"Why the long faces, everyone? Ah, and where's Fan Hong?" Wang Meng asked. Seeing their solemn expressions, his smile vanished. "Where is he? Don't tell me something happened to him."
Ma Tian'Er gave a small smile. "Brother Wang, don't worry. Fan Hong had something to take care of and has been away these past few days. He should be back soon. Where have you been?"
Wang Meng breathed a sigh of relief. He recalled how Xuee Zhongnan had sought him out to stress the importance of this matter. Fan Ru's help had been crucial; without it, it was uncertain if they could have survived. The Dharma Flower Sect was now an ally of the Holy Hall, and Fan Ru's intentions were perfectly clear—he wanted Wang Meng to look after Fan Hong. Wang Meng considered it his undeniable responsibility. They were brothers, after all.
