CHAPTER 62 - Zaun Representative

The room was filled with the subtle hum of Li Lin's powered armor and the collective sound of everyone's breath. Amidst the tense atmosphere, Vander spoke, his tone calm, attempting to ease the tension. "Alright, let's all listen quietly to Li Lin. He's my friend and, more importantly, the one who saved my life."

His words, delivered with a touch of diplomacy, alleviated some of the palpable unease in the air. "Though Li Lin may be young," Vander continued, "I expect everyone to treat him with respect."

Observing no immediate challenges, Vander cast a meaningful glance at Li Lin, who nodded in acknowledgment. Li Lin then spoke, softening his tone a bit, "So, where were we? Ah, yes. We were discussing the council's promise to change Zaun within five years, easing the tensions between the twin cities."

He casually glanced at the faces of those present, noticing lingering expressions of distrust and suspicion. Due to Vander's presence and the authority Li Lin had displayed earlier, no one dared to openly question him.

Li Lin, unsurprised by the skepticism, paused, reflecting on his next words. He continued, "I understand that many of you don't trust me, considering I'm from Piltover. That's perfectly normal. I don't expect to gain your trust immediately because I believe time will reveal everything."

"Every word I speak is sincere. I hope you'll hear me out."

Li Lin then swiftly recounted the events from the morning's council meeting up to Salo's conditions, deliberately omitting certain details. For instance, he chose not to tarnish Cassandra's image with some of her words.

As Li Lin finished speaking, the room fell into a prolonged silence. After a while, someone raised a question, "So, from what you've said, four council members agreed to let you change Zaun's current situation?"

The speaker was a woman with slightly tanned skin, wearing smudged makeup. She held a poorly made Zaun cigarette in her right hand, her voice low and husky—evidently affected by the lower-city smog.

Li Lin recalled her name. He had heard Vi call her Sevika last night before they stormed the old canned food factory.

"Yes, that's correct," Li Lin responded. "One is Professor Heimerdinger, a Yordle from Piltover. He's the current head of Piltover University, deeply involved in scientific research. He was the first to support my cause."

"Then there's Councilor Kiramman from the Kiramman family, my sponsor. She belongs to the conservative faction among the councilors and prefers to avoid escalating tensions with Zaun. So, she supports me."

"And there's Councilor Medarda, who doesn't agree with suppressing Zaun. Since I proposed a concrete method to improve the conflict between the two cities, one that can indeed be implemented, she supports me."

At this point, a burly man, almost as tall as Li Lin's powered armor, raised a doubt, "Medarda? Aren't they the wealthiest family in the upper city? I used to work there as a laborer... those people enjoy withholding our wages, not exactly good folks."

"Councilor Medarda has been ousted from the family, and she is from Noxus, not directly related to the Medarda family in Piltover," Li Lin explained, disclosing some information about Mel that Caitlyn had shared.

Vander took a puff from his pipe, his thick eyebrows lifting slightly. "You've only mentioned three councilors. What about the fourth?"

"Li Lin sighed lightly. 'The remaining council member is supporting me out of respect for Councilor Medarda,' he said. "He has three conditions, and presenting results within five years is just one of them."

Vander furrowed his brow even more, sensing that things wouldn't be as simple as Li Lin had just described. "What about the other two conditions?"

"One is related to funding. The major families may not sponsor us, but currently, Professor Heimerdinger can invest on behalf of Piltover University. The Kiramman family is also willing to provide financial support."

Li Lin paused for a moment. "The last condition is the issue. If I can't deliver satisfactory results within five years, my sponsor, the Kiramman family, must take responsibility for my actions..."

He didn't elaborate on what exactly 'taking responsibility' meant.

Everyone present had climbed the ranks through hardships, and they weren't fools. They understood what he was trying to convey.

"Well..." Vander's face showed a surprised expression, somewhat at a loss for words. "You've managed to do this much for the Undercity..."

Being the leader of the lanes and having four troublesome kids under him, Vander had a knack for distinguishing truth from lies. Yet, nine out of ten of Li Lin's words were genuine, and the remaining 'false' part was inconsequential, just not disclosing Cassandra and Mel's original words.

Moreover, after several previous encounters and last night's rescue, Vander had developed a level of trust in Li Lin comparable to his bond with Benso.

"As a scientist, isn't the original intention of developing technology to benefit the people?" Li Lin chuckled. "People in Piltover are humans, and those in Zaun are as well. Life should be equal from birth. Why discriminate?"

His last statement evoked a peculiar emotion in almost everyone present.

Yes, people from Piltover and Zaun should be born equal. There were even rumors that Piltover originally belonged to Zaun.

Even the legendary Goddess of the Wind, Janna, was said to be the guardian of Zaun...

If that's the case, why should people from the Undercity be born inferior to those from the Upper City?!

The air in the tavern fell into silence for a long time.

"Having ideas is good, but wanting to replace Zaun's alchemical technology, you should understand whose interests it touches."

Sevika shook her head, lit another cigarette, took a deep drag, and blew out smoke rings, not entirely agreeing with Li Lin's statement.

For now, she could see that Li Lin was genuinely thinking for the good of Zaun, so she didn't antagonize him like she usually did with other Piltover residents.

"I think other chem-barons from different districts won't agree, right? Even if your so-called 'electrical' power generation is more stable and safe than chem-tech."

"You should be aware that life doesn't matter here in the Undercity, and the chem-barons act like gods, like the law. Anyone or anything that touches their interests ultimately disappears from this world."

Sevika's warning was not entirely baseless.

chem-tech was indispensable to the alchemists of Zaun, a tool for them to make money and maintain their rule.

And Li Lin, bringing funds from the Upper City, aimed to rebuild the Undercity and replace chem-tech.

For the alchemists, this not only meant the Upper City buying the hearts of the people from Undercity , but the investments from the major Upper City families would also touch their original interests.

"So, that's why I came to Vander for help today."

Li Lin shifted his gaze to Vander next to him, quietly puffing his pipe, wearing contemplative expression on his face.

"I believe Zaun only needs one representative."

(End of this chapter)

=========================================================

DROP THEM POWER STONES AND KINDLY LEAVE REVIEWS AS WELL!

SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS

PAT REON.COM/TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).