Chapter 221: The Calm Before Catastrophe

Some stood up stiffly.

Under enormous pressure, Fang Teng swallowed his shock and forced himself to speak:

“The data… it should be real…”

“Our department did submit the annual summary before the conference… If the information provided by Yenir came from our reports, then it must be true…”

He dared not deny it.

No matter how hard he tried to understand why Yenir would casually check that unattended report, he knew that if Yenir was saying this, it was most likely true! The annual report is public and can be checked on the spot.

Even if he tried to fabricate evidence then and there, it would be too late!

With Fang Teng’s confirmation, the room erupted into a clamor.

“The data is real?!”

“Does this mean an A-level disaster is about to break out?!”

“It’s highly likely! Every piece of data is anomalous! One or two might be overlooked, but altogether—I don’t need to be an expert to see there’s a problem!”

“Unbelievable! How can the East Sea Battle Zone not report this? Is something seriously wrong?!”

“Everyone, please calm down! The data is genuine, but that doesn’t automatically portend disaster!”

“Doesn’t automatically?! With so many anomalies, even if it’s not an A-level disaster, something major is definitely off!”

Panic and shock spread.

Before the indisputable evidence, some found it hard to accept the news, while others immediately began pointing fingers at the East Sea Battle Zone.

Yet one sentiment united them all—a deep admiration for Yenir!

Incredible—how could Yenir possess such terrifying observational skills and an instinct for crisis?

Could it be that the kid, after grueling daily training, still finds time to study the developments in every battle zone?

Is that even humanly possible?!

Blaming the East Sea Battle Zone was the easiest route.

As the Military managed the East Sea Battle Zone, failing to raise any alarms despite receiving so many abnormal reports was unacceptable—especially when a teenager from the Capital exposed the issue.

If a disaster truly erupted, this wouldn’t just be negligence—it would be an unforgivable crime!

“Committee Member Fang Teng!”

“I’m not talking about what should be—I’m asking again! If what Yenir just described is true, will the East Sea Battle Zone face an A-level disaster?!”

“Where is the early warning from your department?!”

“Bang!”

A sudden table slam punctuated by a furious shout.

Li Xuanguo’s rare, icy tone cut through as he glared coldly at the bowed Fang Teng.

With his sharp judgment, he never imagined that an A-level disaster would be the worst in forty-six years! The huge manpower and resources invested in early warnings to safeguard every battle zone were at stake!

Translated into Credit Points, that’s hundreds of billions invested every year!

Yet they remained completely oblivious.

If disaster struck, the Military would become the laughingstock of the nation—a true national disgrace!

“Disaster…”

“Disaster…”

“Not necessarily! Prime Minister, not necessarily! Even if the data is problematic, it doesn’t mean a catastrophe is inevitable!”

In his panic, he frantically shook his head.

For the first time in his life, as Fang Teng racked his brain, he shouted in desperation, vehemently denying everything.

He knew he could never admit the truth—even if it were accurate, he had to claim it was false!

If he even hinted at agreeing with Yenir, he’d be hauled off to a military court—and that would be the end!

That bastard! That beast! How could that scumbag ruin Wanrou and still try to take him down!

That kid is out to get me!!

Before he could think any further, Fang Teng instinctively vented all his resentment at Yenir. He had planned to confront Yenir after hearing the news of Wanrou’s disqualification, but he never expected that even before doing so, the kid was silently plotting to frame him!

There won’t be any disaster! It’s definitely not a problem with his battle zone!

It must be the work of that scheming kid! He’s out to kill me! That vindictive, insolent little brat is just jealous that his wife didn’t give him face!

Fang Teng couldn’t fathom Yenir’s ruthless actions, but with every issue pointing to Yenir, that was the only conclusion he could draw.

Yet now, he couldn’t risk provoking Yenir.

Suppressing the hatred in his heart, Fang Teng forced himself to appear calm as he argued:

“Committee Members! Prime Minister!”

“I admit the data has fluctuated recently, but it’s still within the East Sea Battle Zone’s alert range!”

“After analyzing all the information, our department believes there isn’t a major issue—only a lot of minor ones!”

“Yes…”

“Maybe it’s because there have been too many sorties by private Awakeners lately, sparking minor disturbances! And some of the equipment is aging and malfunctioning!”

“You know, the East Sea Battle Zone has been operational for fifty-seven years. It’s normal for some of our older monitoring devices to break down!”

Scrambling for solutions.

Fang Teng desperately tried to recall details he’d once inquired about, hoping to cover up the issue.

Sure enough, Yenir had pointed out numerous issues and anomalies, but that alone didn’t prove anything. If there were a problem, wouldn’t his own men have noticed?

He couldn’t believe that an eighteen-year-old kid, riding on his natural talent, could outperform all the elites in the Military Department!

In a flash, a crucial piece of evidence struck him.

There’s still hope!

“Prime Minister!!”

“Actually, we did investigate these issues! But even after an extensive probe, there were no signs of high-level sea beasts! No beast tide was gathering! So these anomalies were merely coincidental!”

“Think about it! If a disaster were imminent, wouldn’t the monsters have started congregating in advance?”

After speaking, Fang Teng swallowed hard, forcing a semblance of composure onto his face.

Investigation. Patrol?

No—he hadn’t even done that! Even the East Sea Battle Zone’s armaments were somewhat neglected; after decades of peace, he wouldn’t waste resources on a thankless task.

But now! He had no choice but to say so!

He believed that after managing the East Sea Battle Zone for so long, even if an investigation team went in, they wouldn’t uncover any issues—everyone was on his side, and his subordinates would cover for him!

After Fang Hao’s defense ended, eyebrows furrowed throughout the room, and even the top-level officials on the Dais weighed which side was right.

However, just as silence settled over the hall again, a steady, piercing voice rang out like a death knell:

“Minister Fang Teng.”

“According to the records I reviewed, forty-six years ago the East Sea Battle Zone experienced a sea beast invasion of the same scale.”

“All the data aligns with that situation. Even if the sea beasts haven’t gathered yet—”

“But if one device malfunctions, does it mean every device is failing?”

“No coincidence occurs twice. Every mass coincidence hides inevitability behind it!”

“Moreover, I’ve checked the deployment records of the East Sea Battle Zone and found no large-scale troop movements.”

“What’s that, Minister Fang Teng? Were you the one who secretly mobilized the troops? That’s a violation of military regulations.”

Like a fatal blow, just as Fang Teng caught his breath, he felt Yenir’s words strike him like a sword to the heart.

That kid… how did he manage to dig so deep?