The Great Worm Lich

The Smart shuttled through Stanford’s vast city-like campus. It finally arrived before an English building with a steep roof under the muttering of Zhang Lisheng. “Professor, I think it’d be better if you slow down the car…” Zhang Lisheng was sitting at the co-driver seat.

After getting out of the car, Zhang Lisheng heaved a sigh of relief and stared at the building not far away. He could see a huge cross hanging above his head. There was even a mural of Christians praising under the cross. Shocked, he commented, “Professor Steven, it looks like a church.”

“Of course this is a church! Haven’t you Googled Stanford’s famous Memorial Church before?” Steven parked his car and led the young man to stride into the church.

“I didn’t Google any information about Stanford at all because I’m looking forward to having surprises when I start university, ” Zhang Lisheng replied casually. “But I didn’t expect to come to the church to see the Dean on the first day of school.”

“It’s a hypocritical tradition. Every year when the university reopens, Stanford’s administrators will come to the Memorial Church to pray, so we’ll be able to meet them here,” Steven pushed the great door of the church open and whispered. “I believe that God will forgive us for the sake of the progress of human science.”    ( NovelFull )

“Forgive you, you mean!” Zhang Lisheng curled his lips and followed closely behind his former Biology teacher into Stanford Memorial Church.

What’s within the church was magnificent and resplendent. Under the illumination of hundreds of white candles lit on the stage, the angels flying on the walls that were unusually dim appeared to be vivid like living in a dream. It felt as though the messengers of God would soon fly down and show themselves to mankind.

The mournful expression of the Holy Son, Jesus Christ’s suffering statue, facing humanity also appeared to be unusually sacred and clean.

“T-This really is a sacred and solemn place!” Looking around, the young man did not know why, but he was suddenly reminded of the scene of when he was being worshipped by the aborigines a few days ago. Thus, he blurted out, “This is a true religion, a true faith…”

“May God bless you!” Steven, who had been used to coming to the Memorial Church did not feel the marveling Zhang Lisheng felt. Habitually, he muttered a prayer and set his eyes on his target, before bringing the young man to sit on a wooden chair, beside a short, skinny, bald, old man who was holding up a Bible while following the priest to pray in silence. “Maggette, I have a good proposal for you.”

“Oh my God! Another ‘good proposal’? Steven, for the sake of your ‘good proposal’, you actually chased me all the way here to the Church? Aren’t you afraid of going to hell?” Upon hearing Steven’s nightmare-like voice, the Dean of the Stanford’s Biology Faculty shuddered and raised his head to curse as he whispered. ” You wanted to recruit a rich kid who loves adventures who has yet to finish his 11th grade to become your graduate student. I’ve already agreed to it because that is your right! You’ve just resumed your teaching position and you immediately asked to be in charge of a lab. I’ve also agreed to it! Not only that, I’ve even found an opportunity to get you a lifelong job offer because you’re talented! You wanted sufficient funds to expand the lab. I’ve allocated nearly one-quarter of the budget of the Biology Faculty to you! Now, the other labs can’t even afford toilet paper anymore, but you’re still unsatisfied! Steven! I’m your best friend! I respect and love you… Oh, wait! Of course, it’s not THAT kind of love, but a friendship kind of love instead! However, right now, I’m in the middle of a mass, and you should know just how devout I am as a believer! What the hell is this actually…”

( NovelFull )    “Stop grumbling, Maggette! I’ve just found a sponsor who could write a 50-million-cheque to the faculty at any time. Not only that, this sponsor even promised that if Stanford is willing to build a biological laboratory that allows me to preside over the supernatural realm, he can sponsor 100 million USD a year as well!” After listening to the bald old man’s complaints for a moment in a blank expression, Steven chimed in leisurely.

“What did you say, Steven?” Maggette froze for a moment and opened his mouth. “I’m not having any auditory hallucinations, right? Did you say you have actually found a sponsor willing to give 50 million USD to fund your research? Not only that, he’s even willing to spend 100 million a year to fund your construction of a biological laboratory in the supernatural realm? ”

“Yes, Maggette!”

“With this eccentric temper of yours? Has he gone insane?” Maggette blurted out.

In the US, other than the scientist working for the government, the scholars working in universities or research institutions would often conduct fundraising activities such as lectures and dinners for the sake of obtaining sufficient research funds.

In these kinds of circumstances, those scientists who were usually well-known and who had obtained great achievements that even ordinary people knew who they were or those scientists who were well-mannered and handsome could usually obtain more financial support than those who were eccentric, compelling, and slovenly.

Between these two types of scientists, there was no doubt that Steven belonged to the latter.

“Maggette! A real scientist will always be appreciated!” Steven seemed to have recalled some unpleasant memories as his face became gloomy at once. Pointing to Zhang Lisheng beside him, he promptly went on with his introduction. “My sponsor is my former student and co-author for the journal, Zhang Lisheng! He’s also the ‘rich kid who loves adventures’ you spoke of earlier. He runs the largest slaughterhouse in New York City and loves biological research. He’s fully capable and motivated enough to deliver on his promises.”

Upon hearing Steven’s introduction, Maggette began to notice the helpless-looking skinny Asian boy sitting beside him together with the eccentric professor. He carefully studied Zhang Lisheng and reached out his hand to say hesitantly, “Nice to meet you, young man. Professor Steven said you’re the owner of the biggest slaughterhouse in New York City…”

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Maggette. I know that you have doubts, so please wait a moment.” As the Dean of Stanford’s Biology Faculty, Maggette might not have a teaching position, but there is definitely a reason why he had a Ph.D. Zhang Lisheng shook hands with him and took out his mobile phone from his pocket to search for the official website of LS Group. After opening the website, he handed the phone to him.

Doubtfully, Maggette took the phone and his eyes gleamed. After that, he began to select several legit websites introducing US’ large companies before passing the phone back to Zhang Lisheng with a smile. “Mr. Lisheng, you’re a very smart and direct young man. I’m sorry that I don’t have much contact with the slaughter industry, but I didn’t expect this industry to be so profitable. It seems that there’s no problem with your financial strength at all. We can talk about it properly later… Yeah, perhaps after this mass has finished, I can bring you to meet President Hannes first. Sponsorship of 100 million USD per year is a lot of money, so he’ll be happy to talk to you.”

“Alright, Dr. Maggette! The money in my bank account is itching to have a go already, it’s just waiting for its time to enter Stanford University’s account. If President Hannes can agree to my conditions, of course,” Zhang Lisheng said with a smile.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Lisheng. Your conditions are very reasonable, so I’m sure he won’t refuse it. We’ve already entered an incredible era now. If we can be the first to set our arrangement in the supernatural realm, it’d definitely be a good and harmless thing for Stanford!” Maggette pondered a moment before making a promise in advance.

The Dean of the Biology Faculty expected the development of the upcoming situation. After the mass and after Zhang Lisheng met Stanford’s President who looked like an ordinary Caucasian old man, they discussed their arrangement for a while to get to know the young man’s purpose. He immediately agreed to the conditions the young man set in advance for his donations.

In fact, the reason Zhang Lisheng was willing to spend so much of his money to sponsor Stanford in the midst of his business expansion and tight fund was no doubt because he wanted to rely on the university’s reputation and influence to quickly build a biological laboratory in the Shrimp World No. 2, This was all so he could commute between the human world and the supernatural realm during his study period.

Because of this, when he heard Hannes agreed to his conditions right away, he quickly transferred 50 million USD to Stanford’s account directly out of Memorial Church.

One needed to prepare their bait first if they wanted to catch a fish. Zhang Lisheng had always been unequivocal about this.

“Oh Mr. Lisheng, you have a very decisive personality. It’s no wonder you can come up with such a huge business in a short period of time by just relying on new technology.” Despite having seen many big donors before, it still had never crossed Hannes’s mind that this young man in front of him would immediately carry out his promise after a few words of conversation between them.

Zhang Lisheng smiled and said in a frank manner, “President Hannes, my initial 50 million donation plus the 100 million annual fund sponsorship I was willing to give… I don’t think anybody would do something to make this good proposal fall through.”

“Young man, since you’ve asked to get half of the commercial profits that may be generated in biological experiments conducted in the biological lab in the supernatural realm in the future, this money could not be said as sponsorship, but it’s more like a partnership already. You produce money and we produce brains.”

“President Hannes, don’t forget that it’s still unknown whether this lab will produce any commercial benefit or not! After all, after the completion of the lab, all of the research topics and research directions Professor Steven will lead shall be fruitful. We all know that he’s a scientist who does as he pleases.”

“That’s true! You have a point too!” Hannes was stunned for a moment before looking at Steven by his side who had an excited expression on his face. “Alright, I’ll go back to the office now to make a few calls to my old friends. I’ll see whether I can get permission to establish a biological laboratory in the Shrimp World No. 2 as soon as possible! Since we already have enough sufficient upfront funding, we’ll strive to complete this matter before all universities in the US.”

“Alright! I also have to go with Professor Steven to continue the admission process. See you again, President Hannes.” Zhang Lisheng smiled and reached out a hand.

“Bye, rich young man who loves science! I’m happy you can be a part of Stanford! Bye Maggette and Steven!” Hannes shook Zhang Lisheng’s hand and slowly walked towards his old Beetle.