Absolute Choice
Absolute Choice - Chapter 478: Not to be Subdued by Force

The rule of choosing the ten spots through the use of the ranking of the trial scores for the two-faction collective training was not a problem. There was a particular fairness in the trial scores. At least no one could interfere with the assessment program's evaluation, so there would not be any conspiracy theories that were well-liked by the masses.

However, the trial score could very likely have luck and the reliance on someone stronger as factors that could become the greatest castigation. The first eight people that included Shi Xiaobai and company were the only ones who had entered the seventh level. There was naturally no debate regarding their spots. However, Wen Hezheng and Kevin's rankings at the ninth and tenth place might not be their true achievement.

Similarly, there was a total of 49 rookies that had reached level six with them. And the number of people that exceeded them in terms of strength and fame was not limited to An Mo and Zhou Chuchu.

Hence, these two spots were obviously eyed by the other organizations.

And at the moment of the protesting fervor, a number of people provided 'suggestions'. They believed that using the trial score as the selection rule was too problematic. There was a need to change the rules appropriately. For example, the designees of the ninth and tenth spot should be chosen through an elimination match.

Their reason was that if Wen Hezheng and Kevin truly had the strength, the holding of the elimination tournament was a chance to prove themselves. If they lacked the strength, it was exigent that they organize the elimination tournament or it would be a waste of the two spots for the collective training. It could even disgrace the organization faction.

This was a subjective will that the majority had tagged on to the collective training selection. It seemed very reasonable, but in fact, it was rather unreasonable for Wen Hezheng and Kevin.

The suited man had raised the unreasonable 'reason'.

Yama Minamiya's expression turned ugly as he said in a solemn voice, "Using a tournament to choose the strong is not problematic. The academic faction had employed such a method after all. But since we are using a tournament, why did we use the trial as the selection? Since time immemorial, there has been no lack of methods to do selections."

"Could there be any method that is absolutely reliable? Must we attempt every one of them? When the rule that the trial score was the standard was initially decided, it was to resolve such debate. Nothing can be accomplished without rules. How can a rule that was decided in the beginning be changed wantonly? Proving themselves in a tournament sounds very reasonable, but why should those two children do it? What unfair logic is that!?"

"Division Minister Minamiya, please refrain from becoming agitated."

The suited man waved his hand as he said softly, "What Division Minister Minamiya says is extremely correct. The collective training's spots are temporarily the two children's. Using it as the prize for the tournament is indeed unfair to them. Let's do it this way. The seven major organizations are planning on jointly organize a focused training session for rookie elites."

"As recompense, regardless of Wen Hezheng and Kevin's results at the tournament, they will be able to participate in the joint training of the seven major organizations. I believe the focused training of the seven major organizations will not be much worse than in terms of nurturing of rookies when compared to the two faction's collective training. In that case, Wen Hezheng and Kevin would not only have a chance to prove themselves at the tournament, they will only be changing the place of their training if they fail at the tournament! Division Minister Minamiya, what do you think about that?"

Unlike Zhang Meng and the middle-aged woman's hard and soft tactics, the suited man had prepared a 'carrot'. The collective training of the seven major organizations indeed sounded only slightly inferior to the two faction's collective training, it was better to compromise by taking a step back to withstand the pressure from the masses. At least, such recompense for the compromise was sufficiently enticing.

However, Yama Minamiya scoffed in his heart. There had been no news of a collective training organized by the seven major organizations in the past. It was probably a trick they had come up with temporarily to fool him into compromising. If Wen Hezheng and Kevin were to really participate in this so-called collective training, it was obvious what sort of ostracization and cold shoulders they would be given. Furthermore, the faction collective training was organized by the Hero Association and it was a collective training that was of national importance. How could it be compared to a collective training that the seven major organizations came up on a whim?

When Yama Minamiya thought of that, he responded with a sneer, "Why should a spot for the collective training earned through one's strength be exchanged?"

When the suited man heard him, his smile gradually vanished. He said in a deadpan manner, "It looks like Division Minister Minamiya plans on obstinately having your way?"

Yama Minamiya said in a deep voice, "The collective training spots are rightfully theirs. No one can snatch it away from them."

The suited man said with a chuckle, "Don't forget that every citizen in the country has their attention on this collective training. That two rascals are representing the organization faction. They are representing the younger generation. Have you thought of the pressure they will be experiencing?"

"If they were to make a fool of themselves at the collective training, it will not only be them disgracing themselves. They cannot afford the responsibility of shaming the organization faction! When the time comes, the one that will be criticized by people, mocked and viewed with animosity by various associations would definitely include Gaia, not to mention the obstinate you, Division Minister Minamiya. Is it worth it to bet Gaia's reputation and your future on two disappointing rascals?"

Yama Minamiya's eyes were glaring like burning torches as he smiled and said, "I trust them."

The suited man narrowed his eyes as a cold look flashed in his pupils. He suddenly said coldly, "Division Minister Minamiya is truly a good division minister that adores his rookies. After this meeting ends, I dare guarantee that regardless of the outcome, Division Minister Minamiya's 'good reputation' will be known throughout the country. He will be 'praised' by the people, and the 'love and unity' of Gaia will definitely be extolled by the people!"

Yama Minamiya asked irascibly, "Are you threatening me?"

The suited man shrugged and said with a laugh, "No, no, no. How can this be considered a threat? If Division Minister Minamiya continues to obstinately continue with his debate, there might be someone who can't tolerate it any further, making Division Minister Minamiya shut up, or maybe forever...Well, that's what a threat is, right?"

As though they wanted to corroborate the suited man's words, the seated crowd glared at Yama Minamiya coldly. They no longer hid the killing intent in their eyes.

The mood instantly turned chilly.

Yama Minamiya laughed angrily as he straightened his back and said loudly, "A true man is not subdued by force. I, Yama Minamiya, hate unfair matters where might is used to suppress others. Even if it's not because of those two children, I will absolutely not compromise for justice and righteousness!"

"Peng!"

Just as Yama Minamiya said those words, Zhang Meng, who had been left alone in a corner, suddenly slammed the desk angrily. He roared, "Shut up! I can't bear hearing this anymore!"

Yama Minamiya glanced at Zhang Meng coldly and said, "Scram!"

"Courting death!"

Zhang Meng's ashen face immediately turned red. He stared with widened eyes with a look of rage filling his face. He bellowed angrily and caused the ground to abruptly quake. The meeting desk began to shake as a massive suppression was emitted from his body. Like the fall of a snowstorm, it hailed right at Yama Minamiya.

Yama Minamiya's vision blacked out as he nearly fainted. He felt like his body was being wrung tightly by a humongous hand. His bones were being squeezed forcefully and they were about to shatter!

"Psionic Imperial Realm!"

Yama Minamiya smiled bitterly inwardly. Zhang Meng was indeed a famous A-class hero whose strength was already at the Psionic Imperial Realm.

In the psionic cultivation system, there were five realms demarcated—Psionic Mortal, Psionic Soul, Psionic Might, Psionic Domain and Psionic Imperial.

In between every realm, there was a clear difference in strength, and the greatest gap in strength was the Psionic Domain Realm and the Psionic Imperial Realm.

Everything beneath Psionic Imperial was nothing but ants! Only by stepping into the Psionic Imperial Realm would one be considered a true member of the strong.

Yama Minamiya's cultivation level had only reached the Psionic Might Realm, so how could he put up any resistance in front of Zhang Meng?

Zhang Meng's simple release of 'Overlord Suppression' had nearly knocked him unconscious.

"Kneel!"

Zhang Meng suddenly roared angrily at Yama Minamiya. An invisible pressure crashed down on Yama Minamiya's straight and upright back like a massive mountain!

"Bam!"

Yama Minamiya's knees slammed to the ground as the emitted the sound of a loud impact as well as the shattering of bones. He had been pressed down to the ground. His expression changed drastically as his face turned extremely pale. He was fuming with anger and feeling humiliated. However, he could not in any way stand up under the massive pressure on him. It was unknown how many pieces his kneecap had shattered into.

"Pu!"

With a deep grunt, Yama Minamiya's spat out a mouthful of boiling hot blood.

A mocking smile suffused across Zhang Meng's lips as he looked delighted and pleased with himself.

The seated crowd had derisive looks in their eyes as they looked at the kneeling Yama Minamiya. There were even some who went as far as scorning him with the words 'he deserves it'.

The middle-aged woman sneered unceasingly.

The suited man shook his head and said with a sigh, "Why did it have to come to this if you knew about it?"

The only person with an angry glare was the uniformed beauty. She stared at Zhang Meng with a displeased look before casting a pleading gaze at the white-browed elder beside her.

The crowd also looked at the white-browed elder.

Would Chairman Jiang remain ambivalent towards Zhang Meng's unbridled act?

However, no one expected that the 'honest and upright' Chairman Jiang still had a peaceful smile on his face. It was as though he had not seen such an 'unfair' scene. He had taken the position of being an indifferent spectator.

This made the crowd heave a sigh of relief.

It also made Zhang Meng go from bad to worse.

He scoffed as he raised his right foot to step on Yama Minamiya's shoulder. He said mockingly, "What happened to the Division Minister Minamiya that would not be subdued with force? Aren't you still obediently kneeling before me? Why? Do you find it unacceptable? Then stand up!"

Yama Minamiya bellowed angrily as he tried his best to stand up, but his attempt only left him spitting out a mouthful of blood. His body turned limp once again as the color drained from his face.

The mockery in everyone's eyes turned more intense.

"Trash!"

Zhang Meng chuckled disdainfully before he realized something. Yama Minamiya's eyes were filled with defiance and he was still trying his best to straighten his back. Suddenly an indescribable sense of anger rose up in him as killing intent flashed in his eyes.

He lifted his foot and was about to kick at Yama Minamiya's head!

"Boom!"

Suddenly a deafening explosion sounded. Everyone jumped in shock before they turned to the source of the explosion. They saw a gigantic hole in the meeting room's wall.

Rubble was crumbling as debris flew in every direction. The hole was about half the size of the wall!

A figure walked into the meeting room from outside the wall that had a hole smashed into it.

Everyone's eyes looked at the figure as they drew cold gasps.

Bald, yellow-colored skin-tight clothes, a red cape and a blade by his waist. The person's identity was obvious.

"One-Pun!"

Zhang Meng's eyes widened as the right foot he had raised in mid-air stiffened in place.

One-Pun calmly glanced at Zhang Meng before turning to look at the white-browed elder.

The white-browed elder was still smiling amiably. Finally, he said for the first time after he entered the meeting room, "I did not see a thing."

One-Pun nodded and responded, "Then please continue to ignore whatever happens next."

As One-Pun said that, he suddenly turned his head to grin at everyone in the meeting room.

His facial features were simple and his expression was dazed. He looked so very 'harmless'. IChooseDogLeading (我选择狗带) when read in Chinese sounds like I Choose Go Die. It was a meme that resulted from a former member of famous Korean boygroup, EXO, TAO (Huang Zitao). At a concert, there was a part in a rap that where he said "", but due to a mispronunciation, it sounded like he will not easily choose to be led by dogs. This phrase now means 'I'd rather die/I choose death'.