Chapter 633 - 497: Sudden Change: Super-Strong Resistance, New Special Attribute

"I second Councillor Liang!"

"Agreed!"

"..."

Soon, hands began to rise one by one throughout the command center.

"We fought tooth and nail to secure the North District. Are we going to abandon it at the first sign of a setback? Have you forgotten? We promised all our citizens that the Federation Government would defend the safety of the North District to the death!" Wu Qingjing’s expression was grim.

"Teacher Wu, that was then, and this is now." Liang Qi’s face was filled with respect.

"Liang Qi, don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming. I’m telling you this with all seriousness: do not endanger the Human Alliance for your own selfish desires!" Wu Qingjing’s fists clenched.

"Teacher Wu, you have been in politics for so many years, yet you say such things in a formal council meeting? Are you certain that I’m the one blinded by selfish desire, and not you?" Liang Qi retorted.

"You..."

"Yes, I admit Gao Neng is a genius. No one would deny that. The battle for the North District showed us his true ability to turn the tide. He is humanity’s hope. If the Human Alliance wants to defeat the alien races, we must rely on Gao Neng’s power. I don’t believe anyone here would question that point." Liang Qi glanced around the room.

"Mm, Councillor Liang is right."

"..."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"But a general is different from a marshal!" Liang Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Throughout history, there have been many peerlessly valiant warriors. For example, Xiang Yu of the Chu-Han Era, who could fight a thousand men alone. Or Lu Bu from the Three Kingdoms Era—who could stand against him and his Fangtian Halberd?"

Liang Qi paused for a moment after saying this. "But what was the ultimate fate of these two men? Fellow councillors, and Teacher Wu... I ask you all to think about that carefully."

"..." The command center fell silent.

"I am not denying Gao Neng’s achievements. In fact, we should publicize them. He can be a hero for the Human Alliance, a symbol of hope and faith for the people. But are you truly ready to place the fate of the Human Alliance in his hands right now? He is only eighteen years old! Please, give him more time. Five years, ten years... When he has truly matured, we can place this burden on his shoulders. At that time, I, Liang Qi, swear to the heavens that I will fully support his election as Speaker!" After speaking, Liang Qi’s face was filled with solemnity.

"Well said, Speaker Liang!"

"I support Councillor Liang!"

"Gao Neng is still too young. The battle for the North District was all but won. We had already defeated the 200,000-strong Allied Army. If we had just slowed down and built up our defenses, we would have had a real chance of holding it a year from now. But what about now?"

"Because of Gao Neng’s reckless command, a stable situation has been turned completely upside down. The battle of the Strongest has come early. With our current strength, we are simply not ready for an all-out war with the alien races. It was too rash... This is the folly of youth!"

Led by the three councillors, the other members of the council nodded one after another.

"Sophistry! That’s pure sophistry! The war has long since begun—it began a hundred years ago..." Wu Qingjing was trembling with anger.

"Teacher Wu is right, the war has never stopped. But have we humans not survived? In the past decade or so, the Human Alliance was far weaker than it is today, yet we are still alive. What’s the reason? It’s because we know how to endure! Wasn’t it because King Goujian of Yue knew how to endure that he was able to one day restore his kingdom? Our strength is insufficient right now, so we must endure. A small victory cannot change the grand scheme of things. Teacher Wu, please, calm down. Your focus should not be on a single person like Gao Neng. You are the Speaker. You should be watching over all of humanity, over the lives and deaths of 500 million people, Teacher!!!" As Liang Qi finished, he bowed deeply.

"You... you..." Wu Qingjing’s face went pale.

"Speaker Wu has become emotionally compromised. At a time like this, he is not fit to continue leading the council. I propose that Speaker Wu take a leave of absence. When he has recovered, he can resume his duties as head of the council." Seeing his chance, the Eagle-Eyed Councillor immediately stood up.

"I agree as well!"

"The situation is critical. Speaker Wu is clearly not calm enough. He should rest."

"..."

The other two councillors quickly seconded the motion.

However, the remaining councillors all chose to remain silent.

"Make me rest? HAHAHA! And let you preside over the council instead? Ridiculous... Utterly ridiculous! Liang Qi, you can keep dreaming. I do not consent!" Wu Qingjing laughed, his rage boiling over.

"Speaker Wu, don’t forget, according to Article 53 of the Supreme Council’s laws, when a Speaker is incapable of fulfilling their duties, a vote by more than half of the councillors can be used to temporarily replace them. If you insist on not taking a leave of absence, then we will be forced to take such measures."

"You want to replace me?!" Wu Qingjing’s eyes shot wide open, and a cold sneer appeared on his lips. "Do you really think you can?"

"These are urgent matters, Speaker Wu. Please don’t be angry. We are only doing this for the good of the Human Alliance." The Eagle-Eyed Councillor slowly rose to his feet.

"Hmph! What about the rest of you? What is your opinion?" Wu Qingjing ignored Liang Qi and the Eagle-Eyed Councillor, turning his gaze to the other councillors.

"Speaker Wu, may we ask you a question first?" one councillor asked, looking around before finally rising from his chair.