At the time, he was immersed in his work and didn't think much of that comment, so he simply replied with "Indeed, that's possible," and left it at that.
"No rush, there will always be opportunities in the future."
That was his thought at the time.
He somewhat understood why many middle-aged people took up smoking, likely because they were troubled and yet found it inconvenient to confide their worries. However, since he was not accustomed to smoking, he could only stand there rigid, like a stump.
"If someone else had said this to me, my first reaction would probably have been 'Are you joking?'? because no one knows her strength better than we do. If she only considers Remnant Beasts as enemies, I simply cannot imagine any Remnant Beast that could match her."
Asou Yuan Xiang's voice was calm: "Did something happen when she wasn't transformed? Or did she contract some disease? No matter how I think about it, it shouldn't be that she was murdered by someone."
"But the director was very clear, the cause of death wasn't an accident... it was pure homicide."
Lin Yun clenched his fists.
Even though he had heard this sentence countless times and had confirmed it over and over again in his heart, hearing it one more time still stirred his emotions.
Two years ago, while he was unable to contain his hatred due to the news of An Ya's death, someone had found him and sent him a message: "Think carefully about what you are carrying now, and don't do anything impulsive."
That person was the "director" that Asou Yuan Xiang mentioned, Golden Green Cat's Eye.
"You said before, was it her who told you not to attend the funeral, or even not to come to Fangting City?"
Lin Yun spoke somberly: "Did she tell you the reason why?"
Asou Yuan Xiang said lightly: "You know, just an unreasonable command wouldn't stop me from doing what I want to do."
"Because if I had come at that time, 'revenge' would have been your only option."
Looking up and turning his face, Asou Yuan Xiang gazed at Lin Yun and said: "If I don't come back, or say, if both I and that old woman Su Shengzi don't come back, you would have the chance to cool down and properly weigh the consequences of 'revenge.' But if we had come to the funeral at that time, what would you think?"
"What would I think?"
"The former Fangting team gathers again, but one of its members has been victimized. Everyone wants revenge, and among them, there is only one who has given up the power of a Magical Girl and can no longer fight."
Asou Yuan Xiang rose from a squat to stand, and perhaps due to numbness in her legs, she tiptoed slightly: "In such a scene, given your character, do you really still have the choice of 'not taking revenge'?"
Lin Yun had no response.
The other party was right; if things had truly become such a dire situation, he would not have hesitated to rejoin the battle.
"...Even so, what's wrong with that?"
Yet, he still had reservations: "I wouldn't feel coerced, nor compelled, because that was also what I wanted to do."
Asou Yuan Xiang asked back: "Then why are you fighting now?"
"Of course, I'm now fighting for..." Lin Yun suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
Because he realized what the other person was trying to convey.
He was indeed not fighting for "revenge" now. The reason he had picked up the Heart Flower again was actually to protect his child.
"The reason for fighting is very important. Just the reason alone can greatly change the way you fight, and you should be able to understand that."
Asou Yuan Xiang continued: "The director's idea is that the answer to the question 'Should you fight?' must come from you. Only if we all stand back can you find the reason to fight, one that you decide for yourself."
"What if I decide to fight for revenge all by myself?" Lin Yun furrowed his brow.
"If it's entirely out of your own volition, no one will stop you."
Asou Yuan Xiang curved her lips slightly: "However, I must emphasize that I don't want you to follow An Ya in death, and neither does the director. You used that move during the Full Moon Festival, right? The one where you damage your magic armor to enhance your fighting power. If you keep using it, you'll die."
"Just to protect the child, I'm already facing battles of this magnitude. If you knew the true culprit and chose to seek revenge, how quickly would you burn through your life? Believe me, friend, as selfish as it may sound, nobody wants to see that happen."
"...I know, I understood all that you said a long time ago." After listening, Lin Yun sighed, "Regardless, I have to make sure Lulu... no, that those kids can protect themselves. Until those kids are capable of standing on their own, I won't make any rash moves."
"Even when they can stand on their own, it's not okay."
Asou Yuan Xiang glared at him: "Are you in such a hurry to kill yourself? You plan to seek revenge without even knowing who the real murderer is, are you going to launch a massacre in the stronghold of Black Ash Dawn?"
"This isn't okay, that isn't okay, so what exactly did you come here for, to act as the warden for our dear director?"
Lin Yun responded irritably: "Do I need to remind you that my rank is half a grade above yours? Inspector Candidate?"
"Didn't I say it when we first met? Of course, it's to be your bodyguard, Inspector Sir," said Asou Yuan Xiang with a sarcastic chuckle. "Let me confirm it with you once more, although the 'moth' that secretly controlled Fangting City has been overthrown, life hasn't been easy lately, has it, Sir?"