Don't Let the Golden Iron Triangle Come Back Alive!

Chen Xin's gaze rested on Dai Mubai for a moment, then shifted to Ma Hongjun. His expression gave nothing away.

Gu Rong simply closed his eyes to rest. His gaunt body leaned against the window frame like a strip of dried tree bark.

"Why have you come so early? Rongrong, did you fail to look after our guests?"

Ning Fengzhi looked from Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai to his daughter, reproach creeping into his voice.

"Sect Master Ning, you misunderstand. She's looked after us perfectly. It's just..."

Dai Mubai stepped forward and bowed deeply, making himself as humble as he could.

As the eldest of the Shrek Seven Devils, he had to speak for them now.

"We don't know whether the dean and the others are alive or dead. As their students, we can't possibly relax."

His voice grew heavy with barely restrained urgency.

"Please, Sect Master Ning, for Rongrong's sake, speak to the Extreme Alliance and ask them to spare our dean!"

Dai Mubai finished and bent even lower.

Beside him, Ma Hongjun followed suit.

The movement was clumsy. He bent so far his head nearly struck his knees, but he forced himself to stay that way.

Ning Fengzhi did not answer at once.

Leaning back in his chair, he tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest and studied the two of them.

Silence settled over the study. Only the occasional birdsong came through the window.

"The Golden Iron Triangle have been renowned across the continent for years. I've heard plenty about them."

At last, he spoke, his voice measured.

"And Flender was once Rongrong's dean. By any measure, I ought to intervene."

Relief broke into obvious smiles on Dai Mubai's and Ma Hongjun's faces.

Ma Hongjun nearly straightened up. His mouth spread into a grin, his eyes narrowing