"...Don’t take what they’re saying online to heart. Let’s not even get into whether the ’Demon Race’ actually exists. Even if they do, the universe is a vast place. How could they possibly find Celestial Water Star? And even if they did, after all the disasters humanity has been through, are we really going to be afraid of one more?"
Zhang Minglu spoke earnestly, with Guan Tong on the other end of the line.
As soon as the online controversy began to brew, he worried that Guan Tong would be upset after seeing it. After discussing it with Gao Liangwei, he made the call. It was ostensibly to offer comfort, but it was also to make a statement.
It was a statement that the authorities did not support the online narrative and that they still recognized his contributions and sacrifices.
"Besides, for this controversy to blow up so quickly and fiercely... no one would believe there wasn’t a hidden hand behind it! I think this isn’t just targeting you, but all of North Star. It’s possible that enemies of humanity, like Cultists or Parasites, are behind this, guiding the narrative. The Human Federation is already investigating the internal leak, and I believe we’ll have results soon."
After Zhang Minglu had said all this and was met with continued silence, he began to feel a little panicked. "Guan Tong, are you listening?"
"I am," Guan Tong said.
"So, what do you think..."
"I understand what you mean, Dr. Zhang. Don’t worry, I don’t pay much attention to public opinion, and I certainly won’t change the way I do things because of what other people think."
Zhang Minglu breathed a sigh of relief at his words.
His biggest worry was that Guan Tong would act rashly out of spite and do something irrational.
But on second thought, although Guan Tong was at an age where one might be impulsive, he had been through so many trials and tribulations that his psychological maturity had long surpassed that of an ordinary twenty-year-old.
If he were to lose his composure and abandon his true nature over a few malicious remarks, he wouldn’t really be "Shadow."
"It’s good that you think that way," Zhang Minglu said. "The public can see the truth, and I don’t think it will be long before public opinion vindicates you. But to be on the safe side, you should probably keep a low profile for now. We don’t want people, incited by all this, to try and do something harmful to you."
Guan Tong stated frankly, "I’ve said it before, I won’t change who I am because of what others think. So I won’t intentionally keep a high or low profile. I’ll just do what I have to do. If someone decides to oppose me, they can bear the consequences themselves. That’s all for now."
"But..."
Zhang Minglu was about to say more, but the BEEP of the disconnected call came from the receiver.
"Sigh." He sighed and put down his phone.
Silver Fox, who had been standing nearby with her arms crossed, saw the helpless look on Zhang Minglu’s face and asked curiously, "What did he say?"
"The same old ’I do things my way’ routine. Keeping a low profile is out of the question for him."
"Haha, that’s not surprising. In fact, I would have been more surprised if he had listened to your advice and decided to keep a low profile, Doctor."
Zhang Minglu looked at her in confusion. "Silver Fox, do you think I was wrong to say that? Faced with an overwhelming torrent of negative public opinion, isn’t waiting for the storm to pass a wise choice?"
Silver Fox smiled and shook her head. "For celebrities and influencers of the past, staying silent and playing dead when faced with negative press was indeed a wise choice. But Doctor, don’t forget Guan Tong’s identity is ’Shadow’... After working with him a few times, it seems we’ve subconsciously overlooked his title and power as the ’World’s First Ascender.’"
Zhang Minglu froze for a moment.
A nostalgic look appeared in Silver Fox’s eyes. "I remember back in my army days, what top soldier didn’t have an attitude like they were God’s gift to the world? Even the Dragon Soul Captain was incredibly haughty back then. It was only after he became a special forces instructor that he reined in that sharp edge of his.
"Today’s powerful Ascenders are tens, even hundreds of times stronger than the top soldiers of the past. Especially a top-tier Ascender like Guan Tong, who could destroy an entire city by himself. How could you possibly expect him to bow to public opinion and keep a low profile?"
"...You’re right." Zhang Minglu nodded. "I didn’t think it through. For an Ascender on the level of ’Shadow,’ there are very few forces in the world that can actually restrain them."
With that, Zhang Minglu changed the subject. "We can’t rest during this rule interval. The Black Banner Country needs people to help rebuild their coalition forces. Mr. Gao wants you, Chen Na, and Bai to go and help. Get ready and head out."
"Understood."
...
Guan Tong put his phone away. Zhang Minglu wasn’t the only one who had contacted him in the short span of a day.
Chen Na, Xu Xiaotian, and even Yelena had all contacted him shortly after the controversy erupted, either to check on him and offer comfort or to voice their indignation on his behalf.
What was both surprising and yet not surprising was that Shi Jingyi hadn’t contacted him, nor had she said anything to him through the Mind Network.
’Clearly, Shi Jingyi knows I won’t be affected by this kind of public opinion, so there’s no need for her to contact me just to say something. It’s like how caring for someone doesn’t mean you have to constantly fuss over them. That can just make the other person feel suffocated.’
However, he did have a reason to contact Shi Jingyi: the matter the siblings, Black Star and White Star, had entrusted to him. Their younger brother, Lun, didn’t have much time left. If they couldn’t find a cure, the only option would be the memory upload solution from Soloma.
So, after getting the information from the Moon Key, he didn’t rush to Yunhua. He first returned to Pinglu, found Shi Jingyi, and told her about the situation.
After hearing him out, Shi Jingyi agreed to try and heal the young man named Lun. Time was precious, so that evening, the two of them used Teleportation Items to arrive outside the Double Star Bar.
Guan Tong called Black Star, who quickly opened the door and welcomed them inside.
"You’re... Lecturer Shi Jingyi from the North Star Spiritual Power Academy!"
White Star came out from an inner room, slightly startled to see Shi Jingyi. She hadn’t expected the person Guan Tong was bringing to help would be such an important figure.
Shi Jingyi nodded in greeting before getting straight to the point. "Take me to see the young man."