Author note: I'm sorry I've not been able to upload new chapter this last half year. Unfortunatly I became stuck on the ending of the story, I knew what had to happen, but was unsure on how to make these things happen. Recently I've found the way that is hopefully going to keep the ending interesting. Rest assured there are still several chapters to come (most of them are already written but need to be typed up), our friends are closing in, but they still need more information to be sure and to find a way in which to resolve the ongoing issues. I'm intending to upload chapters more regularly. I hope you enjoy the continuation of this story!

54. Dong Ryu

Dong checked again to make sure the mark and the letter were still in his pocket. The soldiers he had rescued where seated around a fire, they were near the shrine of Xuan, waiting for someone to meet them. They didn't have to wait long. A person in black stepped from the bushes: "Are you the soldiers who escaped from Liang prison?"

"Yes." Dong replied, standing up. "And I have a message from the general Nuo Hu. He ordered me to deliver it personally." The man in black snorted: "The master does not care about orders given by failed generals. A report on the fight has been ordered and you were there. Follow me." The group walked a long time until they came to a clearing in the forest with a small home. In front of the home stood a figure dressed in heavy brocades, dark of color and broad rimmed hat with a long veil covering the face and upper body. When the men leading kneeled down Dong and the other soldiers quickly followed.

"Report to me on the battle that was waged at the military camp." The veiled person ordered. Dong told about the attack from the army of Prince Qi that had surprised the rebel troops. How more able men had come from the army camp then they had thought were able to fight. Then he told about the fight between Prince Qi and Nuo Ho. He then hesitated. The veiled person either didn't notice the hesitation or didn't head it: "As Nuo Hu is not here to report himself I assume Prince Qi killed him."

"It wasn't Prince Qi who killed Nuo Hu." Dong replied. Whether this reply surprised the master Dong couldn't discern. But the reply from the master came only after a few moments:

"Then who?"

"Prince Shuomo interfered in the fight when an archer tried to create an advantage for Nuo Hu. It was Prince Shuomo who dealt the last deadly blow." Even veiled Dong could still see that this surprised the Master. The master turned to the other soldiers: "Is this true? Did you see who killed Nuo Hu?" One of the soldiers stepped forward and confirmed what Dong had reported.

"Prince Shuomo…" the master almost pensively said, then angrily continued: "Fine, dig you own grave." Hearing the angry tone, Dong was careful to remain where he was and kept still. The clearing was silent, but Dong could feel the angry energy pulsating around the master standing in front of them. Then the master raised a hand and beckoned the one who had led Dong and the soldiers here: "Past the shrine about half a day march toward the capital is a house, with a large garden. Two girls live there. Burn the house and garden down. Wound the younger girl severely, but make sure she won't die from her wound. Then tell the older girl to tell Prince Shuomo that he should think on his sins." The soldier bowed and left.

"You." The hand pointed to Dong, who quickly bowed his head again. "Nuo Hu once reported that a Pei Zhao and his wife had visited the border town and seemed interested in the Ghost Army. Did you report that to Nuo Hu? I know he had someone who had infiltrated the army of the Marquis, is that you?"

"Yes."

"Go to the capital of Liang. Watch the Pei family, they seem to have close ties to Prince Qi. Try to gain access to Prince Qi and report his movements to me. Use Nuo Hu's mark." Dong bowed again and stepped back, trying to get away, but he was called back after a moment: "Wait. Tell me. Pei Zhao and his wife were in the border town to investigate the fire at the Tong residence. Did they search for the maiden?"

"I did see Pei Zhao lead soldiers to search the woods." Dong had knelt back down as he knew was expected by the master.

"Did they find her?"

"I haven't seen whether they were successful. When they returned from the search Lady Pei had already moved to the mansion of the Marquis and Pei Zhao followed her immediately. It was not possible to investigate what the result of their search was, though they did not seem to be happy upon returning to the border town."

"When was this?

"A week before the attack on the rebelgroup positioned at the town." This information caused the veiled master to think a while. Dong realized he wasn't dismissed yet, so he didn't attempt to leave.

"Was Lady Pei carrying a baby in her belly?" Dong furrowed his brow at this sudden question: "Why would you want to know?"

"Do I have to explain myself to you? Who are you to demand a clarification from me?" the indignation was clearly audible. Quickly Dong fell to two knees and bowed deep: "I beg forgiveness, it isn't my place to ask clarification on questions you ask."

"Answer my question."

"Yes, Lady Pei is carrying a child."

"Then while you are in the capital report back to me whether or not Pei Zhao and Prince Qi are two different persons. And report back to me whether or not Lady Pei and the Princess Consort Qi are two different persons. I will get one of the men here to give you an address in the capital where you can stay, sleep and eat. Don't delay any report. Leave now." Dong rose, bowed and then left as quickly as he could. "Oh and Dong, make sure you don't communicate or try to find your sister. You wouldn't want her to meet with an accident, would you?" The cruel smile couldn't be seen by anyone, but Dong felt the cruelty nonetheless. It was a reminder to him on how far the clutches of the master reached. The master might pretend not to know who he was, but this remark showed Dong that the master had known who he was from the start. It made him nervous, he couldn't put a foot wrong, especially not when he was under surveillance in the address in the capital of Liang. To him it was clear that the master didn't trust him.

"Was the news as you expected?" The two young men inside the small house were seated at a low table and were drinking tea. The master removed the veil and said: "Prince Shuomo has shown he is a traitor to Beirong. I will make him pay for that."

"You seem uneasy." The eldest of the two men said, as he poured a second cup.

"Prince Yun had told me of Pei Zhao, a noble man who worked against him. But he has never revealed to me who this Pei Zhao really was. And now this man is working against us. I need more information on this individual. None has been able to give me the information I require, I've send the Liang spy to find the information. He will be under surveillance from our Liang capital brothers. But I think I need to travel to the Liang capital myself, when I find a good reason to travel there you will join me."