Chapter 47: Defining "Death"
Pumpkin experiment?
Chen Xuan recalled an article in his elementary school textbook, and there was indeed one about pumpkin.
The article explains that if a pumpkin grows normally, it will develop into an oval shape over four seasons. However, if a hoop is placed around the pumpkin while it's still small, exerting a constant inward force, the pumpkin won't burst through the hoop and instead will sag in the middle, restricting its growth. This article illustrates how living environments shape human character and how pumpkins change their shape to continue growing.
Zhang Qifeng continued to give examples:
"It's not just the pumpkin experiment. Ancient people's 'three-inch golden lotus' and today's practice of using nails to increase height in broken bones all illustrate the impact of the environment on people."
Zhang Qifeng's thoughts were very jumpy. In a short period of time, he had gone through many cases in his mind, and finally connected this matter:
“Healing is actually extremely rapid growth.”
"You mean to restrict the recovery of Taoist believers through the environment?"
Chen Xuan tried to follow Zhang Qifeng's thoughts, but he spoke so fast that he couldn't even hear what he said clearly. He only knew that in his daze, he suddenly heard something that made his mind go blank.
"That's right, but not entirely."
"What we are doing now is to kill the Taoist believers."
"But who says death must mean losing consciousness?!"
Zhang Qifeng's excited voice rose several notches. A man in his forties, he was like a child, excited and restless:
"If we chop off the Taoist believer's limbs and head, and put him in a sufficiently strong iron box—it doesn't even have to be strong enough, as long as there's not enough space for him to stretch out his arms and resist, and he can't break the box—we can...
"Twist his healing, break his spirit, kill his movement."
Possible situations that might arise in the experiment flashed through Chen Xuan’s mind.
The human pig was stuffed into a box. In the pitch-black box, his flesh began to grow, and his head grew out. He was about to be resurrected... However, the box restricted his growth. He could only tilt his head and feel his healed body. His bones were squeezed and deformed, his fingers were stuck in the flesh, and his mouth was blocked by his own limbs. He could not move, could not struggle, and could not tremble.
Even if he has consciousness, he can't move, can't speak, and can only be afraid... What's the difference between that and being dead?
As long as the box is not opened, the person inside will always be in a 'dead' state.
Chen Xuan raised his head and looked at Zhang Qifeng. Zhang Qifeng, who was a young man with a strong mind, was doing what a god would do.
Define death.
Zhang Qifeng was still unaware of it and continued to explain in an immersed manner:
"This box must fit the broken limbs better to reduce the space. Even if they grow back, he won't be able to chant the incantations to resist the risks..."
"Chen Xuan, do you understand what I mean? I've tried my best to explain it to you using simple examples. Those professional terms are useless and I don't like to use them."
Chen Xuan nodded, and to be on the safe side, he continued:
"I understand. However, we still need to test it again. If it is really successful, I will report this plan to Mayor Kong."
"Of course."
Zhang Qifeng smiled, put his two palms together, and then spread them out, showing the entire laboratory. He looked around and finally said to Chen Xuan with certainty:
“I believe in my plan.”
Time was running out, so Zhang Qifeng immediately requested military assistance. After a while, three soldiers fully equipped walked into the room carrying special boxes.
"This box is made of alloy. It's hard enough to be used as a safe."
Chen Xuan listened to Zhang Qifeng's explanation while observing the progress of the experiment:
"The Taoist Immortal is above, the Taoist Immortal is above..."
Subject No. 34 was mumbling commands while struggling with his limbs. He was extremely strong, and after practicing, he had an excellent physique. After struggling for a while, the wall even had cracks on it. If he continued to struggle, there was still a chance that he could break free.
"cut!"
The soldiers quickly swung their knives and first chopped off No. 34's head, then his arms and thighs, cutting them all off, leaving only his torso.
After being chopped off, the wound soon showed signs of growth and the head was gradually recovering. Seeing this, the soldiers immediately stuffed it into the box, closed it tightly and fastened it.
At this point, the experiment officially began.
"Wipe, wipe."
There was a slight sound from the safe, as if there had been a brief movement.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The box shook slightly, and the soldiers stepped back to observe the box.
One minute later...
The box began to vibrate constantly, like a washing machine washing clothes, and began to jump.
Two minutes later, the box began to vibrate violently, but the frequency of the vibrations decreased, and it felt like the box was gradually... becoming heavier.
"Coo-coo-coo, coo-coo- ."
A slight hum came from the box, like a drowning person struggling to speak under the water, but soon, a larger tide submerged it, and the cry for help disappeared in the box.
Five minutes, ten minutes...until half an hour later.
The movement of the box became quieter and quieter until... it was completely silent.
Chen Xuan and Zhang Qifeng looked at each other and nodded, having made their decision.
This plan is feasible.
Zhang Qifeng said:
"They locked our people in stone statues, and now we have to lock their believers back in boxes."
"Thank you for your plan."
Chen Xuan bowed to Zhang Qifeng. Time was running out. There were only four hours left before dawn. He had to prepare the report and submit it to Kong Zheng.
There will be more troubles to come. The Xia Kingdom is not a one-man show. The plan will require several rounds of discussion before it can be truly implemented. Chen Xuan has to hurry back.
"Ready to go?"
Zhang Qifeng asked, and looked at Chen Xuan, who nodded, with a challenging look in his eyes:
"Let's talk a little more before we go."
"I've studied your policy many times in detail, and it's basically the same as mine. However, I disagree with the one rule: 'You can't borrow the power of ghosts.'"
"oh?"
Chen Xuan raised his eyebrows. He also wanted to hear Zhang Qifeng's opinion. Zhang Qifeng was a man with many ideas.
"I think it's not that we can't use the power of ghosts, but that we can't use the power of ghosts under the ghosts' understanding."
"What we need is to obtain the ghost's ability in a way that even the ghost can't imagine."
Arabian Nights.
What exactly is this unimaginable way? There is no way to prove it.
Chen Xuan asked:
“Is there any specific method?”
At this moment, Zhang Qifeng finally shook his head unwillingly and said with a wry smile:
"Thinking about using ghosts is much more difficult than coming up with this plan."
"I've tried a lot of things. For example, I removed the retinas of people who have seen the Pen Immortal, and even dug out their eyeballs and put them on ordinary people to see if there would be any new effects."
"But I believe it's still too short a time to see the real effects."
But Chen Xuan nodded, and finally left only one sentence:
"That proves your policy is correct."
"As you wish."
Chen Xuan left the research institute and returned to the police station.
Kong Zheng had been waiting, and Chen Xuan also presented the prepared report to Kong Zheng.
But Kong Zheng didn't have time to look at it. He just threw a travel bag to Chen Xuan and said with a serious face:
"Chen Xuan is ready."
"The Prime Minister has ordered us to go to Upper City immediately to participate in the national special period meeting."
