Chapter 554 - 451: Promotion to Colonel: Lieutenant Chen Bai, Long Time No See

"Why not?" Gao Neng retorted.

"Nonsense! This is absolute nonsense! I object! I vehemently object!" Liang Qi slammed his palm on the table, shooting to his feet.

"That’s right! This is completely disregarding the fate of the Human Race!"

"The actions of a brute!"

"I agree with Councillor Liang’s assessment. We do not yet have the conditions for an all-out war with the other races. We need to rest and recuperate. As for Councillor Gao’s decision, I have my doubts!"

Several other councillors immediately stood up.

Meanwhile, Wu Qingjing, Qin Jianfei, and the other councillors and military officers simply watched Liang Qi and his supporters, their expressions calm and composed.

"Why are you all silent? Don’t tell me you also want to disregard the fate of the Human Race? Or do you also want an all-out war with the other races right now?!" one of the councillors asked, his expression changing slightly as he sensed the atmosphere in the room.

"The war... has already begun!" Qin Jianfei declared as he stood up.

"That’s right. The war between our Human Race and the other races began a hundred years ago with the Great Cataclysm!" Wu Qingjing also stood.

"From the moment I, Qin Jianfei, approved of Gao Neng’s plan, I was prepared for an all-out war. We at the Military Department have been waiting for this day for nearly a hundred years!" Qin Jianfei said again.

"Liang Qi, we don’t have any more time to wait. If we don’t start the war ahead of schedule, our resources won’t be able to keep up. And without resources, how can we possibly win?" Wu Qingjing said, looking at Liang Qi.

"..."

Silence.

All eyes fell on Liang Qi and the few councillors beside him.

Liang Qi’s fists slowly clenched.

He looked at the gazes all around him, then back at Gao Neng who stood before him, his expression shifting constantly.

’A month ago, when Gao Neng said he wanted to run for Speaker, I just laughed it off. I thought it was like children playing house—nothing but a joke.’

’But today...’

’Right now!’

He could read so much from the gazes around him.

The victory in the North District war.

It had raised Gao Neng’s prestige throughout the Alliance to its peak.

’Perhaps, even without the matter of the pills, even if the Celestial King Group wasn’t supporting him, Gao Neng’s votes in the Speaker election wouldn’t be any less than mine.’

’But still, have these people really gone mad?!’

’Are they really going to entrust the fate of the entire Alliance to an eighteen-year-old boy!’

"Fine. If you want an all-out war, then have your all-out war. I, Liang Qi, have nothing more to say. I will only say one last thing today: time will prove who was right and who was wrong!" With that, Liang Qi turned and left directly.

The other few councillors watched Liang Qi leave, gritted their teeth, and then followed him, striding out of the military camp.

Outside, Fang Tangtang’s heart leaped with joy when she saw people coming out.

"Gao Neng, you’re out!" Fang Tangtang was about to pounce, but she immediately realized something was wrong. Her hands froze in mid-air in front of Liang Qi. "Huh? Why is it you bunch of scumbags... Don’t tell me you got kicked out?"

"..." Liang Qi’s face darkened.

The other councillors’ expressions were grim.

"Hahaha, I knew it! But don’t you worry. Once Gao Neng becomes Speaker, you guys will be liberated. Out with the old, in with the new. The future belongs to our younger generation!" Fang Tangtang said, tilting her head back proudly.

She was about to say more, like how she, Death God Fang Tangtang, was destined to become the great future president of the Alliance Chamber of Commerce. But after a moment’s thought, she swallowed the words.

’Top secret, after all!’

"Let’s go." In the end, Liang Qi didn’t get into a direct confrontation with Fang Tangtang. He just gritted his teeth, flicked his sleeve, and stalked away.

However, the councillors following him exchanged glances, a faint, cold glint flashing in their eyes.

As the group departed, Liang Qi had no intention of lingering and prepared to board his aircraft to return to the United Government Building.

But just then, the other councillors stopped him.

"Councillor Liang, it would be best not to leave right now!"

"Hm?" Liang Qi’s brow furrowed again. "I’ve already done what I could, but Gao Neng’s prestige is truly unshakable for me right now!"

"Even if you can’t shake him, Councillor Liang, you shouldn’t leave at a time like this," one of the councillors said.

"What, you think I still have a chance?" Liang Qi gave a self-deprecating laugh, a hint of sorrow in his eyes.

"We don’t know if there’s a chance or not, but if we give up now, our lives in the future probably won’t be easy." The councillors exchanged another look.

"What do you mean? If I don’t become Speaker, I won’t even be able to live?" Liang Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"From the current outlook, there’s a ninety percent chance the few of us won’t survive."

"Nonsense. Gao Neng may be arrogant, but at most, our conflict is just a difference in political opinion. He wouldn’t go so far as to hound us relentlessly!" Liang Qi’s brow knitted sharply.

"What if we’re not talking about Gao Neng?"

"Then who are you talking about?"

"Fang Tangtang, and... Fang Yuan!" the councillors said, their eyes turning cold.

"..." Upon hearing this, Liang Qi’s expression finally changed. He understood the meaning behind the councillors’ words.

"That incident from over a decade ago... although you didn’t participate directly, Councillor Liang, you were one of the masterminds behind the scenes. Do you really think you can get away?"

"That matter is long past! The perpetrators were brought to justice!"

"Were they? Were they *all* brought to justice? I think you, Councillor Liang, should know the truth of that matter better than anyone," a councillor said in a chilly tone.

"Times have changed. A decade ago, we were still in power. Even if Fang Yuan held a grudge, he would have prioritized the bigger picture. But once Gao Neng takes the Speaker’s seat, given the relationship between him and Fang Tangtang, do you really think this matter will never be brought up again, Councillor Liang?" another councillor chimed in.

"Anyone can be Speaker, even Elder Wu serving another term would be fine. The one person who absolutely cannot become Speaker is Gao Neng!" the last councillor affirmed with a nod.

"..." Liang Qi gritted his teeth.

He didn’t say another word.

But his gaze grew distant and profound.

...

By the time Gao Neng walked out of Military Camp No. 2, Fang Tangtang had already grown rather impatient.

"Where is she?" The moment Gao Neng saw Fang Tangtang, he walked over with Shen Ning’Er and asked immediately.

"I don’t know, but I’m positive it was her I saw! She’s definitely here! And she’s nearby!" Fang Tangtang shook her head, then immediately added with conviction.

’She’s nearby?’ Gao Neng’s gaze subconsciously swept the surroundings.

Truthfully, if Fang Tangtang had told him exactly where Gao Xiaomeng was waiting, he might not have believed her. After all, that wouldn’t fit Gao Xiaomeng’s personality.

’However, since Gao Xiaomeng deliberately let Fang Tangtang see her...’

’Then her intention is obvious.’

She wanted Fang Tangtang to tell him, so it was only a matter of time before she revealed herself.

"I saw her near the city gate. Should we go look for her again?" Fang Tangtang suggested, seeing the look on Gao Neng’s face.

"No need. She’ll appear on her own." Gao Neng shook his head.

"Then..."

Fang Tangtang was about to say more, but Shen Ning’Er gently pulled her aside.

Then, Shen Ning’Er took out a pair of rank insignias. "Fang Tangtang, hear your orders!"

"Yes, ma’am!" Fang Tangtang immediately stood ramrod straight.

"On behalf of the Alliance Military Department, I am now recognizing Captain Fang Tangtang for her meritorious service and promoting her to the rank of Major!" Shen Ning’Er announced with a serious expression.

"Major?" Fang Tangtang was shocked, then ecstatic. "Hahaha, I, Death God Fang Tangtang, am the same as you now! Did you hear that, Gao Neng? I’m a Major too, just like you!"

"Sorry, I’m already a Colonel..." Gao Neng shrugged, then casually took out a pair of Colonel’s insignias and pinned them to his shoulders.

As his words fell, a soldier who had been walking toward them not far away immediately turned around, preparing to leave.

But Gao Neng had already gotten a clear look at him.

"Hey, Lieutenant Chen Bai, long time no see!"