Chapter 182 Discussion
In the conference room of Kassel College, the projector on the wall was projecting Lu Mingfei's speech at the press conference.
"What do you think?" Angé pressed the remote control and spoke to the people sitting in the conference room.
A huge oak conference table was placed in the conference room. Surrounding the table were old faces, each of which was as pale as if they had just been dug out of an ancient tomb. Everyone was wearing an old-fashioned black tuxedo and an ancient silver ring on the little finger of their left hand.
They are all top elites among the mixed-race species. They have been active in various fields since the last century and have influenced human technological progress or the direction of history.
The atmosphere in the conference room was so depressing that it was almost suffocating. The light from the projector flickered on the wall, showing everyone the images of Lu Mingfei at the press conference frame by frame.
His cold but firm words still echoed in everyone's ears, especially the sentence "half-bloods are the shield standing between humans and dragons", which made the half-bloods present feel an indescribable complex emotion.
Ange looked around at the old men at the conference table with a sharp gaze: "The existence of hybrids is no longer a secret. This means that we have walked out of the shadows into the sunlight. This is an irreversible wave of publicity. So, what do you think? What role should Kassel College play in this new situation?"
After a moment of silence, an old man spoke in a low and hoarse voice: "Ange, do you know what this means? It means that the world we have carefully hidden for the past few hundred years has been torn open. From now on, the hybrids can no longer return to the shadows. Lu Mingfei did what he thought was right, but he may have underestimated the fear and greed of human society for the unknown."
Another gray-haired lady took over the conversation, her tone revealing a hint of anger: "Fear, greed, and struggle! The result of going public is that more ordinary people will be involved in the war between the dragons and the hybrids. They will ask: 'Are hybrids really trustworthy?' 'Will these powerful creatures turn against humans?' Lu Mingfei's behavior may make us the target of public criticism."
Ange narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice: "Have you forgotten the original intention of establishing Kassel Academy? To protect humans, eliminate dragons, and maintain balance! Now the situation has changed, but our goal has not changed. Lu Mingfei broke the balance, but he also gave us an opportunity to re-examine the relationship between hybrids and humans."
A middle-aged man wearing a monocle sneered, "That sounds good! Protecting humans? Over the past few hundred years, we have only been able to protect a few people who know the truth. Many more people have been kept in the dark, enjoying our efforts but not being grateful. Now that we are stepping forward, will humans be grateful to us, or will they regard us as aliens and threats? Ange, you'd better think it over."
Another old man stroked the ring on his left pinky finger and spoke in a hoarse and slow voice: "In any case, Lu Mingfei's choice is a fact. Our mission is to ensure that the hybrids can survive in this new situation, rather than being divided and exploited by the forces of various countries. His public actions require our support, but also our supervision."
Ange knocked on the table and said in a stern tone: "I understand your concerns, but don't forget that Lu Mingfei is a student trained by Kassel Academy. He carries our ideals. Whether he is the Prime Minister or the Savior, his essence has not changed. We must decide whether to cooperate with him or fight against him."
The conference room fell silent again. After a few minutes, another elder who was obviously older slowly spoke: "Cooperation with him is an inevitable choice. Although his public actions are risky, they also reveal the truth about the dragon threat. We need to use this opportunity to expand the influence of Kassel Academy to the world and become the real center against the dragons."
Ang nodded: "Very good, we will support Lu Mingfei, but keep our distance. He needs our resources, and we also need him as a window into the global vision. This is a chess game, he is the chess player, and we are important pieces on the chessboard. Remember, no matter how powerful he is, Kassel Academy is the core of the mixed-blood world."
After a period of low-pitched discussion, the meeting room reached a consensus, and everyone's eyes were focused on Ange.
Ange stood up, his eyes sharp. "In that case, let's follow this direction. We will express our support to Lu Mingfei and comprehensively strengthen the global layout of the academy. Everything that follows is to prepare for the coming storm. The meeting is adjourned."
The old men slowly stood up, their tuxedos gleaming in the light, the projector light was turned off, and the conference room was once again shrouded in semi-darkness, as if foreshadowing the upcoming unknown and crisis.
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People were talking about the topic in the streets and alleys of Japanese cities. Clips of Lu Mingfei's press conference were still being played repeatedly on the TV screens. His words "mixed-bloods are the shield between humans and dragons" had sparked a global discussion. From high-rise buildings in big cities to bars in small towns, these ordinary people who had never been exposed to the supernatural world were suddenly thrown into a vortex that subverted their cognition.
"Hey, hey, hey, did you watch the Prime Minister's press conference?"
"Of course I have watched it! The hybrids and dragons and stuff like that, it sounds like the plot of a science fiction movie." A young man in a white-collar suit in the cafe shook his coffee cup, his tone revealing unconcealable excitement.
"Do you think it's true? Or is it an excuse used by the government to cover up some kind of experimental accident?" another person asked in a low voice, his face full of doubt.
"It should be true!" A middle-aged man sitting in the corner suddenly interrupted, his eyes flashing with fear and gratitude, "When those monsters appeared before, it was a man with golden eyes who saved me. He stood in front of the monsters and took their attacks, and finally burned them all with fire."
"Is this true?" The young man couldn't help but sit up straight, his face full of surprise.
"It's absolutely true." The man said firmly, his slightly trembling hands revealing his heart that had not yet completely calmed down. "I thought I was dead, but he saved our entire street."
"So...the mixed-race people mentioned in the news, are they a general term for these people?" The white-collar worker's eyes were filled with complex emotions, as if he was trying hard to digest this unimaginable reality.
"If it's true, then the Prime Minister is right. These people are our shields. Without them, we might have been destroyed by the dragons long ago." The middle-aged man whispered with a hint of awe in his tone.
University dormitories are also full of such debates
"Do you think dragons really exist?"
"I think it's credible." A girl wearing glasses was looking through information on the Internet. "Dragons were mentioned in many myths and legends in the past? The dragons of China, Europe, and the flying snake legends of the Middle East may all be related to these dragon tribes."
"But how do you explain hybrids?" Another girl scratched her hair in confusion, "How can humans and dragons give birth to offspring?"
"Maybe it's genetic technology?" The girl with glasses speculated, "The news mentioned 'stealing the power of the dragon clan', which sounds like humans have transformed themselves in some way."
"But this is too scary," the girl shook her head, her face full of complexities. "The threat from the dragons is already scary enough, and now there are a group of super humans around us. Who knows if they will pose a threat to ordinary humans?"
"Maybe not." A low-key girl in the corner suddenly spoke up, her tone firm yet somewhat mysterious, "It is impossible for mixed-races to abandon humans. The Prime Minister has made it very clear at the press conference that their families, friends, and lovers are all humans. If humans become extinct, mixed-races will have no future." "That's true... but will there be exceptions?" the girl muttered softly.
"Look, this issue is also being discussed online!" Everyone's eyes were on the computer screen.
"Professor, can social stability be maintained after the existence of dragons and hybrids is revealed?" the host said.
"It all depends on the attitude of each government." A guest who looked like a scholar said seriously, "If countries cannot correctly guide public opinion and prevent the spread of panic and discrimination, we may face internal conflicts that are worse than the threat of the dragon tribe."
"But we can't completely ignore people's fears." Another guest retorted, "The hybrids are too powerful. If such power is abused, the consequences will be disastrous."
"This is exactly the message the Prime Minister is trying to convey." The scholar said calmly, "The hybrids are shields. Their power comes from protecting humans, not threatening them."
"But this trust is fragile." The opponent said in a grim tone, "As long as there is a single incident of abuse, human fear will be instantly ignited. By then, I'm afraid even the hybrids themselves will be unable to save the situation."
These discussions and debates were like huge waves that instantly swept the entire world. From ordinary people to political elites, from scholars to media people, everyone realized that with Lu Mingfei's public move, the gears of history could no longer be reversed. The world was accelerating towards a new era, an unknown era where humans, dragons, and hybrids coexisted.
Yuan Zhisheng took Sakura to sit in the cafe and listened quietly to the people around them discussing hybrids and dragons.
At this time, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie and a little bald walked into the cafe and sat opposite him.
"Head of the family." The middle-aged man looked at Yuan Zhisheng with a complicated expression.
"Master Ryoma, I am no longer the head of the family. What does the Prime Minister plan to do with a loser like me? I hope you can let Sakura, Yasha and the others go." Gen Chisheng said calmly.
"In that case, as your elder, I will be so arrogant as to call you Chisheng. Don't worry, the Prime Minister has no intention of doing anything to you. I have known for a long time that you are not willing to take on family responsibilities, and you are only sitting in this position reluctantly." As he said this, Ryoma Genichirō took out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Minamoto Chisheng.
"I heard that you wanted to go to France to sell sunscreen, so I prepared new identities and a sum of money for you and Ying. You two can go to France to start a new life. As for Crow and Yasha, they will stay in the family and continue to work for the family."
"Thank you." Yuan Zhisheng looked at the document in front of him with a complicated expression.
"You can also stay in Japan and serve the Prime Minister. What the Prime Minister is going to do is to save the world."
The atmosphere in the cafe was a little depressing. Although the people around were enthusiastically discussing the news about the hybrids and dragons, Yuan Zhisheng's eyes remained on the document on the table and he was silent for a long time.
He raised his head slightly, looking at Ryoma Genichirō opposite him with complicated eyes, his tone calm but with a hint of fatigue: "The Prime Minister wants to save the world? That is his mission and the path he has chosen, but I..."
He paused, a faint bitter smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, "I just want to live an ordinary life and never want to step into these whirlpools again."
Ryoma Genichirō nodded, his expression showing a hint of understanding and compassion: "Chisheng, you have already shouldered too much. If you want to take a step back and let those who are more suitable to take on these responsibilities, it is also human nature. After all, who can expect a person who is already covered in wounds to continue to shoulder such responsibilities?"
Gen Chisei did not answer, but just lowered his head and opened the document, which clearly listed his new identity, financial arrangements, and his and Sakura's new address in France. Everything was arranged in an orderly manner, as if the Ryoma family had already prepared a way out for him.
Ying sat aside, quietly held Yuan Zhisheng's hand, and whispered: "Young Master, perhaps this is the best choice..."
Gen Chisei shook Sakura's hand with a little force, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes. He raised his head and nodded to Ryoma Genichirō: "Thank you, Master Ryoma, for your help."
Ryoma Genichirō waved his hand, with a hint of relief in his tone: "The responsibilities of the past are over. Now is a new era. The Prime Minister is willing to take on the responsibility of saving the world. This is lucky for us. Chisheng, it's time for you to live for yourself."
After saying that, Ryoma Genichirō stood up, straightened his suit, and turned to leave. He just took a step and suddenly stopped, turned back and said, "But Chisheng, I still hope you don't completely leave. The threat of the dragon clan is everyone's problem. Even if you choose to live an ordinary life, you must be prepared to deal with this storm at any time."
Genchisei nodded and watched Ryoma Genichirō leave.
Ying asked in a low voice: "Master, can we really leave?"
Yuan Zhisheng sighed, his eyes revealing a complicated expression: "Perhaps, but even if we leave, the responsibility in our hearts may not really disappear. If the threat of the dragon tribe really sweeps over, perhaps we will not be able to stay out of it after all."
Ying looked at Yuan Zhisheng quietly and held his hand tighter: "No matter what the future holds, I will be with you."
Yuan Zhisheng smiled tiredly and said softly, "Then let's go to France. At least now we can choose a peaceful life."
(End of this chapter)
