A Top Scholar in Everything

If you don't look at the tubes inserted all over the old man's body, just observe his facial expression.

Baiyu would only think the other was basking in the sun peacefully.

Their gazes crossed.

Ola, the president of the Veterans Mutual Aid Association, smiled, his beard twitching as his facial muscles stretched:

"Have you come?

You look much more handsome than in the photo.

When you were little, I even held you once."

Baiyu walked to the bedside: "Greetings, President."

"No need to be formal. I was a close friend of your parents, seeing you reminds me of them.

The Bai Henshui couple, such a pity."

Ola shook his head, a regretful expression on his face.

"The dead cannot be brought back to life." Baiyu also shook his head: "President, your injuries shouldn't be too serious, right?"

Ola said:

"No major issues for now, just inhaled some toxic gas in the Spirit Realm, plus being ambushed by alien races... that's why I'm in this sorry state.

But for the time being, I cannot use Blood Qi.

So, I'm planning to go to a nursing home to recuperate peacefully."

Baiyu nodded.

As long as he's okay, the President is a key figure in the Veterans Mutual Aid Association.

Especially now.

If he falls, there is no one to succeed him.

The Veterans Mutual Aid Association has only three departments: the Logistics Department, the Operations Department, and the Inspection Department.

The main personnel are in the Inspection Department.

This time, the President and the Minister went to the Spirit Realm, bringing with them the elite forces of the Inspection Department and the Operations Department.

Who were left behind.

Most are newcomers in the Inspection Department and some less powerful members.

Baiyu said: "What about the Minister of the Inspection Department?

The Mutual Aid Association has encountered many troubles recently.

Now that the news of your injury has spread, if the Minister doesn't step forward, there might be panic within."

Clearly.

The Veterans Mutual Aid Association now needs a leadership figure.

And Jie Ding is clearly not suitable.

Looking at his laid-back attitude, it's clear he can barely manage the Logistics Department.

A home can't be without a leader for a day, nor can a nation be without a monarch for a day.

Baiyu is now overworked every day, managing the daily operations of the Mutual Aid Association consumes a lot of energy.

He earnestly hopes the Minister and the President will step back up to take control.

However.

Ola's next words shattered Baiyu's hopes.

"The position of Minister of the Inspection Department... is currently vacant, and I'm planning for you to take over."

Ola said with a somewhat heavy tone.

Those words revealed a lot of information.

Vacant, which means the Minister is likely dead.

From Jie Ding's words, the President and the Minister of the Inspection Department are the strongest figures in the Veterans Mutual Aid Association.

What exactly did they encounter in the Spirit Realm this time?

Baiyu held back his curiosity.

Since the President didn't mention it, he couldn't take the initiative to ask.

However.

The Minister's death is not a small matter.

How long can it be concealed?

Judging from Jie Ding and Ola's actions, the Veterans Mutual Aid Association certainly has enemies in the political arena.

They worry that the news of their internal weakness might spread, giving the enemy an opportunity to target them.

For instance.

Reducing the Mutual Aid Association's powers, stipends, and restricting their freedom, etc.

These are often the usual tactics.

Even.

Whether Ola's claim that some rest would allow for recovery is true remains in doubt.

Baiyu didn't think so.

Suffering such severe injuries couldn't be healed just by resting for a while.

Physical injuries are the easiest to deal with.

However.

Mental and deeper level injuries are hard to cure.

Especially issues like Pollution Level and similar concerns.

"President, I'm afraid I can't be up to the task of this position."

Baiyu pondered.

But Ola shook his head firmly: "In the Mutual Aid Association now, only you can take up this position.

The Veterans Mutual Aid Association is not like other organizations.

We operate independently from official institutions, and we employ the children of many retired veterans.

Currently.

In the Mutual Aid Association, only you and I can be trusted, and you have the capability.

In the several months we were away, you managed well, leaving me at ease to hand it over to you.

If you don't take this position.

If people from other departments of the East Prosperity Imperial come in, the entire Mutual Aid Association will change its nature."

Ola is very insistent about origins.

Of course.

His insistence isn't without reason.

After all, the stakes involved with the Mutual Aid Association are significant, and he understandably doesn't want other forces intervening.

The Mutual Aid Association was initially established to provide a solid backup for all veterans.

Once outsiders come in.

The entire organization will become complex, hard to control and manage.

And among veterans, their credibility will decrease.

One must know.

The Mutual Aid Association has survived several impeachments over the years, solely relying on the unity of retired veterans.

What makes the Mutual Aid Association truly powerful is not any individual.

But the support from veterans who retired from major battlefields and campaigns.

Ola considered this point, which is why he won't allow outsiders to take up key positions within the association.

Because.

If the origins aren't right, it's hard to gain everyone's trust.

Veterans have a deep sense of identity with origin.

People of bureaucratic or commercial backgrounds can never gain their recognition.

Most veterans are from the Martial Artist background.

In contrast.

Baiyu, whose parents were heroes of the Celestial Essence campaign, and martyrs defending the Shelter, is most likely to win the veterans' approval.

Dying in battle is a warrior's best end.

And in this, there's also Ola's personal bias.

Giving Baiyu a critical position in the Veterans Mutual Aid Association is better than giving it to others.

He has no sons or daughters of his own.

Thinking it over.

Only Baiyu is suitable for the role.

"But I've only been in the Mutual Aid Association for a few months, wouldn't this be a bit..."

Baiyu felt it was somewhat inappropriate.

But Ola waved his hand: "Tonight I shall be discharged and go to a nursing home in the suburbs of Villiduo for recuperation. Before leaving, I will arrange this matter, so you don't need to worry."

Baiyu wanted to persuade him further, but it ultimately had no effect.

Ola is clearly a person who, once decided, doesn't easily change his mind.

It wasn't appropriate for him to argue.

And only in a key position within the Veterans Mutual Aid Association can he access many things.

To gain more resources and knowledge, becoming the regular Minister is a good path.

For him.

This matter is almost all benefit and no harm.

...

That night.

Ola stubbornly got discharged.

No one could persuade him otherwise.

A circle of Villiduo's dignitaries came to express their concerns and care.

But the sincerity of these sentiments is unclear.

The Veterans Mutual Aid Association.

Ola temporarily stayed in the association's hospital.

A group from various departments came to offer their condolences and gifts, then left respectfully.

Only then did Baiyu realize.

The status of the president Ola in Villiduo might be higher than he imagined.

By the time Baiyu sent off the last person, it was already late at night.

He was about to rest.

Beside him.

A figure jumped down from a large tree planted by the Mutual Aid Association.