"That's right," the man said.
"The Hall Master has something he wishes to discuss with you face-to-face. He hopes you'll do him the honor."
Shen Yi did not answer at once. He recalled what Byron had said earlier.
The Cangwu Hall Master had probably recognized him long ago.
Now that the hall master had sent for him by name, he likely had something else in mind.
Shen Yi glanced at the closed doors of the Side Hall. Xilos was still inside and would not be out for a while.
"I ought not refuse the Hall Master's invitation," Shen Yi said slowly. "But my companion is still inside. I must wait for her before I can leave."
The man did not press him. He merely smiled. "Then please wait here. I'll report back to the Hall Master."
With that, he turned and left, soon disappearing down the corridor.
Shen Yi watched him go, his gaze darkening.
The Cangwu Hall Master had sent an invitation, not a summons by force. He had only asked to speak face-to-face. Such a mild approach hardly seemed like a demand for an accounting.
Yet the more Shen Yi thought about it, the less it sat right with him.
A Holy Land had sealed its gates to protect itself. Its Hall Master's commander had been humiliated. And now that Hall Master was calmly inviting an infiltrator of unknown identity over for a chat?
If the hall master had recognized him, that would be the better outcome. But if he hadn't...
Shen Yi let out a quiet sigh.
These waters were murkier than he had thought.
Just then, the Side Hall doors opened from within, and Xilos hurried out.
"Lord Shen." Her expression was grave.
"Cangwu Hall..."
"I know," Shen Yi said. "Someone came to invite me just