Secret News

"Jeremy, why have you stopped the operation?" Mr. Steer had clearly arrived in a foul mood. After sitting down, he didn't touch the Amo Fruit juice in front of him, but instead asked directly.

"Steer, the organization doesn't just serve you. We have to consider much broader issues. David has now attracted attention from multiple parties, and coupled with Hans's influence, any further action against David in the short term could trigger unexpected situations. That is something the organization does not want to see!" Trainer Jeremy's smile faded as he spoke in a deep, serious voice.

David, listening from the next room, heard his own name and realized there was indeed a clandestine organization involved. He knew his previous suspicions had been correct.

"Jeremy, I've been feeling quite fatigued lately, and the wrinkles on my face are increasing. Could the organization grant me a bottle of the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth'?" Mr. Steer touched his cheek and asked again in a negotiating tone.

"Steer, you know how precious the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth' is. You are only on the periphery of the organization; without making the corresponding contributions, we cannot provide it to you," Trainer Jeremy refused, shaking his head.

"You can't blame me for the matter with David. The organization promised to take him out, but it never succeeded!" Mr. Steer said, his voice rising slightly in protest.

"Are you blaming the organization?" A sharp, fierce glint flashed in Trainer Jeremy's eyes before vanishing just as quickly. He explained in a low voice, "I personally set up the trap and even used mental interference. It should have been foolproof!"

Mr. Steer remained silent. He also wanted to know why David was still alive after the organization's machinations.

"It must have been the unintentional interference of the Sirius Mercenary Group that weakened my mental influence over David, allowing him to survive!" In truth, Trainer Jeremy had many doubts about why David was still alive, but he forced an explanation for Mr. Steer's benefit.

Trainer Jeremy could not comprehend how an ordinary high school student could have broken free from his mental interference.

The plan had been perfect: a high school student's curiosity about novel things, his worship of unknown civilizations, and his longing for powerful strength had become the motivation for him to attempt the ritual.

This would have made the death of a National Scholar's child an accident—the kind of accident that could not be publicized, which the authorities would only downplay.

But the result was that David was still alive, and after several Armored Warriors died outside David's residence, the previously unremarkable boy had received immense attention.

It even drew out a big figure like Gallen, which was already beyond Trainer Jeremy's control, forcing him to urgently halt all operations against David.

"Jeremy, can't the organization give me an advance on a bottle of the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth'?" Mr. Steer pleaded again. He had completely lost his high-and-mighty air, adding, "Don't worry, once the heat dies down, I will arrange for someone to kill David directly. When that happens, given Hans's physical condition, he will surely collapse. The title of National Scholar will then be passed to my grandson, Edie. Since Edie is still young and Bertha is a woman who doesn't concern herself with such things, the National Scholar title will eventually fall into my hands!"

"Steer, do you still not understand? If you were to directly kill the relative of a National Scholar, the police and military investigations would leave you with nowhere to hide, and even the organization could be exposed!" Trainer Jeremy barked in a low voice.

"But David only has half a year left in Peilan City. With Gallen's influence, David will surely enter Na'an University. Once that happens, it will be impossible to deal with him!" Mr. Steer said anxiously.

"Hans's 'National Scholar' title is a rare one that can be passed down three times, and Hans himself hasn't used his one-time selection right. The organization must obtain his title; that is non-negotiable. Once the situation cools down, the organization will arrange another 'accident' for David. Do not interfere in this matter again!" Trainer Jeremy said, his voice heavy with warning.

Hearing this, David finally understood what these people were after.

The title of National Scholar was the highest honor an elite Armored Warrior could attain, granting extremely high-level authority. Furthermore, upon returning, a National Scholar was granted a one-time selection right, allowing them priority access to important positions in key departments.

Because of his health, Hans had not used this priority selection right and had instead retired to the Department of Justice in Peilan City like an ordinary veteran.

This was also the first time David learned that Hans's National Scholar title could be passed down three times, with the amount of inherited data depending on the merits earned.

An ordinary National Scholar title was already rare, but one that could be passed down three times was extremely scarce within the Interstellar Federation.

This secret organization had its eyes on those three successions. Obtaining Hans's title meant they could plant their own people in key departments of the Interstellar Federation at least once.

Since this opportunity was reserved for David by Hans, David had to die.

Most of the fog in David's mind had cleared, though he still didn't know the name of the organization.

Even in their private meeting, and even while discussing how to deal with the relative of a National Scholar, Mr. Steer and Trainer Jeremy never mentioned the organization's name.

It seemed that, to them, the name of the organization was more important than anything else.

"Jeremy, what about the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth'?" Mr. Steer, having abandoned all shame for the sake of the elixir, begged once more.

When Hans and Bertha had married, Mr. Steer had genuinely blessed them.

But then Trainer Jeremy appeared and struck a deal with Mr. Steer; after using the Elixir of Eternal Youth once, Mr. Steer's aged and frail body had regained its youth.

Although the Interstellar Federation had many ways to maintain youth, those methods were not intended for ordinary people, but for peak Armored Warriors whose physical fitness far exceeded that of the average person.

Of course, even if there were precious drugs available for ordinary people, they would never reach someone like Mr. Steer, who lived in a small city on a fringe planet.

However, the Elixir of Eternal Youth was not a one-time cure; it had to be taken once every year, or the user would begin to age rapidly.

Since then, he had begun serving the organization in order to obtain the elixir.

For this goal, he had used various means to funnel large amounts of intelligence to the organization, and he had even been willing to sacrifice his own daughter's happiness, obsessed with killing David to cause Hans's death and ultimately secure the National Scholar title.

"My mishandling of the David situation is also partly my fault. Fine, I will take the initiative to apply for a bottle of the Elixir of Eternal Youth for you. I will contact you in about ten days or so," Trainer Jeremy said after some thought, knowing exactly how to control Mr. Steer.

"Thank you so much!" Mr. Steer waved his arm in excitement. If the occasion hadn't forbidden it, he would have shouted for joy.

He was addicted to his youthful body; having experienced the feeling of aging once, he never wanted to go through it again. For this goal, he would even sell his soul to the devil.

"Steer, you also need to expand the scale of the Steer Hotel as quickly as possible. The organization has invested so much capital, yet your results are not ideal!" Trainer Jeremy tapped the table to remind him.

"Jeremy, I may not be as good as you at other things, but when it comes to business, please rest assured in my abilities!" Mr. Steer took a sip of the Amo Fruit juice and said proudly.

"Oh? What have you done?" Trainer Jeremy asked with a smile, his interest piqued.

"I opened a company under an anonymous identity, and using that company, I began laying the groundwork six months ago. I've been slowly acquiring shares of the Central Hotel and the West City Hotel. Now, over 40% of the shares in both hotels are in my hands. In a little while, I will increase my investment and take complete control of both," Mr. Steer said softly.

Though his voice was quiet, David heard every word clearly.

Both the Central Hotel and the West City Hotel were large establishments no smaller than the Steer Hotel, and their influence was immense. Even the authorities often requisitioned their Armored Warriors when conducting major operations.

If Mr. Steer truly gained control of these two major hotels, he would become the owner of the largest hotel group in Peilan City, and his influence would be enough to affect many things.