Chapter 118: V: The Joker Was Me All Along?!
As for other unidentified rogue AIs, they can be directly connected to the Matrix server.
Of course, helping these AIs seize bodies can only be done on a small scale. The quantity must be strictly controlled; under no circumstances should the consciousness of employees be extracted in large numbers.
This isn't because Li Ang is handsome and kind-hearted or has some moral bottom line—it's because he plans to increase the value of the Matrix technology, making it easier to demand exorbitant service fees from Night Corporation!
He intends to ruthlessly cash in on Night Corporation's wealth!
Scarcity drives value. The Matrix server must be marketed as a premium, high-end service to attract a steady flow of affluent but naive customers.
After all, if Li Ang sets the service fees for the Matrix too low, it would only encourage Night Corporation to abuse its functionality to control its employees.
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"Mr. Li Ang, you might as well speak plainly."
The metallic, mechanical voice of Batmos carried a hint of confusion. Judging by Li Ang's confident demeanor, it seemed that LA Corporation possessed technological capabilities beyond their reach!
However, this wasn't too surprising. A company capable of creating Titan-class ronin and dragonfly-style ornithopters could very well bring something unexpected to the table.
Just as Li Ang was about to briefly introduce the Matrix server to Batmos and Miriam, the conference room doors were suddenly pushed open. The ones entering were none other than Blue Eyes and V.
"Mr. Li Ang… you're actually here!"
Seeing Li Ang seated at the square marble conference table, V couldn't help but feel a surge of shock. Could it be that LA Corporation was also one of the masterminds behind the AI brainwashing conspiracy?
If that were true, then all of his efforts over the past few days would have been in vain.
The joke was on him all along!
"V, I already know what you've been up to these days. I know you have a lot of questions right now, but what you need to do at this moment is find a seat and quietly sit down."
"Try not to talk—just listen."
Li Ang didn't bother explaining much to V and simply beckoned him over.
At this critical juncture, Li Ang had neither the time nor the patience to explain too much to V. Striking a deal with Night Corporation and luring the rogue AIs into his grasp were the priorities!
"…Alright."
Looking at Li Ang's serious demeanor, V nodded with a conflicted expression before taking a seat beside him.
As he sat down, V caught sight of Morgan Blackhand's sharp gaze fixed intently on him, as though locking onto prey.
"Not sure if Morgan's staring at you or me, but it doesn't matter. He can't beat you anyway. A little tension in his nerves is normal."
Johnny Silverhand's voice chuckled in V's mind.
Morgan Blackhand was a competent bodyguard who had rarely made any mistakes while protecting Li Ang.
Johnny, do you think Mr. Li Ang also plans to stuff AIs into people's brains like Night Corporation, brainwashing his employees?
V silently thought, posing the question to Johnny Silverhand.
"Even if Li Ang really does plan to do that, there's nothing you can do about it. Don't forget, both you and I owe him our lives. Even if it pisses you off, you'll just have to swallow it."
Having already died once, Johnny Silverhand was surprisingly calm about the situation. Megacorporations wielded absolute, crushing power, and traditional moral systems were little more than shackles for the weak imposed by the strong.
Figures like Li Ang, Saburo Arasaka, and Miriam—top-tier megacorporate leaders—could push the boundaries of human morality without many consequences.
Otherwise, the people of Chiba City would have long since stormed Arasaka Corporation, using their twisted and deformed hands to strangle these poisoners to death.
Hearing Johnny's words, V hesitated but ultimately remained silent. He sat beside Li Ang, glancing toward the AI Batmos not far away.
"Mr. Blue Eyes, you're late."
Batmos's cold mechanical voice rang out as usual. He, Blue Eyes, and Spider Murphy were all senior members of this rogue AI organization.
However, Batmos was the highest-ranking leader of this AI faction.
"I ran into some issues on the way here, which delayed me. I hope the meeting hasn't ended yet."
As Blue Eyes said this, he glanced at V, making it clear that V was the unexpected factor that had delayed him.
Batmos didn't dwell on the matter and continued speaking:
"Since everyone is here, let's continue discussing the collaboration."
As the words fell, Batmos briefly introduced AI Blue Eyes to Li Ang. For example, the AI brainwashing plan was one that Blue Eyes had proposed to the Night Corporation executives.
"Mr. Blue Eyes, it seems your suggestion wasn't very effective. Your AI brainwashing technology is full of bugs."
"Under your relentless memory modifications, Night Corporation's employees have clearly noticed unusual changes in themselves. Some have even developed schizophrenia."
"Frankly, your approach poses a significant PR risk to Night Corporation."
Li Ang smiled as he looked at Blue Eyes. It was precisely because he knew their brainwashing technology was flawed, leading to data loss and residual effects, that he had the confidence to push his expensive Matrix service.
After all, this was LA Corporation's money to make!
Faced with Li Ang's criticism, Blue Eyes didn't refute but instead nodded calmly, sincerely acknowledging:
"Yes, the AI memory modification method I currently use on humans does cause some damage to the brain. Only a small number of employees can adapt to such changes."
"For instance, Sandra Dorsett could, but someone like Congressman Jefferson would exhibit intense pain and distress. I'd like to improve our AI technology, but for now, it's not possible."
Hearing this, Miriam's face darkened. She had worked hard to convince Night Corporation's board members to abandon investments in the aerospace sector and shift toward the AI field.
Now, this stupid AI Blue Eyes was outright admitting that their AI memory modification couldn't be improved. Did that mean all her preliminary investments had gone to waste?!
Night Corporation had already offended the well-connected European Space Agency. Surely they couldn't shamelessly turn to LA Corporation to demand back their aerospace rights?
Just as Miriam was about to confront Blue Eyes, Batmos spoke first:
"It seems LA Corporation might have a solution to this problem, doesn't it?"
In an instant, the curious gazes of Miriam, Blue Eyes, V, and others all landed on Li Ang.
They were all eager to know what trump card Li Ang had yet to reveal!