Chapter 82: Chapter 81
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Misty's Secrets Tarot Shop.
Under the guidance of spiritual words, Tang Yu felt like he was sailing on a little boat atop the sea, slowly drifting into a safe harbor.
As the last tarot card flipped over, the meaning of Tang Yu's future was revealed.
What outcome would this time bring?
At this moment.
Even the usually calm Tang Yu found his breathing slightly hurried.
His hand reached towards the tarot card at the right cross position as if opening a gate to his destiny, heavy with anticipation.
The Tarot card was revealed.
The Moon upright?
An ending of the Moon?
Both pairs of eyes were fixed on the card of the Moon, seemingly contemplating an unexpected interpretation.
After a pause, Misty broke the silence.
"The Moon represents the mysticism of the future and its unknowability."
"Unlike the blinding Sun, the Moon is more like a faint glow in the dark, weak and obscure."
"Furthermore, the Moon breeds dreams, and dreams often have a will of their own. Although illusory, they are peaceful and beautiful."
"Looking at the illustration on the card, in the foreground, a crayfish crawls out of a pond, while in the middle ground a dog and a wolf howl, positioned on opposite sides, symbolizing human desires and morality."
"Between the wolf and the dog, there is a path leading towards the two towers, stretching to distant mountains. This path is an exit to the unknown, only faintly lit by moonlight."
"A moon hangs high in the sky, with three phases displayed from left to right—new moon, half-moon, full moon—symbolizing the certainty of life's cycles."
Tang Yu extracted a hint of meaning from Misty's words and speculated.
The Moon is ever-changing, alluding to the possibility of fluctuating fortunes?
Such an interpretation would be redundant and frivolous.
How could anyone know whether the future is complete or flawed without reaching that point?
Additionally.
The subdued light of the Moon, unlike the Sun's overwhelming brilliance, could it imply nuclear detonation?
Nuking the Arasaka Tower and devastating Night City surely isn't a good outcome; after all, their initial detonation was born of desperation.
The Moon itself does not shine; it reflects the light of the Sun.
In a sense, up until now, Tang Yu has indeed been utilizing the power of Arasaka to proceed.
This point is indisputable, and the role he plays as a corporate lackey is still significant, something Tang Yu acknowledges as a true representation.
The Moon symbolizes dreams, creating a world as illusory as dreams, where everyone is immersed in beauty and happiness.
Suddenly, Tang Yu recalled a classic quote.
"I want to create a world with you in it."
In Night City, where the data stream and neon diodes engulf everything, realizing a world akin to a dream isn't impossible, for those capable of doing so, are already lurking beyond the Blackwall.
Once everything merges into her (its) vast existence, a perfect world at will shall be created.
Tang Yu was referring to Johnny's ex-girlfriend, the AI goddess Alt Cunningham.
Finally, Tang Yu pondered another possibility and asked,
"Misty, could this Moon card simply refer to the physical Moon?"
"Like in my future, I might go to the Moon, who can tell?"
Misty looked up, slightly surprised at Tang Yu's interpretation of the Moon card.
Yet she affirmed without hesitation: "Of course, that's possible. Most people like to fixate on one meaning for the Moon card."
"That, of course, limits the breadth of spiritual thinking. Sometimes, for an individual, spirituality is often a moment of inspiration in the mind."
"If you have this idea, then naturally, the Moon card carries that meaning. It's quite possible for you to leave Night City and live on the Moon in the future." Tang Yu gently stroked his chin, staring at the Tarot spread before him.
The Emperor of the past, the Wheel of Fortune at the top, the Magician at the bottom, the Fool of the present, the Moon of the future.
Nearly every card aptly symbolized Tang Yu's current state.
Only the future's Moon card was elusive.
Tang Yu couldn't quite discern it, like a layer of fog before his eyes, through which he could barely glimpse shapes, much like flowers in the mist—visible, but only just.
Seeing Tang Yu lost in thought, Misty stayed silent, patiently waiting by his side.
Times like these are often critical, as one needs to ponder deeply to uncover the true answer within.
Face after face and significant event after event flickered through Tang Yu's mind.
After all.
Tang Yu, who had made a name for himself in Night City, had few friends he truly considered companions in life and death.
V, a street-born Mox who dared to plunge headfirst into hell with him.
Johnny, a self-obsessed, washed-up rockstar, who kept ranting about toppling Arasaka Tower in front of him.
Jackie, a loyal and big-hearted chum from Heywood, who dreamed of becoming a legend of Night City by his side.
Vik, a surly ripperdoc who always worried over his health.
Judy, a sensitive girl living in a fragile bubble, aspiring to become a braindance specialist creating shared dreams.
Panam, a wild girl from a Nomad family, always with honor on her mind, her rough exterior housing the sincerest heart.
Tang Yu couldn't help but wonder, what good fortune led him to meet and know them in Night City.
Now, at another major turning point of his life, he meets more legends.
Whether it was saving Gloria and David, mother and son, by his own hands, the successful collaborations with the Maine team, or the chance encounter with the silver-haired girl with secrets, Lucy.
Their arrivals have steered his life in new directions.
The future.
Whether Arthur Jenkins will still fall in faction struggles, whether Arasaka Yorinobu will still commit patricide, whether Hanako Arasaka will still break from her brother, whether Saburo Arasaka will return to the living.
All these must be carefully considered to strategize accordingly.
2077 isn't far off.
This century's conflict in Night City is far more complex than just Arasaka and the Militech mega-corporations.
Rogue AIs lurking outside the Blackwall, after growing unchecked for decades, have become a powerful and terrifying force.
It's lamentable.
People struggle to survive, corporations are busy fighting internally, netwatch is overwhelmed, and gangs like the Voodoo Boys are still stabbing in the back.
"Maybe Lucy was right, that hell is all around us, and only high and far away can we find a moment's respite."
"Should I really strive for a grand reunion on the Moon?"
Tang Yu quickly dismissed the thought.
He couldn't force his friends' choices, let alone lay all the complicated situations bare.
These secrets are nearly Tang Yu's greatest asset and trump card—one he cannot reveal lightly.
Otherwise.
It wouldn't be just Susan Abernathy aiming for his life.
Sitting at the fortune-telling shop's counter, Tang Yu thought long and hard.
Suddenly, a robust figure entered the doorway.
"Mr. Tang, Miss Misty, sorry to disturb you."
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