Genius Club

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

After a short honeymoon, Lin Xian found himself back home, and before he knew it, the day of the Genius Club gathering had arrived.

October 1, 2024. 12:20 a.m.

Lin Xian sat alone in his study, rolling the golden badge that served as his ID between his fingers. He was already thinking about the questions he’d soon face. Everything on Du Yao’s end was settled; she and her invention were now fully tied to him. Theoretically, this meant that if Galileo questioned him again, Einstein would surely refuse to answer.

If everything went smoothly.

But when it came to his turn to ask, what should he inquire about? Lin Xian recalled his previous list of questions—Millennial Stake, Universal Constant 42, the truth behind the 00:42 extinction event. All of them were too sensitive. This wasn’t the right time.

Which left only one option.

“I’ll ask about getting rid of the future virus in the network and reviving super AI VV,” Lin Xian decided.

He looked at the VR glasses on his desk and remembered Galileo’s irritated look from the last meeting.

Forget it. He wouldn’t arrive early and sit around just to watch Galileo get all frustrated. It wasn’t worth it for just a little amusement.

Meanwhile

The grand hall of the virtual Genius Club meeting place. The large, brown double doors slowly creaked open, revealing a graceful figure.

“Oh?”

A woman wearing a Da Vinci mask looked at the seats, noticing that, once again, only Galileo was already seated.

“Rhine’s not here yet?” she asked, strolling closer.

“Young people, you know,” Galileo chuckled, “they love being right on time. For them, arriving early is a rare occurrence—most of the time, they show up exactly on time.”

Da Vinci took her place in seat No. 5, crossing her legs and leaning back. She looked across at the man wearing the Galileo mask. “You shouldn’t assume Rhine is young just because of his virtual avatar. Most people’s avatars here are totally made up.”

“Yours is a middle-aged man; mine is a young woman. Newton looks like a young guy, and Turing’s avatar is a little kid. Are we supposed to take any of them seriously?”

She paused, then added, “Besides, Rhine said his daughter liked the Rhine Cat toy. If he has a daughter, he must be at least in his thirties or forties.”

Galileo gave a dismissive chuckle and shook his head. “Can you believe anything anyone says here? Rhine once claimed his father and daughter were both killed by Copernicus. You remember how mad Copernicus got? He was about to jump up and call Rhine a liar.”

“So, Da Vinci, don’t be so gullible. But one thing’s certain: As people grow older, their way of speaking changes. A young person can try to sound wise, but you can always tell. And an old person trying to sound young? That’s usually just embarrassing.” ṝα

“From that alone, I’m sure Rhine is young. Probably around Turing’s age—early twenties, maybe even younger.”

He sighed. “At that age, managing to get an invite to this club… well, it’s impressive. But that silly cat mask kind of drags down the image.”

Da Vinci shook her head slightly. “I don’t agree. Rhine’s mask is perfect for hiding his real identity and purpose. Rhine Cat dolls are everywhere. The Rhine brand cosmetics sell globally, and every kid loves those Rhine Cat toys.”

“Rhine is smart. His questions always follow yours—repeating or adding on. It’s almost impossible to figure out his true intent.”

Galileo was silent for a while, then took a deep breath. “I may not know Rhine’s plans, but I’ve figured out yours, Da Vinci.”

“Figured them out?” Da Vinci smiled, unimpressed. “Then you’ve figured out nothing.”

Galileo’s masked face turned towards her. “I’ll be blunt, Da Vinci. Your future plan is bound to fail. You want to change everyone with human kindness. That’s just too idealistic.”

“Like I said last time—”

“‘You can’t make me feel the greatness of humanity, and that means there are countless others like me you can’t change.’”

Da Vinci straightened, tilting her head slightly. “So?”

“Are you going to debate humanity versus raw power with me again today?” she asked. “Honestly, I don’t want to argue, Galileo. It’s obvious we have conflicting visions of the future. I want a world filled with kindness and humanity’s light, while you want one of brute strength. They can’t coexist. It’s sad, but it’s like our seats—we’re destined to be opponents.”

Galileo shrugged. “Fair enough. This clash of visions, resources, and ideas—it will be the battleground for us geniuses.”

“Copernicus and Turing were eliminated because their visions clashed with Elon Musk’s.” He hesitated. “I underestimated Musk. I didn’t think he’d kill two geniuses so decisively, despite his public identity.”

“But what is he sticking to now, when he knows the Mars immigration plan is doomed to fail?”

Da Vinci gave a meaningful smile. “The future isn’t fixed, Galileo. People change. Even you.”

Galileo laughed. “Are you saying I’ll be moved by humanity someday? Changed by kindness and innocence?”

“Come on, Da Vinci. We’re not little kids anymore. Fairy tales are fairy tales because grown-ups know better than to believe in ‘happily ever after.’”

He paused, then added, “Actually, I’m curious. If you know we’re on opposing sides, what if you learned my real identity one day? Would you kill me?”

“Why would I?” Da Vinci laughed, genuinely surprised. “Don’t be so extreme, Galileo. The world isn’t black or white. We’re always choosing the best path, not just picking between fixed options.”

Creak

The double doors opened again, and Elon Musk, wearing his Tesla mask, waved at them. “What’s the conversation? Mind if I join?”

At 12:42 a.m., the Genius Club gathering officially began. The attendees were the same as last time: Einstein, Newton, Galileo, Da Vinci, Gauss, Tesla, and Rhine.

“I have no questions,” Newton announced, as always. Aside from asking about Copernicus last time, Lin Xian had never seen Newton ask anything.

Being the oldest member, Newton had probably asked all he wanted in the last century. Not asking questions protected himself and limited others—fewer answers for others meant an advantage for him.

“Your turn, Galileo,” Einstein, the club president, said.

“Same as last time,” Galileo said softly. “Last time, you said to solve the hibernation memory loss problem, we could focus on neural research. So my question is…”

“Tell me which scientist or scholar can achieve a breakthrough in this field. I need their identity.”

“If this scientist isn’t from this era or hasn’t been born yet, please specify the time when they will be active.”

Lin Xian rubbed his thumb and index finger together, waiting silently for Einstein’s response.

After a few seconds, Einstein shook his head. “Refusal. Question void.”

The small figure of Gauss spoke first, raising his head. “But… last meeting… you said…”

“Interesting,” Newton clapped slowly, enjoying the show. “Galileo, looks like you were too straightforward last time. Someone got ahead of you!”

“Who could it be? All Einstein mentioned was ‘neural research,’ and someone still got the jump on you. Must mean… someone was eavesdropping,” Newton said.

Elon Musk joined in, clapping as well. “Congrats, Galileo! Someone here figured you out, and found the scientist before you did.”

“I’d love to know how they managed it so quickly. Amazing work!”

Lin Xian sighed. Seriously? Could Musk stop pointing the missiles at him for once?

Galileo was just as shocked by Einstein’s answer. He found it hard to believe. There were millions of researchers in the neural field—how could someone have narrowed it down and stolen his lead?

He slowly scanned the room, looking at each member—from Newton on the left, to Gauss on his right.

Clearly, someone here was preparing for long-term hibernation, just like him, but more secretly and effectively.

Galileo laughed. “Well, if someone else is working on the hibernation memory loss problem, that’s good news for all of us.”

“I wish that genius the best of luck in making this happen. It would be convenient for everyone—especially those of us who are a bit older. The main reason we resist hibernation is the memory loss. If that can be solved, I’ll gladly join.”

“Otherwise, we’re stuck waking up every ten years. I don’t know how many more times these old bones can take that.”

Newton shook his head. “Don’t be so optimistic, Galileo. What if someone didn’t find this scientist to collaborate with—what if they killed them instead?”

“For anyone wanting to eliminate us older members who hold all the power, wiping out the chance of keeping our memories would be a great plan, wouldn’t it?”

Gauss nodded thoughtfully. “True… to control the narrative and maintain power, keeping memory loss might be the fairest way… the most equal.”

Wait. Why was no one interrupting him this time? Gauss looked up, only to find himself face to face with Galileo’s cold stare.

“N–Not me,” Gauss stammered, waving his hands defensively. “I was just… logically analyzing it.”

Einstein turned towards Da Vinci. “Your question?”

“I want to know when the next global disaster will happen,” she said, “and how close we are to it.”

After a few seconds of silence, Einstein shook his head. “Refusal. Question void.”

Another silence filled the room. Clearly, Da Vinci had hit the mark.

Einstein’s refusal meant…

The answer—or the question itself—had something to do with one of them.

Elon Musk snorted. “So that means there will be a global disaster, and it’ll be caused by someone here.”

“But how could someone create a global disaster? No human has that kind of power. Unless they plan to detonate every nuclear bomb in the world?”

“That’s crazy,” Galileo muttered, shaking his head. “Truly insane.”

“I thought everyone here, except Copernicus, had some limits. But it seems I’ve overestimated people’s decency.”

He smiled at Da Vinci. “Isn’t that right, Da Vinci? Why would you ask such a question?”

Da Vinci smiled back. “I asked it because if it were my plan, Einstein would have answered. Our rules allow us to reveal our own plans. We just can’t ask about others’.”

“So, if you’re so open, Galileo, why not repeat my question next time, ask Einstein yourself?”

“Sure,” Galileo said casually. “Though I’ve got plenty of other things to ask first. It might have to wait.”

Lin Xian stayed silent. He understood what was happening all too well—far more than the others.

From his perspective, 600 years in the future, he could see it clearly.

Galileo and Da Vinci were testing each other. Last time, Da Vinci asked about energy breakthroughs. Now, she was asking about global disasters.

It lined up perfectly with what happened in the Eighth Dream.

Energy breakthroughs—Da Vinci must be concerned about powering her androids, explaining her interest. Asking about global disasters? She was preparing to lead humanity and rebuild civilization, just like the events of the Eighth Dream.

He could be almost certain now—the Savior Company, androids, all of it was Da Vinci’s doing.

As for Galileo, his evasiveness was suspicious. Da Vinci had clearly hit a nerve.

Lin Xian could only sigh. Love truly made people foolish, even geniuses.

Though, from an outsider’s perspective, Galileo probably didn’t seem to be struggling. Members like Gauss or Elon Musk likely thought they were just speaking in riddles, missing the real point.

After Gauss declined to ask anything, Einstein turned to Musk. “Tesla, any questions this time?”

“None.” Musk shook his head.

It seemed he was playing it safe, too. No more risky moves. The previous questions had shown that even a refused question could reveal a lot.

Finally, Einstein turned to Lin Xian, focusing on the Rhine Cat mask. “Rhine, your turn.”

Lin Xian asked the question he had prepared.

“There is a virus in the network, targeting super AI. I want to know how to get rid of it.”

Lin Xian was ready for the answer to be far off, but…

Einstein shook his head again. “Refusal. Question void.”

And with that, the meeting ended.

Three questions from three geniuses—all refused.

It was a standoff, neither side giving an inch.

Da Vinci chuckled. “Interesting. Looks like this virus is connected to Turing’s future plan, doesn’t it?”

“Why do you say that?” Lin Xian asked, curious.

She’d guessed correctly. The virus, meant to kill the super AI, had come from the future USB drive fake Yu Xi had given to Musk.

Lin Xian and Musk had both suspected Turing was behind sending Yu Xi back. But…

How did Da Vinci know?

“It’s easy to guess. You were just late last time,” Da Vinci said, looking at Lin Xian’s mask.

“At the last meeting, Turing asked a similar question, and Einstein answered. But now, he’s refusing… doesn’t that say something?”

Lin Xian nodded. It made sense.

When Turing asked, Einstein had answered, meaning it didn’t involve any other member’s plan. Since Turing was the second-last to join, it had to be part of his future vision.

Lin Xian thought quickly. Musk must not know this, or he’d be more cautious. It was possible Turing had asked when Musk wasn’t present, perhaps deliberately.

What a group of schemers. Still…

Good thing old is gold. Having experienced members like Einstein was a blessing.

Even with Einstein refusing now, Da Vinci knew the answer.

Lin Xian smiled at her, using Galileo’s playbook.

“Miss Da Vinci, could you stay for a while after the meeting?” he asked.

“Perhaps we could do a little information exchange.”