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墨書 Inktalez
I know Jack will definitely ask about this, but I can't discuss it. This is one of the Confidentiality Agreements that is still in effect. Even without the Confidentiality Agreement binding me, I would still keep this secret as best as I can. This piece of iron is becoming increasingly mysterious; it seems to be the key to unlocking many secrets. Of course, I don't want it to leak out of the country because of me, even though that possibility is slim, as it should have been brought into the Underground Passage by Song Guilong.
"Like you, I can only do what I can, and this matter is not included," I said simply and firmly, cutting off his thoughts.
Jack looked at me indifferently before turning his head toward the campfire. There, A San leaned against a Stalactite, drooling slightly, seemingly in a deep sleep.
"I think I can find out what that thing is without you," Jack said, turning back to me with a provocative tone.
"Maybe, but I'm not so optimistic. What Ah Xiang won't tell you, A San won't tell you either; that makes sense."
Clearly, Ah Xiang's tight-lippedness had left a shadow in Jack's mind, and my words immediately made him feel insecure. Moreover, there was an expression of frustration on his face, as if he couldn't understand the preferential treatment given to the Vietnamese.
"Why? Why would they tell you and not me? I refuse to believe every single Vietnamese is like that. I will find out what that thing is!" Jack said with a tone of determination.
"That's your business," I shrugged. "Right now, there's a more professional knowledge inquiry for you. If you can find out that would be great. Do you know about antimatter weapons? Are there any mature antimatter weapons currently?"
After saying this, I turned my face toward Jack. I saw his expression freeze instantly. Then Jack looked tense and asked, "Why are you asking this? Is Xiao Guolin looking to buy this stuff?"
From Jack's reaction, it was clear he knew about antimatter weapons and even that such weapons truly exist; he at least knew more than I did. Our eyes met, and I nodded.
After giving Jack a definitive answer, I could no longer see any change in his expression; his gaze shifted away from my face and stared blankly into the darkness ahead.
I took advantage of the faint light from the Glow Stick to carefully observe his changing expressions while waiting for him to digest this information and possibly give me feedback.
I couldn't and didn't have the ability to forcibly extract information from him, but I believed he could also see the current situation clearly: spreading information would maximize the chances of it not being buried here. Among the few survivors, he could only trust me. Just as I could only trust him. I knew he would say something to me.
After a long silence, Jack finally shifted his gaze from the darkness back to my face.
"Yes, I know. Currently, both Europe and America are researching this area. However, there is no mature technology yet. The power of such weapons is immense, but their triggering mechanism is too simple; ensuring they don't trigger at any moment is extremely difficult. I'm not just referring to antimatter weapons but also their raw material—antimatter itself.
Producing antimatter has been achieved but remains in the experimental stage; no country has the capability to mass-produce such material. Moreover, there is no technology available for its safe storage. Current technology can only temporarily contain it; a lasting and safe storage method has yet to be resolved. Therefore, such weapons do not currently exist unless used as experimental samples.
However, even experimental samples have significant explosive yields and most will trigger explosions in unstable states. Even if there are no accidental triggers, they will be destroyed after testing; no country would store such ticking time bombs in their arsenal. Only a nation intent on self-destruction would engage in such madness."
Jack leaned closer to me and said, "The Vietnamese don't have the capability to get their hands on this. It's a scam. The countries that can produce such weapons can be counted on one hand. Forget about antimatter weapons; the amount of antimatter produced is measured in micrograms, and the regulations are extraordinarily strict—it's a hundred times more stringent than for radioactive materials."
Honestly, I tended to agree with Jack's assessment. Based solely on my understanding of antimatter, I believed the chances of the Vietnamese acquiring it were extremely slim. What concerned me more was what Xiao Guolin wanted this for. However, according to A San, this thing originated from Europe, which added a glimmer of possibility to the situation.
Perhaps it was my cautious nature at play; adhering to the principle of "better safe than sorry," I asked Jack, "How much antimatter is there for testing? What's the explosive yield?"
Jack smirked, pulling one corner of his mouth up as he measured a small gap with his thumb and index finger. "About this much."
"Damn it. If you don't know, just say so. Don't act smart in front of me," I whispered angrily.
He laughed out loud, still gesturing with his thumb and index finger. "Don't underestimate that little bit of antimatter; the explosion it could generate could level this entire Valley."
I nodded silently. I felt like I had gathered the information I needed.
"Now about your situation. Information exchange can't just be me giving you information; it needs to be reciprocal. My part is done." I immediately passed the ball back to Jack.
Jack looked surprised. "That's all? What about the most important part? Lop Nur and the underground space you've been to."
I spread my hands and shook my head firmly.
"Damn." It was the first time I heard Jack utter that exclamation; damn it, he must have learned it from me.
"Zhang, you're too cunning. I can get your information through other channels. But what I'm telling you can only be known through me."
"Go on. The key point," I encouraged him with my gaze.
"You sound like a rogue."
"That's not what I want; that information isn't important and isn't true."
I could see Jack's expression starting to crumble.
"Fine. You win. Recently, I heard a Chinese saying: 'A person becomes invincible by being themselves.' It fits you perfectly." Jack lowered his proud head.
"Jack," I said seriously, "you know, if you can't figure it out, just let it go."
Jack turned his gaze toward the Underground River across from him.
"AE is a non-profit organization funded by the American Chinese Government. Its research direction is not controlled by the Chinese Government, and it does not have to seek permission from anyone. Moreover, its research results are public; you can find its Archaeological Reports online. I assume you've done that before.
However, the archaeological work in the direction of Lop Nur is an exception. The Archaeological Reports in this area are limited to what is publicly available, and many private details are not disclosed. You must be very curious about this; I am too, because there are many things I cannot access either. I study archaeology, but I was selected by AE for this operation due to my expertise in other areas.
The founder of AE is Rbsn Aln, who is one of the most authoritative experts in Asian Archaeology in America. He conducted an investigation in Lop Nur on the eve of World War II. At that time, he made some discoveries in Lop Nur, which also left him with great pain and confusion. The war forced him to halt his work but did not extinguish his curiosity. After the war, he established AE and focused its core work on Asia.
You are the opportunity for AE to enter Lop Nur once again. AE has been observing you, including your history and the people around you. Before we set out, AE provided me with an evaluation of you; I can tell you that it was very high—you are someone who can be trusted. So far, this evaluation has proven to be correct.
I can also tell you something else, which is entirely based on my trust in you. Mr. Rbsn Aln, the leader of AE, holds the most critical information regarding Lop Nur. I do not know what it is; perhaps my level is too low. I even believe that he may have no more information than you do."
Without a doubt, Jack's words shocked me, especially the last sentence. I couldn't believe that anyone could know more about that information than I did as someone who had entered the Underground Passage. Unless he had also been inside the Underground Passage.
(To Be Continued...)
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