As one of the premier and most formidable powers in the Jiama Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect had its home perched atop a majestic mountain located a mere dozen miles from the imperial capital. Because of the sect's renown, the mountain was commonly known as Misty Cloud Mountain.
The mountain was steep, bounded by cliffs on three sides, and accessible to the summit via only a single path. It was truly a strategically vital stronghold that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Furthermore, disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect patrolled every corner of the mountain rigorously, making the entire peak resemble a miniature fortress.
Just two miles outside the base of Misty Cloud Mountain, the empire stationed a force of fifty thousand elite cavalry. Though ostensibly tasked with guarding the capital, anyone could see that this was the imperial ruler's precaution against the tiger crouching so close to the heart of the empire.
Chapter 44