Chapter 187: Testing Authority

Amid a long, uneasy silence, everyone wore strange expressions—even Li Xuanguo was at a loss for words.

That’s right. The Fire Seed Plan mandates this rule to ensure fairness and impartiality.

However, the rule is designed for talented underdogs, giving them a chance to challenge for a higher rank, which ultimately makes the overall standings more acceptable. After all, many Awakeners experience a dramatic talent shift at the Third-Stage, making rankings unreliable.

Yet with Yenir’s abnormal performance, what is the point of even following that rule?

What a joke…

If it turns into a life-or-death fight, isn’t it Yenir who dares challenge someone, dooming his opponent? Perhaps this batch of seeds consists entirely of geniuses, coming from evenly matched competitors in the past.

But when faced with a monster like Yenir, any comparison becomes meaningless!

Many senior officials instinctively glanced over at Zhang Meng, whose grim expression betrayed a hint of pity in their eyes.

Yenir’s timing in speaking was impeccably calculated.

The Prime Minister had just promised him compensation, and in the very next moment Yenir declared his intent to abide by the rules and begin his challenge.

Even knowing that Yenir sought revenge, they found no excuse to refuse.

They even had to compliment him for respecting the system, rather than effortlessly seizing the top rank with his achievements.

But still…

This kid is ruthless…

Yenir’s actions were tantamount to him riding Zhang Meng’s face while openly threatening to kill his entire family. As long as Yenir sets his eyes on Zhang Yang, his fate is sealed!

Amidst the complex stares and those simply watching the unfolding drama, Zhang Meng stifled his inner fury, his face trembling.

His hands clenched and then relaxed, much like an enraged tiger trapped in a cage.

As he watched Yenir, a smile playing on the younger man’s face while awaiting the Prime Minister’s response, Zhang Meng’s anger erupted like a volcano within him!

He was being threatened!

A kid who just reached the Third-Stage, with no apparent justification, daring to threaten him in front of all the senior officials!

A life-or-death fight with Zhang Yang!? This was pure, naked retribution!

If he were out in the world right now, Zhang Meng would have vowed to shatter Yenir’s skull. How could the dignity of a commanding officer stationed in the Battle Zone be trampled like this?

But…

Hold back!! You must hold back!!

Nearly grinding his teeth to dust, Zhang Meng kept urging himself to remain rational and never show any sign of instability.

Even the slightest inclination to strike at Yenir would have been immediately contained by the several Third-Stage or higher commanders present. Later, those political foes would have had every reason to drag him down!

Losing control would mean complete ruin…

Forcing out an ugly smile, Zhang Meng took a deep breath and looked at Yenir:

“Yenir, the first sequence is yours.”

“Your talent far exceeds Yang’s. On behalf of Zhang Yang, I willingly relinquish the top rank!”

“About what just happened… I’m sorry…”

“I only spoke out of concern for your well-being. It was all just a misunderstanding…”

Lowering his pride, Zhang Meng forced a grim laugh as he looked desperately toward Li Xuanguo.

Since taking this position, he had never been so humiliated.

What a disgrace! Utter shame!

Yenir wanted to kill his beloved son! And now he had to beg for forgiveness and plead for mercy! How absurd that things had escalated to this point!

Ignoring Zhang Meng’s dejected demeanor, Yenir feigned an innocent look, then responded with a sincere smile:

“Commander Zhang, you flatter me.”

“Zhang Yang is exceptional too. Let’s follow the rules—I wouldn’t want anyone to say that I, Yenir, am arrogant and rule-breaking.”

“After all, only a fight will reveal who is stronger.”

“Don’t you agree?”

After speaking, Yenir paid no further mind to Zhang Meng’s face turning ashen.

What’s the point of apologizing if it’s not backed by a punch?

If it weren’t for Fang Hao and the others protecting him, if not for his SSS-Level Talent exonerating any suspicions, he would be dead by now! Even if he survived, his sentence would be life imprisonment—and everyone would be eager to dig up non-existent faults from his mouth!

Moreover, Yenir knew full well he had to establish his authority as quickly as possible!

In the Capital he had no real influence; it was clear everyone valued him for his potential rather than his current strength.

To carry out his own plans, he would inevitably cross many factions’ interests.

Not wanting to waste time embroiled in political scheming, he had to take out someone influential—a strong signal to everyone to stop underestimating him!

Seeing Yenir’s persistence, Li Xuanguo frowned slightly, sighing inwardly.

He knew that Yenir harbored deep resentment; in the end, someone had to take the fall. Already feeling a tinge of guilt, he didn’t mind letting Yenir vent his anger.

But a deadly fight was too extreme.

If Yenir really killed Zhang Yang, Zhang Meng would undoubtedly lose his mind. It shouldn’t have come to this.

Just as Li Xuanguo was about to persuade Yenir otherwise, Commissar Hu Zhiping from the Political Department suddenly spoke up on his behalf:

“Prime Minister, if Yenir insists on following the rules, then so be it.”

With that, Commissar Hu casually tugged at Li Xuanguo’s sleeve before turning to Yenir with a warm smile:

“However, Yenir, why don’t you take a few days to recover first?”

“You’ve just reached the Third-Stage—you need time to adapt to your abilities.”

“Three days later, when the match results are in, we’ll announce the rankings and issue the rewards.”

At his words, several senior officials looked at Commissar Hu in surprise.

None had expected the usually neutral Commissar Hu Zhiping to so nonchalantly agree to Yenir’s request. Did this mean he was now backing Yenir?

At the same moment, Zhang Meng trembled all over as he stared at Commissar Hu in disbelief.

This statement was like treating him as a disposable pawn!?

How could this be!? After all, he was an important official—how could the senior echelon allow Yenir to act with impunity!? Is Zhang Meng’s value really not worth a thing compared to Yenir’s!?

Li Xuanguo glanced at Commissar Hu, as if discerning something unsaid, and after a brief moment of hesitation, chose not to press the matter further.

He was well acquainted with Commissar Hu Zhiping and knew he wouldn’t speak out of turn.

Surely, there was a reason behind his words.

“Then it’s settled.”

“For now, we’ll keep Yenir’s talent under wraps. Officially, we’ll still list him as SS-Level. Inform the rest that our tests confirmed there was no exploitation of any loopholes. There’s no need to block any other information besides his talent.”

After speaking, Li Xuanguo patted Yenir on the shoulder gently before preparing to leave.

He had many matters to attend to; dedicating so much time to Yenir already indicated the gravity of the situation.

The decision to conceal the news of his SSS-Level Talent was purely for the sake of future intercontinental and even global missions.

After encountering other Battle Zone Awakeners, who knew if someone might turn murderous?

Keeping it secret was also a form of protection. Once Yenir had grown strong enough to defend himself, the truth could be revealed.

……

On the way back, Li Xuanguo asked Commissar Hu in a low voice from within the vehicle:

“Commissar Hu, tell me—why did you agree to Yenir’s request?”

“Don’t you realize the severity of the situation?”