After Alphonse transmutes a new mask for Ling's female companion identical to the one that Edward had destroyed, the Elrics leave Rush Valley by train and head for Central City with both Winry and Ling in tow - much to Ed's chagrin. Ling apologizes for his companions' earlier actions and explain that both the young girl, Lan Fan, and the old man, Fu, belong to a clan that has served his own family for generations. While Winry remarks that she hasn't seen either of Ling's servants since their departure, Alphonse and Edward comment on how Ling must be from a well-to-do Xingese family if he has vassals guarding him all the time.