Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

After Charles was taken away, the chaos in the studio was quickly brought under control.

Carlo Lee and other crew members were taken to a nearby dressing room for reassurance and necessary questioning.

Despite the ghost presenting security department credentials.

But even this internationally renowned director could not hide his shock and anger!
"I need an explanation!"

Carlo Lee, speaking emotionally to the staff responsible for calming him down, exclaimed, "My movie, my crew, how could they get involved in something like this?"

Jiang Nian walked up to him and said calmly, "Director, I'm sorry to have affected the filming. But as you can see, someone wants to use this film to achieve some ulterior motive."

Carlo Lee looked at Jiang Nian with a complicated expression: "Jiang, you knew all along?"

"It was just a suspicion until today that it was confirmed."

Jiang Nian didn't elaborate, saying, "The truth will come out soon, and it won't affect the normal filming of the movie."

On the other side, Ghost commanded his men to put Charles and the technical advisor into separate vehicles.

The remains of those environmental simulation devices were carefully sealed.

It is ready to be transported back to the laboratory for further analysis.

"The situation is now basically under control."

The ghost reported to Jiang Nian.

"The technical advisor refused to speak, but Charles is very emotional and might be a breakthrough point."

Jiang Nian nodded: "Interrogate them as soon as possible. I need to know what they want to do to me using those devices."

"Understood." Ghost paused. "Chief Bai has already learned of the situation and is on his way."

An hour later, the resort's conference room was temporarily converted into a command center.

Bai Yongxu arrived, looking travel-worn and with a serious expression on his face.

He first exchanged a few words with Jiang Nian, and after confirming that Jiang Nian was unharmed, he immediately listened to You Hun's detailed report.

"According to preliminary analysis, the core components of those environmental simulation devices have indeed been modified."

A technical expert pointed to the structural diagram on the tablet and said.

"In particular, the field effect generator's resonant frequency is adjusted to an extremely dangerous range. If operated at full capacity, it could cause irreversible damage to the human nervous system."

Bai Yongxu frowned: "Have you gotten the composition analysis results for the bioaerosols?"

"Preliminary tests show that it is a highly complex synthetic preparation containing a variety of neuroactive substances. When combined with resonant waves of a specific frequency, it produces strong hallucinogenic and neurodepressant effects."

Jiang Nian sat to the side, listening quietly.

Despite being mentally prepared, hearing these analytical results still made him feel a chill.

The organization's sinister intentions and ruthless methods far exceed ordinary people's imagination!
"Any progress on Charles's side?"

Bai Yongxu turned to the ghost.

Ghost shook his head: "He's very stubborn. He won't say anything except keep asking to see a lawyer."

"However, we found something interesting in his encrypted device."

Ghost pushed a tablet computer in front of Bai Yongxu.

"This is part of the data recovered from his device. Although most of the content was encrypted, we cracked a few files that mentioned the Ice Marrow Project and genetic compatibility testing."

Bai Yongxu and Jiang Nian both looked at the tablet at the same time.

Several lines of deciphered text were displayed on the screen:

Bai Yongxu said in a deep voice, "They want to collect your physiological data under extreme conditions by simulating extreme environments. Those bioaerosols and special frequency resonant waves may be intended to induce or amplify a certain response they want."

The conference room fell into a brief silence.

The organization's plan was more systematic and thorough than they had imagined.

If Jiang Nian hadn't been prepared, today's test might have already succeeded.

"What's going on with Lin Wanxing?"

Jiang Nian suddenly asked.

The ghost pulled up another report: "Our men took her into custody at the same time as the incident. She was very calm, as if she had expected it."

"However, we found some interesting things at her place."

The ghost showed several photos: "These are her communication records with an unknown number, using a highly encrypted channel."

"At the same time, we also found several technical documents about the special props made for the film crew, which had her annotations on them."

Jiang Nian carefully examined the photos. One of them showed Lin Wanxing making markings on a technical drawing of a low-temperature environment simulation device.

"It seems she's more than just an observer,"

Jiang Nian said coldly.

"She participated in the modification of the equipment."

“I need to see Charles,” Jiang Nian suddenly said.

Bai Yongxu was somewhat surprised: "Now? He's very emotionally unstable and might not cooperate."

"It is precisely because of his unstable emotions that he is more likely to make breakthroughs."

Jiang Nian stood up. "Besides, I think he has something to say to me."

A few minutes later, Jiang Nian walked into the makeshift interrogation room.

Charles was strapped to a chair by a specially designed restraint device. His once impeccably styled blond hair was now somewhat disheveled, and his eyes were filled with a mixture of anger and frustration.

Seeing Jiang Nian enter, he abruptly raised his head, a flash of resentment in his eyes: "Did you come here to mock my failure?"

Jiang Nian sat calmly opposite him: "I'm just here to seek answers. Why me? What exactly is the Ice Marrow Project?"

Charles sneered, "Do you think I'd tell you?"

"You've been exposed, and the organization will no longer come to your rescue."

Jiang Nian spoke in a flat tone.

"But you still have a choice. Cooperate with us, and we may be able to achieve a better outcome."

"The result?"

Charles laughed sarcastically. "You have no idea what you're fighting. The Lord's power far exceeds your imagination. Today's defeat is just a temporary setback..."

"Lord?"

Jiang Nian keenly caught the title, "You mean the organization's supreme leader?"

Charles realized he had misspoke and immediately shut up.

Jiang Nian didn't give him a chance to adjust, and continued to put pressure on him: "What do you want to do under the Greenland ice sheet? What exactly is the purpose of the Ice Marrow Project?"

Charles gritted his teeth and refused to answer.

Jiang Nian changed tactics, took out a miniature projector from his pocket, and projected several pictures onto the wall.

Those were fragments of encrypted files recovered from Charles's device, clearly displaying keywords such as "Ice Marrow Project" and "Genetic Adaptability".

“We already have a lot of information,” Jiang Nian said. “Your stubbornness will only cost you your last chance.” Charles stared at the pictures, his expression shifting.

After a long silence, he sighed deeply: "Even if I tell you, it won't change anything. The Ice Marrow Project is nearing completion, and my failure won't affect the overall situation."

"Then you might as well say it."

Jiang Nian said calmly, "Anyway, it's not a big deal, is it?"

Charles paused for a moment before finally speaking: "The Ice Marrow Project aims to find and activate a special genetic potential."

"What genetic potential?" Jiang Nian pressed.

"A gene sequence that can adapt to extreme environments and even trigger extraordinary human responses under specific conditions."

Charles carefully chose his words, saying, "We believe that this potential is hidden in the genes of certain special individuals and can only be activated under extreme conditions."

Jiang Nian's heart skipped a beat: "So you chose to establish a research station in the polar regions because the environment there is most suitable for this kind of research?"

Charles nodded: "The extreme low temperature, lack of oxygen, and special geomagnetic environment are ideal conditions for activating this gene sequence. But conducting human experiments directly there would be too conspicuous, so we devised this plan."

“Using film shooting as cover, we conducted tests in a simulated environment,” Jiang Nian continued.

"Yes."

Charles admitted, "The character of Morpheus has a lot of scenes in extreme environments, making him a perfect test subject. We originally planned to collect data by gradually increasing the environmental stress and observing your physiological reactions."

"And then?" Jiang Nian pressed, "What happens after the data is collected?"

Charles's eyes gleamed: "The data will be used to optimize the core procedures of the Ice Marrow Project, helping us to more precisely locate and activate target gene sequences at our research station in Greenland."

Jiang Nian keenly sensed Charles's evasiveness: "Just for research? I don't believe it. The organization invests such huge resources; it's impossible that it's just for academic research."

Charles's expression stiffened: "That's all I can say."

Jiang Nian stared at him, then suddenly asked, "What does Zero have to do with this plan?"

Upon hearing the name Zero, Charles's pupils contracted sharply.

Despite his best efforts to conceal it, his reaction in that instant said it all!
"I do not understand what you are saying."

Charles answered curtly.

“You understand.” Jiang Nian pressed on, “Zero is the organization’s perfect clone. Does his genome contain the special sequence you’re looking for? Are your tests on me related to Zero?”

Charles's breathing became noticeably rapid.

But he kept his mouth shut and refused to answer any more questions.

Jiang Nian knew that the core issue had been touched, but Charles's psychological defenses were stronger than expected.

He changed tactics, standing up: "You are loyal, Charles. But is loyalty to an organization that sees you as a expendable pawn worth it?"

After saying that, Jiang Nian turned and left the interrogation room.

As he closed the door, he caught a glimpse of the expression on Charles's face.

It was no longer an expression of anger or frustration, but one of fear.

He knows best what kind of people are in the organization!

Bai Yongxu waited outside the door: "Any luck?"

Several points have been confirmed.

Jiang Nian said, "The Ice Marrow Project is indeed related to gene research, and its purpose is to activate a certain special gene potential. Zero is very likely to be directly related to this project."

"Moreover, Charles's fear of the organization far outweighs his apprehension of us."

Bai Yongxu's expression was grave: "It's consistent with our initial assessment. The lab's analysis of the data from Charles's equipment also supports this direction."

He handed Jiang Nian a preliminary analysis report.

"Based on the deciphered data fragments, Project Ice Marrow appears to aim to induce a certain type of targeted mutation in human genes through specific environmental stimuli. This mutation can significantly enhance an individual's ability to survive in extreme environments and may even unlock some kind of extraordinary potential."

Jiang Nian quickly glanced at the report, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"So they chose me as a test subject because of my ancient martial arts skills? They believe my genes have more potential?"

"Very likely."

Bai Yongxu nodded. "Although the organization's cloning technology is advanced, it can never perfectly replicate the full capabilities of a top martial artist like you. They may believe the problem lies at the genetic level and requires further research."

As the two were talking, Ghost hurried over: "Chief Bai, Advisor Jiang, Lin Wanxing requests to see Advisor Jiang."

Jiang Nian and Bai Yongxu exchanged a glance.

"I only want to see you."

Ghost added, "She said she has important information that she can only tell you."

Bai Yongxu thought for a moment and nodded to Jiang Nian: "Go ahead and see what tricks she's up to. We'll monitor the whole thing."

In another interrogation room, Lin Wanxing sat quietly at the table.

In stark contrast to Charles's excitement, she appeared unusually calm, even composed.

Seeing Jiang Nian enter, she smiled slightly: "Teacher Jiang, thank you for being willing to see me."

Jiang Nian sat down opposite her without saying a word, waiting for her to speak.

Lin Wanxing sighed softly: "First of all, I want to apologize for my deception. I was indeed sent by the organization to monitor you."

"It's not just surveillance, is it?"

Jiang Nian said calmly, "You also participated in the modification of those special equipment."

Lin Wanxing did not deny it: "I am one of the technical consultants, responsible for ensuring that the equipment parameters are adjusted to the range required by the organization."

"Why are you willing to confess now?" Jiang Nian asked.

"Because Charles's failure meant the end of my mission."

Lin Wanxing said calmly, "The organization will not tolerate losers. Even if I remain silent, the outcome will not change."

Jiang Nian stared at her: "You said you could only tell me important information?"

Lin Wanxing leaned forward and lowered her voice: "Yes. The truth about the Ice Marrow Project, and why the organization is so interested in you."

Jiang Nian remained calm and said, "I'm listening."

“The Ice Marrow Project is far more than just genetic research,” Lin Wanxing’s voice was almost inaudible. “Its true purpose is to find and activate a special sequence known as the Progenitor.”

"Ancestor?"

"An ancient gene sequence that theoretically exists in a very small number of human individuals is believed to contain the primal potential for humans to adapt to extreme environments," Lin Wanxing explained. "The organization believes that activating this gene can allow the human body to break through existing physiological limits and gain near-supernatural abilities."

Jiang Nian was shocked, but remained calm on the surface: "What does this have to do with me and Zero?"

Lin Wanxing looked directly into Jiang Nian's eyes.

"Because according to the organization's theory, only individuals who inherently carry the progenitor gene can fully activate this potential under environmental stimuli. And you and Zero are both considered to be such carriers."

She paused, then continued, "Zero is the perfect clone of the organization. His genes are meticulously designed and theoretically have the highest compatibility. And you, as the prototype, are considered the most perfect ancestral carrier in the natural state."

"So the organization's testing of me wasn't just for Project Ice Marrow, but also to perfect Zero?" Jiang Nian asked. (End of Chapter)