At a glance
- Mandatory battle. His position is past the Outpost, directly on the way through Weeping Creek Valley, so skipping him is impossible.
- Evade rather than block. Blocking either his black-flash charge or his ground slam drains your Sha-Chi, so dodge both.
- Reward. Dread Axe is a Phantom Edge, and it is also capable of smashing the iron chains that bar certain routes in the valley.
- Link to a quest. Beating him moves the Four Fierce Axes quest forward, and you are then sent to search for case files on the Four Axes.
Overview
Peng Meng, nicknamed the Axemaster, is the oldest of the Four Axes and the boss who lies past the Outpost in Weeping Creek Valley.
Belonging to the Maskwalker group, he is entangled in the Four Axes story, which winds across the whole region. Early in the valley a case file about the Four Axes sets the Four Fierce Axes quest in motion, and the moment you beat him, you stop seeking that single file and begin looking for seven more.
This battle teaches how to read colored flashes. Perfect-blocking works on blue attacks, red ones call for a dodge, and anything with a black flash has to be sidestepped entirely.
Background
Four Axes history
Leading the Four Axes was Peng Meng. Wine flowed freely and the table was full among the brothers; chivalrous acts were done alongside plenty of ghosts left beneath their blades. Back then, the rules of the Wulin still governed how grudges got settled.
Falling Into Transcension
After three of his brothers were caught and murdered, a Mandate squad set out to track him down. Left with nothing, Peng Meng threw away what remained of his reason and fell into Transcension, seeking vengeance for them.
Growing enormous, his body turned its flesh to something hard, and his power became vast. With his great axe he could cleave rock and break mountains apart, and a number of the Mandate's elites died to it.
Role in the Story
Pinned Behind the Post Station
A Mandate squad managed to overpower him in Weeping Creek Valley, but at a dreadful price. A heavy iron chain was driven through his shoulder blades, fastening him in place behind the post station.
Soul finds him by walking the main trail past the Outpost until the arena named The Axemaster’s Fall.
Once the Battle Ends
Spoils of the fight are the Dread Axe, one of the Four Axes dossiers, and The Axemaster’s Final Letter used in the Four Fierce Axes quest. Once back at the Outpost, Yu'er is beside the forge; with the Dread Axe you can also open the chained courtyard across from her.
Missions Featured
| Appearance | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Peng Meng, the Axemaster | Boss fight | You cannot skip this fight, which takes place at The Axemaster’s Fall as part of crossing Weeping Creek Valley. Winning gives the achievement The Axe's Grudge as well as the Dread Axe and a dossier on the Four Axes. |
| Four Fierce Axes | Side tale | An early Four Axes dossier discovered in Broken Puppet Valley sets the quest going. After Peng Meng is beaten, you are asked to gather seven more of them, and the finished set of evidence goes to Pangzhen. |
Gear and Transport
Once held by Peng Meng, the Dread Axe is a great axe with a thick blade, and this battle drops it as a Phantom Edge. Shields and iron chains break under it, although its swings are slow.
Places and Holdings
The Axemaster’s Fall is the arena, and its bell becomes active once the fight is over. Farther along is The Axemaster’s Holding Cell; a table there holds one of the Four Axes dossiers, and a grave can be examined for the Boulderguard accessory, but only if you first talked with the NPC at the Outpost. You can miss this.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Peng Meng fight?
At The Axemaster’s Fall, on the main path past the Outpost in Weeping Creek Valley. Get ready beforehand at the Outpost bell.
Is his charge blockable?
No. If you block either his black-flash charge or the ground slam that comes after he turns away, your Sha-Chi is drained, so evade them.
What is the Dread Axe for?
Iron chains and shields are broken by it. After obtaining it, go back to the chained courtyard facing the forge at the Outpost.
How does the Four Fierce Axes quest begin?
Picking up an early dossier on the Four Axes at Broken Puppet Valley starts it.