The following day, when Elaine Chen arrived at the Hu city Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, she found Tom Zhang already standing respectfully at the entrance, waiting for her.
As soon as he saw her car approaching, Tom Zhang hurriedly ran over, eagerly opened the car door for her, and then led Elaine Chen and her entourage into the lab.
Choi Man watched Tom Zhang’s behavior with some puzzlement. It’s just a well-funded robotics company, he thought. Even with all their wealth, it shouldn’t warrant such deference from someone like Tom Zhang. Hadn’t they just talked about rallying the industry to shut this company down? How had things changed so quickly?
Just as Choi Man was about to voice his confusion, Tom Zhang shot him a look and sternly glared at her, signaling for her to remain silent. Realizing the situation, Choi Man quickly closed his mouth, lowered his head, and obediently followed Tom Zhang into the laboratory.
Elaine Chen noticed all of this but made no comment, continuing to walk forward as if nothing had happened. She walked directly to the glass screen housing the artificial intelligence system.
After the last major fire, Tom Zhang had installed the original large screen beneath the AI system and enclosed it with a glass screen, making it easier to observe the experiments inside. From outside the glass screen, the entire AI system and the experimental staff were clearly visible.
Elaine Chen quietly observed the AI system, recalling the small intelligent system Lam had previously developed. She turned to Tom Zhang, intending to ask about the progress of the small system's development.
However, before she could inquire, her gaze fell upon Choi Man standing beside Tom Zhang.
With a slight frown, she didn’t want irrelevant people present at the moment. She glanced at Zhang and then subtly tilted her chin in Choi Man’s direction, signaling him to leave.
Tom Zhang, thinking Elaine Chen was about to ask him something, began to speak but quickly noticed her gesture toward Choi Man. Understanding her intent, he signaled Choi Man to come closer and whispered a few words to him before sending him away.
Once Choi Man had left, and the room was clear of everyone except Tom Zhang and Elaine Chen’s entourage, Chen finally spoke, “Is the small intelligent system Lam developed still here?”
“Yes, it is. It’s still here,” Zhang responded eagerly, nodding his head repeatedly. “He had installed it in that brain-shaped shell, but we later discovered the material was too fragile. We’re currently testing new materials.”
“And what about the AI system? Has its level of intelligence improved?” Elaine Chen asked after a brief pause.
“The intelligence level remains the same. You know, this is a global challenge, not easily resolved. But we are planning to continue improving our experimental methods to see if we can enhance the system’s intelligence further.” Zhang hesitated at first, but seeing that Elaine Chen’s expression remained unchanged, he cautiously continued.
“Alright, I understand. You’re the expert, so handle it as you see fit, but the sooner, the better,” Chen nodded lightly and then shifted the conversation, asking, “How large is the underground space of the lab?”
Zhang didn’t understand why she suddenly asked this but answered truthfully. After hearing his reply, Chen had already made up her mind. This was the main reason she had come to the lab.
With the increasing production of robots, she needed a safe and hidden place to store them, and the lab was the perfect location. Not only did it have enough underground space to accommodate them, but storing robots in an AI lab wouldn’t arouse suspicion.
However, the current space was far from sufficient. Chen instructed Zhang to continue expanding the underground area as much as possible. She mentioned she would soon relocate the robots stored elsewhere to the lab.
Regarding the issue of money, Chen gave Zhang a knowing look. She noticed a flash of eagerness in his eyes, which he quickly suppressed, seemingly caught between desire and restraint.
Amused, Chen assured him that money was not an issue and that he would be provided with whatever amount he needed. Zhang, though slightly embarrassed, sighed in relief.
The lab needed funding for everything, and spending his own money on research and infrastructure felt like cutting into his flesh. He was pained by the expense—he needed money and loved it.
Even though some things were more important than money, he wanted it all. Zhang glanced at Chen’s hand, disappointed not to see the small vial of blue liquid. He realized he hadn’t yet earned it, but this was his opportunity, and he resolved to prove himself.
After discussing the matters at hand, Chen took another look at the AI system through the glass screen.
For some reason, she felt a strange familiarity, as though there was an inexplicable connection she couldn’t quite grasp.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Chen decided not to dwell on it and left after giving Zhang a final reminder to handle things well. Zhang hurried after her.
As they reached the lab’s entrance, Chen glanced at the familiar surroundings and, on a whim, asked Zhang, “Why did Lam leave? Do you know where he went?”
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Zhang was caught off guard by the sudden question.
He didn’t know the nature of the relationship between Chen and Lam, and a wrong answer could be disastrous.
Flustered, he stammered, “He… he might have had other ideas. I don’t know where he went.” After a pause, Zhang cautiously asked, “What is your relationship with him?”
Seeing Zhang’s flustered reaction, Chen didn’t need to guess what had happened—power struggles and the elimination of rivals were common everywhere. It was just a pity about that interesting young man.
Perhaps it was better this way, she thought, as she no longer had to think about delaying His orders. However, she still needed to send someone to find him privately, as the secrets he held were valuable to her.
Hearing Zhang’s final question, Chen’s eyes turned cold. “Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t ask,” she said icily, before getting into her car and leaving.
Zhang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, waiting respectfully until Chen had left before letting out a sigh of relief.
Thinking of Lam, Zhang’s frustration grew. He wasn’t sure of the nature of the relationship between Lam and the emissary, but it seemed significant. In the future, he decided, he would avoid mentioning Lam.
Zhang had previously tried to gather information about Lam but had come up empty-handed.
Now, with Chen’s unclear relationship with him, even if there were grudges, Zhang could only suppress them.
As he passed by Choi Man’s office on his way back, Zhang thought of calling him out, only to find him standing quietly behind him, giving him quite a scare.
With a lowered gaze, Choi Man asked if there was anything he could help with.
Zhang nodded and relayed all the tasks Chen had assigned him, instructing Choi Man to expedite the AI system’s intelligence upgrades, promising to participate at the appropriate time.
Regarding the underground space, Chen had emphasized confidentiality, so Zhang decided to handle it personally, trusting no one else with the task.
After giving his instructions, Zhang smiled and asked if Choi Man had any questions.
After some hesitation, he pointed in the direction Chen had left and voiced her earlier confusion: “Who was that? Isn’t it just a well-funded company? What’s so special about them that they deserve such attention from you?”
“Shut up!” Zhang quickly silenced him, glancing around to ensure no one else was present, then harshly reprimanded him: “Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t. Just do your job!”
Realizing his harsh tone had frightened Choi Man, Zhang softened after a moment, patting her on the shoulder. “Do a good job with what I’ve asked, and you’ll see rewards beyond your imagination. I can’t explain everything now, but trust me, you’ll regret missing this opportunity for the rest of your life.”
Though he didn’t know what rewards he meant, Choi Man nodded firmly, determined to do his best. Zhang finally left, satisfied, while Choi Man stood there, deep in thought.
For the next few days, Chen was absorbed in deciphering the intangible patterns that filled her mind, leaving Zhang to his own devices until the time for the ritual ceremony arrived.
Upon receiving the notice, Zhang hurriedly donned his robe and drove to the venue, neglecting even to inform Choi Man, who was waiting to report on the lab’s progress.
He was eager to be the first to report the expansion of the underground space, confident that the emissary would look upon him with favor.
When Zhang arrived, he saw Three Fire Cheng already standing behind Four Fire Cheng.
As usual, Zhang quickly took his place behind Three Fire Cheng , but somehow ended up being pushed to the corner by the others. He considered pushing his way back but decided against it after glancing at the massive eye in the center of the hall.
The underground hall was silent, with only the giant stone-carved eye in the center emitting a faint blue light. Everyone remained silent, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Soon, Elaine Chen appeared, and everyone knelt before the stone eye, chanting an incantation. After the chant, they prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to move.
Elaine Chen turned around to face the stone-carved giant eye and recited the same incantation. After finishing, she took out a small vial filled with a blue liquid and held it up for everyone to see.
At the sight of the vial, the group of people slowly lifted their heads, their eyes filled with a mix of greed, reverence, excitement, and envy.
Zhang also caught sight of the vial—this was the divine water that could grant immortality.
A flash of greed crossed his eyes, but he quickly lowered his head, resisting the temptation to gaze upon the alluring blue liquid any longer.
He knew he wasn’t yet in a position to receive this divine gift, but his time would come. Once he completed the tasks given by the emissary, he too could possess it.
As a scientist, Zhang understood that, from a scientific standpoint, both immortality and this liquid that supposedly granted it were pseudoscience. But there were many things in this world that science couldn’t explain.
The current level of human knowledge was limited, whereas immortality touched upon a higher level of understanding.
This was the reason Zhang had wholeheartedly devoted himself to Chen’s organization. They possessed knowledge far beyond that of ordinary humans. To those who grasped such higher knowledge, what else could they be but gods?
Chen began to distribute the blue liquid, starting with a single drop for each of the twelve leading priests.
When she reached Gang Chen and his son, a flicker of barely concealed disgust passed through her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it and continued the distribution.
She then moved on to those conjurers and sorcerers who had made significant contributions to the organization, especially those who had recently recruited the most followers.
The recipients eagerly applied the divine water to their foreheads, and once it was absorbed, they prostrated themselves again, expressing their gratitude to the giant eye and to Chen.
Those who had not received any could only look on with envy before bowing down as well.
Once this was done, Chen allowed everyone to rise. As she was about to dismiss the group, her gaze fell on Zhang, standing in a corner.
She called out to him, “Zhang, next time kneel closer to the front, so I can find you easily. Alright, the rest of you may leave. Zhang, stay behind.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang halted in his tracks and waited respectfully, ignoring the curious looks from the others.
When Chen approached, Zhang, barely able to contain his excitement, reported on the latest developments in the laboratory’s underground expansion.
Chen nodded in acknowledgment, casually praising his work.
She then informed Zhang that she would soon be sending over the robots and instructed him to make the necessary arrangements. Seeing that there was nothing else, Chen dismissed him.
After Zhang left, Chen watched him go, a sly smile playing on her lips.
Her earlier comment was a deliberate signal to everyone that she had taken notice of Zhang. It was also a message to him that he had an opportunity now and should work hard to earn her favor.
But she knew this would inevitably stir up reactions among the others—some would try to suppress him, others might attempt to win him over, but the former would certainly outweigh the latter.
After all, envy was a powerful emotion, and Zhang needed to be tempered.
The art of managing subordinates had always required a balance of reward and punishment. Being a divine emissary was no easy task, and with a quiet sigh, Chen acknowledged the challenges that came with her role.