In the guest room.
After the guard had shown Lin Yun in and departed, Zou Dongsheng and the Pavilion Master followed him inside. Once the guard left, only the three of them remained, free to speak openly.
“Friend Bei Chen, I truly never expected this. Your connections are astonishing. To think you have ties inside the Elf race, and that Miss Zi Tong clearly holds no ordinary status,” the Pavilion Master said with repeated admiration.
“You flatter me, Pavilion Master,” Lin Yun replied with an embarrassed smile.
He had only brought out the jade pendant as a gamble, never imagining it would work so well.
“Friend Bei Chen, since matters have been settled on your end, I shall take my leave. However, you are heading into Elven territory, so do be careful. Make sure to wear a high-quality soul-protecting pendant. One can never be too cautious on foreign ground,” the Pavilion Master reminded him.
“Thank you for bringing me here and for the warning,” Lin Yun said, cupping his fists in gratitude.
After the Pavilion Master left, only Lin Yun and Zou Dongsheng remained in the room.
“Young Master, I must admit your abilities now far surpass mine. I came here to seek an audience with this Elven powerhouse and could not even get through the gate, yet you not only gained us entry but secured his assistance,” Zou Dongsheng said with repeated sighs of wonder.
Lin Yun grinned. “I told you before that I had a way, but you would not let me finish.”
Zou Dongsheng gave an awkward laugh. “Well… I truly never expected you to actually have one.”
“By the way, Young Master, who exactly is this Miss Zi Tong? And how solid is your relationship with her?” Zou Dongsheng asked.
These two points would determine whether this trip could succeed in rescuing An Yun.
If Miss Zi Tong held significant authority and Lin Yun’s connection with her was reliable, the chances of success would be high. Otherwise, they would be low.
“I once saved her life. I believe she will be willing to help. As for her exact status… I do not know,” Lin Yun said, shaking his head.
“Judging by that Elven powerhouse’s reaction, Miss Zi Tong’s position must be quite exalted. Since you hold the grace of saving her life, I would say there is real hope of rescuing An Yun!” A smile finally appeared on Zou Dongsheng’s face.
Before this, he had been almost entirely hopeless about saving An Yun, knowing the odds were virtually nil.
Now, however, genuine hope had emerged.
“By the way, Zou Dongsheng, tomorrow when I go to the Elven domain, you will not come with me. I will go alone,” Lin Yun said.
“Not come? Young Master, that is out of the question. I must accompany you and ensure your safety,” Zou Dongsheng declared firmly.
“We are going to rescue someone, not to fight,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“True, but once we set foot in Elven territory, many unknowns remain,” Zou Dongsheng replied, his expression grave.
“Zou Dongsheng, my connection is with Miss Zi Tong of the Elves. You have no such tie. The Elves are hostile towards humans. If you come too and trouble arises, I can rely on this relationship, but you have no direct link to them. You would be in far greater danger,” Lin Yun explained seriously.
“Young Master, I do not fear danger. Besides, if I go, I can at least be of some use. Last time at the Beastman race, I was useful, was I not?” Zou Dongsheng countered.
Lin Yun shook his head with a smile. “This time is different. We are heading straight into the Elven heartland. If real life-threatening danger appears, even five of you could not protect me.”
“That…” Zou Dongsheng was momentarily at a loss for words.
He understood Lin Yun’s meaning. Normally, this trip should carry no great risk.
But if serious danger did arise inside the Elven stronghold, it would be fatal. Extra people would make no difference, given the sheer number of Elven powerhouses there.
This journey truly differed from their previous visit to the Beastman lands.
Moreover, the one connected to Zi Tong was Lin Yun. If only one person could go, it had to be him. Zou Dongsheng could not take his place.
“Zou Dongsheng, since you address me as Young Master, let me take charge just this once, alright? With my relationship to Miss Zi Tong, even if talks fail, there should be no great danger. You can rest easy,” Lin Yun said reassuringly.
