novelraw Chapter 423: Open the door!
Chapter 423: Open the door!
The decision was made.
Su Zhan no longer delayed for even a moment.
Alone, he transformed into a streak of light that tore through the sky, leaving Black City and heading straight for the center of power in Daxia, the Capital.
This time, he still did not assume the form of an Aberrant, maintaining the pure posture of an Awakened individual.
But his speed was even faster than when he had come.
When he arrived in the airspace on the outskirts of the Capital.
Several convoys of pitch-black hovering vehicles bearing the insignia of the Supreme Council were already waiting in strict formation below.
Beside the convoy stood several staff members in formal uniforms.
Leading them was none other than his dedicated liaison officer, Li Su.
Su Zhan retracted his aura and landed as lightly as a feather in front of the convoy."Mr. Su."
Li Su immediately stepped forward, giving a slight bow. "The journey must have been tiring. Please get in the car. We have made all arrangements for you to proceed directly to the preparation area at the press conference venue."
There were no pleasantries, no superfluous greetings, everything felt urgent.
Clearly, the authorities also attached great importance to this public opinion storm and needed to respond swiftly to control the situation.
Su Zhan nodded slightly, said nothing more, and walked directly towards the most heavily armored vehicle in the middle.
The door opened, revealing an interior specially reinforced and shielded to ensure absolute privacy.
Once he was seated, the entire convoy immediately started up, speeding along a dedicated route that had been cleared in advance, heading straight for the core area of the Capital.
Outside the window, the bustling scenery of the Capital rapidly receded.
Su Zhan's gaze did not linger.
He slowly closed his eyes, adjusting his own state.
From the moment he stepped into this vehicle, he had already entered the eye of the storm.
What he would face next was no longer an opponent in an arena, but countless pairs of eyes filled with doubt, and a public opinion war concerning his future path, even affecting the internal stability of Daxia.
But his heart was as still as water.
Since he had chosen this path, he feared nothing.
Li Su sat opposite Su Zhan. Watching Su Zhan resting with his eyes closed, he pondered for a moment before taking the initiative to speak.
"Mr. Su, the speed at which public opinion has fermented online has exceeded our initial estimates. The connection between Chen Qing and your identity has been raised. While this was within our contingency plans, the chain reaction it triggered is more intense than imagined."
Su Zhan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm and unrippled. "Mm. City Lord Mo Yuan is already aware and has explicitly expressed his support."
Li Su's expression relaxed slightly. Mo Yuan's attitude was crucial.
He continued, "That's excellent. The Council of Elders' view is that this press conference will be key for you to turn public opinion around. Passive defense has limited effect; we need to actively guide it.
During the conference, we have arranged for several absolutely reliable media outlets to ask questions regarding Chen Qing's identity, the reasons for your rapid increase in strength, and your relationship with City Lord Mo Yuan.
Your responses are of paramount importance. They need to be honest, but more importantly, they must highlight your unwavering stance on Daxia's position, as well as the efforts you have made and your future resolve to protect humanity."
Su Zhan gave a slight nod. "I understand. I will acknowledge Chen Qing's identity, defining it as a choice made out of necessity for survival and gathering strength in a desperate situation.
The focus will be on my stance against the Mist, purging the Transcendence Society, and my future actions."
"Exactly!"
Li Su affirmed. "Downplay the identity controversy, emphasize contributions and stance.
Furthermore, the Council of Elders has authorized me to inform you that immediately after the press conference, the authorities will launch a series of public opinion guidance measures.
We will also, at an appropriate time, release some video footage of your future participation in purging missions, using tangible actions to quell the doubts.
Mr. Su, to be frank, this press conference is destined not to be calm.
There may be pre-arranged sharp questions on-site, and there may also be unforeseen situations beyond our control.
But please believe that the vast majority of high-level officials in the Council and the Military Department support you.
Your value is far from something that can be erased by mere rumors and slander."
Su Zhan looked at Li Su and gave a faint smile. "Liaison Officer Li, rest assured.
Since I dared to come, I am prepared to face everything.
A little turbulence won't capsize my boat."
Seeing Su Zhan so composed.
The last trace of worry in Li Su's heart dissipated, and he nodded. "That's good. We are about to arrive at the venue. Please prepare yourself."
The vehicle gradually slowed down.
Through the tinted window, the News Center building ahead was now visible, surrounded by countless media cameras and a surging crowd.
The eye of the storm was now right before them.
Even through the thick window and excellent soundproofing.
Su Zhan could sense the wave of sound coming from outside.
The convoy's speed was forced down to a minimum.
As far as the eye could see ahead, the road was completely submerged by a sea of people.
The broad avenue was completely jammed.
A dark, dense crowd stretched from the entrance of the News Center all the way to several blocks away.
Countless media and civilian drones were also circling in the air, emitting a dense buzzing sound.
The human wall formed by official personnel maintaining order seemed like a precarious rock in a torrential current against the fervent crowd.
"Su Zhan! Give us an explanation!"
"Are you really an Aberrant or not? Is Chen Qing you?"
"Fraud! Get out!"
"We support you, Su Zhan! Don't be defeated by rumors!"
"The authorities must give an answer! They can't shelter a monster!"
"Su Zhan! Look at us! Tell us the truth!"
Various voices formed a torrent of noise, assaulting everyone's eardrums.
Countless agitated faces pressed against the car windows, trying to see inside.
Fists pounded against the vehicle body, emitting dull thuds.
Camera flashes went off like crazy as if they were free, making the gloomy sky flicker between light and dark.
Throughout Daxia, countless gazes were now focused, through live broadcast lenses, on this slowly advancing convoy, on that core vehicle.
Everyone understood that this was not merely a clarification about an individual's identity.
It was a critical juncture concerning Daxia's internal stability, the public's trust in the authorities, and the morale for future resistance against Mist forces.
Su Zhan's response would directly influence the hearts of hundreds of millions!
The atmosphere inside the vehicle grew extremely tense.
Li Su urgently communicated with the outside via an encrypted channel, coordinating the route and security forces.
Su Zhan calmly watched the faces outside through the tinted window.
He could feel the pressure of public opinion.
Su Zhan straightened his collar, which showed no wrinkles despite the long flight, his eyes like a deep, ancient well, without a ripple.
"Open the door."
He said to Li Su.
Li Su took a deep breath and gave the order.
Under the focus of countless gazes and camera lenses, the door of the special vehicle slowly opened.
The wave of sound from outside instantly flooded into the vehicle, deafening.
Su Zhan stepped forward, composedly exiting the vehicle and standing at the very center of this storm.