In the following days, Qin Yi immersed himself in skill acquisition, hardly pausing for anything else.
After recording most of the available skills, he began focusing on painting, weaving, and sculpting. However, he quickly realized that weaving didn't integrate well with his swordsmanship.
"With my current sword skill, any related tools must share strong commonality with the sword itself," he thought. A brush for painting or fingers for sculpting were passable, but he needed a third complementary skill.
He then considered wood carving. The chisel used in carving aligned closely with the sword in terms of motion and precision—perfect for integration. The only problem: he didn't have the tools.
Just as he pondered visiting Wang Gensheng to arrange this, Wang the carpenter came to him instead—a surprising move, as elders usually maintained pride and never visited children spontaneously.
Wang handed him a wooden box, smiling: "Da-tou, isn't this the hunting bow you asked me to make? Open it—do you like it?"
Qin Yi's eyes lit up. Inside lay a beautifully crafted bow, over two feet long. He handled it carefully, marveling at the quality.
"What wood is this? It feels better than Da-shan's hunting bow!"
Wang explained proudly: it was quliang wood, rare and excellent, usually used for making zithers, but ideal for bows as well. Strong, resilient, and producing a crisp sound with every shot.
Qin Yi felt a pang of guilt—this wood was precious. Wang admitted he had his own reasons for creating it: earlier, Qin Yi had wanted to learn woodworking. Wang hadn't taught him directly, fearing it would "tarnish" his status.
Qin Yi quickly reassured him: he never considered woodworking lowly, nor held any resentment for not being taught. In fact, Wang's caution had helped him greatly.
Realizing this, Wang relaxed. Qin Yi further clarified that he wanted to learn woodworking only to relate it to his martial skills, not to become a carpenter. Wang agreed to simply explain his techniques and ideas.
From sunrise to sunset, Wang enthusiastically shared his woodworking insights. When he realized the time, he told Qin Yi to visit again if he wanted to continue. Qin Yi now understood why Wang Gensheng hadn't come to him earlier—he had been sulking over not being taught woodworking! Qin Yi resolved to explain to him the next day.
Before leaving, Qin Yi asked to borrow a chisel and some wood to practice carving, which Wang readily agreed to. With this, Qin Yi successfully recorded woodworking as a skill in the game interface.
The recorded woodworking skill was narrowly defined: processing wood into usable human tools. Carving and building were recorded separately as distinct skills, allowing him to focus individually. Tomorrow, with chisel and wood in hand, he could finally practice carving.
After Wang left, Qin Yong came in. Seeing the finely crafted hunting bow and Qin Yi lost in thought, he frowned. "Da-tou, I heard you're learning archery from Qin An, and now woodworking from Wang? Don't you think that's overstepping?"
Qin Yi smiled and shook his head: "Father, they have their own judgments. They only teach me what they are willing to share. For example, Qin An only gave me basic archery, not hunting skills. Wang only agreed to teach carving, not the full family woodworking secrets."
Qin Yong emphasized the point: "Have you considered why they teach you without formal ceremony or gifts?"
Qin Yi casually replied: "It's because of my current status. They're investing in me, letting me owe favors, which I'll repay many times over in the future."
(End of Chapter)