Chapter 547: Why Make Such a Fuss

The conference hall was packed, with reporters from countries all over the world filling every corner. Ever since that world-shocking photo was exposed, all media had been speculating about the official response from Long Country. Many reporters even flew to Long Country overnight, just to hear for themselves this mysterious major power's explanation for the "Ghost of the Sea."

Spokesperson Zheng Li walked onto the podium with a calm expression, as if today were just an ordinary press conference. He first read out several diplomatic activity arrangements according to custom, and then began to answer questions.

"Long Country has signed an agricultural cooperation agreement with a certain North African country..."

"Regarding the issue of border trade, our stance has always been clear..."

"The embassy abroad will hold a cultural exchange event next month..."

After answering several routine questions in a row, Zheng Li lowered his head to flip through documents and said in a relaxed tone:

"Oh, there is one more piece of supplementary information. Our country's new type of Ground Effect Vehicle, 'Kunpeng,' recently conducted long-range ocean tests with good technical performance. The tests show that its airspeed, stability, and range have all reached the expected indicators."

After he finished this sentence, he prepared to move on to the next topic, but suddenly realized the entire conference hall had fallen into an eerie, deathly silence. All the reporters had their eyes wide open and mouths agape, as if they had been struck by a freezing spell. For a few seconds, only the sound of the air conditioning running and the rustling of paper turning could be heard.

Then, like a volcanic eruption, the venue instantly boiled over!

"May I ask if 'Kunpeng' is the unidentified flying object that appeared in Kyoto Bay?"

"What is its maximum speed? How does it achieve high-speed flight at ultra-low altitudes?"

"How did Long Country develop this technology that transcends the era?"

"Does this mean that Long Country possesses long-range strike capabilities?"

Reporters scrambled to raise their hands to ask questions, some even stood up and shouted, and the order of the venue completely collapsed. Several security personnel nervously stepped forward to maintain order, but with little effect.

Zheng Li's expression was calm; he tapped the microphone lightly to signal everyone to be quiet.

"Please stay calm, fellow reporters, one at a time." He scanned the room and deliberately chose a reporter who looked the calmest.

"London Observer reporter, may I ask if 'Kunpeng' is the 'mysterious object' that recently disturbed the Star-Spangled Country's aircraft carrier in the ocean, as well as the 'unidentified flying vehicle' that appeared in Kyoto Bay?"

Zheng Li's expression remained unchanged, his tone flat, "Yes, 'Kunpeng' is conducting global technical tests and has passed through the central ocean and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. This is a normal scientific research activity."

The venue erupted in an uproar again. A Star-Spangled Country reporter was almost shouting: "How did Long Country develop this kind of flying vehicle that exceeds current technological levels? What exactly is its maximum speed?"

Zheng Li smiled slightly, "'Kunpeng' is the result of years of research by our country's scientists, adopting a series of independent innovative technologies. As for the specific performance parameters, due to national security considerations, it is inconvenient to disclose too many details. However, I can tell you that its airspeed is indeed quite considerable."

This vague yet confirming response made the reporters even crazier. Questions came like a rainstorm:

"Does Long Country plan to mass-produce 'Kunpeng'?"

"Is it equipped with a weapon system?"

"Why does Long Country want to test this kind of weapon in the waters of Yinghua Guo?"

Zheng Li raised his hand to signal for quiet, then added: "I want to emphasize that the test activities of 'Kunpeng' are peaceful and scientific in nature. Of course, it may pass through the waters of other countries during test flights, and we advise ships of all countries to pay attention and avoid it to prevent accidents."

This sentence was no different from adding fuel to the fire, and the reporters were even more agitated. A Yinghua Guo reporter asked angrily: "Long Country's 'Kunpeng' overturned our country's fishing boat in Kyoto Bay, causing injuries to fishermen. How do you plan to compensate?"

Zheng Li's expression remained unchanged, "If there is definitive evidence indicating that the loss was caused by our country's flying vehicle, we will handle it properly through diplomatic channels. However, according to our flight records, 'Kunpeng' maintained a safe distance throughout the entire process and did not have direct contact with any ships."

After answering this question, Zheng Li glanced at his watch, "Due to time constraints, today's press conference ends here. Thank you all for your participation."

He closed his folder and prepared to leave, but the reporters were relentless and continued to ask questions loudly. Zheng Li walked off the podium and whispered something to the staff member beside him, not knowing it had been captured by a high-sensitivity microphone installed in the press section:

"Why make such a fuss... it's just a flying vehicle..."

This inadvertent remark spread across the globe via live broadcast, triggering a new round of shock and speculation. This nonchalant attitude of Long Country, as if "Kunpeng" were just an ordinary item among many advanced technologies, was more shocking than any official statement.

Star-Spangled Country, Pentagon War Room.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Admiral Patterson slammed his fist onto the conference table, his face turning red, "They admitted it! Long Country publicly admitted that it is their weapon! And that attitude... that damn nonchalant attitude! It's as if they could casually build a super weapon that we can't even catch a shadow of!"

The atmosphere in the war room was extremely heavy. The large screen on the wall played the photo taken by the Yinghua Guo fisherman on a loop—the Long Country flag on the belly of "Kunpeng" was clearly visible. Another screen played a clip of the Long Country Wajiaobu spokesperson's press conference, and his nonchalant attitude was like adding fuel to the fire.

"We must immediately assess Long Country's true military capabilities," the Secretary of Defense said in a deep voice, "If they can build 'Kunpeng,' who knows what other technologies they have mastered?"

Admiral Patterson turned abruptly, grabbed a technical officer by the collar, and roared: "Tell me! How are they thirty years ahead of us?! What are our scientists doing? What is our intelligence system doing? Why can even a country that just achieved Yan Jiefang leave us in the dust by several blocks?!"

The technical officer's face turned pale, "Sir, we... we don't know either. According to all known technological paths, to achieve the performance of 'Kunpeng,' it would require at least twenty to thirty years of technological accumulation and breakthroughs. How Long Country did it... we really cannot explain."

"It's impossible that it can't be explained!" Patterson released the technical officer and turned to roar at the representative of the intelligence department, "Are your intelligence networks all useless? Long Country built such a large project, and you actually knew nothing about it?"

The Intelligence Officer wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, "We did obtain some sporadic intelligence about Long Country's 'Penglai' base, but... but the assessment concluded that it was just a conventional scientific research facility and did not receive enough attention."