Under the cover of night, within a secluded chamber, Liu Hui met these venerable scientists for the first time. Their physical conditions were indeed cause for concern; most were well past eighty, though they still possessed remarkable spirit. Liu Hui immediately directed specialized physicians to examine these elderly researchers. The issue extended beyond mere advanced age; many suffered from various concurrent ailments. For them to conduct research effectively for him, their health had to be completely restored, leaving no lingering complications. This initial examination was crucial to grasp the full scope of their conditions before initiating thorough treatment.

Soon, the results of the old men’s examinations arrived. Beyond the natural decay of their aging bodies, various common geriatric illnesses were indeed discovered. If left untreated immediately, all these elders would pass away within the next few years.

Liu Hui established contact with Zerg on the Gene Plane, relaying the complete results of the seniors' medical checks and ordering a batch of specialized pharmaceuticals designed to treat their specific conditions.

The Zerg Hive had been studying humanity for a considerable period, granting them an exceptionally deep understanding of the human body. They managed to synthesize all the necessary medications overnight and trade them to Liu Hui. Zerg was a straightforward entity; he charged Liu Hui no exorbitant fees for any of the treatments. The exchange rate was consistent: one kilogram of narcotics for ten thousand doses of medicine.

Of course, Liu Hui’s recent dealings with Zerg involved large-scale transactions measured in hundreds of kilograms of narcotics, making this a relatively small exchange he hadn't handled in quite some time. However, Zerg offered no complaint. The more he facilitated for Liu Hui, the stronger Liu Hui would become, enabling him to supply ever-increasing quantities of narcotics, which would aid Zerg in surviving the impending Great Calamity of the Protoss.

Under Chen Changsheng’s earnest gaze, Liu Hui began administering the treatments to the elders. But Chen Changsheng quickly noticed something amiss.

“Boss, this seems unusual. I recall your treatment for me wasn't like this. Where is that large-scale treatment apparatus?”

“Heh, Dean Chen, the treatment I gave you last time involved a high-concentration serum that offered immediate rejuvenation. The medication being administered to these gentlemen now is a low-concentration formula; it will restore them to their prime state gradually over the course of two years after injection. Different medicine naturally dictates a different treatment method,” Liu Hui chuckled.

“Boss, is there any difference in the result?” Chen Changsheng asked, concern coloring his tone.

“In terms of therapeutic effect, there is absolutely no difference. One yields instant results, immediate gratification. The other is a slow burn, concluding its process only after two years. Aside from the temporal gap, there is no other distinction,” Liu Hui explained in detail, though not revealing the entire truth.

The previous time Liu Hui treated Chen Changsheng, he had reversed his age by five decades in a single night using rejuvenation equipment acquired from Zerg, which could instantaneously de-age a person, though it demanded vast amounts of energy—one kilogram of narcotics for every year subtracted. The treatment for Chen Changsheng alone had cost Liu Hui fifty kilograms of narcotics, equivalent to a staggering five hundred million US dollars when converted to ‘Starlight Myopia Relief.’ To restore this large group of elderly men to youthful vitality simultaneously would likely deplete Liu Hui’s entire narcotic stockpile. Given the drastic recent reduction in his supplies, spending so lavishly was out of the question. Thus, he opted for the most cost-effective genetic modification pharmaceuticals. While this method took longer, the final outcome was identical. Upon injection, the elders’ bodies began a gradual revitalization, and their cognitive faculties would sharpen, without interfering with their immediate resumption of research activities.

Chen Changsheng experienced a moment of profound realization and spoke with admiration, “Boss, I understand your calculated intent. For an old bachelor like myself, with no family, even sudden youth might go unnoticed or unchallenged. But these gentlemen all have families and households. If they were to suddenly transform into young men, their relatives would certainly grow suspicious, risking exposure of your secret. By employing this gradual, two-year rejuvenation, their children and families will have no cause for alarm; they can simply be told they are taking a newly developed medication from you. At the very least, it won’t be so shocking as to cause widespread disruption. Boss, your strategy is profoundly astute!”

Liu Hui managed a strained smile. His practical cost-saving measure had been interpreted by Chen Changsheng as a sign of unfathomable depth, further compounded by Chen Changsheng co-opting a classic line from a traitorous translator character in Battle of the Landmines to flatter him.

“That’s enough. They will regain their health tomorrow. Though their outward appearance will remain that of elderly men, the internal functions of their organs will recover over 80% capacity, allowing them to return to work immediately. You all have been disconnected from the scientific community for too long; use this time to recharge diligently and strive to bring your knowledge up to par with the current world standards,” Liu Hui cut short Chen Changsheng’s fawning praise.

“Boss, but I worry about their memory degradation. Their learning efficiency might be low, taking a long time to meet your requirements?” Chen Changsheng voiced his lingering concern.

“Dean Chen, have you been reading recently?” Liu Hui asked suddenly.

“Yes, why?” Chen Changsheng replied.

“Have you not noticed your own utterly abnormal memory?”

“Oh, it does seem true. Boss, could this also be a function of your medicine?” Chen Changsheng asked, surprised. He suddenly recognized that his recent memory had indeed been freakishly sharp; any piece of knowledge, after a single reading, never faded. He had initially attributed it to a sudden resurgence of long-dormant intellectual desire, leading to heightened efficiency, never suspecting a connection to his boss’s pharmacology.

“Naturally. My medicine not only reverses aging but also vastly enhances memory retention. So, you need not worry about your old colleagues’ ability to learn. As long as they apply themselves, their knowledge base will update rapidly, allowing them to once again become top-tier scientists,” Liu Hui declared with satisfaction.

How could Liu Hui task these old minds with research without accounting for their age-related memory decline? He had specifically commissioned Zerg for memory-enhancing drugs for these seniors. Sharper memories would translate directly into higher work efficiency, which in turn meant greater profits generated for him. On this point, Liu Hui would never engage in a losing venture.

Chen Changsheng looked at Liu Hui, his eyes burning with zeal. Liu Hui felt a genuine sense of satisfaction. After all, Chen Changsheng was one of the true scientists of Huaxia whom he had deeply admired since childhood.

A few days later, the elders had fully recovered, and Chen Changsheng organized the group to begin intensive study. Liu Hui, through various channels, had already procured the latest available technology for them to learn. Transformed by the memory enhancement drugs, the seniors’ capacity for learning was terrifyingly potent. Combined with decades of experience in scientific research, they managed to assimilate the cutting-edge technologies and fully integrate them into their existing knowledge base within a mere few days. However, Liu Hui’s access was not absolute, and many high-tech fields remained beyond his reach, leaving gaps in the elders' knowledge. Nevertheless, their rich experience meant they could bridge these deficits through subsequent research and self-study.

With the affairs of the Starlight Group finally settling onto a stable track, Liu Hui let out a sigh of relief. His most pressing concern now was the sourcing of his narcotics. If that problem were resolved, he felt he would have little to worry about in the immediate future.

Zhou Tengyun had already departed for Afghanistan. He was personally tasked with contacting the Taliban warlord Mohmand in that region, and specific news was expected within the next few days.

Hu Xian’er had still not returned to work these past few days, and Liu Hui was beginning to miss her. The newly hired Li Lian showed a marked gap in competence compared to Hu Xian’er, struggling to manage Liu Hui’s schedule, which only intensified Liu Hui’s recollection of Hu Xian’er’s efficiency.

On the pitch-black waters off Hong Kong, a dilapidated fishing trawler was making its way toward the Starlight Group headquarters situated in Boot Shek Ao. Inside the vessel were over a dozen men clad in black combat suits, heavily armed, their faces smeared with camouflage paint. They were intently monitoring the sea outside.

“Captain, a Hong Kong patrol boat just passed. The next one is due in ten minutes. We have five minutes to slip into Hong Kong’s coastal waters,” a voice reported.

“Is the target’s location confirmed?” the Captain inquired, studying three photographs laid before him: Liu Hui, Mei Peng, and Chen Changsheng.

“The locations of all three targets are confirmed,” someone replied softly below.

“Accelerate immediately, evade the patrol craft, and enter the target's sea zone,” the Captain commanded.

With a deep, muffled roar from the engine, the seemingly decrepit trawler suddenly burst forth with astonishing speed toward the coastline. It was clear the ordinary-looking vessel had been heavily modified internally; it was far from what it appeared to be.

“Captain, we’ve slipped the Hong Kong patrol craft and entered the target zone. We’re one hundred meters from shore. Should we move in now?” a man smeared with camouflage paint asked.

“The reception team? Have they signaled?” the Captain asked.

“Not yet.”

“Then we wait,” the Captain ordered. The trawler then cut its engine and floated silently on the sea. There was no moonlight that night; the ocean was a vast expanse of darkness, rendering them invisible.

“Jerry, why do you think Command sent us here? Just to grab a few people? This is just a private company. Even if their defenses are formidable, they shouldn’t warrant our presence. Sending us in person is overkill,” a Caucasian man, perhaps bored, muttered quietly to a Black man beside him.

“Tom, you’re right. Why are we so unlucky to be assigned this trivial mission? Damn it, those lucky Seals got sent after Bin Laden for a decapitation strike in Pakistan, and they actually succeeded. Dogged luck; they must be God’s illegitimate sons,” the Black man said with envy.

“Tom, Jerry, stop talking frivolously during an operation. That’s discipline,” the Captain hissed quietly upon hearing their increasingly outrageous conversation.

“Understood, Captain,” Tom and Jerry quickly fell silent, concentrating on observing the shore.

Suddenly, lights flickered on and off on the dark shore in a distinct pattern.

“Captain, that’s our contact. The code signal is correct,” one subordinate reported.

“These three are our objectives, and they must be secured. We have only ten minutes. We must evacuate completely after ten minutes. Extraction teams are waiting offshore,” the Captain emphasized, distributing the photos of Liu Hui, Mei Peng, and Chen Changsheng among the black-clad operatives.

“Yes, sir,” the men quietly confirmed, securing the photographs.

“Alright, synchronize watches and check your gear.”

The operatives quickly aligned their timepieces and inspected their equipment, confirming everything was in order.

“Remember, under no circumstances are you to be captured. If you are taken, the government will absolutely deny any knowledge of your identity,” the Captain warned.

At the Captain’s signal, the operatives swiftly slipped off the trawler and swam toward the shore.

Tom and Jerry swam together, speaking in low tones.

“Jerry, after this mission, I’m treating you to some beautiful women.”

“Tom, forget it. Every time you promise to treat me to women, I end up paying the bill.”

“This time will be different. You have no idea how enticing that bartender at the Officer’s Club is. Hey, Jerry, why are they still using lights to signal us when technology is so advanced?” Tom’s thoughts wandered widely.

“Well, I heard the Captain is a fan of Hong Kong cinema. Isn’t that how they always do it in the movies?”

The Captain, overhearing them, slapped one of them and cursed, “Shut your mouth, or I’ll stuff it so far up your ass you won’t know what hit you.”

The two dared not speak again, hurrying to follow the others toward the shore. They soon reached land and spotted a thin, middle-aged Caucasian man waving at them. They approached him.

“Captain, all clear. The three targets are inside; we can move immediately,” the Caucasian man said, pointing toward the Starlight Group complex.

“Everyone, proceed according to our drill,” the Captain gave the order.

The group immediately dispersed, stealthily advancing toward the Starlight Group facility. The complex was surrounded by a perimeter wall separating it from the sea. Watchtowers had also been erected around the grounds; one such tower faced the sea, manned by a security officer surveying the surroundings.

“Hmm, defenses are moderately tight. Cameras have virtually no blind spots, and they have infrared alarms installed. But these are child’s play for my Fox. Watch me crack it,” declared a man who called himself Fox after assessing the area. He produced a small computer and, using a wireless signal, quickly located the central host controlling the security equipment. He typed furiously on the keyboard, muttering, “There’s some encryption here; I can’t get in right away. But give me one minute, and I can crack their defenses, shutting down their cameras and infrared sensors.”

The Captain glanced at his watch; a minute and a half had elapsed. One minute later, Fox successfully infiltrated the system and seized operational control. Fox let out a suppressed chuckle and whispered, “My superior intellect hasn’t failed me. Watch as I shut down these cameras and infrared units.”

Fox disabled the sensors and reported, “Captain, it’s done. But the system will detect the intrusion in about five minutes, so your operation must be swift.”

The Captain made a gesture. A black-clad operative stepped forward, took aim with a specialized steel crossbow, and loosed an arrow at the security personnel in the watchtower. Just as the bolt was fired, the guard seemed to sense something and jerked his body repeatedly. Unfortunately, the distance was too short, and the bolt was custom-made; the guard was struck squarely, collapsing instantly.

The Captain waved his hand, and another operative, after a short running start, scaled the perimeter wall. He unfurled specialized canvas over the top, clipped the electrical wires, and silently dropped into the compound. The operatives behind him quickly followed through the cut opening, entering the Starlight Group facility. Once inside, the black-clad men quickly oriented themselves and headed toward the employee dormitory building.

“Tom, Jerry, take your teams and capture Target Three, located in Room 502. King Kong, you take your team to capture Target Two, Room 1508. The rest of you stay with me; we’re heading to Room 807 to capture Target One.” Standing before the dormitory entrance, the Captain assigned the tasks, and the operatives split into three groups, each rushing toward their respective targets.

The men entered the building, avoiding the elevators, and headed directly for the emergency stairwell to ascend.

The security guard struck by the crossbow was not killed. Liu Hui had invested heavily in this security detail; every man was equipped with a cutting-edge anti-ballistic vest, which they wore during their shifts. When the crossbow bolt was fired, the guard had already detected it and attempted an evasive maneuver. However, in that brief moment, he couldn't fully evade the strike, and unfortunately, the bolt hit his pneumogastric nerve, causing him to immediately lose consciousness. But this guard was no ordinary man; he had received the full version of the body evolution fluid, granting him superb physical resilience. He regained consciousness in a very short time. Realizing an attack was underway, he immediately slammed his finger onto the alarm button. Instantly, a piercing alarm shrieked throughout the Starlight Group complex.