“Alright,” Lin Yun nodded.
“You two, stay here and protect Lin Yun,” Zi Tong instructed the two elven guards behind her.
“Yes, milady,” the two elves replied in unison.
After giving her orders, Zi Tong entered the elven imperial palace alone.
Lin Yun remained outside the palace, waiting.
Inside a side hall of the palace.
An elderly elf with snow-white hair and beard, exuding extraordinary dignity, sat at a desk studying an ancient text. He was the current patriarch of the elven royal family, the emperor who ruled the entire elf race.
“Grandfather,” Zi Tong called out with a smile as she walked in.
“Zi Tong, what has you so happy?” The patriarch looked up, a smile appearing on his face as well.
He was usually stern, but with Zi Tong, his youngest granddaughter, he displayed the special affection of a grandparent. Her personality even managed to awaken the childlike spark that age had not yet extinguished in him.
“Grandfather, I met my lifesaver today, so of course I am happy,” Zi Tong said, beaming.
“Oh? Your lifesaver? When did this happen? Where is he? Since he saved your life, I must thank him in person,” the patriarch said warmly, standing up with a smile.
“It is the one who saved me when I sneaked into the Ancestral Heart Realm last time. I told you about it before, Grandfather,” Zi Tong explained.
“He is human. How did you meet him? You… you did not sneak off to the Ancestral Heart Realm again, did you?” The patriarch walked forward, his expression turning somewhat serious.
“Grandfather, I already learned my lesson once. How would I dare sneak there again? He came to the elf territory himself,” Zi Tong said, sticking out her tongue playfully.
“Came to the elf territory? A human dared trespass here? The recent report about a human intruder… it was him, was it not?” The patriarch frowned slightly.
“Grandfather, he meant no harm. He came specifically to find me.”
As she spoke, Zi Tong stepped forward and took her grandfather’s arm. “You just said you wanted to thank my lifesaver in person. Didn’t you teach me to keep my word and honour my promises?”
“You little rascal, you are setting a trap for your grandfather,” the patriarch said with a helpless smile, lightly tapping her nose.
“Grandfather, if he had not saved me, you would no longer have this granddaughter,” Zi Tong said coquettishly.
“Although he is human, since he once saved your life, I will meet him. As for the crime of trespassing in elf territory, I will pardon him,” the patriarch declared.
“Thank you, Grandfather! He is waiting outside the palace right now. I will bring him in at once!”
Zi Tong turned excitedly to leave.
“Wait, Zi Tong. He would not come all the way to the elf territory to find you without reason. He must want something, or need something, correct?” the patriarch asked.
“Well… yes, he does have a request. I will bring him in first and explain everything to you later.”
With that, Zi Tong dashed out of the side hall to fetch Lin Yun.
…
Not far from the imperial palace, within Heavenly Sacred City, stood a castle.
Cang Chen and Elder Luo You hurried inside and went straight to the rear courtyard.
In the courtyard stood a slightly plump middle-aged elf. This was the Fourth Prince Zi Tong had mentioned, the fourth prince of the elven royal family.
Among all the royal princes, the two with the greatest talent, strength, and highest expectations placed upon them were this Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince.
The Sixth Prince was Zi Tong’s father.
Naturally, the two had become rivals.
The Fourth Prince was also the notorious war hawk of the royal family. He had always advocated reopening war with the human race to restore the glory of the elves, and his hostility towards humans was exceptionally strong.
“We pay our respects to the Fourth Prince.”
Cang Chen and Elder Luo You bowed before him.
“Well? Did you take care of that human brat?” the Fourth Prince asked.
After Cang Chen’s first failed ambush, he had reported the matter to the Fourth Prince. The subsequent interception outside the city, as well as Elder Luo You’s involvement, had all been authorised by the prince.
“This… Your Highness, Lady Zi Tong rescued the human,” Cang Chen replied.
The Fourth Prince’s expression darkened. “Rescued? You two really are useless. Two apex experts against one Unity Realm human, something that should have been child’s play, and you still let him be saved?”
