Chapter One: Stealing the Sky and Swapping the Sun

At the end of November 2039, in a secret laboratory on the outskirts of J City, the capital of Malaysia, the world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Morris was instructing his assistant: “Contact headquarters immediately. Report the preliminary plan for the first human brain read-write experiment to the BOSS, and request approval to officially initiate the experimental timetable.”

“I’m already here. Go ahead and report.” Suddenly, a man’s voice sounded in the lab, calm and composed, conveying the sense of someone who had everything under control.

Both Morris and his assistant felt a chill run through them as they turned their eyes to the snow-white wall. Soon, the wall changed color, displaying a clear image: a thin man sat in a wheelchair that could have stepped out of a science fiction film. Next to him stood a young man in a sharply tailored suit—his assistant.

“Good day, BOSS.” Morris and his assistant bowed respectfully to the man on the screen. This man in the wheelchair was none other than their employer, Qin Feng.

Qin Feng, male, forty-nine years old—father of artificial intelligence, financial tycoon, the world’s richest man, double Ph.D. in electronics and biology, and investor in the Morris Laboratory. He was also a patient suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A prodigy, Qin Feng had shown an extraordinary capacity for learning even in elementary school. At age twelve, his parents took him for an IQ test; the result was a staggering 160. After finishing middle school, he was admitted to MIT to study computer science, earning his doctorate by the age of twenty. Yet, in the prime of his life and career, he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Qin Feng was a man of immense pride and an unyielding need for control. After a period of panic, he rallied and launched a plan to save himself. Utilizing his remarkable skills in computing and finance, he amassed wealth and prestige, forging connections among the British elite while delving into biomedical research. By twenty-four, he had also earned a doctorate in biology. At twenty-eight, he founded his own company and private laboratory with the fortune he had amassed through financial speculation.

A year later, artificial intelligence was born in his lab under his guidance. Upon launching on NASDAQ, his company was immediately embraced by investors, its market value exceeding $700 billion.

Despite his monumental success and the world’s finest private medical team, Qin Feng’s body continued to deteriorate.

At thirty-two, he successfully developed a brainwave control device for human-computer interaction. This device allowed users to control computers directly through brainwave receivers, so even those without hands or the ability to speak could operate a computer.

By then, Qin Feng was completely paralyzed. Yet this technology enabled him to work, conduct research, and issue commands with efficiency surpassing that of an able-bodied person. But this was only the prelude to his plan of salvation.

In 2030, the secret laboratory funded by Qin Feng finally developed the X-1 biochip, capable of being implanted in the human brain. Trials showed that the chip could aid in memory, learning, and even the acquisition of skills—dancing, piano, marksmanship, piloting aircraft, and more. The invention of X-1 drove Qin Feng to initiate his ultimate plan: Project New Dawn. He would give himself a new body—a healthy one.

ALS is a disease resulting from a genetic defect, for which no effective treatment exists. Yet Qin Feng believed the human brain was functionally similar to a computer: gathering information, analyzing, issuing commands, storing data. If a medium could be created to collect a brain’s memories and transfer them, via a human-computer interaction system, into another body, it could break the chains of this terrifying disease.

Such a technology would not merely cure illness—it would grant immortality.

Qin Feng’s plan to save himself was also his quest for eternal life. He was keenly aware of the dire consequences Project New Dawn would bring: social wealth would concentrate further into the hands of oligarchs, human society would fracture, class conflict would intensify, and conflict would become inevitable. Therefore, he intended to complete the entire experiment in secret, which was why the Morris Secret Experimental Base was established in Kuala Lumpur.

“BOSS, all indicators of volunteer R-1 for this trial have been adjusted to within standard values. The clone based on his genetic template matured two weeks ago. For this experiment, we will use the newly developed X-3 biochip. Testing shows this chip’s memory capacity is ten times that of the standard X-1, and its computing speed is three times higher. Furthermore, it has much more powerful auxiliary functions. Once X-3 is implanted, it can classify, compute, analyze, judge, and memorize information collected from the host. X-3 can also generate a digital interface directly in the host’s brain processing center, providing intuitive data during information analysis. It can categorize, clear redundant data, perform background calculations, and more. This write-enabled chip is entirely passive and will not affect the host’s personality; the host can freely activate or deactivate X-3. Finally, as per your instructions, we have loaded the chip with knowledge of wilderness survival, special operations, tool-making, construction, forging, martial arts, techniques for using hot and cold weapons, and operation of various vehicles, among others. The detailed specifications and experimental timetable have already been sent to headquarters’ main computer for your review at any time,” Morris reported with utmost respect.

“I understand. Headquarters will evaluate your report. You’ll receive instructions within forty-eight hours. That will be all for this meeting,” Qin Feng said, terminating the communication.

As the giant display slowly dimmed, Qin Feng spoke absently to his assistant, “Introduce the volunteer for this trial.”

“Yes, sir.” Qin Feng’s assistant activated his personal terminal, and the display lit up again, showing the full-length image of a man around thirty. “Zhang Xiaoqiang, male, twenty-nine years old, blood type O. From Jiangshui, Xihai Province, China. Junior high school education, only child. His mother, Wu Zhaodi, died in childbirth. His father, Zhang Chengfu, died in an accident when Zhang was seven. He was raised by his uncle, Zhang Chenggui. After graduating from junior high, he worked various jobs—construction worker, security guard, kitchen assistant, courier. On June 22, 2035, he was struck by a falling object in Wuhan City’s Hongze District, resulting in high-level paralysis. On April 15, 2036, he signed the experimental agreement with our agent.”

The assistant paused before continuing, “Sir, the hospital we secretly control issued a death certificate for Zhang Xiaoqiang six months ago. Our agent reports that the authorities in China have also deregistered his household record.”

Qin Feng glanced at the man on the screen and, after a moment’s silence, said, “I heard Zhang Xiaoqiang’s adoptive family used to make fireworks and explosives illegally in their hometown. Is that so?”

The assistant hesitated, but seeing the cold, merciless look in his employer’s eyes, felt a chill and lowered his head. “Yes, sir.”

“This experiment may not succeed, but we must consider every detail and strive for perfection. All unstable factors must be eliminated. Do you understand?”

“I understand. I’ll take care of it. Please rest assured.”