This was truly an unexpected joy.
I never imagined Chu Yue would bring me such a piece of lightning-struck peach wood.
Seeing it made me happier than making a million from a business deal.
Chu Yue, hearing me readily agree,
didn't say much, but began wandering around my shop:
"Qin Ze, your shop looks a bit old. Why not renovate?
With your skills, you could completely expand your scale, open branches, and develop a chain.
I'll invest for you..."
I took out the lightning-struck wood, touching it again and again, counting the growth rings:
"We're in the business of merit; our main focus isn't making money..."
I said.
I found this peach wood was indeed from a thirty-four-year-old tree.
This peach wood is different from ordinary trees; very few live past twenty years, and thirty years is even rarer.
A thirty-year-old tree, so straight and thick, struck by lightning and preserved so well, is exceptionally rare.
Because the wood was so excellent, I couldn't suppress my inner joy.
Moreover, looking at the size of this wood, it was more than enough to make six or seven peach wood swords.
At that moment, I called my martial uncle.
For woodworking, I still needed martial uncle's help.
My martial uncle was still in his shop drinking and listening to music when he received my call.
Upon hearing that I had a thirty-odd-year-old piece of lightning-struck peach wood in my shop, he exclaimed in surprise over the phone.
Then, I saw martial uncle rush over with Old Mo.
"Little Qin! Where is it?"
Martial uncle shouted as soon as he arrived at the doorway.
Turning back, I saw martial uncle and Old Mo arrive.
I smiled and said:
"Martial Uncle, the item is here. Please take a look."
I picked up that thick piece of peach wood.
Martial uncle and Old Mo quickly walked over.
Their eyes widened; both martial uncle and Old Mo were greatly excited.
"Wonderful, truly lightning-struck peach wood, look at these grain patterns, the marks of lightning strikes. Excellent, excellent!"
Martial uncle said "excellent" three times in a row.
"Martial Uncle, this was all sent by Chu Yue."
I said with a smile.
Martial uncle had also been to the Spiritual Phantom Ghost Realm.
Chu Yue, of course, was recognized and familiar.
He grunted in acknowledgment:
"Mm.
Young lady, I won't accept this lightning-struck wood from you for free.
Later, I'll carve a pendant from this wood for you. It'll look absolutely stunning hanging on a phone case or car keys, and it's also protective."
"By the way, you're having dinner here tonight, you're not allowed to leave!"
Martial uncle smelled of alcohol but was very clear-headed, and he was extremely fond of this lightning-struck wood.
"Thank you, Daoist Tang, in advance."
After speaking, Chu Yue stood aside.
Watching us chat, he was already planning how to use the wood.
After quite some time, Chu Yue patted my arm:
"Qin Ze, there's a sudden company matter, so I'll be heading back. I'll contact you again when I have time."
Since she had something to attend to, I didn't press her to stay.
I nodded:
"Then I'll see you out!"
Chu Yue hummed, said goodbye to martial uncle and Old Mo, and left the shop.
I walked her to the door and watched until Chu Yue got into her car.
Chu Yue even rolled down the window, leaning out to say to me:
"Qin Ze, you still owe me several meals. Remember that!"
"Hahaha! Alright, I remember. Drive slowly on the road, be safe!"
Chu Yue said no more, stepped on the accelerator, and drove away.
Watching Chu Yue's car depart, I felt quite happy.
Just as I was about to head back, Xia Qiu Xi suddenly darted out from the side:
"The one who drove away, that was Zhang Chu Yue, right?"
She startled me.
"Qiu Xi, don't you make any noise when you walk?"
Xia Qiu Xi didn't look at me, directly replying:
"Your attention was too focused; you didn't notice me."
Although her tone was calm, I sensed a hint of sarcasm in it.
I sighed and smiled:
"I didn't notice. That was Chu Yue who just left, and she brought me a thirty-four-year-old piece of lightning-struck peach wood!"
Xia Qiu Xi's expression also showed surprise upon hearing this:
"Thirty-four years old? Lightning-struck peach wood?"
"Yes, it's inside. Want to go take a look?"
I maintained my smile.
It was obvious that Xia Qiu Xi was also quite surprised.
Afterward, I led Xia Qiu Xi into the shop.
When she saw the lightning-struck wood, she was also very surprised, her expression much like ours earlier.
Seeing Xia Qiu Xi arrive alone, martial uncle casually asked why Yun Xia Gu hadn't come.
Xia Qiu Xi said that after Yun Qing Zhenren returned to the hotel, he had been vomiting incessantly.
He was essentially so drunk that he couldn't even circulate his internal energy, so Yun Xia Gu was at the hotel taking care of him.
Xia Qiu Xi had come out alone...
Hearing this, martial uncle seemed displeased, muttering a few curses under his breath, it was unclear if he was cursing Yun Qing Zhenren.
As for the peach wood sent by Chu Yue, it was ultimately planned and divided by martial uncle.
It could be made into three peach wood swords, which fit perfectly as I use three swords and practice swordplay with three.
The remaining material could be used to fashion a large peach wood axe.
Because for two peach wood axes, the material was somewhat insufficient.
As for Qiu Xi, she was allocated a small peach wood dagger.
Neither Old Mo nor Qiu Xi found it lacking; on the contrary, they were very happy...
After the planning was complete, martial uncle instructed them to catch two yellow chickens, kill them, and anoint the peach wood with chicken blood.
He called this "Ka Mu" (opening the wood).
Then, it was placed on the offering table, requiring constant incense.
He said this was a superior "immortal wood," possessing spirit and sentience.
After seven days of consecration, the wood could be cut and the magical artifacts made.
Only then could the highest-grade peach wood magical artifacts be produced.
There are many rules in this profession.
Since martial uncle said so, we followed accordingly.
In any case, we weren't lacking those seven days...