Having received such rebukes, the Academicians couldn't help but feel bitter.
Their research funding was indeed substantial, at least in the tens of millions, but they had never skimmed a dime for personal benefit; they earned just a monthly salary of around ten thousand or so.
They simply couldn't understand why, after having dedicated their entire lives to the nation, they had to face such scrutiny.
"Ding!" Their cell phones vibrated one after another.
"What..." At the sight of the text message, their pupils dilated several times over—their bank accounts had suddenly received a staggering sum of money.
Some received forty or fifty million, and some even more than a hundred million—the funds originated from an organization called the "Science Contribution Fund"!
"Mr. Zhang, is this your doing?" While an Academician was still brooding over netizens' comments, he suddenly discovered that the "Science Contribution Fund" was actually established by Zhang Menglong, and not even 11 minutes had passed since that Weibo post!
What did this mean? In the span of 11 minutes, Zhang Menglong had miraculously set up a dedicated team, even tracking down all their past honors, locating their bank card information, and transferring the money into their accounts.
How's that for lightning efficiency? The fastest man in the world?
"Mr. Zhang, we can't accept this money!"
"You can!" Zhang Menglong stated firmly. "If you all aren't eligible for this reward, then who is?"
"But it's just too much!" To date, the most these Academicians had possibly saved was a few hundred thousand, at most a million. Although they had seen amounts in the tens of millions, such figures had never appeared in their own accounts.
"No worries, it's not a big deal," Zhang Menglong said with a smile. "I've opened a bank, making money from foreigners. A little interest added next year and it'll all come back."
"Rest assured and take it. If anyone dares to insult you, I'll insult them back on your behalf. They're just sour losers—lacking culture, lacking brains, only left with a keyboard. Who says researchers have to live in poverty? As long as the money is earned legitimately, who has a say in it? I, Zhang Menglong, am here to break this unhealthy mindset!"
"Since that's the case, we won't stand on ceremony."
The Academicians may not need this money for themselves, but their descendants do. If they could provide for their wives and shade their children, why not take it?
"Menglong, we seem to be almost there."
"Really?" Zhang Menglong leaned towards the window. The airport had cleared a large area, surrounded by many soldiers armed to the teeth.
"What's going on? We're here to attend a meeting, not to carry out a terrorist attack. Why has the military turned up?" The Academicians asked curiously.
"Indeed, even for security reasons, isn't this a bit much? When I came here for an exchange during the pandemic, the lockdown wasn't even half as strict as today's security measures. This must have mobilized a whole regiment, right?"
"It might be to guard against me!" Zhang Menglong said with a chuckle.
Although the Supernaturals Alliance hadn't involved Kaibong in their last operation, even further back, the headquarters of Dark Ninja had nearly been razed by Zhang Menglong. The Nin Emperor hadn't recovered his full strength to this day and had even had several precious national treasures taken by Zhang Menglong to be used as kitchenware and household items.
Not long ago, the Spiritual Body named Zhen Yezhu, carrying those Hundred Demons from the legends of Kaibong, returned to the Onmyoji family and slaughtered the whole family clean. Hence, they already knew that their operation against Professor Qian Miao had failed.
Just now, they found out that this time the scientific research team from Huaxia was actually led by Zhang Menglong, and the leader of Kaibong almost died on the spot from fright. With his vindictive nature, wouldn't he just flip their skulls open?
So they hastily called in the troops, but they were well aware that if Zhang Menglong wanted to cause trouble, even ten times the number of people wouldn't be enough. It was merely psychological comfort.
However, to keep a constant watch on Zhang Menglong's movements, they sent many heavyweights to greet him. Setting aside Zhang Menglong's hidden forces, they owed him a debt of 500 billion US Dollars!
Owing 500 billion US dollars is what concept? That's daddy, and a big daddy at that!
"Noki Kimura, long time no see!" Seeing the person who had come to greet him, Zhang Menglong heartily opened his arms.
"Yes, Mr. Zhang, it has been a while," Noki Kimura's expression bore a hint of helplessness. Why the hell did this thankless task fall on him again?
What had Zhang Menglong done the last time he came on vacation with his friends? Making male and female celebrities spend the night with them, trading cars and diamonds for things like paper napkins, sanitary pads, and mineral water bottles, and calling it cultural exchange. He had never seen a more shameless person in his life.
"Menglong, why does he look so pitiful when he sees you? Did you hit on his daughter?"
"My friend did!" Zhang Menglong laughed. Last time Xu Li got the contact information of Noki Kimura's daughter, and who knew he would actually win her over? Seiran Kimura directly ran off to Huaxia and started a shameless cohabitation with Xu Li.
That time, Noki Kimura really lost his daughter and his troops.
Of course, the only upside was that he was more or less related to Zhang Menglong, which meant that even if Kaibong didn't respect him, they would at least consider his roommate Xu Li's feelings, right?
"Hahaha!" Hearing Zhang Menglong talk about that incident, the Academicians laughed out loud. You people from Kaibong, who usually have it easy, finally got what was coming to you!
"Did you not expect we would meet?" Zhang Menglong said with a smile. "I had no choice, our Academician Qian Miao is still recovering at home thanks to your country's hospitality, so I reluctantly have to lead the team."
"Mr. Zhang is too modest. We also have great respect for Academician Qian. We have reached out many times before, but unfortunately, Academician Qian has declined."
"Oh, by the way, I recall you have a family of Onmyoji surnamed Abe. I've been very interested in your country's art of Onmyoji recently. I wonder if I'll have the chance to see it this time?"
Thinking to himself, Noki Kimura thought, why would you bring that up? That family was wiped out a week ago, and everyone died horribly. Apart from a few babies in swaddling clothes, almost no one survived, and the family's lineage was almost ended right there.
Don't tell me that this has nothing to do with you, Zhang Menglong, I would never believe it.
"Mr. Zhang must be joking. Onmyoji and such are just folk tales. We don't have any Onmyoji families," Noki Kimura quickly changed the subject. "Mr. Zhang, let's hurry and depart. There's an opening ceremony today, and we shouldn't keep everyone waiting."
"No worries, they wouldn't dare complain," Zhang Menglong said with a smile. "Let's go!"
The opening ceremony of the conference had arrived, and all the researchers from the invited countries had already arrived at the venue.
"Hahaha, we should have more exchanges. The catalysis technologies of our two labs are the most advanced internationally. We must collaborate in the future!" Just as he walked into the venue, Zhang Menglong noticed a scholar speaking enthusiastically.
"Who is he?" Zhang Menglong asked.
"That's Professor Proko from the Deutsches I mentioned. Last time, he openly mocked our Huaxia's photocatalysis technology as being backward."
"Okay, I'll remember him," Zhang Menglong noted mentally. "From now on, no matter what they talk about or how impressive they sound, you just shake your heads and scoff. The more arrogant, the better. No matter the field or topic, you just pretend!"