With Silco's intervention, the meeting of the Chem-Barons proceeded smoothly.
Li Lin elaborated on his vision for the Undercity construction to the still-startled Chem-Barons.
Everyone seemed willing to support him, but whether it was genuine or mere surface courtesy remained uncertain.
The construction project in Zaun was about to commence, and the answers would unfold then.
Judging by Li Lin's observations of their expressions, at least Renni, Smeech, and Lenare, old acquaintances, seemed cooperative.
As for Bonnie, Li Lin sensed glimpses of resentment and animosity in her eyes.
This woman likely had a significant connection with Finn and might attempt to sabotage things in the shadows.
However, Bonnie, despite monopolizing Zaun's entertainment industry, held relatively weak influence among the Chem-Barons.
Moreover, with Renata currently acquiring cabarets, conflicting interests might keep this Chem-Baron from causing too much trouble in the short term.
Of the remaining two Chem-Barons, Lady Voss, with a keen eye, appeared submissive on the surface, but harbored hidden intentions.
On the other hand, Lenare maintained a calm smile, concealing her true feelings effectively.
Li Lin knew she had dealings with the prominent Piltover family, and her industrial interests were tied to the Upper City.
Unless directed otherwise, she would likely avoid conflicts related to Undercity construction.
Furthermore, with Finn's demise, there was no leader in the border market between Piltover and Zaun.
Initially, Li Lin had subtly suggested to Vander several times to take advantage of the situation during the meeting and claim control over the border market.
Unexpectedly, the stubborn Vander remained angry and completely ignored Li Lin, maintaining silence until the end of the meeting.
Even when Silco mentioned taking over the border market, Vander didn't utter a word.
Li Lin hadn't intended for Silco to benefit from this, but Vander couldn't be persuaded otherwise.
As a member of the Kiramman family, if Li Lin were to take control of the border market, other Chem-Barons would perceive it as Upper City meddling in Undercity affairs.
Although inevitable in the future, Li Lin aimed for a gradual assimilation.
This was Li Lin's plan, the "boiling frog" strategy—promoting his reputation while constructing the Undercity.
When Zaun thrived, its people would remember Li Lin for improving their lives, overshadowing the Chem-Barons.
After the Chem-Baron meeting concluded, Silco was the first to leave, incorporating Finn's personnel into his ranks.
Perhaps Finn hadn't treated his subordinates well, as the assimilation process went surprisingly smoothly, even with news of their leader's demise.
Following closely, Voss left expressionless with her entourage.
The four Chem-Barons familiar with Vander exchanged brief greetings before hastily departing with their respective groups.
To Li Lin's surprise, Lenare approached him, offering polite pleasantries and inquiring about construction-related matters before having her maid escort her away.
The room was now left with only Li Lin and Vander, who sat in silence on his chair.
Soon, the double doors, adorned with silver-white engravings, were pushed open again, revealing the gloomy faces of Benso, Sevika, and the bald, robust man.
"Damn it, if I knew Silco was coming today, I would've brought that hunting rifle from the store and blown his damn head off with one shot," Benso exclaimed.
"There were too many of them, Benso. If you really did that, we probably wouldn't be able to leave here in one piece today," the bald man, Kode, replied, rubbing his shining forehead in a helpless tone.
"You're just a coward, Kode. As long as we blow Silco's head off, his lackeys won't follow the orders of a dead man, right?" Benso retorted, his face jiggling with the sway of his flesh.
Ignoring Benso's verbal jabs, Sevika, without paying much attention to the banter, brought a chair and sat down in front of Li Lin and Vander.
"Seeing the expressions of Silco and the Chem-Barons just now, you two must have reached an agreement, right?" she inquired.
However, she quickly noticed Vander's unusual mood and looked at Li Lin with confusion. "What's wrong? Didn't you settle everything?"
"We did. Vander's anger has nothing to do with this matter," Li Lin replied.
Li Lin pointed to the side of the hall, where Finn's charred body lay unattended.
Benso glanced in the direction Li Lin indicated, his face suddenly shocked. "Damn, how did Finn, that foolish guy, end up like this?"
"Just now, wasn't Silco saying this guy was dead?" explained Kode, the bald, muscular man.
"I heard it too. Hmm... just didn't expect him to die so miserably," Li Lin clicked his tongue. "Let him rest in peace. This idiot hasn't done anything good in years."
"Did you kill him?" Sevika raised an eyebrow, expressing surprise.
Silco had not revealed the murderer earlier, but looking at Finn's fragmented corpse, it was clear that conventional weapons wouldn't cause such damage. Only Li Lin could achieve this.
"You were too impulsive, Li Lin," Vander finally spoke after a prolonged silence.
Li Lin lifted his mask, meeting Vander's gaze with calm eyes.
"Are you mourning for him? Have you forgotten how he treated you? In Finn's heart, you were no longer his leader."
"While that's true, but..." Vander hesitated, "he fought alongside us, he was our brother."
"Hehehe..." Li Lin couldn't help but laugh.
His gaze swept quickly over Benso, Sevika, and Kode, capturing their expressions.
"Brother? Do you think your brothers and sisters acknowledge him?" Li Lin smirked.
Vander paused, then looked at the three.
Sevika was stoic, showing little emotion as usual. However, Benso and Kode's expressions revealed more joy than grief for Finn's death.
"Do you really believe that if you spared Finn's life, he would obey you? Don't be naive," Li Lin snorted. "I think you should be well aware of his true nature."
Before Vander could respond, Benso interjected, "Li Lin is right, Vander. You don't know what Finn has been up to in recent years. We understand your sentimental attachment, but he deserved to die. Removing him is a service to the people."
Even Benso, who usually kept quiet, agreed. Vander's resentment lessened a bit.
"Sigh... even if that's the case, you shouldn't have done it at the meeting," Vander sighed, looking melancholic.
"I didn't plan to do it that way, but he was too annoying," Li Lin replied indifferently.
After a pause, Li Lin continued with an unconcerned tone, "Those in power at the summit must be like this, especially in a place like Zaun. You must show greater strength than others to gain respect and avoid trouble. It's the law of survival in Zaun, Vander, and you should understand it better than I do."
Honestly, Li Lin felt that the situation in Zaun was somewhat similar to the ideological principles of Noxus in some aspects.
For an individual with no power and strength, being oppressed by others was common. To avoid being bullied, one had to join a powerful faction or possess personal strength that deterred others.
After this speech, the expressions of Benso, Sevika, and Claggor changed as they looked at Li Lin differently.
They never expected someone from the upper city to understand the rules of the undercity so well, as if he had grown up there.
Vander hesitated for a moment, then sighed again, unable to find words, and sighed once more.
This speech was remarkably similar to Silco's beliefs...
Li Lin didn't intend to stop there. "So, Vander, why don't you strive for control over the border markets?"
"The lanes is enough for me. I'm tired of power struggles." Vander shook his head, looking melancholic. "But no matter what, I'll support you as long as you need me, I will do my best to help you build Zaun."
Li Lin was about to say something, but Sevika, sitting across from him, stopped him with a glance.
Soon, she spoke with a hoarse voice, "Enough, let's end it here today. It's time to go back."
(End of this chapter)
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