An Irresistible Temptation

After Jiang Chuan left, Pero sat on the sofa in a daze, contemplating Jiang Chuan's words. For Pero, magic was like a drug to an addict. Jiang Chuan's words stirred up great waves in his heart. Although he deeply hated the Dark Sea Throne, what if, as Jiang Chuan said, he had a way to let him master magic again...

Pero went to the basement and said to the Old Mage, "Teacher, I am lost. My enemy came and told me they could help me regain magic. I don't know what to do."

The Old Mage chuckled, "Child, isn't this a good thing? The Red Hat you built is just a gang, far less important than magic. Once you regain magic, you can immediately reach my level. Moreover, my divination results tell me this choice will determine your future development. In my divination, I saw two versions of you: one is radiant, wearing a magic robe and holding a magic staff, enjoying the admiration of others. The other is lying in the slums of Bilgewater, staring blankly at the sun, with no one knowing you are a mage, let alone the leader of the Red Hat. Child, do not let greed blind your eyes. Countless lessons have taught us that relentless greed often leads to one's downfall. Tomorrow, we will go together to find the person who can help you recover your body."

Pero pondered for a moment and then smiled, "Teacher, I've decided. I cannot let money and power corrupt my heart. I will continue to learn magic from you."

The Old Mage smiled, "It's never too late to learn magic."

Seeing the determined light emanating from Pero's eyes, the Old Mage felt as if he had returned to the days when he first taught him magic.

Pero smiled and said, "Teacher, I am willing to return to your side to learn magic. Are you still willing to teach me?"

The Old Mage smiled and tapped Pero's head with his staff, saying, "Kala Pero, do you willingly become my student, follow me to learn magic, and maintain an attitude of awe and respect towards magic?"

Pero knelt on the ground and solemnly said, "I am willing to become your disciple and follow in your footsteps to explore the great and vast world of magic."

The Old Mage stroked his beard and smiled at Pero, "Good, you are now my magic apprentice."

Pero's situation ended happily. Jiang Chuan returned to the First Army's camp and said to Kendi, "From now on, the First Army's defensive positions can be withdrawn. Get rid of those poor people. Tell them if they want money and food, they can go work on Bloodfang Island."

Kendi asked in confusion, "President, did you resolve the Red Hat just by going out?"

Jiang Chuan smiled, "From now on, the Red Hat and we will be one organization. Soon, the Red Hat will become the second army of the Dark Sea Throne."

Kendi asked doubtfully, "President, did you find leverage over the Red Hat? Would they give up the gang they worked so hard to build?"

Jiang Chuan said, "The conditions I offered Pero were so generous he couldn't refuse. He will agree."

Kendi shrugged and smiled, "President, should we still speed up weapon production on the island?"

Jiang Chuan thought for a moment and said, "Go back to the island and tell Noah to put the research and development of new weapons on hold for now. Focus the main effort on the production of grenades and machine guns. Also, you and Sarah should plan the steel trade. There's a huge profit to be made there. Many poor people are expected to go to the island seeking work recently. Tell Laurie to screen them carefully; we don't want just anyone."

Kendi nodded, "Understood, President."

After Kendi assigned training tasks to the First Army, he set off back to the island. Jiang Chuan sat in his office, contemplating matters concerning the Twilight Spirit. In the known records of Runeterra, the Twilight Spirit had never appeared definitively, only mentioned in passing during the Demigod wars. In official Demigod records, there was a person resembling the Twilight Spirit named Mai'sha, whose description was very similar to the current Twilight Spirit, Zoe. Furthermore, the war between the Titan Race and the Demigods lasted for a very long time. On the surface, the Titan Race claimed to be fighting for justice against the Demigods, but the credibility of history is often not high. The victors write history, while the vanquished are submerged in the long river of time, just as no one knows about a place called Icathia in Shurima today. Icathia was conquered by the Shuriman army in history, its cities and homes destroyed, and the people of Icathia were enslaved for hundreds of years.

Things only took a turn when the people of Icathia discovered the Void. The people of Icathia opened a portal to the Void, and the Void's army surged forth from underground. Shurima paid a heavy price for this. The Demigods were formed around that time. During the battle with the Void, some of Shurima's Ascended were corrupted by the Void, becoming the Demigods of today. Now, the only remaining Icathian in all of Runeterra is Jax, the Grandmaster at Arms.

Jiang Chuan chuckled, "I wonder if the Void destroyed the Demigods or if the Titan Race destroyed the Demigods."

Jiang Chuan went to the seaside and summoned Zoe. With a flash of white light, Zoe appeared before Jiang Chuan. Zoe was similar to her game counterpart, with long hair flowing behind her head. What was most astonishing were her large eyes. Just like in the game, one of Zoe's eyes was a deep sapphire blue, and the other was a captivating purple.

Zoe was very curious about the feeling of suddenly appearing in a strange place. Her large eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Chuan and said, "Wow! How did you do that! That's so cool!"

Jiang Chuan decided to tease Zoe, pretending to be listless, and said, "I am a cosmic spirit. I heard your wish and specifically summoned you here to help you fulfill it."

Zoe happily spun in place and exclaimed, "Awesome! Then I want never-ending chocolate mooncakes!"

Jiang Chuan realized he couldn't keep up the pretense and said, "Okay, I've received your wish. I'll make sure you and Ezreal go on a date."

Zoe said with stars in her eyes, "Really?!"

Jiang Chuan smiled, "The Cosmic Spirit never lies to children."

At the same time, Jiang Chuan cursed Ezreal fiercely in his heart, 'Pah, you beast! You don't let men or women off, and now you're even after lolis? Damn blonde!'

Zoe impatiently said, "Cosmic Spirit, hurry and take me to see Ezreal!"

Jiang Chuan smiled, "I'll have him appear directly before you."

Zoe said with a look of bliss, "Wow, I'm so happy."

Jiang Chuan said, "But there's a price to pay."

Zoe whispered, "What price? Aren't you the Cosmic Spirit who grants wishes?"

Jiang Chuan said with a dark line on his face, "If we Cosmic Spirits granted wishes for free, this world wouldn't exist anymore."

Zoe pouted and said, "Fine, what do you want?"

Jiang Chuan said calmly, "In mortal legends, you can let them use magic? I need you to cast that spell or give me that item."

Zoe smiled, "So you want the Stardust Potion. Wait a moment."

Zoe jumped into the circle beneath her feet and soon emerged holding a bottle of silver potion. The potion sparkled in the sunlight, looking like a bottle of mercury.

Jiang Chuan shook the potion and said, "Pero, now you can join the Dark Sea Throne's Second Army with peace of mind."