Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 627 - 271: At This Door Last Year Today

Chapter 627: Chapter 271: At This Door Last Year Today

Lu Xuanyu sat in the back seat of the sedan, still feeling somewhat restrained.

Xiang Shan unexpectedly invited him for a "drink" that evening. Ingrid and Florence also received invitations, though Florence declined, citing work commitments.

Afterward, Xiang Shan headed to Zhu Xinyu’s hospital room for a couple of hours. On one hand, the comfortable temperature for Benchmark Man was nothing short of torture for Homo sapiens. On the other, Zhu Xinyu had just undergone surgery and could not leave the medical center freely.

If Zhu Xinyu had been able to leave, Xiang Shan probably would have brought him along.

To Lu Xuanyu’s surprise, Xiang Shan’s business van didn’t stop at any bar, but headed straight for the most bustling area.

This was the famous "Superman Technology Park." Numerous research centers and experimental business facilities owned by Superman Enterprises, as well as many of their partners’ branches, were located here.

Initially, Xiang Shan had managed to secure quite a few favorable policies when this place was established.

Strictly speaking, the medical center where Lu Xuanyu had been staying was also part of this park. However, the medical center was completed only this year and, for various needs, was located in a more remote area.

It would take about three or four stops to reach the central part of the park. This was the renowned Transhumanism Data Museum—said among foreigners to be the "Technological Library of Alexandria" and "the latest world wonder." There was not a single original book here, but almost all technical materials could be found.

Starting with Kanhara Tsun, there was also a vast collection of scholars’ "unsorted manuscripts"—copies of donations made by scholars from around the world.

Across from this "wonder" stood a small, minimalist yet exquisitely designed building. Its geometric glass curtain walls created a "sharp" aesthetic appeal.

At the entrance, there was an inconspicuous sign reading "Park’s First Cafeteria" in large characters.

Without saying a word, Xiang Shan headed straight for the elevator and went up to the fifth floor.

A corpulent Westerner arrived first. Upon seeing Xiang Shan, he waved his hand.

Xiang Shan sat down opposite him.

Ingrid found a spot and seated herself. Lu Xuanyu felt uncomfortable, but Ingrid gestured for him to sit wherever he liked.

Lu Xuanyu recognized the somewhat portly man. Known as the father of modern Prosthetic Body, theoretically, he was also a significant benefactor to Lu Xuanyu—David Klein.

David grinned, "Yog isn’t coming, huh?"

"He has a child now," Xiang Shan scratched his head.

"Who doesn’t have one—oh, you don’t yet," David shrugged. "What would you like to drink?"

"Bring me a ’disgustingly sweet sugar water,’ the one with alcohol."

Xiang Shan had never liked tart or bitter flavors, hence he could never enjoy most types of alcohol. Over time, those who loved drinking would reproach him for always ordering "disgustingly sweet sugar water" at a bar. Eventually, it became an accepted saying—"Xiang Shan’s drink is disgustingly sweet sugar water."

David casually gestured in front of himself a couple of times. He was also wearing smart glasses on his head.

"The usual for Inga? Oh... Mr. Lu, how about you?"

"I—" Lu Xuanyu was slightly embarrassed: "Just any local rice wine will do."

"Hmm, Benchmark Man special supply rice wine," David nodded.

Lu Xuanyu said, "A regular one is fine."

"I’d advise you to try this special one though," David said. "Studies have shown that after becoming a Benchmark Man, the sense of taste changes. Moreover, a bunch of metabolic pathways in your stuff have been rewritten. Try this safer option."

Xiang Shan suddenly laughed, "Tsk tsk, it just came to me that Yog had once considered deleting the main metabolic pathways of substances like nicotine."

Lu Xuanyu asked, "What does that imply? People wouldn’t feel anything from smoking?"

Xiang Shan waved his hand, "That would require deleting some acetylcholine receptors... But acetylcholine is an essential neurotransmitter, randomly deleting its receptors would definitely affect cognitive abilities..."

Ingrid rolled her eyes, "Meaning humans couldn’t metabolize nicotine in their bodies, drastically increasing the toxicity of cigarettes."

"Early animal experiments often involved cases where they couldn’t break down their own secretions and then suddenly died," Xiang Shan explained. "Yawgmoth back then thought, if we make some addictive components into substances that humans can’t metabolize, turning those substances into deadly poisons, drug problems could be directly resolved."

"Of course, the problem is, substances that can’t be metabolized can also be directly excreted from the body. To make smoking as deadly as poison from just one drag, we would have to make receptors bind nicotine as a priority... Anyway, it was too much trouble, so he gave up on the idea."

"That idea just goes too far!" Ingrid shook her head.

Just then, the robotic waiter brought over several drinks, along with some appetizers.

Xiang Shan picked up a brightly colored drink and downed it in one go, "Another, please."

David sighed and waved his hand again.

While waiting for the second drink, Xiang Shan’s face visibly reddened.

"Young man, half a year ago you barely touched alcohol, don’t go so hard," David patted him.

Ingrid silently finished a beer.

Xiang Shan became visibly upset, "Half a year ago... Half a year ago. It was just the day before the Little New Year. Sigh, the main mission was right here."

David sighed, "At least you have a new friend now."

Lu Xuanyu thought he was probably referring to himself.

"What’s going on now?" David looked at Ingrid. "Inga, what’s wrong with him now?"

Before Ingrid could speak, Xiang Shan said, "Nothing’s wrong, just feeling really happy today."

"Haya, that little devil, suddenly said today, he realized that this place is indeed a different world, that everything we do has a profound meaning... and it’s truly a pity that Tsun had to die."

David also fell silent, "Yes, that’s good."

Ingrid looked somewhat displeased, "You all seem so down? This is a good thing, right!"

Xiang Shan lifted his second drink and took a small sip, "Tastes bad... Whatever. Yes, it’s a good thing."

Lu Xuanyu scratched his head, "This... I’m somewhat confused. This place and that kid’s homeland are different... It’s obvious, isn’t it? Who wouldn’t think what you’re doing is the most meaningful work in the world?"

Ingrid shook her head, "What you and that child see as ’normal’ is different."