Crazy Masters

"Come, show me a move or two," Wu Meng said.

"Yes, Esteemed Sir!" Huo Deshan agreed immediately.

He took a few steps back, took a deep breath, then closed his eyes while putting his palms together.

Before coming to receive Wu Meng and Zhang Wanqing, his master Nie Changyun had already told him to put on his best behaviour so that he could get into Wu Meng's good books.

Huo Deshan did not understand why they had to indulge a random merchant, but he would not disobey his master, either.

Since his master had told him to do so, there was surely an underlying reason that he had yet to fully comprehend.

That being the case, he would naturally do his best here!

Huo Deshan's eyes shot open, and he struck out with his right palm.

It was a seemingly simple and straightforward move, yet the result was anything but that.

His small action summoned a storm of energy that ravaged the surroundings, causing everyone's clothes and hair to flutter wildly, almost akin to a mini tornado forming right in front of them.

Zhang Wanqing frowned immediately and stepped behind Wu Meng's back, using him as shelter from the powerful winds.

Despite the difficulty in doing so, she forced her eye open, albeit only narrowly, so that she could see just what Huo Deshan was about to do.

And under everyone's gazes, Huo Deshan's bare palm suddenly burst into flames.

The fire did not seem too intimidating, just barely shrouding his palm.

However, the pressure impacted upon their surroundings skyrocketed the moment this flame appeared.

Thud-!

Zhang Wanqing fell to one knee, cold sweat streaming down the side of her cheeks and drenching her clothes.

She did not know the exact reason why, but her body simply went limp the moment the fire appeared on Huo Deshan's palm. It almost felt as though she was instinctively submitting to the mere presence of the flame!

"All right, enough. Any longer than this and my disciple is going to faint," Wu Meng remarked.

"Yes," Huo Deshan casually flicked his palm, and the flame vanished instantly.

Along with it, the storm of energy and huge spiritual pressure that had been bearing down upon them immediately disappeared as well.

Zhang Wanqing could not help but heave a sigh of relief, though she chose to slowly catch her breath instead of rushing to stand.

"How old are you, thirty?" Wu Meng said. "To be able to reach the Transcendent realm at this age, truly a good seed."

"Thank you for your kind words, Esteemed Sir," Huo Deshan clasped his fists towards him respectfully.

"As for your Fire Palm, I'm afraid it is far from passable," Wu Meng shook his head in disapproval.

Hmm?

Zhang Wanqing looked at Wu Meng in surprise after getting back on her feet.

No matter how she thought about it, that was a crazy palm technique.

Even Sheng Huoyuan's group did not do anything nearly as impressive back at Green Seed Village, yet Wu Meng is saying that this is far from passable?

Ignoring how rude that is, aren't those words a little too big of an exaggeration?

It was not just her, either.

Huo Deshan himself furrowed his brows upon hearing this.

The Fire Palm was the one move that he was the most proud of. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he would be able to beat the majority of his opponents using this one move alone!

Yet Wu Meng said that it is far from passable?

Not even barely passable, but far from passable?

The indignant Huo Deshan instinctively glanced at Nie Changyun, hoping that his master would speak up for him.

However, he was bound to be disappointed.

"Esteemed Sir has a keen eye," Nie Changyun clasped his fists towards Wu Meng. "May I know if Esteemed Sir is willing to guide my foolish disciple in the right direction, then?"

Nie Changyun's words caused Huo Deshan to turn his attention back to Wu Meng.

That's right.

Since you dared to claim that it's not good enough, then how about you talk about how it can be improved?

"The Fire Palm itself might seem to be executed well. However, it is not aligned with nature," Wu Meng did not even hesitate before speaking. "The Fire Palm is originally part of the Elemental Palm Art. But I'm certain about one thing – your mastery levels of the other four palm moves are severely lacking in comparison, aren't they?"

These words caused Huo Deshan to widen his eyes in surprise.

"You don't have to think too deeply about how I found out. That much is obvious to anyone with a pair of working eyes," Wu Meng shrugged. "The Elemental Palm Art is a complex technique that builds on the simultaneous mastery of all five elements, so that's naturally the only way to cultivate it to its peak. By focusing solely on the one move that you believe fits you well, not only are you bound to hit a ceiling fast, but your mastery of that move will also be unstable and incongruent with nature at best!"

"This..." Nie Changyun was stunned for a moment before revealing a meaningful smile. "Esteemed Sir sure is familiar with our Elemental Palm Art."

"Just a casual observation, don't pay it any undue attention," Wu Meng waved off his comment nonchalantly.

"In any case, I represent my Five Elements Valley to thank you for your guidance," Nie Changyun gave a slight bow. "What you just said will benefit all of Five Elements Valley for years to come."

"I-I thank you for your guidance as well, Esteemed Sir!" Huo Deshan hurriedly followed suit.

"Rise. As I said, it's just a casual observation, so there is no need to thank me for that," Wu Meng said lazily. "Rather than that, do you have any brush and ink?"

"I do have it," Huo Deshan quickly offered.

"No, let me," Nie Changyun gestured for Huo Deshan to back off, which the latter promptly did.

Nie Changyun then flicked his wrist and several items appeared in his hands, including a few pieces of paper, a brush, and a bottle of ink.

Huo Deshan immediately understood why his master had wanted to do so himself.

Dragonskin paper, phoenixtail brush, purified leviathan ink... the items that Nie Changyun had taken out were of nothing but the finest quality.

Compared to what he had intended to bring out initially, the difference was like the distance between heaven and earth!

"Take it," Wu Meng gestured to Zhang Wanqing.

"Yes," Zhang Wanqing stepped forward and received the items from Nie Changyun.

"Write a few words on it," Wu Meng told Zhang Wanqing.

"Hmm? Me?" Zhang Wanqing pointed to herself in confusion. "What do I write?"

"Whatever," Wu Meng answered carelessly. "If you have absolutely no idea, then go ahead and draw something on it. Anything works."

"Is that really okay?" Zhang Wanqing hesitated. "These things look expensive..."

"This..." Huo Deshan looked at Nie Changyun as well.

Zhang Wanqing might think that these items look expensive, but Huo Deshan knew for a fact that they are expensive!

However, Huo Deshan saw that Nie Changyun had maintained the same calm expression from the beginning, seemingly completely unbothered that his precious treasures were about to go to waste.

"If I tell you to do it, then just do it. Why do you have so many concerns?" Wu Meng chided.

"Go ahead, Young Miss," Nie Changyun nodded to show his approval.

"If you say so..." Zhang Wanqing dipped the brush into the bottle of ink, then raised it above the paper.

But... what should she write?

The first words that came into her mind were 'Fire Palm', mainly due to the strong impression that it had left on her since earlier.

However, wouldn't it be a little inappropriate for a complete novice like her to write down the name of the other party's move?

And that was especially after Wu Meng had criticised the other party too.

In the worst-case scenario, the other party could even misunderstand her intention, thinking that she was mocking their lack of mastery over their own technique!

No, not just that.

Considering how she was not even skilled in calligraphy, writing anything related to the Five Elements Valley could have a detrimental effect.

It could easily give off the impression that she thought highly of herself, and was trying to comment on the Five Elements Valley.

She had to write something else – something neutral and informal!

But even then, just what would be considered appropriate here?

Wait, Wu Meng did say that she could draw as well.

In that case...

After hesitating for a good few minutes, Zhang Wanqing suddenly moved her brush, decisively completing her work in one go, taking no more than a couple of seconds.

"I'm done!" Zhang Wanqing casually passed the paper to Wu Meng.

"Hah, I guess this works too," Wu Meng smirked after seeing the paper. "Here, this is a token of goodwill, in exchange for your hospitality and amiability so far."

Zhang Wanqing: "!!!"

It was supposed to be a gift for Valley Head Nie?

Why didn't you tell me earlier?!

"Is that so?" Nie Changyun glanced at the paper and smiled.

Next to Nie Changyun, Huo Deshan felt the corner of his lips twitch when he saw what Zhang Wanqing had drawn.

It was nothing but a smiley face.

No, not just any smiley face.

It was the most expensive smiley face in the world – drawn on dragonskin paper, with phoenixtail brush, using purified leviathan ink.

What a waste of precious treasures!

Huo Deshan could not help but feel his heart bleed upon seeing this. Seeing that Nie Changyun could still bring himself to smile, Huo Deshan only had one thought in his mind.

His master had gone crazy!

"I appreciate the thoughtful gift, Esteemed Sir," Nie Changyun replied, his words making Huo Deshan sink further into disbelief. "Though I have to say that rather than a personal gift like this, I would very much prefer it if you could take a few talented disciples of my Five Elements Valley with you to see the world. If needed, they can also act as your servants along the way."

"You sure know how to push your luck," Wu Meng chuckled. "However, such things cannot be forced. If we are truly fated, I might just end up taking in your disciples after meeting them on the road."

"How regretful, but I understand," Nie Changyun nodded. "In that case, may I know how I can use this paper in the future?"

"One favour," Wu Meng raised a finger. "With this paper, anyone from your Five Elements Valley can ask Qing'er for one favour in the future."

"Wha-?!" Zhang Wanqing almost blurted out in shock. "One favour? And it's from me?"

"What? Is that too much to ask for, even after how much you have benefitted from them?" Wu Meng raised an eyebrow at her.

"No, that's not what I meant! But how am I supposed to fulfil any requests from Valley Head Nie?" Zhang Wanqing felt like she was going crazy.

Even the disciple of the valley head had exhibited abilities far beyond her wildest imaginations, yet Wu Meng was granting the valley head a chance to ask her for a favour?

This master of hers must be crazy!

"Hahaha!" Nie Changyun laughed heartily upon hearing this. "I have to thank you in advance then, Young Miss!"

"Valley Head Nie is too kind. I truly do not deserve such a treatment," Zhang Wanqing said with a helpless sigh.

"Now then, we have prepared the best room for Esteemed Sir and Miss Qing'er," Nie Changyun said. "'Let us bring you to your accommodations."

"There's no need for that. We will be leaving now," Wu Meng declined immediately. "We are busy people, after all."

"In that case, allow me to personally see you out," Nie Changyun offered.

Just like that, the group left the same way they came.

While Nie Changyun and Huo Deshan led the way, drawing attention from all the disciples along the way, Wu Meng and Zhang Wanqing slowly rode the horse wagon out of the vast Five Elements Valley.

Below long, the group had arrived at the edge of the valley, near the houses where Wu Meng and Zhang Wanqing had stayed when they first arrived.

"Before you leave, Esteemed Sir, may I ask you something?" Nie Changyun asked.

"Don't be such a wishy-washy person. If there's something you wish to ask, then just do so already," Wu Meng rolled his eyes. "If I don't feel like answering, then I will just tell you that after hearing your question."

"Then I shall not hold back," Nie Changyun said. "Is it true that the heavens are without an owner right now?"