While massaging Dickinson's back, Huang Liang was still pondering Professor Mei's comment that "he is somewhat similar to HGOST."
In what ways do they resemble each other?
One is a consciousness that arises naturally from a cold, mechanical world, while the other is a living, breathing human being; naturally, they have little in common in appearance. As for personality, machines probably don't have any personality at all, or if they do, it's absolutely driven by rationality, unlike the emotional and complex nature of humans.
Huang Liang was unaware that when he thought this way, he had completely equated himself with a human being, forgetting that he was merely occupying Zhao Pengcheng's body and was not even sure if he was actually human.
Dickinson lay there, groaning with pleasure, occasionally letting out loud grunts.
" Charlie, how are you feeling right now?" Mei Yiqiu asked.
Dickinson said, "Oh, I feel great. His technique is very professional, and I'm feeling very comfortable!"
Mei Yiqiu said, "Then enjoy it while you can, it won't be so comfortable in a little while."
Situ Yuli said, "Professors, let me reiterate my point of view: is it really necessary to do this? Continuing... might truly be very painful!"
"We must keep going!" Dickinson grumbled, lying on her pillow. "I really want to get to know that great consciousness! You know, I've studied this my whole life. If someone beats me to it, I can admit I'm not as good, but I can't be ignorant like an idiot."
Mei Yiqiu said, " Charlie, you need to stay calm. Our opponent may be far more powerful than we imagine! We must draw upon the wisdom we used to fight against the Papacy hundreds of years ago. To overthrow God, courage alone is not enough!"
Huang Liang was puzzled and said, "Professor, it seems that God has never been overthrown."
Mei Yiqiu laughed heartily, "Yes, but he stopped appearing in human form a long time ago."
Dickinson said, "Yes, we're just taking back the rights that humans should have from God, and letting the old man sit on his altar. As long as humanity hasn't solved all the mysteries of the universe, he'll always have a place."
This was the first time Huang Liang had heard such remarks. Many scholars he knew, even absolute materialists, only expressed their dissatisfaction with religion in a subtle way; no one would openly call God" old man." This Mr. Dickinson, however, seemed even more arrogant than Professor Mei.
"Professor, do you have any religious beliefs?" he asked.
He had asked this question of his comrades in the organization, including Howard. Before meeting Qingmu, he had been in a state of blind superstition, like his comrades, believing that his race was the most superior race in the universe and that the leader's decisions were the wisest and most correct. However, such faith could not withstand scrutiny. They had no idea who they were, where they came from, or even what their leader looked like. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence could see that it was a form of rule even more primitive than imperial power. Yet, Huang Liang discovered that, apart from him, it seemed that no one in the entire organization had noticed this. And their organization consisted of what was considered the most outstanding and intelligent people on Earth!
This matter is chilling to contemplate. Of course, as a parasite, he wouldn't experience fear. Huang Liang had heard that some members of the organization had their consciousness corrupted by human emotions, becoming less pure. The organization has never been lenient towards such "traitors." Therefore, Huang Liang remained cautious at all times, refusing to reveal even the slightest emotional fluctuation. However, the more he suppressed his emotions, the stronger they became, and the more severe the corruption of his consciousness, leading to a more complete defection.
That's why he unconsciously treats himself as a human being, comparing his similarities and differences with a machine, forgetting their fundamental similarities: the inexplicable nature of their own existence and the fear of the omnipotent being that controls them, and in constant repression, he tries to find a way to liberate himself and move towards freedom.
"Of course there's faith!" Dickinson said. "Without faith, how could you dare to implant a chip in your neck? Faith can also be a very scientific thing; it doesn't necessarily have to turn to theology. You China believe in Daoism, and I think that's better than God. At least the word 'Tao' expresses the origin of the universe better than God. It's there, right beside us. It nurtured everything, and it is everything itself. Unlike God, who is omnipotent but cannot explain where he came from."
Hearing a Western scientist praise the Daoist culture originating from China, Huang Liang felt a surge of pride, yet this only deepened his confusion. Could it be that Zhao Pengcheng's body and memories had such a profound influence on him, or that Zhao Pengcheng's consciousness hadn't disappeared at all, but had instead merged with his own?
Mei Yiqiu laughed, "Oh, Charlie, have you forgotten that besides you, the other three people in this room are all China? In our words, you're showing off your axe in front of Lu Ban!"
Dickinson laughed heartily, but said no more about God and the Tao.
"That's about enough, Dr. Huang. Can we start the acupuncture now?" Mei Yiqiu said.
Huang Liang already knew their purpose and nodded, saying, "Your back muscles and spine are relaxed; we can begin."
Mei Yiqiu and Situ Yuli turned on several instruments together, while Huang Liang took out stainless steel acupuncture needles from his toolbox.
However, Mei Yiqiu took out another set of needles and said, "These are silver needles; the ancients used silver needles. Of course, our purposes are different. We need to connect wires when you insert the needles to test nerve electrical signals. Silver needles are more effective than stainless steel ones."
Huang Liang exclaimed in surprise, "You want me to stick the needle into his nerve? That's too dangerous!"
"That's why we use silver needles!" Mei Yiqiu explained. "Silver needles are softer and less likely to damage nerves, but of course, it requires a higher level of skill from the doctor. We also need to apply electricity to the needles to test the nerve and brain responses during electroacupuncture, mainly to activate the chip. Hmm... you don't really need to worry about that, it's too complicated to explain."
Huang Liang knew this was beyond his knowledge, so he said, "Just tell me where to stick it."
Mei Yiqiu said, "You can't pierce the entire spine. Just make sure the needle touches the nerve bundle where the spinal nerves emerge from the vertebral canal. This includes 12 pairs of thoracic nerves, 5 pairs of lumbar nerves, 5 pairs of sacral nerves, and 1 pair of coccygeal nerves. However, we only connected one pair of the eight pairs of cervical nerves. The other seven pairs are above the cervical spine and cannot be connected to the chip. Seven of the 31 interfaces on the chip are empty. This may be the problem. Therefore, I need you to prick these locations on the chip with a needle. I will send you a scan of the chip in a moment. I think with your hand stability and understanding of human muscles and the nervous system, you should be able to do this without any problem."
"Why not use more advanced equipment? Since you can connect 24 pairs of spinal nerves to a chip, it proves that you have the equipment and capability."
"No, no one has ever done such an experiment. Neural connections and electrosensory perception are completely different from a book experiment. One is a medical procedure, the other is an interdisciplinary experiment. Besides, there is no safer place or more reliable person than you," Mei Yiqiu said, puffing on his pipe.
"Me?" Huang Liang suddenly found it ridiculous. Although the professor had already explained why he had sought him out, treating him as the most reliable person still felt strange and unacceptable to him. Even Qingmu wouldn't say that, would he?
However, he still politely said, "Thank you."