Chapter 345: Nanomachines

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Red Lotus, show me the report.”

“Certainly, Master.”

When Tang Rui had finished reading the medical report, the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

The issue was no longer about whether the cancer had metastasized. It was a countdown to the end of life.

“Arrange a hibernation pod and put the old man into a temporary sleep.”

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“Understood, Master.”

Once Tang Rui issued the command, the system deducted 2000 contribution points and simultaneously sent a notification to the relevant employee.

“Long live President Tang!”

The employee, upon receiving the notification, exclaimed enthusiastically.

Then, under Red Lotus’s direction, he fetched the hibernation pod and proceeded to the hospital.

Given the state of current medical technology, it wasn’t that cancer was untreatable. Various cancer therapies had some efficacy.

However, the issue was the patient’s frail condition.

Many treatments were not viable.

Particularly surgical options.

This presented a significant challenge.

Tang Rui pondered for a moment and decided to leverage his strengths.

He was not adept at patient care.

Nor was he skilled in medical research.

But he excelled at developing weapons for enemy destruction.

Now, he shifted his focus.

From targeting the human body to targeting cancer cells. The objective became much clearer.

Nanomachines.

Indeed, with the advancement of nanotechnology and with Red Lotus’s assistance, Tang Rui was fully capable of producing nanomachines.

But there had been no need before.

The capabilities of nanomachines weren’t as sensational as portrayed in films.

Especially in combat scenarios.

They were effective against pistols and rifles, but ineffectual against sniper rifles, let alone artillery shells and missiles.

While the nanomaterials were strong enough, the fragility of the human body limited their use. The impact force alone could be fatal, rendering nano-armor impractical except for its aesthetic appeal.

If he had the time, he would rather invest in a nano combat suit than implant nanomachines into his body.

However, for treating a disease, nanomachines held significant potential.

“Red Lotus, manufacture 10 million nanomachines capable of entering the human body and targeting cells.”

“As you command, Master.”

The nanotechnology at his disposal was highly advanced. Combined with the quantum supercomputer’s control capabilities, producing nanomachines was straightforward.

The challenge, however, was their precision.

Nanomachines were too small to be equipped with numerous systems and functionalities.

Thus, while production was simple, ensuring each nanomachine followed precise commands was more complex.

In under ten minutes, the nanomachines were ready.

Tang Rui visited the life sciences laboratory under the lunar base project, intending to use their lab mice for testing.

“President Tang, these are all the lab mice we have. If you need more, I can order them immediately.”

After understanding Tang Rui’s intentions, the laboratory manager hurried over with a cage of mice.

Tang Rui squinted and wrinkled his nose.

The mice were suitable, but their odor was unpleasant.

“If I can order directly, can I get mice with leukemia?” he inquired.

His base had mice bred specifically for drug testing, capable of developing any desired disease.

However, they were costly.

But Tang Rui, not short on funds, insisted on the best.

“Absolutely, I will place the order right away.”

“Good, order a substantial quantity.”

“Understood, President Tang.”

Tang Rui transported the cage with the lab mice to an unused laboratory. After changing into appropriate attire and donning a mask, he selected a mouse and injected it with the nanomachines.

“Red Lotus, direct the nanomachines to eradicate the bacteria and viruses in the mouse’s body.”

“Affirmative, Master. Instructions received.”

The ten million nanomachines began their work within the mouse, targeting and destroying the bacteria and viruses present.

However, a few minutes later,

the mouse twitched and died.

“What happened?” Tang Rui asked Red Lotus in confusion.

“Master, Red Lotus requires specialized equipment to monitor the condition of the mouse accurately.”

“Then manufacture it and send it here immediately.”

“As you wish, Master.”

Ten minutes later, a device resembling a rice cooker arrived in the laboratory.

[Item: In-body Imaging Device]

[Experience: 0/500]

[Origin Points: 27368.26]

Tang Rui upgraded the device instantly.

A golden light flashed.

Equipment enhancement complete.

The updated device, now the size of a microwave oven, included a holographic projection feature.

[Item: Holographic Biological Image Scanning Device]

[Experience: 0/9000]

[Upgrade: Biological Micro-scanning Technology]

[Features: Image formation speed increased by 160%, directional tracking by 140%, layer-by-layer scanning by 120%]

[Origin Points: 27,036.26]

Activating the equipment, Tang Rui grabbed another mouse, injected it with nanomachines, and placed it inside the device.

The holographic projection illuminated,

revealing the intricate internal structure of the mouse.

The human body, and indeed all living organisms, are far more complex than the most sophisticated human-made machinery.

Take, for instance, the capillaries, which in length could encircle the Earth thrice.

Observing the holographic display, Tang Rui enlarged the view of the mouse’s internals.

Suddenly, cells appeared as large as apples, and blood vessels seemed as thick as sewer pipes.

Numerous nanomachines, resembling mechanical octopuses, swiftly navigated the bloodstream.

Yet, as per his orders, they focused on eliminating bacteria and viruses within the mouse. Therefore, when encountering other cells, the nanomachines would encircle them.

“Red Lotus, what’s happening?”

“Master, the nanomachines are identifying the cells.”

“How do they determine if a cell is problematic?”

“Based on its shape.”

Tang Rui paused, surprised. Shape-based identification was akin to facial recognition technology.

He quickly understood.

Due to their minimal size, the nanomachines could only identify cells by their shape.

“Red Lotus, with this device, can you highlight the bacteria and viruses in the mouse?”

“Yes, Master. Would you like me to do so now?”

“Not yet. I want to first understand how the previous mouse died.”

Shortly after, he identified the issue.

Several cells were being disintegrated by the nanomachines.

“Red Lotus, why are these nanomachines attacking these normal cells?”

“Master, the appearance of these cells differs slightly from that of normal cells, leading the nanomachines to classify them as mutated viruses.”

Tang Rui was speechless.

The cells were merely unusual in appearance.

Did that make them viruses?

This wasn’t an isolated incident. It was a recurring issue.

Several nanomachines were mistaking normal cells for viruses and destroying them.

Though the destroyed cells appeared slightly abnormal, it wasn’t a sufficient reason for such a response.

How did the previous mouse die?

The answer was clear: it was killed by the nanomachines’ misidentification..