Television Address

"I can step in to protect him, but why arrange it this way?"

The President gazed at the message appearing on the light screen, an odd expression on his face.

The Goddess of Justice's voice came through the screen. "According to the history of human conflict, protecting a young man who has yet to come into his own for the long term requires a powerful backer like Your Excellency."

The President let out a deep sigh. "Why do you need to protect this person? Surely you can at least tell me that."

"Under the agreement, I cannot say. But you can ask him yourself."

The general beside him thought for a moment, then asked, "Can you at least tell us his merit privileges?"

The President's eyes lit up. That was a way to learn about the other party indirectly, and it shouldn't violate the Goddess of Justice's agreement.

Sure enough, the Goddess of Justice replied, "The President's privilege level is Supreme Leader. General Zhang's privilege level is Leader. Both are authorized to access the relevant information."

"Gu Qingshan's personal merit privilege level is: Supreme Leader."

The President was raising a cup of tea to his lips when he spat it all out with a pfft.

The Goddess of Justice continued, "Gu Qingshan is in mortal danger. Please make arrangements immediately, Mr. President."

"Just saying it won't stop the Bai family," the President said, barely regaining his composure as he took out a handkerchief and wiped the tea from his clothes. "Martial Saint Zhang, go there yourself. If we wait too long, I'm afraid he won't survive."

"When did the Federation get another president...? Fine. I want to see what kind of person he is, too."

By the time Gu Qingshan arrived, the Federation Presidential Palace was already bustling with activity.

Only the President stood in his office, gazing at the capital in the night.

From a distance, he looked like an ordinary white-haired old man, lost in the splendor of bygone days.

"Mr. President, we've brought him back safely," General Lu said.

The President came to his senses, and his bearing changed at once. He radiated solemnity and authority.

He looked at Gu Qingshan and smiled. "Hello. Should I call you Student Gu, or Mr. Gu?"

"I was just expelled from school, so you can call me Mr. Gu," Gu Qingshan replied.

"Mr. Gu, I brought you here at the Goddess of Justice's request. You don't mind, do you?" the President asked.

"Not at all. I should be thanking you for coming to my rescue," Gu Qingshan said sincerely.

His strength was still growing. If he took on a battle of this intensity now, he wouldn't be able to defeat his opponent completely.

Besides, he was facing two families alone.

They surely had plenty of experts who hadn't joined the fight yet.

In a little while, it would be time to enter the Otherworld again. If the fight continued, he would probably have to retreat into the Otherworld and wait an hour for time to pass in the real world before coming back out.

After that, his only option would be to leave Changning Prefecture—and the Federation.

The President smiled, then grew serious. "Mr. Gu Qingshan, I don't know if this is appropriate to ask, but as President of the Federation, I need to know why the Goddess of Justice is paying you so much attention. She has never taken such an interest in a seventeen-year-old citizen. I have to make sure right now that you pose no danger to the Federation as a whole."

"That's simple," Gu Qingshan said. "Please connect us to the Goddess of Justice."

"I'm here." A solemn woman's voice rang out.

The three men looked down and saw Gu Qingshan's communicator light up.

The Goddess of Justice could automatically connect to any communications device, so none of them were surprised.

Gu Qingshan thought for a moment, then said, "Show the President and the general our creation."

"Citizen Gu Qingshan, please confirm your authorization."

"I authorize it."

There was no harm in letting them take a look. In a few days, once the mecha had completed its testing, it would be delivered to Su Xue'er.

The mecha was sure to be revealed then.

He might as well let the President see it now.

Historically, the President had been a decent man and a capable leader. If Gu Qingshan could build a good relationship with him, he wouldn't mind gradually sharing some advanced mecha technology.

As for the game a year from now, when the time was right, the government could help prepare in advance.

That way, far fewer people would die.

A light screen appeared before them, showing the Seraphim deep inside the Temple.

"What is that? A mecha?" Martial Saint Zhang stared fixedly at the screen, unable to tear his eyes away.

"It doesn't look like an ordinary combat mecha."

The President put on his reading glasses and studied it closely.

"Display the authorized form. Demonstrate the authorized form's weapon systems," Gu Qingshan said.

"Authorization accepted. Display commencing," the Goddess of Justice replied.

Ten minutes later.

The door to the President's office stood open. People hurried in and out, setting up the live broadcast.

"General, may I borrow him for a moment?" asked a stylishly dressed woman.

"Go ahead. I'll step outside for some air. Call me when it's about to start," Zhang Zongyang said.

The woman led Gu Qingshan to a lit dressing table and sat him down.

She studied his face for a while, then nodded. "Your features are good, but you should look more dignified for an occasion like this."

She used a powder compact to add a little shading to Gu Qingshan's face, then directed an assistant to bring over several suits and had another assistant carry in a box of ties in every color.

"Come on, let's find a suit that fits. We want everyone to like you from the moment you make your first appearance," the makeup artist said eagerly.

Gu Qingshan sighed helplessly and let the makeup artist do as she pleased.

On top of a skyscraper outside the Presidential Palace.

Martial Saint Zhang Zongyang took one drag after another from his cigar, as if that were the only way he could calm down.

As Army Commander-in-Chief of the Federation and a Martial Arts Return saint, he had witnessed too many strange events in his life, yet he still couldn't suppress his excitement.

"Technology like this, a Mobile Armor like that... Why would those idiots try to kill him?" Zhang Zongyang said, shaking his head.

Suddenly, he remembered something, took out his communicator, and called a number.

"You're having a family gathering at home today? Good. Turn on the TV and wait for the President's address."

"Remember, make friends with the person by the President's side. Get on good terms with him. Yes, find a way to get him into the Army Academy."

As soon as he hung up, someone else called.

"Hm? Sea Emperor, what is it?"

"I have no idea."

"Really, I'm not pretending. I don't know what you're talking about."

Fifteen minutes later, the President of the Federation delivered an official televised address to the entire Federation.

He recounted the Federation's history in detail and paid tribute to the heroes who had fallen on the battlefield generation after generation. Then he changed tack, recalling his days in the military and commemorating each of his comrades who had likewise died in battle. Finally, he announced that he would take care of and support the orphan of a fallen comrade.

At that point, Gu Qingshan was brought to the front of the stage.

The Federation treated its veterans and the families of fallen soldiers very well, and society as a whole held the military in great respect.

Everyone knew that without soldiers risking their lives on the front lines, the Federation would have no peace and security.

The President's personal example could only earn him more support from the people.

The Goddess of Justice personally verified on the spot that Gu Qingshan was indeed the orphan of one of the President's comrades. There was no doubt about it.

"In twenty days, we will celebrate the Federation's three-hundredth anniversary. I call on everyone to mourn the soldiers who fell on the battlefield. They have silently protected our homes. Please do something for their families."

When the President finished speaking, the broadcast ended.

"This is unbelievable. Half an hour ago, he was a murder suspect. How did he suddenly get the President of the Federation's support?" Feng Huo De muttered.

"It's obvious the Federation has discovered him," Anna said. "If I'm not mistaken, this is the Goddess of Justice's protective measure."

"Why do you say that?"

"His parents died young, but they were ordinary people. They never went to war."

Anna opened Gu Qingshan's personal file. The information inside had been completely changed.

Gu Qingshan's parents had originally died in a car accident. Now their deaths were listed as having fallen in battle.

"Only the Goddess of Justice can change a citizen's personal file at will," Anna said.

"Is he the Goddess of Justice's own son?" Feng Huo De asked, tilting his head, still confused.

Anna slammed her hand on the table, stood up, and strode toward the exit.

"Your Highness, where are you going?" Feng Huo De asked.

"He was the one I spotted first. How dare they try to steal him from me?"

Anna hurried out.