Taking Apart and Putting Back Together (2-in-1)

"Boss! I've finished reading those notes."

Inside the research institute, Zombie Doctor gave this report.

"Hmm, how does it feel? Can you understand it?" Bai Xiaowen asked.

"Of course! I'm an expert in life sciences, how could these private research notes possibly stump me!" exclaimed the Zombie Doctor.

"Hmm?" Bai Xiaowen looked suspicious.

"However... Boss, I understand it, but I lack an experimental specimen..." Zombie Doctor said, rubbing his hands. "I heard you have a Stitched Monster, with something called the Voodoo Core fused within it..."

"What do you want to do?" Bai Xiaowen asked warily. "Fatty is very useful to me; I can't let you use him for experiments."

Zombie Doctor scratched his head. "Boss, you misunderstand. I won't use any overly drastic experimental methods, and I guarantee it won't endanger that big guy's life."

"Non-violent experimental methods? For example?"

"Ahem, for example, I can dissect it, extract the Voodoo Core for research. It's a product of Voodoo Alchemy, and comparing it with the contents of my research notes should give me a lot of inspiration!"

Bai Xiaowen's lips twitched. "This is what you call... a non-violent experimental method? What about a vigorous one? Does it involve cutting the sample?"

"Well, although it's an autopsy, you can rest assured, BOSS, it won't die, it will only temporarily lose its mobility..." Zombie Doctor assured confidently, "This risk is worthwhile. You know, this is a great opportunity to learn about Voodoo Alchemy! Moreover, to carry out the next modification on that Stitched Monster, we already need to extract the Voodoo Core and make corresponding adjustments. I've just brought forward the necessary steps..."

Bai Xiaowen's heart skipped a beat. "How confident are you?"

"One hundred percent! Boss, please trust my professionalism!" Zombie Doctor patted his skinny chest and gave his assurance.

"All right."

Bai Xiaowen summoned the Voodoo Stitched Monster Fatty.

Fatty grunted twice. Perhaps due to its integration with the Voodoo Core, it had actually begun to exhibit some instinctive reactions, though it was still far from possessing "intelligence."

For example, right now, Fatty has no idea that this big-headed little guy standing in front of him, holding a shiny scalpel, is about to cut him open...

"Hmm?"

The scalpel ripped open the chest cavity, and foul blood slowly seeped out. Zombie Doctor carefully reached into Fatty's chest, beginning to search for the location of the Voodoo Core.

Although they were teammates, Fatty still inevitably suffered forced damage, with bleeding damage numbers appearing above his head. Fortunately, he had extremely high Life Value and could withstand it for a while, provided that the bleeding stacks weren't too high.

Bai Xiaowen controlled Fatty, preventing it from resisting or making any other unusual movements.

After rummaging around for a while, Zombie Doctor awkwardly withdrew his hand. "The Voodoo Core... isn't here..."

Bai Xiaowen: "..."

With an awkward, fake smile, Zombie Doctor quickly Suturing Fatty's chest cavity and wrapped it tightly with gauze, finally managing to stop the Fatty. However, after all that work, Fatty had already lost a third of his Life Value.

"Boss, I was wrong. The Voodoo Core isn't the heart, but rather the brain of Stitched Monster! So it must be inside the cranial cavity. This time, there's no mistake!" Zombie Doctor assured him confidently.

"... Then let's continue."

Bai Xiaowen's straightforward attitude surprised the Zombie Doctor. However, he did not hesitate and gestured for Bai Xiaowen to instruct Fatty to lie down on the experimental table. The sharp scalpel began to gently scrape away the few sparse hairs on Fatty's head.

Bai Xiaowen's reason for being so quick to agree was simple: the notes had already been read by Zombie Doctor and destroyed. Zombie Doctor was Fatty's only hope for "evolution," so who else could he trust if not Dr. Zombie? Even if Fatty was tortured to death, he could be resurrected in twelve hours, so it wouldn't be a big deal.

The second brain dissection went very smoothly, Zombie Doctor removed the Voodoo Core from Fatty's head.

After the Suturing were finished and the bleeding was successfully stopped, Fatty's Life Value were down to just over 100.

Bai Xiaowen received a notification from the Spirit Realm Rules:

"Detected that your summoned creature: Voodoo Stitched Monster Fatty has lost a vital body component: the Voodoo Core. This will cause significant damage to the Voodoo Stitched Monster."

"The Voodoo Stitched Monster remains in a dormant state, unable to move, for three natural days."

"After the dormant state ends, the Voodoo Stitched Monster will die permanently. This death is irreversible, and you will permanently lose this summoned creature."

Bai Xiaowen felt a bit cheated for a moment.

"Permanently lost? No way! Losing the Voodoo Core should at most cause you to regress to your original state, not die permanently! That's not scientific!"

There was no response to the Spirit Realm Rules notification.

While Bai Xiaowen was still in a daze, she heard the Zombie Doctor's voice.

"My goodness, what a masterpiece of wisdom, a perfect work of art! Only after seeing the actual object did I truly understand the concepts in the research notes. It really is a genius idea. It seems that medieval indigenous alchemy did have its merits after all."

Bai Xiaowen looked over and saw that Zombie Doctor had just wiped the blood off the surface of the Voodoo Core and was holding it like a diamond, taking out a magnifying glass to examine the core from all angles.

"Hey, little zombie. Can we make a deal? Can you put the Voodoo Core back in?"

Zombie Doctor waved his hand. "Boss, don't disturb me, this is scientific research time."

"Is that so? I think you just want to go back to the dark room and receive Delifa's beating!"

Bai Xiaowen exuded murderous intent.

Zombie Doctor finally noticed something was wrong and looked at Bai Xiaowen with a bewildered expression. "What's wrong, boss? You look... not so good."

"Do you think I'll ever recover?" Bai Xiaowen said, emphasizing each word. "Fatty's in hibernation mode right now. If I don't put the Voodoo Core back in, I'll lose this summoned creature permanently!"

"Put it back in?" Zombie Doctor exclaimed. "Why? The value of this core is far greater than this clumsy giant! Besides, if we put it back in its original packaging, there's no guarantee that nothing will go wrong."

"What do you mean?" Bai Xiaowen squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth.

"Uh, what I mean is, removing the Voodoo Core is easy, but putting it back in is a different story. If you don't thoroughly understand the Voodoo Core, even if you force it back in, it will cause a strong rejection reaction..."

Zombie Doctor raised a finger and said with a scholarly air, "We can take an example. Selling a kidney is easy; even a small, unqualified hospital will do it. But to get a kidney transplant, you need..."

He was interrupted by Bai Xiaowen before he could finish speaking.

"Three days. I'm only giving you three days to reinstall the Voodoo Core."

Bai Xiaowen squinted and patted the Zombie Doctor on the shoulder, "Of course, the premise is that you solve that damn rejection reaction and give me back a lively, healthy, smart, and cute Fatty... If you can't do that... you know the consequences yourself."

Zombie Doctor looked completely innocent. "Boss, this is an order from an amateur. Thoroughly studying this core will obviously take far more than three days, not to mention I need to make corresponding adjustments to the Voodoo Core..."

Bai Xiaowen snapped his fingers, and Delifa's shadow appeared on the Black Soul Stone.

"My dear master, what are your orders?" Delifa, as flirtatious as ever.

"If this guy doesn't meet my requirements in three days, lock him up in the dark!" Bai Xiaowen said through gritted teeth.

"Yes, Master!" Delifa said with delight, "My whip has been itching for a long time!"

"Where's Norton's soul? Get it ready!" Bai Xiaowen said viciously. "Perhaps I need a real professional alchemist!"

Zombie Doctor shuddered and asked tremblingly, "What about me?"

"Limited positions available, compete for your spot!"

Bai Xiaowen's anger vanished, replaced by an unusual smile. He patted the Zombie Doctor on the shoulder and said, "Mr. Norton is quite interested in your body."

"Boss, I guarantee with my doctoral degree that I will definitely fulfill your request!" Zombie Doctor quickly changed his attitude and said with a mournful face.

"Go for it, I believe in you." Bai Xiaowen waved with a smile.

In fact, as Leader Tier powerhouse, Norton's soul consciousness could not be completely preserved; like the souls of other powerhouses, it lost its independent consciousness.

Back then, the Black Soul Stone expended a considerable amount of Soul Essence to preserve the independent consciousness of the Elite Tier powerhouse, Kitz. The consumption required to preserve Norton's independent consciousness is unimaginable. Bai Xiaowen doesn't possess Norton's complete consciousness at all; he was merely trying to bluff Zombie Doctor and put some pressure on the old man.

Bai Xiaowen left the research institute in a good mood, while Zombie Doctor was forced into a continuous overtime mode, meticulously studying the Voodoo Core with a magnifying glass, while his other hand scribbled and drew on parchment...

Leaving aside Zombie Doctor, on the afternoon of the second day after Bai Xiaowen arrived in the Kane Plane, the representatives of the Ironthorn Family finally arrived.

It was Baron Albert Stantin himself who arrived.

It must be said that yesterday's imposter, Aquit, really put in a lot of effort. His behavior and mannerisms were almost indistinguishable from those of Baron Stantin himself. Coupled with a mask that was so realistic that it could fool anyone, and the disguise of Chameleon Blood, anyone unfamiliar with Baron Stantin would think it was the same person.

"Greetings, it's a pleasure to meet the legendary Dio. Your achievements at the Blackrock Line are worthy of being recorded in history!" Baron Stantin said politely, then turned his gaze to Cecilia, "This must be the renowned White Rose of the Northern Frontier, Viscount Cecilia. Your beauty is as captivating as the bright moonlight."

One shouldn't hit a smiling face, so Bai Xiaowen and Cecilia returned the greeting.

So-called nobles are those who would stab someone in the back but are all smiles and eager to become sworn brothers to their face. Even if the other party is their father's killer, they must still maintain the proper noble demeanor and greet the other party's family with utmost respect, without using any vulgar language.

"When I saw Baron Stantin today, I thought that wandering swordsman had come back to life," Bai Xiaowen said casually. "Your mannerisms are practically identical. The Ironthorn Clan must have trained this swordsman for a long time."

Baron Stantin's smile vanished, "Dio, I don't understand your meaning. I've come to clarify the facts; that Wandering Swordsman has absolutely no connection to the Ironthorn Clan."

"So this seal is also fake?"

Bai Xiaowen played with the seal and laughed, "Alright, I should keep this seal. Such a realistic seal is rare... Look, if you infuse it with Divine Might, there's even a magical reflection of the Ironthorn Family Crest. These days, fakes are getting more and more convincing."

Baron Stantin smiled wryly, "This seal is indeed a token of the Ironthorn Family. I've come here not only to clarify the facts but also to reclaim this seal and request that Dio return it to its rightful owner."

"Are you trying to say that the Wandering Swordsman stole the seal and impersonated you to Assassination me?"

Baron Stantin nodded solemnly. "I regret to inform you that this is indeed the case."

Bai Xiaowen cursed inwardly that this nobleman's skin was thicker than a city wall, and sneered, "So, Mr. Harold, who is currently in custody, is also an imposter? Isn't he the Ironthorn Clan's butler?"

"He...is true," Baron Stantin said. He couldn't give up Harold; the man knew too many of the Ironthorn Clan's secrets. If he were turned and used against the Ironthorn Family, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"This is interesting," Bai Xiaowen's smile grew colder. "That Wandering Swordsman not only stole the seal, but he also managed to get the manor's steward, Harold, to give false testimony. And Harold's signature is even on the duel contract with me! Do you want to see it?"

"No need to look at this," Baron Stantin said somewhat awkwardly. "Harold was probably... coerced."

"Very good," Bai Xiaowen stood up, "Show them out."

The knights standing outside, Tim, Mark, and Phil filed in one after another.

"Wait! What does Dio mean by this?" Baron Stantin was a little taken aback. Shouldn't they be playing coy and having a proper talk, discussing compensation measures that are acceptable to both sides?

What's with flipping the table?

Bai Xiaowen said calmly, "The Ironthorn Family has no sincerity in negotiating at all—any negotiation must be based on facing the facts!"

Baron Stantin's expression changed. He stood up to face Bai Xiaowen and said in a low voice, "Please forgive my bluntness, but even if you force me to admit the truth, what good will it do you? Reporting to the Empire won't get you any support. Do you intend to go to war with Blackrock City? That's not in White Stone City's interest..."

Bai Xiaowen shook his head and said, "I'm a pacifist; war is always the last resort. But don't you think this conspiracy is quite dramatic? I'll write it into a script and have it performed on the stages of major theaters throughout the empire, giving the Ironthorn Family a good publicity boost."

"Besides, since this seal is genuine, I should make good use of it. You can figure out how to use it yourself," Bai Xiaowen said with a smile, tapping the Silver Thorn Seal.