Liu Hui’s venerable father led the Star Charity Association to the disaster zone, while Liu Hui provided logistical support from the rear. The conduct of these father and son during this great catastrophe deeply moved the disaster victims.
On the fourth day following the super-tsunami, the Zerg from the insectoid race contacted Liu Hui via the planar trading device.
Liu Hui immediately activated the device and saw the Zerg on the screen. He greeted them: “Esteemed Lord Zerg, greetings!”
The Zerg replied: “Esteemed Lord Liu Hui, greetings.” Liu Hui inquired, “May I ask the reason for Lord Zerg’s summons?”
“Four days ago, you entrusted me with a small white sphere, saying it might contain a genetic medicine targeting your humans, asking us to assist in research. After several days of effort, we have successfully analyzed the composition of this small white sphere,” stated the Zerg.
Liu Hui instantly grew tense and quickly asked, “What are the components inside? Is it a gene virus targeting humans?”
The Zerg responded: “After our research, we discovered that the contents of that small white sphere are indeed a virus, and moreover, this virus is a gene virus specifically targeting human genetics.”
Liu Hui was greatly astonished; the “Instructor” had not deceived him—the “Professor” had truly engineered this gene virus.
Liu Hui immediately pressed: “Lord Zerg, how potent is this gene virus? Is it fatal?”
The Zerg explained: “This genetic medicine was specifically researched against human genes. These gene viruses even contain traces of our insectoid genetic technology. If your humans are infected by this gene virus, it will be extremely troublesome. Within two days of infection, the patient will develop systemic ulceration. This systemic ulceration will continuously worsen, and typically, the patient will die a painful death within two months. Most terrifyingly, this gene virus is highly contagious—it can spread through air, water, and physical contact.”
Liu Hui was aghast. He hadn't expected the gene virus developed by the “Professor” to be so formidable. If the “Professor” truly released this gene virus, it could very likely lead to the extinction of all humanity.
Just as Liu Hui was feeling alarmed, he heard the Zerg say: “However, the technology behind this gene virus is extremely incomplete, meaning it possesses one major weakness.”
Liu Hui immediately asked, “What is its greatest weakness?”
The Zerg replied: “That is its extremely poor transmission potential. Although this gene virus appears terrifying because it can propagate through any medium, in reality, this virus can only infect three times. After three transmissions, the virus can no longer infect anyone else.”
“Only three transmissions? What does that mean?” Liu Hui asked curiously.
“It means the first patient infects the second person, the second person infects the third, and the third person infects the fourth person… once it reaches the fourth infected individual, that person carries no further infectious potential. Contact with the fourth carrier poses no risk of transmission,” the Zerg clarified.
“What is this peculiar pattern? If that’s the case, and the quantity of this gene virus isn’t vast, couldn’t humanity naturally overcome it using sheer numerical advantage?” Liu Hui proposed.
The Zerg stated: “Theoretically, the situation you just described could indeed occur.”
After a moment, Liu Hui still inquired, “Then, can you cure this gene virus?”
The Zerg chuckled: “While this gene virus presents considerable trouble for humans, for us insectoids, it is child’s play. We have already developed an antidote that can thoroughly cure this gene virus.”
Liu Hui asked with concern, “What is the price of this medicine?”
The Zerg replied: “The price of this medicine is very low—just like the other medicines we previously supplied to you: one kilogram of white powder can purchase ten thousand doses of the medicine.”
Hearing the Zerg’s words, Liu Hui finally relaxed. As long as the medicine wasn’t prohibitively expensive, he could manage it. Even if the “Professor” had a contingency plan and actually released this deadly virus, he would have a way to counter it, preventing the risk of human extinction.
Upon learning the price of the medicine, Liu Hui’s favorable impression of the Zerg deepened. Facts showed that the Zerg were indeed straightforward insectoids; even knowing Liu Hui desperately needed this life-saving drug, their pricing was perfectly fair, with no opportunistic inflation. He felt secure trading with them, free from the fear of being cheated.
The Zerg had resolved a major problem, bringing joy to Liu Hui. He declared, “Lord Zerg, I wish to order one hundred million doses of this medicine. When can you have them ready for production?”
The Zerg considered for a moment and replied: “For one hundred million doses, we can have them produced within five days!”
Liu Hui responded, “If that is the case, I will trouble you then.”
The Zerg said: “It is our duty. After all, I still owe you many products!”
The reason Liu Hui placed such a large order now was his fear that the “Professor’s” gene virus might actually be released. If he hadn't prepared in advance, human society could suffer massive casualties, leading not only to no profit but potentially to the horrifying prospect of human extinction.
After concluding his trade with the Zerg, Liu Hui finally let go of the anxiety that had been hanging over him. Although the “Professor” was dead, he had always been extraordinarily mysterious; no one knew for sure if his words were true or if he genuinely intended to annihilate all mankind. Therefore, Liu Hui took the “Professor’s” threats very seriously. Now, possessing these life-saving drugs, the threat left behind by the “Professor” no longer weighed on his mind.
However, considering that the “Professor’s” lair remained undiscovered, along with his potential laboratories spread across the globe, Liu Hui decided, as a precaution, to report the “Professor’s” existence to the entire world, then join global forces to deal with the “Professor’s” legacy. After all, the survival of all humanity was at stake; not a single detail could be overlooked.
Liu Hui also did not wish to see these nations and their citizens suffer innocent deaths.
Yet, Liu Hui perceived an opportunity: by using this crisis—the threat of the “Professor’s” virus—he could potentially unite the entire world. With careful maneuvering, he might ascend as Earth’s new hegemon, guiding the planet’s development according to his own vision and thus averting humanity’s continuous internal strife. After meticulous planning, Liu Hui decided to execute this once-in-a-lifetime plan.
The very next day, the governments of every nation on Earth received an invitation from the “City of Starlight.” They were requested to send their heads of state to the “City of Starlight” three days hence, where a roundtable conference would be held to discuss a matter concerning the very survival of human society. The “City of Starlight” expressed its hope that all would attend punctually.
Although they were awed by the formidable technology of the “City of Starlight,” this did not mean they would meekly comply with its arrangements. Thus, when these nations received the conference invitation, though they knew a crucial discussion awaited, their ingrained national pride prevented them from being led around by the nose by the “City of Starlight.”
Under instructions from major powers, the United Nations immediately stepped forward, publicly addressing the “City of Starlight.” The UN asserted that if a matter truly threatened human existence, the “City of Starlight” should present it at the UN General Assembly rather than scheduling a private roundtable meeting. They maintained that only the United Nations was the sole international organization fit to deliberate on such matters concerning all humanity.
The “City of Starlight,” seeking to expand its international standing, naturally did not wish for the UN to orchestrate this conference, as the “City of Starlight” held no official status within the UN structure. Consequently, Liu Hui immediately edited several video clips. These included footage of the giant gorilla being dispatched, samples of the gene virus carried by the “Professor,” and data illustrating the terrifying contagion and lethality of this virus. These videos and documents were then sent to the major world powers.
When these meticulously compiled materials landed on the desks of the major governments, and their contents were verified by their domestic scientists, the nations were stunned. They were amazed not only by the super-gorilla the “Professor” had created but even more so by the gene virus he had engineered.
The UN swiftly altered its stance, beginning to urge all member states to attend the roundtable conference at the “City of Starlight.” With the UN’s endorsement, and with the heads of state of the great powers already en route to the “City of Starlight,” the leaders of other nations also set out, converging on the “City of Starlight” for the conference.
In short order, the leaders of every nation gathered at the “City of Starlight.” However, as the security details prepared to bring weapons onto the structure, all weaponry was confiscated by the “City of Starlight.” Even diplomatic protests were dismissed; the “City of Starlight” absolutely forbade anyone from carrying arms aboard. On the structure, the Star Security Company had already arranged excellent protective services; the leaders’ personal safety was guaranteed.
Furthermore, among the accompanying personnel of these heads of state, numerous spies were discovered. Detected by the “City of Starlight’s” mind-reading artifacts, they too were expelled and forbidden from setting foot on the city’s soil.
The “City of Starlight” currently projected immense power. Although it had resettled in the ocean, it exuded an unspoken dominance. Considering the city’s strength and the gravity of this meeting, the national leaders swallowed their pride and complied with the “City of Starlight’s” demands, deferring any internal grievances until after the conference concluded.
The casualties from the Fiji tsunami had been tallied. Globally, the confirmed death toll from the earthquake-induced mega-tsunami reached 4.52 million, with 9.6 million injured and 250,000 missing. Economic losses exceeded twenty trillion Star Coins.
While this terrestrial catastrophe inflicted massive damage, it did not threaten the fundamental structure of human society. However, the agenda of the impending roundtable conference at the “City of Starlight” held the potential to cause humanity’s total collapse. This is why every head of state attended, even those leading nations severely impacted by the disaster.
As the host, the “City of Starlight” spared no effort in ensuring the roundtable conference was flawlessly executed. This was not only to demonstrate the hospitality of the Huaxia people but also to elevate the international standing of the “City of Starlight.”
Finally, the time for the roundtable conference arrived. The leaders from over two hundred nations and regions sat around a vast circular table, their gaze fixed on Liu Hui of the “City of Starlight,” seated at the center.
Liu Hui began: “On behalf of the ‘City of Starlight,’ I welcome you all. As today’s agenda concerns the very survival of humanity, I will forgo pleasantries and proceed directly to the main topic. However, before we begin, I will first show you a video recording.”
After stating his purpose forthrightly, the massive screen in the venue began playing a pre-prepared video.
The recording first displayed an impossibly huge gorilla, over a hundred meters in length, possessing immense strength, capable of rapid movement underwater, and able to withstand attacks from most human weaponry. The video showed the “City of Starlight” battling this super-gorilla until it self-detonated.
After watching the video, the leaders were deeply shocked. They had never imagined such a colossal gorilla existed, one that could resist human weaponry. They wondered how their own nations would defend themselves against such an assault.
The heads of state from the major powers, having received prior briefings, appeared less surprised, as their nations’ advanced weaponry could theoretically dispatch such a creature with relative ease.
After the video concluded, Liu Hui stated: “Ladies and gentlemen, this is footage recorded several years ago. In this recording, a giant gorilla came to attack our ‘City of Starlight.’”
“As you have just seen, this gorilla was colossal and possessed overwhelming combat power. Now, you must be asking: why does such a massive gorilla exist in our world?”
Liu Hui paused, observing the curious heads of state below, then continued: “We have confirmed that this super-gorilla was not the result of natural evolution, but was intentionally engineered by a certain individual through genetic technology.”
“Intentionally created? How is that possible? Who possesses such potent genetic technology?”
“Did I hear correctly? Such a terrifying gorilla is someone else’s weapon?”
“Incredible…”
The heads of state around the table murmured amongst themselves, utterly unable to fathom who could create such a powerful bio-weapon.
Liu Hui was quite pleased with their reaction. He continued: “This super-gorilla was indeed created by someone, and we have discovered who manufactured it?”
Upon hearing that the creator of the super-gorilla had been identified, interest surged among the attendees, eager to know who commanded such formidable technology. Some were already calculating whether they could approach this organization to serve their national interests.
Even the leaders of the great powers had only received brief summaries before arriving at the “City of Starlight,” aware only that the matter was grave but unaware of the specifics. Therefore, they now keenly sought the identity of the organization capable of modifying gorillas and whether their own nations could utilize them.
Liu Hui did not let them speculate for long. He immediately declared: “The person who manufactured this terrifying biological weapon is called the ‘Professor.’”
Hearing the name “Professor,” the vast majority of heads of state were completely bewildered. Only leaders from a handful of nations had previously encountered intelligence regarding the “Professor.” They were already beginning to grasp the “Professor’s” formidable power and were preparing to contact this entity upon returning to discuss potential cooperation.
Liu Hui watched the scheming heads of state with a touch of amusement and said: “Gentlemen, this ‘Professor’ has actually come to our ‘City of Starlight.’”
“Mayor Liu, since the ‘Professor’ is already here at the ‘City of Starlight,’ could you perhaps invite him out for us to see?” the President of the United States inquired. Internally displeased that the “City of Starlight” seemed to have recruited the “Professor,” he deliberately spoke this way, hoping to incite conflict between the “City of Starlight” and the rest of the world.
“Indeed. Since the ‘Professor’ can create such a massive gorilla, his genetic technology must be extraordinary. Have him brought out so we can see if we can deepen cooperation. After all, genetic technology is the common wealth of all humanity,” the Russian President quickly caught the US President’s drift and added fuel to the fire.
“Yes, yes, bring the ‘Professor’ out so we can see him…” Some smaller nations began to chime in with the chorus.
Liu Hui smiled: “Since you all are so eager to meet this ‘Professor,’ I shall invite him out!”
The moment Liu Hui finished speaking, engineering personnel wheeled a large, closed crate into the venue from outside. No one knew what it contained.