
After the Second Manager Xu Beihu's stern warning, the Third Manager Xu You's gentle words sounded like a warm breeze.
Many apprentices hurriedly lined up, registered their names, and received their wood.
"Little Li, go ahead," Old Chen said with a smile, taking a sip of wine and squinting his eyes.
Li Che bowed and then went to register.
"Li Che?" The Third Manager, Xu You, raised an eyebrow when he saw Li Che come forward to register, slightly surprised.
A few days ago, Li Che had come to seek him out, but he hadn't taken it seriously. After all, every year, some laborers envied the high income of the woodcarvers and sought to participate in the Evaluation, but most gave up after trying to carve a few woodcarvings.
It was quite rare for someone like Li Che to actually come forward to register for the Evaluation.
Was it a lack of self-awareness, or... genuine talent?
"There have been cases of laborers turning into woodcarvers. I hope you can surprise me. Do your best," Xu You, being gentle, encouraged him.
Li Che nodded, chose a piece of wood, and found a workbench to stand at.
Once everyone participating in the Evaluation had chosen their wood, the Third Manager, Xu You, stood with his hands behind his back, scanned the crowd, and said calmly, "The subject for this year's woodcarving Evaluation... is the Four-Armed Bodhisattva with Child Statue."
As he finished speaking, the Third Manager lifted the red cloth covering the wooden statue on the table, revealing its true form.
A statue of a four-armed bodhisattva holding a child stood on the table. The four arms were spread in different poses, one hand forming a mudra, another holding a jade bottle, another holding a ruyi (a traditional Chinese scepter), and the last arm cradling a child with a mouth open in laughter, his hair tied in a topknot.
"Hiss—"
The apprentices collectively drew in a sharp breath.
This year's subject... was so difficult?!
Even the veteran woodcarvers watching from the sidelines showed signs of surprise.
In previous years, the subjects were usually ordinary bodhisattva statues. This year, there was an additional child and four arms.
Each additional arm in a woodcarving increases the complexity, the risk of mistakes, and the skill required.
Difficult, indeed!
Master Chen smacked his lips. "Little Li's luck is really something... This subject is really tough. It's impossible to just get by."
Li Che stared at the four-armed bodhisattva statue and felt a slight relief in his heart...
Good luck!
It was a type he had touched before!
He was set!
Old Chen had previously carved a "Nine Children Embracing Lotus Statue" and earned 150 taels, which Li Che had studied to learn how to carve children. Additionally, the six-eyed bodhisattva statue had provided Li Che with techniques for carving bodhisattvas...
The only shortcoming was... the four arms.
But with his level 2 [Divine Artisan] Dao Fruit, Li Che was confident he could carve it!
"Put more effort into the essence and meaning."
Li Che pondered, making plans for his Evaluation.
He didn't need to hide his skills, but the essence and meaning, such an intangible aspect, could only be attributed to talent.
If a laborer were to display woodcarving skills on par with the veteran woodcarvers of the Wood Carving Shop... it would be hard to explain.
"The Evaluation time is four hours. When the hour strikes, all must stop carving. Violators will be disqualified. Do you understand?"
The Second Manager, Xu Beihu, stood up and issued a stern warning, his presence overwhelming.
The apprentices, including Li Che, all responded.
"The Outer City Xu Family Wood Carving Shop Evaluation begins now!"
Xu Beihu waved his hand, and the shop filled with a powerful surge of energy.
Four hours to carve the "Four-Armed Bodhisattva with Child Statue" was a tight schedule, not allowing for much wasted time.
So, the apprentices didn't waste any time. They held their wood and began sketching with ink lines.
The wood had already been dried, saving some steps.
Li Che placed the wood on the workbench, touched it, and outlined the outer and inner contours in his mind. After a moment, he dipped a wolf-hair brush in ink and began drawing lines on the wood.
The workbench was equipped with axes, hammers, saws, chisels, and other tools for rough shaping.
Rough shaping involves simplifying the design into basic geometric shapes, capturing the overall concept of layers, movement, proportions, and center of gravity.
Rough shaping is crucial and the most challenging part, testing one's talent.
After a while, the apprentices who had finished sketching began hammering and carving...
The [Divine Artisan] Dao Fruit vibrated, and Li Che closed his eyes and then opened them. His entire demeanor seemed to undergo a dramatic transformation.
Old Chen, holding a wine gourd, was taken aback by the moment Li Che picked up his carving knife and his demeanor changed. He looked at Li Che as if he were seeing... his younger self.
"This kid... he's got a pretty good vibe," Chen Dabao muttered.
However, as Li Che began rough shaping, Chen Dabao narrowed his eyes.
Wood chips and shavings fell, and the sharp blade cut into the wood, severing the connections between the wood fibers and leaving marks.
Rough, rugged lines began to form the overall shape of the rough carving.
Time passed like sand through the fingers, slipping away with the sound of the chisels.
The Third Manager, Xu You, walked with measured steps, slowly passing by each apprentice's workbench, checking their progress and skill.
Suddenly.
Xu You stopped, looking at Chen Dabao, who stood like a statue, slightly startled.
Following Chen Dabao's gaze, he saw the brave laborer, Li Che.
"So engrossed?"
Xu You's curiosity was piqued. For Chen Dabao, a seasoned four-knife master, to be so captivated...
Could this laborer really have something special?
Xu You walked closer, his hands behind his back, and slowly approached. His gaze fell on Li Che's focused face, then shifted to the woodcarving on the workbench...
(End of Chapter)