Capítulo 2: Chapter 2: Dao Fruit of the Divine Artisan, the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva
-----------
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
-----------
Li Che calmed his mind and closed his eyes.
Once again, he saw the fleeting scene from before.
In the vast land, a massive tree rose from the ground, its branches lush and leaves swaying in the breeze. Hanging from it was a fruit that shimmered with seven colors.
As if he had gazed at it for too long, the colorful fruit fell with a "plop" and gently landed in Li Che's hand.
"Dao Fruit..."
Li Che murmured, gazing at the fruit in his palm.
...
[Your daughter was born safely, you have obtained a Dao Fruit "Divine Artisan"]
[Divine Artisan (Dao Fruit): Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Artisan, Divine Touch, Unmatched Skill]
...
The words flickered into view.
Li Che's eyes narrowed, and his heart began to race.
Having lived in this world for nineteen years, he had never received a golden finger, but now, with the birth of his daughter, the golden finger had appeared in such a manner.
A father's status rises with his daughter's virtue?!
Li Che felt elated. The name "Dao Fruit" sounded so grand and impressive; it must surely be the capital he needed to survive and thrive in this world.
Just as he was rejoicing, the prompt before him changed once more.
...
[Name: Li Che]
[Bond: Li Nuanyi (daughter)]
[Dao Fruit: Divine Artisan (untransformed, lv1, 0%)]
[Notice: For each year the bonded individual grows safely, the Dao Tree will bear a Dao Fruit]
...
Li Che's breathing quickened as he stared at the prompt, his heart pounding.
For each year his daughter grows safely, the Dao Tree will bear a Dao Fruit...
In Li Che's simple and straightforward understanding, the function of the Dao Fruit was equivalent to teaching him a skill, a craft.
Currently, Li Che worked as a laborer in the Wood Carving Shop in the outer city of Feilei City, moving finished wooden sculptures. He earned his living through hard labor, but the pay was fair and honest.
However, after a hard day's work, he could earn perhaps thirty to forty large Jing copper coins, enough to make ends meet, but far from the wealth and luxury he dreamed of for his family.
But from now on, if he could raise his daughter safely and have a Dao Fruit each year, everything might change!
"Xixi is my daughter; I should protect her and raise her safely. That's what a father should do..."
Li Che smiled, feeling a sense of hope and joy. The birth of his daughter had brought a change in his fortune, giving him something to look forward to.
As the Dao Fruit in his palm slowly dissolved, Li Che felt no immediate changes.
He tried to study the [Divine Artisan] Dao Fruit but found no clues.
"Gurgle gurgle..."
The soup in the pot began to boil, interrupting Li Che's thoughts.
He quickly ladled a bowl of fragrant, creamy carp and tofu soup, took a deep breath, and smiled as he carefully carried the steaming bowl toward the earthen house.
His wife, Zhang Ya, had just finished feeding Xixi and was contentedly sipping the carp soup Li Che had cooked.
Li Che held Xixi, gently patting her soft back under Auntie Lei's guidance, a practice known as burping.
After a while, Auntie Lei, who had been busy in the earthen house, gave Li Che some advice on raising a child and then prepared to leave.
Li Che handed Xixi to Zhang Ya and followed her out.
"Auntie Lei, thank you so much for your hard work." Li Che handed her ten copper coins.
Auntie Lei waved her hand and sighed, "Xiao Che, I've watched you grow up since you were a child. You work hard at Xu's Wood Carving Shop, carrying those heavy woods and sculptures, earning a living through your sweat. Keep this money and take good care of your family."
"In the outer city... there are fewer children being born these days, but more are dying. Take good care of Xixi and keep her safe."
Auntie Lei's words made Li Che's expression turn serious.
"Auntie..."
Auntie Lei wrapped her head with a cloth, slung a bamboo basket over her shoulder, and braved the wind and snow. "Remember, don't take the child out onto the streets carelessly. Stay away from those who worship the Child God... and those who profit from incense offerings. Times are hard, and children are prone to dying. You parents must be extra careful."
Li Che exhaled a white mist in the cold winter air and nodded solemnly.
His heart sank as he recalled the recent news of many children dying.
He hadn't taken it seriously before, but now, as a father, he had to be more cautious.
"I understand, Auntie Lei."
Li Che responded in a low voice.
Auntie Lei didn't say more, sighed, tightened her cotton coat, and disappeared into the snowy night, gradually vanishing down the snow-covered alley in front of the earthen houses.
Li Che watched Auntie Lei's figure fade away, then turned back into the earthen house, quickly sealing the gaps in the door to prevent the heat from escaping.
He rubbed his hands, added some charcoal to the stove, and went to the kitchen to bring the remaining fish soup.
After the couple had their fill, Li Che climbed onto the bed.
Gently patting his daughter, who had fallen asleep after drinking milk, Li Che smiled.
Whispering softly to his wife, Zhang Ya, who was perhaps exhausted from childbirth and had fallen into a deep sleep, Li Che remained wide awake.
"The charcoal is running out. I'll go find a charcoal seller tomorrow and buy some more. Xixi just came into the world; we can't let her catch a chill."
"Your wife needs to rest properly during the postpartum period, or she might develop postpartum illnesses..."
"Yes, I'll go to the wood carving shop tomorrow and carry more statues. The demand for statues in the inner city has increased recently, so there's plenty of work and money to be made."
"I'll work hard to save money and buy a big house, where we can stay warm even in the coldest winter."
"Wife, rest assured, our lives will definitely get better..."
On the bed, Li Che gently held his wife and daughter, closing his eyes slightly.
His breathing was steady and quiet.
...
...
The next day, dawn broke.
Li Che got up early, watched his wife, Zhang Ya, eat the breakfast he had prepared, and burped Xixi after she finished her milk. He then put on his conical hat and left the earthen house.
The ground was white, the wind was cold, and the snowflakes were as large as hands.
The biting cold was like a knife.
The snow showed no signs of stopping, and the outer city of Feilei City was covered in thick snowdrifts.
After walking for several miles, he arrived at his workplace, Xu's Wood Carving Shop, under the dim sky and in the midst of the snowstorm.
Though called a shop, it was actually a large house with a spacious interior, filled with piles of wood for carving.
Li Che and other hired laborers were mainly responsible for moving wood and finished wooden sculptures for the carving masters.
The weight of the wooden sculptures varied, but the price was uniform: five large Jing copper coins for moving one sculpture, and one copper coin for moving wood.
Moving sculptures was risky; if they were damaged, the pay would be deducted.
Shaking off the snow from his body, he removed his conical hat and placed it at his workstation, then entered the wood carving shop.
Inside, a charcoal stove burned, maintaining a comfortable temperature, and the rich scent of wood filled the air.
"Xiao Li, go fetch a piece of 'Ashwood' for me, a large one. Also, move the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva Statue' I carved three days ago to the inner room. Someone from the inner city will come to collect it in a couple of days. If the snow melts and it gets wet, it won't be good."
As soon as he entered the shop, an elderly man wearing a cotton coat, with white hair and a ruddy complexion, called out to Li Che. The old man held a shiny wine flask filled with aged yellow wine.
"Sure, Master Chen." Li Che smiled and quickly responded.
As a familiar and meticulous laborer, Li Che had a good reputation and had never had any accidents while moving wooden sculptures.
Several wood carving masters had become familiar with him and would often assign him tasks.
Master Chen was one of Li Che's regular clients.
After agreeing to Master Chen's request, Li Che turned and entered the large courtyard.
The heavy snow had covered the wood piled in the courtyard. It took some effort to find the area where the 'Ashwood' was stored.
He selected a larger piece and dragged it out.
After tying it with a hemp rope and securing it, Li Che tested its weight, patted the wood, and then headed to the corner of the courtyard where the finished wooden sculptures were stored.
Since the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' was one of the sculptures Li Che was responsible for moving, he knew its exact location.
He found the wooden sculpture, which was as tall as an adult, carved from 'Flowering Ashwood'.
Li Che reached out and brushed the snow off the wooden sculpture.
Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation. The 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' seemed to come to life, its six eyes staring at him and blinking occasionally.
Then, a hazy image appeared in his mind.
It was a scene of Master Chen carving the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva Statue,' each stroke and cut vividly replaying before Li Che's eyes. He felt as if he was right there, as if he had become one with Master Chen.
Gradually, the carving techniques and skills used to create the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' seemed to merge with Li Che's... instincts!
"Huh?"
The image faded, and the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' stopped blinking. Li Che's breathing quickened.
A strange feeling stirred in his heart. Just by touching the wooden sculpture, he seemed to have learned Master Chen's carving techniques...
This must be related to the Dao Fruit [Divine Artisan] he received because of his daughter Xixi's birth!
"Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Artisan, Divine Touch, Unmatched Skill..."
"The effect of the Dao Fruit Divine Artisan... might give me a chance to become a true wood carving master!"
Li Che's eyes sparkled with excitement, and a wild ambition began to form in his heart.
If he could become a wood carving master at Xu's Wood Carving Shop, his prospects would be much better than just being a laborer!
Making his family live a good life in this turbulent world would no longer be a distant dream!
(End of Chapter)
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Geriatric_Vibes
Geriatric_Vibes TL Note - Read upto 200+ chapters on geriatrictranslations.com
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder