The next day, Hu Dezhi was still in the VIP suite relishing the grandmasters display.
He invited Li Mo to help pick antiques at the black market, and these grandmasters to get in Tang Zhans good graces.
What took precedent however was getting so n of real talent in his employnt.
Grandmasters ca in many shapes and colors, including real and fake. The fakes were a di a dozen and he was looking out for the real ones who did not engage in sophistry, gallivanting around a useless gimmick.
Yesterday only three grandmasters displayed their skills, Zhang Ding, Zhao Zuo, and Mo Jie.
There was no need to ntion Zhang Ding. He fit the bill and Hu Dezhi wanted to recruit him. Zhao Zuo wasnt amazing, but his skill was real, sothing normal people couldnt do. He was barely passable, while Mo Jie was a no go.
For Mo Jies first number today, he brought a wooden crossbow that fired three bolts.
My skill is average. If the elders from my clan were here, they could make one that shot 12 bolts and at 20 ter!(T/N: the average crossbow can reach 60 m.)
Mo Jie was filled with pride, his hands behind his back.
Silence.
Hu Dezhi was disappointed. His wooden bird livened the mood last night so he had so expectations. Yet Mo Jie only ca up with a plain crossbow.
Soone asked, Grandmaster Mo, who is stronger? Your crossbow or a gun?
Mo Jie said, That is different. This is a skill built over a thousand of years, not sothing the modern era would see.
Hu Dezhi said, No matter how old the skill, skills like tea ceremony are ones most influenced by age. The older it is the more popular it becos. But this crossbow would be ignored even a century ago, not to ntion now.
Grandmaster Mo, forgive but you did not pass my evaluation.
Mo Jie was out. Only Hu Dezhis approval would allow him to beco a constant guest of his house.
Mo Jie felt awkward and left the suite. Hu Dezhi didnt give any hint, but if soone did it, would only make him feel worse.
Zhang Ding stood up, Director Hu, am I next?
Zhang Ding wore a mask, fitted to hide Li Mos footprint.
Hu Dezhi smiled, Theres no need to even say it, Celestial Master Zhang. Your skill left in awe.
Director Hu, youre too kind. I am but a humble disciple hailing from Longhu Mountain. My skill is by no ans divine. What do you guys say? Zhang Ding fshed for complints.
Only allowed on
Celestial Master Zhang is divine.
I have never seen such seal art as Celestial Master Zhangs.
Without Celestial Master Zhang to open my eyes yesterday, I wouldnt have known what a true grandmaster is.
If Celestial Master Zhangs skill isnt divine, what else can it be?
They tooted his horn so much Zhao Zuo was becoming restless.
Only yesterday these people sang him praises, but now they switched tunes.
Zhang Ding sat down modestly.
Hu Dezhi said, Grandmaster Zhao wont need to be evaluated either. Now, who is next?
Hu Dezhi perford evaluations close to noon.
Only three were chosen, Zhang Ding, Zhao Zuo, and a grandmaster who practiced an unyielding skill who went by the na Xu Ming. His skill was Golden Canopy, making him tough as steel that not even a jackhamr to his head could scratch him.
Hu Dezhi was shocked by how proficient he was and praised him. Grandmaster Xu, how long did you practice it?
Ten-odd years. I first started with screwdrivers, then knives and finally jackhamrs.
Incredible!
Not at all. My master is the greatest at it. He can stop the jackhamr with his hand and can cause a 7 degree earthquake for ten kiloters with just a stomp.
Heavens, how is he so strong?
This is nothing. My masters greatest feat was when soone called Ma sothing Nan sothing provoked him. Master flew into a rage and released his power when he pointed a finger a thousand kiloters away. What do you think happened next?
What?
That Ma sothing Nan sothing was walking when he clutched his belly and fell to his knees, pucking without stop as he cried doctor. This is my masters greatest kill. Master said he was easy on him or his finger wouldve killed him.
Grandmaster Xu, will you help bring your master here?
Impossible. My master does not receive guests. He said that the ones he is eting must be fated to et him. No amount of money will change that.
Expert, this is how an expert behaves.
Ill be honest Director Hu. I have co here because of my masters words. He said that there is fate between and Gu Yue.
Gu Yue? Whats that?
I did not know at first, but realized it when I t you, Director Hu. Dont you see, the character Gu and Yue combined form Hu!(T/N: gu(), yue(), and hu())
Your master foresaw ? Hu Dezhi sighed.
He must have. But my masters words are filled with anings and I can only make so guesses.
Even that is amazing.
By the way, could you tell your masters na? If we are fated, I will surely pay him a visit.
He is surnad Wang. As for his na, I cannot say without his approval.
It seems only fate will allow us to et. I must be too materialistic and imposed with questions.
After this small talk, Hu Dezhis respect for Grandmaster Xu went even above Celestial Master Zhang.
Among the three, Zhao Zuo felt the most awkward. Hu Dezhi having only a normal impression of him.
At lunch, Grandmaster Zhao was nowhere to be seen and Hu Dezhi called him but there was no answer.
Grandmaster Zhao left without saying goodbye.
At four in the afternoon, Li Mo and Jiang Xiaoi left their room and t with Hu Dezhi downstairs.
The black market was opening tonight.
Li Mo and Jiang Xiaoi got in Hu Dezhis RV. Hu Dezhi, Zhang Ding, Xu Ming were there, as well as three escort girls.
Let introduce you. This is Li Xuanqing from Feng City. Dont underestimate this old sport for being young. His eyes can see through jades, antiques, anything.
Zhang Ding squinted. Li Mo only spared him a glance before ignoring him.
Li Mo only needed to confirm he was the invisible man. As for the rest, it mattered not.
He is Celestial Master Zhang, coming from Celestial Master Abode on Longhu Mountain. He is the personal disciple of Celestial Master.
Zhang Ding was modest, Director Hu, you overpraise . I am but a humble disciple hailing from Longhu Mountain. Please, do not call by such lofty titles.
This is Grandmaster Xu. His master can injure a man from a thousand kiloters with a finger. And Grandmaster Xus unyielding skill can stand against a jackhamr pointing at his head. Look, theres no scratch on him. How amazing!
Nice eting you.
Xu Ming reached out to shake his hand and Li Mo replied in kind.
The RV was on the move, straight for the black market.
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