138: Chapter 138 African Union Summit! A Second on the News Broadcast!

Bole International Airport.

As the roar subsided, a special plane painted with a national emblem featuring intertwined gears and circuit boards taxied to its designated spot and came to a precise halt.

The cabin door opened.

Dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, Lin Zhou stepped down the ramp, his back as straight as a pine tree.

Beneath his feet lay a vibrant red carpet.

On the tarmac, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, leading a group of officials, had long been waiting.

The military band conductor raised his arm, and a stirring welcome tune immediately echoed through the airport.

This kind of true head-of-state treatment was a first for Lin Zhou.

"Welcome, Your Excellency Supreme Lord!"

The Foreign Minister, wearing a beaming smile, stepped forward and warmly shook Lin Zhou's hand.

Lin Zhou responded with a smile, but in his heart, the title "Supreme Lord" felt somewhat absurd.

A title voted on by netizens was actually being uttered by the foreign minister of a sovereign state on such a formal occasion.

The world was truly becoming more and more surreal.

Accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Lin Zhou stepped onto the reviewing stand to inspect Ethiopia's Honor Guard.

The soldiers looked solemn, their movements sharp and precise, every step striking a steady rhythm.

"Click! Click!"

The accompanying team's cameras recorded everything in full.

The footage was transmitted back to the Cyber Freedom Republic in real-time, and edited video clips spread across major platforms with astonishing speed.

Not long after the video was posted, the entire nation's cyberspace was completely ignited!

"Holy crap! What a presence! This is what you call a grand entrance!"

"Red carpet! Military band! Honor Guard! Am I watching a movie? Is this really our country's Lord?"

"So cool! The moment I saw the Lord reviewing the Honor Guard, I, a grown man, almost burst into tears!"

"Congratulations from a Cloud Citizen! Wishing the Lord a smooth visit, showing off our national prestige!"

Online, the emotions of countless "Cloud Citizens" were completely triggered, setting off a collective frenzy.

When the images of Lin Zhou enjoying head-of-state treatment appeared before them, that sense of participation through the screen transformed into a tangible sense of national honor.

And the real climax was yet to come.

The moment that made everyone incomparably proud occurred at seven o'clock that evening.

China, News Broadcast.

While reporting on the African Union Summit, a shot was cut in without warning.

Lin Zhou!

He was shaking hands with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister.

Behind him, the unique national flag of the Cyber Freedom Republic was crystal clear!

This shot lasted only one second.

The host's broadcast didn't even mention Lin Zhou or the name of the Cyber Freedom Republic.

But even in just that short second, the political signal behind it carried immense weight!

This meant that the Chinese authorities held a tacit, or even welcoming, attitude toward the Cyber Freedom Republic's participation in international affairs as an independent sovereign state!

"Ahhh! I saw it! News Broadcast! I saw our country on the News Broadcast!"

"One second! A whole second! Our national flag! I took a screenshot! I'm going to frame this and hang it by my bed!"

"We've made it! We've really made it! This level of prestige is off the charts!"

"My dad just asked me who this young man was. I proudly told him, this is our country's Lord!"

The excitement online reached its peak.

For this emerging nation, having a shot in the official mouthpiece of China was more significant than winning a battle!

This was, without a doubt, a major diplomatic victory!

Far away in Addis Ababa, Lin Zhou, staying at his hotel, also saw the news.

He understood that this was Director Zhou fulfilling his promise.

Under the premise of not being able to grant direct official recognition, they provided help and endorsement in this manner, to the extent of their ability.

A signal, released subtly enough, yet with an intention that was exceptionally clear.

The corners of Lin Zhou's lips curled up.

He knew that with this one-second shot as a foundation, the Observer State seat at this African Union Summit was already in the bag.

Once successful, the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations would surely accelerate.

The door to the highest hall, the United Nations, was being slowly pushed open by a certain force.

"Knock, knock, knock."

There was a knock on the door.

It was someone sent by Hassan.

"Your Excellency, the Egyptian delegation has arrived at the hotel and is staying on the floor below you."

"Who is leading the team?" Lin Zhou asked.

"The Minister of Defense, General Mubarak."

Lin Zhou nodded and waved for the person to leave.

What a coincidence.

He didn't expect to meet this protagonist, who was about to take his final bow, so soon.

This ruler of Egypt who held the title of Minister of Defense.

The next day, in the corridor leading to the venue, Lin Zhou "happened" to encounter the Egyptian delegation.

A crowd surrounded an elderly man with graying hair but a still-sturdy frame. It was the Egyptian Minister of Defense, Mubarak.

This military strongman who wielded power in Egypt looked a bit older than in photos, but he exuded the majesty of someone long in a high position.

When he saw Lin Zhou in the corridor, he actually stopped and reached out his hand. The Egyptian officials behind him all showed surprise.

"You must be Lord Lin Zhou? I've heard a lot about you."

Mubarak's Mandarin had a heavy accent, but his pronunciation was clear.

"The commotion you've made in Bir Tawil is quite significant."

His tone was kind, but that undisguised sense of superiority was exactly like a dignified elder sizing up an interesting junior.

Lin Zhou, with a polite smile, stepped forward and gripped his thin but powerful hand.

"General Mubarak, you flatter me."

"We are just busy with some insignificant matters on our own land," Lin Zhou's voice was steady, neither fawning nor shrinking. He paused slightly, and the direction of his words suddenly shifted.

"Speaking of which, I must thank your country for the 'meticulous guidance' given to our inadequate Police Force during the last military exercise."

He emphasized the words 'meticulous guidance' very clearly.

The surrounding atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

The Egyptian officers behind Mubarak all looked somewhat uncomfortable.

They naturally understood the meaning behind those words. That so-called "guidance" had ended with their elite troops retreating in disgrace!

This kid was slapping him in the face!

Mubarak's expression didn't change; instead, he burst into loud laughter and slapped Lin Zhou heavily on the shoulder.

"Hahaha! Young people having drive is a good thing! A good thing!"

"The land of Africa has been dull for too long; it needs fresh blood like yours to stir things up."

He had an expression of "I think highly of you" and continued in the tone of an elder:

"Regarding your application for Observer State status at this summit, we, Egypt, will support you."

After saying that, he led his group away in a grand manner.

Lin Zhou stood in place, watching Mubarak's back as he was surrounded by the crowd like a moon among stars, and the smile on his face faded.

Just now, Mubarak's action of patting his shoulder had completely dissipated the slight bit of guilt he still felt for that subversion plot.