23: contradiction

Xiang Yan stroked his chin and smiled slightly. "Let our President wait a little longer. Good things must be savored slowly to be flavorful. If it's too easy to get, how could he cherish it? He might just turn around and trade it for profit." He issued an order through the air to the Believers lurking within the President's circle of Confidants: "Keep a close eye on him. Report back to me when this fellow starts doubting the accuracy of the plan and begins to feel emo."

The lurking Believer replied in his heart upon hearing this, "As you command, my Lord!"

The flames of war in the Western Hemisphere were like a prairie fire, growing more intense by the day.

Although those False Gods did not personally engage in physical combat, their behind-the-scenes instigations never stopped. Various small maneuvers emerged one after another, stirring the land into even greater chaos.

The President listened to the battle reports from the front lines every day, his heart burning with anxiety. He paced back and forth in his office irritably, yet the "oracle" he awaited had still not descended.

The god ascension plan was like a stone sinking into the ocean, without a trace of news.

He could no longer suppress his inner anxiety and went to see Ketela in secret once again.

"Your Excellency Ketela, why has there been no progress on the plan?" the President's voice was low, carrying a hint of irritation.

Ketela, however, spoke in a calm tone, "Your Excellency President, I told you at the beginning that this matter requires time..."

"But Your Excellency Ketela, given the current social situation, I cannot wait that long!"

Ketela frowned slightly, appearing somewhat dissatisfied with the President's impatience.

"Mr. President, you need patience. Some things cannot be achieved overnight."

"Patience? I'm almost out of it!" The President stamped his feet in frustration. "Do you have any idea? Every day now, countless people are praying, hoping I can end this war! You..."

Ketela suddenly interrupted him, "Your Excellency President, you seem to have forgotten one thing."

Ketela paused, staring at the President with deep eyes. "These existing churches have been around for at least a thousand years! Their status in the hearts of the people is deeply rooted, more intricately intertwined than the roots of the trees over your ancestral graves! What makes you think that with just two or three years of showmanship, you can achieve the brainwashing effect they've had for nearly a millennium?"

The President's face turned pale and then flushed. He naturally knew the influence of those ancient churches, but with pressure mounting from all sides, he couldn't wait that long.

"Then... at least how much longer is needed?" His tone softened, carrying a hint of pleading.

Ketela feigned contemplation, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.

"This... depends on many factors, such as the public's level of acceptance, how much attention your actions draw..." He deliberately kept the timing vague, refusing to give a definitive answer.

"Your Excellency Ketela, I need a more accurate timeframe!" The President's voice became firm again, carrying an unquestionable authority.

A flash of mockery crossed Ketela's eyes, and his tone turned cold.

"If Your Excellency President is unwilling to wait, you are more than welcome to cancel the 'god ascension plan'."

The President's fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white, but he ultimately held back.

"What about the weapons? How is the progress?" He shifted the topic to another critical issue.

"The weapons..." Ketela drew out the word, looking at the President with a meaningful gaze. "Well, that's quite interesting. Your Excellency President, could it be that your people have all betrayed you?"

"Your Excellency Ketela, what do you mean by this?"

Ketela gave a cold smile and said, "Did the people you arranged to monitor this place not submit the relevant reports to you? Or have you been too busy lately to find the time to read them?"

Upon hearing this, the President, despite his inner dissatisfaction with Ketela's sarcasm, remained composed and said, "Your Excellency must be joking. Our friendship is eternal; how could we do such a sordid thing to you?"

Ketela merely smiled at this and did not reply.

Seeing this, the President responded with a smile of his own.

After a moment, someone suddenly approached the President's ear and whispered a few words.

After listening, the President spoke up of his own accord, "Your Excellency Ketela, excuse the intrusion this time. I hope you will put more effort into the weapons. No matter what, our friendship with Your Excellency will not change. Please allow me to take my leave for now."

Ketela merely nodded slightly.

Watching the President's departing back, he turned toward the teleportation device in the center of the room. With a flash of light, he vanished from the spot.

In the next second, Ketela returned to the spaceship. He removed his disguise mask, revealing his original flippant face, and curled his lip in disdain. "god ascension plan? Hah! This thing I made up is so ridiculous even I think it's nonsense, and yet someone actually believes it? This President is a complete idiot!"

Ketela stretched and asked nonchalantly, "A.I., how much dungang is still missing?"

"Based on the current collection rate, it is estimated that it will take another three years to gather the required amount," the ship's A.I. replied in a flat electronic voice.

"Three years? Tsk! I'll have to make up more excuses to keep fooling that idiot for another three years to ensure he doesn't focus too much energy over here." Ketela stroked his chin, beginning to ponder a new plan for deception.

"By the way, A.I., based on my performance just now, roughly how long before that President comes looking for me again?" Ketela asked.

"According to data analysis, the President is expected to contact you again in one year." The A.I. paused and added, "During this period, you can appropriately reduce work efficiency and express an indifferent attitude to the President, further causing him tension and concern, thereby making him more dependent on you."

"Alright, let's do that!" Ketela snapped his fingers and ordered happily, "Then let's go on strike for a month first to mess with his head."

On the other side, after the President returned to his residence, he immediately summoned the Confidant responsible for surveillance, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

"Keep a close eye on Ketela! Every move, every detail, report everything!"

The Confidant didn't dare to even breathe loudly, quickly complying while inwardly lamenting his luck.

On one side was the Planet Governor, and on the other was a visitor from an Advanced civilization. The former's deterrent power went without saying, while even the mere scraps revealed by the latter were enough to inspire terror.

But there was nothing he could do; he was just a lowly worker and could only nod in agreement.

After dismissing the surveillance Confidant, the President rubbed his temples irritably. "How is the research on the weapons Ketela provided coming along?"

A Confidant nearby answered cautiously, "Reporting to the President, that technology... is too Advanced. We... we would need at least 30 years just to scratch the surface, and..." He paused, his voice dropping even lower, "and this is very likely just the most superficial part of the technology..."

Thirty years?

By the time thirty years have passed, I suspect the grass on my grave will be three feet high!

The President cursed inwardly, but his face remained impassive.

"Increase the propaganda for me! Use all media outlets! If necessary... unconventional means can be employed! I want the people's faith to reach its peak in the shortest time possible!"

The Confidants took their orders and left. The President stood alone by the window, gazing at the bustling city outside, yet his heart was filled with anxiety.