Chapter 95 Let's go, to the elf's house to deliver a gift. "Please take this too..."
"Please take this back with you as well." Lin Yue's eyes shone brightly in the darkness.
Renault accepted the cold ring, bowed to Lin Yue, and then quickly disappeared into the darkness.
“Let’s go, Gray.” Lin Yue looked in the direction Renault had left. “We should go back and prepare our…plan B.”
...
The next morning, Lin Yue unexpectedly found Elder Farador with a steaming cup of corn coffee in his hand.
The elder sat beneath the Son of the Sacred Tree, his eyes closed in meditation. The sapling, having survived the migration, had grown considerably taller, its verdant leaves shimmering with a soft glow.
"Elder, good morning." Lin Yue handed over the coffee and casually sat down on the stone bench next to him. "Did I disturb your photosynthesis with the sacred tree?"
Elder Farador slowly opened his eyes, a hint of a smile flashing in his cloudy old eyes. He was already used to Lin Yue using words he couldn't understand but found interesting from time to time.
He took a sip of the coffee, and the unique flavor of caramel and malt invigorated him.
“Lin Yue,” the elder put down his cup, “you came to see me today because of the trip to Silvermoon Forest?”
"Hehe, nothing can be hidden from you, Elder." Lin Yue gave a slightly ingratiating smile. "It's like this, Elder. I'm still a bit unsure about this trip to the Silvermoon Forest to seek refuge. So I wanted to ask you for some advice: what do those elves... they... actually like?"
He rubbed his hands together, looking expectant, and asked, "This is our first time visiting to ask for a favor. We can't go empty-handed, can we? We should bring a small gift to build a good relationship. You're so knowledgeable and have dealt with them so many times, you must know their preferences, right? For example... do they like sweet or salty food? Do they prefer shiny gold or simple wood? Are there any particular taboos?"
“You brat…” Elder Farador shook his head and sighed, “What do you take elves for? Do you think they need to be appeased with mortal things?”
He paused, seemingly lost in distant memories: "To be honest, although I've lived to a ripe old age, I've only had limited contact with the elves of Silvermoon Forest. We Silent Ones aren't the close allies you imagine, but rather ancient neighbors who don't interfere with each other yet depend on one another."
"We only send messengers to Silvermoon Forest when the tribe faces a major upheaval, such as the near-extinction of the tribe like the Valley of Tears, or when the succession of elders requires their approval."
“Then Gray…” Lin Yue asked instinctively.
“We’ve gone off on a tangent.” Elder Falador interrupted him immediately, clearly not wanting to dwell on the matter. “According to the records and experience passed down through generations of elders, elves are indeed the darlings of nature. They are born with the ability to communicate with the forest, and pure magic flows through their bodies. Most of them appear cold and aloof, but this is not out of malice, but rather an innate vigilance and wariness towards all things unnatural.”
"Most of them are detached from worldly desires and have no interest in money or power. But they do have some secret preferences rooted deep in their blood." A wise light gleamed in the elder's eyes. "They have an extreme love for cleanliness and cannot tolerate filth and disorder. They abhor noise and love tranquility, cherishing all creations that are close to nature and full of life. For example... a piece of uncarved jade, a rare flower that grows tenaciously on a cliff, or... an ancient song that can stir the breeze in the forest."
“Got it,” Lin Yue slapped his thigh. “Isn’t this the ultimate combination of an artsy youth and a germaphobe? I know this persona well.”
"Personal image? What's that?"
"Haha, it's nothing, please continue."
“That’s all I know,” the elder sighed. “However… this Queen seems to be different from all the previous rulers. I remember when the previous elder first took me to Silvermoon Forest to meet the Queen… although she, like all elves, had an indifferent expression and even wore a polite smile during our conversation, I sensed through her eyes a… a sharpness like a drawn sword. It was a… a spirit that yearned for change and dared to change.”
After listening, Lin Yue understood.
“I understand, Elder.” He stood up and bowed respectfully to the elder. “Thank you for your guidance. I know what kind of gift to prepare.”
That afternoon, at the preparatory meeting for those going far away and those staying behind.
“I have decided to personally lead the team and accompany Elder Farador and the others to Silvermoon Forest.”
"The mayor is going in person?" Li Ge asked with some doubt. "The town is in a very tense situation right now. We're worried about your safety if you leave."
“Lin Yue,” Gray frowned as well, “the journey through the Silvermoon Forest is fraught with unknown dangers.”
Aunt Leah thought a little deeper. She glanced at Elder Falador and tentatively asked, "Mayor, are you going there in person because you want to talk to the elves about something else? But we're just a small Hope Town, and they're such powerful elves. Do you really think they'll just give us refuge and then pay us any attention? Actually, apart from the last time we traded some Starlight Deer Liver Pie, we don't seem to have any other relationship."
“But we have to give it a try, right?” a young foreman said.
"Everyone, please calm down." Lin Yue raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. "I made this decision after careful consideration. Our trip to Silvermoon Forest is not just to seek refuge, but also to seek an opportunity to break the deadlock."
"Have you considered this? Even if we can hold out for a month on our own, what then? Can we hold out for the next time? Duke Caslan's greed won't disappear just because of one failure. We must find a powerful ally that they can truly fear. And Silvermoon Forest is our only chance right now."
"As for the protection money for seeking asylum," Lin Yue's lips curled into a confident smile, "I'm going there this time to show them what we hope town can really offer them. I want them to understand that sheltering us is not charity, but a sure-fire investment."
"Alright, it's settled then." Lin Yue made the decision. "During my absence, the town's defense and production will be entirely in Gray's and your team's hands. Remember, the priority is to delay the inevitable and preserve your strength. Don't engage in direct combat. Regardless of the outcome, I will be back within a month. You must hold out until I bring back good news."
Under Lin Yue's personal direction, each workshop showcased its best skills, meticulously preparing a variety of souvenirs brimming with the unique characteristics and natural aesthetics of Hope Town. These included simply designed, pure celadon-glazed ceramics, openwork wooden boxes carved from camphor wood, sweet and soft star-shaped flower cakes, crystal-clear jams, and even several miniature bonsai plants brimming with life.
Each of these items, taken individually, might not seem like a groundbreaking treasure. But when they are neatly arranged together, they all point to a clear theme—cleanliness, nature, tranquility, and a whimsical aesthetic of life.
Everything is ready.
The day before departure,
"Gray," Lin Yue handed Gray a multi-functional utility knife with various hidden mechanisms, "you take this. It can only be of maximum use when it's in your hands."
He then handed Gray a rough, but clearly marked, animal hide map.
"This is a map of the area around Blackrock City and some resource points I've previously scouted. If... I mean if, the situation really gets to the most critical moment, and they launch an attack ahead of schedule, and you can't hold out, then lead everyone to retreat to these places."
“And one last time,” he patted Gray on the shoulder heavily, “I’m leaving the family to you. Protect everyone, and protect yourself. I’ll be back.”
Gray didn't say anything, but silently took the utility knife and map.
...
The mornings of parting are always tinged with sadness.
The group gathered at the edge of Hope Town near the forest. Led by Elder Farador, dozens of children and a few elderly people, supported by their families, boarded a huge cart pulled by rock-walking lizards.
Lin Yue and several able-bodied young men responsible for escorting the group rode on the sides of the caravan, using several pack horses with good endurance that they had obtained from the merchant caravan.
A line of people stood to see them off.
"Father, Mother, are you really not coming with us?" A little boy held Li Ge and his wife's hands, his eyes red.
Li Ge's wife knelt down, straightened her son's collar, and said with a smile, "Silly child, we're not going. The mayor will take you to the Elf Forest, where you'll see lots of beautiful elf brothers and sisters. Aren't you excited?"
"I'm happy... but... I'm still a little reluctant to leave you all."
Li Ge picked up his son and kissed him hard on the cheek: "As long as you're happy. When you get there, be good and polite. Dad and Mom are waiting for you at home."
On the other side, a young man knelt heavily before his elderly father, tears streaming down his face: "...It's my fault...that I've made you embark on this unknown journey again at such an advanced age..."
His elderly father, a weathered old man, raised his hand and patted him from a distance, saying in a hoarse voice, "What nonsense are you talking about? You've done very well. You've all done very well. We've overcome so many difficulties, and we'll definitely be safe and sound this time too. I originally wanted to stay and help you take care of the house. But the mayor and the others are right. My old bones are too weak to move, and staying here wouldn't be of much help. It would only distract you from taking care of the children. If I go with you, I can help look after the younger ones, which is my way of contributing to the family."
The innocent children, unaware of the significance of this parting, were mostly still immersed in the excitement of their upcoming trip to the legendary Elf Forest. The elders, however, who had seen through everything, gazed with worry at the place they had just begun to call home.
"Xiao Fen, scout ahead!"
"Set off!"
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