Chapter 170: Bandit Clash, County Chief's Sudden Death – Sounds Perfectly Right!
Last night, Song Zhaomei secretly contacted V. Upon learning that Myers was safe and sound, the guilt weighing on her heart finally dissipated.
By saving Myers ' life through V, she felt she had repaid his kindness for discovering her talents. From now on, she intended to sever ties completely with the Intelligence Agency—neither side owed the other anything.
As for V, who had always silently supported her, Song Zhaomei wasn't about to let him go.
She planned to take V with her to the Crystal Palace after acquiring the AI Neural Matrix device, using an airship to reach the European medical team capable of curing her.
If things didn't go as planned, she would temporarily escape to Norway or the Chiba City region. As long as she had the Neural Matrix, she was confident in her survival.
Once cured, she would arrange for V's treatment, helping him rid his brain of the Relic chip.
Of course, to achieve all of this, she had to ensure that the AI Neural Matrix device was obtained from Kurt Hansen without a hitch.
If Hansen handed it over as promised, everything would proceed smoothly, and Dogtown would remain peaceful—no bloodshed required.
But if Hansen dared to renege, Song Zhaomei wouldn't hesitate to execute the Blackwall Invasion Protocol, hacking into Dogtown's mechanical systems.
She would commandeer every nearby drone, combat robot, and automatic turret to launch a full-scale assault on Hansen's soldiers.
When chaos descended upon Dogtown, Song Zhaomei and V would seize the opportunity to snatch the AI Neural Matrix device.
"Let's hope V shows up at the Sapphire Gem tonight. I've waited long enough for this day."
Silently, Song Zhaomei prayed for the success of tonight's operation.
As she prepared to leave the second-floor viewing deck and return to her private room for a brief rest, Hansen suddenly approached her from a distance.
"Hey, my little nightingale princess. Are you enjoying tonight's grand event?"
"Nearly all the bigwigs in Night City have come to the Sapphire Gem to celebrate your triumph. You should be happier."
Flanked by his two lackeys, Bennett and Gago, Hansen walked up to Song Zhaomei with a carefree smile.
Thanks to Song Zhaomei's flawless inside job, their missiles had successfully downed the Sky-1 airship.
Though his soldiers hadn't yet found Myers , Hansen believed it was only a matter of time.
Dogtown was on complete lockdown, with all routes sealed off. Not even a rat could escape.
Trapped in Dogtown, Myers couldn't fly away even if he grew wings!
Noticing the worried look on Song Zhaomei's face, Hansen chuckled and teased,
"What's wrong? Are you worried about being lonely when you leave for the Crystal Palace? Need someone to keep you company?"
"How about staying in Dogtown to work for me? We might lack other resources, but we've got plenty of strong men. They'll make sure you're well taken care of."
Faced with Hansen's lewd words and lustful gaze, Song Zhaomei shot him a look of utter disgust.
If not for the need to secure the life-saving AI Neural Matrix device, she would have hacked into Hansen's brain and fried it through Blackwall.
"Cut the nonsense. Where's the device I asked for?"
Song Zhaomei wasn't interested in exchanging pleasantries with Hansen, fearing she might lose her temper and kill him on the spot.
In response to her icy tone, Hansen smirked and replied with feigned nonchalance,
"Patience, my dear. The event's not over yet. Once it is, I'll hand over the device as promised."
With a predatory grin, Hansen's demeanor was that of a beast eyeing its prey.
But Song Zhaomei, having undergone rigorous training, remained composed, unaffected by his menacing presence.
"The ball is in your court, so how can I trust you to honor Aguilar's promise to me? Seeing is believing—I need to see the device myself to feel assured."
Song Zhaomei's demand wasn't unreasonable, but Hansen had no intention of letting her have her way. He responded slyly,
"Aguilar made the promise, and I wouldn't dare tarnish the name of the Cuban Cartel."
He added with a chuckle, "Don't worry. What's yours will be yours. That device is of no use to me anyway."
As a black-market warlord, Hansen had no intention of letting Song Zhaomei leave Dogtown, even if Aguilar had promised to cure her.
After all, Song Zhaomei could undergo the same treatment here in Dogtown, as long as she had the matrix device, surgical tools, and a skilled AI engineer.
Hansen's plan was simple: cure her illness and force her to stay and work for Dogtown.
Aware of Hansen's true intentions, Song Zhaomei inwardly cursed him.
Still, she had one ace up her sleeve: V.
If push came to shove, she would break free from Dogtown's chains and flee to freedom.
"Let's see who's really the smarter one in this game, Hansen," she thought, her resolve hardening.
Just as she was lost in thought, her eyes caught a familiar figure downstairs—it was V, her long-awaited ally.
Disguised as a corporate elite, V moved through the crowd with calm composure, all while maintaining a secret communication link with Li Ang .
Following Song Zhaomei's plan, V was ready to help her escape, even if it meant facing a violent confrontation with Hansen.
Would they succeed? Only time would tell.
Li Ang's tone was calm and measured, and his response regarding Reed's life-or-death situation was decisive and straightforward.
In truth, Li Ang could have let V take Song Zhaomei out of Dogtown alone, avoiding any interference from Myers ' forces altogether. However, he allowed Reed and Alex to get involved, giving them one final chance at survival.
After all, during their time undercover in Dogtown, Reed and Alex had provided valuable intelligence to LA Corporation. If Reed insisted on taking Song Zhaomei back to Myers , it would be his own doing, and V would have no reason to show mercy.
"Alright then!"
Upon understanding Li Ang's true intentions, V became clear about his next steps and how he should handle Reed.
Before V officially began his mission, Li Ang made him a solemn promise—a decision he had carefully considered:
"V, once you safely bring Song Zhaomei back to the spaceport, it will all be over—including the Relic chip in your head."
"Additionally, I've arranged the surgery for you and Song Zhaomei. Johnny's clone is ready, and you'll no longer face the threat of death from the Relic chip."
"You'll also receive a new corporate contract. You won't remain an obscure corporate operative anymore."
Hearing these words, V chuckled lightly and said, "So you're saying that after I complete this job, I'll be climbing the ladder and striking it rich?"
V's lighthearted comment eased the serious atmosphere of their conversation, and Li Ang followed up smoothly:
"Whether or not you get rich, I believe the salary at LA Corporation speaks for itself."
"But as for promotion, I guarantee your next position will be critical within the company."
Indeed, the position Li Ang had in mind for V was far beyond that of a lowly corporate agent. V was set to become the leader of the company's legion.
With the genetic seed, V—who had grown strong with only cybernetic enhancements—could further elevate his abilities.
Once the Relic chip was removed, V would undergo dual genetic and cybernetic modifications, transforming into the Legion master of the Astartes Iron Tenth Legion.
The so-called Iron Tenth Legion would serve as LA Corporation's elite "Iron Hands," its most formidable soldiers created through the fusion of flesh and steel.
As a loyal agent, V would command this ironclad force.
"Understood. I promise to complete the mission!"
When V responded to Li Ang's declaration, his heart was tinged with excitement. He was thrilled at the prospect of removing the Relic chip and starting anew, and he was also glad that Song Zhaomei might finally achieve true freedom.
"Begin the operation."
After receiving V's confident reply, Li Ang ended their conversation and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window in his office hall.
As he gazed at Dogtown, on the brink of erupting into chaos, Li Ang felt an unprecedented sense of relief rather than worry or tension.
Once the gunfire started, it would mark the beginning of the end for Myers and his New America.
Li Ang's motivations for having V agree to Song Zhaomei's request and involving him with the Intelligence Bureau were not solely about rescuing a "little songbird."
His real plan was to have V turn Dogtown upside down. Only by plunging the area into chaos could LA Corporation's forces take over with minimal cost.
Meanwhile, Intelligence Bureau agents, posing as Myers ' reinforcements but actually sent to assassinate him, could infiltrate during the commotion and carry out their mission cleanly.
When the dust settled, the blame for killing New America's president would fall squarely on Dogtown's warlord, Hansen. With Dogtown purged by LA Corporation as a righteous force, the narrative would be seamless.
A bandit conflict and a dead mayor—what a perfect story!
With Hansen dead and Dogtown reclaimed, Night City's Pacifica would finally see true peace.
With Myers dead, New America's puppet president, Halford, could take office, restoring peace to North America.
Ambitious schemers would perish by their own machinations, greedy warlords would become pawns of European elites, and the songbird yearning for freedom would break free of her cage.
All of this was within Li Ang's grasp.
---
Shortly after ending his conversation with Li Ang, V received a communication from Song Zhaomei via the Blackwall Protocol.
"V, come to the second-floor observation deck. I'll be waiting for you there."
With that, V casually lifted his head, pretending to glance around, and spotted a short-haired woman resembling Song Zhaomei. Only then did he head upstairs.
This was Hansen's territory, swarming with trained, professional soldiers. Song Zhaomei wouldn't dare openly wave or make eye contact with V, nor would V act suspiciously by darting his eyes around. That would only attract Hansen's informants.
"Got it. I'm on my way."
Feigning nonchalance, V strolled up to the second-floor observation deck.
Upon confirming the short-haired woman was indeed Song Zhaomei, he approached cautiously and lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Hope I'm not late, Song Zhaomei."
V greeted her as if she were an old friend, with no trace of unfamiliarity.
"You're right on time, V."
Hearing his voice, Song Zhaomei turned around. Dressed in formal attire, she appeared stunning under the dazzling lights.
"You look amazing in this outfit, truly."
V had always pictured Song Zhaomei in her standard-issue operative uniform. This was the first time he had seen her dressed so elegantly.
"V, thank you. I'm glad to hear that."
Song Zhaomei, whose emotions had been heavy and thoughts chaotic, managed a brief, faint smile at V's compliment.
She had chosen the dress not just for the gala but to conceal the terrifying metallic lattice on her back.
Once, she had admired her reflection as she danced, her graceful movements and little form. But since joining the Intelligence Bureau and undergoing cybernetic modifications, she could no longer bear to look at herself.
No girl wanted to become a cybernetic monstrosity, no matter how composed and rational they seemed—Song Zhaomei included.
Thus, V's compliment brought her genuine joy, easing her anxieties, if only slightly.
However, the happiness didn't last long. Song Zhaomei knew what lay ahead was brutal combat and a fight for survival.
Would they escape Dogtown unscathed? That remained to be seen.
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