Chapter 1125: Chapter 24 Copernicus’s Question (Extra for the Internet’s Laughingstock, the Alliance Leader!)_3

“My curiosity about this matter has surpassed my interest in you, to the extent that the question has been swirling in my mind for a month. Considering how dangerous your situation is, I’m afraid that if I don’t ask now, you might be gone any day, and I cannot live with this regret… this doubt for the rest of my life.”

Lin Xian extended his hand.

He touched the mask on his face:

“It’s far less complicated than you think, it’s simply because my daughter liked it.”

Unintentionally, he began to adopt the role of Big Face Cat:

“My daughter liked this cat from the start. I bought her many Rhein Cat toys. But later… my daughter died, along with my father. I miss her dearly.”

He turned his head and stared at Copernicus with the Rhine Cat Mask that Copernicus hated the most:

“It was early in the morning when my daughter suddenly came down with a high fever. My father took her out to go to the hospital, and they were hit and killed by a large truck on the spot. The time of their death… was exactly at 00:42.”

Lin Xian let out a slight chuckle, staring straight at Copernicus:

“What a coincidence, my father was also a well-known mathematician.”

Copernicus snorted coldly:

“Rhein, you’re lying.”

“I don’t ever recall killing such a mathematician, let alone with a little girl… That’s absolutely impossible. I hold every deceased scientist in high regard and with respect, so I would never kill their innocent children. Not only that… if their child becomes an orphan as a result, I would take responsibility to ensure the child is well cared for and raised.”

“Rhein, I don’t know who you are, nor do I think there is any grudge between us. If you wish to avenge your deceased father and daughter… I am afraid to say that you have the wrong person. Such murder involving innocents, it couldn’t be me who did it, nor could it be done by my subordinates.”

…

Faced with Copernicus’s explanation.

Lin Xian remained silent.

Enough.

He had obtained the information he wanted.

Copernicus said he would not kill innocents, nor would he kill a child, which Lin Xian more or less believed, for this was exactly what he had asked Ji Xinshui and Seven Sins to do.

Copernicus claimed he had never killed a mathematician with a little girl, of course, he hadn’t… The deaths of Big Face Cat’s father and daughter occurred 600 years after The First Dreamland, in that future world without a Hibernation Pod, where Copernicus could not possibly have lived to see.

All this wasn’t the point.

The point was…

[Copernicus admitted.]

Under Lin Xian’s cunning questioning, Copernicus truly admitted that he had killed many scientists and mathematicians, especially if a child became an orphan as a result, he would take responsibility to care for and raise them.

Since he remembered every mathematician he killed.

Then, by specifically mentioning the matter of this orphan here, it must indicate the truth of the matter, that such an event really happened–

[Ji Lin.]

The orphan who was well cared for was most likely Ji Lin.

And Ji Lin’s parents, both mathematicians, were killed by gunfire at 00:42, which was now beyond doubt the doing of Copernicus.

Unexpectedly, so quickly, Lin Xian could account to Angelica.

What’s more refreshing, currently Lin Xian, Angelica, and Jask’s mutual hatred, was all concentrated on Copernicus.

It had already formed a triangular siege.

Just waiting for the right opportunity…

It was time to close the net.

The death knell for Copernicus!

Clap, clap, clap.

The man sitting on the high stage of the steps, wearing an Einstein mask, clapped his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet:

“So now that everyone is here, let’s begin this month’s meeting.”

He stood up, looked around, noticing two empty seats:

“Even though two geniuses are absent, this does not interfere with the proceedings of our meeting. The Genius Club’s gatherings continued without interruption from the time the first member joined until the last member leaves.”

“In any era, under any circumstance… I will be here waiting for you, even if only one member attends the meeting, it will proceed as usual.”

Afterward.

He turned his head, the Einstein mask facing Copernicus:

“No.2 Copernicus, the questions always start with you. This time… what would you like to ask?”

As he finished speaking.

All the attending members turned their gaze to Copernicus.

Everyone could guess what question he was about to ask.

Last time, he had come to the gathering after so many years, specifically to inquire about information related to the Time Shuttle Machine.

Since he did not get the answer he wanted, he would definitely ask again this time.

But…

What exactly is Copernicus aiming to inquire about?

Does he intend to craft an alternative question to indirectly expose the club member who possesses the Time Shuttle Machine technology present among them?

Or maybe…

He would adopt a different approach to reask for clues about the Time Shuttle Machine?

Lin Xian was also looking forward to it.

When it came to asking questions, Copernicus was indeed arrogant and straightforward; he wasn’t worried about exposing his identity or having others know the answer.

This is probably due to his absolute confidence and solid backing.

Clearly, Copernicus came prepared.

Without any contemplation, he blurted out:

“Einstein, my question this time is—-”

“[Exhausting all possibilities, on what exact day could the Time Shuttle Machine be successfully made for the first time?]”

As soon as he said this.

Everyone pricked up their ears, eager to hear the answer.

This question was formidable.

It was equivalent to directly identifying a pivotal turning point in human civilization, history, and future!

If we say…

The appearance of the Hibernation Pod marked the first turning point in human civilization.

Then undoubtedly,

The emergence of the Time Shuttle Machine would definitely be regarded as the second and a critically important turning point!

Lin Xian narrowed his eyes even more.

What a coincidence…

This time…

It really was a coincidence.

The question Copernicus asked, surprisingly, was strikingly similar to the one Lin Xian had prepared, almost to the letter.

In light of this, Copernicus’s current focus and energy were indeed entirely concentrated on the Time Shuttle Machine.

What about the others? The other geniuses?

Could they also be attempting to take the lead in this matter, both openly and in secret?

And Copernicus’s question further blatantly brought this undercurrent to the surface, causing everyone to join the vortex, whether actively or passively, to meet the day when time travel becomes possible.

Lin Xian was even more eager to hear what answer Einstein would provide.

He hoped the date would be sooner…

With the help of Emperor Gao Wen, he should be the person closest to the Time Shuttle Machine within the Genius Club.

At present, half of the blueprint had been copied, and apart from Astatine-339 which remained unobtainable, all other parts and equipment could be replicated by 2024.

The answer from Einstein’s mouth would thus be the earliest date humanity could obtain Astatine-339!

Possible.

To mooch off a questioning opportunity.

Lin Xian gazed at Einstein, who was sitting up high, sincerely hoping he would give a near date, the closer the better.

Since Copernicus had used the phrase “exhausting all possibilities” in his question, it implied… Copernicus too was betting on the arrival of this day.

But he probably didn’t know about the Astatine-339 matter; Lin Xian still had the chance to be first, to intercept.

Finally…

In anticipation of the crowd.

Einstein, after pondering for a few seconds, slowly raised his head and softly said:

“Unfortunately, even if we exhaust all possibilities, the answer to this question will not change.”

“Please remember this date, geniuses, the earliest time humanity could successfully make a Time Shuttle Machine is—-”

“December 11, 2234!”