Chapter 5

"We meet again, your highness." Shi yan ming said.

 In Irish's study, there is only a powerful monk and Irish. They were seated across each on Ancient couch.

 The King respected the Shi yan ming wish to speak to the Irish alone. Sarah and Jennie stood guard outside.

 "Is Sarah serving you well?" The powerful Monk asked.

 "Yes, she is. The temple had taught her well," Irish respectfully replied.

 Sarah's teacher is Monk shi, junior of Monk shi yan ming. Sarah met Irish when they were both were the little almost the same age in the temple grounds.

 Visiting her family, young and mischievous Irish had run away from her attendants to an obscure part of the temple where she saw a pair of frantic arms waving about above the swamp.

 Sarah had fallen into the lily swamp and stuck in the mud. Sarah was smaller than most children her age, and the waters covered her stature by an inch. She was close to drowning.

 Irish had jumped in, but she too could not swim or have the strength to drag Sarah out of the mud. Luckily, she could pull Sarah upwards by inches, and that was enough for the young girl to tilt her head back to breathe as Irish wailed loudly for help.

 Irish dared not let go of Sarah's head despite her arms getting sorer by the minute.

 Young Sarah had cried out of fear upon feeling Irish's arms tremble, "p-please don't -hic- l-let go."

 "Hush c-child, I won't." Irish's teeth chattered from the cold.

 Sarah asked, "how o-old are you?"

 Irish replied, "five."

 "You -hic- are also -hic- a child."

 By sheer willpower, Irish persisted for two hours, and help finally came. 

 The life and death struggle bonded the two. Sarah continued to receive training and serve as a disciple at the temple until she turned twelve when she left for the Irish's house and swore her loyalty to the girl. Her teacher had said it was her destiny to meet and serve the Irish, her only master in this life.

 Monk shi yan ming rarely left the temple, and he had done so to convey a message to Irish.

 He said, "I came to warn you, your highness, in gratitude for saving the life of a disciple of our temple.

 The Gods had spoken to us last night. A net of death is over your head. Yet within it, you will find the key to endurance. Be true to yourself, and do not give up on faith; you are more than a deceived bird in a cage.

 Your fate is twined with all you care for!!. It will be difficult, but after you pass this trial, all that you wish for will follow."

 Irish bowed her head to the floor in gratitude and respect. She said, "Monk yan, I was but a child who only knew to hold my friend when she needed my help. I am undeserving of such generosity. Thank you, I will take your words dear to my heart."

 The powerful Monk bowed his head in return, "raise your head, your honour. It is all the will of the Gods."

 Irish personally sent the Monk yan to the door.

 Unexpectedly, the King was waiting for shi yan ming. Irish ordered all attendants to leave, and she retreated to her room to give the King his privacy.

 The King only had one question to ask. "Monk, will I attain what my heart wishes?"

 Powerful monk shi yan ming answered truthfully, "you will, my King."

 The King smiled as he ordered guards to send the Monk out of the palace.

 The Monk glinted in his eyes as he left the manor grounds. My King, you are one of the few who will be awarded the chance to see honesty. By then, will your heart crave the same things?.