Chapter 482 Simple Customs of Gotham City (Part 2)_1

Just as a weather forecaster on the big screen had predicted, tonight was the night with the most Green Lanterns in Gotham.

But these Green Lanterns were not content to stay quietly on their traffic light poles, instead, they buzzed about the city like headless flies.

They did not understand the depth of the abyss this city really was, nor did they realize the darkness hidden in its narrow alleys, pitch black corridors and fluctuating shadowy buildings.

Initially, the antics of these costumed individuals didn't draw too much attention, since Gotham was populated with an abundance of weirdos, but a rumor started by the most traveled truck drivers began to spread, claiming that Gotham was haunted.

These green-glowing entities, they speculated, were the awakened ancestral evil spirits, intent on punishing the city, eager to eliminate all its chaos and sin.

When the citizens of Gotham City first heard this news, their response wasn't prayer, or frantic escape towards the churches. Instead, they picked up their guns, filled their magazines, opened their doors, took to the streets, and indiscriminately fired upon every green object in sight.

"We are here to save this city!" a Green Lantern cried out, "We came for justice, and the Green Lanterns will purify all filth!"

"Bang!"

A bullet struck the faint green light, and although it failed to penetrate the Green Lantern's shield, it did send him flying. After reloading his rifle, a small freckle-faced boy said:

"Save this city? Sorry, this city doesn't need anyone's salvation."

Having said that, he again raised his gun towards the Green Lantern. The young Green Lantern, with a bewildered look on his face, shouted back, "Have you gone mad?! We can save this city from the grasp of evil. We've come to save you. Don't you desire peace?!"

Seemingly amused, the newsboy kept his gun aimed while chuckling scornfully, and said:

"You say you purify filth, yet I am one of those filths you speak of. No one came to save me when I was born, and now after struggling on my own to live a better life, you want to purify me, bestowing me with your so-called 'justice'..."

"Your peace may be nice, but I don't need it."

"I put no faith in peace or justice, only in this gun in my hand. Because in times of danger, it isn't you who protects me—it's this."

As he prepared to pull the trigger again, another young boy ran up from the side carrying a gun. "Boss Cobblepot is looking for you! Go answer the phone!" he told the freckle-faced newsboy.

Having said which, he cast a sidelong glance at the Green Lantern sprawled on the ground. "Just ignore this bunch of lunatics, prattling about justice and peace. What a joke. Who talks about that in Gotham?"

The newsboy seemed to lose interest. He lifted his rifle and followed his companion away. By the time the Green Lantern struggled to get up, his arms were still trembling. He shook his head as if dazed, mumbling, "...Am I really the one who's gone mad?"

The newsboy followed his companion through the narrow alleys and snuck into a little shed where a phone was located. Picking up the receiver, he said: "Hello? It's me, yeah. Everyone's got their guns now, but so far we haven't taken down any ghosts..."

"That light they carry is a problem, regular bullets aren't effective. Boss, I heard there's this great Freeze Gun, can we get our hands on one?"

"What? Scout the area, gather information? Come on, don't be this way. I'm turning 13 next year, I can join the fight now!"

"Alright, alright, I'll do as you say...really? Great! I will let them know now!"

He hung up the phone, after which he turned to his companion excitedly, declaring, "Hurry up and bring them over here, Boss Cobblepot wants us to be in charge of scouting the entire West District. We'll report the positions of those ghosts, someone will take care of them."

His companion replied, somewhat disappointed, "So this means we won't be able to join the fight again? Why does it always turn out this way? We aren't that young anymore."

"Stop complaining, the boss said if we perform well, he'll let us try out the most advanced Freeze Gun. That thing is really powerful, I've seen someone use it—the shots could bring down a green fly and turn it into a giant ice cube!"

While chatting excitedly, his companion quickly ran off to deliver the message.

Scenes like this didn't just take place among the children from the West District. The child network throughout all of Gotham was abuzz with similar exchanges.

Newsboys, flower boys, little peddlers, all these head honchos who were the most well-informed and familiar with the terrain of Gotham City, displayed the powerful coverage of their intelligence network for the first time.

There were many of Gotham's kids, and before this, most of them were idle, spending their days causing mischief in the streets, seen as more bothersome than beneficial.

But ever since the previous King of Children had died, Cobblepot had taken over the network.

It has to be said, in terms of strategy, Penguin had a far-sightedness much greater than the typical mob bosses.

The original King of Children exploited children for profit, siphoning off the meager funds of their parents. However, Cobblepot saw another potential in this network - a function far stronger than mere money-making.

These ubiquitous vendors, wandering down every street and alley all year round, knew everything in the neighborhood. Many of them doubled as mail carriers, and knew exactly when there were new mails, birth, death, or someone had to go out for work in any household. It was the perfect foundation for a dedicated intelligence-gathering network.

Before, this network was only in its initial stage. It was through this network developed by Cobblepot that Shiller was able to detect Merkel's amiss at the soonest. For agents like Merkel, they were highly alert about surveillance, but would usually be unconcerned with the vendors at train stations. As such, he was exposed the moment he set foot in Gotham.

Having discovered the convenience of this network, Cobblepot was eager for a real combat opportunity. And then the Green Lanterns descended from the sky.

The Green Lanterns scattered all around Gotham after being impacted by Aisha's strike. Trying to locate them was a challenge. Though they emitted a distinct green light, hideouts and shortcuts were plenty in Gotham. It would take a great deal of time to find all of them.

However, with the kids' network, the situation was altogether different. These vendors were adept at discovering all sorts of peculiar places, as they often indicate shortcuts or hideouts.

Like the freckled newspaper child, he knew all too well the cracks in the city walls, dog holes, which house basement connect to the next—because these were the information that enabled him to deliver letters swiftly. He not only completed his daily tasks in the West District but also took work from East District.

Under Cobblepot's command, the group of children was united. Without much delay, the information was handed in layer by layer. By the time they reached Falcone Manor, Cobblepot was already fully aware of the Green Lantern's every whereabouts—their numbers, outfits, appearances, and capabilities, all crystal clear.

In a reception room of Falcone Manor, a giant map of Gotham hung on the wall, peppered with colorful thumbtacks. The small figure of Cobblepot stood before the map, emanating an unignorable aura of authority.

"Go tell the gunmen to chase them out. No need to harm them, just get them out of those dark alleys,".

One of the mob members behind Cobblepot asked, "Where should we drive them to?"

Cobblepot's gaze fell onto the center of the Gotham city map. After a moment of thought, he said, "To the Central Roundabout."

When the mob member left, Cobblepot stood before the map, contemplating. The door was then pushed open, and Alberto entered, asking, "What's really happening? Has Professor Shearer contacted you?"

Cobblepot shook his head. "No, but I can roughly guess his intention. Do you remember the one who looked familiar amongst those glowing green individuals who appeared in the corridor of Arkham Mental Hospital?"

"You mean Hal Jordan? We've seen him in our dreams before."

"Yes, he seems to be on Shearer's side, but he is bringing the group of strange people against us. I think he is the spy Shearer sent to the other side. They will reveal their intent when we drive this group of people to the Central Roundabout."

Alberto nodded, apparently agreeing with Cobblepot's proposal to gather everyone together. What he pondered was another issue.

If the Green Lanterns each fought on their own, striking them down one by one would be a simpler task, but it would cause considerable damage to the city of Gotham, which would be bothersome to repair. However, if they congregated in the Central Roundabout Area, it wouldn't matter since the place was already in ruins.

As Alberto approached the map, intending to study the layout, Cobblepot, however, turned and left. Alberto stopped him, asking, "Where are you going?"

"I am going to make a phone call. There are arrangements to be made."

Meanwhile, on the main road to Gotham University, a car zoomed past, stirring the flurry of snow. Despite the worsening weather, the car continued to speed relentlessly.

Harvey Dent, in the passenger seat, reassured Victor at the wheel, "There's no need to worry. It won't be a coincidence that a ghost would land right in the laboratory at Gotham University..."

Victor's face, however, was grim. "What if? What if those weirdos happened to land near the laboratory in Gotham University, happened to wreck the university's power supply, and happened to cut off the laboratory's power..."

Toward the end of his sentence, Victor's voice started to tremble. He stepped on the gas pedal again, causing the car to speed up. Harvey Dent, shaking his head in resignation, said, "I saw where those green lights landed. I remember them all. I am very certain that Gotham University was not included."

"What if they can teleport? What if they can use magic? What if..."

Clearly, Victor was now stuck in a state of paranoia. He kept muttering, facial muscles twitching uncontrollably, and his knuckles cracking faintly.

His Adam's apple bobbed restlessly, saliva being constantly swallowed, and his breathing turned rapid. Harvey saw a madness in his eyes that he had never seen before. The usually calm and analytical lawyer began to worry.

It appeared that Victor, the well-mannered and humorous gentlemen, also had a hidden side of insanity.

Harvey turned to look out of the car window. Through the falling snow, he saw the flickering lights within the city, like the eyes of monsters in the abyss, glowing, then dimming.

Perhaps this was just how the city was—everyone who came here had distinctly different characters, but they all shared one commonality—they were all insane.

Yet, they used their madness as a blade, and not once did they need saving.