From Gotham to Night City, my infamy is known to all.

"Thank you very much! Let's do it that way!"

Leo quickly agreed and finalized the matter.

Next, there are two more things to deal with: internet censorship and Valerie. Then everything will be settled!

Chapter 383 The Meeting Ends

"To make this operation more legitimate, we intentionally brought in internet surveillance to help us quell negative public opinion. Our bargaining chip is the modified AI intrusion information."

Leo transferred the data he intended to use to harm the Voodoo Cult to the tablet computer in front of him.

Xu Shiming and others received the information simultaneously and discovered that it was the same message about AI replacing humans, only with some modifications, pointing suspicion towards the Voodoo Gang.

Without a doubt, this is a frame-up.

But nobody cared; the Voodoo Gang was just a bunch of worthless bastards, so what if they died?

Xu Shiming glanced at the documents and nodded casually: "Okay, the senior officials from the Internet Supervision Bureau stationed in Night City have submitted a meeting request. I'll meet with them this afternoon and just mention it casually."

With a few casual words, the fate of the Voodoo Gang was sealed.

Leo, too lazy to bother with this insignificant monster force, turned his attention to the more meaningful matter of subduing Valerie.

"Finally, during the major upheaval in the eastern suburbs, we came into contact with some employees who were planning to defect from Arasaka, and reached a cooperation agreement with them..."

Leo revealed Valerie's and Arasaka's counterintelligence department's defection plan, leaving Xu Shiming speechless.

In his view, there was nothing wrong with Arasaka's approach. Sacrificing the leadership of a department to quell a conspiracy that could cause significant losses was not inappropriate for a large company.

The problem is, the fact that their subordinates were able to react in this way, and even make such a decision to defect, makes the Arasaka leadership seem incredibly incompetent…

Was it a deliberate conspiracy?

After thinking for a moment, he felt it was unlikely. They all realized that this was a frame-up, and there was no point in finding the "real culprit".

It's highly likely that the people below were unwilling to die, and possessed some intelligence, so they guessed what the higher-ups were thinking and planned a fight to the death.

To be fair, although he's not very loyal, he's quite courageous and resourceful.

"Arasaka Counterintelligence Department..."

Xu Shiming examined the information retrieved by the main AI from the confidential database.

The department director is Arthur Jenkins. Over the years, he has done a lot of dirty work for Arasaka. His methods are not sophisticated, but they are simple and efficient.

However, Leo didn't want that person; instead, he wanted a newly promoted operations manager.

Veronica Valerie,

A native of Night City, born into a middle-class family in Charter Hill, whose family fell into poverty when he was young, he relied on his intelligence to earn full scholarships all the way through school.

He graduated from a prestigious university at the age of eighteen and was recruited by the European branch of Arasaka Corporation without examination. Within three years, he was promoted to the action manager of Arasaka Counterintelligence Department.

This guy is really talented.

It's this face...

Xu Shiming recalled the detailed information about the Eternal Life Squad and suddenly realized something.

clone?

Or gene editing?

Is Valerie someone planted in Arasaka by Blue Dream Company, just waiting for the right opportunity to trip him up?

Considering Vivian and Vera from the Immortal Squad, this possibility cannot be ruled out.

Looking at it this way, it seems that Lanmeng and Arasaka really don't get along, which is a good thing!

After hearing Leo's request, he readily agreed: "It's simple. Anyway, there's no war going to break out. We can just settle the counterintelligence personnel at the Kanto base. Valerie is a low-ranking person, and you have two twins who look exactly like her with you. It shouldn't be a problem for them to stay with you."

Leo nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly noticed a detail: "Anti-Arasaka Alliance... oh, so it's an alliance of three companies that can't fight Arakawa?"

“A war is unlikely,” Xu Shiming said decisively. “Neither Arasaka nor the Military Science, whose biggest conflict is most intense, have any intention of starting another war. Our top priority is to cultivate Alcohol-2 rice on a large scale to break free from our dependence on others for food and energy. Once this crop is available, our relationship with biotechnology will deteriorate completely, and the three-way alliance will collapse on its own.”

Leo sighed, not wanting to force anything.

It seems that driving Arasaka out of Night City will have to be done gradually. But that's fine too. Only when Blue Dream Company grows in size can we take control of Night City from Arasaka.

Xu Shiming then spoke a few more words about the domestic geopolitical situation, mainly about the grudges and feuds between Kangtao, Araban, and Su Petrochemical.

Leo then remembered that Southeast Asia was suitable for growing rice and tried mentioning it.

However, the results were unsatisfactory.

“Southeast Asia is Arasaka’s territory, and it is strictly controlled. Moreover, Kangtao is currently confronting Su Petrochemical and trying to reclaim the occupied waters of the South China Sea. Both of us want to buy strategic weapons from Arasaka because we want to defeat each other.”

At this point, all three representatives looked over at the same time.

Leo instantly understood; they wanted the "gravity singularity missile" technology.

With this cutting-edge technology, they might actually dare to turn against Arasaka and Su Petrochemical.

However, Leo himself hadn't even mass-produced this, so of course he couldn't provide it to them. He had no choice but to avoid the topic again, citing that it was still under development.

After chatting for a while, Leo found himself uncomfortable with this kind of politically charged socializing and took the opportunity to say goodbye.

Xu Shiming knew that no further progress could be made today, so he did not stay any longer.

Leo felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and politely got up to say goodbye to the ball.

Later, Zhu Kaixuan escorted Li Ao back to his apartment, while Li Qixuan was kept behind and called into the conference room.

"Xiao Li, you did a great job this time."

"Thank you for your recognition, I was just doing my job!"

Li Qixuan spoke modestly, but inside he was overjoyed. It seemed his gamble had paid off, and a promotion and raise were just around the corner!

Xu Shiming saw right through his little scheme, but he didn't care—an employee who could bring benefits to the company was a good employee, and methods, approaches, and personal motives...none of these mattered!

"Well, you were the first to make contact with Leo, so you'll continue to be in charge of liaising with him, trying your best to meet his demands, and maintaining the relationship. In recognition of your contributions, I'm appointing you as the Senior Director of the Kanto Night City branch. Do a good job and don't let me down."

"Yes! I will dedicate myself to this cause until my dying breath!"

The overwhelming joy of suddenly becoming a high-ranking member of the Night City branch almost made Li Qixuan faint.

Fortune favors the bold! The ancients were right!

Seeing his genuine joy, Xu Shiming silently nodded in his heart: subordinates with desire and ambition are easier to control. Compared to the benefits Kang Tao gained, this sacrifice is insignificant.

His gaze shifted to the computer screen, and he suddenly shook his head: "Using AI to replace humans to smear the Voodoo Gang is such a waste. Just find some dirt on the Voodoo Gang in the database and hand it over to the internet police. Xiao Li, you go and do it now."

"Yes!"

Li Qixuan accepted the order and withdrew.

With a flick of his finger, Xu Shiming directly transferred the intelligence to the headquarters' confidential database.

It's not appropriate to discuss this matter during the later meeting with high-ranking internet regulators, after all, for someone of his status to bring up the Voodoo Gang would be utterly ridiculous.

Just then, Chang'e took the initiative to remind them: "Chairman, distinguished representatives, it's time for you to return to the delegation. The friendly visit will begin soon."

"Okay, let's go. If we're going to put on an act, we should go all the way."

Xu Shiming stood up and took one last look at the conference room that Leo had destroyed.

"Take down all the damaged parts and bring them back to headquarters for careful study. This conference room will be temporarily closed and will be reopened after repairs are completed."

"clear."

"Let's go then."

Xu Shiming put on a special mask and activated the disguise effect, quickly transforming into an ordinary middle-aged man with little memorable features.

The other representatives followed suit, putting in the same way.

Subsequently, special forces soldiers poured into the corridor and took away all the equipment and items inside.

An important, unannounced meeting has come to an end.

Chapter 384 Taiping Continent Strategy, Initiated!

Hywood Valley,

Luxury apartment.

After anxiously waiting for forty minutes, V finally saw Leo return in triumph.

Before the hovercar had even left, she threw herself into Leo's arms and took a deep breath.

The familiar taste seeped into her very being, offering solace to her anxious and restless heart.

Ever since Leo left, she has been in a state of inexplicable panic, which is even stronger than when she first left home and stepped onto the street.

After all, the streets are only frequented by low-level mercenaries, gang members, and ordinary people; there's no legendary figure like the founder of Kangtao Company...

"All done, everything is under control!"

Leo, beaming with joy, ruffled her hair.

"Let's gather everyone, and call Mann and the others too. We'll hold a mobilization meeting at Stone Ridge Mountain at noon today, take Taipingzhou tomorrow, and establish our own company the day after tomorrow!"

"You're still rushing like this; you should take a break..."

V felt sorry for him, but didn't want to directly stop him, after all, this was his career and the future that everyone expected.

Leo was already in a state of high excitement called "success and fame," and said nonchalantly, "We can rest after we take Taipingzhou. With Xu Shiming personally visiting Night City, let's take Taipingzhou. Other companies will have to think twice before they object."

The truth is indeed this truth.

With powerful backers, we should advance triumphantly and secure victory in one fell swoop.

After thinking it through, V didn't hesitate for long and quickly sent out a rallying message.

Soon, the female team members who lived in the same apartment quickly arrived.

Leo focused his attention on the three women who had just undergone prosthetic body upgrade surgery and asked them how they felt.

The lively Sasha spoke first: "Those medical students you found are amazing! I think their remote surgery skills are on par with those of regular prosthetic surgeons. Our surgeries were all successful, and we didn't experience any adverse effects!"

"That's right, I didn't realize technology was so advanced these days. In the future, when homeless people migrate, won't they only need to bring a multi-functional operating chair to receive medical services comparable to those in a regular clinic?"

Panan's focus is more on homeless groups, after all, she had only recently escaped homelessness.

Leo nodded in satisfaction—the pure white's technical skills had been honed to a high level, thanks to the "voluntary sacrifice" of the military science soldiers and biotechnology employees.

He turned his head and saw Lucy standing coolly to the side, her lips puffing out.

"What are you eating? It's not mealtime yet."

Lucy paused in her chewing and explained irritably, "Bubble gum. I'm feeling irritable during quitting smoking, so I'm looking for a substitute to distract myself."

"Great, keep it up. You look much better. Remember to increase your aerobic exercise as needed."

Leo's gaze lingered on her cold, beautiful face for a moment before quickly looking away.

It's all Rebecca's fault. He can't look at bubble gum the same way anymore; it keeps reminding him of those ridiculous things…

Five minutes later, the deafening roar of a motorcycle echoed from downstairs, and Big Jack arrived.

As soon as he entered, Leo's gaze was fixed on him, or more precisely, on the sports T-shirt with a smiley face printed on it.

What a strange sense of déjà vu! I feel like I've seen this somewhere before.

Leo thought about it carefully, and suddenly a thought struck him: "Hey bro, why are you wearing Misty's clothes?"

Jack patted his chest, beaming, "These are matching outfits! Misty's is a gift from me. Her usual style is cool and mysterious, but it always seems to lack a bit of sunshine. She needs to smile more; it's the secret to longevity I overheard!"

"Does smiling help you live longer? Haha, that certainly makes sense!"

Leo was amused by his statement and turned to boast about his legendary experience of going to the meeting alone and chatting amiably with the chairman of Kangtao.

Everyone listened intently, and the living room was instantly filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Shortly afterward, Mann's team arrived.

Rebecca deliberately lagged behind Mann, using his massive body as cover, and quickly scanned the crowd before finally landing on Lucy's face.

L's immortality team has gained another beautiful girl, making the competition even more intense.

The good news is that she used to worry that she would be beaten to death by the red-haired mercenary if she went alone, but now that she has so many "teammates", perhaps she can get away with it because of the sheer number of people?

Leo also noticed the furtive Rebecca, but he didn't dare to look too closely, fearing that V's intuition might trigger an alarm prematurely and ruin his grand plan to use V to control V.

"Cough cough!"

He cleared his throat and put on a serious expression.