The Fate of Civilization Does Not Rest with Humanity

No one knew who had leaked the news, but word that Lin Feng had been exposed by a Wallbreaker spread like wildfire. Like sharks that had caught the scent of blood, countless media outlets and newspapers splashed the story across their front pages.

Having been exposed by the ETO twice in such a short time was practically unprecedented worldwide. With the mindset that they could not punish everyone, all kinds of rumors began flying around.

"Exposed? Feng Taylor was exposed again?"

"That bastard was never fit to be a Wallfacer. He's nothing but trash!"

"That's right! Total trash. After being exposed by the ETO, he didn't even dare arrest anyone."

Some major media outlets obtained surveillance footage from near Lin Feng's residence through the CIA. Screenshots from the footage were published in newspapers, and everyone could see that after successfully exposing him, the ETO Wallbreaker had simply swaggered out through the front gate.

"The Wallbreaker just walked out like that. Can you believe it?"

"Is that for real? This Wallfacer must be useless, right?"

"He is useless. I could do his job too."

Of course, some people did not believe it. They felt it was too absurd for him to have been exposed so quickly, and the newspapers had not published the details of Feng Taylor's exposed plan, further reducing the story's credibility.

"If Feng Taylor was exposed, then why isn't there even any specific information about the plan that was exposed? This has to be fake news! The media is deceiving the public!"

"It's true. I confirmed it through my eldest uncle's second aunt's cousin-in-law's paternal cousin's neighbor's son, who works as a cleaner at Los Angeles City Hall. It's absolutely true!"

"Then what are the specifics? Go on, tell us!"

Setting aside the other countries, public opinion in the United States was in uproar. Those who believed Feng Taylor had been exposed and those who did not argued endlessly, and even street brawls broke out.

The Planetary Defense Council, or PDC for short, held supervisory authority over the Wallfacer Plan. That authority superseded the Wallfacer Plan itself.

After Lin Feng was exposed for the first time, the PDC had approached him and arbitrated his actions. In the end, Lin Feng had been forced to abandon the Macro-Electron Storage Plan in order to preserve himself.

The same was true now. After the ETO Wallbreaker exposed his "Intelligent AI Civilization Plan," the PDC came for him once again.

This meeting had been jointly initiated by the four permanent members, China, Russia, Britain, and France. United Nations Secretary-General Ms. Sai solemnly read out the principles of the Wallfacer Plan and stated the agenda of the meeting.

Lin Feng was not present. He was still in the United States and participated in the meeting through video communication.

The display screen had been placed off to one side, making him look like a criminal on trial.

The Chinese Representative spoke first. He pointed out that Feng Taylor, as a Wallfacer, had failed to genuinely fulfill the loyalty and goodwill toward humanity expected of a Wallfacer. He had gravely harmed the interests of human civilization as a whole and sullied the original purpose of the Wallfacer Plan!

Lin Feng said, "I do not need to provide excessive explanations for my plan, because I know very well that no matter how reasonable my explanation may be, as long as it does not suit your wishes, you will think I am lying and criticize me for it. So my only answer will be: no comment."

The French Representative said, "Wallfacer Feng Taylor, a Wallfacer has an obligation to guarantee humanity the most basic goodwill and loyalty. If you are unwilling to defend yourself, we can only regard that as your acquiescence. The United Nations will deliberate and render a final ruling based on your plan."

PDC Rotating Chairman Garnin asked again, "Mr. Feng Taylor, is there anything you would like to clarify regarding your plan?"

Lin Feng replied, "I have not violated any PDC regulations. No one was injured, no one will be threatened, and my plan has always been for the preservation of 'humanity.'"

The British Representative nodded and replied, "We do not deny your original intentions, but the Solar System is already too cramped to accommodate two civilizations, Mr. Taylor."

Handing the survival of human civilization over to another civilization? What a joke! No country on Earth could accept that!

The fate of civilization does not rest with humanity!

Lin Feng retorted, "The existence of civilization is only relative. To the Trisolarans, do we humans count as a civilization? Aren't we just bugs?"

"Unfortunately, Mr. Taylor, your plan is too risky. Humanity cannot accept it," the United States Representative said.

Lin Feng fell silent. Even the United States, which should have supported him the most, had taken the opposing side. He knew that no matter how much he argued now, he could not persuade the PDC to recognize the Intelligent AI Civilization Plan.

If the Intelligent AI Civilization Plan was to succeed, he would have to find another path.

"...I know you will not accept my ideas. I will abandon this plan."

Lin Feng shrugged with an easy expression, indicating that he would no longer insist on the plan. Then he proposed,

"However, I hope the application of Intelligent AI can continue to be vigorously promoted. If human civilization is to contend with Trisolaris, our current productive capacity is nowhere near enough. Humans are still humans, too fragile and too complicated."

"We do not have much time. Only a few hundred years."

Representatives from various countries discussed the matter among themselves, remaining reserved about Lin Feng's proposal.

Still, this was much better than before. At least the opposition was not as intense, because what Lin Feng had said was true: to defeat Trisolaris, humanity's current productive capacity was far from sufficient.

At this point in the meeting, United Nations Secretary-General Ms. Sai spoke slowly, her voice like a judge delivering a final verdict.

"Mr. Taylor, we will discuss your proposal in subsequent meetings."

"Now, Mr. Taylor, all orders you have issued as a Wallfacer related to Intelligent AI are hereby declared invalid. You will be removed from the Intelligent Revolution Plan. Do you agree?"

Just as with the Macro-Electron Storage Plan, the PDC demanded that Lin Feng relinquish all rights to the Intelligent Revolution Plan.

With a practiced smile on his face, Lin Feng answered,

"I agree."

"Ha... what a pain."

After the United Nations meeting ended, Lin Feng felt completely drained. He slumped onto the sofa in his home like a salted fish.

He could not help but sigh for the true Wallfacer, Mozi. Mozi had clearly infiltrated the ETO and, after great difficulty, used the ETO's influence and Trisolaran resources to find a way out for humanity, only for humanity itself to refuse to accept it.

Wasn't this a betrayal?

Thinking of humanity's gradual decline in the original novel, which ultimately led to its own destruction, leaving only the humans aboard a few spacecraft as survivors, Lin Feng could not help but sigh.

"A bunch of arrogant fools. No wonder things eventually turned out like that..." Lin Feng muttered.

Having read the original novel, Lin Feng thought of matters even further ahead. Trisolaris could be left to Luo Ji, but what about the Singer Civilization?

Even if he worked with Luo Ji and completely resolved the Dark Forest Crisis, would similar crises not arise again after his death?

No, they would. But when that time came, would there still be a savior like Luo Ji?

Unable to find an answer, Lin Feng went through a bout of inner struggle before calling for the maid.

"Make the arrangements. I'm going out."

"Where to?" the maid asked.

Lin Feng let out a deep sigh. "To Davis and the others' research institute."

"Very well, Mr. Taylor."

The maid nodded.