Chapter 55: There is a Reason Behind It

"I think we should conduct a field inspection first. Only through an on-site investigation can we unravel this mystery!" Ding Bonian suggested with a resolute look in his eyes.

"I completely agree with Professor Ding's opinion. After all, practice is the sole criterion for testing truth," Zhao Xinru said, holding a cigarette between her fingers with a definitive attitude.

"Could this not be a miracle?" Wu Xiong suddenly spoke up again, asking with a puzzled expression.

"Would a god dress like this? Clearly, these are ancient humans," Zhao Xinru retorted decisively. "Nowadays, some people still insist that humans were created by gods, rejecting biologist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution simply because he proved facts through practice. The ultimate goal of the Western churches that believe in the existence of God is to oppose science and establish a theological system."

"I think Darwin is nothing more of a fraud. Even the renowned Chinese scientist Yang Chen-ning has stated that a Creator exists," Wu Xiong argued dismissively.

"Director Wu, the Creator he referred to is not the anthropomorphic God of theology that you have in mind, but rather nature itself as the creator. I suppose Darwin, much like Copernicus, Giordano Bruno, Galileo, and other scientists, was a positivist—someone who continually explored the path of science. Don't you believe it? When science develops to a certain degree, if the existence of an alien civilization is discovered, and its technological level surpasses ours, at that moment, these theological believers will proclaim that this is the very god they spoke of," Su Chunyang said half-jokingly.

"I do think the existence of aliens is possible, but whether they created us is hard to determine. As for those who often claim that we are currently living in the Latter Day of the Law, I feel that statement holds a certain validity. For religion, this indeed is the Latter Day of the Law—the final struggle of religion against modern science. Their habitual tactic is to co-opt scientific concepts for their own use," Lin Yizhou analyzed.

"Actually, whether there is a god or not is irrelevant. Living well in the present is the most important thing for humankind. We should act in accordance with the wisdom of ancient sages and regulate our behavior. If we can live this present life well, a wonderful future will naturally follow. All excessive demands are in vain," Zhao Xinru said earnestly.

Feeling that further discussion held no practical significance, Lin Yizhou spoke up: "Alright, let us return to science itself. Professor Su's experiment must proceed; this is a national project, but we must exercise the utmost caution. Whether it is modern science or the wisdom of the ancients, both require us to re-examine and understand them in the present."

He felt that today's discussion had been very fruitful. However, as the meeting was nearing its end, He Yunfei, who had hurried over from Beijing, was nowhere to be seen. Because He Yunfei was absent, the "Frozen DF Project" could not be communicated.

Everyone waited and waited, but seeing no hope of his arrival, Lin Yizhou had no choice but to declare the meeting adjourned.

The next day, He Yunfei rushed to the Southwest Institute of Sciences carrying top-secret documents.

Upon seeing the files, Director Lin did not open them immediately, but instead asked He Yunfei why he had failed to attend yesterday's meeting. With a look of helpless frustration, Yunfei explained that he had run into some trouble on the road and recounted the events of the previous day in detail. To his absolute shock, however, Director Lin Yizhou did not seem surprised at all. Instead, with a smile on his face, he said, "Yunfei, you've worked hard. But don't be upset! Actually, the document you brought, just like the one circulating online, is nothing more than a decoy..."

Director Lin's words struck like a thunderbolt, dealing a heavy blow to He Yunfei. The document he had risked his life to protect was actually fake?! What on earth was going on here?

Lin Yizhou quickly explained: "This was a strategy devised jointly by Captain Zheng Hongwei of the Southwest SWAT Corps and the authorities in Beijing, with the sole purpose of luring the thieves into the trap. I never expected that someone would still be obsessed with that sham project proposal."

Saying this, he gently patted He Yunfei on the shoulder and said apologetically, "Yunfei, I truly apologize for not briefing you in advance. But everyone has absolute faith in your abilities; if we had told you beforehand, the act wouldn't have been convincing enough."

This sudden turn of events left He Yunfei unable to laugh or cry. Although he put on a magnanimous front on the surface and claimed it didn't matter, he actually felt rather displeased inside, as if he had been played for a fool.

Seeing his expression, Lin Yizhou continued, "Actually, assigning you to escort this cargo was born entirely out of trust in you. Looking around, you are the only one with the skills to give us peace of mind. Without you, we might not have been able to draw those people out!" His expression gradually turned serious. "It seems our security and confidentiality work still has loopholes."

Noticing his expression and guessing that there might be a mole, He Yunfei suggested, "Perhaps we should have Captain Zheng and the others launch a thorough investigation."

Director Lin nodded and replied, "They have already begun investigating, and the KC20 energy materials lost from the Academy of Sciences are currently under strict surveillance." Then, looking sincerely at He Yunfei, he added, "Rest assured, this kind of thing will never happen again. But the 'Frozen DF Project' still relies heavily on you!"

Seeing the sincerity in his words and understanding the necessity behind the ruse, He Yunfei said no more.

Director Lin then informed him: "Tomorrow, we will attend an opening ceremony together. This is a dinosaur theme park jointly invested and built by the Chuxiong Tourism Development Corporation and the Fuqui Group, initiated by the Yunnan Provincial Tourism Development Commission. The location is in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture." He added with a smile, "Yunfei, your teacher Ding Bonian, Professor Su Chunyang from the Frozen Experimental Station, and biologist Professor Zhao Xinru will all be in attendance."

Feeling that it would be a good opportunity to participate in an event alongside these mentors, He Yunfei agreed without much hesitation.

Early the next morning, Yao Kui dispatched Du Yanxiang, the group's public relations manager and tour guide, to Kunming to welcome the various experts and guide them to Chuxiong.

Upon meeting the group, Du Yanxiang greeted them enthusiastically: "Traveling from Kunming to Lufeng in Chuxiong would take just over a dozen minutes by Airbus. However, to give everyone a special surprise, we have specially chosen to take the electromagnetic bus."

As for what the surprise actually was, she kept them in suspense and did not reveal it.

Situated in the hinterland of central Yunnan, Chuxiong is a critical connecting point along the golden tourism route from Kunming to Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Tengchong in northwest Yunnan. At the same time, it serves as the northern gateway into Sichuan, enjoying a reputation as the "gateway of the provincial capital and the throat of western Yunnan."

Du Yanxiang was naturally arrogant and usually looked down upon others, yet she knew how to read the room. When she saw figures like Director Lin Yizhou of the Southwest Institute of Sciences, Logistics Director Wu Xiong, glaciologist Ding Bonian and astronomer Shen Xingun from the Chinese Geophysical Research Center, He Yunfei from the New Energy Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and biologist Zhao Xinru from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, she felt a mixture of excitement and awe, instantly giving rise to the desire to learn from these great scholars.

With a beaming smile, Du Yanxiang hurried forward and respectfully said, "Hello, esteemed leaders and experts! The place we are heading to today is the Dinosaur Theme Park, invested and constructed by the Fuqui Group. This is not only the final paradise for Chinese dinosaurs, but also a high-tech biological research base. Now, please board the bus."

As the vehicle drove into the territory of Lufeng County, Du Yanxiang began her introduction: "Lufeng in Chuxiong not only boasts a pleasant climate and beautiful environment, but it is also an ancient and mysterious land. A vast amount of rich paleontological fossils have been unearthed here. The world-renowned Lufeng dinosaurs, Ramapithecus, and Yuanmou Man all once multiplied and thrived on this very land..."

He Yunfei had previously heard Qu Mu Gewu mention that Chuxiong possesses the Yi people's ten-month solar calendar and eighteen-month solar calendar, the world's oldest bronze drums unearthed at Wanjiaba, as well as ancient towns like Shiyang and Heijing where humans extracted salt in early times. All of these are immensely precious remnants of human civilization.

As she spoke, a bus sped past them like lightning. Through the window, passengers could be seen dressed in vibrant ethnic minority clothing, and it even felt as though the strains of singing could be heard echoing from within the cabin.

Seeing this, Du Yanxiang explained, "Now that the news of the dinosaur theme park's opening has spread, many people are rushing over to catch the opening ceremony..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the bus that had just overtaken them slammed on its brakes, nearly causing a rear-end collision with the experts' vehicle behind it. Everyone inside was thrown off balance by the sudden jolt.

Just as the group was about to complain, the scene unfolding before their eyes left everyone utterly dumbfounded. Herds of dinosaurs were jumping over the highway and running wildly toward the valley.

These dinosaurs varied in size and were not particularly large. Their toes bore thick claws, and their short forelimbs had five distinct fingers, seemingly suited only for delicate tasks, while the thick tails dragging behind them gave their entire bodies a robust and solid appearance.

Seeing that these animatronic Lufeng saurs had successfully shocked all the passengers, Du Yanxiang felt immensely proud and secretly delighted. After all, bringing business to the park and generating good revenue was her bounden duty as the public relations manager.

Before long, the luxury bus finally came to a smooth halt in front of the gates of the dinosaur theme park. As soon as everyone stepped out, they were greeted by the crackle and pop of a continuous string of firecrackers. Raising their eyes, they saw colorful banners fluttering in the wind and balloons adorned with various advertisements swaying gently in the breeze.

An eye-catching banner came into view, bearing the bold characters: "Warmly celebrating the opening of the Chuxiong Dinosaur Theme Park and the successful signing of cooperation between the Southwest Scientific Expedition Team and the Fuqui Group."

Passing through the gates of the dinosaur theme park, the scenery that met the eye was refreshing. The entire park was built along the contours of the mountains, with ingenious biomimetic designs that created a seamless, natural ecological landscape, making visitors feel as though they were truly immersed in a pristine, primitive natural environment.

Du Yanxiang introduced proudly, "The creative concept for this dinosaur theme park actually came from our Chairman, Mr. Yao Kui."