Fear

Through layers of checkpoints, the three finally entered the core area of the research base.

To ensure safety and prepare for the unexpected, Li Qingye was already planning to establish a second secret research base and was currently searching for a suitable location.

After all, the research base on Calagua Island was built by Xinhai Company, which was no secret in Luzon. Once Homo sapiens Company became famous, all sorts of unsavory characters would surely target it.

Preparing for the second secret base was now a matter of urgency. This time, he planned to use the excuse of upgrades and expansion to acquire sufficient research equipment before arranging for his own people to construct the second secret base, thereby reducing the possibility of leaks.

Chen Jianxiong was a suitable candidate for the responsibility, as the Soldier's management skills were too poor; they could only handle simple, brute-force tasks.

It was clearly too much to ask a Soldier to lead a secret base from scratch.

For example, Soldier-Jose was assigned by Li Qingye to manage the finance department. His database had been updated beforehand, and numerous program functions related to finance, economics, and mathematics had been added.

Even so, Jose could only manage the finance department by the book, operating within the framework Fang Xin Cheng had left behind.

Fortunately, Li Qingye didn't require him to cook the books or evade taxes. With the assistance of other natural personnel, the department could function, though it only operated according to procedures and lacked any flexibility.

This was precisely why Li Qingye wanted to recruit natural persons like Chen Jianxiong, because the flexible adaptability of natural persons was something Soldiers could not achieve at this stage.

As they walked, they passed a room labeled "[Training Room]."

Chen Jianxiong noticed two personnel with blank expressions diligently practicing etiquette.

These people are so strange. Why do they feel so lifeless? Chen Jianxiong mused silently.

Suddenly, a man in a security uniform approached them. After saluting the Boss, he brushed past Chen Jianxiong and entered the training room.

"Huh? Doesn't this guy look a bit familiar?" Chen Jianxiong's mind raced, and then his pupils constricted: It's him. He was among the Japanese visitors who met Li Jinglan before. But why is he here? And his appearance is so strange, could it be...

Another thought flashed through his mind.

Li Jinglan's death...

The appearance of the Japanese...

Biomedical research...

"You see! That guy met with Manager Li before. He's one of the Japanese commercial spies. He's lucky; even though he was modified a bit, at least he's alive, right?"

Ahead, Li Qingye explained nonchalantly, as if discussing something trivial.

Chen Jianxiong, however, trembled, a chill running from his feet to the top of his head.

They arrived outside another room.

Li Qingye gently pushed open the door. Three people with vacant eyes lay on hospital beds, their hair shaved off, with faint scars circling their heads.

"A while ago, Manager Li collaborated with the Japanese to attract investment for Homo sapiens Company. I just went with the flow."

"What happened to them?" Chen Jianxiong asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Li Qingye smiled but answered evasively, "A surgery called prefrontal lobotomy was popular in America last century. It could treat mental illness, but the side effect was the loss of emotion and desire."

Gulp! Chen Jianxiong's fear grew. He now regretted his involvement, but he had already seen too much and didn't believe Li Qingye would allow him to leave Homo sapiens Company.

"Don't worry, I won't use such methods on my own people."

Even so, Chen Jianxiong remained terrified.

"However, for the sake of trust, it's necessary to install a safety measure on you. I don't think you'll refuse, right?"

Looking at Fili, who held a pistol by his side, Chen Jianxiong nodded, feeling like crying: "Boss, I... I agree."

Li Qingye patted his shoulder. "I knew you were a smart person."

Soon, Chen Jianxiong was anesthetized and taken into the operating room.

First, a craniotomy was performed to implant the biochip into his skull, followed by connecting various biological function devices and brain neurons.

This biochip was largely similar to those used by Soldiers. The biggest difference was the core program of this biochip, named [Manager].

In reality, the Manager program was an auxiliary program, but it had hidden functions, such as monitoring the host, forcibly paralyzing the host, and even killing the host.

In addition to implanting the biochip, Li Qingye injected Chen Jianxiong with [Gu Worm - Plasmodium Type 2]. This parasite could remain dormant in the human body for 10 years.

Activated by special pheromones, as soon as the host's body came into contact with specific pheromones, the genetically modified Plasmodium would rapidly destroy the host's brain.

These pheromones could be transmitted through the air and absorbed into the body through skin respiration. The effective transmission radius could reach about 3000 meters.

Combined with the bio-computer's pheromone hive model, small-scale control could essentially be achieved.

Even if Chen Jianxiong managed to disable the visible biochip and Manager program through other means, the genetically modified Plasmodium within his body could still serve as a backup method, delivering a fatal blow.

Two days later.

Chen Jianxiong woke up on the hospital bed to find his hair shaved and subtle wounds on his head.

He knew his brain had been tampered with, but what could he do? He was desperate and could only grit his teeth and accept reality.

Li Qingye held a test report and reminded him, "Awake? You can now mentally recite 866721. This is your Manager program activation password. You'll like it."

866721?

Suddenly, a voice sounded in his mind, and something resembling a computer page appeared on his retina.

This was neural virtual imaging technology. The biochip connected to the visual nerve cells and sent simulated signals, making the brain mistakenly believe it was seeing something.

In reality, there was no virtual screen in the air before Chen Jianxiong. It was all the biochip deceiving his brain.

After a series of operations, Chen Jianxiong was utterly shocked. Clearly, this technology surpassed his imagination.

The Manager program's auxiliary functions were incredibly rich, possessing features such as Eidetic Memory, Assisted Calculation, Data Retrieval, Data Entry, Combat Substitute, Sensory Shielding, and Engineer.

With the Manager program, coupled with Chen Jianxiong's flexibility as a natural person, his overall capabilities would become exceptionally comprehensive.

However, this was not without its drawbacks.

For instance, the moment he had the thought of hijacking Li Qingye, his body instantly entered a state of rigidity.

Li Qingye, standing nearby, saw Chen Jianxiong stiffen and reminded him meaningfully, "Don't overthink it. I told you, I won't make a move against my own people. You don't want to become a soulless Soldier, do you?"

"Thank you for the reminder, Boss," Chen Jianxiong immediately backed down.

Actually, it was just a moment of arrogance after gaining his abilities. He had now completely sobered up and recognized reality.

Moreover, with Li Qingye possessing such powerful technology, his future was simply limitless. Following behind him would certainly not lead to a bad outcome.

After thinking it through, he suddenly felt the world open up before him.

Thank you all for your support (ω｀), and thanks to book friends "今天2" and "杰小少爷" for the tips!