CHAPTER 262 - "Peace Through Power"

When Li Lin declared, "Let the meeting begin," silence blanketed the room.

The Chem-Barons weren't fools. They sensed that Silco seemed to defer to Li Lin, implying this meeting would revolve around him. For those who had only read about Li Lin, such as Midstokke, Spindle, and Adrian, this was particularly startling.

Tension hung in the air, the silence broken only by the rhythmic tapping of Li Lin's fingers on the long conference table, each tap echoing in the hearts of those present.

Apart from Silco and Lanar, anxiety crept over the others. "You called this meeting, got us all here, and now you say nothing? Are you toying with us?" This thought surfaced in both the impatient Spindle and Adrian's minds.

Just as Spindle was about to lose his temper, Enni broke the silence. "Where's Bonnie? Why isn't she here?" Her voice trembled slightly as she glanced at Li Lin and Silco.

Zaun's citizens would never imagine that the once-mighty Chem-Barons, who lorded over them, could show such fear.

"Yes, Bonnie is usually punctual. She shouldn't be late," added Longfellow with concern.

"Could something have happened? I heard there was an explosion near the mid-level plaza and the Undercity border last night. Many refugees flooded into Dancehall," Yordle Barrett remarked, turning his gaze to Silco. "Silco..."

He barely uttered Silco's name before Silco cut him off coldly. "Bonnie won't be coming."

Silco's tone was icy, as if he was speaking about a stranger.

Enni, Longfellow, and Barrett frowned, not understanding Silco's implication.

"Did something happen to her?" Enni, who was closest to Bonnie, asked anxiously.

"Oh, didn't you hear?" Silco's voice was laced with mock surprise, as if they should already know. Leaning forward, he propped his elbows on the table and rested his face in his hands. "That traitor is currently on her way to meet the Guardian's Sea. By tonight, she might be greeting devilfish."

Shock painted the faces of Enni, Longfellow, and Barrett. Even Spindle and Adrian looked surprised. Despite her limited power, Bonnie was still a Chem-Baron in Zaun, and Silco had just dealt with her like that?

Midstokke's face paled as he realized the implications, but Enni's subsequent question drew everyone's attention away from him.

"Why? I don't understand. Silco, Bonnie always listened to you. We were brothers and sisters in arms. Why...?"

Silco's face darkened, and he let out a cold laugh. "Brothers and sisters? And then betray me to join Glasc?"

Silence fell over the room again.

Everyone knew of the animosity between Silco and Renata. Despite any misgivings about Silco, no one had thought to side with Renata. Besides, Silco had long claimed to have evidence of Renata's crimes and would soon send her to Stillwater Prison.

Though months had passed without this happening, none dared to switch allegiance to Renata, except for Midstokke. Bonnie's sudden betrayal had caught everyone off guard.

"That's impossible..." Enni muttered, stunned by the news of her friend's betrayal.

"Bonnie never even met Renata... You must be mistaken, Silco," Barrett squeaked.

Longfellow remained silent, his face grave as if he had expected this.

"This matter is better explained by Li Lin," Silco said, unwilling to elaborate on his former comrade's betrayal.

All eyes turned to Li Lin, who was watching with mild amusement. Clearing his throat, he began, "Today, I found Renata hiding in Bonnie's dance hall. I called in the enforcers to arrest her."

The room was shocked into silence.

"..."

Li Lin's words cast the meeting hall into silence for the third time.

A powerful Chem-Baron in Zaun had just been arrested...

Midstock pinched himself discreetly, grimacing in pain. It wasn't a dream.

Ernie bit her lip, hesitated for a long while, and then said weakly, "But this doesn't prove Bonnie betrayed us..."

She was interrupted by a hard poke from Longfellow, who warned her with a stern look.

Silco had been searching for Renata recently, only to find her in Bonnie's club. The charge of treason was irrefutable.

Ernie's defense of Bonnie at this critical moment, regardless of their relationship, would surely incur Silco's displeasure, if not suspicion. Silco ruled Zaun with both wisdom and ruthless iron fist. Even siblings weren't spared if they were deemed traitors—just like Vander.

So, what chance did a small Chem-Baron like Bonnie stand?

Ernie dared not speak again. Midstock bowed his head, sweating profusely, breathing lightly, fearful of drawing Silco's attention.

"Today, you called us together mainly to discuss this matter, right?" Spind's hoarse voice, filled with malice, broke the silence. "With Mrs. Glasc taken care of, no one in the lower city can challenge us."

"Heh, don't forget we still have Lady Grey above us. Do you want to attract her attention?" Adrien sneered, disdainful not only towards Spind but also the families in the upper city.

Though Spind was displeased by Adrien's tone, he had no retort. Even Silco feared Lady Grey, let alone the Chem-Barons.

"With Glasc gone, what will happen to Glasc Industries? Silco, you must have a plan, right?" Lanner, who had been silent, spoke, glancing at Li Lin. "If Glasc Industries collapses, thousands will lose their jobs."

"I'll take over," Li Lin's words surprised the Chem-Barons, "but that's not your concern."

He paused for a few seconds, then added something that confused everyone, "After all... you don't need to worry about Zaun anymore."

Adrien frowned, skeptical, "We don't need to worry about Zaun?"

"What do you mean by that?" Spind blew his white beard, eyes flashing with anger.

Ernie, Longfellow, and Barrett glanced at Silco, who seemed to tacitly endorse Li Lin's words, and felt a sense of unease.

It seemed that after dealing with Renata and Bonnie's betrayal, these two planned to turn against the Chem-Baron alliance.

Voss remained as lost as before, unaffected by the events. Lanner shifted from shock to indifference, her role in Zaun being minimal. Her position as a Chem-Baron was due to her robot factory and alliances with some upper-city families.

Since the last Chem-Baron meeting, Lanner had paid close attention to Li Lin, knowing he wouldn't betray easily. Power didn't matter to her.

"I think I've made myself clear," Li Lin said cheerfully. "You don't need to worry about Zaun."

"So, you're dissolving the Chem-Baron alliance?" Adrien demanded.

"Whose idea is this? Yours? Silco's?" Spind's golden eyes scanned Li Lin and Silco, his hands moving to his waist, "Or those upper city families?"

"It's mine and Silco's," Li Lin replied.

In reality, the idea was Li Lin's. He didn't want Zaun's current chaos to hinder his future plans. The Chem-Barons were a liability, especially Adrien, Spind, Midstock, and Voss. He didn't want traitors in his midst during a future crisis.

Silco glanced at him, silently approving.

Spind exploded. Born in Zaun, orphaned young, he had clawed his way up. Unlike Ionia, Zaun treated a Vasto with disdain. Only through ruthless determination did he reach his current status.

"Damn it! You can't do this!"

Spind stood abruptly, drawing an electric baton in an instant. He dared not target Silco, who was distant and intimidating. The nearest target was Li Lin, the "weakling" from the upper families.

Unfortunately, he misjudged.

Enhanced by gene serums and Janna's blessing, Li Lin was far more formidable. Even without his battle armor, he was more than a match for Spind.

As Spind charged, his baton crackling with electricity, Li Lin moved faster, grabbing Spind's wrist and crushing the bones.

"—Ah!"

Spind screamed, dropping his baton, nearly hitting Adrien. Li Lin followed with a powerful kick, shattering Spind's kneecap, blood spraying from the wound. Before Spind could react, Li Lin slammed his head onto the table, splintering it and embedding a shard into Spind's skull.

Spind wouldn't rise again.

Li Lin wiped his hands on Spind's clothes, then calmly returned to his seat, noting the shock on the Chem-Barons' faces, including Silco's.

"Why are you all staring? Speak now if you have objections," he said casually.

Who would dare object now?

Adrien, who had considered attacking, was now grateful he hadn't. One more step, and he might have joined Spind in death.

Silco, Ernie, Longfellow, Barrett, Voss, and Lanner were all stunned by Li Lin's display of strength. He had evolved from needing powered armor to kill an ordinary man to defeating a strong Vasto barehanded.

What had this man experienced?

The room reeked of blood, silent and tense.

Li Lin gave them a few minutes to process, then smiled. "It seems everyone is in agreement..."

He stood, alarming Adrien and Midstock. Ignoring them, he fetched a bottle of whiskey from a Hextech cooler and poured drinks for everyone.

His footsteps echoed in the room.

Li Lin filled their glasses, then returned to his seat, raising his glass.

"Therefore, I hereby reclaim your control over Zaun."

He smiled, toasting the Chem-Barons, who shakily raised their glasses, forcing smiles.

Li Lin's gaze swept the room, meeting theirs in a toast.

"To the future of Zaun!"

...

...

(End of chapter)

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