[Horizon Corporation Enters Taiping Continent, Target Might Be Dog Town?]
[Remnants of the Unification War, Taiping Continent Might Face Another Conflict?]
[Ghost Dogs vs Horizon rcenaries, Who is Night City's Strongest Gang?]
News spread quickly that Lin Miao had taken control of Taiping Continent's governnt leadership from the city council, soon making headlines in Night City.
It's not sothing just anyone can obtain.
Don't be fooled by Taiping Continent, which seems like a hot potato in the hands of the Night City Governnt, as if eager to get rid of it. It's a large district of Night City, representing enormous interests, so it can't just be casually handed over.
Under normal circumstances, only multinational giants like Kangtao and Military Technology are eligible to participate in the bidding elections, while even local enterprises like Continental Foods Corporation don't have a chance to compete.
Indeed, it only costs one Orokin, but not everyone is qualified to pay that Orokin.
Huang Ban already controls Watson District, and Military Technology secretly seized Santo Domingo. The two companies are at odds, neither willing to let the other take Taiping Continent. Kangtao originally intended to, but upon examining the situation in Dog Town, they decided to give up.
Other corporations know Night City is a place of trouble. Either they aren't interested or they're happy to see Taiping Continent fall into chaos, hoping to profit from the discord. Therefore, for nearly ten years, Taiping Continent has remained in a state of lawless turmoil.
Lin Miao managed to take control of Taiping Continent not by his own strength but with the aid of multiple companies.
Lin Miao had previously confided in Pereira about his desire to enter Taiping Continent. Once Pereira knew, others soon found out.
So wanted to see him clash with Hansen, hoping one of them would perish. Others wanted to see him stir more trouble and offend more corporations, believing the sooner he dies, the better. So hoped the chaos in Taiping Continent would hinder Lin Miao, preventing him from interfering with their plans.
It was a vast web, but Lin Miao was happy to jump in.
Because the players wanted in, they had wandered around Dog Town's gate several tis but couldn't find a way in.
Once, twice, but not a third ti.
As their understanding of the cyber world deepened, their curiosity about Dog Town grew stronger. Lin Miao feared they might use force to break through Dog Town's gate if he didn't find a way to open it soon.
The number of weapons inside Dog Town remains a mystery, most remnants of the Unification War, including heavy weaponry. If fighting breaks out, Dog Town wouldn't withstand the flas of war. Without control over Taiping Continent, the conflict might even spread throughout Night City, making it hard to settle later.
Yet, Lin Miao planned to delay revealing this surprise to the players, as the New Year was approaching.
There were still over ten days left until Lunar New Year's Eve on February 4, 2076. During the ga's first New Year, he wanted players to enjoy everyday festivities rather than eating rations in the trenches and using artillery shells as fireworks.
"New Year?"
Lucy tilted her head upon hearing the news, her face full of confusion.
"Isn't it already January 22nd?"
"It's the lunar... I an, Chinatown's New Year!"
Lin Miao initially wanted to say lunar calendar, but Westerners don't follow the lunar calendar, so he explained in a way Lucy could understand.
"Oh..."
Lucy seed indifferent.
In 2076, everything was being crushed by capital. Holidays, which once served as bonds between people, history, and family, had largely disappeared.
Only a few promotional holidays like Christmas remained.
Childhood Day, Labor Day, Won's Day, and such had long since vanished.
Lucy found it hard to understand why Lin Miao valued a Chinatown New Year. Although she knew most players were of Asian descent, her past two decades had been lived alone, never celebrating any holidays, uninterested in any.
Sensing the difference in this regard, she leaned against the window, clad in pajamas, a hint of loneliness on her face as she gazed at the night scene outside.
Bright yet indifferent neon advertisents shone through the glass onto Lucy's fair skin, glowing like cold moonlight descending to the mortal realm.
Lin Miao walked behind her, wrapping her in his arms. Her smooth, milk-like pale back was cool to the touch through her thin clothing. He whispered in her ear.
"The New Year is not just ours, but yours too, and everyone's."
"This holiday isn't for selling anything. It represents the hope and longing for the new year, bidding farewell to the past, simply celebrating continuity and family reunion."
"Wouldn't you like to join?"
The sound of heavy breathing ca from behind her, searing like fire, as hot breath brushed Lucy's neck. A flush quickly spread from her neck to her cheeks.
She wriggled her petite body, finding a more comfortable position against the chest behind her.
Lucy's ear pressed against the chest could clearly hear the powerful heartbeat beneath the skin.
"No."
"I think being with family doesn't compare to how things are now... It feels just like a dream."
Almost forgot that Lucy's dad wasn't any good.
Suddenly, Lucy stopped Lin Miao's wandering hand and said sulkily.
"Besides, what you asked to investigate is starting to show results, the AI known as Lilith."
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