It was likely because the announcement of cold fusion technology came out not long before the Nobel Prize announcements, catching the Nobel committee completely off guard.
Unable to verify the claims, they simply awarded the Physics Prize to Qingshui as well, though it was given "in recognition of his artificial intelligence's contributions to machines and related physics."
The news immediately caused another uproar.
However, Qingshui, the protagonist of the event, remained unfazed.
Others might see a Nobel Prize as a huge deal, and receiving two in the same year as an even bigger deal, but for Qingshui, it was just another thing.
For the first Nobel Prize, everyone in the world thought it should go to Tolstoy, because at that time, no one else in the world could match his literary achievements.
But Sweden, having been hammered down by Russia multiple times in the past one or two centuries in its attempts to rise as a great power, kept finding excuses to delay until Tolstoy's death.
However, Tolstoy himself didn't care for the award anyway; a literary giant of his caliber, one of the greatest in human history, no longer needed any award to prove himself.
There are over a hundred Nobel laureates in literature, but only a handful can be compared to Tolstoy. This, in fact, somewhat tarnishes the award's reputation.
Tony Stark, next door, didn't win a Nobel Prize either, but he couldn't care less.
Some people need awards to prove themselves, while others are needed by the awards.
...
Days later.
The standoff and electronic warfare at sea ended.
According to a memorandum signed seventy years ago, a division and a heavy synthetic brigade were stationed in Nagoya, and a naval fleet also docked at Nagoya Port.
This is Japan's largest automobile export port, with immense throughput and no American military bases.
The global situation became delicate.
At this very moment, the heads of the Anomalous Human World from various important countries and powers across the globe arrived in Jinmen, adjacent to the Capital City, for a meeting.
The ostensible reason was that the Nason King of Nason Island would officially appear before the world after his enthronement and wanted to seek sponsorship from East University, which has developed remarkably in recent years. In reality, no major power took Nason Island seriously.
They had all received instructions from their respective national leaders to act as vanguards to probe East University's intentions.
They genuinely could not predict the future direction.
Beneficiaries who realized their old methods were useless sought ways to protect their interests, while those who hadn't yet benefited wanted to choose sides and get a piece of the action.
Strong AI, limb regeneration, superchips, and even sci-fi-level, almost magical, cold fusion had all been developed.
So, what's next?
AI + Superchip + Small, Controllable Nuclear Fusion = ???
Putting everything else aside, the most direct impact would undoubtedly be in the military and aerospace fields.
With strong AI-assisted piloting and controllable nuclear fusion as an energy source, space battleships might be a stretch, but combat aircraft would definitely be possible.
When the entire Earth's sub-orbital space can be treated as a backyard, and the moon can be reached in an hour or two like a neighboring province, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers can effectively be retired.
This meeting also marked Qingshui's first public appearance since being ambushed.
"I am truly sorry, Mr. Qingshui. Regarding certain events from a few days ago, I believe there might have been some misunderstanding. It was the unauthorized actions of some deranged individuals, we..."
"That's enough, Mr. Ishikawa. Some things don't need explaining because they've already been investigated, so there's no need to hide them anymore. Just accept it. Our true enemies are those extreme right-wing militaristic forces. As long as no wrong has been done, we won't bully innocent civilians. However, if someone has committed unforgivable acts, we will send them to hell to atone properly. I just wonder if you, President Ishikawa, are innocent?"
Qingshui looked at the bowing president of the Japan Yulong Association, a smile of ambiguous meaning on his face.
"This... Mr. Qingshui, we understand. Please rest assured, the Buddha Sword Ishikawa Style never wantonly takes human lives, which is why it's called the Buddha Sword. We are not allied with those who aid and abet evil."
Ishikawa, full of his artisan spirit, bowed again, head lowered.
He spoke of his Buddha Sword Ishikawa Style, not the Japan Yulong Association.
The implied meaning in his words was already very clear.
Just as Qingshui was about to ask more questions, a very dramatic voice suddenly rang out.
"Aha! Mr. Ishikawa, there you are! And this must be the renowned scientist, Professor Zhuo!"
A Caucasian middle-aged man with a golden slicked-back hairstyle approached, feigning cheerfulness, a seemingly jovial smile on his face.
"Hello, Professor Zhuo, I am Ron Keller of the Keller Family. Our family has always admired scientists like you..."
"Cough!"
Ron Keller, who intended to give Qingshui a warm embrace, was stopped by Yue Qian, who stood beside Qingshui.
"Ah, Professor Zhuo, this is Ron Keller, a director of Behemoth."
Zhao Fangxu had also walked over at some point, accompanied by Xiao Zizai, who was dressed in a white shirt, looking like an elite from high society.
For some reason, Ron Keller felt his scalp prickle under Xiao Zizai's gaze.
He felt like a steak, and Xiao Zizai was the diner holding a knife and fork.
"Mr. Zhao, you're here too. I have something I'd like to say to Professor Zhuo..."
"No need, Mr. Keller. Whatever you want to say, you can say to me. I've also been given authority from above. Professor Zhuo is here to provide scientific guidance and act as a consultant. Whatever you wish to discuss with him, it will inevitably involve me anyway."
Zhao Fangxu pushed up his glasses, smiling cheerfully, but his tone was unyielding.
Ron Keller chuckled twice again, trying to cover his embarrassment.
What could he say?
Should he tell Zhao Fangxu right to his face that they wanted to poach someone?
"Everyone! The Na… Nason King… has arrived."
At the doorway, Zhang Chulan, dressed in a suit, stammered with a dry smile.
When Zhao Fangxu saw Zhang Chulan, he was puzzled.
He remembered Zhang Chulan was in charge of the outdoor arrangements.
Xu Si saw Zhang Chulan's pale face and immediately felt that this inexperienced kid was an embarrassment.
Where was the usual quick wit of this kid?
But soon, Xu Si's face also turned pale.
Because, surrounded by several Nason Guard members, the person who walked into the venue was actually…
Feng Baobao!
"H-hello everyone, I'm the Nason King! Nice to meet y'all!"
Feng Baobao, wearing a white dress, stared blankly with wide eyes, shouting at the crowd in the venue in her distinctive Sichuan accent.
"Ah~! Your esteemed Majesty! This is Mr. Zhao Fangxu, the chairman of our Nadou Tong!"
Zhang Chulan led Feng Baobao with an exaggerated tone, pointing at Zhao Fangxu. At the same time, he slightly turned his face, making an expression that couldn't be seen from other angles, and winked at both Zhao Fangxu and Feng Baobao.
"Cough… Hello, Nason King."
Zhao Fangxu composed himself and shook hands with Feng Baobao.
"This bingzi jiu is your boss!"
Bingzi jiu means "fatty" in Sichuan dialect.
Zhao Fangxu almost couldn't keep a straight face.
"Your esteemed Majesty, I, Zhao Fangxu, will introduce you to the friends who have come to meet you today. This is William Spencer, a director of the European Emerald Society. This is Lilia Qimina, the president of the Children of the Earth. And this is Teacher Banzhuang from the Thailand Anomalous Human Village…"
While Zhao Fangxu was introducing the heads of various major anomalous human organizations to Feng Baobao, Zhang Chulan quickly found Qingshui and Xu Si to report.
"You're saying that the Nason Island people attacked you and San'er first, injured San'er, and then Baobao beat up the real Nason King, making it impossible for the Nason King to come, so they appointed Feng Baobao to temporarily fill in?"
Xu Si suppressed the urge to light a cigarette, sorted out the sequence of events, and asked.
"That's roughly it."
"They're trying to use our people to take the fall for them? Someone here is targeting the Nason King?"
Xu Si pondered.
"Yes, that's what I think too, Professor Zhuo, what do you think?"
Zhang Chulan asked Qingshui.
"The Nason Island people don't trust our security capabilities, but that's fine. The key is that they attacked our people first.
Tsk, do the Nason Island people really think they're hot stuff?"
Qingshui stroked his chin, looking at the Nason Guard members around Feng Baobao in the distance, and smiled somewhat mockingly.
"The people on Nason Island, especially their King and the Nason Guard, are affected by that strange tree on their island. Their way of thinking is indeed a bit different from normal people."
Xu Si explained.
"Then once the Nason King comes out, we'll detain him and those Nason Guard members. The Nason King is one thing, but attacking our public officials is another. They should pay compensation, and they should go to jail."
Qingshui said indifferently.
He didn't have a very good impression of Nason Island or the Nason King.
Nason Island existed because no one paid it much attention before.
More than a hundred years ago, the power of anomalous humans could still surpass old-fashioned firearms. An independent island nation with a considerable population, where everyone was an anomalous human and possessed special abilities, could still make the world's major powers at the time wary.
As for now…
With some strength, relying on the anomalous humans, it could be stronger than most small countries.
But it was only on par with those small countries.
It would likely be no match for any slightly larger country. In fact, for the world's top few major powers, after entering the new century, with their respective military strengths, dealing with them became even easier.
If this island continued to remain isolated, it might last a few more years, because usually, everyone forgot such a place existed, and there was no one worth making a big fuss over who would go there and insist on chasing them down.
Thus, the next day, after Feng Baobao was indeed attacked and the culprit was found to be connected to the Children of the Earth association, the Nason King, who appeared to announce the situation, and the Nason Guard members who appeared with him, were taken into custody.
"Damn it! How can you lock up the King here!"
A Nason Guard, handcuffed, watched tearfully as the Nason King, wearing a sleeveless vest, stood in front of a wall with height markers, posing for a photo.
"You broke the law, simple as that. Luckily, my brother wasn't too badly hurt, so you're only detained for three days. This is already taking into account your status as foreign visitors. Don't push your luck. Nason Island isn't a country officially recognized by the UN or our country, and you don't have diplomatic immunity, so of course you'll spend a couple of days in jail."
Xu Si gave a mischievous smile, offered a cigarette to a police officer next to him, and after being refused, took one himself, lit it, and started smoking.
"There's nothing to be done. We'll have to wait three days before going out. The island will also reopen once I return."
The Nason Queen sighed dejectedly, her back hunched, as she was led into the detention center.
The breaking of a golden branch from the sacred tree on Nason Island signified that after several centuries, someone was once again challenging the Nason King.
According to the rules, the Nason King could not refuse. The two would fight to the death on Nason Island, using any means necessary, until a victor emerged to claim the throne.
During this process, Nason Island would be open to the outside world, serving as a witness to all.
Meanwhile, At Nadou Tong Headquarters.
"Nason Island might soon become history."
Zhao Fangxu leaned on the railing with one hand, gazing at the bustling street scene in the distance, speaking to Qingshui beside him.
"They've been isolated for so many years, especially during the fastest century of human development. And unlike us, they don't have five millennia of accumulated heritage and vast territorial depth. If they had no treasures there, it might be fine, but they do have treasures, tsk, so they're naturally doomed."
Qingshui replied, his arms crossed.
Zhao Fangxu wasn't a transmigrator, so he naturally didn't know the future, but he was at least capable enough to become the chairman of Nadou Tong, so he certainly had insight.
Aside from the people on Nason Island, any person of discernment could actually see the island's future.
Nason Island was isolated from the world and not even a sovereign nation. Having been sealed off for many years, it had no relations with outside countries, so no one would speak up if it were destroyed.
This was because many of the people inside were those who couldn't make a living in their own countries for various reasons.
Yet, despite this, they possessed an extraordinarily mystical sacred tree that could transmit energy and make all newborns on the island anomalous humans.
But besides that tree, these anomalous humans were all they had.
Zhao Fangxu said:
"We need to hold a board meeting soon to discuss arrangements. We must try our best to take in anyone on the island who speaks Chinese. Also, deciding who to send as an observation team to the island is a tricky matter. Not to mention, given the possibility that the culprit behind the Sanyi Sect's destruction might still be on the island, the Lu Family will surely send someone. Perhaps Lu Jin even wants to act personally."
"Hmm, yes, it should be convened. But… what about Bi Youlong?"
"He's under suspicion, and it's growing heavier, but he's hard to keep an eye on. Old Bi, after all, emerged from the front lines of combat, and he's quite capable. I've already asked Liu Zhenguo from Quanzhen Baiyun Temple for help. His Yin God already possesses some characteristics of a Yang God, allowing him to interfere with the present world to a certain extent."
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