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

Leo recalled Arasaka Yorinobu's various actions and felt that he could also be considered a legend.

"The strongest fortresses are often breached from within, and he has clearly chosen this path as well. Unfortunately, Saburo Arasaka's methods are more sophisticated than he imagined, and the board of directors of Arasaka Corporation will not let him run wild. He certainly cannot succeed on his own."

A future CEO of a major company, who was already slated to become the company's CEO, actually chose to turn against it and give up everything he could have easily had.

Sometimes, people who defy common sense will appear in this world.

For example...Leo right in front of me.

V's prosthetic eye dimmed, and he moved closer to Leo, ignoring the spacious sofa, insisting on squeezing in with him.

Valerie ignored this level of public displays of affection, her focus remaining on what he had just said: "You want him to help you steal a special biochip. What's the use of that?"

"The conventional usage will naturally be broadcast on television when Saburo Arasaka visits Night City tomorrow. As for the unconventional usage... Saburo Arasaka is still exploring it. The ultimate goal is to upload a person's soul imprint to cyberspace through the 'Soul Killer' program, and then 'revive' them in a 'suitable' body through a biochip, thereby achieving immortality."

"eternal life!?"

The two women reacted very differently to the ending words.

Valerie simply felt it was no surprise; throughout history, monarchs and great figures have all pursued immortality, desiring to forever possess wealth, honor, and unparalleled power.

V then thought of the Immortal Squad. It seems that Leo had a similar ambition when he gave such a catchy name to his makeshift team.

only…

"Soul imprint... Is this really a soul, or just data? Even if it can truly possess a new body and be resurrected, wouldn't that resurrected person no longer be the original person?"

Hearing Valerie's question, Leo shrugged: "It's too early to draw a conclusion, since I haven't gotten my hands on the actual product yet. However, science and technology are always evolving; just because it's not feasible now doesn't mean it won't be in the future. Besides, some people have already transformed themselves into AI-like consciousness entities. You're a professional hacker, you should know that, right?"

"Hmm... I actually do know about it. The Soul Killer program was released in 2013. Top hackers all know something about this program and its creator. I never imagined that what was once a tool for killing and punishment could be transformed into something that grants immortality..."

"RELIC is a Soul Killer derivative technology developed by Hanako Arasaka and her researcher Herman. Just watch, tomorrow the TV will be flooded with advertisements claiming that this thing can 'protect your soul' and allow users to communicate with their deceased loved ones at any time."

Since obtaining the mother box, Leo's interest in biochips has greatly diminished. He now treats it merely as a high-tech invention and plans to study it to see if there are any other uses.

After chatting with the two V-Zhentians for a while, my friends gradually arrived.

They keenly sensed that something was amiss in the living room, especially V, who kept looking at the other women besides Dorio and Qiwei with suspicion.

While preparing a fruit platter for everyone, Vera took the opportunity to ask, "Are you alright, V?"

V slowed his movements, his gaze falling on Vera's face, still somewhat envious of her shimmering natural blonde hair: "Vera, what do you think of Leo?"

Vera looked at her blankly: "He... he's fine. Did you two have a fight? Tell me about it, and I'll help you analyze it."

"No, it's just that the situation has been changing too fast lately, and I'm not used to it."

"About Blue Dream Company? Who can argue with that? Suddenly they went from a mercenary team to company employees, that's quite a change."

Vera deftly sliced ​​the apple, carefully removing the core.

"It's okay if you can't adapt right away, take it slow. There's a saying among the homeless: being together as a family is more important than anything else."

In the past, V would definitely have nodded, but he had just been provoked today, and now he sees everyone as suspicious.

"Let's... never mind, let's get back to work, we have other things to do today."

She originally wanted to ask, "Are we family too?", but felt that the question might be hurtful. She decided to confirm Leo's attitude tonight before saying anything else.

Vera was still a little worried when she saw that Vera wanted to say something but hesitated. However, asking further would be considered intrusive and she could only give up for the time being and decide to observe for a while.

When the two returned to the living room, they saw Sasha and Rebecca chasing the cat all over the house, while the others were sitting on the sofa chatting in a very harmonious atmosphere.

V sighed inwardly and suddenly felt that this wasn't so bad. At least it was lively and bustling, unlike before when she was all alone and the house was always particularly quiet.

When the fruit platter was served, Leo gathered everyone together and began to give instructions:

"Today is the second day since the Taipingzhou Revitalization Project officially started. I plan to go and inspect it to see if there are any oversights. You guys can come with me and help me make a good impression."

The group readily agreed, having become quite accustomed to acting as the "honor guard."

After finishing the fruit platter and taking a short rest, Leo led the team off, getting into that long-awaited extended limousine.

Chapter 433 The New Look of Taiping Continent

The car, nearly 9 meters long and in pristine condition, drove out of the parking lot, and the agents monitoring it immediately reported the information.

Thus, everyone knew that the rising star, Chairman Lanmeng, was about to travel to Taipingzhou, a place he was loyal to.

A call came in immediately from an ally.

The caller was Li Qixuan.

Leo, with his right arm around V and a glass of iced cola in his left hand, answered the phone.

"You look great today, Chairman Li. Did you sleep well last night? Were you woken up?"

Li Qixuan wasn't wearing sunglasses today. He spoke words that seemed to express concern, but his eyes held a hidden meaning.

Leo understood; this was a veiled inquiry into whether he was involved in last night's massive explosion.

"Not good. I had just fallen asleep when the earthquake woke me up. Have you figured out the cause?"

He only showed Kang Tao the gravitational singularity bomb, quantum resonance split wave, and anti-gravity technology. Of these three, apart from the first one being too fantastical, the other two, given the technological level of 2077, could barely be made into a PowerPoint presentation.

Last night's explosion was caused by a fourth-generation nuclear weapon, which is not part of the same technological path as these three.

Li Qixuan looked at him quietly, clearly not quite believing it: "The military base in Arasaka has been attacked, but it's still unclear which force did it."

In Night City today, there are only a handful of companies that dare to act so recklessly and can produce such a powerful weapon.

Among them, the one who gets along the most with Arakawa is Gunko, followed by Leo.

Given that the former clearly had no intention or plan to wage war, Kang Tao's main suspect was the mysterious Leo, who always seemed to have some intimidating technology at his disposal.

Leo sensed his suspicion and joked, "Haven't I always been under surveillance by major companies? When the explosion happened, I even asked all my subordinates to confirm that they were all at home or at their posts."

This is true.

Li Qixuan nodded, then suddenly paused, and quickly shook his head: "We haven't been monitoring your residence or whereabouts."

Leo raised his glass to him: "Yes, you're just monitoring the movement of people and traffic around my residence."

"Ahem, this is... a necessary protective measure. You still don't have enough people under your command, and now is a critical period."

Li Qixuan offered a few words of explanation for Kang Tao's behavior, but didn't say anything about changing it.

Leo seemed indifferent to this.

To say that all crows are black is perhaps too extreme, but compared to other more unscrupulous large companies, Kangtao is just a crow with a touch of gray in its blackness.

They treat "their own people" better, but you can't expect too much.

After exchanging a few more words about reviving the reagent production line, Li Qixuan hung up the phone.

Unable to get answers from Leo, he could only continue sending out agents to try and find any clues about the explosion.

Leo didn't bother with Kang Tao's actions.

Back when Johnny blew up the ruins of Abandoneda, nuclear weapons had already been miniaturized to the point where they could fit in a backpack.

Over the years, large companies must have had all sorts of "small-sized, high-powered" bombs; it would be a miracle if they could trace their origin.

The convoy continued to travel smoothly.

Escorted by two armored vehicles, one in front and one behind, Leo rode in a luxury limousine across the sea bridge to "his own territory".

I rolled down the car window and gazed into the distance.

Tai Ping Chau is quite different today. The roads are full of various construction vehicles and trucks transporting building materials.

Scaffolding has been erected on the high-rise buildings in the distance, and many workers are cleaning up graffiti on the exterior walls, removing damaged parts, and highlighting walls with potential safety hazards.

Listen closely, and what comes with the wind is no longer the meaningless howling of a homeless man who is drunk or on drugs, but the clanging and banging sounds.

Tai Ping Chau has come alive amidst this hustle and bustle, and is now radiating unprecedented vitality.

Leo enjoyed the bustling construction scene, strolling along while admiring it, the iced cola in his cup feeling as intoxicating as fine wine.

"This is what a modern city should look like. Before, it was made to look like a fourth-world country."

Seeing the mountains of garbage piled up on both sides of the road being cleared away, his mood improved.

However, their good fortune was short-lived. When the convoy arrived at the underpass near the Great Empire Mall, they happened to witness a conflict between homeless people and Wings of Liberty soldiers.

Leo had Jack park the car some distance away so he could watch the soldiers' procedures.

"We have set up a temporary shelter south of West Wind Manor, where there are clean accommodations and facilities. We hope you will pack your personal belongings as soon as possible and move out of this underpass. This is the main road of Tai Ping Chau, and once it reopens to traffic—"

"We're not going! We've lived here for so long, why should we just move out like this!"

Before the patient Wings of Freedom soldier could finish speaking, a scruffy, unkempt homeless man started making a scene.

"Exactly! Who knows what that shelter is like? It might be even worse than this place!"

A young homeless man chimed in, his fists clenched and his eyes revealing wariness.

With the two of them taking the lead, the other homeless people also started making a fuss.

They spend most of their time on the streets, and aside from anything else, they have a good eye for people. They could tell that these soldiers were very restrained and didn't want to fight them.

After making a fuss for a while, seeing that the soldiers still did not take any violent action, they became bolder and began to demand benefits.

“We’ve lived here for years; this is our land. They’ll make us move out of here unless they pay us!”

"Yes! Give us the money! Your company has plenty of money, right? You can just give away your water purification technology like it's nothing. Give us some more money and we'll leave right away!"

Faced with the homeless people on the street who were taking advantage of the situation, the soldiers exchanged a knowing glance and chose to step aside.

The homeless men thought they had won and soon started making noise again.

Leo was displeased, but he knew that "reinforcements" were on their way.

As expected, two vans arrived a few minutes later. As soon as the doors opened, a dozen or so animals with pointed heads and fierce expressions came to the rescue of the big guy.

After realizing that the homeless men causing trouble were all able-bodied adults and not too old, they rushed up without saying a word and started punching and kicking them.

"You have hands and feet, why don't you go to work and just act tough here, huh?!"

"Hey, hey—stop hitting me! Stop hitting me!"

"Murder! Murder in the street!"

Those who saw the commotion from afar quickened their pace silently, and no one dared to approach.

After a brutal beating, the homeless men, their faces bruised and swollen, obediently lined up and squatted on the ground with their heads in their hands.

The burly leader scratched his bald head, pulled out his phone, and began reciting his lines:

"You have fifteen minutes to pack your things and take the bus to the temporary shelter. Shower, haircut, shave, lunch will be a relief meal, and then report to the garbage collection team in the afternoon. Anyone can do it. It's 50 euros a day, including two meals. The great Blue Dream Company is giving you a chance to start over, so don't be ungrateful!"

Pushed and shoved by the big guys, the homeless people lowered their heads, packed their belongings, and squeezed onto the bus.

Two burly men escorted them in the vehicle, while the others greeted the Wings of Freedom soldiers and headed to their next work location.

Watching the van drive away,

Jack couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, these big guys who only know how to cause trouble can actually be this useful? I've really learned something new."

Leo pointed forward with satisfaction, signaling him to continue driving: "The old society turned people into ghosts, and the new society turns ghosts into people. That's how it should be, but who would have thought that some people would want to go backwards. Sooner or later, the wheels of history will run over their faces."

The convoy continued on its way, and Leo raised his hand to salute the soldiers, winning loud cheers and a 45-degree raised right arm.

"Don't stop, take a walk around Taiping Island and see what needs to be improved."

Leo spent the entire morning touring Taipingzhou, brainstorming with his colleagues to find ways to make the place better.

Ultimately, everyone's attention focused on three long-standing problems—healthcare, education, and housing.

"These three great mountains are truly timeless and unchanging problems that transcend time and culture..."

Leo joked, quickly set out the general direction, and left the details to Pure White to polish.

"The medical problem is the simplest. Select some suitable shops near residential areas and issue a notice to the public - welcome certified prosthetic doctors to move in for free, the first three years of rent are waived, and there are also tax exemption policies and special fund subsidies."

I'll select some more discreet shops to open unmanned clinics. I can contact enough 'medical interns' to perform surgeries remotely for citizens. Service prices can be kept low, focusing on cost-effectiveness.

In this way, wealthy individuals and those wary of unmanned clinics can seek out prosthetic doctors, while ordinary citizens can enjoy affordable medical services from unmanned clinics, with even better protection of personal privacy than in manned clinics.

It sounded good, and the two homeless women who had already experienced the convenience of unmanned clinics readily agreed.

Kind-hearted Vera raised a question: "There are too many branches involved in prosthetic surgery, and the patients' conditions are all different. Can medical students handle it all?"

Leo nodded gently, indicating that she didn't need to worry: "Your concerns are very valid. Let's go back to the company for lunch first, and then go to Watson District this afternoon to invite our 'medical expert' to oversee things. If there's anything he can't handle, let him step in. And let's invite the metaphysical master too!"

Jack, who was driving, suddenly realized something and became somewhat agitated.

The discussion continued, and the education issue was particularly simple in Leo's words—as long as they got Arasaka's teaching resource database and added a few teacher AIs, they could build a comprehensive academy covering elementary school to university in Taipingzhou.