Chapter 1298 - Argument (1/2)
“What are you talking about?”.
Manison glared at Han Xiao. Having his biggest secret exposed, a storm was happening in his heart.
He had never told anyone he secretly studied the Virtual Mutiny Virus, so how did Black Star know?
Prophecy? Doesn’t make sense, my base is covered in Information Form disruption devices, so others can’t even find where my main body is, let alone that I’ve been studying this technology.
Is he faking it?
“Don’t lie. Since I’ve pointed this out, of course, I’ve obtained solid information,” Han Xiao added. “As the president, I have to know my key members well. What you thought is a secret is no secret to me. Plus, I also know your research has already shown results… This is very important, so tell the truth.”
Manison looked at Han Xiao’s calm expression and felt a chill in his heart. Suddenly, panic appeared in his mind for the first time in an extremely long time. He felt as if all his secrets were transparent to Han Xiao.
No matter how dangerous the situation he was in earlier when being invaded, his emotions remained completely unaffected. Now, just speaking with Han Xiao, his calm mood was broken instantly, and his mind was shaken.
This *sshole Black Star… is really my fated nemesis.
Manison clenched his teeth in his mind.
He was in a dilemma. He really wanted to insist on hiding it, but he decided to tell the truth in the end.
“Since you knew, why didn’t you stop my research?”
Han Xiao smiled in his head. It’s not like I can control what you research about… Plus, what I have is better.
The Virtual Mutiny Virus Manison made was only a semi-finished product. As for him, when he completed the [Intelligent Plague] mission with an S Mission Rating back then, he obtained the original (Domino Virus). Though incomplete, it was not something a mere forgery Manison created could compare to.
However, there was no need to tell Old Manison this. Han Xiao coughed and said, “Only because there was no need to.”
Hearing this, Manison started making guesses and narrowed his eyes.
“Humph, I got it. You actually wanted this insurance too, but because you wanted to be elected president, you deliberately watched me do the dirty work. You don’t oppose us having this dangerous technology, but it won’t affect you this way.” “… Whatever you think.”
Han Xiao’s mouth twitched. To be frank, he liked talking to people who loved making speculations. He did not even have to come up with excuses, and the other person would do it for him. It was really quite convenient.
“Humph, we’re the same, after all.” Manison snorted.
Han Xiao thought he might as well follow Manison’s speculation, so he said seriously, “But I still don’t agree with the path you wanted us to take. That hasn’t changed.”
Manison subconsciously wanted to argue, but as he thought of the Sanctum Revival method Han Xiao revealed that was indeed much more effective than what he planned to do, he could only shut up.
Seeing this, Han Xiao paused and continued, “The Virtual Mutiny Virus is a weapon of mass destruction to the galactic society. It’s more than powerful enough to overthrow all order and turn the entire explored universe into chaos. Back when I personally shattered the virus core, in the eyes of the public, this dangerous technology disappeared forever, so they stopped worrying. However, if the three Universal Civilizations find out this technology surfaced again, things will be different.”
“I think the three Universal Civilizations will be more wary.” Manison did not seem concerned.
“You still want to be so stubborn and take one path to the end. It’ll soon be too hard to turn back…” Han Xiao sighed.
Though the association was confronting the three Universal Civilizations, the two sides were only intimidating each other, which formed a balance. However, if the Virtual Mutiny Virus appeared again, it would be seen as holding the entire galactic society hostage. Even if the association had no intention to use the virus, the nature of this conflict would change completely.
After all, the Virtual Mutiny Virus was too powerful. It could shatter the order of the galactic society and turn into a universal level disaster. When this technology was controlled by an individual and turned into a modifiable virus weapon, its threat would multiply tremendously once again. The individual could totally invent countless generations of the virus and release them all at once, crushing the galactic society’s average artificial intelligence technology.
Without even having to think about it, there was absolutely no way the three Universal Civilizations would allow anyone other than themselves to have a hold of such a deadly weapon. It would be the equivalent of giving someone else the power to control the life and death of the galactic society.
Furthermore, Han Xiao would be affected too. The outside world all thought that he had destroyed the virus, so if Manison was discovered to possess it, even if Han Xiao was not related, conspiracies would definitely receive a lot of recognition. The outside world would think Han Xiao only put on a show back when he destroyed the virus core, while he actually formed a partnership with Manison behind the curtains.
This way, his image would shift to the complete opposite side and he would really become the common enemy of the universe. The association would be dragged down along with him too… Fighting the domineering three Universal Civilizations as the oppressed side would be a justifiable battle for their rights and would receive a lot of support. However, if the association forced the three Universal Civilizations to obey through holding the entire galactic society hostage, the entire situation’s nature would change, and the number of people supporting the association would plummet.
“There’s never been a way to turn back to begin with,” Manison said slowly. “You’ve always talked about intimidation and balance. When will all that end? If we don’t obliterate the three Universal Civilizations’ ambitions completely, they’ll never give up controlling the scale of individual greatness. A balance without strategic deterrence isn’t sustainable. Isn’t it good to let the three Universal Civilizations know we are capable of rapidly destroying the entire galactic society?”
Han Xiao rubbed his temple and said, “Sure, the galactic society is very important, but when their rule is strongly threatened, the three Universal Civilizations will be willing to pay any price to eliminate their enemies. Although it’s not easy to form a galactic society, at least it can be rebuilt. But if they lose their ruling position, the three Universal Civilizations would rather wipe out everything and start anew. The three Universal Civilizations are acting cautious and fearful now, but once something crosses the line, they’ll have the decisiveness to destroy everything and be reborn. They’ll never be threatened. This is not something we want to see happen.”
Having spent so many years in Galaxy, he had seen things clearly. The production power of the galactic era was astonishing. When the production chains of the society no longer needed people to participate, to some advanced civilizations, population was only a renewable resource that was not even that valuable. They granted their people the rights they enjoyed only because of the functions they provided, not the people themselves.