Chapter 1280: Double Shadow (20)_2

"But if you aren't swayed by them, you're considered abnormal, stingy, disinterested in mental health, poor and short-sighted."

"People assess your pain by societal standards, bestowing sympathy upon you, urging you to seek treatment. Then along comes someone like you, from a different angle, affirming that it's okay, that you're special."

Jason turned to look at Shiller, "But essentially, what you all care about is 'persuasion.' Other people accepting your truths enriches you with wealth, status, and fulfilment."

"Everyone around me says I'm not good at listening, that I just resort to fists when confronted with a criminal. It's because I know that persuasion is a part of your lives. Cut that out, and you all become as tedious as lint on a carpet."

"Once you lose the goal of persuading others, of having them agree with you, there's not much left for you to say."

"And conveniently, I happen to be very good at leaving others with nothing to say." Jason retorted, folding his arms and shaking his head.

"You can't convince me, not because you lack wisdom or logic. But because I already know the best way to resist persuasion is to not engage in thought. No matter how reasonable the argument, it's just a load of crap."

Shiller paused slightly at his words, but he soon continued to pick at his food with chopsticks. "Persuading others is a psychologist's job. I use this skill to make money, lots of money. I can even manage to squeeze clothes, a watch, invaluable cufflinks, and an entire house out of Batman..."

With a rush, Jason sat down in front of Shiller, staring at him sharply. "...How did you do it?"

"I've noticed, your interest isn't in the act of making money, but in tricking Batman out of his money. Is his money that hard to come by?"

"It seems you don't know Batman too well." Jason scoffed through his nose. "Every charlatan I've met has been beaten up by him for not being professional enough and still trying to scam him!"

"You're the first one I've met who has managed to swindle so much out of Batman. Even if you are a fraud, it's impressive." Jason leaned in closer, seemingly very intrigued.

"That's my closely guarded secret. If anyone else heard..."

Jason laughed lightly and rose from his seat. He walked over to Shiller's side and bent down, as if expecting Shiller to whisper it to him.

The next second, a "click" sound of Jason cocking his gun echoed, and the dark muzzle pressed against Shiller's temple. Jason lowered his head, "You wanted me to get closer so you could do something to me, right?"

"You misunderstood. I would not do anything to you. There is neither the necessity nor the opportunity."

"Don't think I don't know. You crafty criminals are best at manipulating others with words, putting them off guard, and then seizing the opportunity to deal a fatal blow. I won't fall for your tricks!"

"I was telling the truth." Shiller surrendered, lowering his arms. He gently pushed his chair back, stood up against the wall, while Jason's gun was still pointed at his head.

"Batman, are you seeing this? Your adopted son is just as vigilant as you. Even if you didn't install more than 560 cameras, over 200 eavesdroppers, dozens of auto-aiming miniature sniper rifles, three range-accurate controllable massive bombs, and an electric shock device connected to the entire floor, he would not be in danger."

Jason heard footsteps behind him. When he turned back, he saw Batman on the second floor. The young man in the red hood seemed a bit angry. He yelled, "I don't need your protection!"

After speaking, he huffed and strode towards the door. Shiller quietly watched him and said, "Your play acting is unconvincing. Also, I am not the type of criminal who takes hostages. No need to try and create distance to get into a better shooting position."

Jason halted for a moment, but Shiller, seemingly unaffected, returned to his seat. Batman walked down the stairs and told Jason, "Go on, then, Investigate the case of the city council spokesperson's attack."

"Are you planning to stay here?" Jason turned to ask him.

"Yes, there are some private matters I need to discuss with this Professor."

"Private as in how many clothes are in your closet?" Jason retorted defensively.

"Jason, psych counseling is billed by the hour. If you stay one second longer, the cost would be roughly..."

"Goodbye!"

After Jason left, Batman took a seat across from Shiller. He seemed much more relaxed, or at least, more relaxed than Jason had been.

"You know me so well. Is this because you know another me— from another universe? What is your relationship with him?"

"Teacher and student."

"An ordinary teacher-student relationship is not enough for you to know my lifestyle or to understand my manner of speaking and behaving so well." Batman shook his head, "Can you tell me, is the Batman from your world lucky or unlucky to have met you?"

"Luckier than you, and luckier than Jason."

In a flash, Bruce in the theater released his gripped hand from the armrest of his seat. Blood flowed from his pale fingertips, adding a long-lost color to the blood-deprived area.

"The Jason from your universe..."

"...was not beaten to a pulp by the Joker and then blown up." Shiller bluntely revealed this tragedy, while Batman's fingers slowly tightened.

Jason in the theater began to pale, but shortly after, Bruce pulled him back into his seat and patted his back.

Just as Batman was about to say something, Shiller put down his cutlery and looked into Batman's eyes, "Thank you for everything you've provided; decent clothes, food, a house, saving me from homelessness."

"Also, thank you for our mutual understanding, our unspoken cooperation, and our mental sparring. It has made me feel fulfilled and engaged."

"As a way to thank you, I can do something for you..." Shiller's voice trailed off. Batman looked at him silently, seeming unbothered. However, Shiller's next words made his heart contract.

"I can help Jason exact his revenge."

"No, you can't."

"Just because you can't, doesn't mean I can't."

"You can't."

"I can."

"I won't help you."

"I don't care."

"Don't go to your death."

Shiller finished his last bite and stood up. He walked over to the door, looked back at Batman. In the dim flickering light, the divine and evil in the man blended perfectly.

His bearing was elegant, and his speech was civilized, completely dissociated from madness. But when his voice echoed, Batman felt a long-lost chill.

"In your eyes, Joker represents madness. But I will show you...that what is beyond madness, is even madder."