The Book of Maiden Contract

... Lin Luo has traveled in this world for several months, and he has seen a lot. As for the profession of puppeteer, this is the first time he has heard of it. I thought that such dolls that can move by themselves are extremely rare After hearing what the middle-aged man said just now, I instinctively felt that the puppeteer who created this kind of doll has probably become a legendary existence, but at this moment, I was a little dazed when I heard the other party's words.

Do real puppeteers still exist? Not a puppeteer who can only forward messages like a middle-aged man, but someone who can actually make this magical doll!

"Of course there are." Facing Lin Luo's puzzled expression, the middle-aged man said, "Not only are there, but there are many. As you said before, selling dolls to rich people for collection is actually a high-class Many rich people in the society have such dolls in their collections. Many puppeteers sell the dolls they make to these rich people in exchange for a superior life, and the rich people use these dolls for daily entertainment. ... Even more rich people will use their dolls to compare with others in order to save face, just like showing off whose lover is more beautiful."

When the middle-aged man said this, there was a hint of sadness in his tone, but he quickly skipped the topic, and continued: "It's just that although puppet masters exist, because every puppet master makes dolls. It belongs to its own unique method. In order not to let these methods spread, the living environment of puppet masters is very secret. Even the rich people who have come into contact with them do not know where they live, and even more puppeteers Even the name will not be handed down, which indirectly caused the puppet masters to become rare and unknown."

"Let's just talk about this puppet city. It used to be famous for its puppet masters and gathered many outstanding puppet masters, but now there is only an empty shell left... I stayed here for several days, I also visited many places, but..."

But he didn't go on, but Lin Luo could tell from his expression and tone that his expectations must have come to nothing. If there were still puppeteers here, he would have gone to ask the other party to treat him a long time ago. The puppet lives on.

"About puppeteer...is there a puppeteer who can create real life puppets?" Suddenly, Lin Luo asked such a question in a strange way.

"Real life?" The middle-aged man was taken aback.

"Yes, just like us humans, not only can we talk, we can move freely, we can laugh when we encounter happy things, weep when we encounter sad things, we can eat and drink water, and we also need to rest to replenish our physical strength , or even desire to love and be loved like human beings, a puppet with its own life and soul?"

Lin Luo didn't know why he asked such a question, but he just had such an impulse, and there was an urgent desire to know all this in his heart.

"This..." The middle-aged man was probably also taken aback by his question, he was stunned for a long time before he came back to his senses, shook his head and said, "I've lived for so long and this is the first time I've heard a puppet like the one you described , according to what you said, this is no longer a puppet, but a real creature, no matter how powerful a puppeteer is, it is impossible... wait!"

Suddenly, his face changed as if he remembered something.

"What's wrong?" Lin Luo's heart suddenly moved.

"Don't rush, let me think carefully." The middle-aged man waved his hand to signal Lin Luo to be quiet, and then he pinched his chin and thought about it. The matter was important, and Lin Luo didn't dare to disturb him, quietly waiting.

It wasn't until more than ten minutes later that he clapped his hands fiercely, and said to Lin Luo excitedly: "Don't say it, I really remembered it when I heard you say that. When I was very young, my grandfather used to I told me that although puppeteers have their own goals and methods in making dolls, the most basic thing to make excellent dolls is love for dolls. The emotions shown outside need to be conveyed by the maker. If the maker has no affection for the doll, no matter how excellent his talent is, the greatest goal of every puppeteer is to create something like A puppet with life and soul like a real person!"

"So, has anyone succeeded?" Lin Luo asked impatiently.

The middle-aged man nodded heavily, "Yes! There are indeed puppet masters who have created living dolls in legends. This kind of puppeteer is called a master craftsman, but..." At this point, he felt a little regretful "It's just that this is just a legend after all, but no one has seen it in reality, so it's hard to say whether it's true or not. And according to my grandfather, although the master craftsmen have created living dolls, But the lives of these dolls are extremely short, and the most can only live a few people, and the reason is that they failed to create the soul of the doll."

"soul?"

"Yes, regardless of any life, the soul is the root. A person without a soul is just a body. Especially for dolls, the soul is very important to them. Only when a doll is given a real soul can a doll be Can live a normal life like human beings, and even have a life longer than human beings. According to legend, the master craftsmen have gone far away from the restricted area of ​​life to find the ideal materials in order to create such perfect dolls. It’s just that no one has ever succeeded, so the craftsmanship of the master craftsmen has gradually been lost, and in the end no living dolls have appeared again, leaving only such a legend..."

After finishing these words in one breath, the middle-aged man found that Lin Luo seemed to be fascinated by what he heard, and he was in a daze. He patted him on the shoulder immediately, for fear that he would also want to follow the example of the legendary master craftsmen. Walking through the restricted area of ​​life, he gave away his life in vain, and said: "Little brother, don't think too much, although I was as yearning as you when I heard this passage from my grandfather, but think about it carefully, this It is more likely that the legend is groundless, so it is better not to take it seriously, and even if it is true, the master craftsman is also an existence that you and I can't wait for."

"Exactly." Lin Luomu nodded.

Hearing what he said, the middle-aged man finally felt a little relieved, and then said with a smile: "But I really want to thank you, after talking to you for a while, let me understand that the most important thing about being a puppeteer is not Alchemy, but love for dolls, so I feel that even if I am so useless, I still have the possibility of renewing the lives of these children."

While speaking, he lifted the box that was as tall as a person on the ground, put it directly on his shoulders, and said loudly: "Goodbye, little brother, I will dedicate my last life to these children... ...as a father!"

When the voice fell, he had already rushed out.

Seeing his leaving back, Lin Luo couldn't help showing respect... Although the dolls are not heavy, the box is solid, and there are other props in the box besides the dolls At least it weighs four to five hundred catties, but the middle-aged man lifts it up and runs effortlessly, walking like flying. Among other things, this strength alone is enough for him to find a promising job in this world, and he will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of his life. However, he gave up such a life and instead ran around, making a living as a performer. Just to renew the lives of his puppets.

And now, he will dedicate the rest of his life to these dolls.

Although he calls himself a worthless person, in Lin Luo's view, he is undoubtedly a great father, at least for those puppets, his love is great and selfless.

"I hope you can succeed, come on." After saying this, Lin Luo smiled slightly, turned around and wanted to leave.

"Little brother!" Suddenly, the middle-aged man's voice sounded again, and Lin Luo turned around instinctively, only to see that the other party had already run up to him quickly, holding the huge wooden box in one hand, and holding the huge wooden box in the other. Holding a book that I don't know what it is, I handed it directly to Lin Luo, "This is my gift to you, please accept it."

"Eh?" Lin Luo was slightly taken aback, "What is this?"

"The puppet making manual handed down by my ancestors." The middle-aged man said indifferently.

"What! This... I can't accept it." Lin Luo quickly handed it back. As the saying goes, a gentleman loves money and obtains it in the right way. This puppet-making manual handed down by Fang's ancestors, if compared with the world of martial arts, it is the establishment of a sect. Zhenshan treasure book, how could he have the nerve to accept such a valuable thing.

But the middle-aged man shook his hand, and said openly: "It's nothing, I have already memorized the contents here, although it is an ancestral thing, but my family has long been abandoned, and I am the only one left. Keeping things can only be used as souvenirs. It has no practical significance at all. It is better to give it to those who need it. I think even my grandfather would never blame me if he knew what I did. .”

"But even so...it seems useless to give it to me."

"No, I can see that if a person like you can embark on the path of a puppeteer, he will definitely do something outstanding, because you have enough love for puppets. Although this manual is not too advanced knowledge, but you have helped me so much, I have nothing to thank you, I can only give this to you, I hope it can be useful to you... Then, goodbye this time."

After speaking, as if he was afraid that Lin Luo would not accept it, he ran away quickly and disappeared in a blink of an eye.

Lin Luo shook his head and burst out laughing. However, looking at the ancient manual in his hand, his heart was a little moved.

He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he felt faintly in his heart that the puppet with life and soul was the key to what he was looking for. Although he doesn't know anything about puppets, he doesn't have any other clues now, so instead of searching blindly, it might be a good choice to start from this aspect.

"Puppet master... It seems that I have to work hard."

Lin Luo muttered to himself, already made up his mind.

(to be continued)