Chapter 23: A New Ideology (Part 2)

**Chapter 23: A New Ideology (Part 2)**

Zhou Wenwei was deeply impressed after reading Qingshan's responses. The creative concept behind "Edge Runner" was indeed profound and unique, especially in an era dominated by action-packed shonen manga. 

He appreciated how Qingshan's work diverged from the usual pattern. Mature readers like Zhou Wenwei, who were no longer children, often sought out manga, novels, films, and anime that offered deeper meaning rather than simplistic and mindless plots. Such works left a lasting impression.

In the realm of ACG culture, where the battle between heroes and villains had become a common trope, shallow or overly simplistic stories often failed to engage readers for long. In contrast, works imbued with metaphor, religious, or philosophical elements attracted more interest.

Take the anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion," for instance. Its success wasn't solely due to its excellent plot but also its incorporation of religious and philosophical themes, which kept its popularity high. Similarly, the Chinese anime "Beast Armament" gained acclaim for its philosophical depth and plot twists. The sci-fi film "Prometheus" stood out in the Alien franchise for its exploration of religious, philosophical, and existential themes.

Qingshan's focus on how future technology could affect human society, the concern for humanistic values, and critiques of capitalism brought a level of profundity to "Edge Runner" that fascinated Zhou Wenwei and many other mature readers. Even those who were not initially fans of "Edge Runner" found themselves drawn to it after reading Qingshan's interview.

"No wonder Original Force said 'Edge Runner' has deep meaning. It really is impressive," Zhou Wenwei said with excitement.

He then read the final question in the interview.

"The last question is what many readers want to know: What was your thought process behind the plot twist of David's mother's unexpected death?"

Qingshan's response was revealing: "The plot is set in Night City, where deaths can be sudden and unexpected. David's mother didn't die in an accident but was actually killed by a scavenger."

"Scavengers in Night City are often from the lower classes and are ruthless. They attack unsuspecting pedestrians or thugs, harvesting their cybernetics and organs for sale on the black market. To them, human lives are just commodities to be sold for money."

"Gloria, being a patient who couldn't pay much, was considered no different. She was just another item to be stripped of her cybernetics and sold."

Zhou Wenwei's hands trembled as he read this. He hadn't expected that David's mother's death wasn't due to gang violence or neglect but at the hands of a seemingly harmless scavenger. It was a chilling revelation that heightened his sense of dread and sadness.

The thought of David discovering that his mother didn't die in an accident but was instead a victim of scavenger exploitation was heart-wrenching. Zhou Wenwei realized that Qingshan's approach to storytelling was quite unconventional, displaying an extraordinary level of creativity and depth.

"Perhaps geniuses are just like this," Zhou Wenwei mused. "But the serialization of 'Edge Runner' is so slow. Can't they publish more frequently?"

…

TRANSLATOR: SAURON

Meanwhile, in a high-rise building in the Magic City, a young man with gold-rimmed glasses looked at the magazine he had just put down. "It's a really good work, but why is it serialized only once every two weeks?"

The computer screen in front of him displayed the QQ client, and his QQ name was "Wielder of Original Force." He was the same "Wielder of Original Force" Zhou Wenwei had been chatting with.

On his desk lay not just one but seven issues of "Manga World GoGo," each featuring the serialized chapters of "Edge Runner." He was captivated by the setting of "Edge Runner" and the beautiful, cyberpunk-style artwork by Qingshan.

"Knock, knock—"

A knock on the office door was heard. "Mr. Liang."

"Come in," Liang Zhiyuan, adjusting his posture, responded.

Indeed, 29-year-old Liang Zhiyuan was the CEO of a company, though he largely relied on his family's wealth to run it. His company was a game development firm, driven more by personal interest than necessity.

Liang Zhiyuan, a wealthy and ambitious young man, turned his attention back to work as a young man in a suit entered with a document.

"Supervisor Li, is there something I can help with?"

Liang Zhiyuan quickly shifted focus to work, putting aside his thoughts of "Edge Runner" for the moment.

(End of Chapter)