2077: V really knows how awesome he is

Chapter 55 Kurt Hansen, the King of Endurance

Watson District Medical Center.

When V arrived, Meredith Stock was already there.

"Koch just went in." The blonde, slicked-back-haired woman took out a cigarette in frustration, then remembered that she was in a hospital and irritably put it back.

“I thought you and Hansen didn’t get along, but I didn’t expect you to… care about him quite a bit?” V sat down as well.

“Not really,” Meredith Stock shrugged. “We met a few times years ago at the headquarters of military technology, but Hansen was already a colonel then, while I was just a low-level employee who had only been there for a few years. As for friendship, there was absolutely none. The reason I came here was probably out of a sense of shared fate among soldiers. Seeing Hansen makes me think that one day I will become like him, covered in tubes and dying alone in a hospital bed.”

To ease the tension, V joked, "If you're afraid of being alone, how about you find someone to marry?"

Meredith Stock laughed: "Don't be ridiculous, with my lousy personality, no woman would ever be born willing to marry me!"

"Right."

"Damn it, at least try to comfort me a little." Meredith Stock glared at V with annoyance, then sighed and said, "Actually, soldiers should stay single."

"why?"

"Because soldiers can die at any time. What good is having a wife and kids? They're just a damn menace."

V is not a soldier, so he cannot judge the truth or falsehood of this statement.

However, she had similar views in her previous life as a mercenary.

Both of them fell silent. After a while, more and more people arrived, including Sasha, David, Lucy, Carter, Jenkins, and so on.

Everyone was not familiar with Kurt Hansen before, but because of their past experience fighting side by side, they all rushed over as soon as they heard the news, wanting to send their newly acquainted old friend off on his final journey.

"Colonel Hansen was found under a pile of rubble, with several Ghost Hound soldiers pinned to his body. It was their bodies that cushioned the impact, allowing Colonel Hansen to survive."

"They faithfully completed their mission and were the best soldiers."

"Night City will remember them forever."

Everyone expressed their respect. At that moment, a yawn was heard, and Xu Ling arrived at the emergency room escorted by two guards.

"There are quite a lot of people." Xu Ling plopped down, shaking her leg as she asked casually, "Is the one inside dead?"

"He is still being treated. President Xu, Colonel Hansen is a hero of Night City, please show him more respect."

"Okay, okay, I respect that." Xu Ling replied casually, but everyone could see her perfunctory attitude and frowned.

Xu Ling's existence has always been controversial. On the one hand, Night City achieved victory under her command, but on the other hand, Night City also suffered heavy losses under her command.

Yes, people made preparations before the war even started, but after achieving victory, they would inevitably wonder if it would have been better to use a different tactic.

This is only natural, and no one really blames Xu Ling; in fact, they are quite grateful to her. It's just that... people can't like her.

V wanted to help Xu Ling "clarify" the situation, but Xu Ling refused.

"There's no need," Xu Ling said with a smile. "Feelings will only affect my judgment, and I don't need them."

That smile was terrifyingly calm.

Seeing the slightly tense atmosphere, V greeted him, "I didn't expect you to come."

“I wasn’t planning on coming, and I don’t know Kurt Hansen at all. But the old man ordered me to get on your good side, so I used the excuse of visiting to try and get closer to you.”

V was both amused and exasperated: "You just blurt out the truth."

"That's my persona, isn't it? A tactical genius who's clueless about the ways of the world, plus being young, the old man thinks that makes it easier to gain your trust."

"You're still Xu Zhong's sister, can you take advantage of my guilt and remorse?"

"Yes, that's right. The old man even makes me keep mentioning my brother, but I'm not even close to Xu Zhong!"

First, she wasn't familiar with Kurt Hansen, and then she wasn't familiar with Xu Zhong. Xu Ling wasn't lying; she really wasn't familiar with anyone. Even with V, it was only after Xu Shiming gave the order that she deliberately made contact with him and pretended to be familiar with him.

V asked, "What exactly does your grandfather want from me?"

"What's the secret to your incredible strength? What else could it be?" Xu Ling blinked. "The old man said that if you're willing to reveal this secret, Kang Tao can help you solve your physical problems."

As V came into the view of many powerful figures, her secret of suffering from extensive nerve atrophy was no longer a secret. But precisely because of this, it aroused even more curiosity among everyone, wondering how someone who should have died had survived, and how strong V would become after recovering.

During this period, many companies have either explicitly or implicitly stated that they can help V cure his health, but V has declined them all.

People should learn from their mistakes; she can't keep repeating the same mistakes.

It wasn't surprising that Xu Shiming used this as an excuse. Just as V was about to refuse, a dignified female voice suddenly rang out.

“V, the new America can cure you too. Just say the word, and I’ll have Washington arrange the surgery right now.”

Everyone turned around and saw Miles wearing a white presidential uniform.

Her appearance here surprised everyone, and V asked the question on everyone's behalf: "Is President Miles unwell?"

"Don't worry, I have a professional medical team and I've always been in excellent health."

"So why are you here?"

"Kurt Hansen was one of my most trusted lieutenants, and I was deeply saddened to hear of his critical illness. I happened to be in Night City on business, so it was only right that I come and see him off on his final journey."

Your favorite general? Then you fucking sold him out.

People have gained a deeper understanding of the hypocrisy of the new US president.

But to deal with a hypocrite, you have to be even more hypocritical than her; that's how it is in the adult world.

V nodded: "On behalf of Colonel Hansen, I thank you. He will be very pleased to know that you have come."

"May God bless Kurt Hansen," Miles muttered insincerely, then asked V, "What does President V think of my proposal?"

“That’s good.” V smiled slightly. “So, what’s the price?”

Miles's expression brightened: "It's simple, it's the same thing I mentioned before. New America wants the development rights to Pacific State. To show our sincerity, New America is willing to bear all the costs of rebuilding Pacific State."

"Thank you for New America's generosity. But as I mentioned before, Taiping State will serve as a research base for Night City's integrated ecological technology. Due to confidentiality agreements, it is not included in this round of investment promotion."

“V, don’t be so stubborn. Everything has a price. Look at Kurt Hansen now. Health is the most precious thing in the world. New America can cure you. I swear on my political life.”

He actually swore on his political life, so it seems Miles really wasn't lying... just kidding!

Politicians will always be politicians. Even if you put a gun to their chin, you can't believe a single word they say.

"I'm sorry, President Miles, but other districts in Night City also have great development potential. Would you consider them?"

Miles's face darkened. She stepped forward and whispered in V's ear, "V, don't play dumb with me. You know why I want the Pacific State!"

V sneered: "Of course I know you're planning to bury this old military technology research base under Taiping State. Miles, you can't handle the roaming AI; you'll only bring death to all of humanity. Give up now; I will never hand Taiping State over to you."

“V!” Miles gritted his teeth. “You’ll regret this!”

"Really? You're trying to blackmail me with my health again? I won't fall for that!"

“No, this time it’s something else.” Miles took a step back. “I’ve said it before, Kurt Hansen is one of my favorite generals. Do you think it would be nice to have his family with him on his final journey?”

V paused, then asked Meredith Stock, "Colonel Hansen has family?"

“He had a wife and a son, but after that incident, they stayed in New America.”

Staying in New America was actually because Miles detained him in New America!

"How despicable! Using someone's family as a threat!" David was furious. He valued his family above all else and could not accept such a thing. His opinion of the new US president plummeted.

“It’s a shame, young man, but that’s the reality of the world,” Miles said proudly. “The means don’t matter as long as the goal is achieved.”

Everyone glared at Miles. The reason they were able to unite as the weak and penniless was because of their feelings and bonds. Miles saw this and used it to blackmail them.

V can sacrifice human lives for survival, but she cannot sacrifice human lives for profit. If she did that, it would be tantamount to personally destroying the core that holds Night City together.

Miles looked smug, while V's face darkened.

Because they value emotions, they are forced to have a gun pointed at them.

At this moment, those who don't need emotions will take action.

Xu Ling, who was sitting on the bench shaking her leg, suddenly darted out like a rabbit. With her unique Chinese martial arts skills, she skillfully broke through the defenses of the two bodyguards and rushed into Miles' arms, pressing an inexpensive guillotine against his chin.

"Put down your gun!" the bodyguard shouted.

"Xu Ling, don't do anything reckless!" the people of Night City shouted.

They stepped forward to "help," but blocked Miles' two bodyguards from entering. David and Lucy then simultaneously used dirty tricks, employing the Monkey Steals Peach and the Groin Kick respectively, causing the two bodyguards to clutch their crotches in pain.

Miles' face turned ashen. She had calculated that V wouldn't turn on her, but she had forgotten that there was a little devil from Comtau right next to her.

"How strange, Night City has such a ridiculous gun. Plastic body, plastic barrel, you don't even need to change the magazine after you run out of bullets, just throw it away and buy another one from the vending machine." Xu Ling said, giving it a hard push upwards, and said with a wicked smile, "Do you think this cheap, crappy gun can smash your noble president's skull?"

Miles was panicking inside, but he forced a smile and said, "You don't dare to shoot!"

"boom!"

Xu Ling shot Miles through the abdomen, and blood immediately spurted out.

Everyone was startled; no one expected Xu Ling to actually dare to fire a gun.

The two bodyguards panicked and immediately drew their guns, but David and Meredith Stock were faster and subdued them in no time.

"Fuck, you're fucking insane!" Miles clutched her stomach, about to curse again, when the affordable guillotine was once again pressed against her chin.

"It's really not working well. The recoil is too strong, and the bullet's power is too weak. I have to shoot you in the stomach to make sure the bullet won't be blocked by your reconstructed bones." Xu Ling grinned, revealing a dark and cruel expression. "There's no bone in your jaw, so the bullet should be able to penetrate. But it will be blocked by your skull, bouncing around inside your cranial cavity and turning your dog brain into a mess. Want to take a gamble and see how many times the bullet bounces—six, or seven?"

Miles was genuinely scared, and she yelled at V, "Stop her!"

V shrugged: "President Xu is Kang Tao's person, I can't order her around."

Miles was furious and asked Xu Ling again, "Are you going to start a war between New America and Contau?"

"That's right, I'm going to start a war between our two families. If you've got the guts, go find my grandfather, Xu Shiming!"

Everyone was speechless, realizing that Xu Ling was talking nonsense. But the way she brought up Xu Shiming as soon as something happened—this young lady was truly filial.

Miles knew that Xu Ling was bluffing, but when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. The boss doesn't know how to appease the employees, but this hostage knows how to appease the kidnappers.

“Xu Ling, let’s talk this out. New America and Comtôme have always maintained a good relationship. There’s no need to make a big fuss over such a small matter.” Miles appeared very sincere: “I just acted impulsively, and I’m willing to apologize to you. So, can you treat me first? I’m bleeding.”

Xu Ling looked at V, who shouted, "Someone, get President Miles a band-aid."

Then the band-aid was actually delivered to Miles, causing the new US president to turn red and white.

Red means anger, white means... excessive bleeding.

Realizing that if the bleeding continued, he would really die, Miles relented and said, "I will send Hansen's family here."

No one present believed it.

But Xu Ling still put away her gun.

She can't really kill the new US president, can she? Kangtao isn't afraid of a weak and cowardly new America, but he still has to be mindful of military technology.

"Hello, you're very good!" Miles gave himself a powerful injection to stop the bleeding, and as he walked out, he threatened, "I will personally confront Xu Shiming about what happened today, you just wait!"

"Just you wait!" Xu Ling said, raising her middle finger. "Once we get to Shenyang, you're sure to get a much better juice than me!"

Miles left with a face full of resentment, and the emergency room light turned green.

Joanne Koch came out and was startled: "Why are there so many people?"

V asked with a serious expression, "Colonel Hansen didn't suffer much in his passing, did he? I'd like to take this opportunity to organize a public farewell ceremony to commemorate the fallen hero."

Joanne Koch looked troubled: "This... probably won't work."

"What's wrong? Is Colonel Hansen's body in bad condition? Is it horrifying? Would it look better if we put on makeup?"

"This isn't about whether or not you wear makeup."

"What's the problem?"

Joanne Koch shrugged: "The problem is that Colonel Hansen isn't dead."

"Huh?" Everyone exclaimed in surprise.

That's right, Breaking Bad's miraculous healing skills brought the Dogtown boss back to life.

"What, are you unhappy?" Joanne Koch asked in surprise.

“Happy, of course I’m happy.” V’s expression was a little awkward, then he thought of another question: “But in this case, Miles should be the happiest person.”

Kurt Hansen is not dead, which makes his family even more valuable.

Everyone was clearly aware of this.