Chapter 212: Silco: Let's Bring Down Glasc!
"Where are we going, Iron Man?"
Li Lin: "..."
"Wow~~ This is my first time on the top floor of the Screaming Machine, and you don't even need to pay a silver coin. Iron Man, did you design this Screaming Machine?"
Li Lin: "..."
"Oh, listen to the sound of steam and mechanical gears rubbing against each other. It makes me want to sing a song... By the way, Iron Man, do you know I wrote a theme song just for myself? I can sing it for you!"
Li Lin clenched his fist, unable to bear it anymore.
He had thought Mundo, who hadn't become Dr. Mundo yet, would be somewhat normal, but in reality, he was no different from his insane self in the original timeline...
And he was a chatterbox.
Truly worthy of you, even if you've gone mad, you've only changed your perception slightly, with hardly any change in personality.
Li Lin took a deep breath. "Don't call me Iron Man anymore, call me... boss."
"Okay, Iron Man... Huh?" Mundo paused for a moment, then turned to look at Li Lin in a panic. "Why? You said I could call you Iron Man, didn't you?"
"Uh..."
Li Lin was at a loss for words, feeling the urge to smack himself in the face a couple of times.
He had only casually mentioned it before, but he hadn't expected Mundo to take it seriously.
This was so embarrassing...
After thinking for a moment, he patted Mundo's shoulder. "The greatest heroes serve their country and people. I don't think I'm worthy of the title 'hero' yet, so... for now, just call me boss."
Mundo scratched his head, looking confused.
He had never received higher education and his cultural level only extended to being able to read.
Moreover, Li Lin was speaking in terms that only people from Earth could understand, so naturally Mundo didn't understand what he was saying.
"So you mean... it's okay later?"
"...Sort of."
At least, for now, let's change the way you address me.
As for later...
We'll talk about it when the time comes.
Li Lin pondered.
Mundo became cheerful again. "No problem, Iron Man... I mean, boss!"
"Oh, by the way, your name sounds a bit awkward, can I give you a nickname... or a pseudonym?"
"Of course! If you're willing! It's my honor!"
"Alright." Li Lin nodded in satisfaction. "Then... I'll call you Mundo from now on."
...
...
Ten minutes later, in a large building heavily guarded by layers of security and thugs at the border market.
Li Lin greeted the guards and took Mundo up to the top floor in an elevator.
Instructing Mundo to stay outside and not cause trouble, he pushed open the door and walked in.
The room was filled with smoke, with a strong scent of cigars.
Silco held a half-burnt high-quality cigar between his index and middle fingers of his left hand, and his right hand slowly rocked an ice-filled transparent flat-bottomed glass with whiskey in it, while he lowered his head to examine some documents.
Elegant symphonic music played from the Hextech sound system in the corner of the room. His office was also connected to a basic electrical system, replacing the original alchemical technology for power generation.
Hearing the door creak, Silco didn't lift his head, speaking in an impatient tone, "Didn't I tell you not to disturb me?"
Hearing the heavy footsteps approaching, he frowned, "Can't you understand human language..."
"You seem quite leisurely, Silco."
Hearing the familiar voice, Silco was momentarily stunned, looking up. "Li Lin?"
Immediately, he set down his glass and stubbed out the cigar in the ashtray.
"Weren't you supposed to be building the Hextech Gates in Nashramae?"
"It seems your sources are a bit outdated over the past half year. I came back yesterday."
Li Lin walked up to Silco's desk and pulled out a chair to sit down.
"More precisely, the sources providing me with information are not focusing on that."
Silco leaned on the table, hands crossed under his chin. "Glasc... for the past six months, I've been mainly battling her."
"How's it going?"
"Not optimistic." Silco's expression instantly turned stern. "She's much more formidable than I imagined."
Li Lin raised an eyebrow. "This woman is that strong? You can't handle her?"
"Do you remember how she bribed my people and stole a bottle of Shimmer from me before?"
Li Lin nodded, a bad idea suddenly popping into his mind.
Immediately, Silco's words confirmed his suspicion. "She has also improved the Shimmer, and it's different from our direction...
"With the help of your friend from the Upper City, we weakened the effects of our Shimmer, trading it for almost no side effects.
"But Glasc doesn't care about side effects at all. She bribed Baron Midenstock, using his technology to have craftsmen develop a Filtering Flyer device, using Shimmer as fuel.
"The flyer is equipped with a semi-intelligent chip, allowing Glasc to control it directly through her mechanical left hand, launching missiles or injecting Shimmer injectors into her subordinates' bodies.
"Not only that, the Shimmer she has doesn't have its addictive properties removed, but also affects the nerves, making people confess the truth."
As he spoke, Silco's face turned as dark as ink. "Most of the subordinates I planted in her organization have been exposed by her, using Shimmer to seize their wills and force them to submit... Our plan to infiltrate her organization has been thwarted."
Li Lin's expression grew serious, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest, lost in thought for a long time.
"This seems like bad news... With your strength, you won't just let it go, right?"
"Of course not," Silco sneered. "I've collected plenty of evidence of Glasc's crimes. It's enough to send her to the Stillwater Penitentiary for decades without any problem..."
"But?"
"Just as you said before, Glasc controls a large amount of property in the Lower City. If law enforcement forcibly brings her down, leading to her assets being confiscated by the Upper City, it's not just a matter of people losing their jobs..."
"Zaun's economy will also suffer a severe blow, regressing for many years," Li Lin understood his meaning and added.
Silco nodded silently.
"It's okay, I think I should be able to solve this problem."
"Hmm?" A hint of surprise flashed across Silco's face.
"I'll use my family's influence to establish connections with the Piltover Enforcers, and then take over the factories under Renata's command."
To prevent Silco from misunderstanding, Li Lin explained again, "Of course, these factories won't belong to the Kiramman family but will be under my personal ownership. You can rest assured of that."
Silco fell silent, his intact right eye fixed firmly on Li Lin's face, as if trying to glean some clues from his expression or eyes.
Unfortunately, despite being stared at like this, Li Lin maintained a polite smile, not even feeling nervous like before, his heartbeat and breathing not accelerating as they used to.
This little guy has matured so much in the past six months...
What exactly has he been through?
A question arose in Silco's mind.
The symphonic music played by the Hextech sound system ended.
Before the next symphony began, Silco stood up and turned to the bulletproof stained glass window behind him.
After giving him some time to think, Li Lin also stood up, his gaze focused on Silco's somewhat slender figure.
"What's wrong? Do you still have any questions? I still have some time for now, so feel free to ask anything you want."
"No, I think your plan is very good." Silco turned back, chuckling. "Let's take down Glasc together!"
(End of this chapter)