Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the blond Five Elder, took out a piece of intelligence he had just received and pushed it to the center of the table. "According to reports from various regions, civilians across the Four Blues have begun voluntarily donating to the Navy. Quite a few wealthy merchants have even offered to fund equipment for new recruits."
"Mu Chen's name has now become synonymous with peace, while our World Government has become nothing but a backdrop. That is the real danger!"
Green Gusen's voice suddenly rose, his eyes filled with coldness.
"The Navy is a tool of the World Government, not Mu Chen's personal property. He is tying the Navy's reputation to himself, making civilians know only Mu Chen and not the World Government. He is shaking the foundations of our rule!"
Saint Marcus Mars took a deep breath, his tone carrying a hint of anxiety.
"Even more frightening is his promise to wipe out the pirates of the Four Blues by the New Year. If he truly succeeds, civilians will trust him even more. They may even feel that without the World Government, they can still live well as long as they have Mu Chen and the Navy. By then, our control over the Four Blues will be eroded bit by bit."
The Five Elders spoke one after another, growing more alarmed the more they talked.
They had originally believed Mu Chen was merely a capable pawn eager to earn merit. They thought that as long as they restrained him with the task of locating the Revolutionary Army's headquarters, they could keep the Navy firmly under control. Only now did they realize that Mu Chen's ambitions were far greater than they had imagined.
Saint Figarland Garling clenched his hand, his knuckles turning white. "We cannot let this