Director Carson congratulated Lu Zhou on his second Nobel Prize and asked whether China’s future in space included other countries, but Lu Zhou declined to discuss politics. At Jinling University, Han Mengqi questioned a documentary script’s lack of romance and unexpectedly agreed to audition for the role of Shan.

• Director Carson visited Lu Zhou and congratulated him on winning the Nobel Prize in Physics.
• Director Carson admitted that his country had fallen behind China in space exploration and asked whether other countries would share in its future.
• Lu Zhou said he was not interested in discussing the political question and distinguished scholars’ concerns from politicians’ priorities.
• Han Mengqi told the screenwriter that the documentary script felt incomplete without romantic love, especially given her cousin’s feelings for Lu Zhou.
• The screenwriter explained that interviews suggested the bond was about mutual support and growth, then asked Han Mengqi to audition for Shan.
• Han Mengqi agreed to try out for the role, though she immediately regretted saying yes.

Lu Zhou traveled to Stockholm with Chen Yushan, who gave him an unexpected makeover on the plane. He was warmly welcomed by Swedish officials and royalty, then learned that airport security arrangements had kept most reporters away.

• Chen Yushan pulled Lu Zhou into the plane's bathroom and applied BB cream, shaped his eyebrows, and styled his hair.
• Lu Zhou and Chen Yushan shared an awkwardly intimate moment during the makeover, then both left the bathroom flustered.
• Lu Zhou's plane landed in Stockholm under fighter jet escort, where Academician Staffan, Ambassador Zhang, Prince Carl Philip, and Princess Lillian welcomed him.
• Princess Lillian stumbled over Lu Zhou's name, improvised her greeting, and then playfully ran away when he offered his hand.
• As the motorcade left the airport, Lu Zhou learned that authorities had restricted media access for security reasons and realized his makeover had been unnecessary.

Lu Zhou returned to the Stockholm Grand Hotel for the Nobel Prize ceremony and revisited memories from five years earlier. After studying Rudy Davik’s paper on Z Particle gravitational anomalies, he found evidence that the mysterious matter might be a special field and made the research an IMCRC priority, then prepared to meet Chen Yushan for a drink.

• Lu Zhou arrived at the Stockholm Grand Hotel with Chen Yushan amid heightened security and recalled staying in the same room five years earlier.
• Lu Zhou told Chen Yushan that his parents and Xiao Tong would arrive the next morning, and she left to unpack and rest before finding him that evening.
• Lu Zhou read Rudy Davik’s paper on gravitational anomalies from Z Particles and used his calculations to conclude that the missing matter likely came from a special field within their universe, not the Void.
• Lu Zhou emailed Rudy Davik, invited him to present his findings at the year-end conference, and designated the research as an IMCRC priority for the first half of next year.
• Lu Zhou prepared to meet Chen Yushan for a drink and asked Xiao Ai what he should wear.

Summary of Chapter: “Another Nobel Prize!”

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• The chapter is set in Stockholm during the Nobel Prize ceremony, with heavy snowfall and early winter darkness.
• Outside the Blue Palace, Chinese residents gather with paper lanterns to show support; a CTV reporter interviews an excited man who cheers for the Chinese scientist.
• Inside the hall, the Nobel ceremony begins with music; the Nobel Foundation chairman opens the event.
• Mats Larsson, chairman of the Nobel Physics Committee, delivers a speech about the discovery of higher dimensions, the Lunar Hadron Collider, and a “great man who refused to give up.”
• He officially announces that Lu Zhou is the recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics — implying Lu Zhou has now won both Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry, a feat only Marie Curie achieved before.

2. Character Developments

• Lu Zhou does not appear directly; he is the celebrated honoree.
• Lu Bangguo (father): Nervous and worried about his son, but still proud; comically fusses over his daughter’s marriage instead of focusing entirely on the ceremony.
• Fang Mei (mother): Calm and teasing; keeps her husband grounded, comparing the event to a school parent meeting.
• Xiao Tong (sister): Playful, witty; defends her busy life as a Princeton student and jokes that her brother is “one of those weirdos.”
• Edward Witten: Envious but respectful; notes Lu Zhou’s historic achievement of winning both Nobel Prizes.
• Professor Deligne: Reflective and proud; recalls Lu Zhou as his student and reflects on how mathematics can change the world beyond pure theory.

3. Significant Themes

• National pride and public admiration for a brilliant scientist.
• Interdisciplinary achievement — mathematics, physics, and chemistry together; breaking boundaries of pure academic fields.
• Historic recognition — being only the second person after Marie Curie to win Nobel Prizes in both Physics and Chemistry.
• Family warmth and ordinary human concerns amid a grand, historic occasion.
• Science as world-changing force, not isolated theoretical work.

4. Character Interactions

• Reporter interviews an excited Chinese resident holding a lantern.
• Lu Bangguo, Fang Mei, and Xiao Tong exchange lighthearted family banter about Lu Zhou’s nerves, Xiao Tong’s dating life, and Princeton life.
• Witten and Deligne discuss Lu Zhou’s achievements, with Deligne recalling his student and reflecting on mathematics’ real-world impact.
• Mats Larsson’s speech serves as the ceremonial interaction between the committee and the audience, ending with Lu Zhou’s name.

Lu Zhou won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the Z Particle, prompting celebration among his students and across Hua Nation. After accepting the medal, he considered establishing a medal in his own name and was urged to meet the young lady waiting for him at the ball.

• Lu Zhou's students watched him receive the Nobel Prize in Physics and celebrated his second Nobel Prize.
• Netizens and physicists discussed Lu Zhou's Z Particle discovery and the wider significance of his research and scientific projects.
• Lu Zhou accepted the medal from King Charles XVI, who praised his contributions and suggested he create a medal to inspire young people.
• Lu Zhou told King Charles XVI he was considering the idea of establishing a medal in his name.
• Mr. Carl noticed Lu Zhou's embarrassment and encouraged him to join the young lady waiting for him and enjoy a romantic evening.

At a banquet, Lu Zhou left the dance floor with Chen Yushan, and the two shared a quiet moment by the lake beneath the aurora. Chen Yushan wished for a boyfriend, and Lu Zhou asked if he could be the one.

• Princess Lillian asked Lu Zhou to dance, but he told her he might have to leave with Chen Yushan.
• Chen Yushan took Lu Zhou aside, and they talked together in the lounge while she teased him about his popularity with children.
• Chen Yushan went to fetch her coat, while Lu Bangguo stopped Fang Mei from interrupting Lu Zhou as he waited for her.
• Lu Zhou and Chen Yushan walked beside the lake, held hands, and watched the aurora as snow began to fall.
• Chen Yushan wished for a boyfriend, and Lu Zhou said he would not introduce her to one before asking, “Would I do?”

After Lu Zhou and Chen Yushan shared their first kiss, they admitted their feelings and spent the night together in Stockholm. The next morning, they began discussing how to take their relationship forward.

• Lu Zhou and Chen Yushan kissed by Lake Mälaren, then admitted they were both experiencing these feelings for the first time.
• Lu Zhou and Chen Yushan spent the night together after sharing drinks and discussing what had happened between them over the years.
• The next morning, Chen Yushan woke beside Lu Zhou and joked that it felt like a dream.
• Chen Yushan told Lu Zhou to start by holding hands and gradually tell his parents about their relationship.
• Lu Zhou watched Chen Yushan head to the bathroom and reflected that love was hard to put into words.

Lu Zhou spent the morning with Chen Yushan before she left Stockholm, then met Ambassador Zhang Wenbin, who invited him to present Hua Nation’s achievements at the Global Climate Action Summit in Copenhagen. Lu Zhou agreed to travel there aboard the Swedish royal family’s cruise ship, Northern Lights.

• Chen Yushan gave Lu Zhou part of her breakfast, and Xiao Tong teased him about their relationship before he changed the subject to her studies at Princeton.
• Lu Zhou read Professor Rudy Davik’s flattering email and agreed to reserve judgment until he saw the professor’s presentation.
• Secretary Sun Xuewen arranged a meeting with Ambassador Zhang Wenbin, and Lu Zhou told Chen Yushan he might not be able to take her to the airport.
• Chen Yushan reassured Lu Zhou that they could pursue their careers while supporting each other, and the two shared an intimate goodbye before she departed for the airport.
• Ambassador Zhang invited Lu Zhou to speak at the Global Climate Action Summit in Copenhagen about Hua Nation’s progress in reducing emissions through controlled fusion.
• Lu Zhou accepted the invitation and agreed to travel with the Swedish royal family and Northern European delegates aboard the cruise ship Northern Lights.

A suited man recruited Marash to attack the royal cruise ship Northern Lights and kill a specific passenger, offering weapons and a C-130 in exchange. As Lu Zhou stood aboard the ship, sensing that something was about to happen, an alarm suddenly sounded.

• Marash inspected a shipment of weapons at an abandoned East African base and learned it was only the down payment on a much larger deal.
• The suited man showed Marash a newspaper report about the royal cruise ship and asked him to use attackers to kill a target aboard it.
• Marash agreed to consider the job but demanded extra payment because weapons alone were not enough.
• Lu Zhou traveled aboard the Northern Lights with diplomats, entrepreneurs, and Sweden’s royal family, while Princess Lillian continued to act annoyed with him.
• Lu Zhou told Wang Peng that the wind on deck seemed boisterous, and an alarm suddenly sounded.

Chapter Summary: "The Waves Were a Bit Noisy"

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Hostage situation on the Oseberg: The chapter opens with Kuri, a sailor aboard the cargo ship Oseberg, held hostage by a group of modern-day pirates led by Abraham, a top operative working for a man named Marash. The pirates, of East African origin, have hijacked the ship and its crew to carry out an attack.
• The pirates' plan: Abraham intends to ram the cruise ship Northern Lights with their faster cargo vessel (40 knots vs. 27 knots). If ramming fails, they'll board, kill all passengers, plant thermite charges, and sink the ship to disguise the massacre as a tragic collision. A getaway fishing boat is pre-arranged nearby. The timeline is under an hour; the nearest patrol is three hours away.
• Panic on the cruise ship: An alarm sounds aboard the Northern Lights. Passengers, entertaining on deck, panic as the ship suddenly accelerates. A first mate tries to calm everyone, attributing it to "strong waves ahead."
• Identified threat: Lu Zhou, a VIP passenger, wears his holographic AR glasses and accesses satellite imagery via his AI assistant, Xiao Ai. He discovers the "cargo ship" is actually a hijacked vessel with hostages tied to the bow—pirates are setting up a frontal attack.
• Response: Wang Peng, Lu Zhou's bodyguard, confirms the threat via the sent aerial images and sends a covert satellite phone message, reassuring Lu Zhou that "our people are already on the way."

2. Character Developments

• Lu Zhou: Demonstrates the ability to utilize his advanced technology (smart glasses linked to a satellite) in a real-world crisis. He acts decisively, overrides the idea of retreating to rooms, insists on going to the captain's bridge, and quickly identifies the situation. Remains calm and analytical despite the danger.
• Wang Peng: Shows a well-trained protective instinct—positioning himself defensively behind Lu Zhou, staying alert, and restricting information to avoid panic. His demeanor is grave but controlled. Reveals he has a secure, high-level communication channel for emergencies.
• Abraham: Introduced as a ruthless and competent antagonist—calculating, confident in his plan, and quick to see cowardice as a death sentence within his crew. His internal confidence creates tension, as there are hints (via the hesitant subordinate) that things may not go as smoothly as expected.
• Kuri: An ordinary man caught in dangerous circumstances; his only action is mutely submitting and hoping to survive. Represents the vulnerability of everyday people caught in violent schemes.
• The unnamed pirate: He doubts the plan internally but suppresses his concerns out of fear of Abraham, illustrating the climate of intimidation within the pirate group.

3. Significant Themes

• Modern piracy: The shock of a traditionally high-risk, non-Western crime arriving in the supposedly safe waters of the Baltic Sea. The terrorists are savvy enough to craft a plan to make the attack look like a maritime accident.
• Technology versus primitive threat: Lu Zhou accesses real-time satellite spy imagery to turn the tables on a pirate attack, underscoring how modern tech can bridge the gap in conventional security.
• Security and complacency: The contrast between the casual luxury of the cruise ship (passengers flirting during an emergency) and the deadly serious response of seasoned security personnel highlights the disconnect between ordinary civilians and those who expect danger.
• The randomness of violence: The chapter begins from the perspective of the captive Kuri, emphasizing how tragic events happen to ordinary people without warning.

4. Character Interactions

• Kuri and the pirates: Dehumanizing—Kuri tries to stretch and is physically kicked; the pirates view hostages as obstacles and insurance, not as people.
• Abraham and the unnamed pirate: A dynamic of intimidation and submission. The pirate almost questions the plan but backs down, fearing Abraham's deadly judgment.
• Passengers on deck: Chaos, whispering, and melodrama (the "James and Rose" couple jokingly comparing the situation to the Titanic). An interplay between luxury and impending crisis.
• Lu Zhou and Wang Peng: A professional, high-trust partnership. Wang Peng gives orders and handles logistics; Lu Zhou provides intelligence through his tech and keeps strategic focus.
• Lu Zhou and Xiao Ai: A quick, seamless interaction with his AI assistant, who processes satellite data and delivers the imagery.
• Lu Zhou and the Royal Guard bodyguard: Tension and skepticism—Lu Zhou's warning of "pirates" is met with doubt, though it's hinted that this bodyguard will be untrustworthy or useless in the coming conflict.

Chapter Summary: "Surgical Operation"

Key Plot Points

• The first batch of lunar colonists for the Guanghan Special Zone has arrived at the Jinling Aerospace Launch Center, a month into their stay.
• Tao Muye, a space-breeding researcher, awaits departure and meets fellow colonist Sun Lieyang.
• A sudden alarm triggers a rapid military mobilization: the Orbital Drop Brigade launches a rescue mission.
• The cargo vessel Oseberg has been hijacked by unidentified armed forces at 17°E, 55°N in the North Sea. The crew of twenty is held hostage.
• Evidence indicates Professor Lu is among those threatened, prompting Li Gaoliang to personally lead the operation despite protocol concerns.
• With international cooperation (UK Royal Air Service and Danish rescue vessels), the brigade executes a high-altitude drop from low orbit (200+ km) to conduct a surgical strike on the hijacked vessel.

Character Developments

• Tao Muye: A contemplative, dry-humored seed researcher specializing in cotton and coffee bean breeding for space. Reserved but observant.
• Sun Lieyang: An outgoing, boastful fusion engineer; a disciple of Academician Sheng Xianfu (himself a protégé of Academician Lu). Cynical about the century-long fusion project's prospects, yet proud of his academic lineage.
• Li Gaoliang: A fiercely loyal platoon commander who owes his life to Professor Lu. Willingly breaks military decorum to lead the operation personally, prioritizing personal allegiance over rank.

Significant Themes

• The Generational Divide in Science: The contrast between idealistic long-term projects (second-generation fusion, lunar agriculture) and the cynicism/realism of the researchers pursuing them.
• Loyalty vs. Duty: Li Gaoliang's defiance of the staff officer illustrates the tension between military discipline and personal gratitude.
• The Convergence of Civilian Science and Military Action: Colonists preparing to farm on the moon witness combat operations unfolding in real time.
• Scale of Human Ambition: The juxtaposition of a peaceful lunar settlement program against contemporary counter-piracy warfare.

Character Interactions

• Tao Muye & Sun Lieyang: A casual, friendly meeting of contrasting personalities—the quiet agronomist and the gregarious physicist. They bond over advisor stories and banter about the realities of academic life, briefly touching on the Orbital Drop Brigade before caution prevails.
• Li Gaoliang & Staff Officer: A tense confrontation where Li's personal loyalty to Professor Lu overrides formal protocol, showcasing his unyielding temperament.
• Li Gaoliang & First Platoon: A commanding leader motivating his troops with crude humor and the brigade's motto—"Steel is our footprint!"—even as they face a water landing.

Summary: "A Magic Trick"

Key Plot Points & Events

1. Ship in Chaos: The Northern Lights cruise ship is in panic after rumors spread that pirates have targeted the vessel. Passengers demand lifeboats and life jackets, even though these would be useless in international waters.
2. The Missing Princess: Lu Zhou and Wang Peng encounter Prince Felipe and Princess Sophia, who are frantic because their daughter, Princess Lillian, has gone missing amidst the chaos.
3. Finding Lillian: Lu Zhou volunteers to help. Using Xiao Ai and his AR glasses, he hacks the ship's surveillance system, tracks Lillian's movements, and locates her hidden in a stern storage room (B2771).
4. The Insider Revealed: Lillian tells Lu Zhou that "someone" announced the pirates' arrival before the official announcement—confirming there is an insider aboard creating chaos.
5. Suspicious Activity: Xiao Ai flags several people in staff uniforms moving toward the lowest deck against the crowd. Lu Zhou realizes they are likely using Royal Guard weapons hidden aboard the ship.
6. Wang Peng Departs: Wang Peng goes to intercept the six suspicious figures, leaving Lu Zhou alone with Lillian in the storage room.
7. The Approach: The pirate cargo ship draws closer. Lu Zhou tells Lillian he will show her a "magic trick" that works only on bad people, hinting he has a plan against the pirates.

Character Developments

• Lu Zhou: Shows strong practical compassion—volunteers to find a girl he barely knows. Demonstrates confidence, quick thinking, and command of his technology. Reveals a playful, almost fatherly side when comforting Lillian, but also a subtle calculating side regarding the coming fight.
• Wang Peng: Loyal and professional, but cautious. He questions Lu Zhou's choices, yet follows orders without hesitation. His brief smile and confidence ("Only six?") reveal a hardened field operative.
• Princess Lillian: Precocious, innocent, but genuinely frightened. She insists she was "fleeing," not hiding, and shares dark, exaggerated fears of pirates (taught by things found online). Warms to Lu Zhou and trusts him enough to be comforted.
• Princess Sophia: Hysterical and desperate, latching onto anyone who might help. Emotionally overwhelmed.
• Prince Felipe: Calmer, rational, but passively reliant on others (the Royal Guard).

Significant Themes

• Panic vs. Reason: The passengers' irrational behavior contrasts sharply with Lu Zhou's calm, methodical response.
• The Hidden Threat: The deliberate spreading of rumors suggests a planned, coordinated attack where chaos itself is a weapon.
• Protection of Innocence: Lu Zhou shields Lillian both physically and emotionally, acting as a steadying force against a child's fears.
• Technology as a Tool: Xiao Ai's surveillance and control of the ship's systems turn the environment into Lu Zhou's eyes and ears, leveling the playing field.
• Unreliable Allies: The Swedish Royal Guard (who have weapons) are presented as potential liabilities, not just protectors.

Character Interactions

• Lu Zhou & Wang Peng: Guard vs. principal dynamic; Lu Zhou defies Wang Peng's caution, and Wang Peng defers to his judgment. They work as a team with unspoken trust.
• Lu Zhou & the Prince/Princess: Sophia grasps Lu Zhou as a last hope; Felipe is hesitant about accepting help. Lu Zhou reassures them both with confident authority.
• Lu Zhou & Lillian: A sweet, protective dynamic. Lillian treats him with childish suspicion initially, then curiosity and trust. Lu Zhou talks gently, teases her gently, and reframes the danger as a "magic trick" to keep her calm.
• Wang Peng & Lillian: Brief; Lillian is visibly uncomfortable with Wang Peng's grim demeanor, though he is not unkind.

Summary: “From the Sky!”

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• A pirate leader, Abraham, leads his men on the freighter Oseberg to catch up to a nearby cruise ship, intending to attack it for wealth and honor.
• As he rallies his crew, three flaming objects streak down from the sky and strike his ship, causing an explosion and thick, blinding smoke.
• From prism-shaped metal containers, soldiers in black exoskeletons emerge and systematically gun down the armed pirates.
• Abraham, terrified, throws away his weapon, hides among the tied-up hostages, then jumps overboard with a life jacket.
• Meanwhile, on the cruise ship, Wang Peng clears out a group of eight armed men in the lower decks. He kills seven; the last one commits suicide.
• Searching the body, Wang Peng finds a bloodstained notebook. Inside, he sees writing that seems strangely familiar.
• In a cabin by the porthole, the little girl Lillian cheers as she watches the “pirate ship” get hit by falling flames, believing it to be amazing magic.
• Lu Zhou gently dismisses her playful claim that he might be her “prince,” saying he is more like a wizard.
• Wang Peng arrives and reports the mission is complete. He hesitantly hands Lu Zhou the notebook, suggesting its contents might interest him.

2. Character Developments

• Lu Zhou: Calm, protective, and quietly amused by Lillian’s innocence. His interaction with her makes him realize he might want a daughter someday.
• Lillian: Excitable, imaginative, and precocious. She sees the violent attack as fairy-tale magic, showing her childlike innocence despite the danger around her.
• Wang Peng: Professional and efficient, but slightly uneasy about sharing the notebook with Lu Zhou. He is willing to handle “dirty work” himself but senses the clue matters.
• Abraham: A cowardly, self-serving pirate who abandons his men and flees at the first sign of overwhelming force.

3. Significant Themes

• Science vs. Magic: Advanced technology (exoskeletons, precision strikes) looks like sorcery to onlookers.
• Innocence vs. Brutality: Lillian’s cheerful awe contrasts sharply with the massacre unfolding nearby.
• Hidden Secrets / Mystery: The notebook hints at a larger, unknown conspiracy that connects to Lu Zhou’s past or interests.
• Power and Fear: The hidden soldiers are so terrifying that Abraham calls them “monsters” and immediately surrenders.

4. Character Interactions

• Lillian & Lu Zhou: She tugs his sleeve, calls him a prince, then teases him as “heartless.” He patiently deflects her fairy-tale talk and thinks she needs a spanking, though he finds it endearing.
• Wang Peng & Lu Zhou: A brief, professional exchange—Wang Peng reports the kills, mentions the suicide, and cautiously hands over the mysterious notebook.
• Abraham & his men: He gives a fiery speech about wealth and honor, but his loyalty evaporates the moment death rains down; he abandons them without guilt.

Chapter Summary: "Cleaning Up the Battlefield"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• The pirate hostage crisis on the freighter Oseberg ends in a one-sided slaughter by Li Gaoliang's Orbital Drop Brigade—the deck fight lasts less than 30 seconds.
• Li Gaoliang reports to command that the mastermind escaped, then admits: "I let him go" — a deliberate tactical choice.
• His men secure two pirate captives, photograph evidence, free hostages, and hastily clean the bloodstained deck before international forces arrive.
• British Special Airborne Forces (SAS) arrive 20 minutes late; Li Gaoliang dismissively tells them to stand aside, citing international waters jurisdiction.
• A BBC live broadcast helicopter arrives, and the reporter is stunned to learn Hua Nation's forces controlled the ship a full hour before British forces even departed their base.
• Scene shifts to the pirate leader Abraham, who escaped by swimming to a disguised fishing boat commanded by Marash—the true mastermind of the broader operation.
• Marash interrogates Abraham about the Northern Lights cruise ship; Abraham's terrified expression reveals the operation failed. Marash executes him and orders the fishing boat to begin its return voyage.

2. Character Developments

• Li Gaoliang: Displays calm authority and cold calculation—he views the battle as routine, cleans up the scene to maintain appearances, and intentionally releases the pirate leader, implying a larger strategic plan.
• Abraham: Once a seasoned guerrilla commander, he is psychologically broken by the encounter, stripped of all courage, and ultimately murdered by his own employer.
• Marash: Revealed as the real orchestrator, ruthless and pragmatic—he kills a subordinate for bad news, yet remains focused on salvaging his finances, unaware he is being watched.

3. Significant Themes

• Technological Supremacy: Hua Nation's exoskeleton-armored soldiers are portrayed as categorically superior to elite Western special forces.
• International Rivalry: Tension between Hua Nation and British forces highlights geopolitical posturing; the BBC's reaction underscores propaganda implications.
• Deception & Hidden Agendas: Li Gaoliang's deliberate release of the mastermind and Marash's exploitation of "fishing boats" foreshadow deeper plots.
• Brutal Consequences: The chapter contrasts sanitized official narratives with the raw violence and ruthlessness of those who wage war.

4. Character Interactions

• Li Gaoliang vs. British SAS officer: The officer attempts to assume command; Li Gaoliang shuts him down with icy condescension, and the officer retreats to consult his superiors.
• BBC reporter: His frantic disbelief ("How is that possible?!") emphasizes the shock of Hua Nation's military dominance.
• Marash and Abraham: Marash's question about the Northern Lights triggers the climax—Abraham's silent terror seals his fate, and Marash executes him without hesitation, then kicks his body into the sea.

Summary: “Inconceivable Clues”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• The Orbital Drop Brigade launches from orbit and ends the pirate attack in under half an hour, stunning British SAS forces, UK defense officials, and BBC viewers. All prior doubts about their combat effectiveness vanish.
• Aboard the Northern Lights, Princess Lillian is safely reunited with her father, Prince Felipe. She tells him Lu Zhou performed a “magic trick” involving a pirate ship falling from the sky and disappearing.
• Princess Sophia thanks Lu Zhou profusely; Prince Felipe insists on a formal expression of gratitude later.
• Due to the incident, the voyage is shortened by a day: Malmö sightseeing and the evening reception are canceled, and passengers retire early.
• Lu Zhou examines a scanned notebook recovered by Wang Peng. It is a rewritten religious manifesto based on the late Professor Garrett Miro’s theory that “the universe has a spirit.”
• Lu Zhou suspects either a fanatical cult called the Church of the Spirit of the Universe planned the attack, or someone used them as a smokescreen — possibly the CIA. He worries the incident hints at something extraordinary released by an experiment.
• Wang Peng has already reported the matter to higher authorities, and Hua Nation’s intelligence agencies begin investigating.
• The next morning, the ship docks in Copenhagen. Passengers disembark; a Hua Nation embassy car awaits Lu Zhou.
• Reporters ambush him. A Sun reporter asks about pirates; a New York Times reporter questions his environmental credibility for traveling by cruise ship.
• Lu Zhou retorts sharply: flying or swimming is not more environmentally friendly, and his work on controlled fusion has cut carbon and thermal emissions by at least 50%. He also points out the reporter’s synthetic-fiber clothing derives from petroleum.

2. Character Developments

• Lu Zhou: Shows humility with the royals, but sharp, confident defiance toward media criticism. He positions concrete scientific achievement — controlled fusion — above performative environmental gestures.
• Prince Felipe & Princess Sophia: Devoted, emotional parents; deeply grateful to Lu Zhou, and eager to repay the rescue through formal diplomatic channels.
• Lillian: Innocent and imaginative, interpreting the chaotic rescue as a “magic trick.”
• Wang Peng: Off-screen but proactive, handling bodies and reporting intelligence to superiors.
• The Media: Presented as intrusive, antagonistic, and more interested in gotcha moments than substance.

3. Significant Themes

• Overwhelming military power: The Orbital Drop Brigade’s first battle ends all debate — they are terrifyingly strong.
• Environmental responsibility vs. posturing: Lu Zhou argues real action (fusion energy) matters more than symbolic choices like flying vs. cruising.
• Science vs. superstition/cultism: The notebook reveals a pseudo-religious manifesto, hinting at dangerous irrational forces exploiting scientific ideas.
• Conspiracy and ambiguity: It remains unclear whether the attack was cult-driven or a deliberate diversion, leaving Lu Zhou uneasy.
• Gaze of the Void: The closing quote (“When you gaze into the Void, the Void also gazes into you”) suggests looming, unseen consequences.

4. Character Interactions

• Lu Zhou & Lillian: She trusts him and describes his actions as magic; he is gentle and protective.
• Lu Zhou & Sophia/Felipe: They shower him with gratitude; he deflects modestly, but they insist on formal thanks.
• Lu Zhou & Reporters: He expertly parries their questions, turns the tables, and eventually seizes a microphone to deliver a pointed rebuttal before leaving.
• Royal Guard & Wang Peng: Minor interactions off-page — reprimands for stolen equipment, handling of unidentified bodies.

Summary: Chapter — "A Global-Shaking Operation"

Key Plot Points

• The Pentagon reviews drone footage showing the Orbital Drop Brigade rescuing a hijacked freighter dramatically fast: the operation took only 30 minutes from intel to deployment, with cleanup completed in 37 minutes. This alarms US officials, revealing Hua Nation's strategic projection far exceeds their estimates.
• NASA Director Carson theorizes the troop deployment never fully left the atmosphere—crossing Russian airspace from low orbit would make the 30-minute timeline theoretically possible.
• The US president denies authorizing the attack on the cruise ship and demands to know who hired the pirates, offering to "do the people of Hua Nation a favor" if necessary.
• The freighter (Oseberg) under Orbital Drop Brigade control heads toward East Asia with the three landing pods; no nation dares challenge it. Even UK special forces withdraw after failed negotiations.
• In Shangjing, the Ministry of State Security identifies the group behind the attack: the Spirit of the Universe Foundation, an emerging religion revering former IMCRC employee Garrett Miro as a prophet of "Cosmic Animism."
• Hua Nation has been tracking the pirate leader via satellite and plans to independently eliminate the threat—the section chief declares they don't need Interpol and knows "a hundred ways to crush this grasshopper."

Character Developments

• The US president appears exhausted, hawkish, and deeply wary of Hua Nation's capability, anxious to avoid culpability.
• NASA Director Carson emerges as a calm, technical voice offering a plausible explanation.
• The elderly Ministry of State Security section chief is experienced, knowledgeable (even about physics), smugly confident, and eager for direct action.

Significant Themes

• Global power shift: Hua Nation's orbital military capability deeply unsettles Western intelligence and defense circles.
• Fear of rapid, unstoppable force: The 30-minute deployment changes the strategic calculus of every nation.
• New-age extremism: The Spirit of the Universe Foundation represents a religious/cult-motivated threat, allegedly targeting Academician Lu (possibly for Miro's death or doctrinal reasons).
• Covert sovereignty vs. international cooperation: Hua Nation chooses unilateral action over working with Interpol.

Character Interactions

• Pentagon officials exchange tense, grim looks; the Secretary of Defense and president argue over whether the CIA was responsible, and the president swears he authorized no such operation.
• Director Carson's hypothesis is met with heavier, more fearful expressions.
• The section chief and the younger official discuss the case back-and-forth; the chief displays dry humor ("Stay in a task force long enough, and you'll learn all sorts of things") while revealing the plan: Hua Nation will handle the pirate organization itself using satellite surveillance and direct action.

Chapter Summary: The Necessary Expedition

1. Key Plot Points / Events

• Backstory: The East African warlord Marash has provoked Hua Nation; the world watches to see how he will be destroyed, but the absent-minded Lu Zhou is unaware and continues his trip in Copenhagen.
• Lu Zhou meets Hua Nation’s ambassador to Denmark, Du Yanming, at a luxury hotel. Du tells him heavy security is stationed around the hotel because of recent threats, and mentions that Lu Zhou's earlier brave actions on a cruise ship—where he saved a Swedish princess and impressed Prince Felipe—have improved Nordic diplomatic relations.
• Lu Zhou attends the Global Climate Action Summit and gives a speech representing Hua Nation, listing achievements: five Controlled Fusion reactors ignited, clean energy serving one-fifth of the world, phasing out coal and fuel-powered vehicles, and spreading clean energy along the Silk Road.
• An environmental activist girl named Greya challenges him, accusing lunar resource development of damaging Earth’s tides and ecosystems. Lu Zhou calmly rebuts her with scientific reasoning and argues humanity must inevitably expand into space.

2. Character Developments

• Lu Zhou: Pragmatic, rational, and unshakable under public challenge. Prefers instant coffee to royal tea, is awkward about personal matchmaking, and firmly believes space exploration is humanity’s “necessary expedition,” not selfish desire.
• Du Yanming: Experienced, witty diplomat; humorously tries to introduce Lu Zhou to someone, and serves as a bridge for diplomatic goodwill.
• Greya: Emotional, idealistic, and confrontational; represents radical environmental activism built on fear rather than scientific understanding.
• Marash: Mentioned only as a doomed antagonist; no direct scene.

3. Significant Themes

• Humanity’s future beyond Earth: Against environmental romanticism, growth pressures make space expansion necessary “self-rescue.”
• Science vs. emotion: Lu Zhou contrasts deep scientific understanding with fear-based activism and hearsay.
• Soft power through technology: Clean energy achievements and personal heroism strengthen Hua Nation’s diplomacy.

4. Character Interactions

• Lu Zhou ↔ Du Yanming: Lighthearted but diplomatic; tea, security briefing, and teasing about marriage/Princess Lillian.
• Lu Zhou ↔ Greya: Confrontational Q&A—Greya attacks lunar exploitation; Lu Zhou calmly dismantles her argument and concludes it is not selfish desire but “the necessary expedition.”

Summary: "Heaven's Mandate"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• An unnamed high-ranking official ("the old man") watches coverage of Lu Zhou's speech at the Global Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen and praises his framing of the Lunar Landing Project as humanity's collective self-rescue mission.
• The old man notes that prior publicity efforts for the Guanghan Special Zone migration lacked force, and orders an article built around Academician Lu's speech to be published in Renmin Daily.
• The next morning, "The Expedition of Necessity" appears on the front page, framing lunar resource development as humanity's duty to step out of its "cradle."
• The article goes viral within hours, sparking massive public discussion—many are astonished to learn the first batch of immigrants to the Guanghan Special Zone is about to depart.
• The chapter closes with reflection on the global power shift: Hua Nation now holds the strategic initiative, and the world awaits its answer on how it will lead.

2. Character Developments

• The Old Man (senior leader): Demonstrates strategic communications acumen. He is visionary, decisive, and understands how to translate scientific ambition into national narrative and global positioning.
• Director Li: Continues in a supporting advisory role, expressing admiration for Lu Zhou and serving as a bridge between the old man and the scientific community.
• Lu Zhou (Academician Lu): Though not directly present, his speech and "way with words" are the chapter's intellectual core. His ability to reframe lunar development as existential necessity is highlighted.

3. Significant Themes

• "Heaven's Mandate": The notion that Hua Nation's space program is not national ambition but a historical responsibility to lead humanity forward.
• Environmental protection through mastery of nature: Argues that conquering and mastering nature—not retreating from industrialization—is humanity's true path.
• Manifest Destiny reimagined: The chapter positions China's rise as a definitive new era in global power dynamics, with the Pacific now the sea of strategic gravity.
• Narrative power: Demonstrates how media and messaging transform scientific achievement into national spirit and geopolitical signal.

4. Character Interactions

• The old man and Director Li discuss Lu Zhou's speech informally, with Director Li praising his intellectual influence.
• The old man directs his otherwise silent secretary to run the front-page article, exercising top-down command over state media.
• Indirect interaction between Lu Zhou and the public sphere—his words become the vehicle for a national policy declaration.

After his speech on the Guanghan Special Zone went viral, Lu Zhou completed a hidden mission and used its reward to raise energy science to LV7. He spoke with Chen Yushan, who agreed to oversee the Day of Departure in his absence, while he planned to return home in a couple of days.

• Lu Zhou saw worldwide coverage of his speech, including praise and accusations that Hua Nation planned to monopolize lunar resources.
• Lu Zhou completed the hidden mission Necessary Expedition Speech and received experience points and the Grand Orator Medal.
• Lu Zhou spent the 100,000 experience points on energy science and raised it to LV7.
• Chen Yushan called Lu Zhou, teased him about his viral speech, and spoke with him about returning home soon.
• Lu Zhou learned that the Day of Departure was the next day, and Chen Yushan agreed to oversee it while he was away.

Sun Lieyang and Tao Muye joined the first group of pioneers departing for the Guanghan Special Zone on the moon. As their spacecraft began its journey, Chen Yushan received the launch report and wished Lu Zhou could return sooner.

• Sun Lieyang said goodbye to his wife and infant son before leaving for the moon.
• Sun Lieyang and Tao Muye discussed why they had volunteered for the expedition as they traveled to Launch Base No. 2.
• The fifty pioneers boarded the spaceplane and departed for the moon.
• Chen Yushan received a report that the Chang'e spacecraft was adjusting its course toward the designated orbit and forwarded the news to Lu Zhou.
• Chen Yushan watched the evening sky and thought wistfully about Lu Zhou returning sooner.