99 Kills

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Xiulite was slightly taken aback, then timidly bowed and asked, "Um... sir, who are you?"

No wonder Xiulite was so nervous. The factory manager had specifically told him when he called him over that he was going to serve a very important person from the very top echelons of Piltover.

If anything goes wrong, or even if he displeases the important figures, then without their orders, a group of people will be willing to take care of him...

Similarly, if one can gain the other party's appreciation, then one will also be able to shed the status of a low-level laborer and become a glorious production foreman!

Although it was just a change from low-level alchemy work to becoming a foreman on an alchemy production line, it also meant that he would no longer have to suffer through contact with unstable alchemical compounds!

And now, judging from what the important person said... he seems to know me?

"The mining area, have you forgotten?" Yuan Chen said, "I also asked you about that 'stone wall' in the tunnel."

Upon hearing this, Xiulite was taken aback, then immediately recovered and bowed and scraped, saying:

"Oh, it's you! No wonder I felt so much better at work today! I thought it was that lousy filter working, but it seems it's all thanks to you!"

At the very beginning, Xiulite thought that Yuan Chen and his group would soon be wiped out by the Piltover army—just like the Piltover cops used to kill all the natives living in the Primeval Jungle.

But to Xiulite's surprise, Piltover not only did not attempt a violent attack, but even gave him a grand and dignified welcome.

From Zaun to Piltover, everyone knew that an ancient empire called Ixialia had come to "visit"—visiting with an incredibly forceful attitude.

Meanwhile, those Piltover players who used to be so arrogant and haughty were completely different, now appearing quite amiable...

Based on this alone, Xiulite was certain that this was a very important person he might never see again in his entire life.

But that's enough to brag about in the tavern.

Xiulite remembered perfectly well that it was this very man in front of him who had caused him to lose his job as a miner... But Xiulite dared not utter a single complaint, because countless people in Zaun lost their jobs every day.

Unemployment in Zaun means death... no, it's even more cruel than death!

Thinking of the consequences of losing his job, Xiulite shuddered, and his fawning demeanor changed from nodding and bowing to groveling.

Sensing Xiulite's almost desperate fawning and the fear hidden deep within his bones...

This was the first time Yuan Chen had ever felt such emotions from someone in this world. He subconsciously turned his head to look. Although Qiyana felt a little strange, she didn't react much—as the crown princess, she was used to a life of luxury.

Jarl seemed to be used to being respected like this, and even through his protective suit and mask, he didn't seem to care much.

Ezreal was chatting with Jarl, and although they were talking as friends, Yuan Chen could sense that Jarl was in a weaker position.

Because Jarl is Mirdal's eldest son and also his financial backer.

Turning back to Xiulite, Yuan Chen silently nodded. "Alright, lead the way."

"Alright! The bottom of the ditch is a bit dangerous, but someone as important as you certainly don't need to worry! I'll lead the way, just let me know if anything goes wrong!"

With Xiulite smile, through the brand-new protective suit and mask, Yuan Chen could clearly see that the young man, who was less than ten years older than him and in the prime of his life, had a face full of wrinkles and rough skin riddled with holes from corrosion.

"Um."

Yuan Chen nodded calmly, indicating that they could set off.

Walking through the Sump, Qiyana glanced at Yuan Chen and asked, "What happened to you just now?"

"What? What happened?"

"Your state of mind, your emotions, your spirit... you're all there," Qiyana said. "You seem a little lost? This is the first time I've sensed this emotion in you."

"...It's nothing," Yuan Chen shook his head and said, "I just remembered some scenes."

That doesn't seem like a good thing.

"Beauty is always rare... that's why it's so precious."

Yuan Chen spoke calmly, walking silently down the fog-shrouded street.

Leading the way, Xiulite was initially a little nervous, even tripping and falling a few times. But after realizing that Yuan Chen and the others didn't seem impatient, Xiulite gradually relaxed.

Gradually, to prevent boredom on the journey, Xiulite even began to proactively introduce some of the... scenery of the Sump.

If this can be considered scenery.

It's clear that Xiulite is quite popular. Walking through the Sump, many people showed surprise upon recognizing Xiulite in his protective suit, then nervously whispered their congratulations and looked on with envy as he led Yuan Chen and the Xiulite.

They knew this meant that Xiulite might have another chance to soar to great heights—even if that chance wouldn't even get him a foothold in the Upper City.

As they passed an arched bridge, Xiulite raised his hand and said to a middle-aged man staring blankly down at the ground, "Hey! Jeno! Got any work today?"

Upon hearing Xiulite's words, the middle-aged man named Jeno blankly looked at Xiulite, then gave a blank smile and said, "No... still no."

Jeno's figure was a bit strange. Only when you got closer did you realize that the other side of his body was empty, supported by a piece of wood, with only one arm and one leg.

Hearing this, Xiulite said with some regret, "That's really bad luck. How about this, you come stay at my house for a few days?"

Upon hearing Xiulite's words, Jeno's eyes flickered, but quickly dimmed again. "No need... It's the same wherever I am."

Upon hearing Jeno's words, Xiulite's gaze faltered for a moment, then he chuckled awkwardly, "Alright, then forget it..."

After leaving the arched bridge, Yuan Chen glanced at the blank-faced figure and casually asked, "What's wrong with him?"

"He's unemployed."

Yuan Chen could sense how terrified Xiulite was when he talked about losing his job.

Xiulite explained, "Jeno is quite good. He works hard, and his wife gave birth to a big, healthy baby boy. Although it's tough, he's found new work, so there's hope for the future!"

As he spoke, Xiulite led Yuan Chen and the others across the arched bridge to the next level. Passing the tavern, he glanced at the people eating and drinking inside, a hint of pride in his eyes, and casually remarked:

"These taverns are mostly frequented by laborers; it's quite pitiful."

"Pitiful?"

Hearing this, Ezreal glanced at the tavern with some confusion and said, "Isn't this great? There's wine and meat."

Just as Ezreal said, although the laborers inside looked miserable and poorly clothed, there was wine and meat on the table, and they were all smiles when they ate, drank and toasted, showing no sign of being pitiful.

Upon hearing Ezreal's words, Xiulite said obsequiously:

"Although they seem to live a good life, none of them are married. Without wives or children, they may be able to drink and eat meat, but they haven't saved a single penny. They could run out of money at any time."

"I'm not afraid of being laughed at by the adults. Although I'm struggling financially, my son is talented. Once I save up some money, I'll send him to the alchemy factory to work as an assistant to those master alchemists! Although there are dangers involved, at least there's hope in life."

Upon hearing this, Ezreal nodded in agreement.

Although Ezreal's background is not as prestigious as that of the four great families like Jarl's, his parents were both renowned archaeologists in the field. Even after his parents passed away, his uncle was a professor at Piltover University and had a very high reputation.

This can be seen from the fact that Ezreal's uncle easily arranged for him to have many extremely strict and prestigious tutors to teach him advanced knowledge of cartography, Hextech mechanics, and ancient history of Runeterra.

Yuan Chen didn't think that Ezreal's nonchalant attitude meant he was guilty.

Rather, it was a more indescribable emotion that troubled his heart.

As they descended along the crisscrossing arched bridges, just as Yuan Chen and his companions were crossing another one, a few screams came from above.

I instinctively looked up and saw someone fall down—it was that guy named Jeno.

He stared blankly at the pool of dark green venom below. Yuan Chen instinctively reached out to catch it, but then he saw the relaxation in the other man's eyes—which made Yuan Chen's hand freeze in mid-air.

The unemployed worker's eyes did not show the panic and fear one would expect from someone who has gone astray.

Laugh!!

The man fell into the dark green alchemical wastewater with a corrosive sound.

"Jeno?!"

Xiulite blurted out instinctively, but remembering the "important people" behind him, he quickly lowered his voice, gave an embarrassed smile, and said, "Sorry, sorry, I was just startled..."

"Why did he commit suicide?" Yuan Chen ignored Xiulite's words and looked at Jeno, who was struggling and screaming in the alchemical waste, but never called for help.

"Because of unemployment?"

"... Yes, because... I'm unemployed..." Xiulite was still smiling, his eyes narrowed, not daring to show the slightest fear or dissatisfaction.

"Just unemployment?"

"..." Sensing Yuan Chen's probing tone, Xiulite swallowed hard and said nervously:

"Because he ran out of money."

"Explain it clearly."

"He can't afford gas anymore...his wife just had a baby," Xiulite said. "If he doesn't buy gas, there's no clean gas in the house, and he'll just have to open the door and breathe the air from the gutter."

"His family just had a new baby, and his wife and child are both very weak..."

"Didn't anyone lend him money?" Yuan Chen interrupted, "They're all laborers."

"We're all broke. The alchemical prosthetics we use for work were bought with loans from the Chem-Baron ... We all owe the factory money, and his mining prosthetics have already been taken back by debt collectors."

Why did he lose his job?

Upon hearing this, Xiulite was taken aback, then glanced at Yuan Chen with some fear and whispered:

"Because the mines have all shut down."