44: A down-on-his-luck master sculptor

Qin Yun stepped forward and pressed the doorbell.

There was no sound from inside, so he shook his head and stepped back.

It seemed Master Li was not at home.

An elderly neighbor saw two strangers lingering at Li Zhengde's door.

After observing them from the window and seeing that they looked friendly, she opened the door a crack.

"What business do you have at Old Li's house?"

The old woman looked at the two with a vigilant expression, ready to close the door immediately if anything seemed amiss.

Qin Yun had originally planned to come back another day, but upon hearing someone speak, his face lit up with joy.

"We have some furniture that only Master Li can repair. Do you know where Master Li went?"

Qin Yun quickly walked up and, noticing the old woman's caution, replied very kindly.

"Oh, I see."

"Old Li should be setting up a stall in the Park. You should be able to catch him if you go now."

Seeing that the two were seeking Li Zhengde's help, the old woman came out and pointed them in the direction of the Park.

"Thank you. You've been a great help. We'll go find Master Li now."

Qin Yun was very grateful to the old woman.

After thanking her, he and Julia headed to the Park together.

Qin Yun was very puzzled. Master Li was an Expert in antique furniture restoration and a Sculpting Master.

How could he be setting up a stall in the Park?

This wasn't something a master should be doing.

He didn't dwell on it too much; he would soon meet Master Li.

Then he would understand what was going on.

The two arrived at the Park, and Qin Yun quickly found the spot the old woman had mentioned.

There was a Pedestrian Street along the edge of the Park.

The street was crowded with many pedestrians, and many vendors had set up stalls on both sides.

There were many street performers and talent shows, attracting large crowds of spectators.

On the left side was a row of shops, most selling crafts and related items.

Seeing the bustling street, Qin Yun grew even more puzzled.

The stalls were filled with cheap items, and the shops didn't look very high-end either.

How could Master Li be setting up a stall in such a place?

Could it be that Master Li had a childlike side to him?

"Julia, it's getting dark. Let's hurry and find Master Li."

Restoring ming dynasty furniture was an urgent matter, and Qin Yun was very eager to know if this Master Li was up to the task.

After walking thirty or forty meters, he quickly spotted Master Li.

The face of an elderly Xia Country man was still quite recognizable.

However, it was different from what Qin Yun had imagined.

The old man was wearing a faded blue shirt, carefully observing the passersby.

Most of the items on the stall were simple little animals, looking too plain, with few people interested in buying them.

No matter how you looked at it, this stall owner seemed somewhat embarrassed, lacking the demeanor of a master.

But since there was only one elderly Xia Country man setting up a stall, Qin Yun was somewhat unsure if this person was Master Li.

He decided to walk up and ask for clarification.

Just as he reached the stall and was about to speak, several men in suits emerged from a shop and surrounded the old man's stall.

"Setting up a stall again, huh? This pile of junk, and you're selling it so expensive—no wonder it won't sell!"

"It's only someone from a backward place like Xia Country who still clings to such outdated technology. No wonder no one wants the things you carve!"

"I say, old man, you'd better just scram. Otherwise, these things carved with Xia Country's Technology will lower the standard of our entire street!"

"Our Miguo's carving technology is number one in the world. Only by joining us can you get a bite to eat."

"Can't you accept reality? Your hand-carving techniques are obsolete in modern society. Now there are all kinds of advanced machines that can mass-produce high-difficulty carvings, and the items carved are even more exquisite."

"Your Xia Country's carving technology is no good. You'd better not embarrass yourself here!"

...These potbellied, well-dressed fellows spoke to the old man sitting on a small stool as if scolding a child.

Their unreasonable actions attracted the attention of many people. When someone approached, they glared with malicious eyes, warning bystanders not to interfere.

At first, the old man's face turned ashen, and he did not retort.

Hearing them go too far, he stood up with a flushed face, his trembling hand pointing at these unreasonable people.

"You... you are truly shameless!"

"If Xia Country's technology is so worthless, why are you coveting my hollowed-out sphere?"

"I'd rather starve to death than bow to you!"

The old man declared his stance with impassioned words, but these troublemakers paid no heed.

"Is that all? How laughable!"

"You're killing me! As if we'd care about Xia Country's technology!"

"Do you see anyone on this street buying your stuff?"

"We're just taking pity on your plight, offering you a bite to eat."

They looked at the old man, their faces showing mocking smiles.

Seeing the old man's fighting spirit in adversity and his refusal to yield to enemies, Qin Yun knew this person must be Master Li.

Only an extraordinary master could possess such unique character.

Ignoring the hostile glares of the troublemakers, he pushed his way to the front.

Seeing five or six hollowed-out spheres placed beside the stall, he knew this was likely the technology these five or six rude people coveted.

"May I take a look at the hollowed-out sphere?"

Qin Yun bowed slightly and made his request very respectfully.

Although Li Zhengde was not afraid of these arrogant people's threats, being publicly humiliated and hearing them belittle Xia Country's Technology made him furious.

Facing the situation where his carvings went unnoticed, he felt more sorrow than anger.

Seeing a young Xia Country man, disregarding the hostility of others, treat him with such respect, he immediately agreed.

"Of course."

Li Zhengde hadn't received praise from a fellow countryman in a long time. Feeling a sense of familiarity, he also felt a glimmer of hope.

There were still people who appreciated his carvings!

He picked up the best hollowed-out sphere from the stall and handed it to Qin Yun.

Qin Yun took the hollowed-out sphere with both hands and examined it as if no one else was around.

Based on his previous knowledge, hollowed-out spheres were usually carved from ivory, with thirty to forty layers.

But the one in his hand was carved from Red Sandalwood, with at least fifty to sixty layers.

The first few layers visible to the naked eye each had different themes, and the carving was exquisite, full of artistry and appeal.

Carving scenes with mountains and water on such small and fragile wood was simply incredible.

Though Qin Yun had expected it, he was still amazed when he saw this hollowed-out sphere.

The troublemakers, seeing a young man—and a Xia Country man at that—ignore their threats and dare to help this stubborn old man, grew angry.

"Who are you? I advise you not to meddle in other people's business!"

"Only in a backward place like Xia Country would someone like such meaningless things!"

"Times have changed. Only fools cling to such antiquated technology!"

Seeing Qin Yun dressed plainly and being from Xia Country, they didn't care about his attitude at all.

Qin Yun sneered coldly, turned around, and glared angrily at these well-dressed beasts.

"What do you know about carving!"

"People who can only make replicable crafts dare to question a Sculpting Master!"

"You couldn't achieve this level of hollowed-out sphere technology even in a hundred years!"

"Not to mention the artistic value on it, which you crude people are incapable of appreciating."

Qin Yun was furious at this moment. A Sculpting Master, down on his luck, was being mocked by people from a Craft Shop.

The two sides were not on the same level at all.

How could a bunch of money-grubbing villains bully a figure of Sculpting Master caliber?

"You... you're talking nonsense!"

"Carvings that can't be sold—I wouldn't take them even if they were given to me!"

"What use do I have for such garbage carvings?"

The people from the Craft Shop, knowing they coveted Master Li's technology, blushed and tried to justify themselves.

As they argued unreasonably, a middle-aged man in a suit with long hair and an artistic air walked over.

"This young man makes some sense, but he's actually just causing trouble!"

"This kind of hollowed-out sphere carving seems very intricate, but in reality, it has little artistic value. Anyone can reach this level with enough repetitive practice."

"When it comes to artistic level, Xia Country people have little artistic talent, far inferior to our Miguo."

"Miguo is the birthplace of art, the most prosperous nation for art. As for Xia Country, it's just an artistic desert!"

This artistic middle-aged man spoke with reason and evidence, and the onlookers were convinced.

What talent could a down-and-out old Xia Country man have?

Miguo's art was the strongest in the world!

They began to belittle Xia Country's art.

Hearing the Long-haired Middle-aged Man's sophistry, Qin Yun shook his head disdainfully. But seeing the onlookers influenced by this man's words and speaking disrespectfully, he could no longer hold back.

Holding the hollowed-out sphere, he stepped forward and shouted loudly.

"You barbarians from a country less than five hundred years old dare to mock my Xia Country's five-thousand-year craftsmanship? How utterly foolish!"