Ready

Aside from various smuggled goods and mineral raw materials, the most valuable thing in Zaun for Chen Nuo was their past alchemical technology.

However, since that great explosion, Zaun's alchemical knowledge system had suffered a fracture.

This wasn't just because many famous Chemists died in that disaster, but more importantly, many Zaunites developed a resistance and aversion to alchemical technology.

It's understandable; everyone was living their lives just fine when suddenly something like that happened. It would be abnormal not to have psychological scars.

Moreover, in the past, most alchemical achievements were actually for military use, and Noxus used to be Zaun's largest importer.

Zaun's Alchemical Bombs and alchemical toxic gases had played no small part in helping Noxus expand its territory on various battlefields.

Nowadays, Zaun still retains some alchemical factories producing ordinary alchemical products, rarely involving those dangerous Alchemical Bombs, and in every respect, it is no longer what it once was.

Furthermore, all trade ports are now firmly controlled by Piltover, and Zaun has almost completely severed its past arms business with Noxus.

Vander's persistence played a significant role in this.

The war business did indeed bring great profits to the people of Zaun once, but they paid a heavy price for it.

Those alchemical and chemical factories are still continuously polluting Zaun's living environment.

Vander didn't want Zaun to repeat the same mistakes. He intended to find another path for Zaun to survive. Through the smuggling business, they could now maintain a normal life for many people.

If relations with Piltover could be further normalized, he believed Zaun could be pulled out of this quagmire bit by bit.

The development of The Lanes over the years undoubtedly proved that Vander's idea was feasible.

But in fact, military use is only one application of alchemy. In the past, Zaun also achieved significant success in the fields of medicine and industry.

Alchemy can not only be combined with technology to create bombs and toxic gases with terrifying power, but it can also serve as a bonding agent between biology and machinery.

Biological modification, combining mechanical parts with biological organisms, actually has a decent development momentum in today's Zaun.

There was even an Alchemist who proposed the concept of combining alchemy with magic, but before this bold Alchemist could begin his experiments, Zaun had already fallen.

And his concepts and ideas were buried along with him in the ruins of the lowest level.

Nowadays, the new generation of Chemists can no longer receive the systematic alchemical education of the past; they can only rely on scattered alchemical texts for self-study.

Therefore, they also face greater potential risks.

They might not even realize this themselves.

Take, for example, the Alchemical Bombs Powder made by hand.

Uh, to be more precise, should they be called alchemical fireworks?

Because the processing equipment for refining the relevant alchemical solvents was so poor, let alone generating an explosive shockwave, it was already quite difficult just to get a reaction. At least it proved the theoretical feasibility.

The little girl didn't know where she had scrounged up a few pages of alchemical notes, but she followed them to the letter to synthesize the corresponding alchemical potions.

It must be said that Powder is indeed a genius. Setting aside the low-quality alchemical potions, the firing mechanism and assembly of the bombs alone were enough to demonstrate her talent.

However, neither Vi nor Vander could realize this; they just treated Powder's creations as children's toys.

When Powder handed her Alchemical Bomb to Chen Nuo like a precious treasure, seeing the expectation in her eyes, he knew how much this little girl yearned for recognition in her heart.

Powder had always had severe psychological issues.

This was a trauma left behind on the day she witnessed her parents' deaths.

It was just that Powder was very smart and had always kept her emotions well-controlled, only losing control and lashing out occasionally when no one was around, so much so that Vi and Vander had never realized it.

Or rather, Vi was Powder's mental antidote; as long as she was by her side, the condition wouldn't flare up.

“Powder.”

Chen Nuo looked at Powder, meeting her gaze, and spoke with a serious expression as she watched him in confusion.

“You really are a genius.”

“Hehe.”

Powder laughed shyly.

Vi, who was watching from the side, made a disdainful sound; this kind of trick to coax a child was really low-level.

“Is that orangutan really your biological sister?”

“What did you say?! You bastard!”

Vi was furious and was about to step forward with her fists raised, but she was timely restrained by the two guardians, one thin and one fat, beside her.

“Of course!”

Powder nodded, glanced at Vi, and then corrected him.

“Vi isn't an ape.”

“I'll listen to you.”

Vi felt greatly comforted upon hearing this; her sister was indeed worth the affection she gave her.

“But she is indeed a bit too strong,”

Powder added in a small voice.

Vi's ears twitched; she heard it clearly, but what could she do? She was her own sister, after all, so she took it as a compliment.

“It's just that researching this kind of thing is still too early for you.”

Chen Nuo took apart the bomb in his hand and reassembled it, changing its original reaction mode. In this way, its efficiency would be greatly improved.

“I just want to help Vi,”

Powder explained. Constantly being dismissed, she also wanted to try to prove herself.

“By helping her do bad things?”

Chen Nuo twisted the bomb's clockwork and threw it out.

“You guy!!”

Vi's short temper flared up again.

However, this time, before Mylo and the others could step forward to stop her, the thrown Alchemical Bomb suddenly exploded with a loud bang. But it was only a lot of noise; there was no filler inside, so it wasn't dangerous.

Yet this still startled Vi into stopping her tracks. She looked at Chen Nuo with lingering fear and questioned him.

“What did you just do?”

“I just modified it a bit. Now you know what kind of dangerous things Powder is researching?”

Chen Nuo asked in return.

“...”

Vi didn't know what to say for a moment and fell silent.

“I knew I could be useful!”

Powder jumped up excitedly. Compared to the duller Vi, it wasn't that she couldn't realize the potential danger of the Alchemical Bomb, but rather that this kind of thrill seemed to be a form of enjoyment for her.

“What just happened?!”

Vander rushed over after hearing the noise, thinking these youngsters had gotten into another conflict.

However, upon closer inspection, it didn't seem to be the case.

“Powder's toy... no, the bomb worked,”

Mylo explained to Vander.

“What?”

Vander was shocked and instinctively looked at the proud Powder, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

For a child with an incomplete mind, possessing such knowledge and power was absolutely an extremely dangerous thing, both for herself and for others.

Not to mention, Powder had other psychological issues.

The chaos of Zaun was not suitable for Powder. She needed a more stable and peaceful environment to live in.

Otherwise, it would ultimately only give birth to Jinx (Chaos).

Sometimes Powder could be seen as the personification of the conflict between Zaun and Piltover; when she loses control, it means Jinx is coming.

“It seems you haven't given Powder enough attention. It's about time; I have to head back.”

Chen Nuo left one last sentence, then prepared to leave with Caitlyn.

“Wait, let Vi see you out.”

Vander temporarily set aside his complicated feelings and spoke to Vi.

“Me?”

“Is there a problem, Vi?”

“Tsk!”

Vi expressed her dissatisfaction verbally, but her body obediently followed Vander's arrangement, leading the way to see Chen Nuo and Caitlyn out of The Lanes.

“See you next time.”

Chen Nuo boarded the elevator and waved goodbye with a smile under Vi's displeased gaze.

“Hope I never see you again, bastard.”

Vi returned a perfectly straight middle finger.

On the way back, Caitlyn finally couldn't help but ask.

“What were you talking about with Vander just now?”

“Just some business cooperation.”

Chen Nuo gave a perfunctory answer, which made Caitlyn a bit unhappy. She warned him seriously.

“You'd better not do anything dangerous.”

“How would I dare, with you, the young lady Caitlyn, watching over me?”

“Hmph, as long as you know.”

The young lady Caitlyn made a satisfied sound.

In fact, there really wasn't anything urgent. Aside from some raw material supplies, Chen Nuo had only asked Vander to help collect manuscripts and notes related to alchemy.

Well, alchemical technology was already considered very dangerous in the eyes of the Piltover upper class.

All related alchemical experiments required strict reporting and supervision.

After all, Zaun's precedent was right there.

Precisely because of this, many Chemists who graduated from Piltover Academy ultimately chose to run to Zaun to wreak havoc on the people there.

Alchemical technology is indeed dangerous, but it is also truly miraculous. In Chen Nuo's view, it was the technology closest to magic besides Hextech.

Chen Nuo then parted ways with Caitlyn halfway, and they each went home.

“Brother!”

Seeing Chen Nuo return, Orianna immediately ran over and hugged him, unwilling to let go.

He had been busy studying at Jayce's house lately and had indeed neglected his sister a bit, so Chen Nuo had secretly bought two front-row theater tickets, waiting to sneak out with Orianna in the evening.

Seeing the gold-trimmed tickets, Orianna's eyes seemed to light up. She naturally took them and hid them away, not letting Store Manager Colin see even a hint of a flaw.

“How is your studying going? Are you confident?”

Store Manager Colin inquired with concern.

“Pretty much a sure thing.”

Chen Nuo was slightly modest. Store Manager Colin nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this. Since receiving sponsorship from Madame Kiramann, the family's financial situation had become much more affluent, which also relieved him a lot.

However, this wasn't necessarily a good thing for Orianna.

Store Manager Colin's extra energy and time were all focused on her academic courses.

It was hard work, but Orianna was willing to persist.

After all, she also wanted to enroll early and attend classes with Chen Nuo, otherwise she would be left at home alone like before... In the blink of an eye, a few more days passed.

Jayce had finally made all the preparations, renting a desolate warehouse on the outskirts of Piltover and setting up the relevant Hextech experimental equipment.

What surprised Chen Nuo slightly was that after accepting Jayce's invitation, he saw another unfamiliar face here.

“This is Viktor, an assistant instructor at the academy. He also highly praises my Hextech and has decided to join us.”

“So, how did he find you?”

Chen Nuo tilted his head and looked at Jayce as he asked.

“Ahem, let me explain.”

Viktor stepped forward with his cane and spoke.

“Actually, it was a coincidence; I happened to find Jayce's notes.”

Jayce stood by, rubbing his hands a bit awkwardly.

“You should be glad it was Viktor who found the notes, otherwise I'd probably be visiting you in the academy's detention cell right now.”

Chen Nuo said somewhat helplessly.

All this could only be described as a choice of fate; Hextech was destined to be born from the hands of these two.

However, it didn't affect him much.

“Uh...”

Jayce opened his mouth slightly, but the sound got stuck in his throat, and he couldn't quite say it.

“What, could it be that someone else found your notes too?”

Chen Nuo saw the signs and asked with narrowed eyes.

“No, it's not that. It's just that my actions in using the academy's equipment and materials were noticed by a noble lady.”

Jayce shook his head quickly, not daring to look Chen Nuo in the eye, and explained with some guilt.

As an adult, to have handled things this way was indeed a bit embarrassing to face Chen Nuo.

Chen Nuo couldn't help but give Jayce a side-eye, then turned to look at the warehouse behind him.

There, a lady dressed in upper-class attire was looking this way.

Her dark skin was as delicate as silk, her elegant features carried a distinct charm, and the gold ornaments on her body added a touch of luxury and nobility.

Jayce shyly waved to the lady, responding to her gaze like an innocent boy.

“I remember your taste wasn't like this.”

Chen Nuo recalled the study materials under Jayce's bed; clearly, the women in them were all fair-skinned and beautiful.

“You went through the materials under my bed?”

Jayce's eyes widened, and a strong sense of shame instantly welled up.

“What materials?”

Viktor became a bit curious; could it be that Jayce had secretly hidden some good stuff? That would be something to look forward to, although Hextech was already such a surprise.

“I'll bring them out for you to appreciate later too.”

Seeing that Viktor was interested, Chen Nuo planned to satisfy him.

“Wait.”

Jayce panicked and wanted to stop him, but at that moment, the lady had already approached. He could only force himself to stay calm, maintain a composed smile, and introduce her to Chen Nuo.

“This is Councilor Mel.”

Mel's gaze landed on Chen Nuo. After looking him over briefly, she said with a slight smile.

“Madame Kiramann's judgment has always been good, but she certainly didn't expect you, little fellow, to be so bold.”

“Councilor Mel, my name is Nuo.”

Chen Nuo rejected the term 'little fellow,' although he did look a bit small right now.

“Sorry, my mistake, Mr. Little Nuo.”

“...”

Looking at Mel with her smiling eyes, Chen Nuo knew she was a lady with a bit of a mischievous streak, so he didn't intend to satisfy her and simply stopped paying her any attention.

Anyway, with my age being what it is, I can afford to be a bit willful.