The sun had just risen, casting the sky in a soft dawn glow.
In the blink of an eye, Li Lin once again teleported to a secluded spot outside the Dawnkeep of Demacia's capital. Through experience, he learned that while the nanotech energy core was slightly affected by petricite, it primarily ensured the armor's regular function, with minimal energy leakage. Only teleportation, flight, or energy weapons might encounter minor issues.
Since petricite absorbs and stores energy, it posed no significant threat to his Infinity Armor.
Changing back into the royal nobility attire provided by the kingdom, Li Lin circled around to the outer perimeter of Dawnkeep and made his way toward the castle.
The guards at the entrance recognized him instantly and did not block his path. Some even greeted him with respectful salutes, asking if he needed any assistance.
Upon inquiry, Li Lin learned, much to his surprise, that King Jarvan III had granted him unrestricted access to Dawnkeep. As long as it wasn't during the royal family's private hours or restricted areas, he could roam freely, much like noble families closely allied with the king, such as the Barrets or the Crownguards—like Jarvan IV's friends, Garen Crownguard and Kahina Buvelle.
It was still early, so Li Lin decided to catch up with Morgana.
But before he reached his room, he rounded a corner and came face-to-face with Xin Zhao, who was coming from the other side.
Perhaps it was the familiarity of his name or the fact that they were both from Ionia, but Li Lin felt a natural affinity toward Xin Zhao.
"Good morning, Chief Zhao."
As they were in the Demacian royal palace, Li Lin followed the local custom, placing his crossed hands over his chest in greeting.
Xin Zhao, with his spear resting on the ground, mirrored the gesture, placing a hand over his chest and bowing slightly. "Good morning to you as well, Lord Li."
"Please, don't call me 'lord'; that's far too formal," Li Lin replied, smiling awkwardly. "You're my elder; calling me by my name is just fine."
To be honest, despite being a longtime League of Legends player, Li Lin's most vivid impression of Xin Zhao was his comedic portrayal in an old fan animation, [La La La Demacia].
In that show, Demacia's iconic "bush trio"—Garen, Jarvan IV, and Xin Zhao—had earned a special place in the fandom.
However, behind the humor, Xin Zhao's generation placed him a level above both Prince Jarvan IV and Garen. After all, the prince addressed him as "uncle."
Xin Zhao was of the same generation as Jarvan III, Barrett, and Tiyana. Perhaps it was Ionia's mystical lands or magic's nourishing effects, but in contrast to the prematurely graying Jarvan III and Barrett, who were in their forties, Xin Zhao still looked vigorous and youthful, with barely any wrinkles. At a glance, he even seemed closer in age to the battle-worn Jarvan IV…
In Runeterra, Xin Zhao's life was marked by hardship.
Originally, he was a hardworking fisherman, but after an unfortunate encounter in Noxian waters, two Noxian warships seized his vessel and took him captive, selling him to the Reckoning Arena in the Immortal Bastion.
The title "Reckoner" sounds impressive, but in reality, most reckoners were slaves. They fought daily against warriors or wild beasts for the crowd's cheers, all for a chance at survival.
Unable to return home and valued by his Noxian master as a formidable fighter, Xin Zhao once again took up his familiar spear. Within a few short years, he gained a fearsome reputation.
Later, during a period of Noxian military expansion, a revolt erupted in many of the empire's conquered territories, forcing the previous Noxian emperor, Boram Darkwill, to draft reckoners from the arena, sending them to the western Demacian front.
Xin Zhao was among them.
Yet, the western front quickly fell under the onslaught of Jarvan III, Commander Tiyana, and their elite vanguard, who easily dismantled the invasion. Upon capture, Xin Zhao and his fellow reckoners discovered they had merely been pawns, cannon fodder meant to distract Demacia.
Among them, the mightiest reckoner, Xin Zhao, who had slain over a hundred Demacian soldiers, caught Jarvan III's attention. The king personally invited him to join the royal guard.
Jarvan III admired Xin Zhao's strength and integrity, though Tiyana had her reservations about the former Ionian and ex-Noxian reckoner. She even coerced him into a deadly oath that, should the king be harmed, he would answer with his life.
Over the years, however, Xin Zhao's unwavering loyalty won her over. Even Tiyana grew to respect him.
Li Lin's mind flashed through these thoughts as Xin Zhao responded, "You are a valued guest of the Crownguard House, and his Majesty himself has ordered that you be given every courtesy. We who serve the Crownguard family follow his wishes without question."
With that, Xin Zhao gave him a rare smile, a gesture Li Lin hadn't even seen during yesterday's banquet.
Xin Zhao could be stern regarding royal duties, but he treated others warmly, much like he had as a fisherman. His years as a reckoner and a royal guard had barely changed him.
Returning the gesture with a polite smile, Li Lin asked, "You're on patrol so early?"
"The king drank heavily last night and is still resting. I had some free time," Xin Zhao explained with a chuckle.
Despite his great strength, Xin Zhao was still human, subject to the same basic needs as everyone else. By day, he remained at Jarvan III's side, offering constant protection, while at night, he passed his duties to the elite guards and retired to his quarters.
At dawn, he resumed his routine training at the palace's practice grounds—a daily ritual.
Li Lin recalled Jarvan IV mentioning this during their return to the capital.
"I just finished my patrol," Xin Zhao continued, "and was heading to the training grounds to practice my skills."
"Training grounds?"
Li Lin's eyes lit up at the mention, and a sudden idea came to mind.
Noticing his expression, Xin Zhao looked puzzled. "What is it…?"
"Chief Zhao, would you like to spar with me?"
(End of Chapter)
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