Chapter 9 Principles

"Legolas..." Fang Senyan ignored Reef's teasing and repeated the name a few times. "Isn't that one of the members of the Fellowship of the Ring?"

"Yes!" Reef nodded. "This guy is tall, handsome, and incredibly strong. Even the Uruk-hai Lurtz would probably be outmatched by him in archery. His close combat skills are far superior to Lurtz's. Hmm, in terms of magic, elves naturally have an affinity for nature, leaving Lurtz in the dust. Plus, he comes from a noble background and is well-mannered... Why can't I find a single reason for Wuge to refuse him?"

"Shut up." Fang Senyan rolled his eyes and said bluntly, "These fleeting advantages will all be crushed by my one and only advantage: one hour and thirty-eight minutes—Mr. Gimli! We're ready. My companion says he's strong enough to carry the load for two people!"

"Boss... you're going too far! This is blatant revenge!"

Next, Fang Senyan and Reef changed their appearance. Well, of course, they weren't dressing up as princes to meet a princess. Their current identity was as members of a merchant caravan. To put it bluntly, they were a combination of stable hands, porters, servants, bodyguards, cleaners, and storekeepers. If they wore suits and ties while carrying two large packages, wouldn't that just attract the elves' attention? So, they had to borrow a set of work clothes from the other members of the caravan and change.

Clearly, Mr. Gimli's old customer, Mr. Wilhern, didn't have as much influence as Mr. Wright. After arriving at the entrance of Rivendell with twenty porters carrying a large amount of goods, they still had to wait in line for customs inspection, which was another lengthy process.

Elves don't fear any danger or threat, but they detest anything dirty or filthy, especially since Rivendell has been fortified with magic, it cannot be defiled! After a very strict inspection, guided by an elf, Fang Senyan and Reef finally carried their packages into the beautiful and clean city of Rivendell.

Upon entering Rivendell, one could see clear streams flowing along both sides of the streets, with unique white sand distributed in the water. The vegetation was lush, and the orderly plants were perfectly integrated with the city in the gaps between the magnificent buildings. Everywhere there were hanging swings and flowerbeds, making it look like a large garden.

These plants were either blooming with flowers or bearing sweet fruits. The air was filled with a refreshing fragrance. Many elves would casually pick the abundant fruits by the roadside, rinse them in the clear spring water flowing by, and eat them directly.

These scenes didn't have as much of a shocking impact on Fang Senyan and Reef. Reef even told Fang Senyan that his castle's scenery was no worse than Rivendell's. However, for the ordinary workers, it was undoubtedly shocking. Many people, regardless of the heavy burden on their shoulders, touched and pinched here and there, filled with nothing but amazement.

After walking about five or six hundred meters along the street, a small team of patrolling elves suddenly blocked the way.

They spoke a few words with the elf leading the way and began to slowly walk past the group. Suddenly, they pointed at a porter and spoke sternly, causing the porter's face to turn pale and tremble.

Immediately afterward, an elf stepped forward and searched him, finding a ripe fruit in his pocket with undried stream water on it, clearly stolen and hidden for later.

The elves in the patrol team began to discuss among themselves, their contempt obvious. An elf wearing a blue robe, who appeared to be the leader, immediately cast a Vine Entanglement spell, binding the weeping porter. He then walked up to him and said seriously and arrogantly:

"Human, you have used your stupidity and filth to harm the sacred city of Rivendell. Therefore, we sentence you to be assimilated among the branches and leaves. Your body will be transformed into nutrients for nature, and your soul will be cleansed by rain and wind, thereby redeeming your sins."

The caravan owner, Mr. Wilhern, was sweating profusely, constantly negotiating with the elf leading the way, but the elf just shook his head coldly.

Reef, looking somewhat displeased, asked the coldly observant dwarf, Mr. Gimli:

"What does 'assimilated among the branches and leaves' mean?"

The young dwarf also seemed dissatisfied with the elves, frowning and saying:

"It means hanging people on tree branches, those weird pointy-ears!"

Fang Senyan looked at the old porter, who was slumped on the ground, his white hair disheveled, his whole body trembling, and muddy tears streaming down his cheeks. In that instant, he weighed many pros and cons in his mind, then stood up, stared at the elf who pronounced the death sentence, and said indifferently:

"I used to hear that elves were beautiful, generous, elegant, kind, and hospitable creatures. Now that I've seen them with my own eyes, I realize they're all just butchers!"

Although Fang Senyan knew that standing up at this time was inappropriate and could even cause all previous efforts to be in vain, he still stood up.

Because Fang Senyan has always believed that everyone should have their own principles to adhere to. Under conditions where it's permissible, gains, losses, successes, and failures should definitely not be the only factors determining action!

Rather break than bend!

This old man has no connection to him, but he was discriminated against and insulted by the elves! And even sentenced to death by the elves for such a small matter with cruel elegance! This exceeded Fang Senyan's bottom line, even if there was no benefit in return, he would still stand up!

Hearing these words, the elf immediately turned around and looked at Fang Senyan coldly:

"Human, your words have insulted all elves. You will pay the price for this."

Fang Senyan sneered:

"Did I say anything wrong? We trekked thousands of miles, risking life and limb to bring distant specialties for Rivendell's celebration. How do you treat us? Like monitoring prisoners, even entering your city is like guarding against thieves with extreme caution. Where is your hospitality? Hmm?? Please tell me?"

The elf was immediately speechless. Not only that, but Fang Senyan's sharp gaze looked at the other elves, who also turned their heads away, unable to meet his questioning gaze. They may discriminate against humans in their hearts, but these people did trek thousands of miles at great risk to come to Rivendell, as Fang Senyan said. No matter what, they couldn't voice any objections.

Fang Senyan stepped forward and tore open the trembling old porter's shoulder, revealing his swollen shoulders and numerous scars. He said angrily:

"Look at the wounds on his body! This is the sacrifice he made for Rivendell. With these many scars, what's wrong with him eating a single fruit from Rivendell? And you want to execute him?"

The elf in the blue robe said coldly:

"There is nothing wrong with him eating the fruit, but stealing is a great wrong! Whether human or elf, we punish stealing in this way."

This elf's rhetoric was extremely sharp, and he would not be misled by Fang Senyan in the slightest, but he was grasping the most critical thing to discuss! But Fang Senyan smiled and held up the fruit, saying:

"Stealing? I ask you, who does this fruit belong to?"

The blue-robed elf answered without hesitation:

"It is the common property of all the elves of Rivendell."

Fang Senyan sighed and said:

"Your selfishness has blinded your eyes, elf. Even I, a human, know that the Song of Dawn, which guides your path, sings: Sweet waters and abundant food are the gifts of the supreme god Ilúvatar. Every morning during the sacred speech (similar to morning prayer), every elf must remind themselves to be humble. Child of Ilúvatar (an epithet for elves, like the descendants of the dragon), beauty is not only external but must also be reflected in the heart. Where is your humility, where is your beauty?"

As Fang Senyan said this, at least a third of the elves in the vicinity showed approval in their eyes and began to discuss in low voices, obviously touched by Fang Senyan's words, "Beauty is not only external but must also be reflected in the heart!"

Elves have a very complex view of humans. They despise most humans, but they can recognize the outstanding heroes among humans! The most direct example is the daughter of Elrond, the ruler of Rivendell: Arwen Undómiel, who eventually married a human.

Of course, this human was also very awesome. Just how awesome he was could be seen from how others addressed him.

Chieftain of the Dúnedain of Arnor, commander of the armies of the West, master of the Star of the North, wielder of the reforged Holy Sword, direct descendant of Valandil, son of Isildur, heir of Elendil of Númenor, he is the King of Gondor, his royal name is Elessar, Aragorn son of Arathorn...

Of course, Fang Senyan certainly couldn't convince these elves with just a few words—otherwise, this book should be classified as alternate history—even if his charm was higher than his physical strength, he couldn't do it. But with his legendary +1 persuasiveness, he could at least make that third of the elves feel that what Fang Senyan just said made sense, which was enough to achieve his goal.

Although the blue-robed elf was expressionless, his slender, pianist-like fingers were trembling slightly with anger, which was enough to prove that his heart was far from as calm as he imagined.
!@#