A Sudden Turn of Events

A Sudden Turn of Events

Elsewhere.

The Nie Family Head and Bai Family Head sat together, chatting.

The Nie Family Head was a wiry little old man. Whenever he got worked up, the veins in his neck bulged, and his whole face turned red.

"My eldest legitimate grandson died just like that. Even the President can't stand in the way of an old man's fury."

The Bai Family Head was a middle-aged man with a small mustache. He wore black leather gloves, his hands clenched into fists and resting on his crossed knee.

He said calmly, "That man stripped my son naked and threw him into a lake. It was a great humiliation to the Bai Family."

"Tell me what you have in mind. After all, you're the House Lord of the Nine Houses. I hope you'll step forward." The little old man looked at him.

"How about this? As long as that kid is no longer under the President's protection, the Bai Family can deal with him," the Bai Family Head said.

The Nie Family Head stared intently at him and asked, "Why are you planning to act? Don't feed me a pack of lies. I've got one foot in the grave; little tricks won't work on me."

The Bai Family Head smiled. "According to my intelligence, that kid has probably made a very impressive scientific breakthrough."

He sighed. "The Bai Family has already looked into it. Under Federation law, as long as he's alive, the results belong to him alone."

The Nie Family Head narrowed his eyes. "That's awfully selfish of you. Does it bother you?"

"It does."

"But how do you plan to get your hands on this scientific breakthrough that caught the President's attention?"

The Bai Family Head spread his hands. "We can discuss the details."

Half an hour passed.

The Nie Family Head left, satisfied.

The Bai Family Head lit a cigar and smoked most of it before suddenly calling, "Someone!"

"I'm here."

"Get your people ready. Keep an eye on the Nie Family. Once they've done the job, wipe them out immediately. Leave no survivors."

"Yes, sir."

The President's office.

Everyone had left. Even Martial Saint Zhang Zongyang was gone. Only the President and Gu Qingshan remained.

"Given your age, don't you think you should continue your studies?" the President asked.

"You mean go to university? I don't mind," Gu Qingshan said.

The President nodded. "Although I publicly acknowledged you as my adopted son based on the Goddess of Justice's projections, putting on an act isn't a good thing. Do it too often, and you might forget why you started."

He smiled warmly. "I can take care of your schooling. Let me do my part."

"Thank you for understanding and helping me," Gu Qingshan said sincerely.

The President picked up the communicator from his desk and said with a smile, "Of course, before we make arrangements for you, we should ask the Goddess."

The communicator connected in moments.

"I've decided to recommend Gu Qingshan for admission to Capital University. What do you think?" the President asked.

The Goddess of Justice's melodious voice came through the communicator. "Based on my projections and taking your opinion into account, the best placement for Gu Qingshan would be the Research Department, followed by Federation National Defense University. Although Capital University ranks first, its mecha research resources and protective measures are both unfavorable to Gu Qingshan's work."

The President looked at Gu Qingshan.

Gu Qingshan shrugged, indicating that he didn't mind and would accept it.

Federation National Defense University was also one of the top three universities in the Federation. Though its overall ranking was below Capital University's, mecha research was certainly one of its strengths, making it a better fit for him.

More importantly, it would be a good place to rest whenever he returned from the Cultivation World.

Seeing this, the President nodded inwardly, feeling even closer to Gu Qingshan.

He had seen a great many talented people in his life. They were all temperamental, liked to rest on their laurels, and did whatever they pleased.

Though Gu Qingshan was young, he listened to others' advice and could think about things objectively.

That was important. It would have a direct bearing on Gu Qingshan's future.

"Then that's settled. I agree," the President said.

The Goddess of Justice said, "Please authorize."

"I authorize it," the President replied.

The Goddess of Justice said, "Beginning file retrieval and placement. Beginning calculation of Gu Qingshan's Merit Points."

"Processing the corresponding placement."

"Due to the high security classification, special handling will take several minutes. Processing will be completed shortly."

It seemed the arrangements were in order. The President nodded, then turned his gaze from the communicator to Gu Qingshan. "Come over for lunch tomorrow and meet the family."

Gu Qingshan nodded. "All right. Sorry for the trouble, sir."

"No trouble. I'm busy to death every day. A chef prepares all three meals for me; I don't have time to learn how to cook."

Gu Qingshan smiled too.

"Once you're at university, make some friends. It's a military academy, after all. You'll be comrades after graduation, and you'll see each other again sooner or later," the President advised.

"All right, I will," Gu Qingshan said, nodding seriously.

Since the President didn't want this to be a mere formality and treated him with such genuine sincerity, Gu Qingshan wasn't one to stand on ceremony.

Just then, someone knocked.

"What is it?" the President asked.

"The Senate meeting started ten minutes ago, sir. It'll soon be your turn to speak."

"Oh, I almost forgot." The President patted his forehead and stood up.

Gu Qingshan also stood. "Sorry for the trouble."

Someone else came over and quietly asked whether the President was in his office.

"Then I'll head out first. Remember to come to the residence tomorrow at noon," the President said.

"All right," Gu Qingshan replied.

The two left together. The President headed to the meeting with his aides, while an attendant escorted Gu Qingshan to a car and sent him away.

After everyone had left, the door to the President's office closed, and everything fell quiet again.

Several minutes later, the communicator on the President's desk lit up.

The Goddess of Justice's voice came from it.

"Placement completed based on Gu Qingshan's Personal Merit Points, Federation authority, research capabilities, and the Federation's General Regulations for the Cultivation of Scientific Talent."

"Placement result: Department of Mobile Armor, Federation National Defense University; Special Grade Professor, eligible for the Federation Honorary Allowance."

"Gu Qingshan's personal file has been updated."

Once this statement was complete, the Goddess of Justice disconnected.