Chapter 402: Setup
The practical implantation of nano-scale electrodes took far longer than expected.
Felix was extremely patient. He was the founder of the Munster Consortium and although his son Adrian was the one acting as the core founder of the group and he had long since retreated to the sidelines, many people in North America still widely regarded Felix as the true founder of the Munster Consortium.
Only two years ago, Felix, who was in his eighties at that point, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. His son Adrian began searching everywhere for a cure for his father and ended up investing in Osmond corporation that seemed to have high potential in coming up with a cure. This was how he stumbled into Blackwatch who was trying to buy Osmond’s shares at the time.
It was around that time when Chen Chen directly approached Adrian. After some dialogue between the two of them, not only did Chen Chen agree to yield his shares in Osmond, he also recruited the Munsters into G.o.d’s Forbidden Zone on one condition. That was that he would cure Felix of his Alzheimer’s.
The workings of fate were always so unpredictable.
Two days later.
With Qian Wenhuan accompanying him, Felix brought James Watsons’ family on a tour around Eco Science City. In addition to visiting the major parks and playgrounds in the city, they also visited the vast industrial park and the s.p.a.ce launch base that was still in the midst of construction.
In the end, the group of six arrived at the Sandwich Harbor, which was where most of the sanatoriums of the Eco Science City were located in.
As he saw the rows after rows of sanatoriums erected across the horizon as far as the eye could see, James Watson’s son, Watson Jr., found himself inexplicably impressed while also filled with envy.
It was his greatest desire to come here for its fabled treatment. The only thing stopping him was the medical fees totaling up to millions of dollars.
“Watson Jr, have you not considered undergoing one of our treatments available at our sanatoriums?”
As if sensing the desire in his gaze, Qian Wenhuan who was walking at the back of the group suddenly commented, “You’re at the ideal age for the age-reversal treatment. Don’t forget about our stem cell therapy as well. On top of restoring your body to its prime condition and getting rid of all the scars, we can also grant you a youthful appearance.
“We also equip the world’s most advanced stem cell facial surgery technology. With the stem cell facial surgery, you’ll no longer experience any side effects of aging and you can say goodbye to any surgical facelift for the rest of your life.
“Then there’s also our biological enhancement program. It doesn’t matter what your current physique is, we can transform your body and turn you into the next American male model within a week...”
Watson Jr. could only afford to muster a strained smile as he listened to Qian Wenhuan’s enthusiastic introduction. “I’m very sorry Mr. Qian. If I could, I’d come to your city to indulge in the most sophisticated and advanced medical treatment program in the world. Unfortunately, I can hardly afford any of the treatments available here.”
When Qian Wenhuan heard this, his eyes instinctively darted at the absent-minded Bruno nearby.
From Qian Wenhuan’s perspective, this elderly man standing in front of him was unmistakably the heir of a world-renowned scientist. James Watson himself once served as the chairman of Cold Spring Laboratory, boasting a salary of 500,000 US dollars per year. Factoring in his many acc.u.mulated accolades in his youth, his net worth should still easily range above millions even after he was expelled from his position.
As things may seem now, the current state of the family was a shadow of its former self. There was the issue of James Watson running his mouth with bold and out-of-touch claims, but the true downfall of this family probably stemmed from none other than this hippie-looking fellow over here...
Qian Wenhuan smiled and made no further comments despite having noted this. Just as he was about to divert the conversation to something else, he suddenly heard Felix speaking, “Mr. Qian, I’d be more than willing to pay for Watson Jr.’s medical fees.”
“Uncle Felix...”
Watson Jr. was taken aback by this sudden suggestion, he immediately became overwhelmed with emotions. “You’ve already paid for my dad’s medical fees, how could I...”
“No problem. Compared to your father’s medical fees, yours will only be a drop in the bucket.”
Felix shrugged. “Besides, if your father agrees to join Blackwatch after he has recovered, I doubt I’ll even have to foot the bill at all.”
“So that’s how it is.”
Watson Jr. suddenly got a better grasp on the situation. He quickly turned to Qian Wenhuan and asked, “Mr. Qian Wenhuan, could I know if your company is still hiring? I was also in the biology field.”
“Of course, Blackwatch welcomes anyone to join our ranks.”
Qian Wenhuan smiled amiably and nodded. “But researchers will have to pa.s.s a certain set of tests to prove themselves worthy. Since you’re the son of a n.o.bel Prize winner, I’d say these tests will be a breeze for you.”
As the group was discussing this, Qian Wenhuan’s secretary suddenly approached him and whispered something in his ears. Shortly after, Qian Wenhuan nodded before turning to the rest of the group. “Sir Felix, everyone, I have good news for you all. James Watson’s operation has been completed.”
Everyone was visibly pleased by this announcement. Felix quickly added. “Let’s head back right away then. I’m sure Watson Jr. and the others are eager to know how Watson is doing now.”
“Yes, I look forward to seeing the results.” Watson Jr. agreed.
“Hm, I believe there might be some slight misunderstanding here.”
Qian Wenhuan quickly waved his hand side to side. “This is only the preliminary stages. It’s still largely ambiguous whether James Watson’s operation could be deemed a success and how he would recover. It will still take some time until Sir James Watsons wakes up.”
“I see.”
Felix commented, not without slight disappointment in his voice, “I’d say it’s still worth seeing for ourselves, let’s head back.”
“Alright.”
Qian Wenhuan nodded and gave a signal. Several black cars quickly approached the group.
While everyone was getting into their respective vehicles, Bruno, who had not been paying attention all this while, suddenly approached Qian Wenhuan with a sly smile. He poked fun at Qian Wenhuan in a hushed tone. “Buddy, I never thought that you’d hire a male secretary. Don’t tell me that you’re... You know?”
Qian Wenhuan’s expression immediately turned dark. Bruno’s remark seemed to have triggered a traumatic memory in him.
“Bruno, get over here now!”
Watson Jr. who had just entered his vehicle rebuked Bruno immediately.
Bruno twitched his lips to the side like a brat before entering the vehicle.
Half an hour later, when the group returned to the central hospital of Eco Science City, they saw James Watson who already had his wounds rest.i.tched together.
His appearance was largely the same as it looked previously. His complexion was still uncannily pale and green, large arrays of machines were positioned next to him and he did not seem to be anywhere near conscious yet.
“The operation was a great success.”
One of the main surgeons announced enthusiastically to them, “We’ve inserted a total of six AI chips into the patient’s brain. These chips will do an excellent job at subst.i.tuting the damaged region of the patient’s brain and allow for advanced computing abilities, rest easy.”
“Really?”
Watson Jr. was exhilarated by this revelation. “Will my father wake up?”
“It’s very optimistic by the current looks of it.”
The doctor responded and nodded before turning around and left.
“Congratulations, it seems your dad will recover very soon.”
Felix congratulated and joked a little. “I’ve been here long enough and I suppose it’s about time I take my leave. When your father wakes up, remember to tell him to visit me otherwise I won’t ever acknowledge knowing him as a friend.”
“You have my word, Uncle Felix.”
Watson Jr. thanked him earnestly. “I’ll make sure to pay you a visit along with my father.”
Felix nodded and turned to Qian Wenhuan. “Mr. Qian, thank you for your hospitality these past few days. Please help me inform Sir Chen Chen that I’ll be leaving today. Also, make sure to send me the bill for Watson Jr.’s treatment.”
“Take care, Sir Felix.”
Qian Wenhuan nodded in response.
Everyone watched in silence as Felix departed. The silver-haired Watson Jr. was especially emotional.
“Alright, then I shall be saying goodbye as well.”
Qian Wenhuan said suddenly while still hanging a courteous smile on his lips. “If you want to begin the age-reversal treatment, you can call this number whenever you’re ready and someone will have everything arranged for you. If you’d like to enlist in our company’s scientific research inst.i.tute, you can call this number instead...”
Qian Wenhuan gave Watson Jr. two contact numbers before reminding them, “Meanwhile, we’d appreciate it if you guys can keep this particular instance of us curing James Watson a secret. Since this particular technology involves our company’s latest scientific advent, it’s extremely confidential and we’d prefer for it to not be exposed to the outside world, you understand?”
“Of course, we understand.”
Watson Jr. nodded and promised. “Don’t worry, we’ll never leak any information even if we’re approached by reporters.”
“You have my grat.i.tude.”
Qian Wenhuan bid his farewell one last time before leaving them.
Surely enough, without having Felix here, the Watson Jr. family was not important enough to warrant Qian Wenhuan staying with them.
Watson Jr. was well aware of this but was not any less gracious with Qian Wenhuan for it. He had the good sense to escort Qian Wenhuan to the hospital entrance before bidding farewell.
After Qian Wenhuan had exited the hospital and went into his designated vehicle, he took his phone out and called the only pinned contact number in his phonebook.
“Boss, everything has been arranged. Sir Felix just left as well.
“I already informed them to not leak any information regarding our brain damage treatment technology. I think that Bruno isn’t very reliable and there’s a chance that he might spill the beans...
“Yes, understand.”
With that, Qian Wenhuan hung up and quickly turned to the secretary in the driver seat. “Back to the headquarters.”
So, they exited the parking lot of the hospital and headed for the city...
...
Meanwhile, Chen Chen was drenched in sweat in the middle of the training grounds. With a very subtle flick in his eyes, a phone levitated in the air and charged into a locker.
The locker was shut with an abrupt clank as if there was someone invisible residing in the same s.p.a.ce as Chen Chen.
“Are you sure we won’t need to take any actions to prevent this information from being leaked?”
Little X’s tiny figure could be seen in the corner of the room, several explosion-proof shield plating was arranged in front of her. She asked curiously, “We just released the V.1 series, you don’t think it’s too fast for us to reveal that we have brain damage restoration technology?”
“There’s no point hiding it anymore anyway.”
Chen Chen replied blankly. As he did this, he fixed his gaze and immediately sent several daggers on the opposite end of the room soaring toward him, slicing apart the air as they came at him. Before these daggers could get anywhere close to Chen Chen, they were stopped in their tracks by an invisible force.
It looked as if these daggers had run into an invisible sponge several meters away from Chen Chen. Their momentum was immediately halted as they clattered onto the floor lifelessly.
After cutting these high-velocity dagger’s momentum, Chen Chen added. “North America is already plotting against me. They already have a confirmed date and location at this point. Whatever happens now won’t change their mind in the slightest, so there’s no need for us to hide anymore.”
As he said this, yet another wave of daggers came sweeping toward him from a dark corner. Chen Chen glared fiercely in their general vicinity and shot his right palm outward!
The moment he did that, another round of metal clanking onto cold hard concrete echoed across the room again. The daggers were sent flying away in the opposite direction and smashed into the walls.
“In that case, does that mean that Sir G.o.dfather has made all the preparations to go to war with them?”
Little X pouted, a hint of worry appeared on her complexion. “We have to face the Earth Federation all by ourselves, what if we lose...”
“Who says that we’re going to face the Earth Federation head-on?”
Chen Chen wiped the blood off of his nose and remarked icily, “In a few days, the n.o.bel Prize winners will be announced. They will be sending invitation letters to invite me to the awards ceremony in December. I can pretend to accept the invitation for now and reject at the last minute come December. This way, we can buy two months’ time.
“By that point, they should realize that they have no hope of arresting me in North America, so that leaves them with only one option, which is to take the direct public approach. Either they will begin imposing strict sanctions against our company or apply pressure on the Namibian government to have them arrest me.”
Chen Chen continued elaborating. “Which means that we only need to focus on taking certain approaches come December to limit their options against me.”
“What sort of approach?”
Little X asked curiously.
“X, could you use the Prophet System to determine which company was it that tried to use quantum computers to design quantum viruses to be used against us?”
Instead of providing a direct answer, Chen Chen returned with another question.
“I’m afraid I can’t. I can’t get any output that has anything to do with the quantum computer.”
Little X answered dejectedly, “It’s pretty clear at this point that the Prophet System is completely ineffective when it comes to anything dealing with the quantum computer or anything related to it.”
“I figured.”
Chen Chen nodded, not surprised by this information. He sighed and expressed, “This quantum computer that appears to have something to do with the USB drive has stumped me every step of the way. At this point, I even have to be cautious to not harbor any ill intentions against it. It appears that in addition to being able to predict future catastrophic events, it also has a built-in self-defense mechanism. The moment I plot something against it, its computation is able to successfully detect it.
“But judging by this piece of information that you just provided me, I noticed that this quantum computer has its blind spot as well...”
A mischievous smirk that was impossible to decipher appeared on Chen Chen’s lips as he said this, “In this case, I know exactly what to do next...”