by <unknown>
However, when human beings were dealing with this ordinary language, a little improper handling could destroy human civilization more than 10,000 times…
This was the gap between civilization levels.
Thinking of this, Chen Chen flipped one hand over and a transparent NZT-48 appeared in his hand. He swallowed the drug directly and then closed his eyes.
About thirty seconds later, Chen Chen opened his eyes and looked at the intricate patterns in his hand again. This time, his eyes were fixed on the patterns as if he wanted to imprint all of them into his brain.
Nonetheless, within a dozen minutes, faint blood veins appeared in Chen Chen's eyes as if his brain power was overused.
As Chen Chen gritted his teeth, a trace of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, which looked sinister.
Just like this, half an hour had passed. When Chen Chen closed his eyes again, his expression finally regained its tranquility.
"I still can't do it…"
Chen Chen murmured. He sensed that his brain could clearly engrave every detail of the patterns, but within a few seconds, these details were forgotten again as if the hippocampus of the human brain could not store this at all. All the information had merely passed in and out of his mind…
"Sir Godfather, you've failed again?"
Little X's voice came. "Could it be a physiological reason? After all, we can't determine the life form of another civilization at all. Both sides are likely to have extremely high civilization barriers. Perhaps only their life form can master the knowledge of memes?"
"Impossible."
However, Chen Chen insisted. "Science isn't impenetrable. Things that cannot be detected can only mean that they don't exist. Moreover, I don't think that the concept of 'memes' was created by an alien civilization. Just like the concept of 'science', can you say that science didn't exist before humans discovered 'science'? Stop kidding me!"
Chen Chen smiled coldly. "In my opinion, the so-called E language is more like a kind of civilized technology, just like the physics formula that we've summarized. These Basilisk patterns are using visible text to encapsulate the intangible memes, which means that the Basilisk pattern is the manifestation of the meme. You can say that the Basilisk pattern is a memetic effect, but a memetic effect is by no means a Basilisk pattern."
"What you said makes sense."
Little X said thoughtfully, "But doesn't this conflict with your current state? You've already taken NZT-48, but you still can't memorize this E language. Why is that?"
"The answer is simple."
Chen Chen thought for a while and said, "When you've eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth — that civilization has set a password for its language."
"Password?"
"It's a simple principle. If you want to launch a nuclear bomb, you have to enter a string of keys. If you store your wealth in the safe, you'll also set a password to prevent others from stealing it. Then this E language that can control memes, would it not have a password too?"
Chen Chen asked, "If you think of it this way, everything can be explained. The memetic effect itself is a new system beyond common sense and existing scientific frameworks. If that is the case, won't the E language itself also have a memetic effect that prevents other civilizations from learning the E language?"
Little X suddenly saw the light. "I understand. For that god-level civilization, E language is like a weapon. Although they can control this weapon perfectly, they are also afraid that lower civilizations will obtain this weapon and use it as a shortcut to reach the same level as them. Therefore, they added a lock to their weapons. In this way, even if a lower civilization gets this weapon, it cannot be used because it cannot be unlocked!"
"That's exactly it."
Chen Chen snapped his fingers. "Thus, X-112 is a very important entry point. The god-level civilization may not have thought that our lower civilization would invent something like artificial intelligence.
"Based on the fact that their black spheres need to borrow human brains to perform calculations, that civilization probably didn't open the artificial intelligence branch of the technology tree, so X-112 can take advantage of the loophole and come into contact with the E language…"
"In other words, this is a godsend!"
Thinking of this, Chen Chen had a flash of inspiration.
"Since the E language can set a lock to prevent other civilizations from learning it, can we also encrypt our data with memes to prevent leakage?"
After thinking about it, Chen Chen asked, "X, communicate with X-112 and find out — based on its current understanding of the E language, can it set a special pattern so that ordinary people will die immediately when they see this pattern, but people in our God's Forbidden Zone can be immune?"
"It can be done."
Little X's voice paused for a moment and then replied, "Although X-112 has a very simple understanding of E language, it has zoomed in on the regularity of several patterns by observing the Filth mutation process in its entirety. With this regularity, X-112 can perform subtle programming to the Basilisk pattern 'Eye'. After this programming, 'Eye' can still be effective on ordinary people, causing brain death in them, but if there is a 'vaccine', they can be easily immune."
"Vaccine?"
Chen Chen asked.
"The so-called 'vaccine' is a Basilisk pattern, but its nature is not to kill people, but to prevent people from observing the 'Eye' and experiencing brain shutdown. It's just like getting a vaccine in advance."
X replied, "Moreover, X-112 can also shut down the mutation characteristic of the E language, so that the mutation probability of these Basilisk patterns will be minimized."
Chen Chen's eyes lit up upon hearing the words. "We can try this!"
After he had spoken, the printer beside him squeaked again and soon, a complex and abstract pattern started to emerge on the surface of the paper.
It was different from the Basilisk pattern that Chen Chen had seen before. It was a colorful pattern as if beams of light were flickering in front of one's eyes, but when one looked carefully, these patterns had no meaning.
As the pattern became more and more complete, suddenly, a special kind of throbbing gripped Chen Chen's mind. He seemed to experience an illusion, an illusion of being watched…
Chen Chen breathed a sigh of relief only when the entire picture was printed out. He picked up the picture. "Is this picture the so-called 'vaccine'?"
"Yes, based on the 'cognitohazard' and 'infohazard' produced by the memetic effect, this 'vaccine' can generate a special 'cognitive exemption'. You only need to see this pattern to avoid any cognitive harm caused by memetic attacks."
Hearing these words, Chen Chen carefully observed the pattern again, only to see that there was a faint eye buried among a scribble of meaningless pen and ink. Even so, upon closer look, it seemed that there was nothing.
Yes, it was just a set of abstract images that did not make any sense. Maybe some performance artists could talk enough bull and sell it for one or two hundred yuan.
"Well, after seeing this picture, you have been implanted with the vaccine in advance. Next, please take a look at another pattern."
Following Little X's words, another pattern was printed out by the printer again. Chen Chen looked at it and found that the second picture was dozens of times more complicated than the first. Chen Chen just took a look and could not help frowning.
This pattern also depicted an eye, but this eye was formed by the overlapping of countless eyes. Some of them were laughing, some were crying, and some showed a touch of tenderness, just like a lover's smile. Some were full of fear as if gazing into an infinite abyss…
Countless eyes layered on top of each other and finally formed such a peculiar pattern.
"This is 'Eye'?"
Chen Chen could not refrain from gasping. He was sure that it was not the first time he saw this pattern. Once in the Gantz dimension, he saw this pa
ttern out of carelessness. At that time, he had spent dozens of minutes just to get used to it.
Still, he never expected to see it again in reality this time.
Even so, it was different from before. At this time, although Chen Chen was still a little dizzy after seeing this pattern, this was completely unlike how he used to react, when he almost passed out.
Currently, he just felt an unusual nausea and this feeling was getting weaker and weaker as his brain continued to adapt.
"This is the 'Eye' that was modified by X-112."
Little X replied, "But please rest assured. You've seen the vaccine in advance, so this new 'Eye' will not cause any damage to you."
With that, the entire picture was completely discharged from the printer, but Chen Chen was no longer feeling any discomfort.
"So, that's it."
Chen Chen wore a look of realization. "Is this modified 'Eye' different from the previous one in other respects?"
"Apart from eliminating its variability, there's not much difference, but it can be 'mitigated' by another pattern."
Little X replied, "We only need to use this 'Eye' as a watermark for our confidential documents so that we can indiscriminately target all spies who have no authority, who still try to read confidential documents."
"Very well. Then my question is this."
Chen Chen snapped his fingers. "How long is the effect of this vaccine? After all, you have to understand that the human brain can forget. Will the implantation of this vaccine from too long ago cause the brain to forget it and result in the vaccine failing?"
"Please be rest assured, the effective period of the vaccine is permanent."
Little X replied, "After all, it's the language system of a god-level civilization. These concerns of yours will not arise at all."
"Is that so?"
Chen Chen could not help but look pensive. After a while, he said again, "In that case, we'll give this new confidentiality mechanism a name. After all, the label of 'Basilisk pattern' isn't conducive to classification and generalization. We'll call this kind of pattern 'memetic obliteration catalyst'…"
Chapter 352: Tying Up Loose Ends |
"This is the international news channel. I'm your host, Reinhard.
"The Minister of Energy, Mr. Zurama, on behalf of the Namibian government, officially signed an aerospace and military contract with Blackwatch on 20 May 2024. This will be the eighteenth contract between Blackwatch and the Namibian government…
"From now on, Blackwatch will formally step into the aerospace industry and the military industry, becoming the first company under the umbrella of Namibia that balances both aerospace and military industries…
"At present, it's known that the military factory will be set up in the south of the industrial park, in the western suburbs of the Eco Science City. This will be divided into two new areas, the military industrial area and the aerospace industrial park…
"Next is news from Europe:
"From 3 to 10 May, there was a large-scale disappearance case in Switzerland. The European regional government is following the matter closely. The specific details are still under investigation. The following is a reporter's online report…"
At this moment, Chen Chen was sitting in the head chair in the office, watching all kinds of news constantly being broadcast on the TV on the wall. He suddenly said, "It seems that the Swiss authorities aren't revealing much to the public. What they didn't mention was that many of the missing persons were members of major consortia and there were also many like you who were… Entrepreneurs?
"Wouldn't you say so, Mr. Wynn?"
As he spoke, Chen Chen put on a gentle smile, turned his head, and looked at a handsome middle-aged man in a suit, who was standing across the desk.
This man was about forty years old. He had the air and grace of a British aristocrat. Whoever saw him would imagine how handsome and charming he had been when he was young.
However, at this moment, the man's face was extremely pale as if he had been badly frightened. Although he tried to keep calm, he still could not conceal the panic in his expression.
This man was the branch manager hired by Chen Chen when he bought over the biotechnology branch in Switzerland — Mr. Wynn.
Wynn was originally an old man who was over 60 years old, but after the treatment of the age reversal program, he had regained his forty-something appearance. At this time, he only wore an ingratiating smile and smiled humbly at Chen Chen. "Boss, is there a reason you have summoned me to the head office? If there is anything you need, I can help you unconditionally!"
"Unconditionally?"
Chen Chen tilted his head and tapped the desk. "Surely that's too much to ask?"
"Not at all, not at all!"
Hearing this, Wynn looked overjoyed and quickly laughed. "Remember, you needed the ultra-precision machine tools, right? And I helped you obtain several of them. In addition, there were many medical equipment exports that I've also helped make possible. So now, whatever you need, I can help you do it unconditionally!"
Chen Chen suddenly clapped his hands and laughed loudly at the same time. "Mr. Wynn, you're devoted to our company…"
"As I should, as I should!"
Wynn also laughed and the entire office was filled with a cheerful atmosphere for a while.
"Since this is the case, I'll be frank."
After laughing for a while, Chen Chen sighed. "Mr. Wynn, you're still very wise. You haven't involved your family from beginning to end. In that case, please be rest assured that we'll not involve your family as well. We also will not revoke the benefits we gave you."
Hearing this, Wynn's expression finally darkened and he said bitterly, "I understand, this is indeed what I deserve… I won't blame you."
"Any last words?"
Chen Chen asked at last.
"…"
Wynn was silent for a while and after a moment, he said again, "There's nothing much to say. If anything, I'd like to ask that, no matter what, please don't tell my son about my death and please protect him. Let him successfully take over the inheritance of 5 billion Swiss francs in my bank."
"Sure."
Chen Chen nodded without hesitation. Then, two Black Knights outside the door immediately walked in, took Wynn by his arms, and dragged the despairing man out of the room…
What awaited him was the fate of being recycled as an experimental subject in the Spire's laboratory.
The reason for this was that after being kidnapped by White Embers before, Wynn finally chose to call Chen Chen and thoroughly carried out the plan to lure Chen Chen to Switzerland.
The only unfortunate thing was that when he chose to call Chen Chen to betray him, the White Embers organization had been fully decapitated.
In other words, even if he had chosen to reject the White Embers organization at that time, his kidnapped son would have been fine. However, there were no ifs and buts in this world. Ultimately, he had chosen to betray Chen Chen.
Still, even betrayal was divided into levels. If it did not endanger Chen Chen's life, Chen Chen would only discipline him at most, considering their existing partnership. Nonetheless, Wynn knew that the White Embers organization was going to assassinate Chen Chen, but he still decided to help White Embers.
In this case, as an accomplice in threatening Chen Chen's life, Chen Chen naturally would not spare Wynn.
This explained the scene that just took place.
After dealing with Wynn, before Chen Chen's office door could be closed, Samuel walked in anxiously.
"Boss…"
Samuel's face was a little pale. As Chen Chen had not specifically sent him away just now, he had fully overheard the conversation between the two outside the door and understood that Wynn was completely done for.
Since Wynn was his former boss, he had been acquainted with that man for more than ten years and Wynn's end inevitably made him feel sad for a kindred spirit. After all, he and Wynn had had the same experience.
The only difference between Samuel and Wynn was that before Samuel could even betray Chen Chen, Chen Chen had already wiped out White Embers.
Samuel had searched his own heart. He realized that, after his daughter was kidnapped by the other party, if the Black Knight had not come to him first, he might have done the same thing for his daughter as Wynn did.
Therefore, Samuel felt a pang of guilt after seeing Wynn's end.
"Mr. Samuel, please sit down."
As if nothing had happened, Chen Chen asked Samuel to sit down, then picked up the information on the table and said, "You did a great job with the experiment on Gantz Island. Is there any reason you've come to see me now?"
"Here's the thing. I thought about it for a long time and ultimately I still want to come to Africa."
Samuel said thoughtfully, "I don't know if God's Forbidden Zone is still willing to let me join."
Chen Chen did not seem to be surprised but laughed. "Of course, we're willing. Although your achievements in the biological field are barely adequate, the organization is still short of people. If you work hard, it's not impossible that you'll attain a higher position in the organization…"
"Yes, my thoughts exactly!"
Samuel nodded repeatedly.
"But I remember you didn't say that at the beginning."
Suddenly, Chen Chen's tone changed and he put on a puzzled expression. "What caused you to change your mind?"
"It's my daughter."
Samuel sighed and smiled bitterly. "Since the Black Knights rescued my daughter, she has kept asking me to come here. Maybe she hopes that her father will make something of himself. She hopes that I can forge a new path of prospects for her."
"So that's it. No wonder your daughter also came here this time."
Chen Chen nodded. "You haven't revealed to your daughter that the group of people who kidnapped her has died?"
"No, my daughter is still young, I don't want to scare her."
Samuel shook his head. "If possible, I still hope she knows as little about our internal workings as possible."
