Chapter 1

*Gedeng.*

Lin Xian felt a *gedeng* in his heart. He thought of Gauß, and the manuscript in his desk drawer. This old Copernicus was a persistent spirit, not fading even in death. He hadn't asked a question in over twenty years, and when he did, it was aimed right at him. He hadn't attended a meeting in four or five years, and the one he attended caused trouble for him.

But, from another perspective, this might also indicate that Copernicus in this 2024 period didn't know him very well. He had previously suspected that the real or fake Yu Xixi might have contacts in this era after traveling to 2024, who would conduct a series of intelligence exchanges. But it seemed this conjecture was likely unfounded. Copernicus indeed knew very little about the field of time travel; no one had told him any specific information.

Next, it depended on how Einstein would answer him. Lin Xian watched the old man in the high platform seat. He still straightened his body, sat there, thought for dozens of seconds, and slowly said, "In the established history and future trajectory, there is not only one person studying the theory of time travel. You can look for any of them."

"So, please be specific with your question, which one are you looking for?"

Copernicus chuckled twice, seemingly very satisfied with this answer, "Obviously, of course, it's the one closest to my time, the closest one. For an old bone like me, the sooner, the better."

The old man behind the Einstein mask chuckled inexplicably. "It's a pity, Copernicus. Or rather, this is your true purpose. In any case, facing your specific question, my answer is a refusal to answer, and the question opportunity is forfeited."

?

For a moment, the several geniuses present looked at each other. They were all smart people and instantly understood what had happened. Because of the "Three Principles of Questioning," there were only two situations in which Einstein would refuse to answer a question. One was a question about the Genius Club itself. The other was a question involving the privacy, actions, plans, or identity of other members of the Genius Club.

Obviously, the reason Einstein refused to answer was not the first situation. Because if it was the first situation, he would have directly refused from the beginning, instead of continuing to ask Copernicus to specify the question. So, it goes without saying, the truth was the second situation—the answer to the question involved the privacy of other members of the Genius Club! That was why it was refused!

Lin Xian also followed everyone's gaze, looking left at Gauß and right at Newton, feigning suspicion and surprise.

"Hehehe..."

Sure enough, Copernicus chuckled calmly and lightly said, "So that's how it is."

"It seems that among those present, some great talent has taken the lead before me. I wonder who it could be?"

Wearing a mask, he glanced over Newton, Da Vinci, Lin Xian, and then turned his head to look at Gauß and Galileo, looking at them all.

"Interesting."

He smiled and spread his hands, "To be honest, I don't mind which great talent has such great ability, and hurries to build a time machine, so I can sit back and enjoy the success. Even if it's just borrowing it for a bit, just to hitch a ride."

The thin Gauß swallowed several times, and timidly said, "Is... is it Newton? How did you research..."

"Yes, it's me."

The old urchin Newton interrupted Gauß in a serious manner, "I asked Einstein similar questions before, just not as specific as this. But it was enough for me to find clues similar to time travel."

"So... Copernicus, give up on that idea. As long as I am alive for one more day, you will never even think about touching that thing."

"As you said, when you get old, just rest well, hurry up and enter the hibernation pod, find a future hundreds of years later to wake up, and use the future's science and medicine to prolong your life for a few more years, that is the best destination for you."

"Or... have you realized your errors and regretted it? Perhaps you want to travel back to the past and kick the young version of yourself, telling him not to kill innocent scientists indiscriminately again?"

Da Vinci chuckled. Of course, she could hear that Newton was mocking Copernicus. She was also considered an early member of the Genius Club, and naturally knew that Newton and Copernicus' disputes in the level of scientific development, direction, and level were almost diametrically opposed, like fire and water. But fortunately, during the long years of gatherings in the last century, both of them still maintained good gentlemanly demeanor and bottom line, and there were no real fights after the meeting. It was just that the already bad relationship became increasingly worse with Copernicus' increasingly excessive behavior in recent years.

However, she clearly stood on Newton's side in her attitude towards scientists. So, she smiled and said, "Copernicus, you are truly a contradictory person. You enjoy the dividends of technological development, receive the best medical care, and get to sleep in a hibernation pod to extend your life, while at the same time attacking outstanding scientists and causing them to die unjustly."

"Isn't this kind of behavior too two-faced and selfish? To put it bluntly, if it weren't for the development of medical standards and hibernation technology in recent years, we might not have seen you long ago. Even so... do you still insist on your heinous future plan?"

Copernicus listened and didn't care. He coughed twice and smiled and said, "What if... all of this is worth it, Miss Da Vinci?"

"Overly gentle methods cannot conquer human nature. Just as your so-called role model cannot conquer me, you cannot conquer other humans in this world either."

"The reason I don't like to attend gatherings is because you are too short-sighted. But some reasons are not your fault, you joined too late, there are many problems you don't understand, and you are not aware of."

"But, I don't need to explain to you, time will naturally give the correct answer. So, my question ends here, it's your turn, my unfriendly old friend, Newton."

Newton snorted and didn't intend to continue arguing with Copernicus. Perhaps, he was really anxious to take his grandchildren to the amusement park.

"I have no questions to ask."

He said softly. Lin Xian sighed inwardly. As the last person to join the Genius Club, he certainly hoped that everyone would ask some valuable questions and share some valuable answers so that he could gather some intelligence. But now, the previous geniuses had obviously joined the Genius Club for decades. With twelve gatherings a year, and twelve questioning opportunities a year, they could ask hundreds of questions over these decades. They had really already asked what they wanted to ask, and their foundations were also well-established. Now, all future plans were running steadily.

Perhaps, in comparison, the later members, whether in terms of intelligence or progress, were too far behind. Next, it was No. 4 Galileo's turn, this rigid middle-aged man asked, "What is the specific time of the next revolutionary discovery in astronomy, or a subversive breakthrough?"

Einstein didn't hesitate, "March 27, 2077."

"Hoo..." Galileo let out a long breath, "Too far away, it seems I have to sleep in a hibernation pod."

Lin Xian narrowed his eyes. This question should be considered a perfect question. Presumably, no one else but Galileo himself could understand the meaning of the answer. Not to mention the meaning of the answer, Lin Xian couldn't even understand the question.

Then, it was Miss No. 5, Da Vinci, who asked, "I have no questions to ask."

Lin Xian was a little disappointed. Sure enough, these old members were very clear about their goals and plans, and they knew exactly how to achieve their goals, their thinking was very clear. If things continued like this, as long as they didn't ask questions, Lin Xian was probably forever unable to understand their future plans and goals.

This trick was indeed insidious. They didn't need to ask any more questions, they could just listen to the answers of later comers like Lin Xian, it was completely risk-free. He was the ninth member, and Jask and Turing were the seventh and eighth members respectively. No wonder their identities were well known. Presumably, while these old schemers were silent and didn't ask questions, the two of them, as new members, must have been asking questions non-stop at every meeting. The more they asked, the more personal information they revealed, and the easier it was for the enemy to lock on to them. This was truly a difficult balance to weigh.

Then, it was No. 6 Gauß's turn to ask. Lin Xian prayed inwardly, "This snail, hurry up and ask some valuable questions so that I can gain some intelligence." Currently, he had gained nothing from this questioning session, and it was very likely that he would have to give out information to these seniors later. Whether he could gain anything depended entirely on the snail Gauß. "Come on!" Lin Xian silently cheered him on.

Finally, Lin Xian wasn't disappointed. The thin Gauß slowly said, "If we want to strengthen humans in terms of physical fitness, nerve response, and brain activity, from which direction should we start researching now in 2024?"

"No direction can be researched." Einstein shook his head, "There is still a key genetic technology that has not been broken through. It will be necessary to wait until around 2100 before human enhancement and true gene editing technology can relatively begin to start."

Lin Xian silently watched Einstein. Because Newton and Da Vinci abstained, and Copernicus' question was invalid, Einstein had actually only answered two questions, and how should he put it... both of these questions were the kind that couldn't be verified. He first said that in 2077, there would be a major breakthrough in the field of astronomy: then he told Gauß that around 2100, humans would be able to truly begin human enhancement and gene editing technology. It sounded very impressive, all-knowing and all-powerful. But, it was no different from those fortune-telling swindlers! Everything he said was a promise that couldn't be fulfilled in a short period of time, it couldn't be verified, and it couldn't be falsified.

To be honest, Lin Xian still didn't believe that Einstein had the ability to see every second of the future. So, he needed to verify it. He had three purposes for joining the Genius Club this time:

1. Find out the truth about the thousand-year game and bring back Chu Anqing. This purpose and driving force were the top priority, and the most fundamental reason why Lin Xian chose to join the Genius Club. But before figuring out the answer to this question, he first had to find a way to prove that Einstein wasn't a con artist. Otherwise, Einstein would also draw a big cake for himself, saying that he would have to sleep in a hibernation pod and wake up 200 years later to get the answer. This... he couldn't really be so silly as to go into hibernation for 200 years, right? If he could really save Chu Anqing by doing this, Lin Xian would endure it, but he was afraid that after waking up 200 years later, he would find that it was just an empty check, a pie that couldn't be eaten, and that Einstein was completely messing with him, that would be too uncomfortable.

Then, was Lin Xian's second purpose for joining the Genius Club: 2. Figure out the answers to the mysteries of the dream world, the white light at 00:42, and the cosmological constant, and so on. Similarly.

Now, since he didn't know whether Einstein truly had the ability to see the future, or was just swindling and deceiving people, all of these questions couldn't be asked. If he rashly asked them, he would only expose the secrets of his dream and the secrets of being able to glimpse the future world, Lin Xian wasn't that stupid.

Finally, was the third purpose of joining the club: 3. Fulfill the promise to Angelica and take revenge with her. Currently, it seemed that the murderer who killed Ji Lin's parents was likely Copernicus. If that was the case, it would be a joy for everyone. Not only did Angelica have a feud with Copernicus, but he also had one, it was simply an irreconcilable hatred. First, in the fourth dream, Copernicus sent people to surround him, and electrocuted him at the same time. Afterwards, he sent the time assassin Lin Yuxi to assassinate him. Now, looking back, he really had to discuss this old thing's sinister intentions. Was he deliberately sending Lin Yuxi back to kill him? Deliberately letting his brainwashed biological daughter behead him? What a terrible and disgusting behavior!

From the first moment Lin Xian saw Copernicus, he had already regarded him as the number one enemy. Moreover, it wasn't just that. Xu Yun's revenge, Tang Xin's revenge, would all ultimately be counted on Copernicus's head. Through Ji Xinshui's confession, coupled with the speeches of the Genius Club members just now, it was not difficult to deduce that the deaths of Xu Yun, Tang Xin, and Dr. Ponsmayer were basically all instigated by Copernicus. Therefore, when Ji Xinshui killed these people, he didn't need to find evidence, and didn't need to prove anything, he could just kill them mindlessly. The reason why it was so troublesome to kill himself, and why he had to search for evidence of various chaotic histories was precisely because Copernicus did not order him to kill him, it was entirely Ji Xinshui who wanted to deliberately perform, to prove his ability.

In short, all kinds of hatred accumulated. As long as Lin Xian seized the opportunity, he would be as decisive as he was when he killed Kevin Walker and Turing, and would shoot bullets into Copernicus's head without hesitation. Facing a heinous criminal like Copernicus, there was no need to consider respecting the old and loving the young, just kill him.

However, currently, Lin Xian was still waiting for two things. One was, he had to figure out whether Ji Lin's parents were killed by Copernicus, this still remained to be verified. Second, he currently didn't know Copernicus's real identity and address. Before he could figure out how to find out, he had to remain low-key and not attract too much attention from Copernicus.

At this time, Einstein, and the other geniuses present, all focused their eyes on Lin Xian's face... on that magical Calico Cat mask.

"No. 9, Rhein."

Einstein said in a hoarse and majestic voice, "Have you thought about what questions you want to ask me?"

Under everyone's gaze, Lin Xian nodded. Indeed, he had thought it over. This was the result of his comprehensive weighing. As the first question after joining the Genius Club, Lin Xian didn't intend to reveal personal information, nor did he intend to reveal personal intelligence. Instead, as an insurance measure, he wanted to verify whether Einstein was really able to predict the future, or was just bluffing. For others, this might be a difficult problem to accurately verify. But Lin Xian was different. He could truly see the future 600 years from now. As long as he took something he knew the accurate answer to, used a fishing technique, and deliberately asked Einstein, he would naturally be able to know Einstein's background.

What's more, he was so anxious to join the Genius Club this month to see if there was any way in the organization to help him get through the beheading crisis on July 7. Originally, Lin Xian was a bit embarrassed about how to ask this question. Now, a great opportunity was presented to him. With just one question, he could both verify whether Einstein was telling the truth, and also allow himself to better understand the truth of July 7, and come up with targeted countermeasures to avoid this disaster. It was really killing two birds with one stone.

So, wearing the ridiculous Calico Cat mask, he slowly raised his head and looked at Einstein, "I want to confirm again, whether all questions other than the three principles can get accurate answers, and the answers can be detailed and specific to every detail, even every minute and every second of the time."

"Yes."

Einstein nodded without hesitation, "As long as your question is specific enough, my answer will naturally be specific enough."

"Good."

Lin Xian nodded.

Since everything was ready and confirmed, then he could start asking questions.

"My question is..." The Calico Cat mask, expressionless, faced the six great talents, and said word by word, "What is the specific date, time, and minute of my death, as well as the specific location and method of death?"

"Hehe."

After hearing Lin Xian's question, Einstein let out a hoarse laugh and shook his head.

"Rhein, to be precise, this is not one question, but three questions. But it doesn't matter, this can generally be regarded as one question, it can all be regarded as 'How did I die,' it's just that you described it in more detail."

"Very good, this shows that you have already figured out the specific rules of the gathering questions, I am very pleased that every member can integrate into the environment so quickly."

"Then, I will tell you the answer in detail according to your question."

Einstein raised his head, as if pondering, "No. 9, Rhein."

"Your method of death is, being beheaded with a knife, your head and body separated, dying instantly."

"Your place of death is, in your own home, in the living room, in front of the entrance door."

"And your specific time of death..." His tone became heavy, "There are 17 minutes and 21 seconds left before your head and body are separated and you die."