Chapter 123: If you have the guts, go up there yourself!

The Hundred Palaces, the atmosphere was oppressively heavy, and everyone's face looked grim.

Because they can't see and can't guess what the Kunlun is doing on the Moon.

This feeling is more tormenting than watching Yanhuang Guo literally build a city on the Moon.

The vacuum of information bred endless panic and suspicion.

"They must be constructing a military base! Those robots, those crates—what's inside must be weapons!"

A hawkish general pounded the table at the meeting, spitting furiously.

"You should know, the Moon's gravity is far lower than the blue planet's surface, and if they deploy projectors up there, they only need to hurl a few rocks at our homeland,

and that could cause damage comparable to nuclear weapons! We must not sit idly and await death!"

President Wil massaged his throbbing temples, knowing the other side was speaking the truth.

But the question is, how can we avoid "sitting and awaiting death"? Send a Y-35 over to warn them?

"Technologically we're already lagging; a head‑on clash would only bring us disgrace."

The Secretary of State's voice was full of helplessness, "The only way now is to use public opinion, to place them on the opposite side of the world. Stir the waters and make them the target of everyone's arrows!"

A flash of resolve crossed Weier's eyes.

Indeed, since the muscles are no longer useful, we can only pick up the big stick we've used for decades—the public opinion war.

"Activate the highest‑level public opinion plan immediately!"

Weier ordered, "Within twenty‑four hours, I will make the whole world believe that Yanhuang Guo is turning the Moon into a guillotine hanging over all humanity!"

With that command, the massive propaganda machine that had been lying dormant sprang into full gear at once.

A host on Sifuke News Network, during prime time, reported in the most alarmist tone:

"The Red Dragon's Moon Fang: a secret military stronghold aimed at Earth is taking shape!"

AAC then invited a so‑called "space strategy expert" to anxiously analyze on the program:

"Yanhuang Guo's actions have seriously violated the original intent of peaceful space exploration. Their opaque moves are a blatant provocation of the global security system.

We have reason to suspect they are deploying space weapons beyond our imagination."

Immediately after, a G7 emergency online summit was convened.

Under the strong pressure of Yingjiang Guo, each nation, though harboring its own calculations, was forced to issue a joint statement, astonishingly uniform in tone:

"We express serious concern over Yanhuang Guo's opaque activities on the Moon, and reaffirm that the Moon is the common heritage of all humanity, and no nation has the right to unilaterally occupy or exploit it…"

For a moment, black clouds pressed the city, and a mountain rain seemed about to fall.

All the world's eyes focused on Yanhuang Guo, awaiting their response.

Yanhuang Guo Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a routine press conference.

Today's atmosphere was especially solemn; journalists from around the world packed the briefing hall to the brim, with long guns and short cannons lining the room,

Every face was filled with excitement and anticipation; they were waiting for a headline‑making, century‑defining battle.

A reporter from a well‑known Yingjiang Guo media outlet seized the first chance to ask a question; he stood up, his question sharp and direct:

"Respected Mr. Shuang, hello! Regarding the international community's widespread concern over the accusations that Yanhuang Guo is establishing a military base on the Moon and attempting to privatize it,

what is your response? Does your country's opaque behavior mean you are ready to become the world's enemy?"

This question almost directly placed a "world enemy" hat on you.

The breath of the entire room was held.

Behind the podium, Brother Shuang slowly adjusted his glasses on his nose bridge, a faint, almost imperceptible smile lingering at the corner of his mouth.

He did not answer immediately, allowing the suffocating silence to ferment in the air for a few seconds.

Then, he spoke slowly and steadily, his voice clear and calm.

"Friend of the press, you asked two questions; I will answer them one by one."

"First, regarding what we are doing on the Moon. I can responsibly tell you that we are undertaking a great cause—

conducting scientific research, exploring resources, and carving out new living space for the future of human civilization. In short, we are fighting for the welfare of all humanity."

He paused, surveyed the room, then turned his tone with a hint of mockery:

"As for the specifics of what's being built... friend, if I told you we were building a palace for Sister Chang'e up there, and casually adding a KTV and a barbecue stall, would you believe it?"

"Hahaha…"

The Yanhuang Guo reporters on the spot could no longer hold back, letting out a burst of suppressed laughter.

This lighthearted teasing instantly diluted the tense atmosphere, and made the questioning reporter's face turn red and then white.

Brother Shuang's smile faded, and his eyes sharpened.

"As for your second question, the Moon is the common heritage of all humanity. That statement is well‑said and noble."

"I even specifically consulted relevant international law, including the renowned Outer Space Treaty."

The treaty stipulates that no nation may, by claiming sovereignty, or by use or occupation, or by any other means, appropriate outer space (including the Moon and other celestial bodies) as its own.

Notice, it's 'appropriate as its own.' The treaty never says it forbids anyone from developing or constructing up there.

He leaned forward, his gaze like lightning, staring directly at the questioning reporter.

"Decades ago, there were one or two countries capable of landing on the Moon. May I ask, at that time did they share this heritage with all humanity?

Besides planting a flag, hitting a couple of golf balls, and leaving some living waste, what contribution did they make for 'all humanity'?"

"Now, Yanhuang Guo has gone up; we have gone up with detailed, sustainable development plans, ready to do something practical for humanity's future,

yet some people jump out, shouting 'It's for everyone, you can't touch it'?"

Brother Shuang's voice was not loud, but each word struck like a heavy hammer, pounding into everyone's hearts.

He stood straight, spread his hands, and in an utterly candid yet overwhelmingly domineering tone, spoke to the camera and the world, delivering a maddening line.

"The Moon is right there. It belongs to no one; everything on it is open to those with the capability."

"We went up because we have that ability."

So, here, I also want to give those international friends who are full of 'concern' for us a very sincere, constructive suggestion.

He deliberately paused for a moment, whetting everyone's appetite.

"If you're capable, come up here too!"

"We won't stop you."

As his words fell, the entire venue fell dead silent.

Immediately after, came the frantic flashing of bulbs and the sound of reporters sucking in cold air.

It was too direct, too arrogant, but also... so satisfying!

At Hundred Palaces, on the huge screen in President Wil's office, the press conference was being broadcast live.

When Brother Han spoke his last sentence, Weier fiercely smashed the crystal cup in his hand onto the ground.

Bang!

The glass shattered into pieces, water and ice splashing everywhere.

"He's humiliating the whole world! He's publicly belittling the technology of all nations!"

Weier's chest heaved violently, his face turning the color of pig liver.

He lost; right at the start of the public opinion battle, he was killed by the opponent with a single plain, yet unsolvable sentence.

Yeah, if you're capable, come up here too.

This simple sentence pierced through all the hypocritical pretense, exposing the cruelest reality.

At the gaming table, players lacking strength don't even have the right to protest.