"...Thus, the casualties on the Hwanhee Institute's side, including the temporary leader, are five, and the casualties of the third division of the Protectors are twenty-two. A total of twenty-seven deaths."
Mudam's expression remained stoic as he delivered the report.
Lee Cheonsang, who was lazily gazing out the window, asked abruptly, "Where did you say?"
"Based on the traces of the battlefield and the testimonies and reports of the demons, it is presumed to be the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace."
Though he said it was a presumption, Lee Cheonsang was certain it was the Beast Palace. When Mudam was angry, he refrained from making definitive statements to avoid losing his composure due to emotions. So, it must be the Beast Palace. Moreover, Mudam was currently very angry.
"The Beast Palace, huh..."
Lee Cheonsang shook his head. "We got bitten by a dog from the neighboring village we didn't even care about."
"..."
"What about the items?"
"They have all been retrieved and returned."
"Good. Is there anything else to report?"
"No."
"Understood. You may leave."
Mudam bowed slowly and retreated respectfully.
After Mudam left the grand hall, Lee Cheonsang, sitting alone in the throne, looked out the window with a slight smile on his lips.
"Third brother, is it you?"
Currently, the Divine Sect was not actively engaging in the martial world. However, the fear instilled by the four characters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect still swept through the martial world.
The Beast Palace had dared to provoke such a sect. If they didn't have the power to sweep away all evidence, they wouldn't have dared to provoke it.
It wasn't the first or second division, but the third division of the Protectors. If more than half of the third division members returned alive, it could only mean one of two things.
Either the Beast Palace had gone mad and recklessly provoked the sect, or there was a master capable of countering the overwhelming power of the Beast Palace.
"The demonic energy of Sirang disappeared at some point. It seems the third brother went out secretly and returned."
Lee Cheonsang's indifferent eyes showed a hint of interest.
"An interesting fellow."
No demon within the sect would dare think of sneaking out.
The reason he asked Mudam if there was anything else to report was because if the fellow had reported in advance, at least Mudam would know.
Well, if he had known the third brother went out, he would have mentioned it already.
Whoosh.
The window shook.
A subtle chill in the wind seemed to carry the scent of blood.
"I should pour myself a drink after a long time."
"I'm sorry, Master."
So Yeonshim sighed.
"Why do you say you're sorry?"
"If I had been more attentive..."
"Over twenty members of the third division of the Protectors died. That means the enemy's attack was that deadly."
Juhwa couldn't say anything. She knew So Yeonshim wouldn't blame her, but that didn't make her guilt disappear.
So Yeonshim patted her shoulder.
"The ones we should be angry at are those who attacked us. Besides, you completed your mission. What I should give you is not punishment but comfort."
"..."
"By the way, it's surprising. How did you recover your martial arts so quickly?"
How could she not understand So Yeonshim's attempt to change the subject?
Juhwa bowed her head and said, "It's all thanks to the Third Young Master. Before the incident occurred, I had already recovered about seventy percent of my martial arts."
"The Young Master's abilities are truly mysterious."
Regardless of her intention to change the subject, So Yeonshim was genuinely surprised. It was a different matter from the depth of martial arts.
The martial arts that rapidly restored a body devastated by inner demons were amazing in themselves.
No matter how outstanding the Mystical Arts were, it was common sense that they couldn't surpass the realm of medicine.
Yet, Seoryang not only knew such mysterious martial arts but also managed to restore over half of Juhwa's martial arts in just ten days.
"The Third Young Master is truly..."
The more she heard, the more she knew, the more mysterious he seemed. She couldn't decide if forming a connection with such a person would be beneficial or detrimental.
"And..."
"Hmm?"
"If it weren't for the Young Master, we would not have escaped annihilation."
So Yeonshim nodded.
"Indeed. The Young Master's martial arts are extraordinary, and your martial arts must have been a great help."
"No, I wasn't much help."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
Juhwa recounted the situation in detail.
So Yeonshim's eyes trembled with shock.
"The Young Master dealt with all those monsters?"
"Yes."
"Monsters that rendered over eighty demons helpless? Alone?"
"...Yes."
So Yeonshim clenched her fist.
Juhwa wouldn't lie about such a matter. But it was so far from common sense that it was hard to believe.
"If that's true..."
"..."
"The Young Master's martial arts are already comparable to the top ten of the One Hundred Eight Demon Generals."
The highest martial artist in the sect, excluding the leader, was the Nine Great Demon Lords of the Elder Council.
But even excluding them, the sect had many masters.
The reason the sect could stand shoulder to shoulder with alliances as a single martial force was because of its deep pool of masters.
The One Hundred Eight Demon Generals were the vanguard representing the sect's martial power. Especially the top ten among them were ultra-masters prepared to vie for the position of the next Nine Great Demon Lords.
Of course, their martial arts weren't at the same level as the current Nine Great Demon Lords. It just meant they showed that much potential.
"In his mid-twenties, having lost all martial arts due to inner demons, he revived in a year and reached such a level?"
So Yeonshim felt a chill at her own murmured words.
"Is that possible?"
Even with support from behind, it was impossible. Even if the Third Young Master was an unparalleled genius, it was absolutely impossible.
"No, it's possible."
So Yeonshim bit her lip.
There was only one person, no, one being who could make it possible.
"...The Leader."
Heavenly Demon Lee Cheonsang.
If the pinnacle of the sect, that person, had personally intervened, if he had forcibly elevated the Third Young Master's martial arts, it would be entirely possible.
"If the Leader indeed intervened..."
If so, the next successor was as good as decided.
"Master?"
Startled, So Yeonshim looked at Juhwa.
On Juhwa's usually stoic face, there was a hint of concern.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment."
So Yeonshim took Juhwa's hand.
"Let's go. You must be tired from the journey, so let's have a meal together."
"Yes, Master."
So Yeonshim led Juhwa inside.
A hint of determination appeared on her face.
"I must meet him again soon."
"I see."
Lee Goonseong sighed.
"And how are you? Are you hurt anywhere else?"
Ma Dongpil bowed his head.
"I'm fine."
He wouldn't be fine. His breathing was slightly unstable, indicating he hadn't fully managed his internal injuries.
"Even after using the Life-Saving Pill, you haven't recovered yet. It must have been really dangerous."
"Oh, I didn't use the Life-Saving Pill."
"Hmm?"
Ma Dongpil explained the situation, and Lee Goonseong nodded.
"There was a reason for that. Make sure to get one when you leave later. You'll feel better soon."
"I'm fine, Captain."
"Don't be stubborn and take it."
"...Yes."
Lee Goonseong glanced out the window.
Beyond the window, in the training ground, Protectors who hadn't been assigned missions were sweating as they trained.
"Protecting someone means being willing to die in their place."
"..."
"That's the essence of what we do. We are always the protectors. That's why it's tough. Perhaps the warriors closest to death are the bodyguards."
"..."
"But bodyguards are also people, someone's comrades."
A hint of bitterness appeared on Lee Goonseong's face.
"We're the only ones who can cry for them, yet we have to sharpen our swords today to protect others."
"I'm sorry."
"..."
"My lack of skill led to the loss of my team members..."
"You must indeed apologize. Regardless of the reason, as the captain of the escort team, there are parts you must take responsibility for."
Ma Dongpil bowed his head.
"Of course. I'll accept any punishment."
Lee Goonseong was silent for a moment.
He spoke again after a while, still looking out the window.
"No matter how the higher-ups see it, I think I and the first team should have gone. Of course, I know such regrets are meaningless."
"..."
"Don't think your skills are lacking. If I thought your sense of responsibility, mission execution ability, and martial arts were lacking, I wouldn't have made you a captain."
"I just feel ashamed."
Lee Goonseong sighed again. It seemed like he wouldn't stop sighing today.
"I'll personally visit the families of the deceased."
"No, Captain. They're my team members, so I should..."
"This is something I've already reported separately to the Head of the Protectors."
Ma Dongpil bit his lip. It didn't feel right that his senior was taking on part of the responsibility he should bear.
Lee Goonseong stood up.
"Don't worry too much. It's not because I'm thinking of you, but because I believe I should go and bow my head."
It wasn't consolation or sarcasm. Lee Goonseong genuinely believed this incident was his fault.
Ma Dongpil knew this, which made him feel even more sorry.
And he was frustrated. Just like when he felt confused after seeing the Third Young Master resolve everything, he now felt his inadequacy keenly.
"I'll go with you."
"You can't."
Ma Dongpil felt puzzled. Not "don't," but "can't"? What did that mean?
"I'm thinking of imposing a punishment on you as the acting head of the Protectors. Until you complete that punishment, you'll be temporarily removed from the affairs of the Protectors."
"...!"
"It might be quite a long time."
Ma Dongpil bowed his head again.
"I'll accept it."
"Good. Since things have come to this, let's handle it right away."
Lee Goonseong stood up.
"From this moment on, Captain Ma Dongpil of the third division is indefinitely suspended."
He knew he would be suspended. But he didn't expect it to be indefinite.
He was a bit surprised, but Ma Dongpil accepted it.
He couldn't argue with the punishment for failing to manage his team properly and not ensuring the safety of the escort target.
"If the acting head of the Protectors issues a secret mission to Ma Dongpil, he cannot be reinstated as a captain until it is completed."
"..."
"From this moment, Ma Dongpil is appointed as the personal bodyguard of the Third Young Master."
Startled, Ma Dongpil looked up at Lee Goonseong.
"Since the suspension period is indefinite, the duration of the secret mission is also indefinite. Ma Dongpil, do your best in your assigned duty to prevent any mishaps like before."
"Ca-Captain!"
"That concludes the disciplinary action for Captain Ma Dongpil."
"..."
"Go. As a demon of the sect, you shouldn't dare to hope for anything from the Young Master... but learn as much as you can from him."
Ma Dongpil's eyes trembled slightly.
Lee Goonseong smiled.
"You must come back."