Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant

Chapter 437: The Unchanging Hard Truth

Su Zhan sat upright on the viewing platform, listening to the lavish praise from the great figures who wielded power in Daxia seated beside him.

He sneered silently in his heart.

His gaze swept casually over the faces of the Three Elders and the others.

Once, among them, there must have been someone who, in some secret conference room, supported Qin Bai's pursuit operation against him.

If not for the tacit approval of some high-ranking officials, how could Qin Bai have acted so recklessly back then, mobilizing so many resources to chase him into the Mist World, a place of certain death, like a stray dog?

Back then, they viewed him as a hidden danger, determined to eliminate him at all costs.

Now, seeing his formidable power difficult to control and his limitless potential, they have turned to praise and attempts to win him over.

This speed of changing faces truly matches their status.

These amiable smiles now were not born from a sudden awakening of their conscience or recognition of past mistakes.

The entire change stemmed from one thing alone...Strength!

It was because he possessed the terrifying talent of reaching Ocean Realm Fourth Stage at just twenty-six years old, with boundless potential.

It was because he possessed immense, soaring popularity among the common people.

And even more, because behind him stood Mo Yuan with his clear stance, and the official investment placed in him.

Without this strength and value.

He probably wouldn't even have the qualification to stand before them today, and might have long been reduced to a handful of yellow earth.

This was reality, naked, reality where strength reigns supreme!

As for digging out those who supported Qin Bai back then?

Su Zhan immediately dismissed this thought.

Now was not the time. Although his strength and status far surpassed the past, his foundation was still shallow.

The upper echelons of Daxia were deeply intertwined; pulling one hair could affect the whole body.

If he rashly reopened old accounts now and dragged out those figures hidden behind the scenes, it would not trigger a simple settling of personal grudges, but an earthquake shaking the entire top layer of Daxia.

This would inevitably break the existing balance of power, triggering unpredictable internal strife.

It might give the watchful Mist and the Transcendence Society an opportunity to exploit.

His current strength was still insufficient to allow him to ignore all these rules and carry out a thorough reckoning.

His current status was also not yet stable enough to easily shake those factions that had been operating for decades or even over a century.

Su Zhan slightly lowered his eyelids, concealing the fleeting cold glint in his eyes.

For now... let you continue sitting comfortably.

This debt is noted.

When he ascends to the pinnacle and possesses the power to set the rules, it will not be too late to settle accounts.

At this moment, forbearance and utilization were far wiser than tearing off the mask.

He needed to use the official platform, needed the support of these great figures to obtain more resources and enhance his strength more quickly.

Thus.

Su Zhan raised his head, meeting those admiring gazes, his smile gentle, his responses appropriate.

As if all past grievances had already vanished before the torrent of the times and the shared great cause.

But only he himself knew that some wounds were carved into the bones and heart.

Some debts would eventually be collected, principal with interest.

And the prerequisite for all of this was possessing strength sufficient to crush everything!

This was the eternal, unchangeable hard truth.

...

Southern Border.

Iron Wall Fortress.

Inside a certain new recruit barracks lounge.

Feng Jue, Liu Ziming, and Xu Hao had just finished a round of patrol duty and were gathered around a screen, watching the live broadcast of the Capital's Awakening Festival celebration.

When Su Zhan stepped onto the speaker's platform, all three held their breath.

Liu Ziming elbowed Xu Hao beside him hard, his eyes glued to the screen. "Holy shit! Look! Brother Su's up! This presence! Speaking directly at a national celebration! We brothers really hitched our wagon to the right boss this time!"

Xu Hao was equally focused, nodding, his tone filled with emotion. "Yeah... Who would have thought, before we were training together at the academy, and now he's already standing at such heights."

Feng Jue, arms crossed, leaned against the wall. "He deserves it."

Liu Ziming chuckled. "Damn right! Just look at whose brother he is! But seriously, seeing Brother Su so awesome now, my heart... I'm both happy and kinda... uncomfortable."

Xu Hao looked at him, puzzled. "Uncomfortable? Why?"

Liu Ziming sighed, dropping his playful expression. "Look, before we could still take missions together, fight together. Even though Brother Su was stronger than us back then, at least we were kinda on the same level.

Now? Good grief, Ocean Realm Fourth Stage! Calamity Fourth Stage! Killing Calamity-level monsters like chopping vegetables!

And us?

Still floundering around at early Abyss Realm, dealing with small fry every day.

This gap... is farther than from the Capital to this fortress!

It feels... like we're almost not even in the same world anymore."

Feng Jue frowned slightly, glancing at Liu Ziming. "The gap is not a reason to shrink back. He is clearing the path ahead. We, follow."

Xu Hao patted Liu Ziming's shoulder, comforting him. "Don't think too much.

Brother Su is walking a unique path. We have our own battlefield.

Don't forget, he can stand there today because he withstood pressures and dangers we can't even imagine.

What we need to do now is not wallow in self-pity here, but use these years in the military to desperately improve ourselves.

Even if we can't catch up to his footsteps, at least we can't disgrace him."

Spurred by their words, Liu Ziming rubbed his face vigorously. "Damn, you're right! I'm Su Zhan's brother, how can I be so spineless.

Next rotation break, extra training!

Train like hell!

Someday, we'll have to be like Brother Su, glorious and..."

Right then, Su Zhan's speech on screen reached its conclusion.

The phrase "Daxia will prevail!"

Through the screen, they could almost feel the tidal wave of passion from the live scene.

Liu Ziming jumped up abruptly, excitedly waving his fist. "Awesome! Brother Su is awesome! Daxia will prevail!"

Xu Hao also clenched his fist tightly. "Daxia will prevail!"

"Woooo——!!!"

A sharp alarm sound, completely without warning, erupted.

At maximum volume, it exploded throughout the entire Iron Wall Fortress.

This alarm sound was utterly different from the usual short warning beeps. It was continuous, drawn-out.

It was the highest-level Mist Surge alarm!

"What's going on!"

The excitement on Liu Ziming's face froze, turning into shock.

Xu Hao shot up from the bed, his expression changing drastically.

Feng Jue straightened his body, looking out the window.

The entire fortress emitted a deafening roar.

"All personnel, combat readiness level one! Non-combatants immediately enter underground shelters!"

"All combat units to positions! Repeat, all combat units immediately enter designated defensive positions!"

"Spiritual energy shields at maximum power! Now!"

"Wall-mounted heavy artillery, preheat! Load armor-piercing rounds!"

The officers' hoarse, frantic shouts came through the amplification magic circles spread throughout the fortress.