What Bad Thoughts Can Batman Have 74

## Chapter 74: Face-Scrubbing

Every single one of the scum on the faces showed a dull expression: the powerful, the weak, the superhuman, and those who were just ordinary humans. But today, at this moment, they were all under the control of the Mad Hatter’s central nervous system control chip – Batman’s control.

Despite the simple and brutal way in which this control was implemented, making them less powerful than they once were, and despite the inhuman nature of this control that diminished their intelligence, they were still the most dangerous group in the city.

They were completely under Batman’s control, well… except for Clayface. It seemed reasonable, after all, Clayface was just a pile of mud, without even a brain. If such an unnatural monster could be controlled by a chip, it would be strange, right?

But he still chose to mingle among those controlled Arkham inmates, beating up the Court of Owls’ assassins. Was it because…?

Suddenly, Bruce Wayne realized, Clayface was a crazy, performance-oriented personality. He just wanted to play different roles all the time.

At this moment, it was clear that the role he was playing was [A Controlled Arkham Inmate].

“…”

Bruce Wayne was speechless at his own quick understanding of the madman’s thoughts.

He always seemed to be able to quickly understand what was going on in the crazy heads of others. No matter how crazy and whimsical the thoughts were, they could resonate with his brain. Bruce Wayne felt this might be a kind of talent.

The Joker looked at Batman, who was guarded in the center by all of Arkham, his eyes flickering. He didn’t know what he was thinking.

Bruce Wayne waved his hand, and Victor Fries, Mr. Freeze, stopped his attack and walked towards him stiffly.

“Victor, how’s Nora doing these days?”

A Talon wielding a katana rushed towards the two who were talking. Bruce Wayne flicked a black mist, and the assassin was cut in half in mid-air like a chocolate-filled cake.

The liquor and honey sauce splattered all over them.

“Disgusting.”

Bruce Wayne looked at his hand with a touch of melancholy. “Damn it, when did my style become like this?”

Even if he didn’t want to be a superhero all the time, after he crossed over and confirmed that he would have a superhero career, he once fantasized about being that kind of slick, popular superhero idol.

When he landed, he would use the classic superhero landing, and as soon as he landed, there would be brainless, crazed female fans screaming excitedly, fainting on the spot, and he would smile, tilting his chin…

But now, he was just a black mist in the air, and his body condensed into all sorts of black blades and weapons. He had completely become a villain.

Tragic.

Bruce Wayne shook his head, shutting down the divergent thoughts in his mind.

“Victor, I don’t intend to make small talk. I think you’re already cold enough.”

Bruce Wayne said directly: “I need your help. I understand that for you, wisdom is power. Trust me, the way Talons are being controlled like puppets is not my intention…”

“The regenerative compound in the Talon’s blood is heat-sensitive, which means that if the temperature is too low, their movements will slow down, making them weaker than humans.”

Bruce Wayne said: “And you are the master of temperature control. Only you can make the cold affect the Talons without hindering our actions.”

The wooden and indifferent expression faded from Mr. Freeze’s face. His eyes regained their vitality, and he stared at Bruce Wayne gloomily.

He seemed to want to pounce on Batman, but his limbs remained motionless, standing straight.

“What makes you think I’ll help you, Batman?”

He roared: “You’re dreaming.”

“I just want to fire my freeze gun at you, then cut your insides into ribbons.”

He said: “I want to wrap a rope around your soft, pathetic neck, tie the knot tightly, watch your eyes dim, your lips twitch, and listen to your futile pleas!”

Mr. Freeze cursed viciously: “I just want you to die!”

He paused, then continued: “The Court of Owls stole my technology to preserve the Talons. If they want to control the city, they can’t avoid the development of Talon modifications, which means they urgently need my technology.”

He looked at Scarecrow, who was cowering in fear, and scoffed at his ugly appearance: “The Court of Owls only values Scarecrow because of his ability to recruit and control us Arkham inmates. Obviously, the Arkham inmates can greatly enhance the Court’s power. They need us…”

“We’re valuable, aren’t we? So why don’t we sell ourselves for a good price, but instead turn around and help you? Our enemy?”

Mr. Freeze mocked: “Yes, that’s right, you’re controlling us with your little tricks from the Mad Hatter, that’s how it is.”

“But what makes you think that can threaten me?”

Mr. Freeze’s expression was indifferent: “Death cannot frighten me!”

Bruce Wayne knew what he was saying was true.

Mr. Freeze’s heart was as cold as bronze, and a simple and brutal death threat couldn’t make him submit.

“The Court will never be stingy with their promises to me, even though I don’t need them. And helping you? What can I get out of it?”

“My gratitude,” Bruce Wayne answered him directly: “I plead for your help.”

Mr. Freeze was taken aback by these words that didn’t follow the rules. His words got stuck in his throat.

He laughed angrily: “That’s it? Your gratitude? Your plea?”

“You’re not short of money, Victor.” Bruce Wayne said to him: “You’ve already robbed enough to support Nora’s life. And all the years of your commissions.”

Bruce Wayne said: “Money can’t buy you anymore.”

Mr. Freeze shook his head.

“You think I’d give up the generous conditions the Court of Owls might offer me for this?”

He looked around at the controlled Arkham inmates, Bane, Joker, and the Talons fighting them.

“You don’t think the Court of Owls is finished just because you’ve dealt with these Talons, do you?”

He said: “Scarecrow has already told me how dangerous the Court of Owls is. Their offer is 10,000 times better than yours!”

“So, are you willing to help me, old friend?”

Mr. Freeze sighed.

He was a crazy scientist, a mercenary who did jobs for money… even though he only took jobs in Gotham. He was also a loving husband.

But he also had another identity, an identity he had long possessed.

He was Batman’s nemesis, his long-time rival.

He said slowly: “You… plead for my help?”

“Yes.” Bruce Wayne said.

“I beg you, I need your help.”

Mr. Freeze sighed again. He couldn’t resist, he said:

“Alright. I’ll help you.”

Bruce Wayne breathed a sigh of relief.

He had actually planned to use Mr. Freeze’s wife to threaten him. He never thought that he could get Mr. Freeze to work for him just with Batman’s charm.

If he hadn’t succeeded in using his charm, he would have had to say those words in his throat: “Husband, you wouldn’t want your wife…”

That would have also controlled Victor, even making him do his best, but it would undoubtedly earn his new hatred as well.

Now, being able to reach a peaceful agreement, making him think he still had options and that he had made the choice himself, this was truly the best situation.

(End of chapter)

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