chapter6:NIGHT

"Hey, pretty lady, don't move around too much. It'd be a shame to mess up that pretty face of yours."

Gang members from all directions started closing in on Beihai. Not wanting to escalate the situation, Beihai calmly pulled out several stacks of cash from her pocket, counted out a few bills, and handed them to two hyena beastmen in sailor shirts and berets standing in front of her.

"Here's 300 bucks, a little token of goodwill. How about we treat this as a lesson learned and make some friends?"

The hyena beastmen exchanged glances before bursting into loud laughter.

"Are you messing with us?!" Their expressions quickly turned from amusement to anger. One of them slapped the money out of Beihai's hand, while the other drew a knife and a gun, pressing the barrel to Beihai's forehead. "You think you can pay us off with some loose change? Huh?! Hand over your ID card, right now!"

Beihai turned her head slightly to glance at Xiao Qi.

"So, you really had no idea where Wushiji Avenue was, did you?"

Xiao Qi crossed her arms and let out a scoffing laugh. "I never planned on taking you there."

"I figured as much."

With the gun pressed to her forehead, Beihai calmly lit a cigarette for herself.

"So, Wushiji Avenue was just something I made up."

In a split second, Beihai grabbed the hyena beastman's gun hand, using her index finger to block the trigger from being pulled. Simultaneously, she whipped a throwing knife from her waist with her left hand, aiming it squarely at the other hyena beastman's shoulder.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. The second hyena beastman let out a howl of pain as the knife struck true. Beihai followed up with a powerful kick to the knife's hilt, driving it deep into his shoulder and sending him flying backward.

"Fuck you—!"

But Beihai didn't give the other hyena beastman a chance. She kicked his shin, forcing him down on one knee. In the same motion, she removed the gun's slide with her left hand and locked the beastman's arm in a joint lock, twisting it until it snapped with a sickening crack. The beastman howled in agony.

"Shit!" The gangsters around them, who had been watching the show, immediately drew their guns and pointed them at Beihai. "This bitch is crazy! She's asking for it!"

"Tch."

Beihai snorted, sweeping the hyena beastman off his feet with a swift leg sweep, all while barely finishing the cigarette in her mouth.

"I thought Night City's gangs would be something special... Turns out, you're all just pathetic."

"Kill that bitch!"

Xiao Qi's face turned pale as she hurriedly shouted, "Wait! We were just supposed to rob her—"

It was too late. The entire courtyard erupted in gunfire, bullets raining down on Beihai from all directions.

Beihai quickly raised her arms to protect her head. Bullets slammed into her body from every angle, making her entire frame tremble as blood splattered everywhere.

When the gunfire finally ceased, Beihai slowly lowered her arms, her body riddled with bullet holes.

"Hah... Hah..."

Beihai gritted her teeth, breathing heavily as she clenched her fists. Her body steamed from the bullet wounds, smoke rising from the gunshot holes.

"S-she... she..."

The gangsters were dumbstruck, completely forgetting to reload their magazines.

"How is she still standing?!"

"Ha... Ha..."

Beihai slowly straightened up, her face, once twisted in pain, now returning to calm. She raised her head and took a deep drag on her cigarette, burning through half of it in one go.

She exhaled a long stream of smoke, closing her eyes in satisfaction. Then, with a shake of her body, the bullets that had embedded themselves in her flesh clattered to the ground.

"There's something you should know," Beihai said, holding her cigarette between her fingers as she scanned the gang members with a detached gaze. "I'm 'immortal'—at least, not the kind of person you lot could kill."

"Fuck this!!" The gangsters scrambled to reload, but their hands were shaking uncontrollably.

In the blink of an eye, Beihai was upon them, claws flashing as she sliced through throats with deadly precision, spilling blood with every strike.

"Die, die, die!!"

Beihai moved fluidly through the hail of bullets, drawing her Black Cloud pistol and firing two precise shots without even aiming, ending the fight in an instant.

The basketball court was littered with bodies. The two hyena beastmen, who had been groaning in pain, were now pissing themselves in terror, crawling away as fast as they could, crying and screaming.

"...Alright then."

Beihai shrugged helplessly.

"So this is all Night City has to offer, huh?"

As she turned to leave, she noticed Xiao Qi, frozen in place, her face a mask of fear.

Beihai walked up to the trembling girl, squatting down in front of her.

"What should I do with you, huh?" Beihai tapped her temple with the barrel of her gun.

"Please don't kill me..." Xiao Qi pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears, her whole body shaking. "I don't want to die..."

"I don't want to die either." Beihai tilted her head. "Should I die?"

"No... This wasn't my idea. They always just took the money and let people go..."

"Do you really think that's a good excuse?"

Beihai pressed the gun against Xiao Qi's forehead.

"Is it?"

Xiao Qi burst into tears, clutching Beihai's leg desperately. "No, no, no! I was wrong! I shouldn't have tricked you! I shouldn't have lied! Please, don't kill me! I'll do anything you say!"

Beihai's finger hovered over the trigger.

"Nooo! Please, no!!" Xiao Qi broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably as she clung to Beihai's leg. "I'm sorry! I'll turn over a new leaf! I swear I won't do anything bad ever again!!"

With a sigh, Beihai holstered her gun.

"Remember what you said. This is on you."

She stood up, shaking off Xiao Qi, and walked out of the neighborhood, leaving Xiao Qi sobbing on the ground.

"Zhu Guang Tower, 499 Phoenix Street."

Beihai mentally reviewed the correct address.

"I'd better hurry..."

...

On the rooftop of Zhu Guang Tower, the Nan Corporation's hovercar gently landed on the rooftop helipad.

"Welcome to Windsor Candlelight Hotel, esteemed Miss Nanshan."

The first thing to emerge from the hovercar was a pair of silver high heels.

Don't underestimate these high heels—their exterior was covered in small, scale-like active chain materials, custom-made to fit the wearer's ergonomics perfectly. They adjusted silently with each step, preventing any chance of a twisted ankle or discomfort, allowing the wearer to run with ease.

A pair of "Daphne" high heels—luxury among luxuries, the kind of footwear any girl with dreams of flaunting wealth would splurge on.

And the stockings encased within those heels were equally extraordinary—also from "Daphne," they utilized chameleon crystal technology, shifting to the most suitable color based on the wearer's body temperature, environment, and mood. On closer inspection, the stockings were woven from billions of hexagonal elemental fibers.

The cost of these stockings alone could match a white-collar worker's 50 years of savings if they didn't spend a dime.

Nanshan stepped out of the hovercar, her blue-purple ribboned off-the-shoulder evening gown fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

She gently brushed back the hair near her ear, her hand adorned with "Daphne" brand evening gloves that traced delicate lace patterns as her fingers lightly touched the small earrings that shimmered in the moonlight.

"Has Mr. Ye arrived?" Nanshan asked the concierge.

"Mr. Ye had an unexpected meeting and may arrive later. If you don't mind, you can rest in our Golden Hall on the 48th floor."

Meanwhile, Beihai also arrived at the base of Zhu Guang Tower.

"Damn."

Beihai shielded her eyes from the massive skyscraper, gazing up at its towering height in genuine amazement.

"I've never seen a building this tall before... The tallest structure in C18 would barely be a five-story parking garage here."

Looking around at the diverse and uniquely dressed passersby, and then back at her own bullet-riddled black coat, Beihai felt completely out of place in this vibrant city.

Two heavily armed guards stood by the elevator entrance—one a drone soldier, the other a suit-clad man whose face bore the telltale signs of numerous cybernetic implants.

As Beihai approached, the guards immediately leveled their weapons at her. "Get lost, beastman! This isn't a place for your kind!"

Beihai internally clicked her tongue. Even in Night City, discrimination against beastmen was alive and well.

"Here's my invitation."

Beihai swiped her earphone, displaying the electronic invitation Zhen Cheng had sent her.

The suited man scrutinized it carefully before lowering his weapon, his face still expressionless as he said, "Enjoy your time at Zhu Guang."

"And don't cause any trouble, mercenary."

He emphasized the word "mercenary" with a sneer, as if deliberately reminding Beihai that he knew exactly what kind.

Beihai stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 48th floor. The elevator hummed as it ascended, and Beihai contemplated her next move. After a moment's thought, she decided to keep her hat on and tucked her wolf tail back under her coat.

"The elite don't like beastmen."

Beihai was sure of that.

As the elevator doors slid open, a wave of unfamiliar fragrances washed over her. Beihai stepped into the opulent surroundings of the Golden Hall, where everything gleamed with gold and marble. The room was filled with high-society individuals, all dressed to the nines in designer suits and evening gowns. Beihai's worn, bullet-riddled coat stood out like a sore thumb among the glamorous crowd.

No one paid her any mind, treating her as little more than a piece of the decor. She wandered around, taking in the sights, until she noticed a small potted tree in the corner. Beihai was intrigued by the healthy, lush plant—she hadn't seen anything like it in a long time.

Beihai subtly plucked a leaf from the tree and tucked it into her coat. "A little souvenir to show Zhen Cheng later..."

But the one thing that truly caught Beihai's attention was the central bar. Surrounded by gleaming shelves stocked with all kinds of high-end spirits, it was a beacon for someone in need of a drink. She sat down at the bar and signaled the bartender.

"Get me a 'Trojan Horse,' ice-cold, but no ice—absolutely no ice."

The bartender gave her a once-over before pouring a bottle of cola and a bottle of sparkling water into a glass. Beihai scowled at the sight.

"You think I'm that easy to fool? Don't try passing off soda water as beer."

The bartender, unbothered, responded coldly, "Mercenaries like you tend to cause trouble when the drinks are free. I'm not taking any chances. You'll have to make do with this."

"No need to worry, I'll take responsibility for her."

A familiar voice interrupted. Nanshan sat down at the bar next to Beihai, smiling at the bartender.

The bartender's demeanor instantly changed. "Miss Nanshan! It's an honor. How can I serve you today?"

"Please prepare a plum champagne for me. And go ahead and make my friend here the 'Trojan Horse' she asked for. Don't worry, she's not the type to cause a scene."

The bartender hurried to comply, pouring Nanshan's drink with care. As he set the glass of plum champagne in front of her, Beihai grabbed her own drink and took a hefty swig.

"Ahh..."

Beihai slammed the glass down on the bar with a satisfied sigh, the drink's kick exactly what she needed.

"So, we meet again."

Nanshan sipped her drink gracefully.

"It seems you're my employer this time."

Beihai turned slightly to face Nanshan, propping her chin on her hand. "So, what do you need me to do?"

"I'll be in B-2077 for the next three days," Nanshan began. "I'd like you to serve as my personal bodyguard during that time."

Beihai raised an eyebrow. "How odd. A rich girl from an A-tier city like you should have a whole squad of elite bodyguards. They're well-paid, top-tier soldiers with the latest cybernetic enhancements and the best weapons money can buy. Yet, you're not satisfied with any of them?"

Nanshan smiled wryly. "If I told you I'd rather have someone to talk to than a stern-faced bodyguard, would you believe me?"

"Depends on how much you're willing to pay."

Beihai downed another swig of her drink. "I don't get the minds of rich people... but hey, money's money."

Nanshan sighed softly. "Soon, Ye Guolong will arrive at Zhu Guang Tower. I'll need to discuss the terms of our potential engagement."

"Engagement."

Beihai mentally scoffed at the word. How sad that for people of their status, marriage wasn't about love or companionship but a business transaction, a merger between two powerful families.

"You can sit in on the conversation if you like."

"Not interested," Beihai responded immediately, shaking her head. "I'm not in the mood to listen to some corporate bullshit. Besides, it's not like I'm going to benefit from it. Count me out."

The elevator doors opened again, catching both women's attention. Beihai was the first to turn and see who had arrived: a man in a red undershirt and suit, his expression as cold as ice, flanked by a tall man and a stern-looking woman. This could only be a corporate boss and his two elite bodyguards.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Nanshan."

The man's voice was as frosty as his expression as he extended a hand to Nanshan.

"Pleasure, Mr. Ye Guolong," Nanshan replied with a polite smile.

"Shall we move to a private room?" Nanshan suggested.

"No need," Ye Guolong replied curtly. The two bodyguards stepped forward, grabbing Beihai by the arms and pulling her off her barstool. Caught off guard, Beihai stared at them in surprise as Ye Guolong took her seat.

"I'm short on time. We'll talk here."

Nanshan's smile faltered. "I think we'll have a lot to discuss..."

"I'm not here to chat," Ye Guolong cut her off, fixing his gaze on her. "I'm here to make a deal. Let me tell you how it works: You name your conditions, and I say 'yes' or 'no.' You nod, and we're done. There's no need for any more discussion."

Beihai, annoyed, shook off the bodyguards' grip and stood nose-to-nose with the tall one, glaring into his eyes. After a tense moment, the man stepped back.

Beihai turned her attention to the female bodyguard. "And what about you?"

The woman sneered but said nothing.

Nanshan took a deep breath, composing herself.

"You're really a disappointment, Mr. Ye," she said coolly. **"If you're not even interested in talking, then this conversation is pointless. You don't like me, and I don't like you, so this engagement was a sham from the start."

"And since you want to get straight to the point, fine—does Ye Corporation have any intention of partnering with Nan Corporation to defeat our competitors and dominate Night City's commercial sector? Oh, and you only need to answer 'yes' or 'no.'"**

Oh?

Beihai's interest was piqued. She hadn't expected this soft-spoken girl to have such a backbone.

"If your answer is 'no,' I'll leave right now," Nanshan continued. **"I need to rest well tonight because tomorrow, I'll be meeting with the top brass of Militech and Arasaka. I can't afford to be tired. Nan Corporation can establish itself in Night City without Ye Corporation."

"But if your answer is 'yes,' then please follow me to a private room. Whatever else you have going on can wait—because this matter is crucial, both for you and for Ye Corporation."**

Ye Guolong's brow furrowed.

He clearly hadn't expected this seemingly delicate girl to defy him so boldly.

A strong hand clamped down on Nanshan's shoulder. Beihai stood behind her, smirking as she stared at Ye Guolong.

"Luo Hou, Qing Yun, inform the company that the next two meetings are postponed," Ye Guolong ordered without looking back.

"I have more important business to attend to."