The silence stretched after Fang Chen's grumbled acceptance, thick but no longer suffocating with dread.
Fang Yuan's gaze swept the table, meeting each elder's eyes in turn, Fang Joshua's dawning hope, Fang Chen's weary resolve, Fang Sun's stoic nod, Fang Yin's bright, trusting stare.
Even Fang Jingyi had smoothed her expression into one of grim support, the earlier panic masterfully buried.
"Does any elder," Fang Yuan asked, his voice calm but carrying the full weight of his position, "have further questions or objections before we proceed?"
He let the question hang.
Fang Chen merely took another sip of tea, his earlier hopping frenzy replaced by a deep, resigned stillness.
Fang Sun shook his head minutely.
Fang Ra mumbled, "None here."
One by one, the others signaled their assent, a shake of the head, a low murmur of agreement, Fang Yin's vigorous nod.
The unified front, forged from shock, awe, and the desperate promise of power Fang Yuan offered, was complete.
