He sliced off a pound of stewed beef and poured some Old Huang wine.
Li Che's mood sank slightly.
*His first time taking a life... yet his emotions weren't reacting strongly.*
*Born into a chaotic era where the Imperial Court had declined and bizarre forces ran rampant, life was as cheap as grass—worthless from the start.*
The dark-skinned brute wasn't Lei Chunlan, the midwife, but with malicious intent directed toward Xi Xi, Li Che naturally didn't hesitate to strike him down.
He didn't want to kill in front of Old Chen, so he deliberately made up an excuse to circle back.
*After all, killing someone in Old Chen's presence might give the old man leverage.*
*Didn't Old Chen himself refrain from taking a life?*
But what really left Li Che with a lump in his throat was the brute's dying words...
*Even Xu Ji—could it not suppress this Spirit Infant Sect?*
Li Che exhaled deeply and walked along the long street. Passing by the government office's bulletin board, he paused and glanced over.
He noticed that Lei Chunlan's wanted notice had been torn away at some point, replaced with a notice for a wanted flower thief.
"Lei Chunlan's wanted status... canceled just like that?"
"Did Lei Chunlan die? Or... did someone from the Spirit Infant Sect intervene to suppress the warrant?"
*Li Che's brows furrowed, his expression turning even darker.*
*Killing one dark-skinned brute from the Spirit Infant Sect hadn't eased his worries much.*
"Before moving into the shop's courtyard, there's no room to relax..."
Braving the wind and snow, he returned to the wood carving shop, removed his bamboo hat and cloak, letting a wave of warmth wash over him. Xi Xi's babbling cries of "ee-ya-ee-ya" resonated throughout the place, endlessly cheerful.
*Li Che's heart softened instantly.* He headed to the workshop and saw Old Chen, cradling Xi Xi in his arms, his face full of radiant joy as he teased the infant, swaying rhythmically from side to side.
"Come, come, come, Xi Xi, give Grandpa Chen a smile." Old Chen chuckled brightly.
Xi Xi babbled incoherently, grabbing at Old Chen's beard with her pudgy little hands and tugging with all her might, drawing booming laughter from the older man.
Several senior craftsmen nearby stopped their work and gathered around, grinning as they watched.
The shop rarely had visits from a toddler, and Xi Xi was like a tiny beacon of joy, lightening the mood and triggering laughter among the veteran artisans.
"Che, you're back? Quickly, head to the backyard; the Second Shopkeeper is waiting for you."
"Leave Xi Xi here. Old Chen will play with her—don't worry! This little girl and I are kindred spirits. Anyone dares to hurt even a hair on her, and I'll give them a swift slap to the face!"
Old Chen caught sight of Li Che and shouted over to him.
Li Che nodded, set down the stewed beef and Old Huang wine, then headed first to the workshop to exchange comforting words with his wife, Zhang Ya, before making his way to the backyard.
…
…
The snowfall grew heavier, thick flurries danced through the air.
In the training field, several figures were already present.
Among those recruited with Li Che as novice Wood Carvers were Zhao Xuan and Wang Zhengpin, who had already begun practicing Skin Refinement under Second Shopkeeper Xu Beihu's guidance.
Li Che quickened his steps, greeted the two shopkeepers with folded hands, and bowed low.
"Second Shopkeeper, Third Shopkeeper, apologies for my tardiness."
Third Shopkeeper Xu You was seated beneath the eaves of a nearby room, using tongs to place winter plums into boiling water. He sprinkled in a few pieces of toasted tea leaves afterward.
Upon seeing Li Che, Xu You merely nodded.
"Old Chen explained everything to us; it's understandable."
"Your daughter... has been targeted by the Spirit Infant Sect?"
Xu You said warmly, without blaming Li Che for being late.
"The Spirit Infant Sect... They deal in abominable things. Whatever emerges from their Strange Temples—they can't possibly be good! Yet so many people worship their Spirit Infant Master, offering divine essence, even secretly supported by powerful families within the city... These fools will bring about a catastrophic disaster sooner or later!"
Xu Beihu, towering and brawny, snorted coldly. His overwhelming Qi-Blood energy blasted apart a snowflake falling through the air into fine powder.
"Improve yourself by mastering Skin Refinement. Strength is the only thing that truly matters. Otherwise, in this world... you won't even have the ability to protect your own wife and daughter."
Xu Beihu regarded Li Che with a booming voice.
"Go ahead. Regarding your move, I've already assigned people to handle it. Tomorrow, you and Old Chen will inspect the courtyard." Xu You spoke with calm composure while brewing tea.
"Even if it's in the Outer City, the Spirit Infant Sect wouldn't dare act recklessly in Xu Ji's shop. You'll be safe there."
"Once your daughter grows older, she can move into Xu Ji's Courtyard within the Inner City to train with Xu Ji's younger generation. It'll lay a solid foundation."
Li Che paused at those words. *Training in the Inner City alongside Xu Ji's heirs?*
*Was that a blessing or a curse?*
Li Che didn't dwell on it much. Folding his hands in gratitude, he stepped into the courtyard.
Xu Beihu clapped a meaty hand against Li Che's shoulder, his brow relaxing. "Your talent is passable. Though your age is a disadvantage, it's not impossible to train. Put in extra effort, and you still have hope of achieving Bone Tempering in the future."
"Skin Refinement is fundamentally the initial stage of Qi-Blood activation."
"Qi arises from within the body, moving from the inside out and back again, reciprocating in cycles—stimulating one another. Use blood to refine skin, and Qi to temper muscles!"
With that, Xu Beihu began imparting the method of Skin Refinement to Li Che.
*Li Che listened intently, not daring to show even the slightest lapse in focus.*
*Today he had killed someone, but that was only thanks to clever mechanisms. If he could become as physically formidable as Old Chen...*
Well, if mechanisms could kill…
*He'd still prefer that comfort of machinery-assisted kills.*
…
…
The snow fell heavily, and the chill was bitter.
But Li Che was drenched in sweat, warm steam rising, with large beads of perspiration rolling down his forehead.
After a day of grueling practice, Li Che felt his skin heat up. Though his mastery of Skin Refinement hadn't reached entry-level, he had at least grasped the method of cultivation.
"The Skin Refinement Technique has now been taught to you all. From this moment onward, dedicate yourselves diligently to cultivation—no slacking allowed! The Martial Path requires unyielding perseverance, training through summer's heat and winter's frost to achieve progress and growth."
"Once you achieve Skin Refinement Completion, I'll teach you the Tendon Activation Technique next."
"However, reaching Skin Refinement Completion will require a minimum of two years... Work hard. From now on, you will practice Skin Refinement in the training field during the morning, and carve wood in the workshop in the afternoon. Every six months, your progress in Skin Refinement will be assessed."
Xu Beihu said in a deep voice.
His tiger-like gaze filled with an oppressive intensity as it swept over the three of them.
Li Che and the other two immediately bowed and responded affirmatively.
…
…
Returning from the training field, the sky had already darkened.
Li Che's skin burned with pain, but his mood was filled with exhilaration; at last, he had formally started training in martial arts.
Old Chen strolled around the workshops with Xi Xi in his arms, showing her off to the other senior craftsmen, as if he were letting Xi Xi familiarize herself with everyone.
*Li Che could sense Old Chen's genuine affection for Xi Xi.*
It was no secret Old Chen had no family of his own—no wife and no children. He had devoted his entire life to Xu's Wood Carving Shop.
*Unlike other senior artisans, most of whom had large families with numerous children and wives.*
A master wood carver was capable of supporting a household; even if they hadn't achieved the title of "Master," their carvings were highly valued in the market, making financial survival relatively easy.
Take Old Chen, for instance—last time he carved a "Nine Sons Embracing the Lotus," he earned one hundred and fifty taels instantly!
"Finished training? Started Skin Refinement, huh?" Old Chen spotted Li Che and approached with Xi Xi in his arms, grinning from ear to ear.
Upon seeing her father, Xi Xi stretched out her little arms to be held.
"Ay, you little heartless girl. Grandpa Chen has been holding you all day without complaint!" Old Chen playfully pouted in mock grievance upon being so quickly abandoned for Li Che.
Li Che chuckled as he took Xi Xi into his arms. At a full month old, she had grown increasingly chubby, her skin immaculate and fair, her eyes large and bright, with long lashes fluttering like tiny threads of light. She appeared almost otherworldly in her beauty.
"Old Chen, there's something... I'd like to ask for your help with."
Old Chen teased Xi Xi while waving his hand dismissively.
"I already know what you're getting at—you want me to keep an eye on Xi Xi tonight, right? You've yet to move into the shop's courtyard, and you simply can't rest easy."
Old Chen laughed knowingly.
*Li Che didn't show any embarrassment. In this chaotic era, fearing for one's life wasn't something to be ashamed of.*
*Besides, his concerns were legitimate.*
"Don't worry. Xi Xi and I share a deep bond—it's true she needs protection. Tomorrow, I'll take my dear Xi Xi to inspect the courtyard with you." Old Chen, seemingly unable to resist teasing the child further, took Xi Xi back into his arms. "Alright, you've held her long enough. Xi Xi, come back to Grandpa Chen~"
Li Che couldn't help but laugh. *How was that 'long enough'? He had only just handed her over!*
Returning to the workshop, he found Zhang Ya had cleaned and tidied everything to perfection. His face broke into a genuine smile.
*A warm home with wife and child…*
*That's all he sought.* *He only wished for his wife and daughter to live in peace.*
*Just to watch his daughter grow up safely…*
*So, Spirit Infant Sect, don't force my hand!*
*If you do...*
*Today I killed one person. Tomorrow...*
*I might not hesitate to wipe out your entire sect!*