Gods, Ashes Descend

Chapter 27 The Real Terman

A family of three strolled around an apartment in the North Side of Martin Street, Watson District.

Although this place is terrible, the rent here is really cheap.

Eight hundred a month, ten thousand a year. Among the worst options, this is the safest place available, with police patrolling the streets.

Although the walls were covered in graffiti, at least there was some order.

"When will you take me to do the work?"

Before Li Wei could even speak, Karl slapped Ryoko on the head.

"He's not even fully grown yet, and he wants to work? Let him be an adult first."

Liangzi pouted and said with dissatisfaction.

"I'm an adult now!"

"Ha, do you think we're blind?"

"East Asians have delicate skin, you know!"

"Li, you come here, I can't handle this girl."

Li Wei stomped his foot, turned around, and stared at Liangzi with a death stare. Liangzi muttered something under her breath.

"Okay, I'm 16, and I don't know how to be gentle with women at all."

Continue to gaze.

"Okay, I'm 15."

"14, I swear!"

Li Wei was pleased with Liangzi's tact. He grunted in agreement, turned around, and continued walking forward, displaying a cool and aloof demeanor.

When Li Wei couldn't handle Liangzi, he turned around and grabbed Karl's arm.

"Uncle Carl, why are so many people smuggling goods?"

Karl couldn't resist someone's coquettishness, and answered like pouring out a bamboo tube.

"Consumption tax, audits, taxes, bribery, long queues, and so on—if you want to legally transport anything, you have to go through countless difficulties. That's why many people choose to take shortcuts. That's what we do for a living—help people solve their problems!"

Li Wei chuckled, saying that Karl was beyond saving, in a mocking tone.

"The City of Night should give us a Good Citizen Medal."

"Never mind then, you have to pay for this anyway."

Happy days are always short-lived. Li Wei and his companions chatted and laughed all the way, but as they turned the corner, they heard a gunshot and the screams of the citizens.

Several thugs carrying guns were seen running out in a panic.

"Damn it, you killed him!"

"Screw the supplier, they always raise prices. This time, they shot me in the head with a big order, so I don't have to pay them."

They ran and argued, but by sheer bad luck, they ended up running towards Li Wei and the others.

The NCPD wouldn't let these thugs get away with causing trouble on the street. A police officer on the side of the road pulled out a gun and opened fire on the group of thugs.

As friendly citizens, Li Wei and his companions naturally saw that things were not going well and consciously sought cover to hide.

A narrow alley is a good option; you can wait for them to pass by before coming out.

Then it escalated into a car chase and gunfight; they just drove right past each other, it's just a normal occurrence.

Encountering a gunfight on the road, Karl's desire to change course vanished, and he spat and cursed.

"Let's go back, this is really damn unlucky."

When they got back, they hadn't been sitting for long when the cops came knocking. It seemed that Li Wei and his team had gotten on the NCPD's radar. The guy who came in was the hothead who had fired a shot in the street, and he was quite unpleasant.

He kicked open Li Wei's door.

"Hands up, NCPD check."

However, the guy remained calm despite the three guns pointed at his head.

He put the gun away and then spoke.

"Calm down, killing a police officer is a serious crime."

Li Wei cursed inwardly; why did that sentence feel so familiar?

"Why are you looking for us? Aren't you going after your murderer?"

"I patrol this neighborhood during the day. According to the database, you are considered marginalized. I've come to say hello."

Carl glanced at the kicked-down door and scoffed.

"That was a really great greeting."

Liangzi spoke with a hint of excitement and eagerness.

"Uncle, should I shoot? I think I can blow his balls off with one shot."

Carl grabbed the gun from Ryoko's hand and put it away.

"Don't even think about it. Get inside. I've confiscated the gun. I'll give it back to you when we leave."

Li Wei also put away his gun and pointed it at the door.

"We'll go outside to talk. Carl, you stay home and keep an eye on this little rascal."

"rest assured."

Li Wei went downstairs and leaned against the wall.

"Tell me, officer, I don't remember breaking the law."

Only Li Wei was left, and the man stood up again, leaning against the wall with one hand, staring arrogantly at Li Wei.

"Even snakes have their own paths. For the sake of order on this street, I want you to be my informants. Police-community cooperation, and you'll get paid."

Li Wei looked at the clueless young man in front of him with amusement. So kicking down the door was a way of showing intimidation? Li Wei felt this guy wouldn't live long.

"You know we're on different paths, yet you still come looking for us. This is the territory of the Whirlpool Gang. Why don't you go find the local bullies instead of us?"

Think we're easy to bully? Mercenaries acting as lackeys for the cops is a serious offense; they won't live long, neither will the mercenaries.

Seeing Li Wei's attitude, the officer knew that talking nonsense was useless, so he took out a pen and wrote down a phone number.

"Here's my phone. Let me know if there's any news. Remember, we're keeping an eye on you."

After the cop left, Li Wei cursed under his breath, "What a load of crap, he doesn't believe it."

However, this serves as a reminder to Li Wei that fame brings trouble; with the NCPD already on his radar, he's pretty much the same in the eyes of other interested parties.

The other middlemen didn't call him, probably because they considered themselves Regina's trusted mercenary and wouldn't take on jobs from others.

Frustrated, he scratched his head, feeling he should speed things up.

I went upstairs and found Carl, who was squatting on the ground fixing the door.

"Karl, I'm going out for a bit more. I don't know when I'll be back."

"Go ahead, you've been going to the Mewtwo store quite often lately."

Li Wei smiled but didn't reply. He waited until he was on the street before calling Regina.

"When you take on a job, the same old rules apply: handle the beginning and the end for me."

Regina also started to complain.

"Li, I know you're awesome, but could you please be a little quieter each time?"

Li Wei also complained a couple of times.

"The problem is that their prosthetic bodies are frighteningly thick; a small handgun can't kill them."

"So you're using a grenade launcher like a pistol! This is Night City, not Badlands. Every time you cause trouble, the Terrorist SWAT team has to come and check if some cyber lunatic is causing trouble."

"In short, is there any chance of survival?"

Regina sighed.

"Yes, a minor leader of the Tiger Claw Gang killed a female student. His father went berserk and sold everything he could to raise more than 20,000 yuan to buy the heads of those bastards, demanding that they die as gruesomely as possible."

Li Wei chuckled.

"See, isn't this perfect for me? Blow them to smithereens with grenades."

"I've sent you the location."

I took the bus to Little Chinatown and arrived in front of a nightclub.

Li Wei turned and walked into the alley. After confirming that Regina had hacked the surrounding cameras, he took out the clothes that concealed his identity and changed into them.

Then we went into the nightclub.

As soon as I stepped inside, I heard a bartender call out.

"Damn it! It's that madman Batman!"

The common people huddled together in the communication area.

Li Wei pulled out a grenade launcher and blasted the bartender who had drawn his gun into dust, sending limbs and fragments flying everywhere.

The drinker, who was lying down in the corner, muttered to himself.

"I absolutely do not accept this as Batman from my childhood!"

Levi pulled on the Batman mask, pulling the trigger to continue the bombardment as he answered.

"Dude, don't be fooled by the movie. Real Batman never leaves anyone alive in a fight. The door's over there, now you guys should run."