Chapter 29
Chapter 29 – Artistic crafting skills
Translated by Sunyancai
At first, Shao Xuan would check on Ke’s reaction every time when he hit the stone. But after some time, he completely ignored Ke’s gaze, and immersed himself into hitting and carving.
The process of hitting was very labour-intensive, both physically and mentally. It was not as easy as a swing of a hand and an arm. For every single strike, he had to calculate a lot regarding the angle and strength. Things like how to swing the hammer and where should the hammer land, needed to be decided in the blink of an eye.
For many people in the tribe, perhaps after they gained enough experience in hitting the stones, they could achieve the best result based on their feelings. However, since Shao Xuan was still merely a novice, it was impossible for him to have the experience that old stoneware crafters gained from hitting for dozens of years. He could only rely on the calculation and estimation he had in mind, and then try his best to better and improve his striking.
Even though he now had a much stronger body with greater strength, the strength he had was not inexhaustible. At the beginning, he did not find it hard to hold the stone hammer. However, with more and more strikes, fatigue piled up, he felt that the hammer in his hand became increasingly heavy. However, at that time, every single strike became essential. At this point, hitting the stone core with the wrong strength or angle, the stone flakes and chips could be more or less than expected, therefore, it could create more wasted materials than before.
Because of this, Shao Xuan did not have the energy and spirit to pay attention to Ke’s reactions.
At first, Shao Xuan would hesitate for a few seconds between each two strikes, because Shao Xuan needed time to think about the disadvantages of his former strike, so that he could better his next strike. However, with more and more practice, Shao Xuan felt something in his mind and he became much more skilled on hitting. therefore, the time between strikes was shortened.
So delicate and so accurate!
When Shao Xuan came back to his senses, Ke was already finished with the peeling and the stone core left in his hand was already in the shape of a stone adze.
After drilling and polishing. The tool was complete by installing a wooden handle.
It was perfect.
“Take it.” Ke passed the completed stone adze to Shao Xuan.
“For me?” Shao Xuan took over the stone adze. When he looked up at Ke again, he found that Ke was already doing something else, so he swung a few times with the stone adze.
He had helped in processing the stone adze, he felt proud even though his technique was rough and unsightly, and he almost ruined the stone core, but after all it was Shao Xuan’s first time in seriously crafting a stone tool. Also, it allowed Shao Xuan a chance to witness the true artificial crafting skills of Ke. Of course it meant a lot to him.
The stonecore that made the adze was fine and smooth in its texture, thick and very hard. Although it was not obvious by just looking, one could easily feel its weight when holding it in the hand. The stone was better than average, Shao Xuan did not expect Ke to give it to him as a gift, just like that.
“Peeling stone flakes is hard. When you want a satisfying result, even the simplest strike could take a lot of time to practice. There’s no shortcut in this. You have to anticipate every stone flake’s peeling, and then think about speed, weight, strength and consequences, and then combine them with the natural quality of the stone. The best strength and angle, along with many things that could turn a rough stone core into fine stoneware were difficult to describe. You can only work on them by yourself. How to use your strength, which angle to use, and how to hit the stone… You may only acquire those skills by numerous times of practicing.”
Yes, stoneware, unlike ironware, could not be restored once the strike was made. You cannot turn back time. With one hammer strike, you could only make it or lose it. You can only set the tune with one beat of the gong.
Shao Xuan took the stone adze and respectfully gave a salute to Ke, “Yes, I get it.”
“However,” Ke switched his tone, and pointed at those few dead fish along with Caesar in the corner, “you also need to know the importance of comprehending. You are allowed to fail, but you have to learn from your mistakes, instead of behaving like those stupid fish!”
“Understood.” Shao Xuan knew what Ke was talking about.
Ke indicated that Shao Xuan should not be as simple-minded as those piranhas with no memory of failures. They kept making the same mistakes and they did not turn back even when they were killed.
“Take one fish with you” Ke said. telling Shao Xuan to go.
“Okay.”
Since Ke told Shao Xuan to take a fish home, Shao Xuan would have no space to reject. So he said no more and asked Caesar to leave together, with a fish and a stone adze in his hands.
Taking the fish and walking out from Ke’s house, Shao Xuan recalled Ke’s words as he stared at the fish in his hand. He couldn’t help but poke the fish’s head with his stone adze, “So stupid!”
The fish remained silent, as if saying, “So it’s all my fault, now?”