Chapter 10: Blood Money

Traveling companions are often foes. In Gotham City, where the citizens are simple and honest, there are as many crime lords as there are hairs on a cow. There are more than a dozen large-scale crime families with well-known names. No one has ever managed to unify Gotham's underground power for long.

As a local traditional family, the Sienis family has numerous desires to extinguish their influence.

With fewer families slicing the cake, naturally, each family's piece of the cake becomes larger. There's not much to say about that.

The key is Ang; the moment this name appears, it stirs a ripple in the calm waters of Batman's heart.

Bruce Wayne, with an indifferent tone, gave the order, "Alfred, compile a file on Ang."

"A file? No problem. I have his DNA test report, all the bills from the age of seven to this month, information on every security personnel around him, and all the data on the lead singer of the Black Mask Club he just hooked up with. May I ask what else you need, sir?" The old butler responded earnestly.

Batman's expression remained unchanged. "File it under Class E!"

"Very well, sir."

...

Someone didn't know that he had made it into the master's notebook the first time he took action. He only knew that Wonder Woman must know.

Indeed, just as he killed the Black Mask, a charming curve appeared on Wonder Woman's lips as she lay resting in her guest room.

If an outsider were here, it would probably look like she had dreamt of something joyful.

...

In the early morning, all was quiet.

The crimson sun slowly rose above the horizon.

Ang steered a common motorboat often seen on the beach, quietly approaching a small dock on the edge of the island.

This private island isn't that big. A security team of a hundred people can't guarantee full surveillance coverage. Besides, can the surveillance on the island fool its owner, Ang?

Before long, within the mansion's room, Ang once again saw the 'Caterpillar' on the bed.

"Asshole! You better not be dead. At least say something if you aren't!" Black Canary, with two black circles under her eyes, her eyes clearly showing traces of tears. Unfortunately, due to the restraining garment on her body, she couldn't wipe them away. She ended up looking like a ridiculous painted cat.

Finally, the secret door she had been eagerly waiting for slowly opened, but the man who walked out of it scared her heart to a halt.

"No! Lord Sienis, I..."

Without exaggeration, at this moment, she was genuinely only a little bit away from wetting herself. The Black Mask was renowned as a master of torture; his most representative skill was probably the dual torment of physical and psychological suffering. This was how he obtained information or punished his targets.

In his hands, even a swift death was a luxury.

Looking at the Black Canary's horrified expression, someone who prided himself on being professionally trained, ordinarily wouldn't laugh unless he couldn't help it...

Alright!

He couldn't help it.

Pfft!

This one laugh removed how much misfortune; he couldn't possibly know.

This one laugh allowed Black Canary, whose heart had been hanging in her throat, to finally let go.

She could see that the once complete Black Mask now had a missing corner on the left side. No matter what, Roman would never take out his hypnotic mask to vent his anger.

The mask was his most treasured possession. Legend has it that he killed his parents because they destroyed his beloved mask.

However, since the Black Mask, his most significant symbol, had fallen into Ang's hands, then...

Looking at that handsome face with a wicked smile, Miss Dinah Lance unknowingly became a bit infatuated. Her melodious voice carried a clear sense of fascination, "Black Mask..."

"Unfortunately, he was killed by the Joker. As an honest, law-abiding citizen, I merely happened to pick up this plaything." Ang casually tossed the mask onto the table, as though discarding an unwanted toy.

The more casually Ang acted, the more terrified Black Canary became after her brief burst of joy.

What kind of Gotham joke is this?

The longstanding Sienis family has held power in Gotham for how many years?

How many years has Roman Sionis, the Black Mask, dominated the underground world?

This was a man who could make even the children in the slums cry at the mere mention of his name.

She had agreed to it here, and only a few hours later? He killed the Black Mask so easily?

This extremely sunny third-generation rich man before her suddenly seemed incomparably mighty... Like an existence equivalent to the Demon King.

"Yes, yes, yes." Black Canary forced out a somewhat professional smile. "Then about my future..."

"Unfortunately, last night the Black Mask Club was attacked by the Joker's gang and blown up. So, I'm sorry to inform you that you're out of a job." Ang's tone was indifferent as he delivered this message.

This golden-haired, big-waved beauty stared wide-eyed. She thought to herself, "Is he serious?"

"This is truly unfortunate."

"I have a secretary position available here. Would you like to come and give it a try?"

Can I say no?

With this thought in mind, she maintained a somewhat stiff smile. "That would be wonderful. I was also concerned that the members of the Mask Empire might suddenly turn against me and my family."

Ang nodded and reached for the buttons on Dinah's chest. He coughed; she was still bound in her restraining garments, so untying her made her look like a mummy.

However, Ang clearly felt her body trembling slightly.

After unwrapping her like a present, Ang's face reddened. "Ahem, won't those guys remove these ropes?"

Black Canary was embarrassed to death. You personally tied me into a turtle shell, do you think they'd dare to undo it?

The words that came out from between her red lips were, "You trouble yourself, sir."

Ten minutes later, the intricate untying process was completed. After finishing, Black Canary hurriedly dashed to the restroom.

Another twenty minutes passed before she returned to Ang in a bathrobe. There was nothing she could do; she had come here last night in her crime-fighting attire. Adding even a square centimeter of fabric would be disrespectful to a spy operation. Although she now wore a bathrobe, she still felt that she couldn't possibly resist Ang.

Alas, as luck would have it, the first rays of morning sunlight entered the room as she emerged.

What she saw, however, was a handsome young man drinking coffee while the morning news was being broadcast.

"Last night, the Black Mask Club was attacked by the Joker's gang. Intense explosions and gunfights resulted in dozens of casualties, including former renowned businessman Roman Sionis. He died due to blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck..."

A demonstration! This terrifying man must be showing off his terrifying strength to me.

Hearing the movement behind him, Ang turned his head and saw the somewhat bloodless Black Canary. He immediately knew that he could easily frighten her with anything he said.

"No need to be afraid, I am generous. You should have seen my information. For my own people and those who respect me, I am happy to offer sufficient compensation. Of course, enemies are an exception."

Recalling the information he had seen about Ang before the operation, Dinah wasn't sure if this young man had any horrifying deeds behind him. At the very least, his reputation was much better than that of the Black Mask.

She tentatively asked, "If possible, can you send two bodyguards with me to help pack some things? I may need a day or two to take up my new position."

"OK. If you're worried about Sara Lance's safety, she can come along as well." After speaking, Ang casually opened a box. Inside, neatly stacked were five bundles of Franklin bills. "Consider this your reward for providing me with information about the Black Mask. You can use it to buy yourself some new equipment."

Seeing the $50,000 home-settling fee, or rather, the blood money, Black Canary's expression clearly improved. This sum represented Ang's commitment not to burn bridges. Not to mention this amount, even if it were just one stack, it would be enough to drive any aspiring girl from the slums crazy.

In Gotham's slums, human lives were this cheap.

"Thank you for your generosity, boss! Well, I'll be going then?"

"You may."

Ang opened his communicator and conveyed the details of her situation to Louis.

As Black Canary left, her swaying figure caught Ang's eye. He couldn't forget about the presence of Wonder Woman by his side.

Black Canary was, after all, a well-known female hero in the DC world. If he were to use force, she probably wouldn't refuse. But with a drop in her 'morality,' it would annoy Wonder Woman, and the losses would outweigh the gains.

Read advanced chapters on Patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/Godslayer_7210