Chapter 742: This Isn’t Real

Transforming the highly inert light-elements in this world into active elemental energy that could be assimilated and controlled is not an easy task. Although the efficiency is low, hard work can compensate for shortcomings. Lin Mo continued to absorb the surrounding light-element energy every time his battle energy was depleted.

After continuously releasing Light Healing for a week, it wasn’t a miraculous medicine, but its effects built up gradually like grains of sand forming a tower. Under the tidal wash of Light Healing, Professor Yan’s body showed noticeable improvement each day.

When Professor Yan first regained consciousness, not only were the doctors puzzled by the unusually rapid recovery, but everyone felt a sense of relief. As long as he was getting better, that was what mattered—who cared whether it was scientific or not? Even scientists could become unscientific at times.

All four disciples breathed a sigh of relief at the same time, and the atmosphere in the hospital room lightened significantly. Lin Mo gained a deeper understanding of his three senior brothers and the two sons of the teacher.

The eldest brother, Gu Ren, was a teacher at a domestic university, specializing in aerodynamics. This professional knowledge had a wide application, not only for aircraft but also for ground vehicles and even sports equipment involved in aerodynamic design. He also studied fluid dynamics.

Lin Mo’s second brother, Shi Yongfeng, worked in the design department of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, focusing on fighter jet development. The third brother, Wang Jinfan, was equally talented and had taken over Professor Yan’s position, remaining at Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group’s 611 Institute, which created competition with the second brother.

Every part of an aircraft had a specialized research and development group working on its design, and often there were multiple groups.

Competition leads to progress. The birth of a main battle fighter often results in several equally excellent proposals being eliminated—that’s research; the odds aren’t much better than those at a casino’s slot machine.

The military doesn’t choose too many similar types of combat weapons to avoid adding too much pressure to logistics. Modern warfare demands more from logistics than any previous era or technological stage in human history.

The air force usually selects one or two main fighters for their primary orders, which also helps with logistics support and cost control.

Professor Yan’s eldest son engaged in commercial trade within the country and visited him once a week. His second son worked in finance in the United Kingdom and hurried back home upon hearing about his father’s critical condition.

“I have already arranged for high-end rehabilitation facilities in the country and hired a team of cardiovascular experts and senior nutritionists. I will cover all costs. Here’s a check to help with any additional expenses for your treatment in the rehabilitation center; please give me your opinions on this,” Lin Mo said, handing the freshly signed check to a stunned Yan Zhendong.

Hearing that Lin Mo hired an expert medical team left Yan Zhendong nearly speechless. What kind of treatment was this? Even national leaders might not receive such care.

“No, no! This won’t do! My father has national high-level medical insurance and special medical treatment from technical experts. We hardly need to bear any costs; Zhensheng and I can take care of it.”

Lin Mo’s sincerity even astonished Yan Zhendong; he showed more dedication to Professor Yan than his own son did.

Professor Yan tightly held Lin Mo’s hand and said, “Little Lin, don’t spend so extravagantly; I have the country taking care of me.”

His spirit had improved significantly compared to a week ago, as he could barely sit up and consume semi-liquid and semi-solid food.

Professor Yan noticed that every time Lin Mo quietly held his hand, he felt a strange warmth flowing from him. Even a fool would sense something unusual after experiencing this several times.

The warmth that transferred from Lin Mo’s hand was no illusion; it seemed to be an extraordinary phenomenon. With each wave of warmth enveloping him, he felt his spirit invigorating, bringing relaxation throughout his body.

Professor Yan guessed that his close disciple was not as simple as he appeared. After all, who had ever seen a pilot wearing tactical armor? But both of them, the teacher and the disciple, silently understood each other. Since Lin Mo did not mention anything, the teacher also avoided adding trouble for his disciple.

“It’s okay, teacher; your disciple is not short on money.”

Lin Mo smiled and gently patted Professor Yan’s hand, releasing another wave of Light Healing energy just like the previous days. Professor Yan accepted it with a silent smile.

He truly was not short on money. Covering the costs of a rehabilitation center and medical team would be unthinkable for a person on a salary, but for Lin Mo, fresh from a rewarding experience at “Abyss Nirvana,” it hardly cost him anything.

He connected with a commercial agency through the National Defense Star, dedicated to handling such matters. Although it involved a bit of expenditure, money could make things happen; a few days’ effort made everything come together beautifully.

If it weren’t for the restriction on purchasing the Flying Wolf rotorcraft, Lin Mo might have even used his card to buy one as a transport for his teacher.

“Hehe, little disciple, are you really not short on money? Did you add two extra zeros?”

Yan Zhendong glanced at the seven zeros on the check and let out a wry smile.

Saying he wasn’t short on money, even a sum of one hundred thousand would be reasonable; but ten million…

Seeing his father’s puzzled gaze, Yan Zhendong quickly explained, “Ten million?” He hurriedly handed the check to his father.

“I mean, Little Lin, where did you get so much money?”

Even Professor Yan couldn’t remain calm. While there were people who casually took out ten million, it seemed unlikely for his close disciple, who was still so young, to have accumulated such wealth. Was he selling his fighter jet?

The check, which weighed less than two grams, felt like a ton to the father and son not because of its monetary value but because of the weight of emotions behind it.

“Actually, teacher, you can guess that I invested some money in ‘Abyss Nirvana.’ I bet it all on myself. Don’t worry, there’s plenty left, and it’s already spent, so I’ll handle the arrangements going forward. The money on the check doesn’t need to be saved; spend it freely on whatever is good. Health is the most important thing.”

Lin Mo proactively revealed the truth and cut off any thoughts his teacher might have had about refusing his offer. Dispersing wealth to regain it was nearly a perfect summary of his recent financial status, not to mention the Giant Dragon that had been secretly using his bank card.

Compared to the favor his teacher had shown by introducing him to high-end flight technology, the money he spent was not a loss, even if it multiplied a hundred times.

Professor Yan and Yan Zhendong were both taken aback, finally understanding where Lin Mo’s wealth came from. Gambling was always the quickest route to profit.

The international pilot death match known as ‘Abyss Nirvana’ never turned away gamblers, even the participating pilots didn’t mind. Higher-level professional pilots would never joke with their lives, making the chance of cheating negligible.

In the past, Chinese pilots who participated rarely had deep pockets and were very self-disciplined, making it nearly impossible to gamble. Lin Mo’s ability to dominate and still make a profit opened new doors for domestic pilots.

“You’re being too extravagant.”

Professor Yan shook his head. “Distance reveals a horse’s strength, and time shows a person’s heart.” None of his four disciples had disappointed him; each of their achievements exceeded his expectations.

Especially this close disciple he favored, whose financial generosity left him no room for refusal, much like a fighter pilot executing a mission; once he began, he gave no chance to his opponent.

Although Lin Mo didn’t say how much he had won, one could be certain it was a staggering amount.

“Don’t worry, teacher; even without this money, I would still live comfortably for life. For me, more money is just a number.”

Lin Mo smiled gently, his demeanor showing none of the ruthlessness from the ‘Abyss Nirvana’ killing arena where he had viewed human life as insignificant.

He felt justified spending this gambling money even if each cent was stained with the blood of opponents and the cries of the deceased.

Only in front of friends and mentors did Lin Mo reveal such a passionate side.

Professor Yan no longer refused; it was not just about the money but represented a deep respect for his teacher.

Though he accepted the check, it was merely accepted.

…

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, also known as Dongfeng Aerospace City.

“Report! Urgent matter!”

General Chen Shaoyu raised his head from his desk upon hearing a voice outside and said, “Come in!”

He quickly tidied up the documents he was reading. Though he had an electronic reader enabling paperless office work, he still preferred reading physical documents. However, the person who entered surprised him.

“Hey? Old Deng, why are you here? You don’t need to announce a report; this feels like a joke. Whatever urgent matter, just have little Zhao deliver it.”

General Chen was taken aback to see Director Deng Xiang of the space center enter instead of his assistant, little Zhao.

“General Chen, I have two urgent matters. One is from abroad, and the other is domestic.”

Director Deng didn’t continue with Chen’s jest but got straight to the point. He quickly walked to the desk and pushed two file folders toward General Chen.

“What is this?”

Seeing the serious expression on Director Deng’s face, General Chen lost his humor. Something significant must have happened, so he focused and opened the two files.

Upon reading them, his heart sank deeper.

The foreign document was from NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of America), and the other was from the National Astronomical Observatories of China, accompanied by observational data from the Urumqi Astronomical Observatory.

“Is this real?”

General Chen lifted his head to look at Director Deng.

“There’s no evidence that this is a joke. With NASA and the National Astronomical Observatory backing it, along with the observational records, it should be true,” Director Deng nodded gravely.