Chapter 422: Countdown

Thud.

Lin Xian’s heart skipped a beat. His thoughts raced to Gao Wen and the manuscript hidden in his desk drawer.

“That old ghost Copernicus,” Lin Xian muttered, shaking his head. “He’s like a shadow that never goes away.”

For twenty years, not a single question—and now, suddenly, Copernicus wanted answers, pointing directly at Lin Xian. No conferences in four or five years, yet the moment he showed up, it was just to stir up trouble.

But, on the other hand, Lin Xian thought, maybe this was a good sign. Maybe it meant that Copernicus didn’t know everything just yet in 2024.

He had his suspicions before. The real and fake Yu Xi, after traveling through time to 2024, might have someone here helping them, exchanging information. But based on what he’d seen today, that theory seemed off the mark. It looked like Copernicus knew little about time travel—and certainly, no one had given him any crucial details.

Now, everything depended on how “Einstein” would respond to him.

Lin Xian focused his gaze on the elder seated at the high podium. After a few moments, the old man, still sitting straight, took a deep breath and spoke slowly:

“In both established history and future pathways, there is more than one researcher working on time travel theory. You could ask any of them.” He paused briefly. “So, could you specify whom you wish to find?”

Copernicus chuckled dryly, seemingly satisfied with the response.

“Obviously,” he said, “I want the one closest to my own time. The sooner, the better. My old bones can’t afford to wait any longer than necessary.”

The old man wearing the Einstein mask gave a knowing smile.

“Sorry, Copernicus,” he said. “Or perhaps... this was your plan all along. Either way, regarding your clarified question, my answer is this—” He paused, his tone deliberate. “I refuse to answer. Your question is invalid.”

For a moment, the room fell silent. The geniuses around the table exchanged glances—some confused, others understanding.

Everyone in the room was sharp. It didn’t take long for them to figure out what had happened. Because of the “Three Question Principles,” only two scenarios would make “Einstein” refuse to answer.

One was if the question involved the Genius Club itself. The other was if it concerned the privacy, plans, actions, or identities of other members.

Clearly, it wasn’t the first scenario—if it were, Einstein would have refused from the beginning instead of letting Copernicus clarify his question.

Which meant only one thing—

The answer involved the privacy of another Genius Club member, so it couldn’t be shared!

Lin Xian glanced around, pretending to be puzzled like everyone else. He looked to his left at Gauss, then to his right at Newton—just observing.

Copernicus just laughed quietly.

“I see,” he said casually. “So, someone here got there before me, eh? Who could it be?”

He looked around the room, his masked gaze drifting from Newton to Da Vinci, then to Lin Xian. Then he turned his head, scanning Gauss, Galileo... each face, one by one.

“Interesting,” he said with a smirk, spreading his hands. “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if one of you managed to build the time travel machine. It’d make things easier for me. Even just a little borrowing would be fine.”

Gauss, who was small and frail, swallowed nervously.

“Is... is it Newton?” he asked hesitantly. “How did you—”

“Yes, it’s me,” Newton interrupted, his voice firm, though his eyes twinkled mischievously. “I asked Einstein a similar question before, just less specific. But it was enough to get me on the right track for time travel.”

“So, Copernicus, forget it. As long as I’m alive, you’ll never get your hands on this.” Newton shot him a glare. “Why don’t you do what you said—hibernate, wait a few centuries, and hope future medicine buys you a few more years? Or have you finally regretted everything? Planning to go back in time and kick your younger self for murdering innocent scientists?”

Da Vinci let out a giggle. She could tell Newton was simply toying with Copernicus.

She was one of the early members of the Genius Club and was well aware of the rivalry between Newton and Copernicus—their views on science were so different, like oil and water.

But, thankfully, despite all their gatherings throughout the last century, they had always remained civil. Real fights had never broken out. Their relationship, however, had soured dramatically over the years, especially due to Copernicus’s increasingly ruthless behavior.

In the matter of scientists’ treatment, Da Vinci was firmly on Newton’s side.

“Copernicus,” she said, smiling. “You are quite the contradiction, aren’t you? On one hand, you benefit from technological advancements—enjoying the best medical care, sleeping in cryo-chambers to prolong your life, and dreaming of time travel. On the other hand, you strike at the very scientists who made all this possible.”

She shook her head. “Isn’t that selfish and hypocritical? If not for advancements in medicine and cryo-tech, we wouldn’t even see you here today. Yet, despite it all, you stick to that monstrous future plan of yours?”

Copernicus coughed twice, seemingly unbothered by Da Vinci’s criticism. He gave a faint smile.

“What if... it all turns out to be worth it, Miss Da Vinci?” he asked, his voice calm. “Gentle measures won’t change human nature. Just like your ‘example’ hasn’t changed me—you can’t change the rest of humanity either.”

He leaned back. “I dislike attending these meetings because you all think too small. Though, I can’t fully blame you—you joined late and missed a lot. There’s much you don’t know, much you fail to realize.”

He waved a hand dismissively. “Still, there’s no need for me to explain it to you. Time will reveal the truth. Anyway, my question ends here. Your turn, my old friend Newton.”

Newton sniffed, clearly not eager to continue the debate.

Perhaps he really was in a rush to take his grandkids to the amusement park.

“I have no questions today,” Newton said softly.

Lin Xian sighed internally. As the newest member of the Genius Club, he hoped that each of them would ask valuable questions and share useful answers, so he could gather some important information.

But now... it seemed like these geniuses had been part of the Club for decades. With twelve meetings a year and twelve questions each year, they must have asked hundreds of questions by now. Maybe everything they wanted to know had already been asked, and their foundations were set. Their future plans were on steady ground.

In comparison, newer members like himself lagged behind, both in information and progress.

It was such a sickening, twisted act!

From the moment Lin Xian laid eyes on Copernicus, he had regarded him as enemy number one.

And it wasn’t just Lin Xian who had a bone to pick with him.

Xu Yun’s death, Tang Xin’s death—they all traced back to Copernicus.

Based on Ji Lin Shui’s confession, combined with what had been said during this meeting, it wasn’t hard to deduce that Xu Yun, Tang Xin, and Dr. Pomsmike’s deaths had all been orchestrated by Copernicus.

Which was why Ji Lin Shui needed no evidence or proof to kill these people—he simply killed on sight.

But when it came to Lin Xian, Copernicus had made it so complicated, demanding proof of his historical disruptions. Clearly, Copernicus hadn’t ordered Lin Xian’s death—Ji Lin Shui had acted on his own, trying to show off.

All the hatred had piled up. If Lin Xian got the chance, he’d deal with Copernicus just as decisively as he had with Kevin Walker and Turing—putting a bullet through his head without hesitation.

Facing a monster like Copernicus, there was no need for mercy—he’d kill him without a second thought.

However, Lin Xian was waiting on two things:

First, he needed to be sure that Ji Lin’s parents were indeed killed by Copernicus.

Second, he needed to find out who Copernicus truly was and where he lived. Until then, Lin Xian had to stay low, avoiding too much attention.

Now, all eyes turned to Lin Xian. The elder in the Einstein mask, along with the other geniuses, watched him expectantly.

“No. 9, Rhine,” Einstein said, his voice raspy yet powerful. “Have you decided on your question?”

Under their gazes, Lin Xian nodded slowly.

He had indeed decided.

This was the result of much consideration. As his first question since joining the Genius Club, he had decided not to reveal personal details or secrets.

Instead, he would use it as a test—to see if Einstein really could predict the future or if it was all just an elaborate act.

It might be hard for others to verify such a thing, but for Lin Xian, it was simple.

After all, he had truly seen the future—600 years ahead.

All he needed was to ask something he already knew, something to test Einstein’s credibility.

Besides, the whole reason he was in such a hurry to join the Club this month was to find a way to avoid his impending beheading on July 7th.

At first, he wasn’t sure how to phrase it.

Now, the opportunity had presented itself perfectly.

He only needed one question—a question that could confirm if Einstein was honest and also help him better understand what would happen on July 7th. It was the perfect two-for-one solution.

So, wearing his comical Rhine Cat mask, Lin Xian raised his head and looked directly at Einstein.

“I want to confirm something,” he said. “Are you able to accurately answer any question, down to the exact detail, even the precise minute or second, as long as it’s not restricted by the three principles?”

Einstein nodded without hesitation.

“Yes. If your question is specific enough, my answer will be equally specific.”

“Good,” Lin Xian said, nodding back. Everything was in place; now, he could finally ask.

“My question is this...”

The room watched as the face behind the Rhine Cat mask spoke each word clearly.

“What is my exact death date, time, and method? Where will it happen?”

Einstein let out a scratchy laugh, shaking his head.

“Rhine, technically speaking, this isn’t just one question but three. However, I’ll consider them as part of one larger question—’How will I die?’ You simply specified the details.”

“Very well,” Einstein continued. “I am pleased to see you understanding the rules so well. I hope every member integrates into the Club this smoothly.”

“Now, let me answer your question.”

Einstein looked upwards, seemingly deep in thought, then said:

“No. 9, Rhine. Your death will come by decapitation. Your head will be severed instantly.”

He paused, his voice turning grave.

“You will die in your home—in your living room, by the front door.”

“And the exact time of your death...” He hesitated, then spoke with finality:

“In precisely... 17 minutes and 21 seconds.”