Chuan Province, Shangri-La Hotel.
In the diamond VIP suite, Hu Dezhi was entertaining his honored guests with a feast.
The Shangri-La Hotel wasn’t famous just in Chuan Province. Every country had its own top hotels where wealthy people could use the diamond VIP card. Hu Dezhi had the fortune of getting his hands on one thanks to Tang Group’s reputation.
Hu Dezhi stood up to toast, “Everyone, you are my honored guests. Please pardon me if anything is unsatisfactory.”
In this diamond VIP suite, every bottle of red wine was at least 10,000 RMB, each set among fine dishes and gourmet cuisine. One had to admit, Hu Dezhi had gone to great lengths to be a great host today.
His efforts earned the guests’ appreciation.
An old man in western suit said, “Boss Hu, there is wine and food, but no singing and dancing. It lacks a bit of refinement.”
Hu Dezhi smiled, “Grandmaster Zhao wants dancing? Not a problem, I will…”
“There’s no need to trouble boss Hu over such a small matter. I will do it.”
Grandmaster Zhao took out three-foot-tall paper dolls and laid them on the ground. He chanted as his hands danced in a series of gestures. With a final shout, he pointed at the dolls.
The dolls stood up and began dancing.
“Amazing!”
“Extraordinary!”
“Grandmaster Zhao’s skill is wonderful!”
The paper dolls had simple movements, hardly called dancing and only moving on the spot, yet the hall shouted him praises.
Hu Dezhi was pleasantly surprised. Any average person would be when witnessing such a strange sight.
The admiration filled Grandmaster Zhao with pride.
“Grandmaster Zhao said singing and dancing but this is only dancing. As for singing, watch closely!”
Another man stood and placed a wooden birdie on the table.
“Chirp~”
The wooden birdie moved as it sang.
“Incredible, Grandmaster Mo!”
“Mo clan’s mechanical skill is the best in the world. Grandmaster Mo’s birdie has no equal.”
“Awesome!”
“What an eye-opener!”
The crowd gave another round of flattery and Mo Jie sat full of himself.
Hu Dezhi toasted discreetly to Mo Jie, to the satisfaction of Mo Jie’s vanity.
To help Tang Zhan pick a worthy antique, Hu Dezhi invited all kinds of ‘talents’ across the country, besides Li Mo. And he didn’t limit himself to just these two grandmasters, everyone here was one.
The dancing was short lived as the paper dolls fell to the floor and the spring in the wooden bird unwound, turning to a stop on the table.
Yet the ‘honorable guests’, Hu Dezhi included, did not mind it in the least.
Hu Dezhi gauged everyone’s reactions. He built up his fortune from nothing and despite half was thanks to his Tang wife, the other half was because of his efforts.
After Zhao Zuo and Mo Jie’s display almost everyone praised them, except for a man in his thirty. He just stood alone drinking wine while ignoring all that happened.
Longhu Mountain’s Zhang Ding.
Hu Dezhi moved next to Zhang Ding. “Celestial Master Zhang, you’ve traveled a long way and for that I am grateful. A toast!”
Zhang Ding waved, “Boss Hu, I don’t dare call myself a Celestial Master. I am but a humble disciple hailing from Longhu Mountain. I am undeserving of your praise.”
“Celestial Master Zhang is modest. You come from the Celestial Master Abode on Longhu Mountain. Everyone knows of the grand name it enjoys.”
Zhang Ding was delighted, but his face changed again, “Boss Hu, I have said I am but a humble disciple. The abode is the abode, and I am me. This is the truth.” Zhang Ding spoke as he raised his glass.
“Celestial Master Zhang, I have never seen your ability, but I believe you’re a great man. No less than Grandmaster Mo and Grandmaster Zhao.”
The two clinked glasses and drank.
Zhang Ding shook his hand, “Boss Hu, you are wrong. I am but a humble disciple hailing from Longhu Mountain. How can I compare to Grandmaster Zhao’s dollies and Grandmaster Mo’s wooden toy?”
Zhang Ding was modest but when he got to dollies and wooden toy, it lacked any form of respect. He also made sure to raise his voice and made his sarcasm heard by all guests.
Zhao Zuo was the first rubbed the wrong way, “Zhang Ding, what dollies? This is calledTrue Object Manipulation Art . Making paper dolls dance is just entertainment. If I want to, I can lift the entire hotel with one finger!”
The crowd exclaimed.
Mo Jie only snorted his disapproval.
Zhang Ding stood up with an honest expression, “Grandmasters, you are masters of true great skills. While I am but a humble disciple. If my words offended you, please accept my apologies.”
Zhao Zuo and Mo Jie relaxed.
Zhang Ding pointed next to him, “Boss Hu, why is this seat empty?”
It was Li Mo’s, though for the past two days since he arrived all he did was stay in his room. Hu Dezhi invited him many times but never showed up.
Hu Dezhi was blunt, “This guest does not like the bustle and did not come.”
Zhang Ding interjected, “He must be amazing then. Only a true expert shyes from the limelight.”
His tone was as high as before, irritating Mo Jie and Zhao Zuo, again.
Wasn’t this an obvious affront to them who just displayed their skill?
Zhao Zuo slapped the table and was about to explode. But Hu Dezhi came to smooth things over, “Come, everyone, let’s drink. Enjoy the feast! We will only leave this place drunk!”
Hu Dezhi clapped and pretty girls came flowing in.
Zhao Zuo and Mo Jie had their anger deflated on the spot.
Hu Dezhi stood up, “Everyone, please go ahead and choose. You can even take them with you!”
The crowd’s eyes lit up.
Shangri-La Hotel, room 107.
Li Mo was moving his finger over the night pearl as he drew talismans.
He’d been in Chuan Province for two days and locked himself in his room ever since. Not to cultivate but to practice talisman arts.
The doorbell suddenly sounded.
Li Mo never stopped practicing.
The door opened and a slender woman entered.
She held the room card and greeted coyly, “Hello little brother, I am Director Hu’s friend, Jiang Xiaomei.”
“It’s so hot in here.” Jiang Xiaomei took off her jacket, letting her ample chest out in the open.
Li Mo said, “Come here.”
Jiang Xiaomei was overjoyed inside as she approached.
