The New Alliance

"Up, down, up down. Straighten your arms and regulate your breathing." Master Shen sits on a chair and sips tea. He watches Xiao Mu train the newly recruited disciples.

A messenger runs to him and bows "Greetings Master, Ding Da Li is here.

"Hmmm" Master Shen gestures the messenger to leave him. The messenger who expects an answer from Master Shen asks him another question.

"Master, should I let him come in". Master Shen is infuriated but he controls himself. He hated talking much and disliked it more when disturbed his peace while he was drinking tea.

"Tell him that... Master Shen is interrupted by the presence of very tall man of about eight feet. The man's hair is dark and long and his armour tells that he is of a high class. Behind him also are seven soldiers. He looks at the man and signals his messenger to go away.

" I see, you are already here"

Ding Da Li facial expression is serious and he clenches his hand probably trying to conceal his irritation and anger for being kept waiting outside.

"Come, have a sit." The man sits down and studies the place. He sees the young disciples undergoing different training. He looks up and he sees a banner with the imprint 'Ashjira'. Prior to the invasion, the banner used to carry the 'Tiraya' name but now was different. The Tiaya clan barely existed and any of the few disciples which were caught were put to death immediately.

Master Shen brings his cup down a little, he looks at him "Hey Ding Da Li, do you care for some tea". He looks at Master Shen and replies

"I do not want tea"

"Come on, take tea. It's highly good for your body and mind."

"I told you already, I don't want tea. You know why I am here. Let's talk straight to that"

Master Shen seeing the anger in Ding Da Li eyes and tone decides to push the talk of tea to another day.

"Did your master We Shang sent you for the illuminated sword"

"Yes, he did he also requested for the pendant and the original stamp of the Tiaya sect"

Master Shen laughed a little "Why do your master thinks that he has the right to these things. Have if forgotten about the present alliance?"

"You very well know that my master sponsored more than half of the invasion both in terms of money and soldiers, without him the invasion would not have been successful"

"I hope you are also aware that I provided him with the information and secrets needed to defeat the Tiaya sect. You yourself know the powerful cultivators that were there and how difficult it would have been to surmount them."

Ding Da Li shakes his head in disagreement "Your mere information and secrets are not as valuable as you perceive, anyone could provide information"

"Yes you are right, anyone could provide information but not right information. Trust is given to a few and it cost more than rubies"

"Master Shen, I have not come here to waste my time on words. Just give me the things so that I go back to Master "

Master Shen laughs hard leaving Ding Da Li confused

"Why do you laugh, what is funny"

"The things your Master want are not here"

Ding Da Li is shocked "if they are not with you, who has them"

"A student" replied Master Shen

"Which student" Ding Da Li is now begining to get angry

Master Shen chuckles and maintains a surprising calm composure. He signals one of his servant to come and then he whispers into his ear. The servant nods and runs off. Ding Da Li looks at him suspiciously and Master Shen also returns a 'wait and see look'.

The two men sits down facing each other and non of them utters a word until the servant comes back. The servant gives Master Shen some papers and leaves. Master Shen takes some look at the papers and pass it to Ding Da Li. After taking some look at the papers, he stares at Master Shen in his eyes

"Do you have any idea where the boy is?"

I think he is hiding in the mountains or probably already dead in the wild". Ding Da Li Is surprised on hearing the word 'dead'.

"Why do you think he is dead?"

"He is a pretty young lad, he may not be able to survive the wild animals there. However, I have sent my men and they would bring me news very soon".

Ding Da Li is silent. He picks up one of the papers showing Weren Yu's portrait and burns it to ashes with fire from his hand. Master Shen looks at him in amazement.