Base, meeting room.
A few people sat on either side of the long table, yet a heavy, almost stagnant atmosphere hung in the air.
The air was filled with the scents of tobacco, stale tea, and a silent sense of oppression.
Everyone sat in their seats, listening to the account of that figure.
After a long while, Shen Heng slowed down his speech and finally stopped.
He slowly turned his head, looked around at the people in the room, and said:
"... So, that's roughly how it went."
After the words were spoken, no one responded immediately; everyone remained silent.
The conference room was so quiet that you could hear the hissing of the air conditioner and the faint hum of the base in operation in the distance.
Zhang Weijun sat on one side of the long table, silently looking at the documents in his hands.
The records clearly document the names of the members who sacrificed their lives in this mission.
Wang Yuanshan glanced at everyone, and seeing that no one seemed inclined to speak first, he said:
"So, you still don't understand the significance of destroying the Eye of Earth Marrow?"
"Hmm." Shen Heng's answer was without hesitation, calm to the point of being cruel.
He certainly knew that destruction was meaningful, but could that meaning outweigh the lives of eleven compatriots on the other side of the scale?
He didn't know!
And "not knowing" is the greatest original sin at this moment.
"So, without knowing how significant this is, you decided to change the action plan and sabotage the past?" Wang Yuanshan frowned.
"This may be our only chance to destroy the Eye of Earth Marrow for quite some time," Shen Heng replied.
"So, you changed your course knowing that so many people would sacrifice their lives?" Wang Yuanshan asked.
"I didn't know beforehand how many people would sacrifice their lives, but..."
Shen Heng paused slightly, then continued:
"By comparing the situations of both sides, I did realize that quite a few inspectors might have sacrificed their lives in this operation."
"So, you knowingly proceeded even though you knew how many people would sacrifice their lives?" Wang Yuanshan asked.
Shen Heng paused for a very brief moment, as if silently repeating those eleven names in his mind once more, and then slowly nodded.
"Yes."
"Do you think it's worth it?!" Wang Yuanshan's voice suddenly rose, then he forcefully suppressed it, his fingers slamming heavily on the table. "Eleven of the most elite inspectors! Eleven! Just to destroy an Eye of Earth Marrow whose actual usefulness is unknown?! Their lives, just like that... just like that..."
He couldn't finish his sentence, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Like I said, this may be our only chance to destroy the Eye of Earth Marrow for quite some time!"
A barely perceptible hint of heaviness finally crept into Shen Heng's voice, but his gaze remained resolute.
"So, if I had to choose again now, I would probably still make the same choice!"
These words made the atmosphere in the meeting room even more complicated.
Li Daoyi sat to the side, sighed softly, and twirled a copper coin between his fingers.
General Zhou Zhenguo chuckled and brought the thermos to his lips.
As for Chief of Staff Zhang Weijun, he remained silent, still looking at the documents in his hand.
Upon hearing Shen Heng's words, Wang Yuanshan frowned even more deeply.
Just as he was about to say something, he heard Zhou Zhenguo interrupt:
"Alright, alright!"
Putting down his thermos, Zhou Zhenguo said:
"Whether we look at the strength of the guards or the crystals provided to the Anchor Point, it's clear that the Eye of Earth Marrow is very important, perhaps even more so than the Anchor Point itself?"
Wang Yuanshan frowned and looked over.
That's what they say, but it's unclear how much it really means!
"Furthermore, the Eye of Earth Marrow does not directly stabilize the space of the Erosion Zone; stabilizing the space of the Erosion Zone still depends on the Anchor Point."
"In other words, our main task is to destroy the Anchor Point!"
"As long as the Eye of Earth Marrow remains, it's only a matter of time before the Anchor Point is re-established, right?" Zhou Zhenguo said.
"But the Eye of Earth Marrow can be rebuilt, right? How long can that delay them? A month? Two months? Or three months?" Wang Yuanshan countered. "Under these circumstances, I think the best option is to preserve our forces and periodically go out to inspect and destroy the Anchor Point!"
"What if it's six months, a year, or even two or three years?" Zhou Zhenguo asked.
Wang Yuanshan paused for a moment, then said, "If the incident could last that long, then it would indeed be worth the current cost. But the question is, eleven inspectors, an unknown outcome—is it really worth it?"
I don't know if it's worth it, but...
Zhou Zhenguo picked up his water glass and took a sip.
"Just like Shen Heng just said, this kind of opportunity may only come once! If you don't act this time, you don't know if you'll be able to ruin it again next time!"
After he finished speaking, no one in the room spoke for a moment.
Shen Heng sat in his seat, calmly looking at everyone.
He didn't say much, nor did he say anything about his own choices. Being able to sit here didn't require him to say much either.
Now, the discussion is mostly about whether it's worth it!
Whether it's worth it or not is more like a matter of personal preference for a fruit. A fruit has its good and bad points, but because of these, some people will always like it and some won't!
At one point, everyone's gaze unconsciously turned towards the head of the table.
There, Zhang Weijun finally put down the documents he had been holding.
He ignored the stares of others and looked directly at Shen Heng.
Do you know what this means?
Shen Heng paused for a moment, then said, "Does that mean it could be triggered?"
Zhang Weijun nodded slightly.
"At this stage, every Fourth Tier inspector is someone the country has painstakingly cultivated over the past many years; each one is extremely important!"
"This importance means that every sacrifice made by an inspector must be supported by a sufficiently compelling reason."
At this point, Zhang Weijun paused, looking at Shen Heng and saying:
That's why we asked you to come here this time!
Shen Heng nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.
Seeing this, Zhang Weijun continued:
"Perhaps your view is right, or perhaps it is wrong, but in this uncertain situation, we cannot make any judgment on you."
"I will compile and report the relevant information."
" Daoist Master Li." Zhang Weijun looked at Li Daoyi.
"Don't worry, I will report it as usual." Li Daoyi nodded.
Zhang Weijun nodded, then looked at Shen Heng again.
"Therefore, we cannot offer any praise or criticism at this time. Let's wait for the results."
"Before that, you may need to temporarily step down from your squad leader position and be prohibited from going out to explore."
"You can let them decide whether they want to form their own groups to explore, or they can stay in the base like you."
After a pause, Zhang Weijun looked at Shen Heng and said calmly:
Do you have any opinions?