News Arrived, and Each Set Out

The members of the Security Decision Group waited before the Domain Field screen for a response from the Central Authority.

Time ticked by. The appointed hour was drawing near, but still no word came from the Central Authority.

Had something happened? For a matter this important, Qi Weizhao would surely have spoken with his superiors beforehand. If he had given them an hour, he must have had some confidence.

Had something changed? Had they run into an unexpected obstacle, or had a situation arisen that none of them had anticipated?

Any of those was possible. The Central Authority was far more complicated than any of the regional Central Cities. One move could affect everything, and decisions were shaped not just by the matter at hand, but by countless outside factors.

All they could do now was wait.

Soon, only two minutes remained before the appointed time.

Everyone on the screen stayed silent. The atmosphere was grave.

Chen Chuan glanced at Qi Weizhao and found him remarkably composed.

Without the Central Authority's permission and backing, this would become a local operation by the Government Affairs Hall of Jibei Province Central City. Its decision-makers would have to bear any risks and consequences.

The Security Decision Group had agreed on the operation unanimously, but as its leader, Qi Weizhao could push ahead even if others objected. That was why he had said earlier that he would bear the primary responsibility himself.

His aim was to keep any failure from implicating everyone. Even if his superiors held him accountable, international opinion turned against him, or he lost his position and political future, the results would remain. In practice, that would still be a victory.

And a decision-maker willing to stand firm and take responsibility could inspire those under him to follow through.

The second