Chapter 11: The Haunted Temple
-----------
This high quality machine translation is powered by: https:// geriatrictranslations.com/
Special Permission was given to upload the novel on WebNovel.
Geriatric Translations can be supported on patreon (https://www. patreon.com/geriatricvibes) where additional chapters can be enjoyed.
You can also join the Geriatric Translations Community on Discord to connect with other readers: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------
He bought a pound of braised beef and a bottle of Old Yellow Wine.
Li Che's mood was somewhat heavy.
It was his first time killing someone, but his emotions... weren't as intense as he expected.
Living in this era of the declining Imperial Court, where bizarre events run rampant, life is as cheap as grass.
The Black-Skinned Man wasn't Lei Chunlan, the midwife, but since he harbored ill intentions toward Xixi, Li Che didn't hesitate to act.
He didn't want to kill in front of Old Chen, so he deliberately found an excuse to circle back.
After all, killing in front of Old Chen... would give him leverage.
Old Chen hadn't made a move to kill either, right?
Mainly, the words the Black-Skinned Man said before dying left a bitter taste in Li Che's mouth...
The Xu Family couldn't even suppress the Spirit Child Sect?!
Li Che exhaled, walking down the long street. He paused in front of the government notice board and looked over.
He noticed that the wanted notice for Lei Chunlan had been torn off and replaced with a notice for a flower thief.
"The wanted notice for Lei Chunlan... has been canceled?"
"Did Lei Chunlan die? Or did someone from the Spirit Child Sect intervene to suppress the notice?"
Li Che frowned, his expression growing darker.
Killing a Black-Skinned Man from the Spirit Child Sect didn't alleviate his worries much.
"We can't relax until we move into the Workshop Compound..."
Braving the snow, he returned to the Wood Carving Shop. Removing his hat and cloak, he was greeted by a wave of warmth and the continuous sound of Xixi's "yiyaya."
Li Che's heart softened. In the workshop, he saw Old Chen holding Xixi, his face beaming as he playfully swayed from side to side.
"Go go go, Xixi, give Grandpa Chen a smile." Old Chen chuckled.
Xixi cooed, her chubby little hands tugging at Old Chen's beard and pulling it hard, causing Old Chen to laugh even louder.
Some of the older craftsmen stopped their work and gathered around, smiling warmly.
It was rare for the shop to have a little kid, and she brought joy to many of the older craftsmen.
"Ah Che is back? Go to the back courtyard, Second Manager is waiting for you."
"Xixi is here, Old Chen will keep her company. Don't worry, the little girl and I have a special bond. If anyone dares to touch a hair on her head, I'll smack them to death." Old Chen called out, spotting Li Che.
Li Che nodded, put down the beef and wine, and went to the workshop to comfort his wife, Zhang Ya, before heading to the back courtyard.
...
...
The snow grew heavier, with large flakes swirling in the air.
On the training ground, several figures were already present.
Zhao Xuan and Wang Zheng, the woodcarvers recruited with Li Che, were already practicing Skin Grinding under the instructions of Second Manager Xu Beihu.
Li Che quickened his pace, approached the two managers, and bowed.
"Second Manager, Third Manager, Li Che is late."
Third Manager Xu You was sitting under the eaves of a house on the side of the training ground, using tongs to place winter plum blossoms into boiling water and then adding a few roasted tea leaves.
Seeing Li Che, Xu You nodded.
"Old Chen told us what happened. It's understandable."
"Your daughter... has been targeted by the Spirit Child Sect?"
Xu You said gently, not blaming Li Che for being late.
"The Spirit Child Sect... is nothing but a bunch of scoundrels. The things that come out of the Haunted Temple, can they be anything good? So many people worship the Spirit Child Patriarch, offering divine power, and even many powerful families in the city secretly support them... these fools will eventually bring about a great disaster!"
Xu Beihu, a towering figure, snorted coldly. His powerful qi and blood caused a snowflake in the sky to explode into powder.
"Come and learn Skin Grinding. Being strong is the capital. Otherwise, in this world... you won't even have the ability to protect your wife and daughter."
Xu Beihu looked at Li Che and said loudly.
"Go, I've already arranged for someone to help you move. Tomorrow, you and Old Chen will go to look at the courtyard." Xu You said while brewing tea.
"Even in the outer city, the Spirit Child Sect wouldn't dare to act rashly against the Xu Family. In the Xu Family shop, you will be safe."
"When your daughter grows up, she can move to the inner city and train with the Xu Family's younger generation, laying a solid foundation..."
Li Che paused, thinking about moving to the inner city to train with the Xu Family's younger generation.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Li Che didn't dwell on it, bowed, and went to the courtyard.
Xu Beihu patted Li Che's body and relaxed his brows. "Your bones are decent. You're a bit old, but it's not impossible to train. Put in some hard work, and you still have a chance to reach Bone Tempering."
"Skin Grinding is actually the initial stage of qi and blood manipulation."
"Qi is generated within the body, moving from inside to outside, and from outside to inside, complementing and stimulating each other. Use blood to grind the skin, and qi to strengthen the muscles!"
Xu Beihu then began to teach Li Che the methods of Skin Grinding.
Li Che listened intently, not daring to relax for a moment.
Today, he had killed, but it was through mechanical means. If he could become as strong as Old Chen, relying on personal martial prowess...
Well, if mechanical means could kill...
Mechanical killing is more comfortable.
...
...
The snow was heavy, and the cold was biting.
But Li Che was drenched in sweat, his body steaming with heat, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
After a day of intense training, Li Che felt his skin burning. Although he hadn't yet mastered Skin Grinding, he had grasped the basic methods of cultivation.
"I've taught you the Skin Grinding method. From now on, you must train diligently and not slack off. The Martial Path requires year-round hard work to achieve progress and improvement."
"When you complete Skin Grinding, I will teach you the Sinew Opening Technique."
"However, it will take you at least two years to complete Skin Grinding... work hard. From now on, come to the training ground in the morning to practice Skin Grinding, and spend the afternoon in the workshop carving. Every six months, we will assess your progress in Skin Grinding."
Xu Beihu said solemnly, his tiger-like eyes casting a strong pressure over the three of them.
Li Che and the others immediately bowed in response.
...
...
Returning from the training ground, it was already getting dark.
Li Che's skin was burning, but his mood was incredibly relaxed. He had finally started training in martial arts.
Old Chen was carrying Xixi, proudly showing her off to the other craftsmen, as if introducing her to everyone.
Li Che could sense that Old Chen genuinely loved Xixi.
He had heard that Old Chen lived alone, with no wife or children, dedicating his entire life to the Xu Family Wood Carving Shop.
Unlike other craftsmen, who had large families with many children.
A skilled woodcarver could support an entire family. Even if they weren't masters, their carvings were in high demand, and making money wasn't difficult.
For example, Old Chen had once carved a "Nine Children Embracing Lotus Statue" and earned 150 taels!
"Finished training? You started Skin Grinding, right?" Old Chen saw Li Che and walked over with a smile, still holding Xixi.
Xixi saw Li Che and stretched out her hands to be held.
"Oh, ungrateful little one, Grandpa Chen held you all day, and you don't even miss me!" Old Chen pouted like a child, feeling a bit hurt at being so easily replaced.
Li Che laughed and took Xixi. The one-month-old Xixi was even chubbier and cuter, with bright, large eyes and long lashes, looking like a little fairy.
"Old Chen, there's one more thing... I want to ask you a favor."
Old Chen, while playing with Xixi, waved his hand.
"I know what you want to say. You want me to watch over Xixi tonight, right? You're really worried until we move into the Workshop Compound."
Old Chen smiled.
Li Che wasn't embarrassed. In this chaotic era, being afraid of death wasn't something to be ashamed of.
Besides, he was genuinely worried.
"Don't worry, Xixi and I have a special bond. I will indeed watch over her. And tomorrow, I'll go with you to look at the courtyard." Old Chen took Xixi back from Li Che. "Alright, you've held her long enough. Xixi, come to Grandpa Chen."
Li Che laughed, not really having held her for long. He had just passed her over.
Returning to the workshop, he saw his wife, Zhang Ya, had cleaned everything up. His face lit up with a smile.
Wife, child, and a warm bed...
This was what he strived for, hoping his wife and daughter would live in peace.
He just wanted to see his daughter grow up...
So, Spirit Child Sect, don't push him!
If pushed too far...
Today, he killed one person; one day...
He might not hesitate to wipe out the entire Spirit Child Sect!
(End of Chapter)