Magic Chef Of Ice And Fire

MCIF Chapter 4

Chapter 4.1 - The Silver Feather Knight Regiment

[TL Note: Wood Knife is a machete-like cleaver.]

Pu, Nian Bing blew at the firewood. The firewood's outer treebark fell to pieces on either side. The log of firewood turned into a perfect even sided octagon. Those eight cuts a moment ago were only to remove the bark and have the firewood become a regular shape. Only like this could he chop the firewood into even pieces.

His left hand did not need to hold the firewood. Nian Bing was very confident in cutting the wood. Although his plumpness affected his body's flexibility, he still had the great assistance of his stability and strength. His plump face pouted, and the wood knife in his hand moved yet again. The wood knife was like a cool breeze, directly sweeping toward the firewood eight times, each producing a strip of wood. A fine line formed on the firewood as the knife separated from it, and the slices of wood laid down beside the tree bark.

While splitting the log, Nian Bing took extreme care; each cut was made with careful deliberation. The log of firewood appeared to fall into pieces. Surprisingly, the pieces were actually even. At least from the naked eye, they were difficult to distinguish from each other.
How much time does a log of firewood require? Normally, Nian Bing only needed to rapidly wave his knife many times, but today, he had to use half a day's worth of time.

Zha Ji did not know when he had stood behind Nian Bing. He hadn't uttered a word. Nian Bing, highly concentrating his spirit power, had not heard him approach. His entire consciousness was focused on the firewood in front of him. Every cut he produced passed through careful deliberation beforehand.

Zha Ji smiled with satisfaction. Not only is chopping firewood is great way to temper one's strength, but it is also a great way to temper one's knife work. Perhaps common chefs would feel the heavy wood knife was too unwieldy, but that would be because they could not control the humble wood knife well. The ability required to use it is extremely high. Using the wood knife to practice knife work, requires the mind, eye and hand to be completely united. Compared to simple hand strengthening, chopping wood with the wood knife is an exquisite task.

After the last chop, he lifted the knife, and it flashed a cold light. The sound of clapping came from behind him. Nian Bing used his sleeve to wipe his sweaty forehead and turned around, finding his master. "Master, the wood I chopped this time can be considered even."

Zha Ji nodded and said, "Pretty good. Originally when I practiced chopping wood with the wood knife, only when I practiced for no less than three years did I initially succeed. You can now chop even pieces; this is proof that you've already reached the realm of Lesser Ascension."

Nian Bing happily asked, "Then do I still have to chop wood in the future?"

Zha Ji's complexion changed and seriously said, "You are still far too lacking. Although your chops can be considered even, they still aren't completely even! Furthermore, your firewood pieces can still be cut even more thin. Besides, look at the amount of time you used. When will it be when you can completely chop up a log of thirty centimeters in diameter within three minutes? Only then will I recognize that you have passed."

Nian Bing disappointedly said, "Then I must practice until when? Everyday you tell me the principles of cooking, the methods of cooking, yet you don't let me truly practice through work. Like this, when will I finish my apprenticeship?"

Zha Ji faintly smiled and said, "Child, you must know that building the foundation is the most important. If you are anxious for quick results and don't have a good foundation, you will forever be unable to reach the highest realm of culinary arts. Chopping wood is indeed dull and uninteresting, but it tempers your hands, eyes and mind. Certainly, any other method could not achieve this. After you master chopping wood with the wood knife, when we advance to your other studies, you will learn at twice the speed with half with work." After saying this, he was in deep thought and it was as if his eyes gazed at the hairs of the firewood. "Consider the method of chopping firewood, it can equally be used for chopping up cooking ingredients. All ingredients are like firewood, each possessing their own characteristics and grains."