Free Web NovelChapter 809: Chapter 765: Fancy Maneuvers
The evening breeze brought with it a chill, and the damp stench of decay. After the flood, Gotham might break out with a plague or infectious disease, given the number of bodies in the sewers.
Of all the sewers Su Ming had crawled through, Gotham’s weren’t the most expansive nor the most complex. But in terms of the density of skeletons inside, Gotham was undoubtedly top of the list.
It’s well-known that a lot of rats live in the sewers. Bodies thrown in would become skeletons flushed away by the sewage in just a few hours.
But in Gotham, you could crawl into the sewers at any time, take a stroll, and you’d see very fresh corpses.
The cause of death is basically the same: murder.
Maybe it’s the handiwork of the mob, maybe some villain’s doing. Gotham is a modern metropolis with people disappearing in the concrete jungle daily, while others pour into this black city in pursuit of dreams.
Not everyone is bad or trying to climb to the top to make a fortune. Yet, in Gotham, there’s a lot of grey business, which pays quite handsomely.
In fact, being a funeral director in Gotham must be very lucrative; the harsh deaths here definitely outnumber those in Midtown or Metropolis by several times.
Every time Gordon looks for Batman, it’s a murder case. This doesn’t mean he has no other cases, he just picks those that look like a supervillain committed them for Batman. There might be dozens of murders being solved by ordinary police at the same time.
Batman is acknowledged as a dark hero, but even he rarely enters the sewer system, which is why the Owl Court’s underground labyrinth remained hidden beneath his feet for decades.
Now, Su Ming suspects those cultists summoning things might have occupied an old Owl hideout or moved through the sewers.
For a cult to act unnoticed in Gotham, it must either be from the air or underground. Otherwise, the city’s extensive surveillance operated by Batman would surely catch them.
Group crimes usually have a common feature, which is assembling before taking action.
They can’t possibly gather at the victim’s doorstep, and then either take a cab or drive themselves over, can they? Queuing up outside the victim’s house?
The residents of Gotham do call the police.
These people probably gather somewhere either downtown or in the suburbs, then suddenly appear outside the victim’s house. Su Ming believes the probability of traveling through the sewers exceeds 50%, while other possibilities like magic, air drops, or phase abilities are very low.
I’ll head to Wayne Manor later and take a look at the surveillance.
"Now our city is dangerous again..." Gordon sighed. As the police director, he must protect the citizens, but what seems to be a matter of course is very difficult in Gotham.
"......"
"Last time it was a flood, what will it be next? I feel myself... Batman? Like this again..."
It was just as Gordon lamented, dropping his cigarette butt and about to stomp it out, when Batman vanished once more.
He walked away softly, just as he came softly.
Among the surrounding buildings, Batman’s shadow was gone. At the top of the police station, only Gordon stood by the Bat Lamp, as if the man was never there.
Still, Gordon was quite content as he went downstairs. Maybe a decade ago, he’d be driven neurotic by Batman’s ghostly presence and never saying goodbye.
But after all these years of training, even if he suddenly opened his eyes at night to find Batman lying beside him watching him, he could still remain unperturbed.
................
"Good evening, Alfred."
Although disguising as Batman could fool many, Alfred would never be among them. Speaking of knowing Batman, Alfred and the Joker should tie for first place, followed by Selena and his array of ex-girlfriends and Superman Clark... frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Looks like something quite troublesome was discovered.
But that’s beside the point. Su Ming had no intention of posing as Batman to enter Wayne Manor, as it would surely be seen through.
Perhaps a few centimeters of difference in stride, or even the sheen of teeth, could be noticed by the Butler Hero, which would not be good for future plans.
Now Su Ming must paint himself as a great benefactor, a partner of justice. At least he needs to secure support from half of the Justice League to peacefully acquire the ’Transcend’ door handle into his grasp.
But if it came to a vote to decide the door handle’s ownership, Su Ming only had confidence in getting support from Barry and Diana, and that was far from enough.
Although Su Ming saved Arthur last time, the brute often aligns with Hawk Woman in the League, who knows why.
He usually doesn’t understand the issues being discussed, just follows whichever way Hawk Woman votes, it’s that simple.
As for Hawkgirl, her relationship with Su Ming isn’t exactly good. The Nightfall Greatsword in his hand is clearly made of N Metal, and she doesn’t care which Earth this N Metal came from.
Collecting N Metal means conflicting with Hawkman and Hawkgirl’s stance; they declared over two thousand years ago that they had a monopoly over the Earth’s N Metal.
Besides, last time Hawkman was controlled by darkness, it was Su Ming’s plan that put him in the hospital. He’s still like a vegetable now, showing no signs of waking up.
Even though this life’s Hawkman and Hawkgirl aren’t married, who knows if they have any special feelings? Anyone would be upset to see the reincarnation of their past lover turned into a vegetable, right?
Fortunately, it was Clark who swung the hammer, and Su Ming managed to avoid most of the blame by pretending to be uninvolved at the time.
The so-called Seven Giants of the Justice League, yet there are eight people with voting rights, is quite normal.
Hawkgirl must be dealt with, though killing isn’t necessary, but Su Ming needs to help Green Arrow take back the voting rights.
Helping Green Arrow regain his voting and speaking rights, Oliver is a person who repays kindness, and he’ll stand with Su Ming to some extent.
As for Aquaman, Su Ming plans to negotiate a deal with Mera. She can control Arthur and she doesn’t have a good impression of the Justice League, which can be exploited.
With this, counting Barry and Diana, Su Ming holds four votes. However, to get Batman to agree to decide the Door Handle’s ownership by voting, Ron must be coaxed over, at least to agree to hold a vote.
Ron’s position as Justice League president is nominal, yet if used well, it can be very useful...
Regarding the Martian Manhunter, Su Ming doesn’t have many tricks, as that guy is very sharp, and beating him with force isn’t feasible. He must prove to Ron he is an upright hero.
Using Oreo cookies to bribe him won’t work, and chocolate’s effect is limited; maybe start with Megan?
Gotta think carefully....
Su Ming smiled politely at Alfred who opened the door, and his plan was tucked away. He was now just a young visitor in a black suit.
Alfred also bowed elegantly: "Ah, it’s Mr. Wilson. Something urgent at this late hour?"
"Hmm, Director Gordon has already left, hasn’t he? Barbara is anxiously looking for him." Su Ming acted as if he knew nothing, strolling into the hall on his own.
Alfred was caught off guard with the information gap. He gently closed the door and ushered Su Ming into the living room, preparing to make tea to entertain him.
"Yes, Director Gordon has left. After all, with the flood receding, I have no more reason to keep him here, don’t you think?" Alfred smiled gracefully, maintaining a perfectly unruffled tuxedo even at this late hour: "Sugar with your tea?"
"No, thank you. It’s not good to eat sweets at night." Su Ming politely took the teacup, sitting into the luxurious leather sofa, sinking in entirely.
Wayne Manor was just as it was last time, but in the dead of night, even with lights on, this old house had a spooky feel to it.
The old butler placed the teapot on the table, still smiling as he looked at him: "Actually, I should be thanking you for saving the young master’s friend, as well as a good officer of Gotham."
"You’re too kind. That was just a small favor. Helping good people is something I always do." Su Ming answered sincerely, took a small sip of his tea, and then went straight to the point: "I need some help now; can I use Brother Eye again?"
"Has my young master gotten into trouble again?" The butler smiled elegantly still, just showing a hint of curiosity.
Su Ming shook his head. Using Brother Eye here might alert the Bat, making a lie about Bruce too easy to catch.
"No, not Bruce, but his son Damian; he’s in a very dangerous situation right now."
Hearing Su Ming’s words, Alfred became serious. He had heard of this Otherworldly Deathstroke from Bruce, noting he was quite different from the original Deathstroke.
He thought Damian indeed might be in some trouble, and considering Deathstroke’s skills, breaking into the Bat Cave wouldn’t be difficult. Yet the gentleman came to the front door, politely asking for assistance.
It sounded like it was to help Damian, so how could he refuse...
"Then please come with me, let’s see what trouble Damian has gotten into." Alfred turned with an inviting gesture, leading Su Ming to the study and down through the piano passage.
Su Ming stood up, tidied his clothes, and nodded with a smile: "I’m not sure if Damian really is in trouble, but I heard a powerful monster has appeared in Gotham, and Damian’s Teen Titans returned from New York to deal with it."
"Still, better see for ourselves to be assured. Thank you for your concern." Alfred fiddled with the piano keys, revealing an elevator behind the bookshelf: "Please, enter."
Not only did Alfred lead Su Ming into the Bat Cave, he also helped him use the Brother Eye system. This future AI was now just an ordinary surveillance system, controlling merely tens of thousands of cameras and several spy satellites across Gotham.
With this, Su Ming could find some crucial clues. After locating the Teen Titans, it would be time to perform as Deathstroke....
Even a child’s allowance is money.
