My brother is so cunning

Chapter 1119 Right and wrong need no further explanation
"'Flying Knife' is the Demon Alliance's way of referring to top gene experts going to remote areas to practice medicine."

The female official Qingluan explained, "These experts are mostly ordinary people, but they are proficient in gene recombination. They can use a specially designed 'gene editing instrument' to precisely repair small defects in embryos. This kind of repair requires extremely precise microscopic manipulation techniques. Even the slightest deviation will damage the fragile gene helix structure and cause irreversible consequences."

Clearly, this member of Nuwa's family had done her homework and received careful instruction from her great-great-granddaughter, Luan Qingyu, which enabled her to answer fluently.

“I once secretly observed the modification process: the experts first formulated a detailed repair plan based on the screening report, and then used instruments to introduce the repaired gene fragments into the embryo. The whole process only takes half a day and the success rate is extremely high.”

The Azure Phoenix official pondered and continued, "More importantly, this part of the cost is not entirely borne by individuals. The Demon Alliance has a 'universal medical insurance' system. Citizens pay a small amount of medical insurance fees based on their income, which are pooled into a fund. For minor defects, the medical insurance can cover 60% of the cost, and individuals only need to pay 40%. However, for serious defects, the medical insurance will not cover the cost, and individuals must bear the full amount, in order to avoid the excessive use of resources."

"It is said that only one expert in the entire Demon Alliance possesses the technology to repair severe genetic defects. That expert's identity is very mysterious. He is said to be a leading figure in the field of gene modulation and the dean of the Institute of Genetics at the Demon Alliance Academy of Sciences."

"Rumors circulate that the female dean's gene-modification skills are superb. Even the offspring of a mangy dog ​​can be transformed into a celestial hound in her hands; the genes of an earthworm can be transformed into a divine dragon."

"Such an expert naturally has many people lining up to have her prepare formulas for their offspring, and naturally they are willing to pay very high fees to have her do it. Even so, it is very difficult to get an appointment with this expert, and many couples who cannot afford to wait have no choice but to terminate the pregnancy and place their hopes on the next child."

The top expert mentioned by the Azure Phoenix Lady is actually the "Mosquito Taoist" who lives in seclusion. She is now living a very fulfilling life, having helped countless families save their children with severe congenital genetic defects. She is hailed as "the Goddess of Mercy" by some members of the Demon Alliance who are not very educated.

Mosquito Taoist herself loathed this honorific title, and would fly into a rage whenever someone mentioned it, saying, "What level is Guanyin? How can she be compared to me in the field of reproductive health?"

Of course, the Demon Alliance always kept its secrets very tight, and the Azure Phoenix Lady did not find out the identity of this genetics expert. Little did she know that less than a hundred years ago, she was one of the greatest demons in the Three Realms.

Nuwa listened quietly, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the stone table, her heart filled with ripples.

She recalled that when she created humans, although she was able to use her divine power to create a healthy human race, she never thought of establishing such a guarantee for future generations. If a mortal couple gave birth to a child with defects, they could only pray for the protection of gods and Buddhas or leave it to fate. How could there be such a possibility of "early screening and proactive repair"?

In that era, let alone genetic defects and hereditary diseases, even common minor illnesses and ailments could easily take away a young life.

Those with congenital genetic diseases are considered cursed by gods and Buddhas, hated by heaven, and are evil creatures who are destined to die and cannot be saved even by gods.

Mothers who give birth to children with congenital diseases also suffer discrimination from ignorant people.

Ironically, the groups with high rates of congenital genetic diseases among humans are precisely certain "noble" families that are keen on maintaining the purity of their bloodline and often engage in inbreeding.

The purer the so-called "noble bloodline," the less likely the child will be to be outstanding; in fact, the child may appear mentally challenged.

Guang Chengzi's "human bloodline theory" was laughable to Nuwa, whose scientific literacy was not particularly high. Nuwa could imagine how Wen Rui viewed these Chan Sect immortals who talked about the Way of Heaven and the secrets of Heaven with the kind of concern for the disabled.

It would be strange if the two sides didn't clash.

Upon closer examination of Wen Rui's actions, it's clear that he didn't use any divine power or rely on divine revelation. He simply relied on a concrete social system to transform the "reduction of genetic defects" from a "miracle only immortals and Buddhas could control" into a "benefit that mortals could enjoy." "This wasn't a gift bestowed by an immortal with a wave of their hand, but rather a set of rules that all living beings must abide by..."

Nuwa murmured softly, her tone tinged with melancholy.

She looked down at her hands—the hands that had molded people from clay and given them life. But as the “Mother of Humanity,” she had never thought of “nurturing” or “teaching” people, except for creating them: she had not taught mortals how to protect their health, how to take control of their lives, or how to build a system that would allow them to live in peace.

The female official Qingluan added, "I have also discovered that the city not only has medical care, but also a 'Reproductive Science Popularization School' where doctors explain to the people how to regulate their bodies through diet and lifestyle, and how to avoid the risk of genetic defects before conception."

“There are even ordinary couples who take the initiative to learn the basics of gene matching in order to have healthier children. They no longer attribute reproduction to ‘fate’ but rely on knowledge and systems to take control of their destiny and the future of the next generation of their family.”

Nuwa raised her hand to her chest, a surge of intense emotion welling up within her.

She created the human race, but made them rely on the protection of immortals and Buddhas throughout the long years, with birth, aging, sickness and death entirely dependent on the will of Heaven.

While Zaowenrui did not create humans, he taught all beings to build a system to protect life through their own wisdom and cooperation.

In comparison, she herself, as the "Mother of Humanity," seemed to have failed in her duty.

“When I created humans, I only thought about making them ‘exist,’ but I never thought about making them ‘exist better.’”

Nuwa sighed softly, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes: "Now I truly understand Tongtian Daoist's magnanimity and spirit. His concept of fighting for a chance of survival for all living beings is teaching them to live with more dignity and hope by relying on their own strength."

After the Mysterious Woman left, Goddess Nuwa walked to the window and looked in the direction of Freedom City.

Amidst the churning sea of ​​clouds, she seemed to see ordinary people studying in classrooms, couples undergoing screenings at the reproductive health institute, and experts busy at the genetic research institute.

These mortals, without profound cultivation, have created a blessing that even immortals and Buddhas could not have imagined through knowledge and systems—congenital genetic diseases, a chronic ailment of humanity that even the protection of gods and Buddhas could not solve, have always been regarded as a curse from heaven.

The immortals of the Chan Sect refer to beings with genetic defects as "incomplete six senses," considering them to be born flawed and suffering this retribution for their sins in their past lives.

The deep-rooted prejudice against those who are "furry and horned, born from eggs and moisture" is more or less influenced by this ideology.

"Perhaps my understanding of 'Tao' was too narrow before."

Nuwa sighed softly, her doubts about the Chan Sect's concept of "explaining the Way of Heaven" growing ever deeper. She knew that in this conflict between "the Way of Heaven" and "all living beings," the scales in her heart had completely tipped in one direction.

(End of this chapter)