The Confidence of the Four Great Families

Although Yuan Chen didn't speak, his meaning was already quite clear.

Simply put, all the necessary procedures have been completed, and it's time for reckoning.

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Caitlyn fell silent.

As a lady from a prestigious family, Caitlyn was somewhat aware of what kind of rubbish the so-called "crimes" of Yuan Chen and others really were.

For the past two weeks, Caitlyn had been keeping watch around the hotel. Apart from Yuan Chen and a few others, the masters' movements were always followed by designated personnel to prevent unnecessary conflicts arising from differences in customs.

Everyone in Piltover took this academic exchange very seriously. Under these circumstances, the tense Caitlyn was certain that, at least in Piltover, Ixialia and his party had not overstepped their bounds.

The only one who displeased people was Yuan Chen —who immediately labeled all the scholars in the city as "mediocre." No wonder Yuan Chen's reputation was so bad.

Even so, Yuan Chen's actions were at most deliberate provocation, which, under Piltover law, would at most be a minor issue that could be resolved with a fine.

Now that he's about to leave, someone suddenly appears and tells him that Yuan Chen has committed a serious crime...

With her mother being a former auditor in the family, Caitlyn was well aware of the games and dirty dealings among these "big shots" under her mother's tutelage. She naturally knew that there must be some disgusting shady dealings behind it all.

I just didn't expect them to go so far as to take direct action without even bothering to conceal their intentions.

I never expected they would die so quickly...

The whole process took less than half an hour, and then it was time for the settlement.

Just as Caitlyn was racking her brains trying to figure out how to answer, a deep, resonant male voice came from the side.

"Perhaps there are many misunderstandings between us. But please allow me to offer you my sincere apologies."

From the lower level of the sluice gate, we went up the stairs on one side to the upper level. The person in the lead was a burly man dressed in expensive clothes and wearing round-framed glasses.

He stood tall and straight, his clothes and hair meticulously groomed. His shoulders, chest, and back were covered with Hextech hybrids—though called hybrids, they were not prosthetics, but rather auxiliary devices similar to protective gear and assistive devices.

"My name is Jia Gu Mirdal, and I am the head of the Medarda Family."

Seeing the hint of goodwill in his expression, Jia Gu looked at Yuan Chen and said:

"I hope you can understand that, faced with a powerful empire like Noxus, even if all the families in Piltover were united, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Faced with their coercion, no matter how unwilling we are, we will ultimately be forced to agree."

Upon hearing Jia Gu Mirdal's words, Yuan Chen thoughtfully stroked his chin— Jia Gu Mirdal, the head of the Medarda Family and the father of Jarl Mirdal, Little Yellow Hair's good friend.

As the head of the Medarda Family, he himself is a wedge for Noxus in Piltover, ensuring that the overall interests of Piltover are in the best interests of Noxus's rule.

In this situation, his claim of being "forced into a corner" is utter nonsense. Its true meaning...

Are you trying to give me a way out?

Yuan Chen looked at Jia Gu Mirdal with some confusion. "Are you sure you're not mistaken about the current situation?"

"..." Hearing that Yuan Chen didn't give him any face, Jia Gu Mirdal also fell silent.

After a moment, Jia Gu Mirdal shook his head and said, "It's not that I'm arguing, but Piltover simply can't refuse a threat from Noxus. Letting this end here is best for all of us."

Jia Gu said earnestly, "Although the Medarda Family originates from Noxus, to be honest, the reason we have achieved such a position in Piltover, and the reason Piltover has developed to its current state, is all due to our own efforts."

"Having noticed the value of Piltover, the Noxians want to take our fruits. Even if we are unhappy, we can only resist in secret."

"The four great families are closely allied, and we hope that Piltover can maintain its current independent status. Ixialia, it is only in the initial stages of opening up to the world; we can unite to keep Piltover neutral."

"This is good for everyone."

Jia Gu's words resonated with many Piltover residents.

Although Piltover's social classes are now nearly entrenched, it is still possible to overcome them with sufficient ability.

Jayce is the best proof of this—born into a family of artisans, but relying on his own talent, Jayce is not the only one who has proven himself; his family has also gained a place in the council.

The prosperity and wealth of Piltover today are also largely due to the crucial role played by the trade, art, culture, power, and technology of the four major families.

But to Yuan Chen, this was nothing but empty talk.

"Do you think I know nothing about Piltover? Your ancestors did play a role in Piltover's initial prosperity. But after fulfilling that initial role, Piltover's rise to become a world port was entirely due to its own geographical advantages."

Yuan Chen calmly stated, "Following the ocean currents, all goods between the Shurima and Valoran Continent must pass through the Sun Gate Strait to be transported. In order to gain greater profits, your ancestors widened the waterway and built sea gates using alchemical explosives."

"This further accelerated Piltover's accumulation of wealth. In return, Zaun was ruthlessly abandoned. And as it stands today, it's less an indispensable part of Piltover..."

"Aside from the Ferros Family's unique possession of Hextech, the remaining three families have become a cancer on the entire city, leeching off the entire city-state and relentlessly shifting conflicts between the upper and lower cities to avoid their own filth being exposed."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Jia Gu remained silent, but narrowed his eyes with a serious expression—he hadn't expected that someone who had only been in Piltover for half a month would have such a deep understanding of the Twin Cities.

And, being a smart person, why didn't you choose the option that's best for both of us?

In contrast, Viktor, who remained silent at the back, unconsciously clenched his Riot Games. After realizing his unintentional action, he hesitated, looking at his palm.

This should have been a fact I already knew, so why did I feel resentful and angry when I heard it?

Is it because someone else said it?

Thinking it over, Viktor made no move. Even with his strong sense of reason, he didn't know whether he should suppress this misconception that was neither anger nor relief.

Similarly, Jia Gu remained silent for a long time. Finally, Jia Gu shook his head helplessly, ignoring those around him, and said simply:

"Without us, the Sun Gate cannot function."

"?"

Upon hearing Jia Gu's words, Yuan Chen raised an eyebrow—clearly, this was the source of Jia Gu and his group's confidence. However, what intrigued Yuan Chen was why Jia Gu and his group possessed such confidence.

Jia Gu didn't keep them in suspense, saying, "When the Sun Gate was first built, the 'keys' to activating and deactivating Sun Gate were managed by our three major families."

"Although the later Ferros Family is young, due to the unique nature of Hextech, we each relinquished a portion of the 'keys.' I can assure you that without the coordination of the four major families, the entire Piltover would have been paralyzed."

"You are an intelligent scholar, so you should also know that the gate to the Sun Gate is not merely a sea gate made of a special alloy on the surface. After generations of strengthening and processing by us, both technology and magic would have to pay a huge price to destroy the Sun Gate."

"And even after paying these prices, there will be no gain. This is because the coastlines on both sides of the Sun Gate Sea Barrier have been severely affected by the previous blasting, which damaged the internal structure of the coastal peninsula, and the sea barrier bridge is connected to it via ley lines."

"Without the key, even if a legendary Ascended were to descend in person, he would not be able to forcibly open this sea gate."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen nodded thoughtfully.

Just as Jia Gu said, when the Sun Gate was first built, it could still be opened and closed by force.

However, after hundreds of years of continuous strengthening and reinforcement, various techniques and magic have transformed the Sun Gate into a unique "magical spectacle."

Its essence is connected to the underlying structure of the two continents. Unless the structure of both continents can be shaken at the same time, even if the people of Runeterra die out and come to the next century, the Sun Gate will still exist completely.

Thinking about it, Yuan Chen also came to one side of the sluice bridge, looked down at the ocean currents, and said with some emotion:

"Therefore, anyone who wants Piltover will have no choice but to cooperate with you... Although they will be in a weaker position, they will never perish."

"Is this your source of confidence?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Gu simply smiled politely; though he didn't speak, his reaction spoke volumes.

Yuan Chen sighed, then jumped onto the railing, spreading his arms wide with a helpless expression.

Before anyone could react, it fell face-first into the sea.

"Careful!"

People nearby gasped in surprise, and then one by one they walked toward the direction where Yuan Chen had fallen.

Just as they reached the railing and were about to look down, a rough, rocky arm, as large as a mountain, burst through the sea and cradled Yuan Chen in its palm.