They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 194: The picture shows the dagger
Ah……

Upon hearing Ron Keller's impassioned and all-knowing conclusion, Zhuge Qing's lips involuntarily curved into a barely perceptible smile.

Interesting, really interesting.

Behemoth constructed a grand and self-consistent theoretical loop, and the deduction process was almost flawless.

Unfortunately, they got the most crucial source wrong from the very beginning.

The process was half right, but the result... was completely the opposite, a huge mistake.

Because of the Samadhi True Fire, external Qi has little effect on his spirit and body.

The moment this power of faith touched him, it was burned and refined by the Samadhi Fire, and then the key parts were used to nurture the spirit of Zhuge Liang.

The groundbreaking scientific achievements he presented also originated from other worlds.

"Therefore, we sincerely invite you, Mr. Zhuge, to join us, Behemoth."

Ron Keller clearly misunderstood Zhuge Qing's silence, interpreting it as a deep reflection following a shock.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and extended a formal invitation in an unprecedentedly solemn tone.

“We need your wisdom… I can promise you that Behemoth will grant you any request, as long as you nod.”

Whether it's wealth, status, or... cutting-edge research resources.

His voice was incredibly seductive, like the ancient serpent in the Garden of Eden that tempted Eve.

"Ah……"

Zhuge Qing finally chuckled softly. He raised his eyelids and met Ron's determined gaze.

"I thought you wanted to invite me to be your guinea pig."

"If that's all there is to it, then you're seriously underestimating us."

Ron Keller shook his head, a wry smile on his face, as if blaming Zhuge Qing for his inappropriate joke.

"While individuals influenced by the power of faith are rare, they are not entirely unique. Our 'Hero Project' has several such cases in hand."

His expression turned serious, he leaned forward again, lowered his voice, and said, word by word:

“Your true value lies in your wisdom, and... in your identity as an ‘Outsider’.”

"A scientist who stands at the pinnacle of human intellect, and at the same time, a powerful superhuman who wields mysterious Eastern powers."

Mr. Zhuge, do you know what this means?

"The reason why research in the field of supernatural beings is difficult to advance is largely because the energy called 'Qi' is extremely difficult to observe and quantify with existing scientific instruments."

It's like a ghost, existing yet impossible to catch.

Whether one becomes a top scientist or a powerful superhuman, it requires an immense investment of time and energy in research and practice.

"Therefore, individuals who possess both qualities are truly rare gems in our database, like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns..."

That's their real purpose.

What they need is not just a smart person who can understand their theories, but a perfect example who can, as a "person in the thick of it," break down the ultimate fortress of the "Outcasts" from within.

"Of course, you don't need to answer now."

Seeing that the time was right, Ron leaned back gracefully, regaining his composure.

"Over the next few days, I will introduce our company to you... I believe you will make the wisest choice."

As soon as he finished speaking, the luxury car came to a smooth stop.

The car door opened, and a futuristic skyscraper, like a sword piercing the sky, stood before Zhuge Qing.

It was Behemoth's headquarters building, which was even larger than the Osborn Corporation building he owned in the Marvel universe.

Over the next few days, Ron abandoned all verbal persuasion and instead used the most direct and shocking method to show Zhuge Qing Behemoth's muscles.

He took Zhuge Qing on a tour of several laboratories that were different in style but equally enormous.

In the bioengineering laboratory, gene sequences flow like a waterfall on a huge light screen, and various strange biological tissues are immersed in transparent culture chambers.

Inside the mechanical engineering department, countless robotic arms are assembling powered armor gleaming with a cold metallic sheen on the assembly line, with a level of precision far exceeding that of any other military industrial enterprise.

More importantly, these are not driven solely by electricity, but by a mixture of electricity and Qi.

Using the techniques of weapon forging as the control unit and the mechanical structure as the drive, this is a product that combines weapon forging and technology.

Every piece of equipment here represents the cutting edge of today's technology;

Every researcher here is an elite recruited from the world's top universities.

Zhuge Qing even saw the Nobel Prize laureate in Biology, who had just won the prize last year, in one of the project teams. The highly respected professor was now recording experimental data attentively, just like a student.

What concerned Zhuge Qing most was the honeycomb-like "sample containment center." Besides the glamorous "superheroes" and "supervillains" on screen,
He also saw many practitioners from all over the world.

A dark-skinned, emaciated Indian ascetic with bright, piercing eyes;

A Japanese ninja with unpredictable skills and an aura that is as elusive as a shadow;
There were even a few Onmyoji dressed in hunting robes, looking forlorn...

They were either imprisoned or collaborated, becoming Behemoth's research material.

Seeing this, even Zhuge Qing couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

This Behemoth is truly wealthy and powerful, with connections to all corners of the world.

No wonder the original story even mentioned the ability to mobilize troops and aircraft carriers...

“We have three such comprehensive research bases across the United States.”

Ron's voice rang in his ear at just the right moment, carrying a hint of undisguised pride.

"The long lifespan and extraordinary power possessed by extraordinary individuals are an irresistible temptation for those standing at the top of the wealth pyramid."

They were willing to invest resources in this seemingly bottomless pit of research in exchange for a... possibility of evolution.

He stopped, turned around, and looked at Zhuge Qing solemnly.

"If Mr. Zhuge is willing to join us, we can immediately activate the contingency plan and build your fourth, and most advanced, laboratory on the East Coast."

All personnel, equipment, and funds are entirely at your disposal; we will provide 100% support for any research direction you choose.

Research funding that can be squandered at will is a condition that no researcher can refuse.

However, on the last day of his visit, standing on the top floor of Behemoth's headquarters, overlooking the tiny, model-like New York City below, Zhuge Qing shook his head and gave his answer.

"I reject."

His voice was soft, yet it echoed clearly in the empty office.

"why?"

Ron's smile froze instantly; he couldn't understand or accept this outcome.

"I promised my dad that I would come back home after I've had my fill of fun outside."

Zhuge Qing's reasoning sounded somewhat casual, even carrying a hint of the nonchalance of a spoiled young master.

"Go home? Mr. Zhuge, are you joking?"
In your country, you will never get the kind of unwavering support we provide!

Your official agency, 'All-Access,' treats people with supernatural abilities with control and stability, not exploration and evolution!

They'll confine your wisdom within rigid rules and regulations, making you deal with all sorts of trivial, insignificant matters! If you don't believe me…

Upon hearing this, Ron was taken aback at first, then let out a sneer.

"I believe."

"Your analysis is very insightful."

Zhuge Qing interrupted him, his smile remaining gentle.

"But no matter what, that's still my home."

These words were like a bucket of ice water, completely extinguishing the last spark of "appreciation" in Ron Keller's eyes.

His face darkened visibly, his carefully maintained elegance and demeanor vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness and menacing aura.

He stopped speaking, but slowly raised his hand and gently beckoned.

"Shua-"

Several hidden doors slid open silently through the walls, ceiling, and floor surrounding the office, and more than ten fully armed and imposing Behemoth special forces soldiers filed in.

Their exoskeletons moved silently, while their special weapons crackled with dangerous, eerie blue arcs of electricity, their muzzles locking onto Zhuge Qing at the same time.

The air froze at this moment.

"Oh?"

Zhuge Qing looked around, his face showing no fear whatsoever, but rather a hint of interest.

"Mr. Ron, what do you mean by this?"

Ron Keller walked behind the desk, looking down at him with a smile that returned to his lips, but this smile was devoid of any warmth.

"I don't mean anything."

"I just... hope that Mr. Zhuge can stay and carefully consider my proposal again."

(End of this chapter)