novelraw Chapter 422: Riding the Waves
Chapter 422: Riding the Waves
Immediately afterward, Liu Ziming's communication also squeezed in, his tone urgent: "Brother Su! Damn it! What the hell are those idiots online spouting nonsense! Don't take it to heart! I'll always have your back! Want me to find some people and curse those rhythm-leading trolls' ancestral graves until they're smoking?"
Hearing Liu Ziming's comfort delivered in that jianghu-style manner, Su Zhan couldn't help but smile. "Ziming, calm down. No need to get angry with those paid posters. The authorities will handle it. I'm fine, don't worry."
"Really fine? Don't tough it out!" Liu Ziming was half-convinced, half-doubting.
"Really fine," Su Zhan's tone was firm. "Wait and watch the news."
"Alright! If you say so, Brother Su, I'm relieved! If you need anything, just give the word anytime!"
Subsequently, Feng Jue and Xu Hao also sent brief messages expressing their support.
Feng Jue remained concise as ever: Need to fight, summon me.
Xu Hao inquired more thoroughly, asking if help was needed to control public opinion or provide other support.
Su Zhan replied to each one, reassuring them.
After ending all communications, the room returned to quiet.Su Zhan's gaze turned once more toward the window.
The Transcendence Society's counterattack was within his expectations, and this, too, suited his intentions.
Passively hiding had never been his style. Since exposure was inevitable, it was better to seize this opportunity, take the initiative, and transform this overwhelming public opinion into a stage to announce his true return.
The storm was coming, and he was ready to ride the wind and cleave the waves.
Looking at the analytical post online that cleverly linked the two identities of "Su Zhan" and "Chen Qing," Su Zhan's face didn't show much surprise.
As expected... it still points here.
His mind was crystal clear.
The connection between the two identities, Chen Qing and Su Zhan, had always been the biggest flaw in his plan.
As long as someone with intent connected the dots—Black City, Mo Yuan, his abnormal increase in strength, and Chen Qing's disappearance—this conclusion was almost shouting to be drawn.
He had never naively believed this secret could be kept forever.
Especially after he decided to return high-profile under the identity of Su Zhan and display such world-shocking strength, it was only a matter of time before this flaw was magnified.
The Transcendence Society had merely conveniently played the role of the revealer, accelerating the arrival of this process.
Concealment was now meaningless. It would only appear guilty and let the rumors intensify.
Su Zhan's gaze gradually became resolute.
He had come this far. He was no longer that fugitive needing to hide his identity.
He possessed power, official recognition, and the confidence to face the storm head-on.
It was time.
To confess everything.
This wasn't a momentary impulse, but the only and best choice after weighing the pros and cons.
Making public the experiences of "Chen Qing," admitting this past of operating under an alias, though it would cause massive shockwaves, would at least allow him to grasp the initiative.
This was far better than being peeled layer by layer by others and eventually forced to admit it passively.
Su Zhan clearly knew what kind of uproar doing this would cause.
A crisis of public trust, questioning of official credibility, attacks from opponents, internal controversy... all of these were within expectations.
However, this was also the price the authorities had to bear for choosing to invest in him.
Su Zhan's eyes turned cold.
When he chose to cooperate with the higher-ups and accept the identity of Special-Grade Strategic Advisor, both sides had already reached an unspoken understanding.
The authorities provided shelter and resources, and he, at critical moments, needed to demonstrate value sufficient to quell the turmoil and bear the impact brought by his identity exposure.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
To obtain top-tier support and freedom, one must demonstrate matching value and bear the risks that come with it.
Turmoil was inevitable, but not impossible to quell.
Su Zhan already saw the path ahead.
Let achievements speak!
Use the corpses of enemies to pave the path for me, Su Zhan!
He needed more merits, more dazzling battle achievements.
Hunting Mist Creatures, clearing Transcendence Society strongholds, using tangible victories to prove to everyone that, no matter who he once was, no matter what power he possessed, he, Su Zhan, always stood on the front line protecting Daxia.
His blade was always pointed at humanity's enemies.
This required time and needed to be coordinated with the authorities' public opinion guidance, gradually shifting the public's focus from "what he is" to "what he has done."
This was a tough battle, a battle concerning trust.
But Su Zhan feared nothing.
He picked up the encrypted communicator, preparing to contact Li Su again to state his decision to face everything openly at the press conference, including the past of "Chen Qing."
The storm had already arrived, and he chose not to evade it, but to harness the storm, transforming these towering waves into a force propelling him to greater heights!
The next moment.
Mo Yuan, clad in a deep cyan robe, had silently appeared in the room.
Su Zhan wasn't surprised by this. He set down the communicator and gave a slight bow. "City Lord Mo."
Mo Yuan's gaze rested calmly on Su Zhan as he slowly spoke. "The clamor online, I am aware. The name Chen Qing rendered service to Black City, and to Daxia as well. Everything you did here in the guise of Chen Qing, all of Black City can bear witness."
These words carried immense weight.
This was equivalent to Mo Yuan, in his capacity as Lord of Black City, publicly endorsing the history of "Chen Qing," acknowledging its legitimacy and merits, separating it from conspiracy theories of infiltration, and defining it as a special kind of achievement.
"As for those words linking you to me, attempting to attack you with this..."
Mo Yuan said indifferently, "They are merely the usual tricks of shady rats who fear the light. In my actions, Mo Yuan, why would I need to explain myself to ants? Since you have decided to face it openly, then proceed without hesitation. Black City will always be your backing. Since I chose to invest in you back then, I will not waver because of a little turbulence like this. Remember, a true strong one fears no rumors, dreads no scrutiny. Your value, your strength, will ultimately shatter all doubts. Use your actions to prove your stance; it is more powerful than any justification."
Having said this, Mo Yuan's figure once again slowly faded as if merging into water, ultimately disappearing.
Mo Yuan's arrival was not only personal support for him but also represented the stance of the entire Black City faction.
This meant that in the coming storm, Su Zhan was not alone. Behind him stood a Half-step Transcendent giant and the entire power of Black City!
This undoubtedly greatly bolstered Su Zhan's confidence.
Su Zhan looked in the direction where Mo Yuan disappeared, picked up the communicator again, and connected to Li Su. "Li Su, arrange the press conference. I will attend, and... answer all questions regarding Chen Qing."