After saying this, Qian Wendao paused for a long time.
The conference room fell silent.
But everyone looked as though a silent thunderbolt had swept over them, leaving them utterly dumbfounded.
The yellow hair over Wei Rulai's forehead trembled. "Secretary-General Qian, what do you mean by merging?"
"Exactly what you think it means."
"But didn't you say we wouldn't meet people from the other Safe Zones for another three years? How come it's only been six months and..."
"The three-year timeline was meant to mislead Ander." Qian Wendao's voice was as flat as ever, yet his words still left everyone stunned. "The actual timeline was a little over six months."
Olof spoke up. "I still don't fully understand. Are you saying all the information before this was false? Even the universal sequence? Was it all just a smokescreen?"
"No. Apart from the timeline, all the information was true. The universal sequence is real. So is the threat we'll face from other Safe Zones."
Olof challenged him again. "Secretary-General Qian, if you'd always told everyone the truth, we could still trust you. But now we have proof that you've concealed something important from us. How are we supposed to trust you and follow you down this road to the bitter end?"
"Especially considering where you chose to hold today's meeting." Olof glanced around. "This place is far too well suited to wiping out every dissenting voice. I can't help questioning your motives."
Everyone looked at Olof without saying a word. They had similar doubts themselves.
Qian Wendao smiled faintly. "I knew you would question me."
"I don't have a choice. In times like these, if you aren't careful, it's all too easy to get sold out."
Qian Wendao's triangular eyes remained calm. "Xiao Qin and I called this meeting precisely to