Chapter 235: Whether to Fight or Make Peace, You Decide, Elder

Inside the "Pandora" headquarters, Lilith was immersed in her self-induced fantasy of "marriage research," while at the other end of Earth, in the capital of Dragon Country, a serious discussion concerning strategic direction was underway in a study room steeped in antiquity and heavily guarded.

Sandalwood incense curled lazily, and tea fragrance filled the air. Yet the two elderly men seated on the rosewood chairs had no time to savor this tranquility.

One was a key member of Dragon Country's highest decision-making body, Han Lao, who oversaw national security and strategic development, his brow bearing the weight and gravity of decades of accumulated authority. The other was Chen Lao, a revered senior Academician of Dragon Country's Military Science Academy and the materials science titan who had previously exchanged words with Su Wenqian at the Suicheng Forum.

On the tea table between them lay a thick compilation of documents, its cover stamped with the words "TOP SECRET." It contained every publicly and privately gathered piece of information since the rise of the New Era: from its initial offshore platforms, to the embryonic form of the Sea-floor City, to the display of energy and materials technologies far beyond their era, to the recent geological monitoring system that had shaken the global earth science community (they did not know of the Earth Vein Resonance Harmonic Analysis Array, but through indirect evidence and anomalies in global geological data, deduced that the New Era must possess such a system), and… the several friction points with the Pandora Group, including the Suicheng Forum upheaval and the subsequent ambush incident.

Han Lao's fingers lightly tapped the cover of the file, producing a dull sound that broke the study's silence.

"Chen Lao, you've had the most contact with the New Era. In your view, what exactly does this Qin Feng… intend to do? Is his New Era an opportunity or a threat to us?" Han Lao's voice was low, heavy with gravity.

Chen Lao adjusted his reading glasses; his aged but clear eyes shimmered with complex emotion. After a long pause, he spoke slowly, his tone marked by the scholar's precision:

"Han Lao, based on my observations and limited interactions, this Mr. Qin's ambitions… are far from modest."

"What he seeks is surely not merely to carve out a secluded corner and establish a technologically advanced independent city-state. His gaze has already turned to the stars and oceans. The construction of the Deep Space Mothership is no idle claim. The technological system he controls is complete and ahead of its time—seemingly… exhibiting a generational gap from our own."

"As for his attitude," Chen Lao paused, carefully choosing his words, "he is not hostile toward us; in certain fields, he is even willing to engage in limited cooperation. But he possesses extreme autonomy… and an almost absolute desire for control. He will accept no form of subordination or interference. The New Era is the New Era—his absolute domain."

Han Lao listened in silence, his brow tightening further: "So he cannot be absorbed, nor easily constrained."

"At least for now, yes," Chen Lao nodded. "Moreover, while his conflict with Pandora appears to be commercial or technological competition, our fragmented intelligence suggests Pandora's background runs deep, involving… abnormal states and covert factions. Qin Feng's confrontation with them may trigger unpredictable chain reactions."

"Not to mention," Chen Lao picked up a briefing on the Star Ring (Dragon Country's high command had also become alert to this extraterrestrial calamity through their own channels, though far less deeply than Qin Feng understood it), "this Damocles' sword hanging over all humanity. Qin Feng seems to know it intimately—many of his maneuvers may well relate to it."

Han Lao sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temples.

The situation was more complex than he'd imagined: a powerful individual entity wielding disruptive technology, with unclear intentions and beyond control; a multinational conglomerate with murky ties and elusive tactics; and an imminent, unknown cataclysm threatening all human civilization…

This game was too hard to play.

"Some of our comrades believe the very existence of the New Era challenges the existing international order and national sovereignty, and that its technological monopoly hinders humanity's collective progress. They advocate… either forcing it to disclose its technology and integrate into the international community, or…" Han Lao did not finish, but the implication was clear.

Chen Lao immediately shook his head, his tone firm: "Impossible! Han Lao, absolutely not!"

"First, we have no guarantee we can force him to comply. Even if, hypothetically, we succeeded, what we'd gain might be nothing but a hollow shell. Qin Feng himself is the soul of the New Era. To make him an enemy would have unimaginable consequences. Don't forget what happened in Suicheng—his security forces, and… that chilling sense of control he displayed."

"Moreover," Chen Lao lowered his voice, "facing a threat like the Star Ring, can we really afford to push a potential ally who may hold the key to our survival into opposition?"

The study fell silent again.

Two lines of thought. Two choices. Concerning the fate of the nation, even the future of human civilization.

Should we cling to old notions and attempt to control or contain this suddenly risen giant? Or should we adjust our mindset, seek to establish a new, equal, perhaps even him-led partnership with this giant, to jointly face the coming tidal wave?

This was an excruciating decision.

Han Lao's gaze swept once more over the thick file on the table, as if peering through the paper to see the young man overseas who stirred the world's nerves.

After a long while, he rose slowly, walked to the window, and gazed out at the ancient yet vibrant city below. His voice, weary yet resolute, broke the quiet:

"Send my orders."

"First, suspend all probing and restrictive measures against the New Era. No department may initiate any provocation or escalate tensions without highest-level approval."

"Second, enhance civilian and technical exchanges with the New Era in non-sensitive areas—replace confrontation with cooperation. Chen Lao, you oversee this."

"Third, closely monitor all movements of Pandora and its affiliated forces, especially actions targeting the New Era. If necessary… you may provide the Qin Feng side some 'non-core-secret' early-warning intelligence."

He turned to Chen Lao, his eyes sharp:

"Before a true cataclysm, internal squabbles are meaningless. Since we cannot control him, we must learn to coexist with the strong—or even… leverage him."

"Whether to fight or to make peace," Han Lao ultimately deferred the tactical decision to Chen Lao, whose understanding ran deeper, his tone solemn, "in matters of detail, you decide. The overarching principle: avoid conflict, seek cooperation—but… the bottom line must be held!"

"I understand," Chen Lao nodded heavily, as if a great burden had settled on his shoulders.

He knew this was a historic decision. Dragon Country, this ancient Eastern power, was adjusting its relationship with a non-state entity with unprecedented pragmatism and foresight.

And all of this, because of one man's name—

Qin Feng.