Chen didn't back down. He glared at LeBlanc, who had transformed into a man, and retorted, "You have the ability to transform into anyone. Why didn't you transform into one of Swain's confidantes to go undercover, and instead came to me?"
LeBlanc didn't answer. Chen's mouth curved slightly; he had already guessed. "Swain possesses demonic power, allowing him to distinguish your Ethereal Chains. Since you can't control anyone around Swain, you sought me out, someone Swain has recently taken an interest in, correct?"
Swain's demonic power enabled him to see the truth.
LeBlanc, in the guise of the innkeeper, clapped her hands. "Clever. No wonder Swain wants you to join him, even risking unpredictable factors. But I'll say it again: Powder is in my hands. You can try to disobey and see the consequences."
Chen had long since calmed down, no longer as impulsive as when Powder was first captured. He smiled faintly and retorted, "You can also try to find someone else who can get close to Swain in a short amount of time."
Then Chen rubbed his head, feigning confusion, and mumbled, "This is a critical time to solidify the new regime. It won't be easy for you to insert someone else. Let me think... perhaps by then, the situation will be set, and the Black Rose will have no chance of turning things around."
LeBlanc, who considered herself cunning, hadn't expected this young man to be just like her. Not only did he not compromise because she had captured Powder, but he even dared to threaten her.
LeBlanc was somewhat annoyed. If it were in the past, she would have killed Chen with magic long ago. But now, with the regime overthrown and Swain's power growing, if Swain were to solidify his rule, it would be difficult for the Black Rose to reclaim power.
Moreover, what Chen said was true. Chen now had significant leverage. She slammed her hand on the table. "You must tell me all of Swain's plans, or I'll make your little girlfriend wish she were dead!"
Chen shrugged, unperturbed. Panic was useless; what mattered more was the leverage in his hands. "And then?"
LeBlanc could only agree. "If you do as I say, I'll let you see her in half a month."
Chen crossed his arms. The situation was still within his control. "Deal."
LeBlanc looked at Chen with some displeasure, then waved her hand, preparing to leave.
But Chen called out to her, "Be careful of that guy from the underworld making a comeback."
LeBlanc suddenly stopped. She returned to her original form. "You know about this too?"
"Should I call him Uzul? Or Mordekaiser?"
That was a long-buried history. Chen's smile held a hint of cunning. Everything he did was to increase his "leverage."
LeBlanc frowned, looking at Chen. "How much do you know?"
Chen lightly pinched his thumb and forefinger together, leaving a tiny gap in between. "Just a little bit. I know you were once Mordekaiser's subordinate, and you betrayed him."
LeBlanc suddenly tightened her grip on her staff. Yellow-glowing Ethereal Chains wrapped around Chen's neck, constricting tightly.
LeBlanc hadn't been angry for over a hundred years. Even during Swain's coup, she remained calm. But when Chen spoke of that piece of history, she was utterly enraged.
"How much do you know?"
Chen gasped for air, choked by the chains, but he remained unpanicked. If LeBlanc wanted to kill him, she wouldn't need to do this; she'd just use a QWER combo to instantly kill him. This was merely intimidation.
Chen's eyes widened. He looked down at LeBlanc, a strange smile on his face. "I forgot. I'll remember once I see Powder."
The chains slowly loosened. LeBlanc glared at Chen, then suddenly transformed into a cloud of purple mist and vanished.
A few seconds later, the inn door opened, and Swain walked in.
Chen invited Swain into his room and brewed him a pot of the same black tea Camille enjoyed.
Chen had no intention of joining Swain's faction, but he did so for Powder's safety and to find the Grand General.
"Good tea."
Swain took a sip calmly.
At this moment, Chen drew the curtains, not forgetting to subtly peek outside. Indeed, Swain's troops were everywhere, with both overt and covert sentries, surrounding the inn completely.
Chen smiled faintly. "Fine Ionia tea. I wonder if you like it, Sir."
"Not bad. I just got tired from my speech. By the way, you played no small role in the Twin Cities. All of Zaun's new systems were arranged by you. First, tell me what you think of the new policies I enacted today?"
Swain valued Chen, not only because he knew about the Black Rose, but also for his abilities. In Swain's eyes, Chen was proficient in both governance and warfare, truly a genius. It was a pity he wasn't born a Noxian.
However, Swain had now issued new decrees, willing to accept all who pledged loyalty to Noxus.
Chen also took a sip of black tea. "Alright. In my opinion, this is an epoch-making feat. Once imperial power lasts too long, decline is inevitable. The separation of powers can mutually check each other and foster healthy competition. This is a new stage for Noxus's development, a great thing."
"Second, the new system can accommodate more people, without exclusion. Ethnic integration is beneficial for national strength; otherwise, internal division will eventually lead to major problems."
Here, Chen thought of the old America, where internal strife never ceased. Not to mention the partisan struggles between rednecks and white liberals, there were also racial discrimination, ethnic stratification, activists, animal rights advocates, vegetarians—all potential hidden dangers.
In fact, Noxus and the old America were very similar, both relying on military power to force others into submission: either bow down or be beaten.
Swain said calmly, "You see things very clearly."
Then he swirled the teacup in his hand and said to Chen, "Many of your measures in the Twin Cities are worth learning from. I want to consolidate power and deepen the reforms, so I may need you to draft some policies and offer some suggestions."
"No problem!"
Chen immediately agreed. Let me handle reforms, and one day, I'll have the red flag planted all over Noxus, believe it or not!
This kind of work was not for just anyone, but Chen's excellent solutions in the Twin Cities, despite Swain not fully trusting him, still led Swain to ask Chen to draft some policies, though the specifics would still depend on Swain himself.
"I'll arrange a place for you to live then, in the former Imperial City. I'll give you an official position; you won't be mistreated."
Swain's words were simple, but his goal was to keep Chen close to him, in a heavily guarded area, which was safe enough, and where any problems could be dealt with immediately. "Everything else is arranged. Now, you can tell me about LeBlanc and the Black Rose."
Chen nodded, not directly discussing the history of the Black Rose, but instead revealing that LeBlanc was controlling him. "To be honest, LeBlanc just came to see me. And it was her arrangement for me to join your subordinates, and at the same time, she wants me to monitor you and tell her all your news."
He had already planned everything. He didn't want to obey LeBlanc, nor did he want to obey Swain. He wanted to stage an infernal affair, to be a spy among spies!
Swain almost spat out his black tea. "What?"