After learning of the battle, and of the great victory the Shrouded Mountain Sect had won, Shen Yu allowed Bi De and his companions to increase their pace. The information they gathered from the mortals had been judged sufficient to justify it. It did not take long for them to reach the mountain after that, arriving in late afternoon. Bi De thought the mountain still looked rather strange without its covering of mist, like something important was missing from it. Bi De had expected for Shen Yu to just fly forward and land upon the mountain, but instead he set them down a ways outside the city around the foot of the mountain and then advanced, not bothering to hide his Qi. Several scouts spied them… and their eyes widened as they once more beheld the man who had so thoroughly suppressed their Patriarch. Yet, credit to their bravery, they still watched instead of fleeing. Shen Yu, with Bi De and the rest in tow, marched directly up to a section of the mountain sealed by a gate. The guards froze—and Bi De recognised them. They had been part of Shenhe’s original assault force. While their bodies looked mostly fine now, their Qi was still unstable from their tribulations. They were clearly on light duty to recover, this close to their home. “Hail, Disciples of the Shrouded Mountain Sect,” Shen Yu announced, his presence unrestrained, yet not oppressive. A sword that was sheathed, rather than bared. “I would request an audience with your Sect Master.” Some of the tension faded at Shen Yu’s downright polite words. One of the guards immediately entered the sect, while the other paused. (...)