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 Zhan’s good graces.
What took precedent however was getting some men of real talent in his employment.
Grandmasters came in many shapes and colors, including real and fake. The fakes were a dime 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 mention Zhang Ding. He fit the bill and Hu Dezhi wanted to recruit him. Zhao Zuo wasn’t amazing, but his skill was real, something normal people couldn’t do. He was barely passable, while Mo Jie was a no go.
For Mo Jie’s 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 meter!”(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 some expectations. Yet Mo Jie only came up with a plain crossbow.
Someone 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 something 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 becomes. But this crossbow would be ignored even a century ago, not to mention now.
“Grandmaster Mo, forgive me but you did not pass my evaluation.”
Mo Jie was out. Only Hu Dezhi’s approval would allow him to become a constant guest of his house.
Mo Jie felt awkward and left the suite. Hu Dezhi didn’t give any hint, but if someone 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 Mo’s footprint.
Hu Dezhi smiled, “There’s no need to even say it, Celestial Master Zhang. Your skill left me in awe.”
“Director Hu, you’re too kind. I am but a humble disciple hailing from Longhu Mountain. My skill is by no means divine. What do you guys say?” Zhang Ding fshed for compliments.
“Celestial Master Zhang is divine.”
“I have never seen such seal art as Celestial Master Zhang’s.”
“Without Celestial Master Zhang to open my eyes yesterday, I wouldn’t have known what a true grandmaster is.”
“If Celestial Master Zhang’s skill isn’t 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 won’t need to be evaluated either. Now, who is next?”
Hu Dezhi performed evaluations close to noon.
Only three were chosen, Zhang Ding, Zhao Zuo, and a grandmaster who practiced an unyielding skill who went by the name Xu Ming. His skill was Golden Canopy, making him tough as steel that not even a jackhammer 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 jackhammers.”
“Incredible!”
“Not at all. My master is the greatest at it. He can stop the jackhammer with his hand and can cause a 7 degree earthquake for ten kilometers with just a stomp. “
“Heavens, how is he so strong?”
“This is nothing. My master’s greatest feat was when someone called Ma something Nan something provoked him. Master flew into a rage and released his power when he pointed a finger a thousand kilometers away. What do you think happened next?”
“What?”
“That Ma something Nan something was walking when he clutched his belly and fell to his knees, pucking without stop as he cried doctor. This is my master’s greatest kill. Master said he was easy on him or his finger would’ve killed him.”
“Grandmaster Xu, will you help me bring your master here?”
“Impossible. My master does not receive guests. He said that the ones he is meeting must be fated to meet him. No amount of money will change that.”
“Expert, this is how an expert behaves.”
“I’ll be honest Director Hu. I have come here because of my master’s words. He said that there is fate between me and Gu Yue.”
“Gu Yue? What’s that?”
“I did not know at first, but realized it when I met you, Director Hu. Don’t you see, the character Gu and Yue combined form Hu!(T/N: gu(古), yue(月), and hu(胡))”
“Your master foresaw me?” Hu Dezhi sighed.
“He must have. But my master’s words are filled with meanings and I can only make some guesses.”
“Even that is amazing.
“By the way, could you tell me your master’s name? If we are fated, I will surely pay him a visit.”
“He is surnamed Wang. As for his name, I cannot say without his approval.”
“It seems only fate will allow us to meet. I must be too materialistic and imposed with questions.”
After this small talk, Hu Dezhi’s 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 Xiaomei left their room and met with Hu Dezhi downstairs.
The black market was opening tonight.
Li Mo and Jiang Xiaomei got in Hu Dezhi’s RV. Hu Dezhi, Zhang Ding, Xu Ming were there, as well as three escort girls.
“Let me introduce you. This is Li Xuanqing from Feng City. Don’t 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 me. I am but a humble disciple hailing from Longhu Mountain. Please, do not call me by such lofty titles.”
“This is Grandmaster Xu. His master can injure a man from a thousand kilometers with a finger. And Grandmaster Xu’s unyielding skill can stand against a jackhammer pointing at his head. Look, there’s no scratch on him. How amazing!”
“Nice meeting 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.
