"Once unfamiliar, twice acquainted!"

Jack Ross said as he stepped forward, loosened the live pig, and then pushed it off the slaughter table.

On that slaughter table, blood was splattered everywhere.

Blood mixed with hot water flowed down the grooves of the slaughter table, dripping into the wooden bucket at the edge of the groove.

"Come on, there's one more."

Just as Jack Ross said, once unfamiliar, twice acquainted.

Having done it once, the second time felt much easier. At least, the initial nervousness was gone, and wielding the knife felt much more natural. After slaughtering the two pigs, Jack Ross took out two iron hooks, hung the two pigs on the pole in the yard, and while teaching Edward Brooks how to butcher the pigs, he sighed, "Think of me, Old Ross, born into a family of butchers for generations... But when it comes to Big Brother's generation, I'm afraid the line will end. Big Brother loves to study, and I just let him have his way...

But this ancestral craft... I'm about to let it die out in my hands.

Little Ethan, if you're interested, I'll teach you this family skill, so at least you'll have a trade."

Speaking of which, the way Song people addressed each other was rather odd. Fathers often called their sons 'Big Brother'. The Big Brother that Jack Ross mentioned was his only son, named David Ross.

Perhaps in Jack Ross's eyes, sumo wrestling was never a long-term path.

Edward Brooks secretly complained in his heart: Who would be interested in this craft for no reason?

But he had no other choice. For at least fifty days, the fresh meat in the shop would have to be handled by himself.

"Uncle Six-Four, I'll have to trouble you then!"

"Ha, what's the trouble? With your strength, Little Ethan, you'll surely make a name for yourself in the future."

Making a name for oneself as a butcher is still just being a butcher, isn't it?

Edward Brooks couldn't help but laugh and cry. He turned his head and saw Nancy busying herself nearby. Under the candlelight, her delicate, jade-like face was flushed and very pretty. Perhaps she caught the meaning in Jack Ross's words, for Nancy couldn't help but let out a giggle, but quickly covered her rosy lips with her small hand.

That beautiful, girlish demeanor made Edward Brooks stare in a daze...

Volume One Xuanhe Year Six Chapter 010: Seeking Another Path (Part 1)

As Jack Ross said, butchering pigs is a technical job.

The hardest part is actually butchering the pig after it's been killed. There are so many details to pay attention to that, for Edward Brooks, who was wielding the butcher's knife for the first time, he was panting with exhaustion after just a few tries.

This job can't be done well with just brute strength.

You need a sharp eye and skillful hands. When you cut, you must understand the grain of the meat and slice along it; otherwise, the blade will dull after just a few cuts. Edward Brooks worked in the yard, while Jack Ross would occasionally call out to correct Edward Brooks's mistakes. Sometimes he would even come over and demonstrate alongside Edward Brooks. By the time one pig was butchered, Edward Brooks collapsed onto the ground, drenched in sweat.

Beside him, Nancy fetched well water to quench Edward Brooks's thirst.

"Uncle Six-Four, no wonder Big Larry doesn't want to learn this trade—it's really tough."

"Hmph, I've made a living with this skill for most of my life!" Jack Ross seemed full of resentment, sighing deeply, "Actually, mastering a craft isn't necessarily worse than studying. Not everyone can become a noble from a humble background. There are so many scholars in the world, but how many truly make a name for themselves?

Big Brother's ambitions are too high—not necessarily a blessing...

Our trade isn't without its prospects. I heard from the elders that in ancient times, there was a cook who butchered cattle for the emperor, and even the emperor was amazed by his skill and praised him endlessly. Do you think it's easy to be a good butcher? It takes real hard work."

"Oh? There's skill in being a butcher too?"

Jack Ross raised his eyebrows and spoke at length, "Of course. Butchering cattle and pigs isn't as simple as just picking up a knife and slaughtering. The ancient man I mentioned once said that when he first started butchering cattle, all he saw was the cow. After three years, he no longer saw the whole cow... Later, he relied on his spirit to connect with the cow, not just his eyes.

When butchering, you need to understand their natural structure, know the gaps between their tendons and bones, and cut along the joints—never letting the blade touch the bone... This butcher's knife of mine has been used for three generations, and countless pigs and sheep have died by it, yet look at it—still sharp as ever..."

The story of Butcher Ding carving up an ox!

Edward Brooks immediately realized that Jack Ross was talking about the story of Butcher Ding.

He didn't expect that a butcher like him would know such things. But thinking about it, that's just how the Song Dynasty was. To say everyone had an air of elegance wouldn't be an exaggeration. At least compared to later generations, people of the Song Dynasty—from high officials to commoners—were all extremely refined.

"Alright, let's continue."

Jack Ross glanced at the sky and stood up.

"The city gates open at the fifth watch, so we have to be outside the city before then.

I've already explained the essentials of butchering; it's up to you, Little Ethan, to see if you put your heart into it. Who knows, maybe you'll surpass me one day."

And what if I surpass you?

In my previous life, I was a distinguished qin player, having passed the level ten exam.

Now, am I to become a level ten butcher?