Imperial Treasure
Chapter 242 - 176: Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio?_2

Chapter 242: Chapter 176: Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio?_2

Soon, eight out of ten became nine out of ten.

In the silence, Li Jingyan suddenly asked, "Is the fox fur... like this?"

He lifted his foot, plucked a tuft of white and yellow mixed hairs stuck to his shoe, and looked at everyone with a peculiar expression.

Everyone: "..."

This really is like something out of a ’Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio’!

——————

The life of a child is of paramount importance, and since Sui Yi seemed so certain, there was even less reason to deceive them. Based on the trust and inexplicable sense of submission that had just been established with Sui Yi, Mao Gang immediately called for Mao Ju to join him in getting axes and, incidentally, to summon more people to chop down the bamboo. After all, what Mao Bamboo Village had in abundance was bamboo, but a child’s life could not be delayed.

"Miss Sui, and you three, don’t run around. Wait right here; we’ll be back soon..." After giving this reminder, the two men quickly ran off and soon disappeared from sight.

And regardless, how could anything happen with a large man like Li Jingyan there, alongside Sui Yi and Lin Yun, all young people?

Once the men left, the shadows of the bamboo rustled, and the breeze brought a coolness..

Lin Yun shivered involuntarily, wrapping her arms around her chest and hugging her coat tighter.

"Why do I feel like this place is so creepy now?"

"What’s there to be scared of? At most, some white-furred foxes." Li Jingyan scoffed while patting the bamboo. His own skills were certainly up to scratch, and Sui Yi’s... even more needless to say.

What’s there to be afraid of?

However, Sui Yi turned and gave Li Jingyan a deep look, "Don’t underestimate certain creatures. In this world, there are many more frightening things."

Having been through ancient tombs, Sui Yi did not dare to underestimate any odd species, much less foxes—a kind of creature that, from ancient times, had been associated with malevolence and various other specters.

"Some foxes can be smarter than humans. In the end, humans are also animals, and old foxes becoming spirits isn’t just a myth; it really does happen."

Li Jingyan took Sui Yi’s words seriously and grew more solemn, but it scared Lin Yun quite a bit, "Miss Sui, you’re not joking, are you... Is there really such a thing as a fox spirit?"

After speaking, she grew a little fearful of the topic and quickly changed it, saying, "Right, about the pricing of those bamboo carvings, Miss Sui, when the time comes, do you want to..."

"Can I change the way you address me?" Sui Yi glanced at her, "Call me Sui Yi."

"Okay, BOSS."

"...Dead from violence?"

"Boss."

Sui Yi, feeling helpless, yielded to her choice of words. In response to Lin Yun’s recent question, she chuckled, "I really like those bamboo carvings."

"?"

"If I like them, then others will surely like them too."

Lin Yun understood that what Sui Yi meant was that her tastes were already refined; if she liked them, surely other wealthy people would too.

If they liked them, the pricing would be straightforward; they were sure not to suffer a loss.

This attitude gave them the impression not of arrogance, but of a calm confidence.

This kind of confidence was actually very attractive.

"Bamboo carvings are not the main profit driver; they are to build the shop’s reputation. I have already agreed with Bai Hao to reserve a batch of ink from his place to pair with these bamboo carvings, forming a cultural theme. As for what that theme will be, it’s up to you to refine and come up with the idea," Sui Yi said.

After Sui Yi had finished speaking, Lin Yun’s eyes already gleamed, indicating Sui Yi had given enough guidance; now it would depend on what kind of talent the employee could show..

While the three were talking, Mao Gang and his group had already arrived. Fortunately, it was the National Day holiday, and some of the villagers who worked elsewhere had returned. There were also those who were physically strong, and now they raced over, each carrying a bamboo cutting knife or an axe that every household possessed.

Although some people were skeptical, Mao Gang wielded considerable authority. Add to that Mao Gang describing Sui Yi as a reputable businessman here to do business, these villagers felt a certain reverence and set to work without a word, chopping at the bamboo swiftly.

Li Jingyan, being a big boy with a lot of strength, couldn’t stand watching an old man chop bamboo, so he stepped forward, took the knife from the elder, and began to chop energetically...

An hour and a half later, more than twenty bamboos had toppled..

The number of villagers who had come to spectate was significant; there were now twenty or thirty, with women holding their children in check to prevent them from moving..

"Is there really a fox den inside?"

"Not sure, but Xiao Dao definitely disappeared... If it’s not a fox, what else could it be!"

"I’ve always felt that our place was somewhat..."

"But how long will we have to chop like this? To clear this bamboo forest, wouldn’t it take days.."

The group was discussing endlessly when Sui Yi suddenly stepped forward, "Jing Yang, give me the knife."

"Miss, this..."

"Give it to me."

Reluctantly, Li Jingyan handed the knife to Sui Yi. He thought that although Sui Yi’s skills were exceptional, she was still a girl after all, with limited strength, so...

Whoosh!

A bamboo stalk fell at a single casual stroke from Sui Yi.

Everyone: "..."

Mao Gang and the others stopped their chopping, looking on incredulously at the scene before them.

As the light from the blade flashed by, swathes of bamboo were slashed through... one swath after another fell; just two or three minutes, and a large patch of bamboo lay horizontal.

Well, a dozen men, young and old, had spent an hour and a half, but couldn’t match a young girl’s volume of chopped bamboo in less than three minutes.

Embarrassing, isn’t it?

No, shock would be the more appropriate reaction!

Mao Gang rushed to the back, "Miss Sui, you, what is this... Did you train in martial arts?"

Villagers from the mountains could only think in such terms.

"Yes," Sui Yi had already walked into the bamboo forest that had been cleared out.

The group behind her subconsciously followed her, chopping in a straight line rather than spreading out..

Two hours later, almost half of the bamboo had been chopped down, and then...

"Look, there’s fur, lots of fur!" a young man shouted!

"There really is!"

"It’s definitely fox fur! Damn it, could it really be the doings of a fox?"

While the group was shouting, Mao Gang suddenly yelled, "There’s a hole!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com), cast your recommendation tickets, and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)