Chapter 177

Lissandra went even further, saying, "Chen Ce, you've truly sacrificed so much for Freljord... I'm ashamed of myself for that."

"Hmm...?" Although the night's testing was tiring, such flattery still made Chen Ce feel a little "flattered".

"Well... it's alright, isn't it? I only spent the whole night fighting Aatrox, it's nothing..."

"Uh..." Ashe first widened her eyes, then revealed an expression that said, "I knew it."

Sejuani and Lissandra both shook their heads.

Chen Ce was still confused, but he got straight to the point. "Last night I went deep into the abyss and left something with Aatrox. From now on, I don't need to personally monitor that place anymore—Miss Lissandra, you can now take care of your own business."

"Yes, thank you..." Lissandra expressed her heartfelt gratitude—such a sacrifice truly deserved her sincere thanks.

Ashe's expression became even more embarrassed. "Leaving... something... with Aatrox... this..."

Sejuani sighed again.

After a moment of silence, Lissandra stood up and bowed. "Last night... I tried to enter Aatrox's dream, but I found he wasn't asleep... I heard his painful howls... You did it, didn't you?"

"Ah, indeed." Chen Ce scratched his head. Aatrox did indeed scream fiercely last night; that heart-wrenching roar perfectly demonstrated his extreme anger and hatred.

"You did something really awful to him last night... didn't you...?"

"That's excessive... I guess so, but it won't cause him any real harm."

"Substantial... um... I guessed so..." Lissandra had lived for so many years, she had seen all sorts of big scenes.

But she had never seen anything like it before.

It's absolutely top-notch...

Aatrox... that's a twisted and terrifying demon...

This is possible...?

"You've really had a hard time..." Lissandra sat back on her throne, but she was somewhat uneasy—she always felt that the other person was more deserving to sit on the throne than she was.

It just so happens that her chair is a bit cold... maybe it can help ease the pain for the great Mr. Chen Ce...

After all, we don't know if he was dealing damage or taking damage last night...

Or perhaps a combination of both...

"From now on, no one needs to keep an eye on Aatrox all the time." Chen Ce continued, unaware of what the others were thinking. "We can confidently shift our focus south—to the Freljord Alliance."

"Hmm..." Ashe nodded with difficulty, then gently wrapped her arms around Chen Ce's arm.

"I shouldn't have misunderstood you... You've sacrificed so much for us... Although... Although it might have been out of your... true feelings..."

"If this wasn't your intention... don't do it again next time." Sejuani walked over and patted Chen Ce's shoulder sadly. "We're a team, we should face difficulties together, shouldn't we?"

"Huh...?" Chen Ce was even more confused.

Until the dignified and elegant Lissandra uttered those less-than-elegant words:

"Don't do things like selling yourself anymore..."

Chen Ce:???

Half an hour later, Lissandra sat gracefully on her throne, her unseen eyes shifting to the True Ice statue beside her.

If you look closely, you can see a bead of cold sweat on her fair forehead... not from fear, but from embarrassment.

Sejuani squatted in the corner, whistling and tapping on the True Ice wall, occasionally muttering things like, "This wall is really hard," or "This True Ice is really True Ice."

As for Ashe...

Her pretty face was flushed red to her ears, and she clung tightly to Chen Ce's arm, as if she wanted to bury her face in it to avoid the embarrassment.

Embarrassing, ashamed, and humiliating...

"I'm so sorry...!" Ashe's apology was firm and resolute, filled with a mixture of shame and embarrassment.

There was also a subtle sense of joy and relaxation.

Thankfully, Chen Ce didn't actually... you know... with Aatrox... that...

If that's true, she'll resent her own incompetence for the rest of her life...

Even though he was present, he wanted his blood allies to "sell themselves" in order to resolve the issue...

In Freljord, where women are the heads of households, this is the most cowardly and unforgivable thing!

"Your imaginations..." Chen Ce, having explained everything, leaned back in his chair, suddenly feeling a bit numb. "Sometimes they're truly astounding..."

"I'm... I'm sorry..." Ashe didn't dare to look the other person in the eye.

Sejuani continued banging on the wall while remarking how incredibly strong it was.

Lissandra... Lissandra is alright, she's blind, so she doesn't have to experience the awkwardness of making eye contact with Chen Ce.

"Really..." Chen Ce shook his head again, and couldn't help but marvel at how frightening the thinking of Freljord women was.

Abbreviation: Fujuzhen Xiatou.

"Let's get back to business... about future developments."

"Okay, sure." Seeing the topic change, Lissandra immediately took over. "Since you can ensure that you can monitor all the movements below the abyss, then I don't need to stay here all the time."

"So you're going to migrate south with us? And form Freljord Alliance?"

"No. Like I said before, it's not suitable."

"So what do you plan to do?"

"Alliance is not an option, but cooperation is possible." Lissandra's tone softened. "The Frostguard tribe has accumulated considerable wealth over thousands of years, and has abundant resources. I can transport some supplies to the south."

"Sounds very good." Chen Ce nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "What are the conditions? What do you need in return? Manpower? Reputation?"

These are common exchanges in Freljord, and for Lissandra, they are things she "almost lacks," so you could say they hit the nail on the head.

But the noble Frost Queen gently shook her head.

"None of that is needed."

"Hmm? What do you want?" Chen Ce, somewhat surprised.

But what surprised him even more was Lissandra's next answer:

"I need nothing." She stood up, facing the rows of True Ice statues behind the throne. "Whatever the South needs, I will send it there, without any reward. Consider it... my atonement."

She reached out and placed her hands on the two nearest True Ice statues.

These two ice sculptures are also the largest and most lifelike.

Ice sculptures of Avarosa and Serylda.

"Don't ask why anymore, let's just leave it at that..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ce said nothing more, only rising to bow and saying, "May... the Three Sisters be with you."

Lissandra turned her back to the group and revealed a long-lost smile.

"And you, Chen Ce? I think you should be leaving Freljord soon, right?"

"That's true."

"When?"

"After leaving the Freljord Alliance."

Will they come back?

"If there's any movement from the Howling Abyss."

"Um."

"So... it's about time to say goodbye?"

"If I have the chance, I'll visit your dreams." Lissandra waved, still with her back to the group.

"See you later, stranger."

"See you later." Chen Ce waved goodbye and left with the other two girls.

At that moment, he had no idea the profound impact his decision would have on the future Howling Abyss.

The Howling Abyss was even renamed because of this.

Because many passersby who cross the Bridge of Sorrows have heard the voices coming from the abyss... They can't make out the details, but they can tell the tone is fierce, like the barking of a dog.

Then, after a series of barks, a furtive dark shadow will dart out from the bottom of the abyss.

At first, people were terrified, thinking that a monster from the abyss had escaped. But later they discovered that it was the same figure that always came out, and he would mutter something, appearing to be just an ordinary human.

People just don't know how he climbed out of the abyss, or why he would repeatedly climb out only to jump back in and climb out again... in a never-ending cycle.

All people know is that every time that strange figure appears, a sound from the abyss echoes.

And each time it's louder than the last.

That pure barking of a dog.

Thus, the Howling Abyss gradually changed its name to... the Barking Abyss.

The noble Lissandra had no objection to this.

That's what people called it.

I heard that a wild dog is sealed away in the abyss, and the eerie figure that appears from time to time is the one who goes down to feed that big dog—it's hard work, so it's no wonder he mutters something every time he climbs out.

It sounded like something like, "Let's find another opportunity to carve some words," or "I'll bring Zoe to see it next time."

This is the future of the Howling Abyss.

Of course, that's a story for another time...

On the other side of Runeterra, in the capital city of Noxus.

Darius, the Hand of Noxus, paced back and forth in his spacious and ornate study.

His brows were furrowed, and his scarred iron fist clenched and unclenched at times.

He was known for his unparalleled military prowess and calm, collected leadership. His legion once turned the tide of battle despite being outnumbered—all thanks to his ability to maintain a calm mind and command effectively at all times.

But now, he was starting to feel anxious.

He wouldn't let anyone see him in this "ugly" state, but he had to admit... he was indeed getting restless.

It's been too long.

That's been dragging on for too long.

It's been almost a hundred days, but there's still no news from the north...

What exactly is the situation up north?

I obeyed that guy's wishes and suspended all operations in Freljord, and this is how he repays me?

No good news, no bad news, not even a single message was sent back... Could he have died in that incredibly troublesome frozen tundra?

If this drags on any longer...

"Damn it...!"

Thump! Darius slammed his Riot Games down on the table, the force of which cracked the solid wood desk instantly.

His scarred eyes looked again at the parchment notice on the table, his gaze filled with rage.

The time Chen Ce has been gone is the same time the Trifarix Legion has been established, and now it's out of control!

Although the Trifarix Legion is nominally controlled by three people, in reality...! Swain's ambition is far too great!

Perhaps he truly is the "embodiment of the imperial will" as people say, and to some extent very trustworthy, but now...

There's no turning back now!

The things he did in the Immortal Bastion to help Chen Ce... those actions that Swain considered utter "betrayal"...

If the final result is that I've chosen the wrong side, then I'll truly become a sinner of the entire empire!

While the legitimacy of Swain president is certainly questionable, what if...?

What if he really can help the empire return to its former glory...?