Xiao Tian agreed with Ghost Face's view, because scientific research is no different from other fields; its money-burning degree is not inferior to industrial manufacturing, and often, even if these massively invested research projects succeed in the end, they face patent approvals.

Even then, no one dares to guarantee whether they will be counterfeited by other countries, so under the current circumstances, apart from a few major powers, smaller countries are unable to even come up with funding for independent research and can only purchase patents and use ready-made technologies. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Of course, there are some powerful countries that do not buy patents, capable of obtaining the finished product, then independently analyze it, and then produce it in large quantities under a different guise, an act which is unanimously condemned by the international community.

However, this is only a minority!

If in reality all were to plagiarize and counterfeit, stealing the achievements of others, then no country would dare to publicly share their scientific results, and no country would invest in this direction.

——

After Yang Qiang and some accompanying personnel arrived on the scene, Xiao Tian narrated his experiences, which were documented by specialized staff.

By then, as long as this report is submitted to the higher authorities, this task will be considered successfully completed, and all the frustrated individuals can return home.

After finishing the official business, the group had a simple meal, then each returned to their rooms in the hotel to pack their luggage, setting off grandly towards the Qing Province Public Security Bureau.

Upon arrival, they were informed that Zong Jian had already been convicted, while Zhou Huchen had committed suicide an hour earlier, leaving no testimony!

Xiao Tian and Ghost Face exchanged a glance, both feeling that this coincidence was a bit too excessive; why did Zhou Huchen choose to die at the exact moment everyone came back to investigate thoroughly?

If this is merely a coincidence, even a fool wouldn't believe it.

Furthermore, this information was only disclosed after Xiao Tian identified himself and made a phone call for approval. Considering the delay, perhaps Zhou Huchen had already been sent to the crematorium by now, leaving Zong Jian unable to clear his name!

Fortunately, Xiao Tian and others managed to intercept Zhou Huchen's body before that, and quickly obtained his autopsy report.

Sitting in the speeding car, Ghost Face glanced at the report briefly and tossed it aside.

The team led by Yu Ningxue composed completely of elite detectives quickly began to circulate the report among themselves, trying to find any abnormal clues.

However, just as everyone frowns while looking for suspicious points, Ghost Face lightly said: "It's inaccurate to only look at the text; personal imagination and subjective intentions can cause errors in the final judgment."

Everyone nodded in agreement and prepared to discuss more after seeing Zhou Huchen.

Meanwhile, Xiao Tian felt oddly uneasy, sensing that Zhou Huchen's suicide wasn't simply an act of despair but orchestrated by a hidden manipulator, although the aim didn't seem to be Zong Jian...

——

For some reason, after Zhou Huchen's death, Ghost Face collaborated with a team of medical experts for another DNA test report, where Zhou Huchen's DNA made a complete 180-degree flip, becoming entirely different from before, without showing the previous 99% similarity to Zong Jian's.

Several resistant experts separately chose three top hospitals in Qing Province for testing, but results were surprisingly confirming no relation to Zong Jian, forcing them to submit the findings and await higher directives.

Eventually, Zong Jian was acquitted, even officially submitting his retirement report, preparing to peacefully enjoy his old age. Clearly, this experience was far from trivial for him.

Sitting aboard the plane bound for Shanghai, Xiao Tian whispered to Ghost Face, "Did you manipulate this affair?"

"You overestimate me!" Ghost Face chuckled helplessly, "Take a look at this."

Speaking forth, he handed over a printed image to Xiao Tian.

Staring at the varying curves, Xiao Tian tried to interpret them from multiple angles, yet after attempting to decode via heart rate, sound wave analysis, etc., he was left puzzled, asking: "What does this mean?"

"This was invented by my mentor, like Morse code, as a cipher to record certain contexts in special situations," Ghost Face explained, "For instance, under circumstances too rushed for writing, it proves useful."

"However, since the learning process is complicated, and modern research techniques can implement comprehensive monitoring, the instances it talks about occur rarely, so it wasn't widely promoted!"

Ghost Face further added, "Less than six people, including myself, know about this cipher, although if others divulge it, then it's a different story!"

Xiao Tian quickly caught onto the key point: "Did you find this on Zhou Huchen?"

"To be precise, it was on Zhou Huchen's wound!" Ghost Face disclosed: "When he sustained the scar on his neck, and the pattern of the blood formed the initial curve."

While speaking, Ghost Face pointed at the first segment of the fluctuating curve.

Despite this, Xiao Tian remained confused, yet noted another issue: "If this is true, then we must have been targeted!"

"Indeed!"

Ghost Face nodded gravely: "Otherwise, he wouldn't leave such a cipher, waiting for me to decode it."

"What do these later parts mean?" Xiao Tian inquired.

"Check the reverse." Ghost Face replied succinctly, then leaned back and closed his eyes.

Xiao Tian shook his head, turned the paper over, and saw Ghost Face's translation.

"Dear Hunter, I suppose you are very intrigued by my identity, aren't you? But don't worry, I believe we will meet soon."

"Additionally, you should have noticed regarding Zhou Huchen, I can transform any individual beyond recognition, with even DNA tests undetected."

"Therefore, you Hunter with superior skill should stay vigilant, as you never know when someone beside you might be discreetly substituted!"

"Lastly, let me share with you a piece of information, take it as an apology for this discourtesy."

"Your cherished Liu Hanyan isn't dead, she is waiting for you, her destined one, to rescue her, so endeavor well! Hunter!"

"Wish you all the best!"

After reading Ghost Face's translation, Xiao Tian couldn't calm down for a long time, due to the recent events concerning Zhou Huchen, alerting him gravely.

This Mysterious Man hidden in the shadows, orchestrated Zhou Huchen to bring down Zong Jian at the provincial department, revealing unfathomable tactics and shrewdness!

Furthermore, although the letter appears courteous and respectful, it subtly taunts Xiao Tian throughout.

The revelation about substituting people quietly around him chills him profoundly.

It's truly something beyond anticipation...