Chapter 19 - Alliance?

After Lu Ai's enlightenment, Yu Weiyuan and the others walked through the streets of the Hidden Shadow Market, arriving to a six-floor majestic golden red pagoda.

"What's with this uselessly grand building?" Lu Ai complained, disdain dripping from her voice as she recalled the Yin Flame Pavillion various practices. "Isn't it just a brothel?"

Yu Weiyuan shook his head. "It may be a brothel, but it is a high class one. Even stepping on its first floor is a luxury, only affordable to most Golden Core cultivators."

After he answered her, he looked at her, his gaze sharpening, his domineering aura born from his status as the Sect Master converging within his eyes.

"I can understand your dislike for the Yin Flame Pavillion, but I will NOT tolerate your attitude from preventing any alliance talk to succeed."

"While you are my sister, you are also a disciple of the Sect and as such, you must act with its interests in mind."

His burning gaze cooled down as he finished. "Is that clear?"

Under her little brother's words, Lu Ai restrained her willfullness.

"Yes, Brother."

"I'm sorry for being so harsh, Sister." Yu Weiyuan frosty temperament melted as he broke into a warm smile. "You already know that the Grand Elder and I expect a lot of you. Your potential is nearly unrivaled, after all."

Lu Ai who was pressured a few moments before, regained her bearings, letting the corners of her lips curl up lightly under her brother's encouragement.

Meanwhile, Xia Fang who watched this scene from behind them, broke into a cold sweat as he shivered. 'Sect Master is too manipulative.... He pressured her into withdrawing her attitude just before making her recall the expectations that were placed upon her, thus correcting her mistake, preventing her from feeling down but also raising her motivation...'

'Each of his expressions and words were measured. He even knows how to shift in and out of his various personas, from that of a Sect Master to that of a caring brother...'

'At least he does it to cultivate his sister into a better cultivator overall. I can't imagine how he'd scheme against an ennemy...'

He was taken out of his thoughts by Yu Weiyuan as he took them to enter the Thousand Flowers Building.

They were received by a beautiful woman wearing a flower patterned red qipao, who bowed to them directly upon seeing their faces.

"Exalted guests, the Building Master is waiting for you on the sixth floor."

She had a light smile on her face, neither too warm nor too cold, staying perfectly professionnal, as she waved her hands towards the set of red wooden stairs ornamented with gold.

"Please let me guide you."

Yu Weiyuan showed no emotion as he nodded lightly, expressing his approval from a higher position.

Such interactions were very common in the Five Saints Realm.

When two people of different statuses interact, the person of lower status must act as such, always keeping their bearings lower.

And while a person of lower status is always required to answer one of higher status when they adress them, the opposite is untrue.

Such unspoken rules are expressions of face. If they are not kept, it is considered a form of disrespect, a crime.

Yu Weiyuan and the others ascended the stairs under the woman's guidance until she took them before a wooden door with many flower carvings engraved onto its surface.

The woman once again bowed deeply before withdrawing from her position.

Then, Yu Weiyuan opened the door, revealing a room and two sets of purple silk cushions facing each other: one set of four and one set of two where two women already sat.

In front of each cushion was a cup of hot tea, with vapor still emanating from the water.

The two women were Mother Lu and Li Moxue.

Both of them stayed in a perfect sitting position. obviously waiting for them all.

Yu Weiyuan sat in front of Mother Lu, with Elder Liu Ning next to him, as she was charged of the sect's External Affairs.

Next to Elder Liu Ning sat Elder Xia Fang and then Lu Ai.

As Yu Weiyuan looked at the two women, his gaze stopped momentarily on Li Moxue's bediviling phoenix eyes.

'What a beautiful woman.'

But he regained his bearings too quickly. It was as if this momentary gaze had never happened.

He clasped his hands before him.

"Yu Weiyuan, Sect Master of the Profound Heaven Sect."

Mother Lu also introduced herself, returning his gesture.

"Lu Daniang, Third Mother of the Yin Flame Pavillion."

Yu Weiyuan's temperament became serious as he slightly inclined himself forward. "I will go straight to the point, Mother Lu."

"Please feel free to do so. Sect Master Yu." Mother Lu answered, gracefully sipping on her tea.

"The Profound Heaven Sect intends to go to war with the Myriad Demon Temple."

Yu Weiyuan didn't hide his intentions. He knew the most of the other great sects were already aware of the trap he had set up against the three Elders of the Myriad Demon Temple.

After all, their information gathering squads didn't exist for nothing: he had been given the title of 'Killing Star' ever since the battle of Ash Ground Town despite having never used his Killing Intent before, except for one time in the past.

Now, all the other surrounding Sects would know any talks with the Profound Heaven Sect would involve their future actions towards the Myriad Demon Temple.

Hence, when Mother Lu heard Yu Weiyuan, she only nodded.

Thus, Yu Weiyuan continued: "I intend to forge an alliance with the Yin Flame Pavillion."

"As such, I want to set up a visit to your Headquarters."

"It is true any alliance talk would be more appropriately talked between Sect Master Yu and the Head Mother." answered Mother Lu.

But Mother Lu wasn't finished. "As proof of our sincerity, we will let our Eldest Daughter Moxue accompany you during your time in the Hidden Shadow Market."

Yu Weiyuan's eyes narrowed. 'I knew all the other sects are interested in the Myriad Demon Temple, but only the territory of the Profound Heaven Sect is adjacent to theirs, forcing any sect interested to communicate with us.'

'I wanted to keep my options open, but Mother Lu obviously wants to have the exclusivity of the opportunity. By making their head disciple accompany us, we won't be able to visit any other sect with sincerity.'

'But it's also a good thing. If they need parts of the benefits involved in the war so much they'd let their head disciple at our mercy, it means we are in the higher position in this negociation.'

'I can work with this.'

Thus, Yu Weiyuan nodded, accepting the arrangement of Mother Lu.

He looked at Li Moxue, who stayed emotionless throughout the meeting.

'As beautiful as a spring flower, as cold as winter snow.'

'At least her company won't be boring.'