Those who face the wall, but are in the Nascent Soul stage.

Chapter 295 I am right

"How did things turn out like this?"

The chairman sat helplessly in his seat and looked at the conference table, where Luo Ji, Hines, Shan Qing and others (ghosts) were taking their seats one after another.

(Note: Shan Qing and Luo Qing are considered the same person in a legal sense.)
The three fleet commanders sat in their respective seats, but Serantin and Vitalis did not look well, while the commander of the Asian fleet appeared very calm.

News of Keiko Yamasugi's breach of the wall last night remains under wraps; only the parties involved and high-ranking officials at Fleet International know about it.

Interestingly, although Hines vehemently denied Keiko Yamasugi's breakthrough, the commander of the Asian Fleet provided evidence that they had been secretly investigating for two years. This evidence had been investigated long before the decisive battle of the War of Devouring, and it essentially refuted the veracity of Keiko Yamasugi's claims.

The "Stamped Tribe," who hold the belief that "humanity is doomed to fail," may actually exist.

Of the three fleets, the Asian Fleet was the best prepared. Long before Keiko Yamasugi broke through the barrier, he had already used various excuses to transfer the high-ranking officers of the star-class warships who had participated in the imprinting of the thought steel, thus elevating the status of the people of the Common Era to a certain extent and separating the authority of the captains to ensure that no single captain could control the warship to go its own way.

Yesterday, the position of executive captain was established, allowing a group of ancient soldiers with rich combat experience, or space force soldiers who have not been inoculated with any ideological imprinting devices, to temporarily take on the position of executive captain, ensuring absolute control over the star-class warship.

In fact, even the commander of the Asian fleet was unsure whether his actions were correct.

But one thing he knew was that no one's decisions could be correct forever.

As a human who has been in hibernation for centuries, the commander of the Asian fleet naturally knows why escapism has emerged. But now, times have changed, and escapism no longer has the fertile ground to exist.

I will do my best to resolve the internal conflicts within the fleet step by step, hoping things won't get too bad, especially if I've really made a mistake...

I believe you.

In fact, the commander of the Asian fleet has always been a potential force supporting the idea stamping technology.

However, due to Luo Qing's influence, the "Thought Imprint" facility, which influences people's thinking, has never been completely banned by human legislation; it has only been subject to many restrictions.

Scholars worldwide have consistently called for a ban on the thought imprinting device, but because it has been well-protected, there has been no misuse. Since Hu Hai's death, the thought imprinting device has never been leaked again; therefore, in the face of calls to ban it, Fleet International has chosen to remain silent.

The butterfly effect caused by Luo Qing's personal influence has begun to emerge.

This is why the Belief Center has always existed in the three fleets. In the entire Solar System Fleet, at least 15% of the crew members have used the Thought Imprinting device.

Considering the size of the solar system fleet, this is a rather terrifying number.

The only saving grace is that the new era space force is not lacking in the belief of victory. The vast majority of space forces using the ideological imprinting equipment are there for the three, four, and five ideological imprints: "eat well, drink well, sleep well."

After the era of martial artists, most people were able to regulate their sleep and appetite, so these three ideological imprints gradually became desolate. At least today, the belief centers of the three major fleets are deserted, and not a single person may come for a month.

After all, having one's brain stamped is not something to brag about, not to mention that after having one's brain stamped, one will be subject to stricter restrictions on promotions and job advancements.

However, this does not mean that the number of people in this group is small. After all, the new humans have long lifespans, and a considerable number of elderly people around 100 years old who have used the thought imprinting facilities are still active in the solar system fleet.

They had seen the darkness before dawn, and they were among the least faithful.

In addition to the Asian fleet commander having begun laying the groundwork two years prior, the European and American fleets also reacted swiftly.

Vitalis directly handed over his position as commander-in-chief, leaving Qian Mengjian to take the blame (crossed out). Qian Mengjian was temporarily in charge of various affairs of the European fleet and the upcoming Jupiter military parade. After all, this man had once held a high position and had never been exposed to the ideological imprint, making him the best candidate for temporary commander.

As for himself, he will wait until the hearing is over before cooperating with the joint meeting to conduct a self-examination, and then conduct a top-down review of the fleet.

Commander-in-Chief of the American Fleet, Serantine, also arranged a temporary successor. Her successor's identity was even more special than that of the former NATO Supreme Commander. The successor was named Grant, the 78th and 79th President of the United States, a hibernator who had awakened in the 190th year of the Crisis Era and had served in the American Fleet for 15 years, a hibernator from the end of the Great Depression.

Of course, this is all temporary. Only after the high-level self-examination is over can a top-down review of the Solar System Fleet itself be conducted.

Compared to the Asian fleet, whose lists were already secretly known, the lists of those who had received the ideological seals of the European and American fleets were much more chaotic and difficult to sort out, making the tasks for the two fleet commanders much more challenging.

For a time, the people of the Common Era, who were unable to access the thought imprint facility due to hibernation, quickly became the most trusted individuals within the fleet.

The inner thoughts of the three fleet commanders will not be discussed for now.

After all the officials and members of the joint legislature representing the Wallfacer program had arrived, the chairman picked up the paper document and read it aloud:
"Mr. Shanqing, Mr. Hines, Mr. Luoji, as the chairpersons of this joint meeting, I am delighted to see you at Jupiter Space City. As the only three remaining Wallfacers in the Wallfacer Project, you have fulfilled your duties in your own way over the past 202 years. In particular, Mr. Luoqing, represented by Shanqing, has played a pivotal role in the development of civilization over the past 200 years. On behalf of Fleet International, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Luoqing."

Even in his dead state, Shanqing smiled slightly, which could be considered a response.

The chairman continued, "I will not go into the background and core content of the Wallfacer Project here. The proposal jointly submitted by the American Fleet, the Asian Fleet, and the European Fleet has been fully and thoroughly evaluated by the Solar System Joint Conference. Now I will give a brief overview of the proposal."

Chairman: "The proposal states that both Fleet International and Earth International believe that with humanity's overwhelming military superiority within the solar system and the complete victory in the Devouring War, the Wallfacer Project, born out of the Trisolaran crisis, has lost its meaning. Five years ago, with Wallfacer Luo Qing's recent emergence from seclusion, the Trisolaran world withdrew all its sophons, the technological blockade that had plagued humanity was lifted, and humanity regained its secrets after 202 years. Since then, humanity is no longer unilaterally transparent to the Trisolaran world. The UN's original intention in selecting the five Wallfacers was precisely to utilize the individual Wallfacers'..." The Wallfacer Project, with its completely closed-off individual thought, devised and executed strategic plans to counter the Trisolaran invasion, thus evading the omnipresent surveillance of the Sophons. Now, both preconditions for the continuation of the Wallfacer Project no longer exist. The upcoming Trisolaran peace talks signify a victory for human force, and the withdrawal of the Sophons marks a return to secrecy in human strategy. Therefore, we believe that the Wallfacer Project has fulfilled its historical responsibility. Although the incident of Mr. Luo Ji becoming a cultivator briefly shook our decision, we ultimately decided to continue with our initial ideas. Now, we recommend that the Solar System Joint Conference terminate the Wallfacer Project and simultaneously repeal the United Nations Wallfacer Act.

The chairman's words did not cause much of a stir. Long before the meeting began, everyone had already guessed that the hearing was related to the abolition of the Wallfacer program. However, what no one expected was that the hearing did not revoke the status of individual Wallfacers, but rather, based on the starting point, directly abolished the entire Wallfacer program, including even Luo Qing, who was still in seclusion.

If the vote passes, the history of the Wallfacers will be over.

Of course, everyone knows that Luo Qing's influence is not closely related to his status as a Wallfacer; the other two Wallfacers are the most affected.

Furthermore, Fleet International has already consulted Shan Qing, and Shan Qing, on behalf of Luo Qing, replied: "The main body has no objections; it's up to you."

Fleet International was relieved.

After the chairman finished speaking, Luo Ji was obviously the happiest one. He had lost his status as a Wallfacer and become a free cultivator. It wouldn't be long before he could awaken his wife and children. Even if the sky fell, Luo Qing would still be there to support him. How come he got all the good things?

He also reaped many benefits when he was facing the wall before hibernation.

Aside from a few days of mental turmoil during the final stage before hibernation, Luo Ji was convinced that he had not suffered any harm in this farce spanning two centuries, and that fate was on his side.

The greatest hardship Luo Ji had ever endured in his life was drinking that bottle of red wine from hundreds of years ago in the Garden of Eden.

"Fate must be looking out for me."

Luo Ji repeatedly confirmed this fact in his mind.

For human society, Dr. Luo Ji's appearance as a new cultivator has caused quite a stir, but based on his current martial prowess, this newly ascended cultivator will not have a significant impact on humanity's future for at least two hundred years, so there's no need to rush things. In contrast to Luo Ji, Hines sat pale-faced to one side, but Huizi, who usually accompanied him, was nowhere to be seen.

Chairman: "Before voting on Proposal No. 649 of the Solar System Fleet Joint Conference, the three Wallfacers may give their final presentations of their Wallfacer plans. Since Sophon no longer exists, all three Wallfacers may recount their true Wallfacer plans. Fleet International will give its final response to the Wallfacer plans of the three Wallfacers. Mr. Zenkichi, you may begin."

Shanqing imitated the original form and said:

"My Wallfacer plan is very simple. The Wallbreaker Evans (ID: Van Gogh/Gauguin) broke through two centuries ago, which is my true strategy. My true plan is only this: to use my influence to interfere with the development of civilization, clear obstacles, solve hidden dangers, and let humanity use its own power to solve the Trisolaran crisis."

Everyone had an expression that said, "I knew it."

Isn't that exactly what Luo Qing has been doing for the past two centuries?

ETO Rebellion, Taiyuan Earth Fire, Great Depression, MOSS Turmoil, Sacrifice at the Altar of Truth, Angel Age Organization Rebellion, Arrival of the Warrior Age, Great Ring War...

Behind every major difficulty and transformation facing humanity, there is the shadow of Luo Qing or his clone.

This "protector" has been trying to consolidate the achievements of human development in its own way and with its own "noble" moral values, successfully changing the path of human development from "spiraling upward and wave-like progress" to "soaring straight up and going a thousand miles in one go".

It is the existence of a single person who has bypassed the law of negation of negation and shaken the existence of dialectical materialism.

Even the most powerful solar system fleet today has to admit that... without Luo Qing, the war against the Devouring Giant Ring would be much more difficult, and humanity's losses would be at least a thousand times greater than before Luo Qing's intervention.

The chairman commented on Shan Qing's answer: "If that's really the case, then Mr. Luo Qing has succeeded. His Wallfacer Plan is based on absolute strength; it's an open and aboveboard strategy, unafraid of being breached. He truly protected humanity through its most dangerous moment. Without it, humanity would have faced multiple obstacles, including a super trough, the disappearance of the Martial Arts Era, the weakening of the Solar System Fleet, and the Bloodbath that devoured the Empire. All of humanity would be grateful to him. And now, humanity has fully matured. Mr. Shan Qing, you can tell him to go into seclusion in peace. At least for the next two hundred years, nothing will interrupt his seclusion."

Shan Qing nodded.

The chairman looked at Bill Hines, his gaze hardening: "Bill Hines, Wallfacer, do you have any further explanation for your Wallfacer plan?"

The chairman didn't even ask Bill Hines whether the plan revealed by the breach was true or false. Everyone present was intelligent; one night was more than enough time for the various fleets to complete the most basic verification. The fact that the three fleets had simultaneously adopted the same response confirmed this. Childish stubbornness was pointless, and Hines surely understood that.

Hines seemed to fall silent.

Seeing this, the chairman added, "Dr. Hines, there is one thing you don't need to worry about. Everything you have done is based on your own Wallfacer project, and you have the Wallfacer status as a guarantee. Therefore, even if you are stripped of your Wallfacer status, you will not face any charges. I think this can relieve your worries."

"Do you have anything to say?" the chairman added, as if he were interrogating someone.

Everyone present looked at him.

Luo Ji didn't know what to say. If it were two hundred years ago, after learning about Hines' true plan, he would definitely have been Hines' supporter. At that time, he himself did not believe that humanity could defeat the Trisolarans, and escape was the best option.

No one could have predicted that humanity's strength would expand to such an extent in just two hundred years, so it's not his fault.

Hines spoke, and his argument stunned everyone:

"I am right."

The chairman was already showing signs of anger: "Correct? Dr. Hines, do you know what you've done? Right now, a storm of power struggles is brewing throughout the entire Solar System Fleet. All three fleets are trying their best to find out which Steel-Stamped Race members might be among them. A war that was bound to be won has been turned into a farce of a massive rout under your manipulation!"

Hines repeated it.

"I am right."

European Fleet Commander Vitalis couldn't help but retort angrily, "You're right? If your wife hadn't exposed your plot, do you know what would have happened? When the Solar System Fleet clashed with the Trisolaran Fleet, or when they embarked on an expedition to the Trisolaran system, the human fleet would have routed! Elephants would have surrendered to ants! What a farce that would be, and you actually think you're right?"

Commander Serantin of the American Fleet then asked Hines a question: "Dr. Hines, when escapism actually occurs, how should humanity cope? Should we allow the solar system's intercepting fire to be directed at our own warships? Dr. Hines, is that what you want?"

Hines' face paled even more: "I was right."

The chairman calmed down: "What are your reasons for believing you are right? Is it that the Solar System Fleet is too weak, or that the Wallfacer Luo Qing is too weak?"

Hines gave a pale smile: "It has nothing to do with any of that. It's because I've imprinted a mental mark on myself: everything I did in the Wallfacer Project was correct."

Everyone was clearly stunned by what Hines had said.

"Hins, why did you do this?" Luo Ji couldn't help but ask.

Hines replied, "I need to acquire the mental strength to support me in moving the plan forward."

"I really can't hold back anymore. Of the five Wallfacers, three of them used all their dirty tricks on themselves, leaving only the two surnamed Luo who became cultivators... The person who proposed the Wallfacer Project is truly a genius," said a deputy commander of the Asian fleet.

The chairman asked, "Is that all you have to say, Dr. Hines, puppet of thought?"

Hines nodded weakly.

The chairman now has only one last thought: immediately, right now, terminate this damned Wallfacer program. This world doesn't need any Wallfacers; it only needs Luo Qing, this one cultivator, and that's enough.

He ignored Hines and instead focused his attention on Luo Ji.

Looking at Luo Ji, who was standing there leisurely, the chairman's gaze held a hint of helplessness: "Wallfacer Luo Ji, Dr. Hines' farce has come to an end. What was your final statement about the Wallfacer Project?"

Luo Ji was surprised that the high-level members of the joint meeting had ended their denunciation of Hines before it even began. He stood up at Shi Qiang's prompting and then tentatively spoke.

"My Wallfacer Project? I think you should be well aware of what I've done. I'm nothing more than a lunatic who flaunts mysticism and randomly sends 'spells' into the deep universe. Mr. Chairman, there's no need to show me too much respect. I'm not fundamentally different from the other three Wallfacers... I'm even inferior to the three of them."

Luo Ji smiled calmly: "There is only one truly successful Wallfacer, and that is Mr. Luo Qing... By the way, how is that star?"

The chairman's voice was calm and even: "Star 187J3X1 has been destroyed. During the time you were awake, didn't you go online to ask about it?"

Luo Ji's smile froze.

(End of this chapter)