Thriller Paradise Chapter 281: Mantlescramble Battle (Sixteen) - Novel Cool

Chapter 281: Mantlescramble Battle (Sixteen)

Chapter 281: Mantlescramble Battle (Sixteen)

Perhaps some are wondering where Feng Bu Jue got bombs and a glider, how he connected with Two-Face, or what happened to Freeze... Since these are trivialities, I won't elaborate further but provide a brief explanation here.

First, Zhao Ying Wang wasn't killed by Feng Bu Jue's explosion but chose to withdraw forcefully. At the time, this fellow clung to the hope that he might survive the blast, staying inside his ice block to watch Feng Bu Jue and Freeze planting bombs. After observing for about ten minutes, he lost all hope. Even as a layman, he could tell the explosion's scale would be catastrophic. So he quit.

Nonetheless, Feng Bu Jue and Freeze still detonated the factory. Destroying evidence was secondary—the main reason was that this explosion was part of Feng Bu Jue's subsequent plan.

Afterward, Feng Bu Jue followed Freeze to another base in the city. There, Professor Freeze first took a dose of *-500 (unwilling to risk his wife's life), curing his cold-blooded constitution. Only then did Freeze fully believe Feng Bu Jue's medicine was truly "cure-all."

Quickly, Professor Freeze used this medicine to heal his wife without even needing to thaw her. Panacea not only cured her illness but revived her instantly.

Grateful, Freeze gave Feng Bu Jue significant leverage to negotiate. Thus, Feng Bu Jue's requested compensation expanded beyond Cryo Armor and Frozen Pulse Rifle to include all of Freeze's criminal resources. Of course, Feng Bu Jue would pay—prices were negotiable.

With these resources secured, Feng Bu Jue immediately contacted Two-Face. Both Two-Face and Penguin operated legitimate businesses as fronts. Finding them wasn't difficult for Feng Bu Jue, but convincing Two-Face to collaborate with an unknown entity like himself was the challenge.

Fortunately, Feng Bu Jue was eloquent and understood their personalities. He demonstrated his "Dimensional Technology" (his satchel), declared his alignment (not a hero), and blocked Two-Face's bullets with his shield. Finally, Harvey Dent gave this otherworldly traveler a chance—flipping a coin to decide trust.

Once preparations were complete, time had passed since the explosion. Naturally, the police had caught wind of the incident, linking it to supercriminals. Police knowledge meant Net of Gods heroes would know too. Feng Bu Jue deduced a hero would soon visit the area—likely alone.

This led to the performance he staged before Tim.

Had Jason Todd's imitation Batman been the one arriving, Feng Bu Jue might've faced real danger. But against a well-behaved youth like Tim Drake, he had the upper hand. Tim's every move, thought pattern, and behavior were entirely predictable to Feng Bu Jue.

This wasn't about intelligence or combat power—it was inherent to character design. Heroes carried too many constraints. A single hostage or public safety threat could paralyze their actions. If antagonists in Western comics were as ruthless as Feng Bu Jue, the heroes would've died out long ago.

...

Tim awoke groggy, his recent head injury causing short-term memory loss. Still, he immediately scanned his surroundings. A camera faced him, flanked by two stand-mounted lights. Behind them, darkness obscured details. The illuminated area around him was limited—roughly dozens of square meters. Looking up, he saw the arched ceiling of a large warehouse.

"Hey, I'm not ready for my movie debut yet", Tim quipped.

"Your humor won't change this, bird", Two-Face's voice suddenly echoed.

Tim looked up as Harvey Dent's split persona emerged from the shadows. "Two-Face..."

"Mr. Dent and I reached an agreement", Feng Bu Jue said, adjusting his equipment. "Your death will be a magnificent performance."

"What exactly do you want? Otherworldly traveler!" Tim glanced sideways at the camera. "You and Two-Face..."

"Enough, Tim", Feng Bu Jue interrupted. "I haven't started recording yet. If you want to leave clues, at least wait until I turn on the machine."

"I won't die in vain. Net of Gods will avenge me!" Tim showed no fear—accepting death was a hero's prerequisite.

"Good! I want them to avenge you", Feng Bu Jue replied. "The faster, the harsher, the better. Aggression fuels action, Tim. But sometimes... aggression blinds."

"Kid, I'm warning you—don't talk freely on camera", Two-Face added.

"This isn't live", Feng Bu Jue shrugged.

"Hmph..." Two-Face scoffed.

"Rest assured, I differ from your incompetent subordinates, Mr. Dent", Feng Bu Jue gestured. "Now, please step back—don't get caught on camera."

Two-Face's lips twitched. Adjusting his suit collar, he returned to the shadows.

"OK, before we begin..." Feng Bu Jue picked up a roll of duct tape from a nearby table and sealed Tim's mouth.

"Mmm..." Even straining, Tim could only produce muffled sounds.

Feng Bu Jue activated the camera.

"Gotham City viewers, greetings", he stood before the lens, blocking Tim bound in the chair. "First, introduce myself—I'm an otherworldly traveler. You may call me 'Anonymous.' I'm the one who scattered millions on the streets and killed three officers."

Tim realized the dire situation. Earlier, Feng Bu Jue's radical legal theories seemed extreme but might become reality. If Feng Bu Jue evaded punishment, police lacked evidence to imprison him.

Yet now, Feng Bu Jue stood unmasked, confessing crimes on camera. This meant he no longer cared about additional crimes—like killing a superhero.

"You probably recognize this person", Feng Bu Jue stepped aside, revealing Tim. "He's Robin, a young superhero and Net of Gods member. Formerly Batman's sidekick."

Feng Bu Jue left the frame. Seconds later, he returned holding a Utility Belt. "This fully-equipped Utility Belt proves he's the real Robin—not some civilian forced into tights." He waved the belt before the lens. "Grappling gun, flashbang, smoke grenade, communicator, night vision goggles... Net of Gods members should verify authenticity."

Setting down the belt, he pulled a knife from his pocket, stepping close to the camera with a psychopathic grin. "Guess what I'll do next? Haha... Ahahaha..."

Laughing maniacally, Feng Bu Jue lunged at Tim. Circling behind him, he gripped Tim's hair, knife at his throat.

Unable to speak, Tim blinked desperately for clues, but Feng Bu Jue blocked him. Now, Tim's eyes showed only fear and despair.

"Gotham citizens, Commissioner Gordon and his officers, Net of Gods members, and that 'self-proclaimed Batman'—yes, you know who I mean..." Feng Bu Jue delayed the strike, blade at Tim's artery. "This is just the beginning. From this moment, my otherworldly allies and a new city friend will begin freedomhunting police, officers' families, and superheroes."

Pausing two seconds, he continued, "Also, Harvey Dent—Mr. Two-Face. With Black Mask dead, did you think yourself king? Heh... You're wrong. You'll die too."

"No one can stop us—even if Batman resurrects", his voice rose. "Those unwilling to get bloodied—shut up and hide in your warm homes. Witness this glorious moment."

The blade sliced Tim's throat. A crimson spray erupted, splattering the camera lens.

Amid Feng Bu Jue's mad laughter, the screen went black.

Half a minute later...

"What... happened..." Tim muttered, dazed as Feng Bu Jue tore off the duct tape.

"Special effects", Feng Bu Jue showed his palm, using the spider silk glove's function to stick a blood pack to his hand.

Though realistic on camera, it was a trick.

"Take him away", Two-Face's voice echoed from darkness. His henchmen dragged Tim from the chair.

"Your method better work", Two-Face said, approaching the artificial light.

Feng Bu Jue stood behind the camera, reviewing footage. "Relax—we'll duplicate this tape and deliver it to Gotham TV stations. Within an hour, everyone will see." He smiled. "Now, let's see the heroes' reactions. Hehe... My estimate? Before dawn, Mr. Cobblepot (Penguin) will be dragged from bed for a beating."

(End of Chapter)

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