novelraw Chapter 407: The Stubborn Old Man
Chapter 407: The Stubborn Old Man
Su Zhan's face showed not a trace of panic from having his thoughts exposed, but instead... curled into a smile as if a scheme had succeeded.
Everything the other party was worried about, he had already considered. He had deliberately spoken like that just to make the other party voice this concern.
"Your words, sir, are truly incisive, striking right at the heart of the matter."
Su Zhan gave a slight nod.
But this posture made the old man from the Aberrant Purge Division frown tightly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
"What you fear is the backlash after my identity is exposed, the fear and sense of betrayal the populace would feel because I am 'not of their kind,' correct?"
Su Zhan slowly asked, and without waiting for an answer, his tone suddenly shifted, "Then, before addressing your concern, allow me to pose a question to all of you esteemed gentlemen... what is the fundamental difference between an Awakened individual and an Aberrant?"
He threw out the question, not waiting for anyone to answer.
Su Zhan then answered his own question, "Is it the difference in power source? Awakened rely on Spiritual Energy and Life Souls, Aberrants draw upon Mist energy... but is this the root cause that forces them to be mortal enemies?
No!The true, irreconcilable conflict lies in...
Aberrants need to rely on devouring the Life Essence of humans to sustain their existence and achieve advancement!
It is like a vicious curse imposed by the Mist upon all Aberrants, an inescapable shackle, forcing them to be enemies of humanity, using the flesh and blood of their own kind as stepping stones for their own progress!
It is precisely because of this hunting desire engraved into their instincts that all humans, whether Awakened or ordinary citizens, feel a deep-seated hatred for Aberrants from the depths of their souls, viewing them as enemies to the death!
However... I, Su Zhan, am an exception!
My Aberrant power also originates from the Mist, but my path of advancement does not require hunting humans.
On this point, all of you need only review all my mission records and activity logs from my time at the Vermilion Bird Academy to easily verify.
I, Su Zhan, have never stained my hands with the blood of any innocent member of our race.
This, cannot be faked!
I have merely mastered the power of an Aberrant, without bearing that vicious curse!"
Su Zhan's burning gaze swept over the old man from the Aberrant Purge Division, whose expression had drastically changed, and over all the high-ranking officials who had fallen into shock.
"Then, returning to Elder Li's initial concern... why must the populace backlash against me when my identity is exposed?
If what they hate are monsters that hunt humans, then I am not one.
If what they fear is the fate of being devoured, then I have never posed such a threat.
I am merely someone... who happens to be able to use another kind of power to protect our race.
In this way, the so-called identity issue possesses significant room for maneuver.
We can completely, through guidance, shift the focus onto my special characteristic of being free from the curse, onto my determination and actions in using this power to protect Daxia.
We could even mold me into a symbol of hope, one who breaks the shackles of fate and forges a new path!"
...
Dead silence filled the scene.
Su Zhan's revolutionary words.
Once again overturned everyone's worldview.
All along, the opposition between humans and Aberrants had been seen as natural and right, stemming from the difference in the nature of their power and the struggle for survival resources.
Yet Su Zhan pointed out with piercing accuracy that the true deadlock lay in that "hunt humans" curse.
And he himself was actually a special case not bound by this curse.
If... if everything he said was true...
Then everything was different.
He was no longer an anomaly that needed to be hidden, but could instead become a... pioneer who bridged the two powers.
The giants at the Circular Table.
The important figures on the tiered seats.
All fell into deep contemplation.
The way they looked at Su Zhan had completely changed.
The voices of the supporters clearly overwhelmed those of the opposition.
"An Aberrant free from the curse? If this is true... this is a revolutionary discovery."
"Exactly, the core of the issue has never been the form of power, but the way of existence. Since Su Zhan does not need to hunt humans, then there is no fundamental conflict of interest between him and us."
"This is not a crisis, but rather a tremendous opportunity. A powerful individual who can perfectly utilize both types of power and whose heart leans towards humanity, his strategic value is immeasurable."
"The issue of public acceptance? It's completely manageable. Focus on promoting his stance of protecting humanity and his special characteristic of being free from the curse. It's entirely possible to mold him into a hero, not an anomaly."
...
"If his words can truly be verified as not false, then the previous concerns can indeed be mostly dismissed."
"This young man is not only exceptionally talented, but his mind is also meticulous. He dares to speak so frankly here, he must have absolute confidence."
"Rather than obsessing over identity, we should focus on the possibilities he brings... a possibility that might break the deadlock between humans and Aberrants!"
...
Even the old man from the Aberrant Purge Division, who was initially the most vehement, now fell silent, his brow furrowed as he reassessed the situation.
The most senior Council elder at the center of the Circular Table slowly rose.
"Gentlemen, the situation is now clear.
The matter of Su Zhan concerns the individual, but even more so, it concerns the fate of the nation. The pros and cons have been fully stated. Since that is the case, let all those present who are qualified to vote make a joint decision."
His gaze swept over every authority figure at the Circular Table and on the tiered seats.
"Now, regarding the issue of whether to formally accept Su Zhan, grant him the corresponding identity and authority, and formulate subsequent strategies based on this, we will proceed to the final vote.
Those in favor, please raise your hands."
As his words fell, a brief silence descended upon the hall.
"Esteemed gentlemen, before you raise your hands, allow me to say a few final words."
Su Zhan's calm gaze swept over the Circular Table, over the tiered seats, "I understand your caution, I understand your weighing of risks.
But I ask you all to look back once more...
When the scales of benefit and risk are nearly balanced, hesitation is wise.
But now, are these scales still balanced?
My potential, my influence, my freedom from the curse's shackles.
Between me and Daxia, between me and humanity, there is no fundamental conflict of interest.
What I bring is pure power gain, the hope of a new path, not an internal hidden danger!
Now, upon these scales.
The side of benefit already weighs as heavy as a mountain.
While the side of risk is as light as a feather.
When the reward is a thousandfold greater than the risk, any rational decision-maker knows what choice to make.
Of course, any change comes with risk, even if it's just a sliver.
I admit, my existence does indeed bring a thread of uncertainty.
However...
If we are unwilling to bear even this tiny bit of risk, if we lack even this tiny bit of courage to break convention... then how are we any different from those stagnant, decaying civilizations?
Daxia's present was earned by countless predecessors who dared to take risks, who dared to sacrifice.
Daxia's future will also never belong to... those who do not even dare to bear this tiny bit of risk... old stick-in-the-muds!"
Within the hall, there was complete silence, only the sound of countless violently pounding heartbeats and heavy breathing.
Su Zhan's final statement completely ignited the fire in the hearts of many present.
It also forced those who were hesitant to make a clear stance.
The vote was about to begin in this atmosphere of extreme gravity.