by <unknown>
It should be noted that the average age range of this group was above fifty years old. A fifty-year-old in Africa was roughly the equivalent to a sixty-five to a seventy-year-old back in the Mainland.
The researcher took out a logger and jotted "B" in the "Physicality Recovery" section.
In the physical fitness category, there were labels such as bone strength, organ proficiency, muscle proficiency, joint toughness, and similar keywords.
Most of these sections were marked down as either "A" or "B".
"Alright, we'll now run another round of x-ray on everyone and that concludes the tests for the day."
The researcher clapped his hands and instructed, "After that, the rest of you can go back to the dormitory. The five of you from Kadi and Yasua's group will stay here for a moment. There are some other tests that we'll need you for."
After that, he took the five he had selected and left.
While that was going on, five life incubators were running in the unmarked mysterious laboratory.
The life incubators were filled to the brim with some sort of yellow liquid which had a slightly cloudy texture. Occasionally, bubbles gurgled from the bottom of the solution and floated to the top.
A human fetus the approximate size of a regular fist could be spotted floating in the solution.
The human fetus was curled up and wrapped in a translucent film like it was currently residing inside a womb.
Several tubes could be seen connected to the umbilical cord which was latched onto the fetus' belly button. The tubes attached to the umbilical cord were linked to a giant device placed outside the life incubator.
With the help of the machine, every single nutrient required for regular development was injected accordingly into the fetus.
"The five of them will be here shortly. We can start making preparations for organ matching."
Upon receiving the intel from the main control center, Hannibal quickly passed on the message to the other two members in the laboratory.
"Is there no other way around it?"
Neumann, who was completely immersed in the statistics displayed up till that moment, snapped out of it and noted hesitantly. "Based on the tests we ran last time, after the five of them went through the age reversal treatment, their organs functionality is already in the process of recovery. Even without needing to perform organ transplantation, their cirrhosis and pneumoconiosis were able to recover on its own."
Hannibal shook his head disapprovingly with a frown on his face. "Neumann, you're the same as you've always been. Don't forget that we're not doing this for charity. Do you have any idea how much it costs to perform the age-reversal treatment? Do you have any idea how many U.S. Dollars these life incubators burn up daily?
"In the grand scheme of things, do you have any idea how much the boss has to spend every single day for this research center?"
After an exasperated sigh, Hannibal continued. "We're not doing this to save these people but to innovate the current technique. To this day, there isn't a single research institution in the world that can develop stem cells into complete organs, you have any idea why that is? Tell me, isn't it because of the sheer difficulty of cultivating individual organs which is even beyond the difficulty of cloning humans?
"But now, we can overcome this issue and develop a fully-formed, complete organ. Do you have a clue how many potential lives we could save by implementing this technology?"
Li Lei, who kept his silence all this time, approached closer as well and patted Neumann on his shoulder. "There's a saying where I came from, 'A minor display of kindness spells evil while the most benevolent act requires a great deal of cruelty.' A true act of nobility stems from a rational mind that isn't misguided by simple emotions. What we're trying to accomplish here is of the greatest benevolence."
Neumann nodded.
It was at this moment when Little X suddenly broadcasted its voice via the speakers. "Sir Godfather, I've finished sorting the logged data related to the age-reversal treatment program. All that's left is the data from the organ match!"
"Good work, Little X."
Chen Chen snapped his finger. "In that case, we may commence the next step of the plan."
"The next step of the plan?" Little X asked curiously.
"Yes, the next step of the plan."
Chen Chen raised his palm and looked into the center of his palm. "As you know, everything we're doing now leads to the ultimate goal of extending the human lifespan.
"However, I'm woefully aware that this isn't something that can be accomplished in several days. The good news is that my parents are only close to fifty. I should've another twenty to thirty years to bring the operation to fruition."
Chen Chen gently clenched his fist, a sharp determination gleamed in his eyes as he spoke, "In twenty years, I'll begin with extending humanity's lifespan by thirty years. After that, I'll fully devote my efforts to the anti-aging project!"
"Have you thought about how you'll deal with the overpopulation problem?"
Little X suddenly asked curiously, "The total population of the Earth Federation currently stands at 7.84 billion. Each year, the population further grows by 81.3 billion, which is a growth rate of 1.09%.
"According to my calculations, in twenty years, the world population will reach 9.59 billion. As if this isn't enough, in 100 years, the world will reach a global population of 30 billion. This will lead to heightened tensions worldwide which will incite a new world war."
"There's no need to worry about this."
Chen Chen shook his head. "Little X, your abstract mind-mapping based on logical facts is still lacking. If technology is allowed another 100 years of development, don't you think it's possible to have attained nuclear fusion control?
"Even if mankind was ultimately unable to achieve it, can I not 'extract' it?"
"Ah, that's true…" Little X suddenly realized.
"Upon achieving nuclear fusion control, it'll be the official hallmark of mankind entering an era of unlimited energy. This also means that humans will no longer be bound to the Earth's gravity. At that point, the continuous population expansion will no longer be an issue."
Chen Chen smiled faintly. "Besides, a drastically lengthened lifespan shouldn't prove to be an issue. By then, the federation will enact new policies such as delayed retirement, delayed marriage, population control, and such. These are problems that I won't have to concern myself with. The point is, worrying yourselves with the potential dangers that will come with lengthening humanity's lifespan are simply impractical concerns."
Arriving at this point, Chen Chen picked up a book at the table and immersed himself in reading.
After about half an hour, Little X suddenly informed, "Sir Godfather, the human cloning laboratory just uploaded the research findings. The compatibility rate of the cloned and original bodies is 100%!"
"Excellent."
Chen Chen put down the book and instructed, "Little X, get ready to begin."
Chapter 104: Invitation Card |
Half an hour later, Chen Chen was toying around with a strange invitation card he had received.
The color of the invitation card was a deep vivid blue, it was made with 270g pearlescent paper. There was a line of text etched on it with bronze plating which gave it a dignified appearance.
In the middle of the invitation card was the logo of God's Forbidden Zone. Right underneath the logo was a sentence written in small font, "You're hereby invited."
These were the norm for invitation cards. However, upon opening the invitation card, one would notice that the invitation card was far thicker than regular invitation cards. It was almost like a book.
The invitation card was about thirty pages thick. The first page was a written introduction on God's Forbidden Zone authored by Chen Chen. The remaining pages provided pictures, references, and details regarding "Stem Cell Age Reversal Treatment" and "Cloned Organ Transplantation" projects.
Naturally, the central informat
ion related to these projects was left out intentionally. A person who was an expert in these subjects may be able to verify the legibility. However, to be able to replicate these projects was another matter as it was near impossible. One would have to start from square one to do so.
This was not the only invitation card, there were eleven of them in total. The invitation cards were written in a large variation of languages. Some were written in English, others were written in French, Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Hebrew.
Eleven invitation cards, each directed to the eleven chaebols of the world. These chaebols ranged from internationally renowned names to some being almost completely unknown to the world. Their roles ranged from the pioneering leaders of certain industries to the most esteemed chief of certain families.
The one thing all eleven of these recipients had in common was that they were all elderly ranging from sixty to seventy years old.
There was an anecdote Chen Chen picked up from a textbook when he was a child:
"The more wearisome the power struggle is, the more crucial it is to mobilize the power of the masses. Unite the masses, rely on their unified power. Avoid the common pitfalls of stubborn pride which leads to one trying to be the hero.
"Really makes you wonder how many tenacious bosses out there with insurmountable talent who, in their pursuit of opposing the philosophy of the world, actively refused to establish any form of alliance. For all of their acts of defiance, it ends with them unable to unleash their full potential and end up crashing in a blaze of glory before even taking flight."
Therefore, to carry out his plans, Chen Chen was not going to do it all by himself. Instead, he was going to weave a delicious, captivating plan to attract the attention of all potential interested organizations.
With this, even if Chen Chen's plans were exposed one day, imagine the scale of the socialists marching in the streets to protest his actions. However, they would find that not only did they have to deal with Chen Chen, they also have to deal with the immensely powerful organizations backing him…
To sum it up, Chen Chen had to find some way to get these corporations with incredible wealth and influence on his side. This way, he could continue working on his projects without worry to complete his hundred-year-long project.
Still, it was no simple task to present a cake that could effectively attract the intention of "those people". Any ordinary, simple cake with no value would not cut it.
This was why Chen Chen launched the "Age-reversal Treatment" and "Cloned Organ Transplantation" projects. To draw their intrigue.
With these two projects along with the ongoing "Alzheimer's Reversal Therapy, "Neural Stem Cell Connection Regeneration", and "Cancerous Cyclin-dependent Kinase" projects, surely this would draw the attention of these powerful individuals at the final stages of their lives?
Chen Chen sat on the safe and began contemplating with his hand supporting his chin.
How did people come to terms with their constant aging and the fact that their physical fitness was on the constant decline?
Most people would develop an affection for regular exercise. The irony was that they would hardly bother with taking a jog back in their younger days.
They began to practice good, healthy habits such as avoiding stuffing themselves during regular meals, avoiding staying up all night, and overall self-control, just so that they could preserve a healthy body.
This was what common people did. What about the reigning lords and emperors in ancient ages?
The Great Emperor Qin sent Xu Fu to the mystical mountains of Penglai. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty employed alchemists to search for the medicine of immortality. Emperor Tang Taizong took the fabled Huseng medicine which caused a violent reaction…
Countless ancient kings and emperors, even the wise emperor of the likes of Han Wu the Emperor of Qin, even the most benevolent of lords and emperors. Did anyone end up escaping the jaws of death?
Such was the nature of men.
If even the wisest of kings and emperors had embarked on a search for immortality, these wealthy and influential individuals should be aiming for the same thing.
Chen Chen was no exception to that rule.
The way Chen Chen saw it, as long as it meant he could continue surviving, he would gladly do so whatever the cost may be. Whether it was time, money, desires, even the very core identity of mankind…
Even if he had to lose himself for it.
After all, death was so final and yet life was so full of possibilities.
If even someone in his position felt this way, could the same not be said for the old and withered ones who already had one foot in the grave? Would they be able to resist the temptation clawing away deep down inside upon receiving Chen Chen's invitation card?
Chen Chen was looking forward to their response.
…
Several days later, on an island thousands of miles away in the British Isles of Europe.
London. This city was heralded as the largest city which served as the largest economic center in the Earth Federation. It was yet another sunny day in the city.
The financial sector served as London's economic mast. The stock trading sector in the city was the most important stock trading center of the federation. Additionally, 19 of the top 500 companies of the federation were situated in London.
To the east of London's St. Paul's Cathedral, there was a place commonly referred to as "One Square Mile". The Square Mile was home to densely populated buildings, many among them were banks and other financial institutions. It was regarded as London's equivalent of Wall Street.
It was for this reason that the "Square Mile" had another popular nickname – Financial City.
In the present moment, in the Foster Group building located in the financial city which carried its weight in gold, Norman Foster, who wore thick-framed glasses, stood on a wicker chair by the french window and was overlooking the city.
He had a copy of London Times in hand. This was a newspaper he had founded when he was younger. Today, it had become the most popular newspaper in London, boasting more than ten million sales each day.
As he grew older, he found himself thinking more than ever. He thought about all of the crossroads of life he came into when he was younger and the decisions he had made.
If… If he had just taken a different path when he was younger, would he still harbor the regrets he had today?
The afternoon sunlight was both warm and scorching as it shot past the french windows and into Norman's eyes, it made him feel sleepy.
The strength of his youth had long left him, but he had never stopped managing the corporations under his name. Over time, he had developed a habit of napping every now and then on the wicker chair.
However, he was unable to fall asleep today for some unknown reason.
The more he forced himself to shut his eyes, the more he sensed the presence of someone standing beside him.
Someone he could not see.
However, when he opened his eyes with alertness and took glances around him, he noticed that there was nobody else present in the room save for his secretary and the trusted bodyguards standing guard outside.
The feeling also vanished as soon as he opened his eyes.
When he shut his eyes again, the intense feeling of being under someone's watchful gaze surfaced again…
The stark contrast made the ends of his hair stand up.
As a man of his age, it was not plausible for his senses to be so strong. Still, no matter how hard he tried to convince himself it was all just in his head, the uncomfortable sensation of being observed continued gnawing at him.
In that case, it was wise to skip sleeping for now.
Norman sighed before picking the newspaper up. As he was preparing to read the newspaper, he suddenly froze.
Norman felt a chill whistle up from the back of his spine. They quickly spread through his body, causing even his hair to stand up on its end!
Without realizing
it, he had tossed the newspaper into a nearby trash can. On his hands, he grasped a strange-looking invitation card that was not there before…
Chapter 105: Suspicion |
Although Norman was sixty-nine years old by now, he could swear that he had no signs of Alzheimer's. He even had a doctor who helped him conduct monthly tests to look for signs of Alzheimer's.
On top of that, throughout all of these tests, his brain had always remained in exemplary condition.
Which was to say, everything that had just occurred was not just in his head?
Somebody came beside him while he had his eyes closed and hastily swapped out the newspaper with the invitation card?
Norman was certain that he was no senile old fool just yet. Besides, how was anyone supposed to sneak past his bodyguards and secretary unnoticed?
Norman looked up again and carefully surveyed his surroundings.
His surroundings remained as tranquil as it had always been. His secretary was behind him tidying up the bookshelves while two bodyguards stood guard silently by the door.
At this point, if it was not for the invitation card that reminded Norman that this was all real, he might have even begun to start questioning his sanity.
"Emily…"
Norman could not stop himself from asking.
"Yes, Mr. Norman. Here I am."
A woman cloaked in a strong scent of perfume immediately approached him when he called for her. She leaned down, revealing her well-endowed chest. "Do you need me to pour you a cup of tea?"
"No, Emily. Did anyone appear by my side just now?"
Norman looked intently into the woman's eyes like he was trying to pierce through her with his sheer gaze.
"Th- that wouldn't be possible, Mr. Norman."
The secretary raised the question with a minor shift in expression. "This is your private office. Apart from me and Leo, how is anyone supposed to just sneak in unnoticed?"
"Is that so?" Norman slowly averted his gaze and looked down at the invitation card he had grasped in his hands. A look of intrigue appeared on his face.
