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“Chapter Forty-Nine: Science Discusses Evidence

However, the girl seemed a bit shy and did not respond to Xiang Kun, so Professor Li explained on her behalf, “She’s explained to me before that there is no fixed method of distinguishing, even between birds of the same species, each of them may be different and must be judged according to the situation at the time. If multiple birds are chirping, they must compare with each other to make a judgment. In the end, it’s mainly about judging their emotions through their sounds. But I’ve tried plenty of times using her approach, and I didn’t hear much. I guess it’s due to her superior hearing that can pick up more details in sounds and a wider range of frequencies…”

After talking about this for a while, “Xiao Pingguo” seemed less shy and joined in their discussion.

Li Yang stated that his daughter’s hearing was superior to ordinary people and could pick up more details, which made it hard for him to learn. But this wasn’t a problem for Xiang Kun, he was confident that his hearing was far superior to that of the girl’s.

After some direct exchanges with the girl, he managed to grasp a few tricks to distinguish birdsong. By comparing the variety of birdsong he heard during his time in the mountains, he confirmed that what the girl said was useful.

But to master it and apply it practically, he needs further hands-on exploration and training.

During their conversation, Xiang Kun learned that Li Yang, the associate professor, was actually from the Life Science College, mainly studying the “interrelationships between important functional complex microbial communities in natural and artificial environments,” attempting to cultivate and isolate still uncultivated microorganisms with important functions and application values from the perspective of improving cultivation methods and understanding metabolic characteristics.

Although Xiang Kun had digested quite a bit of biology, medicine, cell, and gene-related books before, he still felt a bit overwhelmed when Li Yang actually got into the professional details and had to ask him for clarification like a student.

Xiang Kun had always hoped to consult professionals about his condition. Professor Li Yang’s field of expertise and knowledge reserve undoubtedly qualified him as such.

Of course, he wasn’t going to disclose his situation to Li Yang directly. Instead, he subtly steered the conversation towards mutation and genetic mutations.

. Professor Li, do you think it’s possible for a bird to mutate for some reason and grow three, four times, or even five or six times its original size?”

“Are you talking about an individual or the entire species?”

“An individual, like an owl or vulture.”

“It’s almost impossible. You know, if the size changes by three or four times, the weight may increase by over ten times, which the skeleton and muscles can’t withstand.” Li Yang shook his head: “Even if it were to occur, such an individual wouldn’t survive. Unless its entire body structure and tissue strength were rebuilt, but an individual’s mutation can’t be that orderly and stable.”

Professor Li, do you think it’s possible for a human to mutate for some reason, for example, the digestive system changing the way it absorbs energy, and then other organs and tissues in the body change accordingly, improving the body’s functions…”

“You aren’t suggesting that they acquire superpowers after the mutation, are you?” Li Yang chuckled, ‘We often use a phrase to describe the characteristics of genetic mutations: generally random, low frequency, more harm than good, and nondirectional.”

Li Yang continued to explain: “That is to mean, genetic mutations are prevalent in nature, and can happen at any stage and at any part of an organism’s development, they are random, and the frequency of mutations is low. Moreover, for an individual, mutations are generally harmful, and beneficial mutations are extremely rare. As for nondirectionality, it refers to the potential to produce more than one alternative gene…

. The human body is a precise, complex, stable, and orderly system. Any change could result in disastrous consequences. The usual external manifestations are illness, or deformity. Brother Xiang, as a programmer, you tell me, is a BUG good or bad in a finely-designed, complex, large-scale program, such as an operating system?”

Xiang Kun considered, then said, “For a programmer or an administrator, a BUG is definitely bad, and needs to be fixed. However, in some cases, the users might benefit from the BUG…”

Li Yang nodded, “That’s right. In most cases, it’s detrimental, only in some special cases can it bring about benefits, but there’s also the risk of total system collapse. It’s the same with mutation. If it’s a minor mutation, then its impact on the entire human body might be minimal, or it could bring about certain benefits or conveniences. For instance, lactose tolerance mutation enables adults to produce lactose-digesting enzymes, allowing them to consume dairy products with less concern. But if the mutation is substantial, the benefits it brings compared to the damage it does are negligible, it might even trigger a domino effect, causing the entire human system to collapse, even leading to death…

There might be a possibility of artificially modifying genes to create superhumans in the future, but for now… superhuman heroes as depicted in movies and comics appearing via random mutation is virtually impossible.”

In actuality, Xiang Kun already understood these points that Li Yang was making, having read a great deal of books related to biology and genes. But it was because of the events that had happened to him and the Giant Owl that he wasn’t willing to fully believe in textbooks.”

“Professor Li, do you think it’s possible that there could exist some sort of complete set of mutations in nature that are simply hidden… hidden within certain humans or other creatures until specific conditions are met to trigger them?”

Li Yang shakes his head: “You’re delving into the realm of mysticism. In literary works, movies or such, you’re free to concoct your own fantasy as long as your logic holds up. However, in science, the evidence is key. Without evidence, you can’t just make assumptions out of thin air.”

Xiang Kun then asks, “What’s your opinion on vampires, Professor Li?”

“If you’re asking me about rabies or porphyria, I can talk about that because these diseases actually exist and have been studied, with cases and recorded research. However, vampires, zombies and such, fundamentally they are no different than superheroes; mere fictional characters in literature and mythology, there’s no solid evidence that proves their real-life existence. So, we can only discuss them from a literary perspective, not a scientific one… Uh, I particularly enjoyed ‘Interview with the Vampire’ and ‘True Blood’…”, Li Yang says with a smile.

Xiang Kun really wants to turn around, grab Li Yang by the collar from the backseat, and shout: I’m right here, a vampire, living evidence!

But he merely entertains this thought. He wouldn’t reveal his secret to someone he just met.

At this point, they’d already reached the foot of the mountain. Seeing the heated discussion between Kit and Li Yang, Li Sheng decided to drive Kit all the way to the city bus station since they were headed back to the city anyway. They could continue their chat on the way.

After they reached the station, they all exchanged WeChat info, Kit got off the car and bade them goodbye.

Watching Kit’s retreating figure disappearing into the ticket hall, Li Yang in the car shakes his head, sighing. “Can’t believe this Xiang brother is still so into superheroes at the age of thirty. Oh right, Xiao Pingguo, what did you call it again? Something two?”

“Chuuni.” Xiao Pingguo says, then shakes her head. “Uncle Xiang isn’t chuuni, it seems like he wants to hear theories from daddy that could help explain the existence of these superheroes and vampires.”

“That’s rather impossible…” Li Yang chuckled.

Li Sheng, who’s driving, suddenly comments, “Xiang brother’s feet are very dirty.” He pauses, adding a clarification, ‘Very, very dirty.”

“What?” Li Yang furrows his brow in confusion. Li Sheng had given Kit his sandals since they had been getting along well during the drive. He wasn’t insulting Kit’s dirty feet, but rather expressing something else.

After a moment of thought, it clicks for Li Yang. “You mean Kit has been walking barefooted for a long while?”

Li Sheng nods, “The thick layer of hardened mud on his feet couldn’t have come from walking on Winding Mountain Road. He must have walked quite a distance in the mountains. Plus, I was there when he washed his feet. There were no injuries. This means that he knows how to walk skillfully to avoid obstacles that’d hurt his feet. I suspect that he intentionally went into the mountains without shoes.”

“He purposely didn’t wear shoes? Why?” Li Yang asks.

“Perhaps he really is an ascetic monk. If he had worn a monk’s rob, I might’ve believed he is a real monk with martial arts capabilities.” As he speaks, Li Sheng chuckles.

Li Yang shakes his head, “He’s a programmer, right? Drop the talk about him being a monk. He himself said he’s bald because of hair loss—”

Xiao Pingguo suddenly chimes in, “Uncle Xiang didn’t have any body odor.”

Both of them halt at her words. Given the temperature at two in the afternoon and how hot the weather was, even without taking a stroll on the mountain trail, standing still for ten minutes would make one soaked in sweat.

But now thinking back, Kit didn’t seem to sweat all that much. And even if his sweat had dried, some sour smell should have persisted. Both of them knew that Xiao Pingguo had a keen sense of smell and hearing. If she said there was hardly any scent, it almost certainly meant that he barely sweated. Li Sheng chuckles and shakes his head, “This Xiang brother, is quite the character.. “