World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 478 - 252: Breakthrough!

Chapter 478: 252: Breakthrough!

Zhi Li clapped his hands and said, "Bring it in!"

Suo Lun’s eyes widened, waiting for the appearance of the illegitimate daughter Zhi Li mentioned.

Seeing Suo Lun’s expression, Zhi Li immediately burst into laughter, "Oh, my mistake, I meant ’fetch it.’ After all, this is your turf, Suo Lun. How dare I bring your daughter here?

He wouldn’t dare because if Suo Lun resorted to force to keep his daughter, Zhi Li would be completely helpless.

The Chief Eunuch Li Chenglian walked in, holding a scroll in his hands.

"Unroll the scroll and let Count Suo Lun take a good look. Is this his daughter or not?" Zhi Li said with a smile.

Li Chenglian slowly unrolled the scroll.

It turned out to be another three-dimensional sketch portrait, and it was also in color, showcasing a very profound foundation in painting.

"When it comes to it, you should thank yourself for initiating a revolution in painting, now allowing us to see such life-like portraits," Prince Zili said.

It was Suo Lun who pioneered the school of three-dimensional sketch portraits in this world.

But there were countless who surpassed him in the art of painting, whether palace painters or those under Zhi Li’s command specializing in creating patterns for banknotes, they all had outdone Suo Lun.

Once the technique of three-dimensional sketch portraits was pointed out, those genius painters could understand it and soon surpass their teacher.

Therefore, the portrait Suo Lun saw could now be painted with more than ninety percent likeness to a photograph.

The girl in the painting was around five years old, exceedingly beautiful—so strikingly beautiful.

She was small and appeared frail, with a little face and big eyes.

Most crucially, her eyebrows and eyes, her nose, they looked a lot like Suo Lun’s.

It was the kind of resemblance that told you she was Suo Lun’s daughter, but she was not his exact copy.

Her facial contours likely resembled her mother’s, and only one side of her small mouth was like Suo Lun’s, the other half like her mother’s.

"Just one look, and you should know she is your daughter," Zhi Li said with a laugh.

Suo Lun didn’t speak.

Of course, he could claim the portrait was fabricated, the artists inventing it based on Suo Lun’s features.

But he was well versed in the art of painting, and such a vibrant, lifelike portrait surely had to be based on a real person—it couldn’t be conjured from nothing.

Therefore, there indeed was such a little girl. Moreover, she was Suo Lun’s illegitimate daughter.

Suo Lun took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Prince Zili continued, "What do you think of my trade proposal? One is your mother, the other your daughter, both closest to you, in exchange for Turing Chen and Count Tuli Ming. A very, very worthwhile trade, don’t you think?"

Suo Lun opened his eyes and smiled, "Zhi Li His Highness, if my mother and daughter are so important, are you really willing to trade them?

Zhi Li said, "You are mistaken; they are not in my hands, but I know where they are. I am willing to trade the whereabouts of these two in exchange for Turing Chen and Count Tuli Ming. Both ended up in your hands because of me; I must do everything I can to rescue them."

In winning hearts, Zhi Li had always performed impressively.

After the defeat in the great battle against Suo Lun, his first reaction was not to assign blame, but to find a way to rescue Turing Chen and Tuli Ming. As a result, the nobles and princes loyal to him were most likely brimming with gratitude.

It was just unknown how long Prince Zili had already held the cards of Suo Lun’s mother and daughter, only to choose now to finally play them.

Suo Lun suddenly bowed deeply, "Please reveal to me the whereabouts of my mother and daughter, Zhi Li His Highness. Suo Lun would be eternally grateful."

Zhi Li said, "Simple, let Turing Chen and Tuli Ming go, and I will tell you."

Suo Lun earnestly replied, "But they truly are not in my hands. I cannot conjure up two living people for you. They might have really died in that naval battle."

At those words, Zhi Li’s face abruptly changed, his gaze sharpened, and his expression turned icy as he stared at Suo Lun.

After a minute, a smile reappeared on Zhi Li’s face. He slowly said, "Count Suo Lun, I have underestimated you. Your heart is colder than I imagined, to the point of forsaking your own mother and daughter."

"Of course, I desire to reunite with my mother and daughter, but I truly do not have Turing Chen and Count Tuli Ming in my possession," Suo Lun continued to bow, "Please His Highness to tell me the whereabouts of my mother and daughter. I beg of you, I am willing to pay any price in exchange."

"Heh," Zhi Li slowly rose, gazing at Suo Lun’s face. Suo Lun, however, kept his head bowed, preventing Zhi Li from seeing any expression.

"Count Suo Lun, I didn’t expect you to be such a heartless person," Zhi Li said. "It’s strange, if you were heartless, why would you risk your life for the Queen of Rock Island and return to Rock Island Palace? And now, you’re casting aside your own mother and daughter. Why is that? What doubts are there?"

Suo Lun’s heart skipped a beat.

Prince Zili was astutely vigilant, capturing even the slightest discrepancies.

Suo Lun said, "But I really don’t have Turing Chen and Count Tuli Ming ..."

Prince Zili waved his hand to stop Suo Lun from continuing his act, "This deal remains valid, but you need to hurry. If you delay further, it may be too late."