36: Chapter 36 Leatherworker

Once a train of thought opened up, the fog ahead seemed to dissipate quite a bit.

Exactly. As long as they obtained a refining method, even the most basic one, combined with the Stasis Field's heaven-defying "pause" and "error tolerance" capabilities, the Liang Family would have the courage to try and explore.

But the core of the problem circled back—where would the refining method come from?

The inheritance of the true hundred arts of the righteous path was kept tightly under wraps. With the Liang Family's current financial strength and reputation, they couldn't even get close.

Liang Chengye paced in his study, his brows locked in a tight frown.

He was fifty-two years old this year. Having struggled for many years in Heishan Town and the surrounding marketplaces, he had seen all sorts of people and heard of all kinds of niche businesses.

Some distant fragments of memory gradually surfaced in his mind.

Since the righteous path was blocked... perhaps he could start with those "unorthodox paths" that were looked down upon by the mainstream but could indeed create value?

As long as it could make money and accumulate experience, who cared if it was righteous or evil, a grand dao or a minor technique!

First, let the family have a craft that could produce steadily and be exchanged for resources!

A blurry figure, along with a conversation from many years ago, became clear in his memory.

He changed into an inconspicuous set of grey cloth clothes, left the Manor alone, and arrived at the Heishan Town Marketplace once again.

At noon, people were coming and going on the marketplace streets. Various cries of vendors and sounds of bargaining mixed together, full of the bustling atmosphere of daily life.

Liang Chengye did not go to his own shop, but instead turned into a few relatively quiet alleys where the houses were also somewhat dilapidated.

Relying on his memory, he searched in front of a row of low houses. Finally, he stopped before a semi-worn wooden door.

There was no signboard on the lintel, only a small, faded wooden plaque hanging by the door, with the character for "Leather" carved on it with crude knife strokes.

This was the place.

Years ago, when he came with his father to sell beast skins, he had curiously asked a middle-aged man who bought furs why he didn't sell the complete furs that still contained spiritual energy directly to the artifact refining shops, but instead processed them himself.

That middle-aged man had smiled bitterly and shook his head back then, saying he was a "Leather Craftsman," or a "Skin Master." Processing furs wasn't for refining artifacts, but for another use.

At that time, Liang Chengye was young and only assumed the other party's skills were poor and he was just making a living, so he didn't look into it further.

Later, he learned that "Leather Craftsman" was indeed an extremely marginal branch of Artifact Refiners.

Unlike orthodox Artifact Refiners, they didn't smelt and engrave runes onto demonic beast skins, bones, and claws to refine them into armor, shields, or offensive Magical Artifacts.

Their craft was more inclined towards "Shaping" and "Soul-attaching"—using specially treated complete beast skins, supplemented by some materials, to create "Leather Puppets" that could move simply and even execute some basic commands.

However, this craft held an awkward position in the cultivation world.

Complete, high-quality demonic beast skins had the highest value when sold directly to Artifact Refiners.

Who would be foolish enough to give precious materials to a "Leather Craftsman" to make those Leather Puppets with low combat power, ignorant intelligence, and limited lifespans?

In the eyes of most people, this was simply a reckless waste of God's gifts.

Therefore, true "Leather Craftsmen" were extremely rare; most could only process some damaged scraps to make intimidating toys or puppets for heavy labor, barely making ends meet.

Liang Chengye looked at the inconspicuous wooden door before him and took a deep breath.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

A slow sound of footsteps came from inside the door, followed by the sound of the bolt being drawn.

The wooden door creaked open a crack, revealing half of an aged face.

This was an old man who looked even older than his actual age. His face was covered in deep furrows, his head was bald, with only sparse white hair remaining at his temples and the back of his head.

He was short and somewhat hunched, with dark stains on his cuffs and lapels that were difficult to wash clean.

His cultivation was at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, but his aura was obscure and unstable; clearly, he was advanced in years and his vitality had declined.

The old man's cloudy eyes warily sized up the ordinarily dressed Liang Chengye outside the door, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "Who are you looking for?"

Liang Chengye quickly cupped his hands and said politely, "Pardon the intrusion, elder. I am Liang Chengye. I heard there is an old master here who is skilled in the craft of the Leather Craftsman, so I have come specifically to pay a visit and ask for some guidance."

Hearing the words "Leather Craftsman," the wariness in the old man's eyes deepened. "'Leather'? It's just some unpresentable tricks to make a living, nothing to be skilled in. You have the wrong place." As he spoke, he moved to close the door.

"Elder, wait!" Liang Chengye hastily stepped forward and held the door. "I am sincerely seeking guidance, not joking. My family has accumulated some demonic beast skins, most of which are of poor quality and a pity to discard. I heard that the methods of a Leather Craftsman can turn decay into something magical, so I wish to learn some ways of processing furs to make the best use of them."

His words were half-true. The Liang Family's hunting efficiency was high now, and they indeed had accumulated many damaged or average-quality furs that wouldn't fetch a high price if sold directly.

More importantly, he wanted to get in touch with this marginalized craft system.

The old man stopped his movement to close the door and scrutinized Liang Chengye again, seemingly judging the truth of his words and whether he truly knew the real meaning and predicament of a Leather Craftsman.

Liang Chengye's expression was calm, and his gaze was earnest.

After a few moments of standoff, the old man finally let go of the door and stepped aside. "Come in."

The room was dimly lit and the furnishings were simple.

The air was filled with a faint, complex smell of tanning agents, old leather, and some kind of medicinal herb.

In the corner were piles of half-processed beast skins and scattered materials. On a wooden shelf on the other side were several completed leather items; some looked like dogs, some like birds, all only palm-sized, standing quietly and devoid of life.

Just then, the cloth curtain of the inner room was lifted, and a little girl of about seven or eight years old with two pigtails peeked out halfway, looking timidly at her grandfather and the strange guest.

Seeing his granddaughter, the tight expression on the old man's face softened for a moment, then turned into deeper worry and helplessness. He waved his hand. "Girl, go back to the room."

The little girl gave an "oh" and shrank back.

Seeing this scene, Liang Chengye immediately understood.

A dying old man with stagnant cultivation and an unpopular craft, and a young granddaughter who needed to be raised.

This was likely the real reason the old man was willing to let a stranger like him in and might even be willing to teach his craft—he needed spirit stones to pave a path for his granddaughter, even if it was just one that barely provided a living.

Having figured this out, Liang Chengye felt more confident.

He no longer beat around the bush and said directly, "Elder, I truly wish to learn this method of the Leather Craftsman. I am willing to offer a tuition fee just to enter the door. If I can receive your careful guidance, there will be additional rewards."

The old man looked at him in silence, his eyes complex with doubt and struggle, which finally turned into a compromise with reality.

He sighed, his voice sounding even older. "This craft of mine... isn't worth much money. Even if you learn it, you might not be able to support a family. Do you really want to learn?"