"War Chief, I petition for permission to organize an assault camp and venture deep into the Isle of Thunder to destroy the endlessly awakened Mogu. Otherwise, this battle will never end." After leading the Horde army to the Shado-Pan Garrison, Rend reported his intended plan to Rend, the Horde's War Chief. The Shado-Pan leader, Taran Zhu, had calmly accepted his identity as a member of the Horde.
The battle between the Mogu and the Horde on the Townlong Steppes had now fallen into a prolonged stalemate, with both sides deadlocked around the Shado-Pan Garrison.
Taran Zhu, leader of the Shado-Pan, understood the Mogu's nature. The death of their flesh was not true death; the Mogu could be resurrected by summoning their souls once more and infusing them into new bodies.
On the Isle of Thunder, Lei Shen's army of a million lay in reserve—one million Mogu stone statues waiting to be awakened and filled with souls.
The Shado-Pan, having only just endured a succession of great battles, had originally been no match for the combined Mogu and Troll forces. To contend against the vast number of Mogu, Taran Zhu had gathered the Shado-Pan's last elite forces and formed the Shado-Pan Assault Camp, sending them deep into the Isle of Thunder.
Rend considered Taran Zhu's proposal. After the Heart of Y'Shaarj had been stolen, Chen Stormstout, leader of the Shado-Pan, had launched a counteroffensive into the Dread Wastes, established Sunset Brewery there, and intended to build a permanent settlement there. The monks led by the Stormstout Family had gladly agreed. They had searched the Mantid homeland for traces of the Alliance army, yet found absolutely nothing.
Along with the Mantid's unprecedented silence and their withdrawal of forces, all signs suggested that the Mantid might have undergone a drastic change. Chen therefore