Chapter 262

"I want to make things clear to you when everyone is here, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings or trouble in the future."

"No problem, please speak." Jarvan III also bowed, his posture extremely humble.

"Hmm." Chen Ce didn't stand on ceremony with him and immediately turned to face everyone, saying in turn:

"First is Morgana, the Kayle. She will succeed Kayle in establishing a religion in Demacia —one based on repentance, reformation, and punishment. She will also be in charge of managing the 'Black Mage' within Demacia."

"Secondly, these distinguished guests from Ionia —they were all invited by me—will be establishing martial arts institutions in Great City, Mithral City, and several other important surrounding towns... to strengthen exchanges and connections between our two countries. I think you can understand that."

"And then there's this one—you've probably guessed it already, Hand of Noxus Darius. He's conquered the Gate of Mourning, Lunwall, and Tobicia, among other eastern towns, but will soon return them to you—in exchange, I request that you open trade routes between Demacia and Noxus to ease the tensions between our two nations."

"Finally... I have something you may not know, but you definitely do."

As he spoke, Chen Ce slowly stepped forward, until he reached the top of the stairs— Xin Zhao remained vigilant, but it meant nothing to him.

"I hope you can find the way to the Petricite beneath Demacia and then let me know as soon as possible."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jarvan III, who was already used to surprise, widened his eyes once again.

The Petricite beneath Demacia...

That was practically a secret of the entire kingdom...

A secret only the king can know...

What's hidden there... is...

"A powerful mage once placed the world's treasures there... They are dangerous." Chen Ce lowered his voice. "I know, and you know... I won't touch them lightly, but I hope to find them—regardless of whether they can be used for emergencies, at least they shouldn't be swallowed by the Void."

Jarvan III didn't quite understand the word "Void"... he even harbored a sliver of doubt until now... but [the treasure of this world]...

That is...

World Runes...

These terrifying beings once ignited the Rune Wars... Very few people know about them. Even the kings of past dynasties only knew that a powerful mage sealed them in the Petricite beneath Demacia, but they didn't know their exact location...

If they are to see the light of day again...

"I know your concerns, Your Majesty," Chen Ce's tone grew calmer, as if he were discussing something with an old friend. "But you must do this... They are important, you must find them... If you insist on outwardly complying while inwardly resisting, then I will have no choice but to find them by force after some time."

"..." These words sent a chill down Jarvan III's spine—he knew that the young man before him was truly capable of doing such a thing.

And they really do have the ability to do so...

"I will... do my best..."

"Very well, then I'll leave it to you—there's only one thing to note: only let trusted people search for them, and notify me immediately after they're found. Don't let anyone touch them... If the fuse is accidentally 'ignited,' they will destroy your kingdom."

"I see..."

"Thank you very much then." Chen Ce smiled and gently patted the old king's shoulder before walking down the steps.

Yes, he's going to start planning the arrangement of the World Runes.

This was also a major reason why he chose to come to Demacia —but the timing wasn't right before, so he hadn't taken action.

World Runes... those terrifying beings possess world-destroying power.

Its energy is so great that even the combined Aspects and Darkin would not amount to more than a tenth of it, let alone the mortal realms.

Their power is terrifying.

However, the corresponding risk level is also extremely high... they are uncontrollable.

They corrupt the mind of those who touch them, turning those who obtain them into slaves to power... Ryze's students are a prime example.

Brand.

Brand, the Vengeful Flamebringer.

He was once a student of Ryze with exceptional magical talent, but he was later blinded by the power of the World Runes... He touched the World Runes directly without any protection.

He was thus completely changed by the World Runes.

His mind, his appearance, his soul... and his power.

Possessing only a small fraction of the rune's power, he was even able to severely injure Ryze, who was practically the strongest human, within a few rounds.

This demonstrates that the World Runes is an extremely dangerous double-edged sword.

When the Void descends, if used well, they can serve as a very powerful means of attack—even a key to victory. But if used poorly... they can destroy the world before the Void even arrives.

Rather than leaving them like a ticking time bomb in the underground Petricite of Demacia, Chen Ce would much rather hold them firmly in his hands.

The safest way is to take it yourself.

We haven't yet found a safe way to control that violent power, so we can't use it lightly. But at the very least, we can't let it fall into the hands of others—absolutely not.

It's much better to keep it and not use it than to let someone else take it and misuse it.

"Mr. Chen Ce..." The old king suddenly called out to Chen Ce again.

"What's wrong?" Chen Ce smiled and turned around.

"I want to ask you... why did you suddenly reveal these things?"

"Hmm... isn't the answer obvious enough?"

"I don't quite understand..."

"Because I'm leaving Demacia soon."

When Chen Ce returned to the group, he was greeted not only by a surprised look, but also by a puzzled expression.

They just conquered Demacia, and they're already leaving?

Why not enjoy the entertainment of "ruling from behind the curtain" a little longer?

Everyone was puzzled, but Chen Ce simply shrugged and said in a joking tone, "I have to save the world, I don't have time to play around here."

A moment of silence fell over everyone again.

Jarvan III watched that retreating figure and asked another question—the question that had always been of utmost concern to him:

"Mr. Chen Ce... who exactly are you?"

The moment the question was asked, a soft laugh suddenly rang out in the hall—it sounded somewhat mocking.

Chen Ce did not answer, but silently gazed at the tightly closed main hall doors.

His left eye glowed crimson, his gaze piercing through the barrier.

A soft footstep sounded outside the door.

Then, as the door was pushed open, a clear female voice answered the question for him:

"Chen Ce, the supreme leader of the Freljord Alliance, my only blood ally."

Ashe and Sejuani strode into the main hall, their eyes filled with the joy of reunion as they looked at Chen Ce.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Noxus general, clad in heavy armor, also spoke in a cheerful and serious voice:

"One of the three members of the Noxus Council, and the highest-ranking member of the Trifarix Council."

"Why are you suddenly being so serious?" Sett chuckled, still maintaining a nonchalant air, but he also answered Jarvan III's question for Chen Ce: "One of the leaders of the Ionia Resistance Army, the underground emperor of Ionia —okay, I admit, Chen Ce's Riot Games are a little harder than mine."

Chen Ce turned around and looked again at the old king with a complex expression. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jarvan III, Lightshield."

The atmosphere inside the main hall was both solemn and pleasant.

Then...

"So you're still pretending?" Ashe lightly patted Chen Ce, her tone icy. "Now tell me, who is this little fox who's been clinging to your arm?"

"One, two, three, four, five... Oh, she has nine tails!" Sejuani exclaimed in surprise.

Ahri keenly sensed the danger.

But she has never been the kind of fox who likes "head-on battles".

So she wiped away non-existent tears and leaned softly against Chen Ce.

Her voice was also filled with grievance:

"Brother Chen Ce... you clearly said that besides me, there were only those two women resting in the hotel... who are these two sisters...?"

Chen Ce stared wide-eyed in horror.

And Ahri continued her witty remarks:

"So it turns out the older brother is so popular... The younger sister thought she only needed to wait in two more lines before it was her turn... In this light, it seems the younger sister was being a bit unreasonable..."

"Brother, go with your sisters... Don't worry about your sister's feelings... When it rains, she knows to go home; when she's hungry, she knows to find something to eat..."

"Sigh... it's my sister's fault..."

Chen Ce's scalp began to tingle.

Ashe, on the other hand, gave a gentle smile.

"So... you have someone else here too?"

Chapter 110 Angel Dogs Are Dogs Too

"Hurry up! Don't dawdle!"

"Don't look around! And don't even think about running away!"

"If you cooperate with us, you won't suffer much physical pain today!"

"Hurry up! Don't try any tricks!"

"Confess and you'll be treated leniently; resist and you'll be punished severely!"

The harsh, urging voices echoed through the dark streets.

Their voices were normally very pleasant, but now they sounded as fierce as two tigresses... Even Caitlyn interrogating criminals weren't this fierce.

Chen Ce's hands were clasped behind his back, and his slightly hunched gait made him look no different from a criminal who had committed a major crime.

And all of this is because...

"Sisters, be gentle... Brother Chen Ce will be in pain..." The little fox wiped away her tears with her sleeve, feeling sorry for her.

But the corners of her mouth, hidden by her clothes, were clearly smiling! Smiling!

"Sister Ahri, don't feel sorry for this guy, he can take a beating!" Sejuani frowned and tightened her grip on Chen Ce. "If you don't be tough on him, he'll do something inappropriate right in front of you!"

"Yes, we absolutely can't be soft-hearted towards him... Hurry up and go, you old pervert!" Ashe also gave Chen Ce's arm a sharp whack. "And after Ahri's sister cared so much for you, this is the kind of thing you do? Huh?!"

"But... but my sister also... betrayed both of her older sisters..." Ahri put on that pitiful, aggrieved, and endearing expression again.

Her two fox ears drooped down at just the right moment.

"We don't blame you; you're a victim too," Ashe comforted softly. "If anyone's to blame, it's Chen Ce for being indecisive. You did nothing wrong."

"Waaaaah, my sister is so gentle..."

"Alright, alright, Ahri, don't cry. We'll teach him a lesson later."

"Thank you, sister..."

Ahri smiled secretly again.

He laughed scornfully.

Chen Ce's eye twitched violently, but he was powerless to do anything about it—no matter how he tried to explain, no one would believe him anymore; this sly fox was just playing around with tea!

The tea is absolutely amazing!

I must find a chance to teach her a lesson next time!

"Sisters, this is it..."

Ahri stopped in her tracks; in front of her stood the familiar hotel.

"Very good, thank you for your hard work." Ashe gently patted Ahri's hand. "Now let's expose Chen Ce's evil deeds, Ahri!"

"Okay... but please, sisters, don't be too harsh on Brother Chen Ce..." Ahri glanced at Chen Ce with a pained look, "Little sister... little sister will feel bad..."

"You're too soft-hearted, Ahri." Sejuani shook her head in a teacher's tone, then led Chen Ce into the hotel.

First floor, second floor, third floor...

They arrived at Chen Ce's room.