The computer screen displayed the homepage of the RST Corporation.
[As a global health technology company, RST Corporation is dedicated to helping people around the world live healthier lives at every stage through our unique human bionic devices. We have now achieved respiratory replacement, motion replacement, four senses replacement, and more devices are under development. Stay tuned.]
Qin Ming did some more research online and found that the company's market value had reached two hundred billion dollars. The up-and-coming corporation had even begun to overtake Apple, the leading tech giant. It was highly esteemed by capital markets around the world, which saw RST Corporation as possessing unlimited potential. Especially noteworthy was its use of artificial electronic devices to replace diseased human organs and its creation of intelligent robots to revolutionize the tertiary sector, freeing humanity from tedious physical labor and ushering in a new AI era.
Of course, there were many people who worried that intelligent robots would rebel as in science fiction novels, wage war on humanity, and bring about the end of the world.
Regardless of the uproar in public opinion, the company seemed to have no intention of creating robots. Instead, they were going even further down the path of bionic devices—such as bionic movement prostheses, bionic visual systems, bionic auditory systems, and so on...
It seemed like they were truly only focused on the medical field, but Qin Ming didn't think it was that simple, especially after he came across a video of the company's event where its chief scientist and CEO Dr. Harding was warmly hugging and drinking with the protagonist, Lei. This made him feel even more suspicious.
After all, Dr. Harding was the main antagonist in the original work, already killed by the protagonist Lei in the ending. Could two sworn enemies, who were supposed to be at each other's throats, suddenly live happily together? Was that even possible?
The world was full of mysteries, but no matter what, Qin Ming was determined to get his hands on the RST Corporation's Nanomechanical Worms, which could treat cancer. Yet, with a month left on the countdown, there was no need to rush; first, he should fully understand the other technologies of this world.
As Qin Ming pondered, his hands continued to disassemble a set of damaged bionic limbs.
Dismantling the device, he found that many of its parts came from various supply chains, such as the powerful neodymium magnets in servo motors and high-capacity lithium batteries, which originated from Bididi Company.
Beyond those components provided by supply chains, RST Corporation also had its own formidable 'city moat': their neural connection device and motor function processing system. Just like Apple's iOS system and A-series processors, these held their advantages firmly in their own hands.
The former could perfectly connect biological nerves with bionic devices, whereas the latter used a specialized acceleration encoding engine to process biological neural action potentials, converting them into electrical signals without loss.
Qin Ming chose to start at the recycling station because these recycled, worn out, and unusable bionic devices were seen as junk by others, but for him, they were treasures for learning, studying, and even repairing.
Qin Ming left the hut and found the components he needed in the electronic waste heap, then he dismantled them to assemble the next bionic limb.
At the recycling station, he became akin to the scavengers in his previous world: a miraculous group who could battle with a hundred yuan and open internet cafes with a thousand yuan.
Meanwhile, Jess had recovered for a day and discovered he could walk normally the next day. Although the bionic limb lacked pain and touch sensations, it allowed him to walk and even run without crutches.
Rejuvenated, he happily shared his experience with his friends nearby.
Gradually, the word spread, and, with Jess as a living example, other poor and disabled individuals from California started flocking to the recycling station to buy and have limbs installed by Qin Ming.
He was thus doing a service for society, giving the poor a chance to return to normal life.
As more disabled people came, his surgical expertise became increasingly proficient, going from ten minutes per operation initially, down to just three minutes. Moreover, he used the money earned to purchase various professional equipment and materials, such as 3D printers, arc welding machines, laser cutters, and so on.
As days passed by, Qin Ming practiced on human bodies while learning microelectronics technology through the extensive internet. In two more days, he felt he would completely comprehend all the bionic device technology.
However, the developments did not proceed smoothly. It seemed Qin Ming's actions had upset certain interests, and on the fifth day of his start, he was reported.
Early that morning, police came knocking on his door.
Through the surveillance, Qin Ming could see two American police officers outside, knocking at the door at that moment.
"Open up, open up! We've received a report that someone here is assembling and selling inferior products from recycled parts and is also conducting illegal medical procedures."
Qin Ming was not surprised, and he tidied up before opening the door.
"Please come with us," said the two policemen, exceedingly cautious as their right hands were in their pockets, ready to draw their guns at any moment.
Recently, many criminals had converted parts of their bodies into mechanical limbs, and even unarmed, these individuals were strong combatants. One criminal, with five mechanical limbs, had even killed eight armed police officers with his bare hands.
Therefore, the police in America were now careful with everyone.
They were right to be cautious.
Indeed, Qin Ming could easily kill them both. Although he had the ability to resist, he had no intention of turning hostile just yet; he was curious about who was targeting him behind the scenes.
"I can come with you," he said.
"No need to be so tense."
Qin Ming locked up the recycling station and got into the patrol car with the two officers. Half an hour later, he was brought to the California police station.