3249 Clever Girl (3)
“Look at this workshop. It says ‘Yang’s Workshop.’ In other words, this inscription master’s surname is Yang. I know Master Yang. He’s at Level 7 and his disciples are Levels 4 and 5.
“Master Yang has his own apprentices. He’s doing well because he’s only responsible for producing blueprints. His apprentices do the carving and coloring.
“Look over here —”
Auntie Qing led Feng Wu to an open area at the back. There were domed cubicles here with no ceilings, just like modern office cubicles.
Auntie Qing pointed at them and said, “Most of these inscription masters are at Level 5. They are unwilling to be apprentices, or they can’t find a teacher who’s willing to teach them. They’ll accept orders here in their own names.
“But they work very slowly. It can take them at least a month to produce a few low-level inscription weapons.”
Feng Wu said, “That’s not so efficient…”
Auntie Qing said, “Their pay isn’t high either. It starts at 30 per 1,000 words.”
Feng Wu asked, “30… What?”
Auntie Qing: “30 essence crystals for 1,000 words.”
Feng Wu said, “The essence crystals are quite easy to earn.”
“No, they’re not.” Auntie Qing was amused by Feng Wu. “They’re so inefficient that they’re lucky if they can make enough to survive. As long as they can make breakthroughs and inscribe higher-level inscriptions, however, their income will skyrocket.”
Feng Wu asked, “Really?”
Feng Wu saw that they looked like they were inscribing on grains of rice. Every inscription was extremely difficult, and no mistakes were allowed.
This was how inscriptions worked. If there was even the slightest mistake, the inscriber would have to start over.
Auntie Qing told Feng Wu, “Do you remember Master Yang just now? He can get 300 essence crystals for every 1,000 words. However, he has two apprentices under him, so he doesn’t really have much left.
“Let’s go. I’ll introduce you to the person in charge of Imperial College, Master Wang Zhiheng. He can get 1,000 essence crystals per 1,000 words.”
Feng Wu asked, “Is he a Level 8 inscription master?”
Auntie Qing said, “Yes, he’s a Level 8 inscription master. Master Duanmu across the hall is Master Wang’s senior brother, and he can get this much.”
Auntie Qing gestured at Feng Wu as she spoke.
Feng Wu hissed. “That high?”
Auntie Qing said, “Of course. Master Duanmu is really capable. He’s efficient and does good work. Of course… that was in the past.”
Feng Wu asked, “What about now?”
“Right now…” Auntie Qing was about to say something, when they arrived at Wang Zhiheng’s workshop. Auntie Qing stopped talking right away and told Feng Wu, “Don’t mention Master Duanmu in front of him, or there will be consequences.”
Feng Wu nodded.
“Speaking of which, Master Wang has a buddy named Yang Zhihu in the fortress. Have you met him?” Auntie Qing asked. “They’re very close and have become sworn brothers. If you know Yang Zhihu, Master Wang will be much closer to you.”
Feng Wu’s eyes lit up. “Yang Zhihu? He’s my teacher.”
Auntie Qing looked at Feng Wu in surprise. “Really?”
Feng Wu said, “It’s true. I’m from the colonels’ quarters.”
Auntie Qing sized up Feng Wu from head to toe. “I didn’t know you’re so good at cultivation.”
Feng Wu chuckled.
Auntie Qing took Feng Wu to Wang Zhiheng’s workshop and introduced her to the master, telling him that Feng Wu was Yang Zhihu’s student.
As expected, Master Wang looked at Feng Wu a lot more kindly.
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