Underground secret chamber.
Long candles burned atop the long table, flickering in the dim light.
Suladi sat at one end of the table, with Black Robed Men standing deeply bowed on either side.
One of the Black Robed Men, filled with shame, spoke to Suladi, "Mas... Master, I'm... I'm sorry, we have failed. The squad led by Luo'er, although they found the enemy... they all died. We sent more men, but we've lost track of the enemy."
"It's... it's not your fault." Suladi lifted his head to look at the Black Robed Man who had spoken, his voice so hoarse it startled everyone present. As they looked at Suladi, they realized that, unbeknownst to them, he had aged a lot, his face etched with exhaustion.
"Master, you..." the speaking Black Robed Man showed concern.
