Chapter 42 The Devil Professor

Chapter 42: The Devil Professor

It seemed this person would be of no use for the time being. Darth Tang shook his head, turned around, and took a transport ship directly back to the mothership.

As soon as he stepped onto the bridge, he saw Dr. Guan Yan and a group of experts from the research department waiting there, all of them eagerly anticipating the arrival of this master-level expert.

"Manager, where is that master? We still have some issues regarding scramjet technology that need to be resolved..."

"Yes, yes, we also have some problems with the superconducting laser carrier that require the master's help..."

The experts chimed in all at once, talking over one another.

Darth Tang frowned and retorted, "You are all doctors and postdoctoral fellows, after all. Can't you solve these problems yourselves?"

Dr. Feng Yongwang gave a bitter smile. "It's not that we can't, but this technology is far too advanced for us. Although we have the ready-made data, overcoming these hurdles still requires much more time. I'm afraid we simply don't have that long to wait..."

"The mothership's database contains all the data for these technologies. It's practically an open-book exam—is even that not enough?" Darth Tang asked again.

Qu Xuewen, standing nearby, adjusted his glasses and explained, "You must understand that even for a fighter jet, the technological data it encompasses is not limited to the fighter itself. The materials, electronic components, engines, power sources, aerodynamics, ergonomics, computer systems, and many other aspects must come together to constitute a fighter jet."

"Once any of these related aspects are unpacked, they are followed by a systematic series of interconnected problems. Much like a big tree, just looking at the part above ground reveals lush foliage, but if you dig down to the root system, it becomes even more profound and complex. Therefore, even with an open-book exam, digesting this knowledge requires far more than just a single answer."

Only then did Darth Tang realize, "So you need someone like Professor Chi, who has immersed himself in aerospace technology his entire life, to guide you through the fog?"

"To be precise, to guide us through this maze of data. Some things cannot be solved simply by flipping through a book; they truly require years of accumulated experience to develop that kind of intuition," Guan Yan said.

"Intuition?"

"Yes, intuition. The intuition of scientific research, searching for those imperceptible patterns amidst a sea of data."

Darth Tang sighed and said, "Professor Chi... well, due to health reasons, I'm afraid he won't be able to take on this job. Please overcome these difficulties for now, and consider it a way to improve yourselves through learning. Beyond that, I will also figure out a way to secure some assistance for us from the Galactic Republic."

Guan Yan, Feng Yongwang, and the others exchanged glances, their disappointment clearly written all over their faces, yet they deeply understood the situation Darth Tang was facing. After all, they knew better than anyone how desperately Darth Tang needed a master-level expert.

"Back to work," Qu Xuewen said smoothly, sensing that the atmosphere had turned somewhat sour, before leading the others back to the laboratory.

Seeing the morale of the scientific research team visibly plummeting and feeling that things couldn't go on like this, Darth Tang followed after them and said, "Didn't you say the Gemini missiles are ready for a test launch? I suppose I can go and check out the results?"

On the subject of his own profession, Feng Yongwang's spirits revived. "Ah, yes, absolutely. Currently, the Gemini missiles have indeed reached the stage where they can be equipped and utilized, but we still need to make some modifications so the Blade-class starfighters can carry them. After all, the Phantom fighter belongs to the heavy fighter category, and its size is almost three times that of a Blade-class. If you wish to witness the test launch, no problem, I will arrange it immediately."

Thus, Darth Tang accompanied them to the mothership's laboratory. To their surprise, as soon as they stepped through the door, they found an unexpected person waiting inside.

Professor Chi Jianjun?

At this moment, he was rapidly thumbing through a stack of documents. Seeing Darth Tang and the others enter, without even waiting for Darth Tang to speak, he said bluntly, "I've been thinking about this too, and this matter isn't entirely your responsibility. Since you were attacked by interstellar pirates, and there is also an unimaginably powerful Galactic Republic in this universe, I suppose I can still do a little something."

Darth Tang's eyes instantly lit up, and he said with pleasant surprise, "That's wonderful! Professor Chi, I..."

Professor Chi raised a hand to cut him off. "I am 67 this year, and I will only work for you for 5 years. After 5 years, I retire, and no one can change my mind. I need to leave some time for my wife to properly accompany her."

"I will arrange for your wife to be revived right away. Whatever her needs might be—"

"She's dead." Chi Jianjun waved a hand, unwilling to dwell on the subject, and turned his attention to Feng Yongwang's group instead. "I looked over your research logs. I must say, your foundations are solid, but your application is far too rigid. You just do whatever the data tells you to do? How is that even possible?! This Phantom fighter was clearly designed under a technological system entirely different from our Fourth Civilization. How could you possibly still use our own old routines to think about someone else's problems?"

Feng Yongwang and the others instantly perked up, and he hurriedly asked, "Yes! That truly is the most troublesome problem we are facing! Please instruct us, Professor Chi!"

"Still waiting for others to instruct you? What on earth are your brains thinking? We are doing scientific research! We aren't teaching classes at a school! The mindset! The mindset is completely different, do you understand?" Chi Jianjun pointed at his own forehead in anger. "You've been heading down blind alleys the whole time! The answer is right in front of you and you don't even know what to do with it! As far as I'm concerned, you bear responsibility for this disastrous defeat as well! Now watch closely!"

The group of people was scolded by Chi Jianjun until their faces flushed red, and they lowered their heads, not daring to utter a single word.

Only then did Darth Tang understand what a devil professor truly was; this man spoke without the slightest regard for rank or decorum!

Seeing that none of them dared to speak, Chi Jianjun sighed, waved his hand, and said, "Let's begin. Examine these parameters. Although the opponent's technological system differs from ours, one crucial point remains—their physical environmental rules are identical to ours. Based on this foundation, this is how we should approach the problem. Come on, who among you is specialized in mechanical engineering?"

"I... I am a PhD in mechanical engineering," Feng Yongwang raised his head and replied.

"A doctor? Good enough. Look, did you fail to understand this set of formulas earlier? That was merely a matter of direction. Now, look at this set of formulas I am writing down..." Chi Jianjun rapidly scribbled a sequence of symbols on the blackboard that looked like heavenly scripts to Darth Tang.

Upon seeing this set of formulas, Feng Yongwang's eyes instantly lit up with sudden realization. "I understand! I understand! We cannot use the formulas of our own system to substitute for theirs! We must convert their formulas into our own rules!"

"Don't interrupt! Keep watching! What I am teaching you is not just the answer, but most importantly, the methodology! You are the ones who will succeed me in the future! Pay close attention!"

Feng Yongwang and the others hurriedly strained their ears to listen, pulling out notebooks to scribble furiously, completely leaving Darth Tang standing off to the side. However, Darth Tang didn't mind at all. He looked at the busy research department with immense gratification, a smile blooming across his face.

At that exact moment, however, the mothership's mainframe suddenly sent a message to him via the neural chip implanted in his brain. The moment he saw the message, the expression on Darth Tang's face instantly turned bone-chillingly cold!