5: Chapter 5 Global Blacklist: Can Major Powers Aren't They Afford to Play This Game?

After wandering around Cairo for three days, Lin Zhou's nerves had not relaxed one bit despite the freedom before his eyes. He understood that this was merely the calm before the storm.

On the afternoon of the third day, the Egyptian Intelligence Official who had previously summoned Lin Zhou appeared once again.

“Mr. Lin, we are sorry, but we have received instructions from our superiors. There is a final resolution regarding your incident.” An official spoke politely as he handed a document to Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou took the document. Clear words were written on it in both Arabic and English: Deportation, Permanent Entry Ban.

He glanced at it; the wording was concise, with no possibility of change.

“Mr. Lin, after communication and coordination with multiple parties, we have had to make this decision. You will be deported from Egypt immediately.” The official's tone was polite, but his attitude was firm.

Lin Zhou placed the document back on the table, his tone of inquiry calm: “Is this Egypt's official decision?”

“Yes. We also understand how you feel.”

“Is there anything else to add?” Although Lin Zhou had his suspicions, he still wanted to hear it from them personally.

Another official added: “We have also received assistance from the Sudanese side. Sudan has also placed you on their entry ban list. This means you will be unable to enter Bir Tawil from either the Egyptian or Sudanese borders.”

The meaning behind their words was clear and direct: We cannot stop you from founding a country in 'No Man's Land,' but we can make it so you can't get there at all. Without supplies or the movement of people, the 'Cyber Freedom Republic' would be like a seedling without soil, eventually destined to wither away.

No emotion showed on Lin Zhou's face. This was exactly as he had expected.

He picked up his phone, faced the camera, and smiled faintly: “Citizens of the Cyber Freedom Republic, I, Lin Zhou, have just received a 'special gift.' The Egyptian government has decided to deport me and... permanently ban me from entering Egypt again. Not only that, but they've also informed me that the Sudanese government has blacklisted me as well.”

The comment section of the livestream began to boil over.

“Holy crap, things really have escalated!”

“Is this the rhythm of being globally wanted?”

“Host, you're truly incredible!”

“Egypt and Sudan are being too petty! They can't play fair!”

“Host, how about you just come back and write code? Stop tossing yourself around!”

Ignoring the clamor of the bullet comments, Lin Zhou continued: “This means that attempting to enter Bir Tawil via the land routes of Egypt and Sudan has become an impossible mission.” He held up the document in his hand, giving the camera a close-up.

“Do they think this can stop us?” Lin Zhou’s voice rose slightly, his gaze revealing an unyielding will. “Wrong! This only makes me more firmly believe in the necessity of establishing the 'Cyber Freedom Republic'!”

He set the document down and bowed to the camera: “Citizens, I, Lin Zhou, never give up! Although I am returning home 'with my tail between my legs' this time, this is only a step back to make a greater leap forward in the future!”

After saying this, he turned off the livestream. He knew now was not the time to act on impulse. Being jointly boycotted by two countries meant this was no longer a simple 'internet celebrity stunt.'

Lin Zhou took the fastest flight and returned to his home country.

Back in his apartment, he felt exhausted. The heat of the desert, the oppression of Cairo, and those two severe bans had left him physically and mentally drained. But he did not collapse; instead, they stirred an even stronger fighting spirit within him.

He opened his computer and started the livestream once more.

“Citizens of the Cyber Freedom Republic, I, Lin Zhou, have returned!” He faced the camera with a serious expression.

He once again displayed the entry bans from Egypt and Sudan.

“I know many people might feel that I've 'died before the battle was won' this time. But I want to tell everyone, this is only the beginning!” Lin Zhou's tone was powerful. “They think that by restricting my entry, they can cause our country to be stillborn. But they are wrong!”

“The actions of these countries precisely prove the potential of the 'Cyber Freedom Republic'! If it were just a joke, why would they go to such great lengths?”

In the bullet comments, voices of support gradually drowned out the skepticism.

“The host is right! The more it's like this, the more it shows we're onto something!”

“This is practically an official certification!”

“Host, what's next? Are you going to fly over there?”

Lin Zhou cleared his throat, his voice steady: “I said before, all obstacles can be resolved through negotiation. and the bargaining chips for negotiation are interests.”

“I announce to everyone that I, Lin Zhou, already have a complete plan!” He deliberately left them in suspense, not immediately announcing the details.

“Next, I will lead everyone to use the power of technology to make those who 'look down' on us sit up and take notice!”

He said a few more words to boost morale and then turned off the livestream.

Only he remained in the room. Lin Zhou walked to his desk and took a notebook out of his backpack. It was densely packed with his ideas, schematic diagrams, and material lists for 'Solar Water Collection Technology'.

He needed to turn this black technology from theory into reality.

“System, can the core materials for this 'Solar Water Collection Technology' really only be prepared through a laboratory?” Lin Zhou asked the system.

“Yes, Host. Based on current Earth technology levels, this material requires precise molecular structure regulation. Industrial mass production requires higher-grade equipment. Current small-batch laboratory preparation is the only way.” The system's voice responded.

Lin Zhou stroked the notebook in his hand.

This technology was exactly the bargaining chip he would use to leverage the bans from Egypt and Sudan. Both countries suffered from water shortages. If he could provide a cheap and efficient water extraction solution, they would have to reconsider their attitude toward the 'Cyber Freedom Republic'.

He didn't want to monopolize this technology; his goal was national recognition. And this technology was his stepping stone to prove the value of the 'Cyber Freedom Republic' to the world.

The most urgent task now was to find a laboratory capable of material preparation and to find talent in materials science who could provide help.

Lin Zhou opened his computer and re-examined his bank balance. The great cause of nation-building required financial support at every step. Although the money from the last crowdfunding was a significant amount, very little remained after purchasing supplies, paying for airfare, and hiring guides. And now, he also needed to invest in research funding.

Simple 'citizen registration' was no longer enough to meet his needs. He needed a more attractive and direct way of raising funds.

A bold idea formed in his thoughts.

“Titles of Nobility,” he muttered to himself.

What he wanted to do was not just a simple sale, but to endow it with more meaning and emotional value.