Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1246 - 414: Birthday, the Painter Living in Xia City, Population Boom, Discouraged

In the eighth year of Great Xia, on the fifth of October

As night just fell, within the Inner City at Yuan Mansion.

'Hahaha, I've finally reached six years old!'

While Shi Lu was arranging a banquet alongside six maids on the ground floor, an over-the-top and thrilled yell echoed from above, instantly bringing a grin to her lips.

'Young master, make sure to dress before heading down.'

'Oops, I forgot, I forgot.'

'Hahaha.'

Listening to the exchange between the maids and little Yuan Shao upstairs, Shi Lu along with the six servants nearby all chuckled uncontrollably.

'The young master has anticipated this moment for a full year, and now it's finally arrived.'

'It's not only the young master; children in the Inner City of his age are particularly keen on competing over who hits six first these days—such things can't really be competed over, hahaha...'

'You can only begin formal cultivation once you turn six; there's simply no alternative!'

'I understand. I heard this trend kicked off with the Second Prince this year. Whenever kids his age gather, they inquire about precise ages. Plenty of Inner City youngsters have caught on, and since the young master frequently plays with the Second Prince, it's no surprise.'

Thump, thump, thump.....

The lively chatter among the maids got cut short by the rush of rapid steps from the rear; they swiftly pivoted, joining their lady Shi Lu in gazing toward the staircase, their gazes lighting up at once.

The newly six-year-old Yuan Shao bounded down the steps with boundless energy.

At merely six, Yuan Shao already stood taller than 1.3 meters, outpacing kids his age in the camp by a wide margin, his sturdy build beginning to make itself known;

He wore custom-fitted black lightweight attire for summer, featuring silver embroidery on the neckline and sleeves, a charm dangling from his belt, and a vivid red-thread depiction of a Demon Sheep on his back. The Demon Sheep looked ferocious, its six horns stretching across to Yuan Shao's left side, seeming to rest upon his shoulder, rendered so realistically it was both striking and intimidating;

Additionally, a massive double-headed axe rested across his back.

Naturally, it was a custom-made smaller replica.

Upon hitting the base of the stairs, Yuan Shao recalled it was his sixth birthday and promptly reined in his enthusiasm, straightened his posture, cleared his throat with a fake cough, and then addressed Shi Lu in a serious tone: 'Mother, has the Prince and my companions shown up yet?'

'Pfft...'

Watching her boy deliberately mimic an adult, Shi Lu couldn't contain her amusement and let out a hearty laugh, which set off the maids who had been stifling their giggles.

'Hahaha...'

Shi Lu yanked Yuan Shao into an embrace, deftly removing the hefty axe from his shoulders without a second thought, and chided him amid her chuckles: 'You cheeky kid, barely six and already trying to play the mature one with your mother—give it a few more years and you might just turn the world upside down!'

Even as she teasingly rebuked him, she lifted the axe away from his back. Noticing her son's pouty reluctance, she tenderly patted the tiny bun atop his head, straightening his messy shoulder-length dark locks that had gotten ruffled from his hasty descent, before her tone grew gentle: 'The add-hair ritual is coming up for you; no more wild antics from now on. Your father and grandfather are still en route, and the Prince won't arrive so soon—take a seat here and stay put, Mother has summoned an artist to capture your likeness soon.'

As Great Xia's populace expands, the influx of young children from the newer generation keeps surging. To more effectively oversee and guide this rising wave of youth, the 'Xia Li·Ritual Chapter' mandates:

Prior to age six, youngsters' hair may only be bundled in parts; upon reaching six and completing the add-hair ritual, full hairstyles become permissible; then, at fifteen following the add-crown ritual, they are deemed true adults capable of venturing out independently without guardian supervision.

Yuan Shao wasn't typically overly energetic, yet on this day of turning six, his exhilaration peaked. Gently counseled by his mother, he settled down right away, though the mention of the portrait instantly twisted his features into a grimace as he sulked: 'Another portrait... Mother, I don't want to pose for it!'

......

With Great Xia's numbers swelling, a steady stream of diverse talents has begun to surface, among them skilled painters.

Mastery in painting holds vital importance; no matter the context, nearly every individual venturing beyond the camp possesses some basic knowledge of it.

The cause is straightforward: be it foraging expeditions, hunts, or ventures into surveying and charting territories, a foundational grasp of drawing proves essential. For example, during the initial compilation of the Cold Beast Record in Great Xia's early days, Xia Hong gave it a try personally, but lacking any innate aptitude, his efforts turned out disastrously poor.

That said, Xia Hong's shortcomings don't imply universal inability.

The introduction of paper in Great Xia's inaugural year profoundly boosted advancements in painting. Back then, this art mainly served to document foraging logs and topographic surveys;

However, as Xia City's inhabitants have multiplied in recent times, alongside the rise of more gifted individuals, artists' techniques have refined dramatically, broadening painting's reach into everyday civilian pursuits.

The whole affair traced back to Bai Yunzi, head artist of the Craftsmen Department, notorious for his henpecked ways. Last year, after a tongue-lashing from his spouse, he sketched her in a furious pose with hands akimbo and captioned it 'Shrew Scolding' nearby.

This vivid shrew scolding image proved uncannily accurate, and it somehow circulated first among the Craftsmen Department's ranks. Coincidentally, Bai Yunzi's wife boasted considerable beauty, so the amusing tale combined with the striking artwork rapidly gained fame across all of Xia City.