After the Sixth Prince left, Lin Yun continued to wait.
The Sixth Prince went to see the elf clan leader and spoke on Lin Yun’s behalf, requesting that An Yun be released.
In the side hall.
“Father, although that human woman An Yun trespassed into elf territory, she has not done anything to harm our elf clan. There is no need to keep her imprisoned. Treating a human this way will only heighten the conflict between the elf clan and the human race. Moreover, that Lin Yun once saved my daughter. Let her go. It would also be a way to build some personal goodwill with that human, Lin Yun,” the Sixth Prince said to the clan leader.
“My son, you are simply too kind-hearted. You have always advocated peace. Even if we are willing to show goodwill to the humans, would the humans be willing in return? How could I wish for war with the humans, causing countless clansmen to perish and bringing devastation to all life? Yet often, only through force can we protect ourselves,” the clan leader sighed.
The clan leader shook his head and continued, “Those great human powers are not as simple as you think. Behind them lies an invisible black hand. Though I do not know the true face of this black hand, it is certainly not as straightforward as you imagine.”
Their discussion moved from the matter of release to the broader issues of war or peace with the humans, and even touched on deeper levels.
“Father, leaving distant matters aside, the release of that human woman is surely something we can decide, is it not? At the very least, it would reduce one point of conflict with the humans. Though a single conflict may seem trivial, conflicts naturally accumulate from many small ones into something large,” the Sixth Prince said.
“On this matter, I still need the information about that Lin Yun before I make a decision. You may withdraw for now,” the clan leader said, waving his hand.
…
Lin Yun waited a full two months.
Two months later, in a side hall of the royal palace.
The shadow guard sent to investigate Lin Yun’s background handed the intelligence report to the clan leader.
After opening and reading it, the clan leader murmured in astonishment, “I never expected this fellow, at the Harmony Realm, to have joined neither the Dao Alliance nor any of the six great powers.”
This report covered both the identities of Lin Yun and the dao title Bei Chen.
Since Lin Yun had contacted Zi Tong using the name Lin Yun, they had primarily investigated information under that name.
In the Ancestral Heart Realm, Lin Yun had appeared under the dao title Bei Chen, so they had also uncovered some details about Bei Chen.
Having investigated Lin Yun, they naturally discovered that he had once joined the Heavenly Fire Divine Hall but later betrayed it. The Heavenly Fire Divine Hall had then hunted and killed him. All this was clearly detailed.
The clan leader quickly deduced that Lin Yun had probably not truly died but, fearing discovery by the Heavenly Fire Divine Hall, had assumed the alias Bei Chen.
“This fellow’s rate of strength improvement is truly terrifying. Such a human genius is a pity that the Heavenly Fire Divine Hall could not claim,” the clan leader marvelled inwardly.
From the report, which noted the realms Lin Yun had displayed at different points in time, the clan leader could naturally judge just how astonishing his rate of advancement was.
“Go and summon Zi Tong and that human here,” the clan leader said, looking up to give the order.
…
On the other side.
Lin Yun, deep in meditation, opened his eyes.
“It has already been two months. Why is there still no news?” Lin Yun stood up and began pacing.
The longer he waited, the more anxious Lin Yun became. He even found it hard to calm his mind for cultivation.
Knock, knock, knock.
At that moment, there was a knock at the hall door. A guard entered.
“The clan leader summons you. Follow me,” the guard said.
“It seems there is a result at last,” Lin Yun murmured, then followed the guard out.
All the way there, Lin Yun’s heart was filled with extreme unease.
He knew clearly that the moment of decision had probably arrived. Whether the elf clan would release An Yun would be settled now.
When he reached the outside of the side hall, Zi Tong also arrived just then. They met each other outside the hall.
“Zi Tong, it looks like there is a result,” Lin Yun said.
“Do not worry yet. Let us see the outcome first. Come, we are going in,” Zi Tong said comfortingly.
The two entered the hall together.
“Grandfather,” Zi Tong greeted the clan leader with a smile.
“Clan Leader,” Lin Yun also saluted the elf clan leader.
“I have already looked into Lin Yun’s circumstances. He is indeed not here to spy on intelligence for our elf clan,” the elf clan leader said to Zi Tong.
“Grandfather, does that mean we can release her?” Zi Tong asked eagerly, full of expectation.
The clan leader sat upon his throne and said calmly, “Release her and repay the favour.”
