Li Ke sat upright and casually patted Jinx's leg.
Xiao Jin snorted, then sat up straight, but yawned and stared blankly ahead.
She disliked these formal occasions because they were too boring. Rather than sitting here obediently listening to the Piltover people talk, she would rather take Isha to play insect fighting, where at least Isha would look at her with adoration.
But Jinx, who had just found the occasion boring, immediately changed her mind.
Because Li Ke is speaking,
Everyone in the room was looking at Li Ke, including Silco, Vander, and Sevika, who had always disliked Li Ke.
Jinx couldn't help but look at Li Ke; the moment he spoke, he drew everyone's attention.
Li Ke didn't realize that Ahri's blessing had taken effect when he was making demands of the Piltover people.
A strange charm emerged, which made him stand out in the eyes of others.
Given the current situation, the high-ranking members of Piltover were all standing obediently in front of Li Ke, leaving Jinx stunned as she watched.
She absolutely adored Li Ke!
Li Ke has suddenly become so much more handsome!
Well, you really can't blame her!
His eyes were glued to Li Ke's face, unable to look away!
"The first thing is that Piltover must recognize Zaun's autonomy and independence, tear up the agreement previously signed between Zaun and Piltover. Alternatively, they can add a few lines stating that Piltover officially recognizes Zaun's independence, that Zaun is no longer under Piltover's jurisdiction, and that Piltover has no right to interfere in Zaun's internal affairs or economy. Furthermore, Piltover cannot refuse entry to Zaunite to Piltover without a legitimate reason."
Li Ke looked at Mel, put his first finger away, and said calmly.
He completely ignored the group of councilors behind Mel and only looked at Mel.
Mel took a deep breath and nodded, "Okay, I agree."
"I don't think any member of parliament would refuse this offer at a time like this," Mel decided.
"The second condition is that control of the Screaming Engine and the Progress Bridge must be transferred to the Zaunite, and the Dance Hall north to Harbor Park will belong to Zaun," Li Ke continued.
Mel paused, her mouth agape; she felt the condition was inappropriate.
The first option, giving control to Zaun, was acceptable to Mel, but the second option, giving the land to Zaun, was not right to Mel.
Seeing Mel open her mouth, Li Ke shook Mel head and spoke first, "I'll emphasize this to you again, Mel, you only have two choices: agree or disagree. If you agree, we can continue talking; if you disagree, then we'll continue fighting."
"That land should never have belonged to Piltover in the first place. It's already a good thing that I didn't take your port. Anyway, you Piltover people don't linger there, do you?"
"Phew—okay." Mel nodded.
"The third thing is that Zaun wants to open a port in Piltover. Note that it's not about taking your port away, but about cooperating with you to use it together." Li Ke slowly retracted his third finger, speaking in an unquestionable tone.
Hoskall, who controlled the maritime trade, stepped forward and stood behind Mel, saying, "Could you elaborate on the details of the cooperation? Piltover's maritime trade is controlled by my family."
Li Ke looked at Hoskall, noticing his serious expression, thought for a moment, nodded, and looked at Ekko: "Ekko, make way for me."
Ekko immediately stood up and offered his seat to Hoskall.
Behind them, several councilors watched Li Ke's behavior, and their expressions worsened.
What is this doing?
Is this telling them that those who are willing to bow down, cooperate with Zaun, and show goodwill to Zaun can sit at this table?
How does this young man, who looks to be under twenty, possess political skills beyond his years?
They pulled one group and beat another. The industrialist named Silco immediately launched into a tirade against the senator, and Hoskall was verbally and physically attacked with a pointed finger at his head. But now that Hoskall had sat down, he pretended not to see a thing and quietly sat next to Li Ke, watching Mel.
Is this... a way of giving face to the congressman?
The steps have already been laid out.
Kiramman stepped forward and said softly, "Zaun's ventilation ducts were built by the Giramann Family. The Kiramman has always helped Zaun improve its ventilation systems and clean up wastewater and toxic gases. Now, I'm returning this key to Zaun."
Li Ke smiled broadly and looked at Wei: "Your turn."
Wei rolled her eyes in annoyance, glared at Li Ke, and muttered, "I fucking said that my relationship with her isn't what you guys think!"
Despite the criticism, Wei still gave up her spot.
Congresswoman Kiramman sat down as well, with Vi standing behind her.
Jinx didn't understand at first, but after hearing what Vi said, she slammed her hand on the table with a "Ha!" and pointed at Vi, shouting, "I get it! Kiramman, Kiramman! What did that skinny cop call herself again? Ah, Caitlyn Kiramman, damn it, Vi, is this your mother-in-law?"
"?" Ms. Kiramman looked at Jinx, completely bewildered.
Vi rushed forward and covered Jinx's mouth, yelling, "Shut up! I've told you a million times it's not what you think!"
"Trying to shut me up won't work! You, uh, you!"
"Alright, everyone, don't worry about my family matters, let's continue our conversation." Li Ke looked at everyone.
"Congressman Hoskall, regarding the cooperation I mentioned, someone will provide you with the cooperation agreement later. Don't worry, you won't suffer too much loss."
Hoskall's lips twitched upon hearing this.
He won't suffer too much of a loss, but he's bound to suffer a loss anyway, right?
But what can we do?
Can't you see Saro still squatting in the corner like a dead dog?
As one of the wealthiest men in Piltover, Saro had reached the pinnacle of status, power, and fame. However, no matter how beautiful the wool or how much meat a sheep has, it is nothing more than food on a wolf's plate.
Hoskall, being pragmatic, chose to step down the steps Zaun had offered and stand before Zaun.
Just as Silco had said before, all of Piltover's law enforcement officers had been arrested. Without its armed forces, Piltover was now a wealthy but weak city.
Well, it's still much better than the miserable state of Saro.
After all, if the Noxians led by Ambessa couldn't even beat Zaun, then Piltover losing doesn't seem like such a big deal, does it?
Furthermore, Hoskall and the others weren't fools. They had known about Ambessa's plot for a long time, and their decision to join Ambessa's cause was also to eliminate the threat from Zaun. However, now, the very threat they were supposed to eliminate had brought Ambessa down instead.
But it's no big deal, they can just change boats, right?
Cooperating with the Zaunite seems to be better than cooperating with the Noxians?
No matter what, our two cities were one family hundreds of years ago!
Li Ke was unaware of this; if he knew what Hoskall was thinking, he would truly be both angry and amused.
This shameless behavior is something Li Ke simply couldn't do. Li Ke doesn't consider himself a particularly good person, but he doesn't admit to being a bad person either. He is definitely kind, and he has a sense of shame.
Therefore, let's describe the Piltover politicians in one sentence: Good people don't understand politics, and those who do understand politics aren't good people.
"I understand," Hoskall said, then lowered his eyes, sat down, and began to disappear.
Li Ke then stated the fourth condition. "The fourth condition is that Piltover must return all the resources that Zaun previously swallowed to Zaun."
Upon hearing this, the members of parliament sitting in their seats were all taken aback.
"This"
"We did do that, we admit it, but Mr. Li Ke, isn't this a bit too much to ask? After all, this kind of thing has happened many times before us, and the accounts are simply impossible to clear." Mel looked at Li Ke and frowned as she spoke.
This condition isn't difficult for Piltover, because Piltover may lack other things, but it has plenty of money.
Therefore, of the four conditions, this is perhaps the one that Zaun needs most right now, but it is also the one that Piltover is most likely to agree to.
But as Mel said, Piltover's exploitation of Zaun began a century ago, and by the time of her term as senator, the accounts were simply too numerous to settle.
Li Ke smiled and looked at Ekko.
Ekko immediately reached behind him, pulled out a notebook, and began to read. He then said, "We've only recorded the resources Piltover has taken from Zaun over the past hundred years, including but not limited to—"
"Minerals, seafood, and all kinds of supplies."
Ekko rattled off a whole bunch of things in one breath. At first, the council members were a little apprehensive, fearing that the Zaunite would make unreasonable demands, but then they became surprised.
No
That's it?
Is this all the money you want?
To be honest, before the Hex Gate was introduced, this amount of money might have been worthwhile for Piltover. However, after the Hex Gate appeared, Piltover's economic development accelerated by a century, and this amount of money is now nothing more than a drop in the ocean for Piltover!
Mel could easily make up for the debt by simply taking something out of his house.
As a result, the lawmakers began to look at Ekko as if he were a fool.
"As shown above, this is all the resources Piltover owes us. We won't take a single extra penny; we just want what's ours back." Ekko put down his notebook, his eyes clear and bright. He stood up straight and looked at the councilman.
Then, Congressman Kiramman suddenly lowered his head, a look of shame on his face.
Mel also had her head down.
Hoskall remained silent, but his expression was strange, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
Do you all agree?
"Of course," Kiramman nodded. "This expense will be covered by the Giramann Family."
Li Ke didn't say anything about it; money is money, no matter who gives it to him. But after stating his fifth condition...
What Li Ke was about to say were two conditions he had come up with on the spot, conditions that even Silco didn't know about.
After all, if it weren't for the monsters Vander Li Ke and Noxus, Piltover's Piltover attack on Zaun would have actually succeeded.
The incident happened so suddenly that there was no way to talk to Silco beforehand.
"My sixth condition is that I hope Piltover University can increase the number of students admitted from Zaun."
Silco raised an eyebrow, remaining silent. Piltover's knowledge was indeed something Zaun needed.
The council members exchanged glances, and then Mel spoke up, "Okay, we'll handle this."
"Aside from the regular exams and promotions, Piltover University will allocate 50 spots to Zaun every year, and the campus will be in brand new buildings, so please rest assured," Mel said.
Fifty spots are a lot, considering that Piltover University only admits a few hundred students each year.
At this moment, with only one finger remaining on his right hand, Li Ke smiled and said, "Then the last one is that I hope each city will provide an important official from the other's city-state as a bridge between the two cities."
"I'll emphasize again, Zaun is fully capable of annexing Piltover. There are many reasons why we chose not to take Piltover. The crimes Piltover committed, these seven deals alone, cannot erase the hatred of the Zaunite. But for the sake of the bigger picture, I chose to let you stay."
"This isn't about taking from you, it's about cooperation."
Li Ke said in a deep voice, "I want Jayce Talis to come to Zaun and become a councilor of Zaun, while we will send Sevika to Piltover to become a councilor of Piltover."
When Mel heard Li Ke want Jayce to go to Zaun, he instinctively wanted to stand up and object, but Li Ke's next words made Mel hold back.
"This is my seventh request, in order to deepen the cooperative relationship between the two cities and ensure a bright future."
"Now that I've finished speaking, who agrees and who disagrees?"
Li Ke placed his hands flat on the table, leaned back in his chair, and calmly looked at the members of parliament.
Kiramman nodded first, then Borborok, followed by Hoskall and Mel.
Jinx watched Li Ke silently, her face slightly flushed.
So handsome!
This occasion doesn't seem so boring after all?
Li Ke is so charming!
Looking at Li Ke's face, Jinx couldn't help but put her legs together and twist them slightly.
"Then, we will come again in three days with an agreement, and the cooperation Twin Cities will begin on that day."
"Please don't regret it after we leave. If I can come here once, I can come again," Li Ke said to the councilors as he stood up.
Zaunite stood up, preparing to leave with Li Ke.
But Mel called out to Li Ke, "Well, Mr. Li Ke."
"Is there anything else?"
Mel nodded and said, "I think you should add another condition."
Li Ke understood what Mel meant, smiled at Mel, and looked at her gently. But just as he glanced at her, Jinx came over and nudged Li Ke on the back.
"What's wrong?" Li Ke turned around with concern and looked at Jinx, who had buried her face in his back.
"I don't know!" Jinx exclaimed, puffing out her cheeks.
Ignoring Mel, Li Ke turned to Jinx, amused, and reached out to touch her face. "Want to sleep?"
"Not sleepy."
"Are you hungry?"
"I ate a lot tonight."
"What's wrong?" Li Ke was still smiling, showing no impatience whatsoever.
Jinx snorted twice, then simply kicked Li Ke's shin with her shoe.
Not far behind her, Silco and Vander watched this scene silently.
"Was my daughter's instruction insufficient, or is Li Ke simply too stupid?" Silco frowned.
Vander nodded first, then grinned and looked down at Silco: "That's my daughter!"
"Mr. Li Ke?"
"Yes, I understand what you mean, Mel. We'll talk about your mother later. As long as the benefits are right, I can let her go," Li Ke said dismissively to Mel.
Ambessa stayed not only to ask questions, but also because she was Mel's mother.
For both cities, Mel is definitely a good leader. She is responsible, kind, and capable. As Piltover senator, she does not look down on Zaun. Mel's character is also described in various places in the anime.
She is not the kind of person who would use people as tools to achieve her goals; Noxians.
Hearing what Li Ke said, Mel stopped pressing the matter, nodded, and stood aside. She looked at the unconscious Ambessa with her broken arm, feeling a little sorry for her, but in the end, she turned her head away and refused to look anymore.
Li Ke also put his arm around Jinx and led her forward, raising his other hand to wave to the people behind them.
"Return to Zaun."
"Yes!"
Footsteps echoed from the parliament building as rows of Zaunite emerged from the Piltover parliament building.
Jinx was being held by Li Ke, and she snuggled into Li Ke arms as well.
What she liked most about Li Ke was that Li Ke would spoil her unconditionally.
She didn't care how much money Li Ke had, what his status was, or how strong or capable he was. All she wanted was Li Ke who would pamper her, care for her, and not get impatient with her when she acted childishly or unreasonable.
Jinx buried her little head in Li Ke's chest and rubbed against him vigorously, inhaling Li Ke scent.
Then, she looked up at Li Ke and said, "I'm hungry."
"Okay, then when we get home we'll ask Isha what she wants to eat, and I'll make it for you."
"I want roast chicken!" When you're in a good mood, you have a good appetite.
Tonight won't be boring either!
First, he fired a machine gun at Skinny Guys, venting his anger. Then he saw the handsome Li Ke at the negotiating table. Next, he got jealous because Li Ke smiled at someone else, and then Li Ke coaxed him.
Hmph, just as I thought, as long as I'm with Li Ke, everything is fun!
Isha, standing nearby, also started babbling and gesturing with her little hands.
"No desserts tonight," Li Ke said seriously, looking down at Isha.
Isha immediately lowered her head, her large hat covering her entire face, but you could tell how disappointed she was without even looking at her expression.
Jinx had barely hummed in response when Li Ke pinched her nose and said, "No."
"Just a little bit, I want something sweet too," Jinx said.
"."
"Sigh, I must have owed you something in my past life," Li Ke said helplessly.
"Great!" Upon hearing Li Ke's words, Jinx immediately jumped up and hugged his neck, cheering happily. Then, she looked down at Isha and reached out her hand. Isha also happily reached out and patted Jinx on the back.
The group walked through the streets of Piltover, heading towards the Progress Bridge.
The evening breeze was a bit chilly, but Auntie Marna and Uncle Kel felt warm inside, because... Zaun had truly become independent!
They planned to return to Zaun and immediately spread the news so that everyone in Zaunite would know the good news!
Although Malson's injuries had been healed by Singed, the healing process using the glimmer of Shimmer would deplete his energy, so he was currently being supported by Weila, with a big smile on his face.
Silco and Vander walked at the back of the crowd, silently watching the large group of Zaunite walk forward joyfully.
"We succeeded!" Silco exclaimed.
He truly witnessed the independence of Zaun.
After tonight, Zaun will no longer be dependent on Piltover. What he dedicated his life to has truly been accomplished, accomplished by Li Ke.
"Are you about to cry from being so moved?" Vander teased Silco.
"Before you say I'm going to cry, you'd better wipe the sleep from your eyes first," Silco scoffed, walking past Vander was rubbing his eyes. His voice lingered in the wind.
"Didn't you cry too?"
Zaun
They returned victorious.