Invitation

In the great manor of the Si clan domain, the elders and the clan leader were discussing in the great hall about the messenger that was sent yesterday morning. "why has the messenger not returned?" the sixth elder asked.

"He has surely been killed, what will we do now?" the first elder was sure of it, there was no doubt that the Wei clan would kill somebody that would bring the head of one of their elders.

"we need the wisdom of the great elder, but where is he? Why hasn't he answered to my summon?" but the discussion was soon interrupted by the noise of the door being pushed open. Seeing the guard enter the clan leader was a little bit annoyed

"Guard! What is it that you want?" bowing his head to the elders and clan head the guard soon explained what was happening. "clan head, a messanger of the Wang clan has requested to see you."

The Wang clan! What does the strongest of the three great evil clans want with the Si clan?

"quick make him enter" upon receiving the order of the clan head, the guard soon guided the messenger in the great hall.

Accompanied by ten of his men they all clasped their fists out of respect. They were in the Si clan domain after all.

"please take a seat, respectable messenger." the clan leader pointed his hand to the end of the long table.

Sitting down, the messenger took out a scroll out of his robe and placed it on the table. "Si clan leader, my Wang clan has heard of your dispute with the Wei clan. So my clan leader tasked me of informing you that this must stop, and now."

The messenger continued talking "we have heard of the assassination attempt that caused your great elder to kill Wei Yanduan. But we also learned that the messenger who was send by you to the west was killed."

"This cannot go on forever. The evil faction must specifically stay strong together during this troubled period were the tensions are at the highest with the just faction."

Hearing this the clan leader and the elders nodded in approval. "so what does the Wang clan propose?" asked the clan leader.

"My Wang clan proposes a very simple solution. Within thirty days, 5 disciples from the elders of your clan and the Wei clan must come to our great Demon City. There they will face each other in front of a big stage, the people will be the witnesses of the duels. You, clan leader must be present and so does the Wei clan leader."

Finishing what he had to say, the messenger passed the scroll down to the clan leader. " If you accept, sign the scroll with your blood" taking a knife and placing it in the middle of his hand, the clan leader had one question left.

"has the Wei clan signed the scroll?" the messenger took a second scroll out of his robe and showed it too the clan leader. Seeing the proof, the clan leader made a large cut in the middle of his hand and proceeded to sign it.

"thank you for your cooperation, we will now take our leave." exiting the great hall and hopping back on their horses the messenger and his men galloped towards the great Demon City.

"cooperation my ass" thought the clan leader. If he doesn't respect the Wang clan's decision it would be akin to suicide. "first elder, second elder, third elder, fourth elder, your disciples will participate in the duels."

They all replied in unison "yes, clan leader"

But he needed a fifth disciple to take part. The fifth and sixth elders disciples were not available as the two of them were dispatched at the border of the northern province.

Only one boy could come to mind and it was Si Zhang.

********

Si Zhang was training rigorously. He was slashing his sword in a certain pattern.

One vertical slash followed by a horizontal one, he would then perform 2 diagonal slashes to end with a stab.

"very good little Zhang, your form is perfect and you do not tire quickly. I did not misjudge you." satisfied that his disciple was learning quickly and perfectly, Master Si sipped on his tea "continue do not stop!"

But the training he was enjoying with his disciple was soon perturbed by the sound of a pigeon who was flying towards him. Sitting on Master Si's shoulder, the pigeon stared at in his eyes.

Looking at the pigeon Master Si noticed a piece of paper hanging from its foot. He took the paper and the pigeon flew away.

Looking at the paper and reading it, Master Si had all the information of what had happened earlier with the messenger.

"Little Zhang, I can feel from the way you move that you are a third rate martial warrior. You have twenty five days to become a second rate martial warrior."

"what is it master? Is there a reason why I must become a second rate martial warrior in a such short period of time?"

"Do not ask questions, just do what I say and when the time comes I will tell you.

Also, you must upgrade your sword mastery to intermediate today!"

After master Si left the courtyard, Si Zhang was left alone swinging and swinging his sword. After 8 hours of swinging he finally upgraded his sword mastery.

Ding! "Sword mastery upgraded to intermediate"

"to upgrade your sword mastery to advanced, kill one thousand martial artists."

Seeing the next requirement Si Zhang knew that it would take a couple of years before being able to get to the advanced stage but it did not discourage him, it only motivated him.

Returning to his room and preparing himself to sleep he remembered that he had yet to read the two manuals given to him by master Si.

"I will read them tommorow" laying on the bed he fell asleep very quickly. Waking up like every morning, Si Zhang would wash and dress himself. Placing the two manuals in front of him he first read the titles.

"Si clan qi absorbing technique and Si clan footstep technique" taking the Si clan qi absorbing technique in his hands, Si Zhang proceeded in opening it.

Ding! "Would you like to learn the Si clan qi absorbing technique?"

"huh?!"