Chapter 198: Warrior and Fly

Press conference of the State Council of the Xia Nation.

After a round of questions and answers regarding achievements in governing supernatural creatures worldwide, a white reporter stood up impatiently, asking with hidden excitement:

"According to reports, Yang Yi went to watch a Magic Male Revue show yesterday? What is the Xia Nation's stance on this matter?"

A commotion erupted in the hall; everyone perked up and pointed their cameras at the spokesperson on stage.

As everyone knows, the Xia Nation has always strictly banned "gambling, drugs, and prostitution"; any public figure involved in even one of these three would be condemned and abandoned from top to bottom.

In the Xia Nation, striptease performances are deemed illegal activities. According to Xia Nation law, pornography and obscene performances are prohibited, and striptease often involves these elements.

Previously, a certain entertainment industry star from the Xia Nation made a grand spectacle of traveling to France to watch a female striptease show; later, that person vanished from the entertainment world entirely, demonstrating the Xia Nation's attitude toward such events.

Yang Yi's visit to the male revue show happened to hit a nerve, giving these foreign reporters a handle. If the Xia Nation handled the matter unfairly, it would surely cause a public uproar.

The spokesperson of the State Council Information Office smiled slightly: "Regarding this matter, we are investigating. Currently, there is no evidence proving the person in the video is Yang Yi. Once the investigation is clear, we will announce the results to everyone."

Ha, so they aren't planning to admit it. The reporters exchanged glances.

The person in the video indeed bore little resemblance to Yang Yi; although numerous institutions and individuals had compared the body proportions of the person in the video with Yang Yi's, with detailed data, plus the well-known fact that Yang Yi can change her appearance, everyone believed it was her. But they had no evidence after all.

A reporter from the Yi Nation stood up, scanned the room, and asked in fluent Xia Nation language:

"With Yang Yi's current superpowers, people even regard her as 'the only god on earth.' Does her watching a striptease show this time signify that she disregards human rights, treats others as playthings to satisfy her own desires? If she has even more excessive demands, the entire human race might be powerless to resist. How will humanity cope then?"

These alarmist words, deliberately stirring hatred, made the State Council Information Office spokesperson frown slightly; he sobered his expression and reiterated sternly: "Currently, there is no evidence proving the person in the video is Yang Yi; we are investigating this matter. Your accusations are premature."

A reporter from the Jia Nation stood up impatiently and asked: "May I ask, do we humans need a god with moral flaws? Especially when this god truly exists?"

"Since Yang Yi became famous after the seaside battle, relying on her own strength to gain immense status and reputation, every word and action of hers receives global attention; her behavior will have a profound impact on people worldwide. The image and values she represents will even cause young people across the globe to imitate her, sparking a trend for all humanity—I know you deny that the person watching the striptease show is Yang Yi, but I am speaking hypothetically. If it truly was her, should she not take responsibility for her actions?"

State Council Information Office spokesperson: "We do not answer hypothetical questions. Next."

A reporter from the Aka Nation stood up, staring tightly at the State Council Information Office spokesperson: "As everyone knows, Yang Yi's abilities now surpass all Awakened ones, just as her title suggests—the God of Humanity. Does the Xia Nation have the capability to restrict her, make her bear the responsibility she deserves, and ensure she aligns with morality and law?"

This Aka Nation reporter did not dwell on the striptease incident but went straight to the point.

For a moment, the press conference venue fell silent.

The State Council Information Office spokesperson silently scanned the room, then slowly said: "Comrade Yang Yi, since joining work, has been dutiful and conscientious, never showing the slightest slack, and has nearly sacrificed herself for all humanity several times."

"There is a saying in the West: with great power comes great responsibility. Comrade Yang Yi has always embodied this saying in her conduct. Certain countries and organizations should not baselessly speculate on events that have never happened, nor should they seize upon trivial matters to stir up alarmist rhetoric."

"Here we remind everyone: Comrade Yang Yi is a human being, not a saint as some claim, nor a so-called god. A writer from our country once said: a flawed warrior is still a warrior; a perfect fly is still nothing more than a fly. Let us all take this to heart."

While the press conference was being held, a small storm was also brewing in an office of the Awakening Administration Bureau.

"I told you to take her out to relax, not to take her to watch a striptease performance!" Director Zhou slammed the table, making a bang-bang sound, "You watched it, and you even let others film it! Now public opinion is raging worldwide, you... you..."

Zhang Zhang Ningning lowered her head to admit her mistake: "Director, it is my fault! I just wanted her to know that this colorful world has more than one big tree; there are thousands of forests waiting for her to visit! Look... isn't she having quite a good time..."

Her last sentence was swallowed under Director Zhou's piercing gaze.

"Have you thought about what consequences this will cause? Have you thought about the public opinion impact this matter will create? You have put us in a passive position throughout the entire public opinion arena!" Director Zhou waved his hand wearily, "Go! Write a ten-thousand-word self-criticism!"

Zhang Zhang Ningning wanted to say something more, but finally closed her mouth and walked out of the office.

Just as she stepped out, she ran into Feng Liancheng.

"Yo, wearing a funeral face," Feng Liancheng said with a grin, "What punishment did you get?"

"Writing a self-criticism, a full ten thousand words!" Zhang Zhang Ningning was on the verge of tears.

"Just that?" Feng Liancheng raised an eyebrow, "You caused such a huge mess, and writing a self-criticism is enough? Director Zhou is letting you off way too lightly..."

"I also completed the task successfully; not getting a reward is one thing, but why do I have to write a self-criticism..." Zhang Zhang Ningning muttered.

"If it weren't for Yang Yi's sake, Director Zhou definitely wouldn't have been so lenient."

"Hehe, I knew it; otherwise I wouldn't have dared!" Zhang Zhang Ningning's eyes rolled, "I am just an accessory; where is the principal offender? I must go complain to her so she knows the painstaking effort I made for her!"

"She went to the Interstellar Colonization Research Institute."

"Back from a trip and straight to work? Why does she love work so much? Born with the body of a heavenly ox and horse..." Zhang Zhang Ningning complained.

"Probably when she's busy, she doesn't have to think about other things," Feng Liancheng said softly.

Zhang Zhang Ningning was speechless for a moment; after a while, she hesitated and asked: "Did they really break up?"

Feng Liancheng glanced sideways at her: "What? You didn't ask?"

"Taking her out to relax was meant to make her forget about this matter; avoiding the topic is the least I could do; how would I dare to ask?"

"Actually, breaking up is for the best; they were never suitable to begin with," Feng Liancheng said gently.

"How were they unsuitable? Talented woman and handsome man, they were a perfect match! More importantly, when Yiyi was with him, her mood was obviously better."

"Sigh, you don't understand; imagination and reality are bound to differ. From the very beginning, I didn't think they would work out; I was quite surprised they stayed together for so long." Feng Liancheng checked his phone, "I won't chat nonsense with you anymore; I need to report to Director Zhou..."

Zhang Zhang Ningning wanted to pull him aside to ask more, but didn't want to disturb his work; she fumed for a long time, feeling indignant on behalf of her idol and friend.

But deep down, she had to admit that the two were indeed unsuitable.