It had been over twenty minutes.
The ship that Li Lin and Kassadin had been on for ten days at sea had finally reached Nashramae.
Originally, Kassadin was familiar with Bel'Zhun, and the journey from there would take only five days by ship, so he suggested starting from there.
However, Li Lin wanted to take this opportunity to get to know Piltover, so he insisted on coming to Nashramae.
During this time, he also used the prepared materials to create two aerial combat mechs - Storms.
Now, with the dawn breaking, Li Lin's bullets were reduced to just over 2400 rounds, and there were only 24 energy crystals left.
After getting off the ship, the weary Li Lin just wanted to rest in the inn.
After instructing craftsmen from various families not to cause trouble, he, along with Kassadin and Kiramman's family craftsmen, headed to the inn they had booked in advance.
Li Lin planned to meet with Nashramae's harbor master, Saja, tomorrow to discuss the construction of the Hex Gate tower.
After arranging the details of building the tower, he planned to look for Sivir in this port city.
If luck was not on his side, he would head south through the desert with Kassadin and visit the Serenade Valley, where Kassadin's hometown was located.
But as soon as Li Lin entered the room, not even taking off his powered armor, a guard from Kiramman's family knocked on his door.
"There's a conflict between the Medarda family and Noxus soldiers in the tavern on this street."
Although he didn't know why there were Noxus soldiers in Nashramae, they came to this port to build the Hex Gate, not to pick a fight.
Without hesitation, Li Lin quickly called Kassadin and, controlling the three Storms and Dawn, headed to the tavern under the guard's guidance.
From a distance, he saw the leading craftsman of the Medarda family, a middle-aged man named Lalno, already at a tense standoff with the Noxian soldiers at the tavern's entrance. Li Lin hurriedly shouted:
"Hey, Lalno, didn't I tell you not to cause trouble? What's happening here?"
Li Lin and Kassadin, along with the guard, ran to the Medarda family's side, only to notice a familiar woman standing at the tavern's entrance.
Is that Sivir? Why is she with Noxian soldiers?
And this...
Li Lin activated his Data Mind, and the information displayed on the panel surprised him.
[Name: Cassiopeia Du Couteau]
[Race: Noxian]
[Occupation: Member of the Black Rose Society]
Could it be Cassiopeia? Meeting Sivir and planning to excavate in the Shuriman capital?
Li Lin kept an eye on her as his gaze lingered on Cassiopeia, who was examining him.
Then, he opened his face mask and greeted the Du Couteau family's second miss, "Greetings, Miss Cassiopeia."
Li Lin spoke in a fairly standard Shuriman dialect.
In the past ten days, he had learned Shuriman with the help of his Data Mind skill, books, and Kassadin's guidance.
Originally, Li Lin had memorized the entire language in less than three days, reaching a proficient level.
But he didn't want to appear too peculiar, so he waited until the ninth day to tell Kassadin that he had a basic understanding of Shuriman.
This surprised Kassadin, who, apart from Li Lin's achievements in mechanics, now considered him a language genius.
Recognizing Li Lin's appearance, Cassiopeia immediately identified him as a Piltover resident who probably grew up there.
Right, the Ionian War has just ended. Is he planning to retaliate against us?
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, she dismissed it.
This young man who claimed to be Li Lin was obviously from Piltover and likely grew up there.
With his calm and friendly attitude, he shouldn't have any hostility towards Noxus.
And the mechanical armor and floating robots on him...
Various thoughts flashed through Cassiopeia's mind.
Then, she reappeared her signature polite smile and replied, "Greetings and welcome, I am Cassiopeia Du Couteau from the Du Couteau family in Noxus."
"I apologize if my temper caused you trouble."
"No, no, in fact, it was my subordinates' misunderstanding that led to this conflict."
Li Lin turned to the Medarda family craftsmen, "Hurry up and apologize to Miss Du Couteau and the gentlemen."
"Even with our ties to the Medarda, the relationship with the main family is quite good. They are our friends. Quickly apologize to our friends," urged Cassiopeia.
Cassiopeia hurriedly directed her subordinates to extend an olive branch. Both sides gave each other a way out, and the matter passed.
Moreover, Cassiopeia did not want to leave a bad impression on Li Lin. The intricate steel armor and the floating robots – if they could be applied on the battlefield...
After the craftsmen of the Medarda family, led by Lalno, and the Noxian soldiers exchanged apologies, Cassiopeia invited them into the tavern. She instructed the innkeeper to serve everyone the finest chilled beer.
However, before entering the tavern, Kassadin pulled Li Lin aside.
"You go in first. I'll arrange these floating mechanical devices."
Li Lin watched Cassiopeia and the silent Sivir, holding a crossblade, enter the tavern. Then, he walked to the side with Kassadin, away from the entrance and the two guards.
Later, Kassadin removed her face mask and lowered her voice with a frown. "Do you really want to get along with these Noxian people? You're probably from Ionia, right?"
To be precise, I come from Earth...
Li Lin shook his head. "I just don't want to conflict with those guys. You don't like Noxians either?"
He detected dissatisfaction in Cassiopeia's tone and couldn't help but feel curious.
In the background story, Cassiopeia had no strong sense of national identity. She belonged to the type who cared only about her family's well-being, indifferent to others.
"Noxians are untrustworthy and have occupied Bel'zhun, leaving many of my friends unemployed."
Kassadin's tone was full of resentment towards Noxus, clearly having been deceived before.
"Moreover, based on my experience in reading people, that woman named Cassiopeia is definitely not a good person. How should I put it?"
He pondered for a moment, then continued:
"I think she's very scheming, much like a venomous snake lurking in the desert, waiting for the right moment to strike a fatal blow when you least expect it. You must be careful with her."
Truly, he lived a long time in the "martial world," analyzing so thoroughly was a testament to his experience.
Li Lin, aware of Cassiopeia's background, was already on high alert. At this moment, he couldn't help but admire Kassadin's ability to judge people.
"I understand. You can rest assured."
Li Lin patted his shoulder and added in his mind:
A venomous snake? Can it bite through steel?
As long as I remove its fangs and keep a constant watch, it won't pose any threat.
And I still need her to strike Sivir with a blade according to the original timeline to awaken Azir and make him ascend.
A unified Shuriman Empire is crucial for the future struggle against the Void...
A glint of determination flashed in Li Lin's eyes.
Traveling with a venomous snake to the ruins of the imperial capital in Shurima was a necessary step.
(End of this chapter)
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