Chapter 1668: NO.283: Success and Failure, the Fusion of Good and Evil (x

NO. 283: Success and Failure, the Fusion of Good and Evil (x

Dazhenhan is catching up! The distance is closing! Chengtian Bai Ren's advantage is slipping! The Golden Master, along with Qianming Representative, Ludaofu Xiangzheng, and Gechengwangpai chasing from behind, are all accelerating!

Even Wanshan Siji hasn't truly given up! Can that twenty‑horse‑length gap be erased?! Can they hold on until that moment?!!!!

Just like last time, this racecourse length is also the longest in every athlete's career, and the longer finale will test all athletes' final‑leg stamina consumption.

Unlike past races that could be settled within ten seconds after reaching the final stretch, the 20,000‑meter track brings a final‑leg trial measured in kilometers.

Even before the race, countless experts and insiders had criticized it, saying a true final stretch should be settled within a few hundred meters; on a track of this length that shouldn't even be called a final stretch, there were also countless opposing voices claiming that the short‑distance Dream Cup's M‑class time is even shorter than the classic year's short‑distance time, that the Dream Cup's athletes fully deserve this data, and that they should likewise continue the same specification upgrade in mid‑season races.

Thus this 20,000‑meter mid‑season race proceeded smoothly, and the audience will also witness the ultimate proof of the rule‑battle that has been endlessly debated online——

"So fast! Even faster! With over a thousand meters still to go, Chengtian Bai Ren is still accelerating!"

The entire venue was deathly silent, save for the muffled footsteps after noise‑canceling treatment constantly echoing within the four‑way close‑up projections. Even the brief tremor that coincidentally overlapped with Chengtian Bai Ren's full‑power burst earlier could not shake the spectators' resolve to stay seated, fists clenched.

Everyone held their breath at the seemingly distant 1,231‑meter mark.

Gazing at Chengtian Bai Ren — Dazhenhan — Qianming Representative, Haogeju, Ludaofu Xiangzheng, Gechengwangpai — Wanshan Siji — Noble Lady, Lingya Maxun, Fuji Qishi, Fusion…… the composition of the line.

The line could no longer be called long.

Because it had been broken.

Chengtian Bai Ren had become a lone point.

From Dazhenhan to Fusion, the ranks had gathered into an unusually tight formation.

The remainder, led by American Pharaoh, formed a breakaway gap of twenty horse lengths.

This split in the running group was most obvious from a top‑down view, drawing the gazes of too many spectators forward; even fans who were originally supporters of the rear‑group athletes could not help but do the same.

Perhaps they could not bear to watch the idol they supported struggle so cruelly.

Or perhaps they had their attention stolen by the outstanding performance of the front‑runner, eagerly awaiting the champion that would soon emerge from the midst.

They longed to witness that shining brilliance.

"That is simply human nature; there's no point in resisting it, Minister."

Gazing at his furious face, he still couldn't help but look at the track, then immediately wanted to rebuke his colleagues and subordinates who were moving in sync with him, staring fixedly at the traitors ahead; Li Mingqing's helmet visor was always that secretive, revealing no hint of personal emotion, just like his words.

"You… what do you want to say? Boduo Erduo, did you cooperate with Aomo Lindun and them?"

"Is this important? Is it really that important? Everyone."

The visor's slight tilt pointed straight at the track, as if he were leading by example; he treated the guns and blades aimed at him as nothing, and his tone remained flat.

"Think about our organization's name — right now is the wonderful moment when the legendary light is about to be born, and yet in this wonderful countdown you're rushing to investigate my command failures?"

"You dare say it's just a mistake!? The news coming from over there all points to your betrayal!"

Even as he spoke those words with righteous severity, he still glanced at the track, which was somewhat humorous.

"There's a saying here: 'When a person is about to die, their words are good.' But according to my experimental observations," the voice beneath the visor paused, its I‑shaped glowing crystal still pointing at the race leader slowly being pulled closer by those behind, "people who have lost their retreat often convey malice in the despair of ruin, trying to drag others down with them."

"You mean they're slandering them in a fit of despair?!"

Beside the minister, someone who could bear not looking at the track spoke up, once again slightly diverting the visor‑wearer's attention.

Just a little.

After merely glancing at the black‑robed archbishop, he turned back, calmly saying: "Whether it's the truth or not, we'll know after the race; if they haven't betrayed us, the authorities wouldn't come after them right away, but if you strike me, that's the leak."

"I have a way to make you die without a sound."

"Then, can you evade the detection blanketing this place? According to my prior investigation, the racetrack's interdimensional spectator seats, being the most secretive, are also equipped with the most screening measures."

"……"

"All right, everyone be quiet! The results are coming out!"

"But Minister, that's all our manpower and funds invested, even suffering a loss… if it weren't for this guy's idea, our original plan wouldn't have suffered such a huge loss……"

"You can't even see a glimmer of victory, can you? I'm willing to apologize for my plan's failure and take responsibility."

"Just a certain responsibility?!"

"Of course, after all I never forced anyone to believe me; it's because your original plan showed no chance of success that my suggestion looked more feasible. shh~"

Having not finished speaking, he suddenly raised his index finger, pointing at the club member with strong opinions and the black‑robed archbishop, then pointed again at the minister whose forehead veins were throbbing.

Without him needing to speak further, the minister already gritted his teeth and said: "I said the results are coming out—be quiet."

"……" Having wanted to speak but stopped, the member closed his mouth.

The black‑robed archbishop, like a TGA year‑end back‑row guest hearing a small robot win an award, turned to leave, but was softly dissuaded by the other believers nearby.

At the same time, it let Li Mingqing's gaze beneath the visor shift back, and he heard the minister ask in a low voice while biting his nails:

"Do you think Chengtian Bai Ren can win?"

"If Dazhenhan wins, it's nowhere near as legendary or radiant as the Emperor."

After all, without a winning streak buff, it's just Dazhenhan shocking the crowd again, and ultimately it will fall far short in drama.

What is called legendary, what is called a song, often just needs that dose of drama.

But, are you asking me?

"?"

Just moments ago it was a tense standoff, and now you're asking me, a layperson, about how things will develop?

The minister, frowning after not getting an immediate answer, looked at the guy sitting several seats away and said: "You didn't say there would be legendary light coming up, did you?"

The person questioned slightly lifted his gloved finger, tapped the visor thoughtfully, then said:

"With the current momentum, that black‑haired horse girl named Chengtian Bai Ren will win by a slim margin; it should only take a dozen or so seconds."

"Then that's good."

"But I'm just a layperson."

"It's precisely because even a layperson can see the outcome that there's little controversy."

Having said that, at the instant the cheers erupted, the minister rose in unison with many spectators and immediately turned to shout at a colleague:

Mo Lei Nuo! Immediately have the AI post an article! We'll start writing from the downfall of Chengtian Bairen! Keywords are downfall, rise, sedimentation, trainer! By the way, the manuscript we used to smear Chengtian Bairen back then should also have a backup, right!

"Yes!" Another colleague who had been constantly watching Saichang, and who rose in sync with the Department Head, clenched his fist.

Although the commotion was great, even if he shouted directly it wouldn't matter, after all, with the built-in weak soundproof barrier now cancelled, everywhere was filled with cheers.

"Just repurpose it," the Department Head waved his clasped fingers, "it can win back a lot of public opinion."

"So you all used to smear that new champion back then?" Also rising to his feet, though it was Liming Qing slowly pushing up with his knees, his tone finally showed some noticeable emotional fluctuation.

A rather obvious unexpected texture.

For the goal, too many have been smeared; Chengtian Bairen is just one of them. But counting back to the original events, we too were a main force. Now we hope that Trainer can realize that her defeat is because of us, and her success is also important to us.

That's probably somewhat difficult.

Liming Qing gave a subtle shake of his head.

Why?

The Department Head, seeming in a good mood, turned his head to look at him, also with an expression of not being ashamed to ask questions, but saw him raising his hand to rest between the collar and the helmet, and at the moment he was speaking, it just happened that a little steam was escaping from the vent around the helmet.

Did you forget something?

He said, pulling out the naturally expanding helmet in one motion, revealing a head of flattened black hair and a conspicuous strand of white bangs, while the helmet itself flew straight toward his face.

Help me catch it.

……

For those in high positions who have undergone some rapid enhancement, a suddenly thrown helmet is naturally impossible to fail to catch.

But the instant he caught the helmet and was distracted, all he could see was that all the colleagues and subordinates who had just been shouting in anger were suddenly teleported to his sides, where the Teqigan yuan pressed down.

Let's get to know each other again.

And the person who caused all this raised his hand, kneading his flattened hair, smoothing the crescent-shaped bangs on his forehead.

With a very relaxed motion, he indeed wore a familiar face.

After all, we can also count this as the first time we've faced each other without masks.

You say so? Department Head Mr.