What Bad Thoughts Can Batman Have 108

## Chapter 108: Training Superman

Perry White gave Clark Kent, who had just returned from the North Pole, a three-day vacation.

Normally, he wouldn’t give such a long break to a reporter who had just been on the scene of a major event. They should be working overtime, getting the story out.

Vacation? Don’t be silly, it’s impossible. No matter how big the issue, it’s against the rules.

Even if the reason for the leave was to go home with Bruce Wayne to see his mother.

Wait.

Bruce Wayne?

Perry White furrowed his brow, realizing something was amiss.

When Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent stood before him, he immediately adopted a sharp gaze.

He glanced at the unrestrained Gotham tycoon on his left, then at the handsome, towering Clark on his right, and he understood instantly.

Meeting the parents, huh?

He waved his hand and granted them a month-long honeymoon, although Clark insisted they didn’t need that long. But he, Perry White, is the most perceptive person in the world – alright, he ended up giving them three days, as Bruce Wayne deemed it a suitable timeframe.

Poor Clark Kent.

Three whole days!

The Editor-in-Chief White resolved to keep this matter under wraps. He is the most discreet person in the world.

So, that’s why Bruce Wayne, or rather, Chen Tao, was currently standing in the Kent residence.

It was afternoon.

Clark Kent and Chen Tao stood in the open field beside the Kent farm’s barn, with chicken coops and pig pens nearby.

“Clark, I’m going to give you special training. I require you to approach this training with utmost seriousness.”

Chen Tao was dressed in casual clothes, not the outrageous attire he usually wore.

Alfred stood by, ready to assist.

“From now on, you will call me Wayne Teacher. I will train you rigorously, like Chiron trained Achilles, in a short period to ensure you are capable of fulfilling your responsibility to save this planet.” (Note: Chiron was a centaur hero in Greek mythology, often appearing as a mentor to various heroes. Achilles was a renowned Greek hero, invulnerable to weapons except for his heel, which eventually led to his demise.)

“Did you hear that?”

Clark felt a bit strange. It sounded like a pre-battle mobilization speech… well, it was kind of a pre-battle situation.

So, he cooperated and said, “Yes, Wayne Teacher!”

“Can’t hear you! Can’t hear you at all! You want to be a superhero with such a weak voice?”

Clark was helpless.

“YES!!! Wayne Teacher!!!”

“Good! You have spirit!”

Chen Tao told him, “When it comes to fighting, you’ll definitely lose to Zod.”

“General Zod was born a warrior, encoded in his genes. The fighting instinct ingrained in his DNA might be a metaphor for humans, but for General Zod, it’s a descriptive term.

“Therefore, we must prepare for such a situation.”

Clark listened intently and seriously. Although he had known Batman for less than 16 hours, the authority of this veteran hero, this old mentor, had already deeply rooted itself.

This person seemed to know everything, nothing could escape his eyes hidden behind the mask. Everything appeared to be under his control. The unrestrained facade was merely a disguise, just like his own disguise as the clumsy Clark Kent. Hidden beneath that mask was a clever, wise, and meticulous superhero.

Therefore, when the other person offered to provide three days of special training, Clark was eagerly anticipating it.

This mysterious figure even knew about General Zod and Kryptonian history, even though he refused to tell Clark how he learned it.

The methods this person devised must be highly effective, right?

“However, directly engraving fighting techniques into DNA also has a significant weakness: it makes his moves lack imagination and creativity. Like a meticulously programmed robot or AI.”

Clark heard Mr. Bruce Wayne’s calm voice.

“It will only store newly learned techniques in his memory. Their so-called “innovation” is restricted by previous experiences, thus lacking the ability to handle unusual techniques outside of common moves.”

Clark saw Mr. Bruce pull out an item from behind and hand it to him.

“So, to address this situation, I have tailored a method to enhance your strength in a short period.”

“What is this?” Clark turned the item over and over. It looked like a grenade, but he still didn’t understand.

How could a grenade affect a Kryptonian?

“This is a custom-made stink bomb.”

Chen Tao answered him, “Manufactured by Poison Ivy. Once it explodes, the stench will be 3000 times the limit human senses can perceive. It’s more nauseating than anything you can imagine, and once it explodes on your body, it’ll be difficult to wash off. It’ll seep in and become deeply ingrained, lasting forever.”

“Its stench has exceeded the natural limits of synthesizable substances. Essentially, I consider it a magical artifact – well, thanks to Ivy. While researching those two zombies, she could still spare some time to create this useful item.”

Clark stared blankly.

He didn’t even ask who Ivy was.

Chen Tao continued, “I originally planned to use poison gas, but considering the Kryptonian physique, poison that works on humans might not be effective on Kryptonians. So, I finally opted for stink. At least in terms of smell, you are no different from us.”

“While I believe, with the advanced state of Kryptonian civilization, they wouldn’t lack specialized odor-removing devices, I can’t imagine a ship like Black Zero, specifically for exiles, would be equipped with such devices. If so, Kryptonians would be too extravagant.”

Then, another bottle was thrust into Clark’s hands, “Of course, it’s not over yet. This is Super Bad Breath Potion, made by Poison Ivy. After drinking it, it will gradually take effect within three hours, making your bad breath strong enough to knock out an elephant. Although the effect is weaker than the stink bomb, rest assured, this stuff has an antidote.”

Another bottle was placed in his hand, “After drinking it, it will neutralize the stink gradually over six hours, restoring the pleasantness of your breath.”

Holding two bottles, Clark’s super brain stopped working.

“However, all this is based on you being able to break General Zod’s mask. That thing can isolate him from any external microorganisms and various disturbances.”

Chen Tao said, “When his breathing mask is broken, the first exposure to Earth’s environment will make Zod’s hearing, sight, and smell abnormally sensitive. This will naturally cause him great pain.”

“If, at this moment, you exhale a breath of that foul odor directly into his face and throw those stink bombs right at him, he will likely vomit uncontrollably.”

Clark heard him speak with extreme seriousness about highly unethical things:

“If you then spit a mouthful of foul-smelling phlegm into his eyes, the effect will be even more astonishing. Oh, right, I remember you can freeze your breath. You should be able to trap cold air within your phlegm, right?”

“That’s foul-smelling frozen phlegm, enough to render General Zod completely incapable of resisting. He’ll be so disgusted that his mind will be filled with nothing but vomiting, unable to think about anything else.”

“Then, you kick him in the ***. I’ve studied Kryptonian physiques. Your physiological structure is very similar to humans. Even a Kryptonian general with combat techniques ingrained in his genes will be unable to stand after being kicked in the ***.”

Clark felt a bit petrified. This was completely different from what he expected.

“And to break his mask, you also need to target his weaknesses, such as the low kick (a high kick with the leg raised high) followed by an attack on the ***…”

“But… Wayne Teacher, these… these are a bit…”

Clark didn’t know how to say it. “They seem a little… informal.”

He couldn’t find the right words.

“Clark, you can’t think like that.” Then he heard Batman’s grave voice telling him, “Face, what’s face worth? If General Zod controls the entire Earth, it will be a world of misery. You’re just a farm boy who has never learned any fighting techniques, while Zod is a bloodthirsty butcher who slaughters the innocent.”

“Do you really think you can defeat him? Have you really considered the consequences if you fail?”

“Martha Kent, Lois Lane, don’t look at me like that, I know you have feelings for her. And Perry White, the Daily Planet. Do you really think Zod will be content to leave Earth after getting her? Do you really think that?”

Clark Kent was speechless. He remained silent for a moment and then said, “You’re right.”

His gaze gradually hardened, “Any chance, however slight, to improve my chances of victory, I should do it without hesitation.”

“That’s right! That’s the spirit!” Chen Tao said, “The key is to attack the lower body. Remember, you’re not fighting for yourself, you’re fighting for the entire planet, for your home.”

“Like a high-end version of “Father and Son.” You have to become a loving father, brutally beating the Kryptonian rebellious son. Compassion, understand? It’s all about compassion, kindness, a psychological attack…”

“I understand. I’ll try my best to learn.”

Clark said.

“That’s right, listen to me. From now on, you have to practice supersonic egg-smashing kicks and supersonic poking hands every day, striving to make them your passive instincts. As long as your movements are fast enough, even if Zod can hone his combat skills, he’ll still be at a disadvantage in front of you.”

Chen Tao said, “I’ve also customized a super belt for you. You can put all the stink bombs in it…”

…

…

…

“Superman, we don’t know if he’s friend or foe. We don’t even know his personality.”

This was a high-level internal meeting.

General Lane was sitting in his seat, bored, watching these idiots debate issues that would never be resolved.

“I mean, I know Superman has done some good things, right? The Halloween fire, he saved a few people, pulling them out of the burning building like a god, the great flood in Texas and Mississippi, he rescued some refugees…”

“But what’s his motivation? What’s his real purpose?”

“Gaining popularity? Winning people over? What’s his ultimate goal?”

“But no matter what, his actions now are…”

“You can’t accuse Superman of things he hasn’t done…”

“God, this guy thinks he’s who? He doesn’t even tell us his real name, we should really trust him…”

They analyzed and analyzed, and then someone suddenly said, “Let’s pause for a moment. Is it even remotely possible that he does this… not for fame, just because he’s doing what he thinks is right, just wanting to do something good?”

“Ha! You almost got me…”

“How is that possible, honestly… please!”

“This joke is hilarious!”

“But in the end, Superman’s purpose is still…”

People burst into laughter.

But Lex Luthor didn’t laugh.

Looking at these fools mocking Superman, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

But eventually, he sighed. You have to interact with idiots in this world.

He had gotten used to it over the years.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, “Good afternoon, gentlemen, ladies. I apologize for interrupting, but I’d like to take a moment of your time to discuss our shared concern.”

The chattering crowd gradually quieted down, turning their attention to Lex Luthor sitting beside them.

“Considering that some members of Congress are completely oblivious to what Superman is, I’ll give an example.

Imagine a playground full of children, and a stranger appears.”

Luthor said, “A cause for concern? If he’s carrying a gun, it would be even more concerning.”

“What if he’s wearing a bulletproof vest, carrying a whole box of guns, grenades, and ammunition? What if he’s carrying nuclear weapons?”

Luthor said, “Even if his intentions are good or bad, do you think the children are safe? Wouldn’t you feel safer when he’s gone?”

“That’s how you should view Superman. He’s a walking nuclear weapon. Regardless of his intentions, he’s bound to explode sooner or later.”

“In front of a little boy who could destroy us at any moment, is it meaningful to discuss his motives?”

“Just tell us what you want, Lex, we don’t have time to listen to your guesses.” General Lane folded his arms, “Isn’t this why you meticulously infiltrated this meeting?”

Luthor stated directly, “Human experimentation.”

“Impossible!”

General Lane immediately rejected it, “The military wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen under their noses.”

As if it wouldn’t happen if you didn’t allow it.

Luthor thought.

But covert human experimentation is inevitably covert. It’s done in secret, difficult to expose, and yields limited material.

For Lex’s LexCorp to expand its human experimentation to a larger scale, it would be impossible to circumvent the military, which has a deep partnership.

“I will absolutely adhere to the principle of voluntariness.” Luthor said, “Every participant in the human experimentation will receive a generous reward that they can’t refuse…”

“Those are trivial details, Lex, let’s talk about the main point.” Someone asked directly,

“How far has your experiment progressed that you’ve reached the point of needing human experimentation?”

Luthor said, “Using the radiation from Kryptonite, I have already created a monster that has a lifespan of no more than 30 minutes and can briefly absorb energy.”

Luthor said, “I’ve tentatively named this immature monster the Parasitic Demon.”

…

…

…

“Batman, you shouldn’t think about the metal spirit you control with scientific logic.”

Poison Ivy said, “It’s essentially magic, it’s metaphysics. Don’t try to understand and analyze it using scientific reasoning.”

Chen Tao stood in front of a bizarre Kryptonian computer, mimicking a street-corner charlatan, channeling his energy.

“Consciousness flow. Go with the flow. Use your mind to connect with it. Like I connect with plants.”

“Can you see it?”

(End of Chapter)

Previous Chapter | TOC |