Page 18

Fortunately, Gu Jiuque had also restored the Gu Family Ancestral Residence in his previous life, and had an extremely precise grasp of the old residence's structures and measurements. Even after being reborn, they remained etched into his bones.

Since the Jade Celestial Pivot was temporarily unusable, Gu Jiuque picked up various measuring tools. Using the eastern wing as a reference, he measured every part of the western wing—the roof tiles, ridge beasts, roof bedding, rafters, flying rafters, beams, wooden purlins, bracket sets, ceiling panels, pillars, walls, screen doors, door partitions, window lattices, platform foundation, and more. He thoroughly documented the specific condition of every damaged area. In his notebook, he carefully marked the exact location, extent, and depth of each damaged spot, drew detailed corresponding diagrams, and took photographs and videos for the archives. Even the demolition records were written with meticulous care, complete with sketches and photographs. Finally, he attached preliminary restoration recommendations for reference.

He was young and nimble, making it easy for him to climb up and down, so naturally he rushed to do this sort of work. Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu had initially worried that, since this was Gu Jiuque's first time following such a complex ancient-building reconstruction project, he might overlook things or fail to keep complete records. But when they saw his work notes and photo archives, they could not help being surprised—

Not only had Gu Jiuque recorded the damage throughout the building with precision and detail, but he had also completed the drawings in one smooth effort, displaying a solid foundation and considerable skill. The restoration recommendations appended to his notes were equally substantial. Some of his suggestions even employed the most advanced techniques currently available, leaving Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu feeling as though they had been given a fresh perspective.

"Not bad!" Grandpa Gu, always stern, praised him with a gentler expression. "Looks like you've been working hard lately."

Since Gu Jiuque could independently complete the surveying and mapping of the western wing, Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu no longer had to keep a close eye on Gu Yugui as he climbed ladders and heights. The old couple squatted amid the burned-out ruins of the western wing, clearing out the ruined furniture and ornaments piece by piece. Gu Yugui followed closely behind them, helping register everything in the records. Every now and then, Grandpa Gu would give him a thorough scolding: "Record it in more detail! What material, what era, what craftsmanship, what decorative patterns on the surface... Why can't you learn from Little Que? It would be much better if you simply drew it as it originally looked and attached the sketch behind it..."

Faced with the old man's nitpicking, Dad Gu meekly dared not argue. He could only cast a resentful look at Gu Jiuque, who was practically tearing up the roof: You little brat, you're actually making things harder for your own father!

Gu Jiuque had no idea what Dad Gu was grumbling about internally. He had barely finished the overall survey of the western wing when another line of text popped up before his eyes: [Re-measure the western wing?] Beneath it was a smaller line: [1/10000].

Gu Jiuque: "..."

Once he understood, Gu Jiuque was ecstatic. Though he still did not know why the Jade Celestial Pivot worked only sometimes, with such an opportunity before him, he excitedly chose "Yes."

What followed was exactly the same treatment Gu Jiuque had received when restoring the Willow-Branch Guanyin Portrait.

Measuring again and again, copying reference drawings again and again, taking photographs for records again and again, summarizing restoration recommendations again and again...

As Gu Jiuque tirelessly repeated the surveying process for the western wing, he was astonished to discover that his grasp of every structural component in the room had reached a terrifying level.

Countless thoughts collided wildly in his mind like silver blossoms bursting from an iron tree, inspiration spraying in every direction. Things he had once only half understood—or never bothered to understand fully—suddenly clicked into place.

Gu Jiuque sat blankly on a beam. He had originally thought that, after rebuilding the residence in his previous life, he was already very familiar with its various structures and measurements. But only at this moment did he suddenly realize that what he had considered familiarity was merely clumsy imitation. He had only generally mastered the data and skills needed to build a house; at best, he had been copying a cat from a tiger, copying a gourd from another gourd.

As for how the ancients built a house, and the systematic conclusions and principles behind the architectural aesthetics and structural mechanics applied during construction, they quietly took shape only now.

Gu Jiuque was delighted to discover that he had finally completely mastered every skill required to build a western wing from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The ancients said that practice made perfect. This was probably what they meant.

No matter how exceptional one's talent or how extensive one's theoretical knowledge, it ultimately still had to be put into practice. Only years upon years of practice and reflection could accumulate skill. Only when skill reached its pinnacle could one truly integrate it all and create works of breathtaking craftsmanship.

The study and refinement of such craftsmanship relied on repeated daily practice, together with constant thought and reflection.

An ordinary person facing a task that required repeating something ten thousand times would likely have become restless and impatient long ago. At the very least, they would not be like Gu Jiuque, burying himself in the tasks set by the Jade Celestial Pivot and tirelessly repeating the survey of the western wing, actively considering where he still fell short and how he could improve his skills.

In fact, when Gu Jiuque had been young, there were times when he could not sit still either. Whenever his grandparents were not paying attention, he would secretly let his mind wander while studying. But a fire and a car accident had completely changed the course of his life. During those ten years when his family was destroyed, he was left disfigured and paralyzed, Gu Jiuque had long since tempered his character into something extraordinarily resilient.

Disability and illness could not stop him from honing and studying restoration techniques. The slander and abuse of others could not stop him from honing and studying restoration techniques. His obsession with clearing his grandfather's name could not stop him from honing and studying restoration techniques. Not even death could stop Gu Jiuque from honing and studying restoration techniques.

Because he had returned to ten years ago. Returned to the age of eighteen, when his body was healthy and his spirit full. With the Jade Celestial Pivot's help, no hardship could obstruct or restrict Gu Jiuque's pursuit of restoration techniques anymore. Even time, which never stopped, favored him greatly.

Who knew how long passed before Gu Jiuque's eyes suddenly lit up. Countless lines quietly formed, as though someone were drawing in thin air. In the void, a lifelike western wing appeared atop the foundation that had already become ruins—

The perspective ability and 3D structural diagram Gu Jiuque had been yearning for appeared once again.

Gu Jiuque blinked, astonished to find that amid the simple yet intricate house structure formed by countless lines, there was another line of small text marking the precise measurements of every component. Dashed lines outlined the areas damaged in the fire that needed repair! Restoration recommendations for the subsequent work were also attached beside them.