Chapter 43: The Devil Professor

42. The Devil Professor

It seemed this man wouldn't be needed for the time being. Tang Xiao shook his head, turned around, and boarded a transport ship to return directly to the mothership.

Upon returning to the bridge, he saw Dr. Guan Yan waiting there with a group of experts from the research departments. They were all looking forward to the arrival of this master-level expert.

"Administrator, where is the Master? We still have some issues regarding the super-burn mode ramjet that need to be resolved..."

"Um, we also have some problems with the superconducting laser carrier that require the Master's help..."

The experts began to speak up one after another in a clamor.

Tang Xiao frowned and asked in return, "You are all doctors and post-docs; 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 simply too advanced for us. Even though the data is readily available, conquering these difficulties requires much more time. I'm afraid we can't afford to wait that long..."

"The mothership's database contains all the data for this technology. It's essentially an open-book exam; is that still not enough?" Tang Xiao asked again.

Beside him, Qu Xuewen adjusted his glasses and explained, "You must understand that even a single fighter jet contains much more technological data than just the jet itself. The materials, electronic components, engines, energy sources, aerodynamics, ergonomics, computer systems, and many other aspects must all come together to form a fighter jet."

"And as soon as any one of these related aspects is expanded, a systematic series of problems follows. It's like a great tree; looking at the part above ground shows lush branches and leaves, but if you dig deep into the root system, it becomes even more vast and profound. Therefore, even with an open-book exam, digesting this knowledge requires far more than just a single answer."

Tang Xiao finally understood. "So you need a master like Professor Chi, who has been immersed in aerospace technology his entire life, to provide guidance?"

"To be precise, he needs to provide a direction amidst this tangled mess of data. Some things cannot be settled just by flipping through books; they truly require years of accumulated experience to develop such intuition," Guan Yan said.

"Intuition?"

"Yes, intuition. Scientific intuition—finding those imperceptible patterns within a sea of data."

Tang Xiao sighed and said, "Professor Chi... well, due to his health, he likely cannot fulfill this role. I ask everyone to overcome the current difficulties and treat this as an opportunity to improve yourselves through learning. Besides that, I will also try to seek some assistance from the Galactic Republic."

Guan Yan, Feng Yongwang, and the others exchanged glances, their disappointment palpable, but they understood Tang Xiao's situation. They knew better than anyone that Tang Xiao desired the arrival of a master-level expert more than anyone else.

"Back to work," Qu Xuewen said smoothly, sensing the heavy atmosphere, and led the others back to the laboratory.

Seeing the research team's morale visibly plummeting, Tang Xiao felt things couldn't continue this way. He followed them and said, "Didn't you say before that the Gemini missiles were ready for test firing? Can I go see the results?"

Mentioning his specialty, Feng Yongwang's spirit returned. "Ah, yes, we can. The Gemini missiles have actually reached the stage where they can be equipped and used, but we still need to make some improvements so that the Blade-class fighters can utilize them. After all, the Ghost fighter is a heavy fighter; its size is almost equivalent to three Blade-class jets. If you want to see the test fire, no problem, I'll arrange it immediately."

Thus, Tang Xiao went with them to the mothership's laboratory. To his surprise, as soon as they entered, they saw an unexpected person there.

Professor Chi Jianjun?

At that moment, he was rapidly flipping through a stack of documents. Seeing Tang Xiao and the others enter, he didn't wait for Tang Xiao to speak and said bluntly, "I've been thinking, and this isn't entirely your responsibility. Since you were attacked by interstellar pirates, and there is an incredibly powerful Galactic Republic in this universe, I think I might be able to do something."

Tang Xiao's eyes instantly lit up with immense surprise. "That's wonderful! Professor Chi, I..."

Professor Chi raised a hand to interrupt him. "I'm 67 this year. I'll only work for you for five years. After five years, I'm retiring, and no one can change my mind. I need to save some time for my wife to keep her good company."

"I will arrange to awaken your wife immediately. If she has any needs..."

"She's dead." Chi Jianjun waved his hand, unwilling to dwell on the matter, and turned to Feng Yongwang. "I've looked through your research logs. I should say your foundation is solid, but your application is too rigid. You do exactly what the data says? How is that possible?! This Ghost fighter was clearly designed using a technological system different from our Fourth Civilization's; how can you use our own patterns to think about someone else's problems?"

Feng Yongwang and the others were instantly invigorated. He hurriedly asked, "Yes! That is indeed the most troublesome problem we are facing! Please guide us, Professor Chi!"

"Still waiting for guidance? What kind of thinking do you people have? We are doing scientific research! We aren't teaching in a school! Thinking patterns! Do you understand that thinking patterns are completely different!" Chi Jianjun pointed to his forehead and shouted angrily. "You've been taking the long way around this whole time! The answer is right in front of you, and you don't even know how to use it! In my view, you are also responsible for this disastrous defeat! Watch closely!"

The group was scolded until their faces turned red, and they lowered their heads, not daring to say a word.

Only then did Tang Xiao understand what a "Devil Professor" truly meant; his words were truly blunt and lacked any sense of tact!

Seeing that no one dared to speak, Chi Jianjun sighed, waved his hand, and said, "Let's begin. Examine these parameters. Although their technological system is different from ours, one thing is very important—their physical environmental rules are the same as ours. Based on this, we should think about the problem like this. Come, which one of you is in mechanical engineering?"

"I... I am a PhD in mechanical engineering," Feng Yongwang looked up and answered.

"A PhD? Good enough. Look, couldn't you understand this set of formulas before? That was just a matter of direction. Now, look at this set of formulas I'm writing..." Chi Jianjun rapidly wrote a series of symbols on the blackboard that, in Tang Xiao's eyes, looked like celestial script.

When Feng Yongwang saw these formulas, his eyes lit up, and he realized with a start, "I understand! I understand! We can't use our own system's formulas to fit theirs! We have to transform their formulas into our rules!"

"Don't interrupt! Keep watching! What I am teaching you is not just the answer, but most importantly, the method! You are the ones who will take over my position in the future! Learn well!"

Feng Yongwang and the others listened intently, even taking out small notebooks to record everything rapidly, leaving Tang Xiao aside. However, Tang Xiao didn't mind; he looked at the busy research department with great satisfaction, a smile appearing on his face.

However, at that moment, the mothership's main AI suddenly sent a message to him through the chip implanted in his brain. Upon seeing this message, the expression on Tang Xiao's face suddenly became incredibly cold!