During his rest, Chen Mo kept his promise to Xiao Yu—not to dive into research. But that didn't mean he was idle. Even when quiet, his mind never stopped working, constantly digesting the wealth of technology from the Science and Technology Library.
Among the trove of knowledge he had obtained were multiple approaches to achieving controlled nuclear fusion. One of the simplest—at least in theory—was the anti-gravity confinement method, sometimes referred to as the Star Furnace.
In this method, a high-energy laser is used to ignite and sustain fusion within a helium plasma suspended in a vacuum by anti-gravity devices. It was clean, elegant, and highly efficient—no stagnation loss, low fuel consumption. But there was one catch:
He didn't have the anti-gravity tech.
The knowledge from the library described the fusion process and laser ignition in detail, but the actual anti-gravity technology was missing. And without a way to suspend the plasma in a vacuum chamber, there was no practical way to contain a reaction that could reach temperatures of hundreds of millions of degrees.
So for now, Star Furnace was off the table.
Instead, Chen Mo chose the magnetic confinement method—more complex, but feasible with the current technologies he had mastered.
At the heart of this approach was a device called the Star Ring.
While the Star Ring shared features with known fusion devices like tokamaks and stellarators, it was a next-generation hybrid—a more advanced imitation star system. According to the technical data, the Star Ring had better energy efficiency and more stable operational cycles than any fusion device humans had built.
The design was complete, right down to the physics of neutron and plasma radiation shielding. It included specifications for low-activation, high-heat-tolerance materials needed for the divertor, and the superconducting materials for the magnetic coils had already been synthesized and stockpiled.
In theory, everything was ready.
But nuclear fusion wasn't just another lab experiment. It was one of the most challenging undertakings in scientific history, a problem that pulled in every major field: physics, engineering, materials science, electronics, manufacturing, and control systems. It was the most complicated, multi-disciplinary challenge he'd encountered in his apprenticeship so far.
The sheer volume of knowledge downloaded into his brain from the Science and Technology Library had triggered his previous coma.
To manufacture a working fusion reactor, even Chen Mo had to tread carefully. Without holding back, the risks were enormous.
As he sorted through the technical documentation, he also considered the implications of controlled fusion once operational. Commercializing the technology would mean access to limitless clean energy—safe, efficient, and permanent. It would reshape civilization and render the global energy crisis obsolete.
Naturally, no country would allow such technology to remain in private hands.
It was inevitable—he'd have to collaborate with the government again.
But that was a matter for later. First came simulation tests and small-scale prototypes. Only once the data was validated would he need to deal with policy, secrecy, and diplomacy.
"Mo Nu, let's get started," Chen Mo said calmly.
"Yes, Big Brother," the holographic assistant replied, and they dove back into the blueprints and simulations of the Star Ring project.
Meanwhile…
"It's going to be very difficult to extract the target."
Blue Wolf stood next to a wall-mounted board, pointing at various photos of Chen Mo. He was the same young driver from before—only now, clearly the team strategist.
Around a table, four men and one woman sat idly, each doing their own thing. Despite the mission briefing, the atmosphere felt more like a poker night than a tactical operation.
"No kidding," the man with the handheld console muttered without looking up. "If it was easy, we wouldn't be here."
"Based on what we know," Blue Wolf continued, "there are five different routes Chen Mo uses between his villa and the company. He switches routes daily—no clear pattern. We can't predict which one he'll take."
He pointed at a regional map covered in red marker lines—the known routes of Chen Mo's commute.
"Operating near his villa or the company isn't viable," he added. "The villa is next to a local police bureau. The Marching Ant Company is under military-level surveillance with armed special police stationed nearby. Wherever we strike, law enforcement will react within minutes."
"We could stake out one road at a time. Play the odds," the gamer offered. "One in five chance each day."
Blue Wolf shook his head. "The roads are too busy during commuting hours. Even if we succeed in seizing him, escape is impossible. A crash, panic, or delay would trap us. The operation requires speed and precision. Chaos helps no one."
He paused before delivering the more troubling news.
"Chen Mo's convoy includes two lead vehicles, a decoy car, and a follow car. Each one has at least four elite security personnel, all hand-picked ex-military. The vehicles are custom armored with advanced defensive systems. Unless we bring anti-material weapons, we won't get past the escort team."
Silence fell around the table.
"So what? Just give up and call it a day?" the young man muttered, annoyed.
"Ruth, what's your take?" Blue Wolf turned to the calm woman seated at the far end of the table.
Ruth, the leader of the mission, closed her folder and sighed. "It's a tough nut."
She leaned forward, fingertips steepled.
"Blackwater Company sent two mercenaries after him once. Not only did they fail, they were captured. Since then, Chen Mo's personal security has been upgraded. Even stealth ops—like the failed attempt from the island nation—resulted in multiple deaths before they even got near him.
"To take Chen Mo from Binhai is no simple job. Not with his security detail and China's national security bureau in play."
"Damn. Are rich people always this paranoid?" the young man scoffed.
"Shut up or I'll shut you up myself," the muscle-bound man growled. "No room for idiots on this mission."
"Relax, musclehead," the gamer said with a smirk, not taking the threat seriously. "Maybe we should go for his family instead. Kidnap them, force him to comply."
Ruth's gaze hardened.
"Our mission is to capture Chen Mo alive and extract him from China. We do not touch his family."
"What about intercepting him on his way home?" the white man asked while polishing a pistol.
"No," Ruth replied flatly.
"Why not?"
"If we tip our hand and fail, he'll go on high alert. The Chinese security network will tighten, and we'll lose any chance of success. This needs to be a single clean strike—fast, precise, and untraceable."
"So?" the gamer asked. "What's your plan?"
Ruth stood and pointed to a location on the map.
"If we can't find an opportunity... then we'll create one."