novelraw Chapter 406: We Cannot Afford to Gamble!
Chapter 406: We Cannot Afford to Gamble!
The entire Lingxiao Pavilion fell into a heavy, oppressive buzz.
These great personages, who usually made decisions affecting thousands of miles, could hardly conceal the fierce internal struggle within their hearts at this moment.
"Elder Li speaks truly! Once this precedent is set, the future troubles will be endless. How can the populace accept that the hero they commemorate is actually an Aberrant? The very foundation of our Daxia nation lies in unity of heart. Such a matter of identity confusion absolutely cannot be tolerated!"
"Correct! No matter how beautifully he speaks now, he cannot guarantee the future. Those not of our kind must have different hearts. A dual identity is in itself the greatest source of instability."
"Once it is made public, those lunatics from the Transcendence Society will surely exploit it to the fullest, claiming that Daxia's upper echelons have long been infiltrated by Aberrants. With internal troubles and external threats, how would we handle the situation then?"
...
"Gentlemen, are we not being overly pessimistic? Su Zhan's stance is very clear. Like City Lord Mo Yuan, his heart is with Daxia. The pressure on the front lines is immense now. Having one more top-tier combatant like him is of extraordinary significance."
"Furthermore, you have all seen his potential. Catastrophe, first-stage and Ocean Realm, first-stage at twenty-five years old. What does this signify? Perhaps he can find a path for the coexistence, or even fusion, of human and Aberrant power. For our Daxia, and even for our entire species, this could be a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity."
"As for public opinion... perhaps we can guide it gradually, rather than resorting to blanket concealment. After all, he just won supreme glory before the eyes of hundreds of millions of viewers. This is a positive image that can be utilized."
..."Bet on the future? I think it's worth the gamble. Daxia has been fighting against the Mist for three hundred years. Has the situation fundamentally improved? Following the beaten track only leads to a dead end. We need a variable like Su Zhan to break the deadlock!"
"A credibility crisis? That's because we are not strong enough! When a powerhouse like Su Zhan can lead us to victory after victory, all doubts will vanish into thin air. Power is the best credibility."
"City Lord Mo Yuan can coexist peacefully with us, even becoming an asset. Why can't Su Zhan do the same? Is it simply because he is younger, has greater potential, and is thus more worthy of apprehension? What kind of logic is that!"
...
The sounds of debate echoed through the grand hall. Representatives from various factions expressed their stances, some vehemently opposed, some cautiously supportive, and some vigorously advocating seizing the opportunity.
The few core figures at the center of the Circular Table remained silent, their brows furrowed as they weighed the various opinions and the immense pros and cons involved.
Su Zhan stood quietly in the middle, listening to these discussions that determined his fate, his expression still calm.
The timing was just about right.
Mo Yuan, who had been silent all along, gently tapped the tabletop.
The crisp knocking sound caused the debate to subside slightly. Everyone looked at him.
Mo Yuan's gaze fell upon the several elders at the core of the Circular Table as he spoke plainly, "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. Whether you gain an unprecedented asset, or personally create an uncontrollable enemy... gentlemen, the choice is yours."
Thoughts churned within everyone as they weighed the advantages and disadvantages.
"The focal point of your debate, esteemed gentlemen, lies in the risk."
Su Zhan struck while the iron was hot. "But perhaps we can change our perspective... and discuss the benefits.
The Daxia of today has just experienced the flames of war. Its wounds are not yet healed, morale needs to be rebuilt, the populace needs hope, the military needs faith, and the entire nation... needs a symbol that can let them see the light.
A twenty-five-year-old hero, possessing the dual power of Ocean Realm and Calamity-level, who defeated all powerful enemies under the watchful eyes of millions, shouting 'Daxia must prevail!'
I am that symbol, capable of uniting hearts and minds to the greatest extent possible.
My existence, my story, can prove to all people of Daxia... that miracles exist!
That human potential is limitless, that even in desperate straits, one can erupt with a brilliance that illuminates an era.
This is not merely one more high-end combatant on the battlefield. It is a banner on the spiritual level.
It can inspire the soldiers on the front lines to fight with even greater valor. It can make the populace in the rear more united. It can give young Awakened individuals more ambitious goals.
The boost in morale and cohesion brought by this spiritual power, its value... is it not more precious than that so-called credibility risk?
Are you willing to strangle this banner that may lead Daxia toward a new birth, clinging to a seemingly stable but actually rigid status quo?
Or are you willing to skillfully utilize this banner, using it to gather the hearts of the people and their morale, to lead Daxia in breaking through the Mist, and to pioneer a truly powerful and prosperous new era?
What I bring is not merely my personal power, but rather... the fulcrum to leverage the entire spiritual outlook of Daxia."
Su Zhan's words struck directly at the core.
He no longer entangled himself in defending his own identity. Instead, he positioned himself as an asset capable of bringing immense "strategic value."
These words.
Caused many high-ranking officials who had originally held opposing or cautious attitudes to fall into deep thought.
They had to admit that the value of the "spiritual symbol" Su Zhan spoke of, during this special period, indeed possessed an importance that was difficult to estimate.
A living, powerful, legendary hero was far more effective at inspiring the hearts of the people and morale than a thousand hollow propaganda campaigns.
The scales of judgment seemed to be tilting in Su Zhan's favor.
However, upon hearing this, the old man from the Aberrant Purge Division let out an undisguised scoff of laughter.
"Heh heh... A hero? A symbol?"
The old man's turbid eyes fixed tightly on Su Zhan, as if looking at a naive child. "Su Zhan, you are still too young! You simply do not understand human hearts, nor the terror of public opinion.
You are currently enjoying their cheers, being placed upon a pedestal by them, because they believe you are a pure human genius, their pride and hope.
But have you ever considered, once your identity as an Aberrant is exposed...
We won't even need to make it public. The Transcendence Society, or other forces hostile to you, will spread the news until everyone knows.
By that time...
However many people worshipped you before, that many will then despise you.
However high they placed you before, that hard will they then trample you down.
They will feel deceived! They will feel their emotions were toyed with!
They will question why the authorities concealed it. They will doubt every hero that has been shaped!
Your so-called spiritual symbol will collapse in an instant. What comes roaring back will be a tidal wave of fury.
That will no longer be inspiration, but a nationwide collapse of faith.
By that time, what you bring to Daxia will not be a new birth, but a credibility crisis and internal rift ten times, a hundred times more severe than the present!"
Indeed!
The higher you are raised, the harder you fall!
The populace's adoration can be without reason, but their anger and betrayal can erupt just like a volcano.
Among the Circular Table and the tiered seats, the discussion that had just begun to ease rose again, this time filled with even deeper anxiety.
"He's right... This matter cannot be kept hidden!"
"Those not of our kind must have different hearts... The populace will have great difficulty accepting this."
"Once the backlash comes, the consequences are unimaginable!"
"We cannot afford to gamble!"
The situation that Su Zhan had just pried open a crack in seemed, due to the old man's sharp and cruel analysis, about to close up once more.