Chapter 257: Calculated Risks

“Professor Bai, I’ve always held you in high regard.”

In the meeting room within Qinggang Main City, Minister Shen frowned deeply:

“But when you discovered clues about the ‘Escaped Lab’ incident that once shook the entire Alliance, not only did you fail to immediately alert Qinggang, but afterwards, during the recruitment and guidance of Mr. Lone Soldier, you even intentionally misled us. You convinced us to lower the loss of control standards for him and even spent considerable resources to help him forge the key item needed to enter the Second Stage…”

“Of course, I must admit your decisions proved correct. Mr. Lone Soldier helped us resolve the special pollution attack from the Sea Country. But setting that aside, why did you conceal this? Why did you help Mr. Lone Soldier? These actions still require your explanation!”

…

“I concealed this matter because I didn’t want the Research Institute to know about it.”

Professor Bai answered with unusual candor, “And my temporary concealment from you was because I needed to borrow Qinggang’s power to help stabilize Mr. Lone Soldier. To be honest, when I discovered that such an ability user had been living like an ordinary person in Qinggang for over a decade, my surprise and fear were no less than what all of you felt seeing the Tyrant’s power yesterday.”

“I was certain that revealing my hypothesis about Mr. Lone Soldier from the start would definitely trigger unnecessary complications.”

“For one, we couldn’t guarantee the secret wouldn’t leak.”

“Secondly, our excessive alertness would actually hinder Mr. Lone Soldier’s stability.”

“Of course, even while doing these things later on, I always adhered to one principle: stabilization work takes precedence over everything.”

“I wasn’t trying to make Qinggang provoke an extremely volatile nuclear weapon without understanding the situation. Rather, I was guiding Qinggang, without its knowledge, to do as much as possible to help stabilize this nuclear weapon. This way, things at least wouldn’t worsen.”

…

In the meeting room, the few people listening to this report felt incredibly conflicted.

It even felt somewhat unbelievable.

Minister Shen’s voice was firm, “Whether for better or worse, you factually posed a threat to us. If I had known earlier that such unstable power resided within Mr. Lone Soldier, I would never have agreed to let him contact a Pollution Source. In that situation, separating him from others without threatening him would have been the safest approach.”

“There’s some truth to what you say.”

Professor Bai slowly replied, “But I’m more convinced that if I had told you from the beginning, the situation today would be vastly different. Either Mr. Lone Soldier would have already lost control, or the Research Institute would have already come to collect him. And either outcome…”

“Would be unbearable for Qinggang.”

…

As if acknowledging Professor Bai’s response, everyone in the meeting room remained silent.

Mr. Su also pondered for a moment before speaking softly, “On this point, Professor Bai, I trust your judgment. However, what I’m more curious about now is that you yourself came from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute. Furthermore, our Qinggang Special Pollution Cleanup Department was established with the Institute’s support. Much of the information and materials we currently have on special pollution were shared by the Institute…”

He paused slightly before continuing, “So, where does your wariness towards the Research Institute stem from?”

His question hit a critical point. Everyone turned to look at Professor Bai.

The Moon Eclipse Research Institute, located in the central city among the twelve cities of the Northern High-wall City Alliance, is currently the most authoritative and advanced place in the Alliance, or perhaps the world, for researching the effects of the Red Moon’s appearance and mental alterations.

To some extent, the confidence of the major high-wall cities in combating bizarre incidents like mental alterations comes from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute.

Precisely because the Moon Eclipse Research Institute holds such a vital position, like the heart of the Alliance.

Many people subconsciously refer to it as the ‘Alliance Research Institute’.

Professor Bai’s own knowledge came from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute, so his displayed wariness was puzzling.

…

“Many places.”

After hearing Mr. Su’s words, Professor Bai remained silent for a time before slowly answering:

“My time studying at the Institute wasn’t long, and I wasn’t considered outstanding there.”

“Whether it was the genius researcher who jumped from a hundred-story building leaving the world with three last words—or rather, prophecies—or the colleague who proved the existence of thirteen special mental entities and later publicly defected from the Institute, they were both far more brilliant than I. However, during my limited studies, I still noticed some issues…”

“First, the information the Institute shares is far less than what they actually possess.”

He spoke slowly, seeming to try his best to make those present understand the source of his concerns, “At the Institute, I discovered their research, both vertically and horizontally, surpasses our comprehension. Many believe mental alteration only began after the Red Moon incident, but the research within the Institute far predates the Red Moon as a starting point and doesn’t end with the present…”

“Second, the Institute clearly has research findings that are useful but which they have no intention of publicizing…”

…

Hearing these words, Mr. Su frowned, “Mr. Bai, this kind of speculative answer isn’t your style.”

“Heh, indeed.”

Professor Bai gave a self-deprecating smile. After some thought, he said, “Then let me give an easier example to understand.”

“Back when I was recruited into the Institute as one of the first batch of interns, I quickly discovered an interesting phenomenon.”

“The Research Institute only appeared before the world after the Red Moon mutation.”

“But I suspect many researchers were likely recruited *before* the Red Moon incident occurred.”

…

Hearing Professor Bai’s words, the expressions of everyone in the meeting room suddenly turned somewhat strange, or perhaps tense.

It felt like something struck a chord in their minds.

They all had the feeling of having long suspected something, which was now being confirmed:

“Meaning, the Institute was already researching mental alteration *before* the Red Moon incident?”

…

“Not only that…”

After a moment, Professor Bai shook his head and slowly smiled, “There’s an interesting phenomenon, I wonder if you’ve noticed?”

“After the Red Moon incident occurred, the Research Institute changed its name once, to ‘Moon Eclipse’.”

“The meaning is obvious: they intend to resolve the source of all this chaos. It also embodies the Institute’s determination.”

“But we need to know, before the name change, the Research Institute’s name was ‘Red Moon’.”

“So, guess…”

He paused slightly before continuing slowly:

“Before the moon turned red, what was the purpose of this research institute named ‘Red Moon’?”

…

*Boom!*

A chilling sensation suddenly gripped everyone in the meeting room.

The Moon Eclipse Research Institute’s goal is to eliminate the Red Moon, the source of pollution.

Then, the goal of the Red Moon Research Institute…

Weighty questions surfaced in their minds: the cause of this world’s disaster, the true timing of mental pollution’s appearance, the real purpose and strength of the Moon Eclipse Research Institute, which everyone now trusts…

They were already among the most influential people in Qinggang.

But faced with these topics, their only feeling was insignificance.

After a long while, Mr. Su was the first to regain his composure, looking calmly at Professor Bai:

“So, what is your current inference regarding the Moon Eclipse Research Institute?”

…

Professor Bai shook his head, saying:

“Even after recently attending the Institute’s academic exchange conference, I couldn’t discern the true direction of their current research. What they do, what they share, all appears to be projects helpful for humanity to control and combat mental pollution…”

“Of course, the possibility that they genuinely changed their attitude and direction after the Red Moon Research Institute was renamed Moon Eclipse Research Institute cannot be excluded… but as people who want to survive, I believe we must maintain sufficient alertness and skepticism.”

“You’re absolutely right…”

A somewhat hoarse voice spoke up. It was another influential figure in Qinggang City, though he usually didn’t focus on this area.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly voiced his doubt:

“But what concerns me more now is Mr. Lone Soldier’s actual state. And what relationship does he have with the Research Institute?”

After a pause, he added softly, “I think everyone understands that Qinggang cannot do without the Institute’s support…”

“If we have to make a choice between Mr. Lone Soldier and the Research Institute…”

…

“Qinggang doesn’t need to leave the Institute’s support.”

Professor Bai interrupted him, stating, “Just like this report I’m giving today, it doesn’t exist.”

“We don’t make choices, nor do we need to consider taking sides in a war that might not even be real.”

…

“As for Mr. Lone Soldier…”

“I only know that the Moon Eclipse Research Institute once had an important research topic: attempting to tame those thirteen special mental entities.”

“Mr. Lone Soldier is highly likely a remnant from that experiment. The ‘Tyrant’ power he revealed when dealing with the Sea Country’s S-rank ability user has already confirmed this. Of course, I don’t intend to forcefully pursue this secret.”

…

Having said this, he paused slightly before continuing:

“Now, what needs to be reiterated is that Qinggang’s goal has always been the reconstruction of civilized order. You and I both know this isn’t just an empty slogan. Historical experience tells us that lacking ambitious goals only leads to gradual decline.”

“Of course, stepping back, even if we are afraid and only think of avoiding potential threats, that’s just wishful thinking…”

“Let’s consider the simplest question…”

Professor Bai focused his gaze slightly, looking up at the crowd, “Have you ever considered whether the power codenamed ‘Tyrant’ and the power best suited to restrain ‘Tyrant’ appearing simultaneously in our Qinggang is merely a coincidence, or is there something else at play?”

Saying this, he emphatically stated his position:

“We all live under the Red Moon. Therefore, none of us can remain uninvolved.”

…

Professor Bai’s words silenced many.

The painting ‘Gaze of the Red Moon’ is already Qinggang’s biggest discovery in nearly a decade.

But coincidentally, the mental entity parasitizing this painting happens to help Mr. Lone Soldier achieve a good balance.

Thinking about it carefully, it’s indeed intriguing.

“Whether it’s a conspiracy, a genuine coincidence, or perhaps some mysterious logic beyond our comprehension…”

Amidst the silence, Minister Shen was the first to speak. He looked directly at Professor Bai, saying:

“Right now, I’m actually most concerned about only three questions.”

“First, what exactly is Mr. Lone Soldier now?”

“Is he the nuclear weapon protecting Qinggang, or a bomb threatening Qinggang?”

…

Professor Bai replied, “Mr. Lone Soldier is simply an ability user recruited by our Qinggang Special Cleaning Department, and also a Level 4 Special Talent of Qinggang City. We have already helped him with the Second Stage stabilization work and signed a contract with him. So, we don’t need to consider anything else. After all, everything we’ve done is traceable and adheres to rules. We only did what needed to be done.”

“…Even regarding this report meeting, to ensure the secret isn’t leaked, I hope that at its conclusion, Colonel Chen can apply a suggestion to us. In the future, we will only recall this matter and discuss it under specific circumstances.”

…

In the meeting room, some nodded, while others remained silent.

Minister Shen looked at Professor Bai, “Second question: How do we protect ourselves?”

Professor Bai met Minister Shen’s gaze, chuckled softly, and said, “We protect ourselves by not courting death.”

Minister Shen’s expression soured slightly; clearly, he disliked this ‘humorous’ response.

Fortunately, Professor Bai merely smiled and added, “Of course, there is another method.”

“That is the Heaven’s Kingdom Plan I proposed earlier.”

…

The mention of these words caused a stir in the meeting room.

The expressions on everyone’s faces became somewhat strange. Some were tense, others skeptical.

“I approved this plan.”

Hearing this, Mr. Su also looked towards the other two leaders present, “When we initially divided responsibilities, you trusted me, which is why I was put in charge of mediating between Qinggang and the Special Cleaning Department. Therefore, I hope you can continue to trust me.”

The other two leaders remained silent for a moment before nodding softly, “Everyone doing what they are suited for, that’s fine.”

As if a consensus had been reached, the atmosphere in the meeting room relaxed slightly.

Minister Shen also gave a slow nod, then looked up, “My third question is…”

He paused before finally asking, “Will God truly appear?”

…

“I cannot answer that question either.”

Professor Bai took off his glasses, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe them, and then put them back on.

His smile was gentle yet firm, “But if God does appear, I would be very interested in having a good chat with Him.”