127 Felonies

"There seem to be many more strangers outside."

Upon entering the hotel, Yuan Chen tossed his trench coat to a nearby waiter and casually remarked, "Not Piltover, nor Zaun."

"The calluses on his thumb and the pads of his fingers suggest he's Noxians."

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Qiyana nodded listlessly, then said with a hint of fighting spirit between her brows:

"Ha, that's perfect! To be honest, these academic exchanges have started to annoy me lately."

"It's not that these foreigners are technically incompetent, but rather that they always want to gain more from us while giving less in return."

"That's how businessmen are," Yuan Chen said calmly as he sat down at the table, waiting for the food to be served.

"Other countries might not care about Ixialia's sudden visit to Piltover, but Noxus has quite a few hidden old souls. It's no wonder they're so nervous about Ixialia being isolated for thousands of years."

Looking at the steak on the table, Yuan Chen calmly said:

"Noxus's Expansion is inextricably linked to trade. Piltover holds immense strategic importance for Noxus, enabling it to Noxus resources from the Valoran Continent and Shurima without interference."

"Mammoth wool and horn plates from Bel'zhun, Azir crystals from Tereshni, gold, sunstone, iron ore from Kalamanda, donkey milk pudding from Stonewall, weapons and armor from Whitecliff..."

"This includes Noxus colonies, Noxus overseas territories, neutral city-states, and even hostile city-states."

"These supplies all need to be traded and transported through the Sun Gate Sea Lock."

As he spoke, Yuan Chen separated the steak, revealing a delicate light pink color on the cut surface. The juicy appearance showcased the chef's exceptional skill. Unfortunately, Yuan Chen wasn't really interested in tasting it and simply said calmly:

"Severing it would severely impact Noxus's Expansion and foreign wars."

"Their presence here is undoubtedly inextricably linked to Piltover's position within Runeterra."

Thinking it over, Yuan Chen shook his head and said:

"But it doesn't matter, we've already achieved our goal. Let's set off tomorrow, or if we don't return soon, public opinion within Ixialia might spiral out of control due to the prolonged stalemate between the two sides in the debate."

Yuan Chen didn't value Piltover.

Or rather, what Yuan Chen truly valued was Piltover's own knowledge.

Including Jayce, these inventors, researchers, scholars, and craftsmen who rose to prominence alongside the advent of Hex Crystal are the very reason Yuan Chen came here.

The following day, as the convoy assembled, the scholars, carrying with them their findings and compiled knowledge, prepared to embark on their journey home.

Beside the convoy, a group of Hextech craftsmen, riding in Hextech tracked vehicles, were also eagerly preparing to catch a glimpse of Ixialia.

Among the Hextech Crafters are Yuan Chen's acquaintances, namely Jayce, and several of his friends, such as Rosa, the forge manager.

Jayce's journey to Ixialia was to explore the commonalities between Yuan Chu Axiom and Hextech.

Rosa, the forge manager, was there to survey the ore deposits around Ixialia.

Of course, Yuan Chen could more or less guess that Rosa's real purpose, rather than exploring the minerals around Ixialia, was to determine whether the Hex Crystal rough had a direct relationship with Ixialia.

Yuan Chen n't care about this, because his goal from the beginning was to strengthen communication Ixialia and the outside world, thereby reducing the deep-rooted traditions within Ixialia and encouraging Ixialia to actively communicate with the outside world, thus enhancing the overall strength of Runeterra.

During a break in the preparations, Yuan Chen went to the middle-level plaza and, posing Yixialian, brought Viktor to the convoy.

Unlike when we met yesterday in the old house in Spark Alley, Viktor had perhaps tidied himself up because he was about to go on a long trip.

The researcher, who was originally rather thin, was now encased in heavy Dornier armor, with a dark gray cloak draped over his body.

Through the gaps in the steel, one could vaguely see the Shimmer energy of the Hex Crystal and the alchemical hoses originating from the Zaun Academy of Techmaturgy.

Wearing full gear, Viktor now resembles Doctor Doom from American comics. Unfortunately, the resemblance is only superficial; in terms of strength, the two are worlds apart.

With such equipment, let alone others, even when Viktor walked past Jayce only glanced at Viktor —this mechanical monster—with a hint of surprise.

Jayce didn't recognize the Zaun prodigy he had once worked with, and Viktor didn't even glance at Jayce...

Having removed a large number of emotional glands, for Viktor now, Piltover University and Jayce are just passersby.

If Viktor knew that Jayce and the institute's research directors now considered him a formidable enemy, Viktor would find it both laughable and tedious.

Because he had long forgotten the past, and only remembered the great ideal of liberating humanity from the physical prison of biological boundaries.

To Yuan Chen's surprise, besides Viktor, a few scholars from Zaun also wanted to join the academic exchange.

Although he didn't know what achievements they had made, judging from Viktor's words, they had made some accomplishments, so Yuan Chen naturally agreed.

Zaun's boundless and inhumane research theories will be a powerful blow from Yuan Chen to Ixialia's conservative traditions.

Admittedly, the lack of scruples in Zaun's actions is disturbing.

However, it is undeniable that, to a certain extent, this unconventional research approach can indeed greatly shock conservatives who follow the rules.

Even if such shock or astonishment occurs only once, it will leave an impression in their minds that "the outside world's thirst for progress has reached such a level."

Naturally, their support for tradition diminished amidst this surprise.

The convoy set off, but this time Yuan Chen did not choose to sit in the carriage; instead, he chose to walk on the side.

Passing by the Promenade and the tall arched bridge, the rising sun climbed from the sea, casting a golden glow on the towering tower of the Zaun Academy of Techmaturgy.

With his powerful eyesight, Yuan Chen could clearly see the apprentices in the tower working tirelessly through the night, performing meticulous tasks. After a night's rest, the workers on the lower arch bridge also began their shift change.

There was no such thing as a work stoppage in Zaun; the workers simply worked in shifts.

Even in the dead of night, the alchemy factory never stops operating.

"I have suggested to the Chem-Baron that the production workshop be repaired and maintained regularly, but they never listen."

Perhaps believing that Yuan Chen could help him achieve his ideals, Viktor became somewhat more talkative.

"With continuous operation, the lifespan of these machines is declining at a rate far exceeding expectations, making alchemical accidents almost inevitable; it's just a matter of which Zaun laborer will be the victim."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen's eyes twitched a few times, and he casually said, "You want to change all of this?"

"This is where my dream began... but it's too difficult."

Viktor calmly turned his gaze to the other side, to the Sun Gate, which was also bathed in the morning sun, but whose shadows obscured the entire lower levels of Zaun.

"The Sun Gate has severed the ocean and cut off Zaun's lifeline to the future. Wealth, resources, talent, wisdom... Zaun is in a long-term outflow phase."

"Sometimes I think, if the Sun Gate were opened, wealth could flow back to Zaun."

"That would only lead to new chaos." Yuan Chen shook his head, maintaining a negative attitude. But then, just as he was about to say something, as if remembering something, a thoughtful look appeared in Yuan Chen's eyes.

"But... it is in the chaos that there is hope of breaking everything down and rebuilding order."

Upon hearing this, Viktor didn't say anything more. He sensed that Yuan Chen seemed to be deep in thought.

As their thoughts raced, the convoy moved on. When they arrived, the convoy wasn't very long, but by the time they left, it had accumulated a considerable amount of interesting things, knowledge, books, and technological artifacts that the scholars had collected in Piltover.

The caravan of scholars and artisans from Piltover itself gave the impression of a grand and imposing procession.

At first, the group encountered no obstacles. But gradually, some people began to realize that something was wrong—

Especially the Road Protector were leading the way noticed that the number of pedestrians and merchants on the streets was decreasing at an alarming rate.

Especially when they arrived at the Sun Gate Lock, it was early morning, and all the merchant ships from the two continents between Piltover Channel had gathered there; it should have been the busiest time of day.

But let alone laborers, you can't even see a soul on the bridge connecting the two continents above the Sun Gate.

Noticing something was wrong, Yuan Chen narrowed his eyes slightly and then looked down at the crowded merchant ships.

The ships weren't unmanned; rather, as if they had received some kind of warning, everyone remained on board obediently, maintaining a vigilant posture.

The Road Protector were prepared for battle, but after a moment's hesitation, Yuan Chen ordered them to continue.

When the convoy reached the center of the Sun Gate Bridge, a group of Piltover Enforcers dressed in full Hextech armor quickly appeared before them.

And at the very front were Yuan Chen's acquaintances— Caitlyn and Wei.

Holding up the arrest warrant, Caitlyn looked at Yuan Chen with a somewhat unpleasant expression and said:

"Following a report from the citizens of Piltover, it has been confirmed that Your Excellency and your party committed an unforgivable crime in Piltover..."