"That was the most glorious time for human civilization. Back then, controlled nuclear fusion technology had broken through, genetic editing technology was mastered, and even a base on Mars had been established. Everyone believed that the most beautiful era in human history was about to arrive. But no one expected it to be the beginning of all suffering."

In a small courtyard in the market district, under dim lighting, Butcher Shawn, with a face full of rugged features, spoke in a heavy tone.

Opposite him, John Han was intensely focused on the succulent pork head meat in front of him.

The pork head meat was aromatic and flavorful, braised to perfection, then sliced and mixed with soy sauce and chili oil, making it indescribably delicious. Especially for John, who hadn't eaten meat for half a month.

The pork head meat was brought by Butcher Shawn. The wine was also his. However, Butcher Shawn seemed to have no appetite, constantly talking. John, on the other hand, was gobbling down the food, occasionally nodding and murmuring in agreement, indicating that he was listening and agreed with Shawn's opinions.

"Who would have thought that practical controlled nuclear fusion technology would become the benchmark for determining whether a civilization had entered the interstellar era? And once a civilization enters the interstellar era, it qualifies to join the Galactic Intelligent Life Alliance."

Butcher Shawn's expression turned sorrowful. "It's a qualification, just a qualification. It seems voluntary, right? But did they give us a choice?"

Butcher Shawn picked up his chopsticks, intending to eat a piece of meat. Seeing John devouring the food, he put the chopsticks down and only drank a cup of wine.

"You were young back then, you probably don't remember. At that time, the newly formed human space force, with 400 warships, was completely wiped out by a single warship from the Itan civilization. The United Government of Human Civilization disbanded, and the Itan civilization intervened, claiming to help us form an interstellar government. Thus, the Earth Government was established..."

"Yeah, yeah."

John hurriedly swallowed the meat in his mouth and, to show he was listening, interjected, "I only remember that back then, there were global celebrations to mark the establishment of the Earth Government and to celebrate humanity joining the Galactic Intelligent Civilizations family..."

Butcher Shawn's expression grew even more sorrowful. "But did our situation really improve as the Itans had proclaimed?"

Bang! Bang!

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire broke the silence of the night, accompanied by faint screams, angry shouts, and chaotic footsteps.

This was the norm in the market district at night. Almost every night, there were gang conflicts. John and Butcher Shawn had grown accustomed to it.

"Before we joined the Galactic Union, law and order here were good. There weren't so many gangs. Children could go to school, young people could find jobs, and the elderly were cared for. What has the Itan civilization brought us? Scientific stagnation, resource plundering, children unable to afford school. Tens of billions of people struggle in poverty, only to fatten a small group of Itan collaborators."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm poor too."

John nodded repeatedly.

Butcher Shawn's tone suddenly became fervent. "Therefore, we must resist! We must drive out the Itans and restore the independence of our civilization so that everyone can live a good life again!"

"Right, right."

"Join us, John!"

Butcher Shawn looked at John with fervent hope.

John had just finished the last piece of pork head meat. He regretfully put down his chopsticks and shook his head decisively, "No."

Butcher Shawn was stunned, full of disbelief. "Aren't you even going to ask who we are?"

"Aren't you the Blue Army? The TV constantly reports about you as a ruthless terrorist organization, the source of all evil..."

"Those are slanders!" Butcher Shawn was furious. "We fight for the independence of human civilization! By the way, how did you know I was with the Blue Army?"

John scoffed. "Who else but the Blue Army would constantly bring me meat and wine, talking about how bad things are and reminiscing about the glorious past?"

"John, I've observed you for a long time. You don't steal or rob, you don't scam or con, you don't join gangs, and you work hard every day. Sometimes you even help others. You have the potential to be a true warrior, which is why I'm revealing my identity to you.

Join the Blue Army, and we can become comrades, fighting together for the future of our civilization and the liberation of our descendants from the oppression of the Itans and their collaborators."

"No."

John's refusal was as decisive as before.

Boom...

A low rumble suddenly came from the sky, growing louder and higher until it peaked and then quickly dropped off.

John looked up and saw through the window a flying car trailing a long flame in the night sky.

In recent years, rich kids in Greater City, especially idle second-generation rich kids, had started a trend of drag racing, particularly enjoying racing in populated areas after dark.

In the densely populated shanty districts like the market area and bridge tunnel area, with few high buildings and low flying car density, these places had become the drag racing havens.

The racers often lowered their flying cars to create a loud noise, disturbing the poor.

Initially, the people cursed at the noise, but after realizing it was futile, they accepted it.

"Damn brats," Butcher Shawn cursed at the window, then turned back to John. "Why?"

John just shook his head without saying a word.

Butcher Shawn looked at John with disappointment, then silently pulled a book from his pocket and handed it to him. "Read this when you have time."

John glanced at it and saw "Human History" on the cover. Without looking further, he quickly pushed it back as if burned. "This is a banned book. I can't keep it, Shawn. Take it back."

Seeing John's firm stance, Butcher Shawn reluctantly took the book back. Before leaving, he looked at John and said, "I'll be back."

John perked up. "Be careful. It's not safe lately."

Butcher Shawn sneered and patted the butcher knife on his waist. "When was it ever safe? I'm off."

After Butcher Shawn left, John carefully locked the door, returned to his room, turned off the light, and stared out the window.

In the distant city, neon lights still flashed on the skyscrapers. In the city center, the space elevator built by the Itans stood like a giant pillar reaching the sky. Occasionally, a flying car zipped by, so low that John could almost hear the laughter of the rich inside.

"Damn world."

John muttered.

He knew that everything Butcher Shawn said was true. The source of humanity's suffering was indeed the Itan civilization. Only by driving them away could human civilization truly stand tall.

But...

The Blue Army's way wasn't the right path. Although John deeply respected the Blue Army fighters, he would never join them.

He planned to take a different route.

For two years, John had harbored a secret he dared not tell anyone.

In his mind, there was an abacus, the kind ancient people used for calculations.

His consciousness, his perception, could clearly sense the presence of this abacus.

Two years ago, John had bought some small toys to sell for some money. After assembling a toy abacus, it suddenly disappeared and entered his mind.

For the past two years, John had experimented repeatedly and finally understood the purpose and potential of the abacus.

Any device he personally made that could be used for calculation would enter his mind, providing him with computational power equivalent to its performance.

This abacus had significantly enhanced his mathematical abilities. Problems that took others a long time to solve were instantaneous for John.

The abacus was just the initial tool. In the modern world, humans had more advanced tools: computer chips.

For the past two years, John had been self-studying mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering, circuitry, and computer science, saving money to make his own CPU.

Primitive computer chips, once understood, could be handcrafted using simple tools available today.

There were even online videos showing how to handcraft computer chips. Though such chips were primitive, managing to run a game like Snake would be extraordinary.

But even the poorest performing chip could handle thousands of operations per second, far superior to an abacus.

As long as John handcrafted a computing chip, he would have computational power equivalent to it, achieving a blend of human and computer capabilities.

If he could possess the computational power of a supercomputer while retaining human judgment, decisiveness, imagination, and innovation, wouldn't he be able to operate an entire factory alone?

No, not just that. He might even control an entire industrial system, drive scientific progress, build advanced interstellar warships, and command a vast interstellar fleet alone...

If so, wouldn't he have the power to fight the Itan civilization and liberate humanity?

Now, John had completed all the preliminary studies required for handcrafting computer chips. His next step was to buy the materials and start making them.

But...

John looked around his dilapidated brick house, the dim light bulb, the creaky wooden bed, and the few pieces of worn furniture, and sighed. "No money, can't afford materials..."