Chapter 1161: Chapter 160: Atonement
Justice... League?
The crowd looked at the figures on stage, with their eerie presence, like ghosts in bizarre costumes,
and a mysterious chill arose within them.
If this was the Justice League, then the four notorious evildoers of the martial world, famous for their malevolence, might well be called the four heavenly kings who bless the world.
Batman, unaffected by the crowd’s strange gazes, raised a hand to point at the corpulent, hawk-nosed man in a tailcoat, and introduced: "This gentleman is called Penguin, a martial arts master skilled at using the abacus, born in Nanshan, known as Nanshan’s sure winner."
"Heh heh,"
Penguin pulled out a golden abacus from behind the tailcoat, and with a grin, overlooking the martial heroes: "Creating justice with sincerity.
I wonder how many present today can pass the Benevolence Detector."
Batman then pointed to the handsome youth dressed in flamboyant colors, wearing a hat with a question mark pattern, "This gentleman is called Riddler, possessing extraordinary intellect, flawless in planning."
"Brother Batman praises too much,"
Riddler smiled confidently, suddenly his eyes skewed and his mouth drooped, drooling as he muttered madly: "Don’t argue, don’t argue, tonight is crucial! Ranran was targeted by tortoise...but what’s Kele doing, at home tonight, whatever you drag, drag it...this livestream withstand it, Drag Sister! It’s her again! Drag Sister’s staff skills are too stable! Believe Nai0, believe Nai0, Nai0 is our pride as Chinese people, she can create miracles..."
Riddler’s ramblings startled the crowd,
while Batman acted as though he hadn’t noticed, continuing to introduce: "This lady is Catwoman, skilled at using claws, standing beside her is Two-Face."
Catwoman raised her chin coldly, while the Two-Face next to her gently touched his burnt cheek, murmuring, "What you love is your life."
Batman raised a hand to point at the last person, "This one is heavyweight, Joker, Lord Joker."
"This world lacks a bit of high-quality justice. If there is none, I will provide it."
Joker inserted both index fingers into the corners of his mouth, forcibly pulling to form a grim, eerie smile.
"The five of them plus me, are the Justice League."
Batman said calmly: "For those who have done good and evil,
or whose nature is sinister and cannot be corrected by extreme punishment,
I will remodel them and recruit them into the Justice League."
Remodel?
Not until Batman said this did the crowd notice that all the Justice League ones had a nail-sized flesh-colored gem embedded under their bangs,
perfectly fused with the skin, only reflecting light at a certain angle in sunlight.
"Lingjiu Palace, Life and Death Talisman?"
Qiao Feng frowned,
as a gallant knight with friends all over the world, he had met a few people in the Justice League and knew they were Qingcheng Sword Faction disciples.
To turn them into this neither-human-nor-ghost state, and twist their minds to betray their teachings,
only the legendary Lingjiu Palace Life and Death Talisman, which controls life and death, could achieve it.
"You can understand it that way."
Batman casually said, looking at the sorrowful faced Abbot Xuan Ci, "But, Abbot Xuan Ci, why don’t you let me finish?
Do you fear your life experiences will destroy Shaolin’s reputation,
or are you afraid your personal fame will be ruined due to a certain matter?"
Abbot Xuan Ci heard the words, his expression becoming more sorrowful, pressed his palms together in silence.
Qiao Feng felt an unspecified unease arise, stepped forward to ask Abbot Xuan Ci about his origins, but this move was seen as resistance by the Justice League.
Penguin swung the golden abacus toward Qiao Feng, while others retreated a few steps, making space.
Penguin and Qiao Feng clashed into a fight, the renowned Qiao Feng of the martial world shocked to discover the rival’s inner strength was unfathomable,
though the chops and slashes of the golden abacus were simple Qingcheng Sword techniques,
but with immense inner strength, each strike could cause a dragon-roaring, tiger-howling momentum, even facing the Dragon Subduer Eighteen Palm, it didn’t fall behind, and maneuvered with ease.
Qiao Feng was tangled by Penguin, growing more shocked as he fought,
while Batman remained unconcerned, addressed Abbot Xuan Ci: "If you wish not to speak, then don’t.
Maybe after today, there might be no more Shaolin.
Catwoman, Riddler, Two-Face."
The three named grinned, darted like hawk falcons, swooping at the Shaolin monks below the stage,
a wave of the palm sending a group of Shaolin martial monks uncontrollably flying on stage.
Batman efficiently picked up one by one Shaolin monk from the ground, pressed their palm onto the Benevolence Detector.
"Deceiving patrons, exploiting wealth, punish with an arm, abolish all martial arts."
"Oppressing farmers, seizing estate, forcing suicide, execute."
"Robbing wife and daughter, seizing wealth, execute."
With limbs and broken arms flying,
heads rolling, blood flowing,
in the blink of an eye, most of the Shaolin monks on the stage were dead or injured, only scant few little novices standing pale amidst dead bodies.
"Shaolin is indeed the martial world’s largest landlord, relying on Buddha Sect prerogatives, seizing farmland, building manors, oppressing tenant farmers called Buddha’s households, wantonly amassing wealth, full of evil."
Batman scoffed, glanced at the pale as gold Abbot Xuan Ci, waved his hand, letting Riddler throw those who can still stand on the stage down below, counting them as passing the test.
"Next up, are the other sects."
Batman’s gaze was like a knife, sweeping through the martial gathering site,
the fearful and uneasy clamor below grew even louder,
not a few tried to resist,
but their struggle only invited the Justice League’s members’ ruthless suppression—Riddler and others could even comfortably spare lives, ensuring they wouldn’t die before judgment.
Soon, the disciples of Songshan Sect, Taishan Sect, Hengshan Sect, and Beggar Gang were judged,
some executed on the spot, most lost limbs, eyes blind and ears deaf, martial arts completely abolished, only a few could pass the judgment and survive unscathed.
"Husband..."
Watching the trial approaching, the Huashan Sect leader’s wife Ning Zhongze nervously clutched her husband Yue Buqun’s shoulder.
"Don’t fret,"
Yue Buqun consoled his wife, taking a deep breath, calmly said: "These people’s martial arts are unheard of, even Dongfang Bubai falls far behind.
Though they appear sinister and ghostly, their conduct can be considered righteous.
Mr. Mo Da and Taoist Head Chong Xu are indeed rare good men in the martial world, and those judged and sanctioned truly have sins to trace.
My Huashan Sect only has a hundred mu of ancestral farmland, through the years hasn’t siezed or encroached on farmland,
but often goes downhill to uphold justice.
As long as the disciples haven’t secretly done evil deeds, become bad people, this trial might be a chance for my Huashan Sect..."
Indeed, as he said,
when Yue Buqun’s name was called by Batman,
he leaped onto the stage, indifferent to the broken limbs and severed bodies on stage, cupped his hands to Batman and said: "Young Hero Batman, indeed there are many scoundrels in the martial world,
Your reward and punishment are fair, making Yue genuinely impressed.
However, aside from us, there are also Sun Moon Cult, Religion of Five Poisons, and numerous folk organizations,
If the reputable martial people don’t dare to go too far,
then the Sun Moon Cult, Religion of Five Poisons are truly reckless, doing as they wish.
Today, half of the martial arts folks from Songshan and Shaolin are lost,
it’s hard to guarantee that people like Sun Moon Cult won’t take revenge and bounce back, plaguing the world’s people."
"Oh?"
Batman nodded to the Huashan Sect leader known as Gentleman Sword, cupped his hands and calmly said: "Mr. Yue’s words are correct, I’ve certainly considered this point.
My Justice League, not only targets the so-called reputable sects of the martial world, but also targets the Sun Moon Cult, Religion of Five Poisons, and other folk demonic factions,
as well as the villainous squires, wicked officials, and governments filled with evil.
First, we kill, shed blood till the rivers overflow, heads roll like balls,
then we build a brand new world on the wasteland."
Batman’s tone was inexplicably tinged with a trace of fanaticism,
Yue Buqun’s heart momentarily paused, not daring to ask further, but at the same time, a certain uncontainable ambition began to grow deep within.
Benevolence Detector gave Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze quite high evaluations,
Yue Buqun’s Evil Value, is the same as Mr. Mo’s, both are -50 points, while Ning Zhongze’s is -60 points, both rare good people indeed.
They were gifted two Guiyuan pills by Batman, prolonging life and greatly enhancing Inner Strength.
And the disciples, besides Lao De Nuo being exposed as Zuo Lengchan’s undercover agent sent to Huashan Sect, who had killed before joining Huashan Sect and thus received his due punishment,
all received the rewards they deserved.
"Chong’er, it’s your turn."
Yue Buqun stroked his beard, looking at his most prized disciple, Ling Huchong.
Ling Huchong is not only the first disciple of the current Huashan Sect, but also half a foster son to Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, educated by both since childhood,
while his Martial Arts might not be exceedingly high, his disposition is unquestionably flawless, chivalrous, loyal and reliable, ranking alongside North Qiaofeng and South Murong in the martial realm.
Upon hearing these words, Ling Huchong nervously stepped forward a few steps, placing his palm on the Benevolence Detector — after detecting hundreds of people, no one doubted the authenticity of the Benevolence Detector any more,
because it could even dig up their past when they were just two or three years old, before they had memories.
To everyone’s surprise, not long after the Benevolence Detector touched Ling Huchong’s palm, a mechanical voice rang out, providing an evaluation that exceeded everyone’s expectations, "Detected your Evil Value as 25 points, evaluated as minor benevolence amid evil, suggesting moderate punishment."
"What?!"
Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, Yue Lingshan and all the disciples of Huashan Sect stared wide-eyed in disbelief,
points of Evil Value, barely better than the likes of Zuo Lengchan.
"Young Hero Bai, is it possible that this Benevolence Detector ... detected incorrectly?"
Yue Buqun trembled as he spoke: "Chong’er always indulges in practicing Martial Arts, his mood straightforward and righteous, even when wandering down the mountain occasionally, he always insists on upholding justice and punishing evil, how could he be recognized as..."
"Recognized as minor benevolence amid evil?"
Batman snorted coldly, looked at the pale-faced Ling Huchong and said indifferently: "Young Hero Linghu, do you accept it?"
"..."
Ling Huchong was silent for a moment, looking at the incredulous expressions on the faces of his master, mistress, junior brothers, and sisters, he closed his eyes to ponder,
after a while he opened his eyes and said solemnly: "I do not accept.
After contemplating for a long time, I carefully considered past experiences, trying to identify my sins,
but indeed I couldn’t find anything."
"Hehe,"
Batman shook his head and casually mentioned a name, "Tian Boguang."
The mention of the name caused the expressions of everyone in Huashan to change drastically.
Tian Boguang is known as a lone wanderer in the martial world, his lightness skill exceptional, knife skills outstanding, but he is lecherous, a notorious flower thief who has harmed countless people, and countless warriors in the martial world have either attempted to kill him or were entrusted to do so,
but they were harmed by him relying on his Martial Arts skills.
Ling Huchong, being the first disciple of Huashan Sect, upright and righteous, how could he have connections with such a despicable flower thief.
"Chong’er!"
Yue Buqun saw Ling Huchong’s sudden change in expression, and faintly guessed something, he shouted sternly: "Why do you have connections with Tian Boguang?!
Confess honestly!"
"Yes, Master."
To Ling Huchong, Yue Buqun is both a master and a father figure, how could he dare to disobey his words, he immediately recounted his experience.
It turns out that after descending the mountain to travel, he encountered Tian Boguang, initially intending to kill this flower thief for the good of the people,
but eventually, after fighting, they recognized each other and became drinking buddies and friends,
due to Tian Boguang’s manhood being cut off, no longer able to commit flower theft, Ling Huchong did not pursue his drinking buddy any further.
Ling Huchong said solemnly: "Senior Bai! In my life, I have only let go of one bad person, Tian Boguang, besides him, I dare not tarnish the name of Huashan, if I see injustice, I will draw my sword to assist,
and Tian Boguang has also become a eunuch, made a monk, and now eats vegetarian and chants Buddha, no longer commits evil deeds.
Just because of this one thing, do I deserve to be punished like Zuo Lengchan with my Martial Arts crippled?"
"..."
Batman coldly stared at Ling Huchong, just a day ago, he, still Lin Yu, would view such a young hero like Ling Huchong as his hope for salvation,
yet a day later, under Divine Dragon’s guidance, his view of the world had changed.
"Young Hero Linghu, if it were someone else who dared to shout at me like this, they would be dead already."
Batman spoke indifferently: "But who makes you Young Hero Linghu?
Since you do not accept, I will ask you a question,
who gave you the right to forgive Tian Boguang.
Do you know, for years Tian Boguang has roamed various places, upon seeing beautiful women, regardless of whether they are young maidens at home or wives of husbands, he would try to steal flowers and commit evil.
Hundreds of women raped by him, either committed suicide, or were seen as disgrace by their relatives or husbands, drowned or driven out from their homes, ending their lives in misery.
While you were drinking and making merry with Tian Boguang, did you ever consider their fate?
Or do you think, in your eyes, they don’t count as real people?"
"..."
Ling Huchong facing Batman’s fierce gaze, his face pale, subconsciously wanting to lower his head, yet he forced himself to keep it up, arguing: "I also know that Tian Boguang is excessively evil, harming innocents, in the martial world, everyone grits their teeth.
I merely admire Tian Boguang for his straightforwardness, not as a vile lowly character, thus drank three large bowls of wine with him.
If not for this, let alone two jars of fine wine, even if the world’s treasures were placed before me, I would not have spared him a glance.
As for those women... Tian Boguang has already promised in Shaolin Master’s presence to mend his ways, to do good and accumulate virtue, eat vegetarian and chant Buddha,
even if Tian Boguang is killed it can’t redeem their fate..."
"Bullshit!"
Batman’s eyebrows rose, yelling angrily: "If eating vegetarian and chanting Buddha, reciting Buddhist scriptures are effective, what use are constables, what use is justice?
Anyone who kills, commits evil, hides in Shaolin Temple to change his face and become a monk, can it erase the evil he committed?!
What about the victims? Their suffering, their injustice, who will address it?
You say you respect Tian Boguang’s straightforwardness and bright conduct, then why didn’t you oversee him, after reforming, to go to places where he committed evil, to find those women he harmed, to make amends?
Even if you can’t restore their reputation, why not give those women some gold and silver to slightly improve their lives, allowing them to live in this world?
You know why?
Because compared to atonement,
eating vegetarian and chanting Buddha is a much simpler, and easier task.
You haven’t thought about it, nor do you care,
in your eyes, your own pleasure’s most important, regardless of learning Martial Arts or being a gallant knight, you only considered for yourself,
to me, compared to these dead people on the challenge platform, you’re even more despicable and nauseating."
Ling Huchong opened his mouth wanting to speak but halted, hesitating to speak,
Batman glanced at him disgustedly, coldly saying: "Do you know why I dislike you?
People often say, a true villain is better than a hypocrite.
But a hypocrite, even for appearances, does good deeds and accumulates virtue, upon seeing those in poverty will provide relief, upon seeing injustice will seek redress,
whereas a true villain, would use the term ’true nature’ to justify and excuse their sins, even thinking they are nobler than hypocrites."
