Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

Early morning, in the mushroom-growing area where the artisans live.

Shi Gaoming took out noodles from the wooden cabinet he made, poured a full bowl into the pot, then took out eggs and threw them into the pot to cook together.

When the noodles were almost cooked, he scooped out the eggs, put the noodles into a bowl, added some noodle soup, and carefully took a small piece of salt from the bag, added it to the bowl, and mixed it well.

He peeled the eggshells and put them in a bowl, boiled a kettle of water to make tea, carried a wooden stool, sat down outside, took a sip of noodle soup to soothe his stomach, then picked up a handful of noodles and put them in his mouth.

Phew~ This refined salt is really good.

It doesn't even have a hint of bitterness, no wonder it's so expensive. I never thought I'd be eating refined salt one day.

Shi Gaoming ate very quickly, a habit he had developed over the years. In the past, with so little money, it was good enough if he could buy some food in a day.

If I eat too slowly, I'll get really hungry!

After quickly washing the dishes and chopsticks, Shi Gaoming took out a porcelain teapot and several small teacups, and took out some dried tea leaves.

Sprinkle into a porcelain teapot, then pour boiling water into the teapot.

The tea leaves unfurl in the water and sway gently.

He watched quietly, waiting for the tea leaves to settle and the tea to gradually become clear.

A moment later, Shi Gaoming gently picked up the porcelain teapot and poured the tea into the cup. The tea was a pale golden color and had a fragrant aroma.

He picked up a cup, gently blew on the steam, and then carefully took a sip. It was bitter at first, but soon it had a sweet aftertaste. The unique flavor of tea lingered in his mouth, making him forget the troubles of the world.

This place may not be good at much else, but its tea is absolutely top-notch! Its unique flavor and quality are famous throughout the world.

Teahouses are ubiquitous in Chengcheng, and people often meet over tea.

But ever since the drought struck Shaanxi, people have been struggling to afford food, let alone tea!

The same was true for these artisan households.

It was common for people to go hungry for three or four days after eating one meal, and even then, they couldn't get a full meal.

Unlike now, we're lucky if we can get two meals a day, and even then, we're usually full.

Bai Xianjun even said that everyone has to eat three meals a day, and of course, ordinary people like them have to do so.

Anyway, the price of grain was incredibly cheap, and he wouldn't spend much money even if he ate his fill.

The refined salt I added was extracted from coarse salt by a celestial being who was knowledgeable in all arts and taught it to mortals.

The price was not much different from the price of coarse salt that he bought from the government.

This is the kind of life that ordinary people like us should have!

I was right to leave Chengcheng that day.

Otherwise, how could one possibly meet a living deity?

"Hey, Lao Shi, having some tea? Is there any left? Get me a cup too!" Li Kaiji said with a big smile as he walked out of the mushroom house next door.

Shi Gaoming laughed and said, "Haha, of course, Brother Li, even if this tea is finished, I'll definitely brew you a fresh pot!"

He moved a wooden stool out of the house, placed it aside, and poured a cup for Li Kaiji.

"How about it, Brother Li? I didn't lie to you, did I?" Li Kaiji took a sip of tea and joked.

"No, no, it's all thanks to Brother Li that we're living such a good life!" Shi Gaoming said sincerely, "I'll toast you with tea instead of wine."

"It's nothing, nothing at all. I just wanted to ask how long it will take before it's my turn to get this statue." Li Kaiji gave a perfunctory tap, took a sip of tea, and continued, "Don't worry, I know your personality. You don't need to give me special treatment. Just tell me!"

Shi Gaoming breathed a sigh of relief and said gratefully, "Thank you for your understanding, Brother Li. The statue will probably be ready in about a week!"

"It hasn't been that long. By the way, how long will it take to finish this statue you've taken on?" Li Kaiji asked curiously.

Shi Gaoming thought for a moment, then hesitated before saying, "Two months later."

"So many!" Li Kaiji exclaimed in surprise, "Old Shi, I'm so envious of you!"

"After all, it's a statue of the White Immortal Lord. As for envy, Brother Li, don't say that. I'm more envious of you than you are!" Shi Gaoming shook his head with a smile, glancing at the eye patch worn by Li Kaiji, who had been pulled aside.

This means that one can enter the Weapon Academy and receive a divine gift from the Immortal Lord.

"Oh, I'm a blacksmith," Li Kaiji said with a smile, lowering his voice, "By the way, when are you planning to get married?"

Shi Gaoming cautiously said, "Getting a wife? That... I'm afraid that won't work."

"Don't worry, our artisan households are now rising in status. You should know that nearly half of the thirteen academies founded by Immortal Lord Bai are related to our artisan households."

Li Kaiji's eyes gleamed as he said, "This isn't Chengcheng. Getting married here is much simpler than before. Just say the word, and I'll find you a matchmaker right away!"

"Then, I'll leave it to Brother Li." Shi Gaoming scratched the back of his head and said in a muffled voice.

"polite."

Li Kaiji said unhurriedly. He had just taken a sip when he looked up and saw Liu Er running towards them.

Why did that young Taoist disciple who was with Bai Xianjun end up here?

They might not be very familiar with the other people in Liu Family Village, but they clearly remembered this one of the only two people who could follow Bai Xianjun.

It seems they're still heading in their direction.

Could it be about the idol?

Li Kaiji's eyes flashed, and he subtly moved closer to Shi Gaoming, quickly instructing him, "Old Shi, you better remember this: if that little brat asks you to make a statue for him, don't give me any excuses about two months or using connections, understand?"

Shi Gaoming frowned and said, "Ah? But..."

"Stop with the 'buts' and 'buts' stuff. You really need to change your personality. Here you go!"

Li Kaiji straightened up from the stool, cupped his hands, and said, "Young friend Liu, is there something you need to see this gentleman?"

"Uncle Li, long time no see." Liu Er returned the greeting, then turned to Shi Gaoming and said seriously, "Uncle Shi, I've come this time because Young Master Bai wants you to make a statue of a deity!"

"What?" Shi Gaoming exclaimed.

Am I right?

He looked at Li Kaiji in disbelief, and saw him nod at him with his mouth slightly open.

It's actually true! The Celestial Lord wanted him to carve the statue!

"Okay, I'll do it right away." Shi Gaoming looked excited, put down the teapot, and walked inside impatiently.

"Wait, you haven't finished speaking yet, why are you running away!" Li Kaiji grabbed Shi Gaoming and said.

Shi Gaoming then noticed that Liu Ershou was holding some tea leaves, and he could tell at a glance that the tea leaves were not ordinary tea leaves.

"Uncle Shi, I want to learn how to carve statues from you," Liu Er said, holding up the gifts in his hands.

"You want to learn sculpture? That's not something you can learn overnight," Shi Gaoming hesitated. "What do you plan to do with it?"

Liu Er paused for a moment, then said frankly, "I want to carve a portrait of myself for Young Master Bai."

Shi Gaoming smiled at Liu Er and said softly, "Is that so? Then it's simple. Okay, I'll help you, but I'll have to wait until I finish carving this statue for the Immortal Lord. You don't need this tea; you can take it back with you."

"Thank you, Uncle Shi!" Liu Er bowed slightly, put the things inside the house, and ran away in a flash.

"Congratulations! I'm really envious of you now! This is a rare opportunity," Li Kaiji said, looking at Shi Gaoming whose hands were trembling. "Alright, I won't keep you any longer. I'm off."

"Hehe, take care, take care." Shi Gaoming returned to the house in a daze, looking at the White Immortal Lord above the incense burner.

I want to use the best wood, the most exquisite craftsmanship, and all my hard work.

Dedicated to that immortal!