"I've saved you before!"
Bruce looked at the man in front of him whom he regarded as his mentor and the second man whom he regarded as his role model after his father's death. He took a step back and looked at everything in disbelief. His voice was filled with anger.
"It shouldn't be like this! You … you lied to me? "
"I've never lied to you, my disciple."
Lars El Ghul, or rather, Ducard, was the man who had rescued Wayne from the "life experience" prison a year ago and invited him to join the League of Shadow Warriors. Then, he taught him all kinds of fighting and killing techniques. This man had taught Bruce too many things. He reached out to take a glass of wine from the waiter beside him, put it to his mouth, and sniffed it gently.
"For example, I once told you not to show mercy to your enemies, but you never learned …"
Bruce took a deep breath and looked around. Soon, he saw clearly the men Ducard brought or who were lying in ambush in the manor. The man in a suit standing on the second floor, the two waiters holding the wine, the two security guards standing at the entrance, and the others hidden among the guests.
There were a total of 14 people, plus Ducard, who was definitely difficult to deal with. Bruce's heart was like a flame that was ignited at this moment. The anger of being deceived was like a burning flame that seemed to burn away all his rationality.
Today was supposed to be his birthday … But, perhaps, it was also the beginning of a massacre.
Ducard just stood there quietly, looking at him with a cold smile on his lips. His long windbreaker hung low around his body, looking unusually heavy. He exuded a cold aura. Perhaps it was because he had a premonition that a great battle was about to come, his aura became as sharp as a knife.
"Ducard, you once told me that the League of Shadow Warriors is a path for those who pursue justice. I don't understand, why are you so obsessed with destruction? Gotham … I don't think this city is a hindrance to you! "
Bruce's hands hung low. Under his neatly combed hair was a pair of rational eyes. He was ready for battle, but at least for now, he had to let these ordinary people leave.
Damn it! If he had known that Ducard was so quick, he would never have allowed the foolish El'Er to hold such a foolish banquet.
Yes, he was stalling for time, hoping that Alfred would notice what was happening here.
Ducard ignored his disciple's little trick. Instead, he used his black-gloved left hand to place the wine glass in his hand on the table. He turned his head to look around, and then with a hint of emotion, he said to Bruce.
"I can't help but think of the scene when we first met. Before that filthy and cold prison, we had already observed you for a long time. Just like we said before, even now, I can't persuade you to forget your past. But in reality, there are more people among us who have been silently watching your future, watching everything you do."
The dignified middle-aged man took two steps forward, reached out and picked up the knife on the table. He held it in front of his eyes and looked at it. This action made Bruce nervous. He knew how terrifying this knife was in Ducard's hands. If he wanted to, he could use this knife to kill everyone here … There was no doubt that he had the ability!
"A year ago, in Nepal, I learned about you from my subordinate's report. At that time, I thought that you were just a rich kid who was tired of city life and came to the countryside to experience life. I didn't pay much attention to it."
"But you knew what you were doing at that time, right?"
Ducard looked at Wayne. Bruce didn't want to answer, but he saw that the knife in Ducard's hand was pointed at a lady in front of him. With a light flick of his left hand, the lady would die an unnatural death, so he had to answer.
"At that time, I was experiencing what it felt like to be a criminal. I spent six years going deep into all the criminals I could find in this world. When I understood the psychology and behavior of all evil, I knew that criminals are not scary …"
Bruce raised his head and looked at Ducard. At this moment, the noise of the entire hall was behind him. He said word by word,
"The scary thing is myself. At that time, I was afraid of the energy in my heart in the middle of the night. I was afraid of my anger because it would drive me to do terrible or great things."
Ducard put down the knife in his hand in satisfaction and picked up his cane.
"So at that time, you had to make a choice. Become great or fall into the terrible … I gave you a chance to choose, but you gave up, didn't you?"
Without waiting for Wayne's reply, Ducard's voice deepened.
"People from your glamorous world have too many things that they're afraid of losing. Do you think you've realized the true despair and the ugliness of human nature just because you've witnessed the death of your father and the crimes that you've seen?"
"No, Wayne, you are still far from being my disciple!"
Ducard stretched out his left hand and waved to the back. The subordinates hidden in the crowd put down what they were doing. Bruce saw them walk to the corner and pull out their swords and guns.
Ducard was still talking. He raised his left hand slightly. Bruce knew that as soon as he put down his finger, the madmen who were absolutely obedient would mercilessly open fire in the hall and slaughter everything here.
"Look at you, Bruce. Here, you're the prince of the entire city. Everyone knows about you. Only when you're tens of thousands of miles away could you taste the feeling of being unknown. You came to my world with your fury. You begged me to train you and turn you into a real fearless fighter. However, you gave up everything in the last moment!"
"You are trying to prove that your conscience is still there? Everything you did in Gotham, is it to prove that you are a great hero? I am curious. Have you really understood our world? Have you really understood the justice that the Shadow Dancers uphold? "
Bruce stared at the finger in Ducard's hand and said in a low voice, "You are here for me.
"You're here for me. Let the innocent people leave!"
Ducard's face showed a trace of mockery that he did not even bother to hide.
"Then you should talk to them personally. Bruce, you once had the chance to understand us. But now, you have lost that chance forever! And it is because you can't understand us that you will feel your fear again. The fear that I removed with my own hands. I will bring you something even more terrifying. "
The indifferent mentor stretched out his hand and patted the shoulder of his proudest disciple.
"Let's start … from now on! Oh right, you only have two minutes! "
Bruce closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When his eyes opened again, anger and calmness coexisted in them. This powerful emotional manipulation made Ducard nod in satisfaction. He wanted Bruce to inherit his position, not only because of the strength of the Wayne family, but also because Bruce Wayne was outstanding enough.
One year of training had made him one of the top geniuses in the Shadow Dancers League.
Ducard had seen too many geniuses in his long life, but he had to admit that some people were born to be heroes or demons. Bruce's talent was too good … so good that it made him jealous!
However, his innate sympathy was superfluous. Every genius had their flaws. The Creator would not make any life perfect out of thin air. But it did not matter … Ducard looked at Bruce who was walking toward the center of the hall. A smile appeared on his face. He knew how to get rid of that sympathy. All he needed to do was to break the last line of defense in his heart.
Even if it was at the cost of his death, the name of Lars Al Ghul and the Shadow Dancers would live on forever. That was enough!
People who followed their beliefs were not afraid of sacrifice! Especially when the sacrifice was very valuable.
"If I'm not wrong, that should be Ducard."
On the other side, Alfred quickly rushed to the hall with Saber and Lucius. The old man was holding a black pistol in his hand. Clearly, in his heart, Bruce's safety was more important than his own life. He spoke as he walked.
"Young Master told me his story over the past year. Although he did not go into detail, I can roughly guess what he encountered. He entered the Shadow Dancers League and received training. A man named Ducard led him in, but in the end, they asked him to kill a farmer who had committed a crime to fulfill the promise he made when he entered the organization. But he refused and even clashed with them. He told me more than once that he killed Lars Al Ghul and saved Ducard's life."
Afo's expression was extremely serious.
"But I don't believe it! Do you understand? Saber, I don't believe that the leader of that organization was so easily killed by Young Master. He is still too inexperienced. "
How could Saber not know about this?
He pondered and said,
"You suspect that Ducard is the real Lars Al Ghul?"
"I can't be sure, but I noticed a detail in Young Master's words that he did not notice. Although Al Ghul, who was killed by him, was indeed very skilled in martial arts, Ducard always appeared with him … And according to him, Ducard's position in that organization is very high. I once carried out a mission in Japan. When I was young, I heard from people there that the ancient Japanese generals had a loyal samurai named 'Shadow Dancer' who was dedicated to protecting the real big shots."
Afo took a deep breath. He put the pistol in his hand behind him and slowly walked into the hall.
"We must be careful when facing these guys!"
Saber thought for a moment. He took out the black mask from behind his back and put it on his face. Then, he followed the two people into the hall. The first thing he saw was Bruce, who was standing on the stage. However, he did not seem to be in a good state. In all of Gotham, the upper echelons of the Wayne family were surrounding him. And he was saying some inappropriate lines.
Yes, lines that were enough to make everyone think that he was being unreasonable.
"As a member of the Wayne family, there is a fact. That is, there will always be all kinds of freeloaders. For example, you …"
There was an indescribable humiliation and helplessness in the depths of Bruce's eyes. When he was Bruce Wayne, he wanted to maintain the good reputation of the Wayne family more than anyone else. That was the most precious legacy left behind by his father, his grandfather, and his ancestors. But now, he had to destroy it with his own hands.
"You've gone too far. Bruce, are you drunk?!"
Joy flashed in the eyes of the chairman of Wayne Industries, Earl. This fat guy was worrying about how to take control of Wayne Industries. In the end, Bruce said such rude words that would destroy the reputation of the Wayne family. He pretended to be good to Bruce and walked up to him. He tried to stop Bruce, but he was rudely flung away.
"Okay, I'm not done yet. Earl, you're always like this. Greedy and impatient. Am I not telling the truth? Then, may I ask if everyone is really here to congratulate me, a 26-year-old young man on my birthday? I don't think so! "
Wayne's voice echoed throughout the hall. Alfred, who was loyal to the Wayne family, looked at this scene with his mouth agape. This had never happened even in his worst fantasy. His young master, the master he served, was personally destroying the good reputation of the Wayne family that had been passed down for hundreds of years. He wanted to rush up to stop him, but he was quickly grabbed by Saber.
"Let me go, I have to stop him! He can't just destroy the legacy left by his father … "
"Calm down, Afo!"
Seiber looked at the man standing not far away from them. He was wearing a black coat and was emitting a cold aura. He whispered in Alfred's ear.
"Do you know what to do before you kill a person?"
"He's killing his name. He's killing Bruce Wayne's name. He's forcing him to destroy everything he has with his own hands, and then push him into the abyss bit by bit … If you want to help him, you have to do this!"
Before Bruce finished his "impromptu speech", he saw the last person in the hall raise something. He was wearing a strange black mask.
"Bang!"
The gunshot broke all the silence. Ducard, who was immersed in this drama, was awakened. He turned around abruptly and saw Saber, who was wearing a mask, kick the table in front of him. The delicious food and wine spilled everywhere.
Like a thug, he reached out and grabbed the shocked Alfred. He pointed the gun in his hand at Alfred's white-haired head. His hoarse voice echoed throughout the hall.
"I'm here to seek revenge on Bruce Wayne! Bruce, are you trying to protect these damn bastards? Look at them, none of them should be so proud and noble. Their hands are stained with blood. They should die with you. But … now! All the bastards who have nothing to do with Wayne's name, get out of here! "
Saber reached out and fired again. The third shot hit the unlucky Mr. Earl. One of his legs was hit, and blood flowed freely. Earl screamed like a pig being slaughtered. The chaos in the crowd intensified again. Women screamed continuously. The big shots lay on the ground in a sorry state, crawling toward the door like fat worms. Their wealth, power, identity, and status did not give them a sense of security under the pressure of death.
You see, without the bright outer layer, they are no different from ordinary people.
"You have ten seconds to get out of here! Otherwise, stay and die with Wayne! "
Saber shouted, but his eyes met with Ducard's sharp gaze. He whispered in Alfred's ear.
"Wayne owes me again …"
"Save the young master, and the Wayne family will give you everything you want!"
"Okay! Deal! "
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
