Based on Cao's track record, whoever he targets ends up dead.

Miracle Biopharmaceutical promptly issued an announcement.

It was incredibly detailed.

A full report spanning dozens of pages, complete with research findings.

Moreover, the new drug had already received approval for market release, meeting all regulatory requirements, and possessed its drug registration certificate.

Now, only the final step remained—

Phase IV clinical trials.

Also known as post-marketing studies.

This involved collaborating with several hospitals, requiring over two thousand participants...

...

As the company's announcement went public, patients began to see a glimmer of hope.

But with it came an influx of internet trolls.

Including prominent influencers who voiced skepticism.

Their arguments were baffling—everyone knew that biopharmaceutical advancements were dominated by foreign countries. If even they hadn’t developed a cure for cancer, how could Miracle Biopharmaceutical possibly achieve it?

This was the logic they used to craft their posts.

On the surface, their reasoning seemed sound, but future generations would easily recognize their true motives.

Yet, in this day and age, far too many people bought into this narrative.

Cao Cheng was puzzled.

As he scanned the posts from these self-proclaimed experts and influencers, he noticed one was a professor from a medical university, while the others were just online personalities.

Without hesitation, Cao Cheng tagged them in a reply.

He wrote with feigned curiosity: "I admire your courage, but I’m also a little confused. Do you have the life to spend the money you’re earning? Are you genuinely ignorant, or just pretending? Do you not know I specialize in retrieving USB drives and catching moles? No one’s dared to provoke me for ages—yet here you are. Brave souls. Well, don’t blame me for what comes next."

The saying goes: "Different trades, different worlds."

At the very least, the professor criticizing Miracle Biopharmaceutical had no idea who Cao Cheng really was.

He was just doing a paid job.

Before this, he’d only heard of the billionaire in passing—nothing more.

Scholars should uphold their integrity, after all.

Who cares how much money you’ve made?

A university professor, standing at the pinnacle of academia, surely outranked some money-grubbing businessman, right?

Hah.

What a joke!

So,

the professor remained oblivious—so much so that he didn’t even notice Cao Cheng’s reply tagging him.

It was his student who alerted him, urgently advising him to delete his online remarks.

The old man merely straightened his posture and scoffed: "Delete what? There’s nothing to delete. My words are like spilled water—once out, they can’t be taken back."

The student hesitated, studying his teacher’s expression. Could the professor really be in the clear? But… Cao Cheng had directly called him out. Surely there was no mistake?

Given Cao Cheng’s track record, whoever he tagged was as good as finished.

The student lowered his voice: "Professor, do you truly believe Miracle Biopharmaceutical couldn’t have developed a cancer treatment?"

The professor sneered: "You’re in the medical field too. Don’t you know how difficult it is to create an original drug? Even the simplest formulations require painstaking, complex research."

"And how can our domestic equipment compare to foreign standards?"

"How can our healthcare system measure up?"

"Even our medical education falls short."

"So,"

"if foreign researchers haven’t cracked it, how could we? It’s laughable."

"..."

The student had no rebuttal.

He knew there were gaps, but progress had been made in recent years.

If not for foreign embargoes on certain technologies, their own research wouldn’t be so arduous.

He understood his teacher’s point.

But seeing the professor’s smug expression, the student suddenly felt like he was looking at a stranger.

Looking back, he realized his teacher had always leaned toward glorifying foreign achievements while dismissing anything domestic—always skeptical, always scornful.

Before, it hadn’t seemed like a problem.

After all, some of the professor’s critiques were factual. Superiority had to be acknowledged.

But now…

Something felt off.

Yes, others excelled—but did that justify self-deprecation? Shouldn’t the focus be on striving harder?

Meanwhile, the cancer drug had the personal backing of the nation’s richest man, whose company was behind it.

That carried significant credibility.

The professor’s argument—"If foreign countries don’t have it, how could we?"—seemed flimsy at best.

Still,

the student only harbored doubts without pressing further.

This wasn’t the "awakened" generation, after all.

Until—

Several officers suddenly arrived, flashing their badges and an arrest warrant.

"Chen Liqiang, you are suspected of involvement in multiple classified information breaches, as well as online defamation and spreading false information. Come with us."

"What? Classified? Defamation?" Professor Chen paled, panic surging.

He knew exactly what they meant by "classified."

He’d secretly leaked numerous university research projects in exchange for hefty payouts.

His academic salary covered basic needs, but funding his daughter’s lavish overseas studies? Impossible without those side deals.

She demanded money monthly—without those illicit earnings, he’d have collapsed long ago.

"Officers, this… surely there’s some mistake?" His voice trembled as his body shook slightly.

His fear wasn’t just about arrest.

If he were detained, what would happen to his daughter abroad?

Without his support, how would she survive?

"Any mistakes will be clarified at the station," the officer said flatly. "Move. We’d prefer not to cuff you on campus, so cooperate."

A nearby student snapped out of shock: "Officers, uh—my teacher may have said harsh things online, but he’s well-respected here—"

The officer cut him off: "This doesn’t concern you."

Soon,

the officers escorted Professor Chen out of his office.

University administrators rushed to the scene.

Truth be told,

many institutions had this toxic habit—once the campus gates closed, the law seemed to vanish.

Any misconduct within was treated as an internal matter, to be resolved by the school.

Even legal consequences had to wait until after disciplinary action—expulsion first, then law enforcement.

The more prestigious the school, the worse this mentality.

"What’s going on here?"

"How can you arrest someone without cause?"

"Let’s discuss this properly… no need for arrests."

Some administrators were aggressive; others played good cop.

Their coordination was seamless—roles pre-assigned, some playing hardball, others acting conciliatory.

The lead officer ignored them, thrusting the arrest warrant forward: "Step back. Anyone obstructing us will be charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing justice. Read this—it’s an arrest warrant."

Principal Zhang intervened: "Officer, let’s resolve this internally. Professor Chen is a longstanding faculty member with an impeccable reputation. Could this be a misunderstanding?"

"Any misunderstandings will be clarified at the station," the officer replied.

"Look here, young comrade. Let me introduce myself. My surname is Zhang, and I am the principal of this university. Whatever the matter is, we can sit down and discuss it. If Old Chen truly has done something wrong, I won’t stand in your way. But if this turns out to be a misunderstanding, think about how it will affect Old Chen’s reputation and ability to work in the future?" Principal Zhang spoke with an air of righteous authority.

The officer hesitated for a couple of seconds, eyeing him up and down. "If you have something to say, take it up with our superiors."

"Very well. Young comrade, could you kindly call your superior? I’d like to speak with them directly. In the meantime, let’s move to the office—it’s too cold out here. We can sit down, have some hot tea, and talk things over. It’s not like anyone’s going anywhere." Principal Zhang waved his hand, and staff quickly arranged an office and brought tea.

The lead officer wasn’t stupid.

He knew exactly what rank the principal of a prestigious university like this held.

He had to show respect—but it wasn’t his place to make the call.

Only his superior could handle this.

Meanwhile, Principal Zhang quietly made a call to higher-ups in the ministry, probing for information on how to downplay the situation.

Whatever the issue was, it had to be contained.

No leaks.

Otherwise, who knew what kind of trouble might erupt?

Did they want to ruin their reputation?

...

Soon, some of the university’s leadership got to the bottom of the matter. They learned that Old Chen had been posting online, criticizing Miracle Biopharma, which had led to the officers showing up.

One department head slammed his fist on the table in fury.

"Outrageous!"

"Since when does a businessman get to stick his hands into university affairs?"

"Who gave him the right?"

"Who does he think he is?"

The other administrators nodded in agreement.

Even though some of them knew about Miracle Biopharma and its supposed breakthrough in cancer research, that didn’t stop them from rallying behind their own.

What kind of people were they?

Were they really going to let some businessman push them around?

This was beyond absurd.

Since the dawn of time, such a thing had never been tolerated.

...

Soon, the matter was resolved.

Professor Chen wouldn’t be arrested—just restricted from leaving the country.

The university would handle the investigation internally, checking for any leaks of confidential research.

Meanwhile, several high-profile bloggers had their accounts suspended and were arrested.

Only the professor remained untouched.

His posts were still up.

This made a lot of people realize:

"Seems like this Professor Chen from the medical school is clean."

"Rare to see that these days."

"Out of all the people who’ve crossed Cao Cheng, Professor Chen is the only one still standing."

"Truly a man of both virtue and talent."

"...

Unexpectedly, the story made headlines.

Ever since Cao Cheng came into the picture, anyone who dared oppose him would quickly find themselves exposed by some conveniently 'discovered' USB drive.

No matter the industry, they’d be wiped out in minutes.

Given Cao Cheng’s reputation, even a single word from him could trigger a media frenzy.

But looking back now—

After all this time, Professor Chen was the only one left standing.

Remarkable.

Truly remarkable.

Some even tagged Cao Cheng online, mocking him for finally hitting a brick wall.

Naturally, Cao Cheng noticed.

Something wasn’t right.

Cao Cheng froze for a second.

Had he just polished the professor’s reputation instead?

If Professor Chen didn’t fall, then Cao Cheng had inadvertently boosted the man’s fame.

But here’s the thing—

Others might not know, but Cao Cheng was well aware: that old man was no saint.

The leaks were real.

In fact, traces pointed to him being recruited years ago when he sent his daughter abroad to study.

With evidence this clear, why wasn’t he arrested?

Cao Cheng was genuinely baffled.

Without another word, he reached out to his contacts in the capital.

Cao Cheng had people in high places, after all.

No need to bother the top brass with something this minor.

But a call to the right secretary? That was doable.

One phone call.

Within minutes, the whole picture became clear.