"Councilor Li Ke!"
"Miss Jinx!"
"You're finally back! Councilor Silco is looking for you. Please take a look."
A group of the Sump enforcement officers approached and began chattering at Li Ke and Jinx.
Jinx hummed and hawed twice. Back in Zaun, back in this familiar place, Jinx was like a fish back in water. Her cute smile turned into an arrogant one. She put one hand on her hip and slowly turned to look at Sarah.
"Come on, I'll show you around," Jinx said to Sarah.
Sarah nodded and followed Jinx. The law enforcement officer standing nearby was stunned. He quickly looked at Li Ke, his face hesitant, and said softly, "Congressman Li Ke, this..."
Li Ke looked at the law enforcement officer, smiled, then stood on tiptoe and called out, "Jinx."
"What!"
"Don't you want to meet with Silco and the others first?"
"Well, I really want to see him, but right now I'd rather eat something delicious!" Jinx ran forward with her hands behind her back, looking incredibly happy.
The food in Ionia is indeed delicious, with tasty fruits and vegetables that are crisp and sweet. However, the problem is, you can't eat too much of it!
She's a carnivore, a carnivore! Back in Zaun, she ate frog and chicken every day, but after traveling for months, she's been eating vegetables every day. How could she possibly stand that?
Furthermore, while Ionia food is sweet and delicious, it pales in comparison to the food made with various spices in Zaun. With its advanced Chemtech, Zaun's spice industry is even more sophisticated than Piltover's. Although it may not be the healthiest, the taste is simply unmatched elsewhere.
Therefore, a day earlier, Jinx had been clamoring on the raft to eat Muddy Frog.
Seeing Jinx covering her ears and charging forward with her head down, followed by Sarah and Akali, and Rafen's gang of pirates—a true Big Sister figure— Li Ke smiled and looked at the enforcer beside him Li Ke, saying:
"Go back and tell Silco that I'm taking Jinx to get something to eat, and if he has anything urgent, he can come find me at the market."
The law enforcement officer nodded, then saluted Li Ke, turned and led his team away.
It takes about half an hour to walk from the dock to the Black Alley, during which time Li Ke was welcomed by countless Zaunite.
Jinx walked ahead, and many people greeted her. She would smile and respond with a sweet smile.
When Jinx is in a good mood, her personality can also become very nice.
Sarah and Akali were surveying the streets of Zaun. Akali was alright, but Sarah was quite different.
She stared in astonishment at the clean streets of Zaun. Although crowded and narrow with little sunlight, the air in Zaun smelled wonderful, and the residents' lives were far better than Sarah had imagined.
What kind of place is Zaun?
In Sarah's mind, Zaun was a dilapidated, backward city-state, just like Bilgewater, considered by the world to be the worst, most chaotic, and freest city-state, with a reputation just as rotten as Bilgewater's.
Even a few years ago, many people who had traded in Zaun returned with nothing but disdain for Zaun, feeling that the upward mobility and living conditions of the lower classes in Zaun were not even as good as those in Bilgewater.
But what is Sarah seeing now?
What she saw was a happy smile on the face of every Zaunite. In the narrow alleyways, children in not-so-new clothes ran and played with toys, and uniformed Zaun enforcement officers patrolled with weapons, yet the residents showed no fear of them whatsoever.
Residents were resting on both sides, and some were even napping and enjoying the shade under the trees. Wait a minute, wasn't the environment in Zaun previously uninhabitable for plants?
Sarah suddenly woke up, took a deep breath, and found that the air in Zaun seemed even more comfortable than in Bilgewater.
"You guys..." She couldn't help but slow down and approach Li Ke.
"What's wrong?" Li Ke asked, looking at her.
"Zaun has changed so much over the years!" Sarah said with envy. She continued, "I've never been to Zaun, but Rafen has. Before I met him, he was in the business of selling liquor with a Zaun Alchemical Baron, buying Shimmer liquor from Zaun and sending it to Bilgewater. But the Zaun I heard about from him is completely different from the one in front of me."
"Selling Shimmer liquids?" Li Ke pondered for a moment, then smiled at Sarah and said, "That was two or three years ago. Since I took over, Zaun has banned the processing of Shimmer into alcoholic beverages. Now Shimmer are only used in the new energy and medical industries. This stuff is too addictive, but when the dosage is controlled, it is a very good anesthetic and drug-enhancing agent."
"I don't quite understand. I just want to know, how did you do that?" Sarah shook her head and turned to ask Li Ke.
She looked around with a sense of wonder. Everything she saw made Sarah feel relaxed and comfortable. She wished Bilgewater could be like that too.
"No one wants to be complacent, Sarah. If you were to take charge of Bilgewater one day, I believe Bilgewater would change completely," Li Ke said with a smile.
"Impossible." Sarah shook her head, laughing self-deprecatingly, and continued, "Bilgewater has no culture of its own, no faith of its own. We Bilgewater people admire the Buhru culture, but the Buhru have never given us a second glance. Even our faith is 'borrowed.' In the minds of the Bilgewater people, the concepts of nation and country may not even exist."
After hearing this, Li Ke realized it was indeed true.
But isn't unification just about this? If there's no culture, then create one; if there's no faith, then establish one.
Thinking about it this way, Li Ke realized that Zaun and Bilgewater are indeed very similar in many ways, but there is one difference: the Zaunite have their own faith deep in their bones— Janna.
Just as he was about to continue comforting Sarah, Jinx called out from ahead, making Li Ke look up.
"Silco ~!!!"
Jinx suddenly started running and bumped headfirst into the arms of a thin man.
The man wore a red vest and black trousers. His hair was somewhat disheveled, his face was pale, and there were beads of sweat on his forehead. Half of his face was covered with a horrifying scar. One of his eyes had a dark, hollow white and a scarlet pupil. Combined with his cold demeanor, he practically embodied the words "keep away" written all over his body. He looked rather frightening.
But when Jinx bumped into his arms, his expression changed. His cold face softened, and even his terrifying eyes softened. He reached out and stroked Jinx's back. Silco had a lot to say, a lot of words of blame and reproach for Jinx.
But in the end, what he said was--
"It's good that you're back."
"You want something to eat, right? I've already had it prepared. Come on, over here." Silco hugged Jinx, lowered his head and rested his chin on her head, inhaling the scent of her hair.
Actually, Jinx's hair didn't smell good. How could it smell good after drifting at sea for so many days?
But Silco didn't seem bothered; instead, she hugged Jinx tighter. If Jinx's face hadn't looked a little plumper and less petite, Silco would have really been questioning Li Ke right now.
"Hey!" Li Ke was initially watching Jinx and Silco embrace with some emotion, but as Silco took Jinx's hand and started to leave, Li Ke couldn't help himself.
No, what does that mean?
I am the Lord of Zaun!
"Silco, what about me? What do you mean?" Li Ke called out from behind.
Sarah quickly looked over; she was extremely curious about Silco and wanted to know what the man who had single-handedly brought order to Zaun looked like.
Although Silco never publicly claimed to be the Lord of Zaun and frequently Li Ke's name, linking Li Ke to Zaun, people in Bilgewater were indeed more curious and concerned about Silco.
For the past five years or so, the first port that Bilgewater people have to visit when doing business in Zaun is Silco.
This man was already the veritable "Emperor of Zaun" Zaun years ago.
"Hmm?" Silco turned around, looked at Li Ke, and gave him a puzzled look.
"???" Li Ke took two steps forward, appearing in front of Silco in a flash. He looked at him with a smirk and said, "It was indeed wrong of me to take Jinx out without telling you, but the problem is, that's what Jinx wanted too."
"Right?" Li Ke looked at Jinx.
Jinx looked at Silco, then at Li Ke, hesitated for a second, then let go of Silco's hand, took Li Ke's hand, and said loudly, "Yes, that's my idea."
Upon seeing this, Silco's face immediately darkened.
Ten minutes later, in Zaun's market, this street is considered a food street. On this street, you can even find food from all over the world. Of course, the most famous food is naturally Zaun's own cuisine.
A group of people sat around a stall, surrounded by the Sump enforcement officers responsible for maintaining order and preventing congestion in the market.
Li Ke, Jinx, Vi, Silco, Vander, Viktor, Heimerdinger, Ekko, and other highly respected figures from Zaun, as well as Jayce and Mel from Piltover.
Sarah and Akali were also brought to this table, and Li Ke was responsible for introducing them to the Twin Cities executives.
Right now, in front of this somewhat dirty stall, Mel frowned, but still picked up her chopsticks and started eating the food in front of her, because next to her, Jayce, who had a beard, was already eating with a beer in one hand and a spoon in the other.
It has to be said that Jayce really does resemble a Zaunite now, both in appearance and personality; he can really blend in with the Zaunite.
"So, the Bilgewater issue is resolved?" Silco placed a piece of frog leg on Jinx's plate and said softly.
Li Ke nodded, chewing on a roasted chicken leg. After swallowing, he said to Silco, "Yes, there's a very strong person in Ionia who will help us defend Bilgewater."
"So what do we need to give in return?"
"Establishing diplomatic relations with Ionia is actually what we wanted all along. Don't worry, we won't lose out," Li Ke said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Silco nodded and continued, "That's good. I was worried that the situation in Bilgewater would affect the development of Zaun."
Li Ke then introduced Sarah to Silco nodded in Sarah.
Akali, on the other hand, seemed aloof and reserved, but was actually a glutton. From the moment she sat down, her mouth never stopped; she was either chewing or on her way to chew, and she didn't utter a single word the entire time.
Li Ke recounted his experiences in Ionia to everyone, while Jinx shared the magical materials she had discovered Ionia with Jayce, Viktor, Ekko, and Heimerdinger.
The conversation wasn't interrupted until Wei left the station.
"Can we talk about something serious?" Wei said impatiently.
She couldn't participate in these conversations. In the past, she might have flirted with Sarah, but not now. If she flirted with Sarah now, she would be confronted by the tall, blue-haired Cupcake that very day.
Therefore, Wei found these things very boring.
The stories Li Ke told her only bored her, because she preferred to witness things firsthand rather than listen. And Jinx's talk about science? Ha! That was definitely not something Vi could get involved in.
So she spoke, interrupting everyone.
"Wei, then tell me, what exactly constitutes 'serious business'?" Li Ke asked Wei with amusement.
Wei reached out and tapped the table, her legs spread wide in an unseemly posture, and said loudly, "The important thing is, when are you and Jinx planning to get married? Didn't you say you were going on your honeymoon? Now that your honeymoon is over, aren't you going to get married too?"
"Jiefen?"
"Okay, okay!"
Li Ke was taken aback, then turned to look at Jinx, only to see that Jinx, who had just been talking to Jayce about the second Hextech being named after her, had a flushed face.
She looked at Li Ke excitedly, blinking her Big Eyes, blue eyes, which were full of excitement.
The one who just shouted "Jiefen" was her.
"."
After exchanging a glance with Jinx, Li Ke looked at everyone and said, "Then... let's set a time."
After thinking about it, Li Ke realized that he really should marry Jinx.
Xiao Jin is already an adult; he'll be over twenty soon, which is no longer a young age.
It's worth noting Zaun in the past, it was common for teenagers to have children in Zaun. It's only recently, with improved living standards and moral standards, and thanks to the enactment of marriage laws by Li Ke, and learning from Piltover, that teenage girls becoming mothers has stopped appearing.
Besides, Li Ke and Jinx are childhood sweethearts, and their relationship has been established for so long. Apart from not officially getting married yet and some other things they haven't done, Li Ke and Jinx really know each other inside and out. It really wouldn't make sense for them not to get married.
Another thing is, now that they're married, Li Ke will have to throw a party for Jinx!
No, Li Ke is a normal man. If he always tolerates a beautiful young woman rubbing her leg against him and secretly touching him, after a while...
He's almost developed sexual repression from it.
"Too early," Silco said, frowning.
After a moment's hesitation, Vander also said, "I agree, that is indeed somewhat true."
He didn't finish his sentence because Wei suddenly slammed her hand on the table and said loudly, "Good morning? Good morning what? Is it good morning?"
"Jinx just looks young, okay? She's almost twenty! Besides, don't you guys want to have grandchildren?"
Silco and Vander were both taken aback, especially Silco, whose lips twitched upwards, but his facial expression remained calm, which made him look strange at that moment.
Turning his head away, Silco prevented Li Ke and Jinx from seeing his expression.
But Sevika, sitting next to him, sighed.
"Boss, why don't you just laugh?" she said directly to Silco.
"I wasn't laughing," Silco said in a deep voice.
"Stop being stubborn, your smile is giving you away," Sevika sighed again.
Whenever Jinx is involved, Silco's intelligence seems to plummet, let alone now that Jinx has a child.
The thought of Silco holding Jinx's baby sent a chill down Sevika.
To be honest, Sevika simply can't imagine Jinx becoming a mother. Seriously, she's practically a kid herself!
Unlike Hilco, Vander didn't stick to his guns; instead, he became excited and started discussing the timing and invited guests with Rick Jinx.
But just then, Mel spoke up.
"I apologize for interrupting your enjoyment, but what I'm about to say is very important," Mel said.
Everyone looked at Mel, who said apologetically, "Li Ke, your wedding with Jinx Mel have to be postponed a little, because there's something waiting for you to deal with."
"What?" Li Ke asked.
Mel replied:
"This morning, I, the head of the Medarda family, received an invitation from Noxus to a banquet. It cordially invites the Lord of Zaun and members of the House of Representatives to a Noxus noble banquet."
Before anyone could ask, Mel spoke up:
"It's a masquerade dinner party. I suspect the organizers behind this party are connected to me and my mother, so I have to go. If possible, I hope you can come with me."
"A banquet? But isn't Noxus still divided?" Li Ke said, frowning.
"Split?" Mel shook his head, and Jayce beside him also shook his head.
Silco said softly, "A lot happened in Valoran while you were away. Just days before you returned, Swain of Noxus seized power and overthrew Darkwill's rule."
"Noxus is now ruled by Swain, who has founded the Trifarix and intends to divide the imperial power, but he hasn't found a suitable successor yet."
"However, the dinner we attended wasn't hosted by Swain; Mel believes it was hosted by an organization called the Black Rose," Silco said, looking at Li Ke.
After hearing what Silco said, Li Ke's lips twitched slightly.
The timeline belonging to the Twin Cities has passed, but has the current major event already reached Noxus?
Swain seized power, established the Trifarix, divided the imperial power among himself, and brought Noxus back on track. LeBlanc, for her own plans, will continue to cause trouble.
For example, releasing Renekton and Xerath, and resurrecting Azir —these things all bear the shadow of LeBlanc.
"Okay, I understand."
"Then, let's discuss my marriage to Jinx after the Noxus banquet."
Jinx frowned slightly, a little annoyed, but she didn't react. Instead, she forcefully forked a piece of frog meat and began to chew it with a slurping sound.
Okay, I'll get married later if I want!
Anyway, Li Ke can't run away.
Besides, she hasn't had enough fun yet.
So, is Li Ke going to take her to Noxus next?
Thinking of this, Jinx cheered up again.