If An Yun could not be rescued, the promise Lin Yun had just made to her would become mere empty words.
“Lin Yun, you are truly good to her. For a woman to have the protection of a man like you is a very fortunate thing,” Zi Tong said as they walked.
From this matter alone, Zi Tong could clearly see Lin Yun’s character.
“She protected me in the past. I must save her,” Lin Yun replied.
“Do not overthink it now. Just wait patiently for the outcome. I will help you,” Zi Tong said comfortingly.
“Zi Tong, thank you. I will also remember the favour you have done for me,” Lin Yun said earnestly.
Even if Zi Tong was helping him only to repay her own debt, Lin Yun would still remember it.
Zi Tong suddenly stopped walking and looked at Lin Yun curiously. “If I succeed in helping you rescue her this time, then in the future… if I ever encounter great danger, would you also risk your life to save me?”
“If I knew about it, I would,” Lin Yun answered.
After a brief pause, Lin Yun smiled and added, “Though you are the granddaughter of the elf clan leader. If you were truly in danger, where would there be any need for me to save you? Others would certainly come to your aid.”
“That is not necessarily true. Last time I sneaked off to the Ancestral Heart Realm on my own. Was it not you who saved me?” Zi Tong said, her voice light and melodic.
…
After leaving the dungeon, Lin Yun returned to his sleeping palace.
Confined to the palace with nowhere to go, Lin Yun simply stayed inside, contemplating the guidance the Great Emperor of Destruction had given him last time.
He meditated while awaiting news.
The next day.
Zi Tong arrived at Lin Yun’s residence, accompanied by a middle-aged elf.
“Lin Yun, this is my father, Zi Er. He is also the Sixth Prince of the elf clan,” Zi Tong introduced.
“Sixth Prince,” Lin Yun said, cupping his fist in greeting.
This Sixth Prince had pale golden pupils. He gave off an impression of refined and handsome elegance.
“I heard that the benefactor who saved my daughter’s life had come to the palace. So I came especially to meet you and thank you in person,” the Sixth Prince said, expressing his gratitude directly.
The Sixth Prince continued, “I have looked into the events of that time. You and my daughter were complete strangers, yet you were willing to risk offending others and spend a great sum to buy her at auction, then escort her to safety. For this, I am deeply grateful and truly moved.”
“The Sixth Prince is too polite,” Lin Yun replied courteously.
“In fact, I have always believed that the human race and the elf race could coexist peacefully. Just as you, a human, were willing to save my daughter despite knowing nothing about her. Why must the human race and elf race be opposed? Why must we launch great wars that cause countless deaths on both sides and bring devastation to all life?” the Sixth Prince said.
Within the elf clan, the Sixth Prince had always belonged to the peace faction, directly opposed to the war faction led by the Fourth Prince.
The peace faction, as the name suggested, advocated diplomatic relations and peaceful coexistence between the two races.
However, because the elf and human races had fought several major wars throughout history, the entire elf clan harboured strong hostility towards humans.
In such an environment, the peace faction was not well regarded within the elf clan. They were even scorned by the war faction as timid and cowardly.
“Indeed. I too wonder about it. The ancestral land is so vast. There is surely room for everyone. Why must it be this way?” Lin Yun sighed.
Lin Yun gave a wry smile and shook his head. “However, such matters are not decided by one or two people alone.”
At the very least, Lin Yun lacked the power and authority to influence such things.
“By the way, regarding your wish to rescue someone, I will also do my utmost to help. If you have any other requests, feel free to mention them. Consider it repayment for saving my daughter,” the Sixth Prince said.
“If the Sixth Prince can help rescue An Yun, I would already be immensely grateful. I dare not ask for anything more,” Lin Yun replied.
Lin Yun did in fact wish for the Source Heart from the treasure hall, but he certainly could not mention that.
Besides, it was in the royal palace treasure hall. Only the elf clan leader could decide whether Lin Yun could obtain the Source Heart from there.
“Good. We will do our best,” the Sixth Prince said.
After a brief pause, he continued, “Actually, I have long wanted to befriend powerful humans. Since you are the benefactor who saved Zi Tong, I would like to become friends with you. I wonder if you are willing.”
“Of course I am,” Lin Yun replied with a refined smile.
The Sixth Prince chatted idly with Lin Yun for a few more moments about relations between the human and elf races before finally taking his leave.
