Ch.333 Watching the Justice League Fall into a Trap

Su Ming and Batman were silent for a long time, both calculating something. At this point, they each had about the same amount of information regarding the unknown force, which meant that Batman had probably also realized that something may have happened last night.

However, it seemed like the only ones who had arrived at the Hall of Justice last night were Deathstroke and the Suicide Squad, so Batman directed most of his suspicions toward Su Ming.

Su Ming, on the other hand, was not troubled by this at all. At least he knew it wasn't him, which meant he was closer to the truth than Batman.

Batman narrowed his eyes, revealing his classic suspicious expression. Su Ming didn't care; he ordered another burger for breakfast and pulled out some bills from the briefcase to tip the chef.

Batman could watch all he wanted—what, did he think Deathstroke was easy to scare?

So, in the icy atmosphere, Su Ming ate and drank at his own pace, while Batman, who had many more responsibilities, had a lot more on his plate than Deathstroke.

Batman couldn't outlast him.

"You know something," Batman finally asked, in his own way.

"Yes, I know quite a few things." Su Ming calmly took a bite of his burger and washed it down with a sip of soda. "But so what? If it wasn't for me saving you all last time, how many Justice League members would still be standing?"

"You got paid." Batman's expression remained unchanged.

"Indeed, but I want more." Su Ming adjusted his visor.

"From Task Force X?" Batman's tone remained steady, though his disdain for Task Force X was evident.

"From the entire world," Su Ming shook his head with a grin, denying Batman's guess.

Money was just an excuse—a way for him to participate in these actions openly. Now, under the guise of working with Task Force X, Su Ming had entrenched himself here. Batman couldn't just kick him out.

Batman paused briefly. "I'll be watching you."

"Haha, so I get the same treatment as Superman now?" Su Ming clapped his hands, signaling Deadshot and Captain Boomerang to join him in laughter.

Deadshot owed Batman, so he just shook his head slightly, while Captain Boomerang had already fallen asleep. A night without action was just too boring.

Batman didn't have time to banter with Su Ming; the issue with the Totality was still lingering on his mind. He had to act immediately.

He left the table, walking down the hallway deeper into the Hall of Justice, disappearing into the darkness of the corridor.

"What do we do next?"

Deadshot leaned in closer, sighing deeply. Even though this was the first time in a long while he had watched the sunrise outside, he couldn't shake the feeling of an impending threat.

"Wait. Batman is going to step into something." Su Ming spoke quietly, even though he was sure J'onn could hear it. Batman wouldn't believe it anyway.

"How do you know?" Deadshot lowered his voice as well.

"Deduction. Back in Gotham, I accidentally foiled a trap meant for Batman, but through some twists of fate, he ended up biting the hook anyway and got lured back to Gotham. So here's the question: if the fish bites the bait, wouldn't you keep pulling the line? Don't you want to catch it with a net and throw it in the bucket?"

Su Ming calmly answered Floyd's question. Batman hadn't been in great shape lately, acting hastily. Just like everyone else, Batman had his off days every month.

Until the situation changed, Su Ming planned to sit back and watch.

"If that big brain is really that dangerous, we should warn him." Deadshot furrowed his brow. He was an assassin for hire, but at his core, he was a good person.

He killed only to make a living, no different from a hunter.

"You must be joking. Batman doesn't trust anyone." Su Ming pressed Deadshot back into his seat. "Telling him my theory would only make him more suspicious of you."

"So we just wait?"

"Patience, my friend. Whether it's checkers, Go, or chess, these board games are all played turn by turn. Last night, our opponent made a secret move, and we made a casual one. Now, let's see how the Justice League moves today."

Su Ming reassured Deadshot. The unknown enemy clearly had a trap ready, and Su Ming didn't want the Suicide Squad to fall into it.

That trap was set for the Justice League. Whatever it was, it was designed to take on the likes of Superman and Martian Manhunter.

Superman could get caught and still not be gravely injured, but if Deadshot fell into a trap like that, he'd be dead for sure.

How did Su Ming know that the trap was targeting Superman and Martian Manhunter? Well, countless comic books had already told him.

Whenever someone wanted to take down the Justice League, the first target would always be Superman. Now, with J'onn joining the team, who had powers comparable to Superman, he naturally needed to be taken down first too.

These plans were too predictable—even the Justice League had noticed. So since Barbatos, they had changed tactics: targeting Batman first, then Superman.

The current situation bore an uncanny resemblance to that pattern.

Su Ming had no intention of intervening—or rather, he intended to reap the benefits. Once Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Batman were all dealt with, the Justice League would only have...

Himself, a top-level mercenary willing to take jobs.

He might as well start considering how to set his price—there were some valuable items the Justice League possessed. Like Batman's "Five Finger Death Punch"...

It was actually a glove embedded with five different colored Kryptonite stones. If Su Ming wore it, he could pose a fatal threat to any Kryptonian from any parallel universe.

Of course, he also needed to come up with something to appease Amanda, just to keep those politicians from firing nukes. He should put some thought into that too.

Maybe give her a topic to research that she could never solve...

"Alright, let's get out of the cafeteria and go find Harley."

Su Ming stood up. With Batman and the others potentially in trouble soon, it was best for him to stay away from them—and what better way than to hang out with one of the League members?

The hero cafeteria was already in a restricted area, and just walking down any hallway would lead them to the heroes' quarters.

With surveillance cameras everywhere above their heads, Su Ming calmly led the Squad around.

"Hmm, this fork in the road smells damp and fishy. Aquaman's room must be that way. If anyone feels like swimming, there you go."

"Look at all these posters of women and army recruitment ads; this must be Green Lantern's room. He's not in right now, so forget it."

"You can smell motor oil from here—this must be Cyborg's room. I'd rather not risk him getting hurt, so let's stay away."

They continued along the main path, with Su Ming stopping to comment at every fork until they finally arrived outside Diana's private area.

She had truly built an Amazonian-style temple underground—sharp roof, wide stairs, and tall white marble columns.

If they weren't in a cave, one would think they had returned to Olympus.

The temple was empty, with construction materials scattered on the floor, indicating that the interior wasn't finished.

But there were quite a few training dummies and targets for archery or sword practice lying messily in the corner.

"This looks like an abandoned temple," Deadshot said, carrying his helmet and following behind Su Ming.

"And there isn't even a door." Su Ming also thought the environment left much to be desired.

Continuing deeper into the palace, there was a single piece of furniture—a bed, where Harley was snoring away, her two-toned hair spread across the pillow.

Diana, on the other hand, was off in the distance, carrying a large decorative column and leaning it against the wall.

"What are you doing here?" Diana noticed Deathstroke.

"After wandering around all night, naturally, I need to find somewhere to rest. I figured staying at a beautiful woman's place would be ideal," Su Ming walked over, helping her set the column upright.

With the strength of the symbiote, the pillar felt as light as a feather.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Diana patted her arm. Though she knew Deathstroke had an ulterior motive, she appreciated being praised for her strength, which made her feel good.

"But you don't even have a sofa here. Are you planning to practice asceticism?" Su Ming brushed the dust off his hands, surveying the surroundings.

"I'll get some blankets and cushions eventually, but a warrior's room doesn't need too many comforts... You could go to Superman's room—his place is set up like a normal house, complete with a sofa and TV."

The Amazonian princess raised her arm to wipe her sweat. Harley hadn't lasted long here before dozing off, monopolizing her bed, leaving Diana to do all the work.

Su Ming shook his head.

Forget Superman. The ones who hadn't shown up in the cafeteria last night were likely executing another plan, otherwise, Su Ming would have gone looking for Barry instead of coming here to Diana.

"No, I'm a warrior too—a god-slaying one, remember?"

Diana opened her mouth and sighed helplessly. "I remember, but I recall us beating the Merciless together."

"Heh, when Barry and I arrived, weren't you getting beaten down by Merciless? Why did we win when I showed up?" Su Ming deliberately gave a smug laugh.

"That's because we had more people fighting him." Diana bent over, leaning closer to him, but Su Ming's attention was more on the white expanse below her neck.

"No, I think it's because I'm a bit stronger than you." Su Ming emphasized the word "strong," knowing that Diana wouldn't take that sitting down.

Sure enough, Diana was fiercely competitive, immediately grabbing Su Ming off the ground. "Let's have a match right now and see who's stronger."

She fell into the trap, completely forgetting that the others were still in her palace, and ignoring Deathstroke's true motives. All she wanted now was to prove herself stronger.

The plan worked.

When Batman and the others fell into trouble, Su Ming would have Diana as a witness that he was the real Deathstroke. Plus, he could fulfill Hera's request—it was a win-win.

Su Ming put his helmet aside, adjusting his visor. "So, what do you want to compete in? Should we go out and find a tank to lift?"

"Uh... let's start with arm-wrestling," Diana scratched her long hair, pulling Su Ming out of the palace.