Chapter Three: Vision! Immediate Concerns and Long-term Strategies!

In an era of peace, what does it mean for a nation to vigorously develop advanced military industry? It means constantly facing hostility, accusations, and even isolation from the Western powers.

Yet, in Chu Xiao’s eyes, as long as the foundation of Jiuzhou could be preserved, all those matters were unworthy of concern.

He had no right to interfere with other nations’ affairs; all he knew was that he was a son of Jiuzhou, and for Jiuzhou’s future he must strive.

Of course, another reason Chu Xiao deemed the so-called censure and resistance from other countries negligible was this: The moment Hades awoke, all those clamorous voices would vanish without a trace.

By then, Jiuzhou would surely stand before the world in a position of transcendence.

Having made his choice, Chu Xiao did not hesitate for a moment.

He promptly purchased a direct flight ticket online to Pearl City, grabbed his laptop, and hurried to the airport.

Though he and his parents had different beliefs, under these circumstances, Chu Xiao had no choice but to rely on their influence.

After all, as an ordinary citizen, his words held little weight. No one would heed his suggestions, and if he wasn’t careful, he might even be taken for a lunatic and detained.

But it was a different story for his father, Chu Renfang, who was second in command in Pearl City, wielding absolute authority and decision-making power.

After two hours of a star-lit journey, the family’s steward, Uncle Zhang, picked him up from the airport at nine o’clock that night.

In the car, Chu Xiao ignored Uncle Zhang’s chatter and opened his laptop, spending fifty thousand US dollars on the dark web for access to a message link.

The seller was a senior military engineer from the United States, and the message would exist for only eleven seconds.

In other words, the instant the message was posted, it was deleted from the dark web with incredible speed.

Had Chu Xiao been a few seconds early or late, he would have missed it entirely.

He opened it; the screen was filled with English text.

Chu Xiao knew this message wouldn’t last, so the moment it appeared, he skimmed through it at lightning speed.

Regarding the views and opinions of various world leaders on America’s supercomputer Hades:

[United States: The emergence of Hades will be a revolutionary achievement. Not only military industry, but even civil life—military development and production at the highest level, daily life at the most basic—can be entrusted to Hades. This will liberate the masses from labor while granting people unprecedented comfort.]

[Britain: We fully support the appearance of the Hades supercomputer. Replacing vast amounts of time-consuming, inefficient manual work with Hades is a wise decision.]

[European Union: As the United States has not revealed any details of Hades to the EU, we will maintain a wait-and-see attitude.]

[Russia: We oppose the American Hades project. With America masquerading as the world’s police, once it gains Hades’ assistance, global peace will be threatened.]

[Jiuzhou: We firmly oppose and protest the American Hades project. Entrusting all material foundations and resources essential to human survival to Hades is a grave threat to humanity itself. Human beings are the basis of productivity; no matter what, mankind must retain absolute control over machines and intelligent systems.]

At this point, the message disappeared. In summary, it was retribution from a developer involved in Hades’ creation, who, on the brink of its completion and having received no due reward, struck back at the United States.

Just eleven seconds, and the message was gone. From now on, the common people would never know what was about to happen.

Click.

Closing his laptop, Chu Xiao’s expression was utterly composed, yet his eyes were ablaze with a fervor bordering on madness.

As long as Jiuzhou opposed the birth of Hades, this matter would not be difficult.

At that moment, Chu Xiao resolved to stake everything, to rally the entire nation against the awakening of Hades.

This time, he would show the world that Jiuzhou’s preparations would be a display of foresight, national strength, and unity.

Three months remained. In ninety days, not only would they have to develop new weapons to counter the mechanical armies, but also mobilize the whole populace for mass production.

Ninety days!

It would be enough.

Gather the elite, call forth all corners of the land, unite the nation, and welcome a new era.

Upon returning to his family’s villa, Chu Xiao could not wait to rush into the main hall.

Hearing of their son’s sudden return, both Chu Renfang and Qin Lihua set aside their work and made time to reunite as a family.

Chu Renfang had served in the military in his youth; decisiveness and courage were in his bones. Years at the top had given him a commanding presence.

When Hades attacked Pearl City, Chu Renfang alone stood in defense. In the city’s final fall, all news of him was lost.

Qin Lihua wore her hair long and loose. Time had not stolen her beauty; even in her forties, she looked elegant and poised, exuding a noble grace that few could rival.

Alas, when Hades descended upon Pearl City, the convoy she tried to save—along with the tens of thousands of souls within—were all slain by T200.

Seeing his parents again, Chu Xiao’s gaze grew resolute. His determination to protect Jiuzhou only intensified.

“Son, what brings you home so suddenly? Did you miss your mother?” Qin Lihua rose immediately as he entered, both delighted and concerned.

“So, you rascal, weren’t you still sulking with me? What made you come back?” Though his words were teasing, Chu Renfang’s eyes betrayed the concern and affection he kept hidden.

“Dad, Mom, I came back this time because there’s something I must discuss with you.” Facing their concern, Chu Xiao spoke with unwavering resolve.

“Go ahead,” Chu Renfang smiled, drawing him onto the leather sofa, unable to resist a jest. “Let’s see what our precious son has to say this time.”

“Dad,” Chu Xiao did not smile. His face was grave as he looked at his father. Word by word, he declared, “This time, you must support me!”