Chapter 1162: Chapter 161: Robin
Ling Huchong felt the cold gaze of Batman, as sharp as a knife, and the incredulous looks from his sect behind him. His face grew paler, and his spine inexplicably lowered.
"..."
He remained silent for a long time, his hand trembling slightly, almost unable to hold the longsword in his hand,
Suddenly, he abruptly raised his face with his sword brows and thin lips, tremblingly said, "I refuse to accept it!"
Batman raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
"The junior observes Senior Bai’s standard of judgment, which should assess kindness, judging based on actions not intentions,
As long as one can do good deeds, then no matter if it’s driven by ambition, for the sake of false reputation, or just by chance,
it is benevolence.
And in judging evil, it considers intentions not actions.
Mr. Mo Da and Taoist Head Chong Xu also despise this upside-down world of chaos, and hate schemers like Zuo Lengchan, Yu Canghai,
they don’t have the power, unable to execute Zuo Lengchan, Yu Canghai for self-protection, they can only stand by, doing small good deeds,
even so, they would not be considered evil.
Since Mr. Mo Da and others stand by against Zuo Lengchan’s evil deeds, and it would not be considered evil,
then why would my not shouting to kill Tian Boguang be considered evil?"
"Chong’er, you’re being presumptuous!"
Yue Buqun, listening from behind, felt his blood boil, couldn’t help but reprimand angrily: "Who are you to judge or accuse Mr. Mo Da? Kneel and apologize to Senior Bai at once!"
"Master..."
Ling Huchong turned back to look at Yue Buqun, who was both a mentor and a father to him, sorrowfully said: "Master and Mistress raised and nurtured me, taught me swordsmanship, imparted martial skills more than parents, I dare not disrespect Master and Mistress.
But today, I... truly don’t know where I am wrong."
"Hehe..."
Batman chuckled low, looking at the saddened yet stubborn Ling Huchong said: "Young Hero Linghu, do you think that I’m targeting you?"
"The junior dares not..."
"Correct, I am targeting you."
Batman waved his hand, coldly said: "Say I’m occupying the moral high ground if you like, say I’m being hypocritical, I just despise evildoers, and also despise someone like you who, with strength, claims to be a gallant knight yet lets evil go unchecked.
Deep down, you think that killing or not killing Tian Boguang isn’t your concern, your responsibility, so you can happily drink and laugh with him,
but have you thought that, you bear the title of Huashan Young Hero, enjoying many benefits it brings.
When traveling the martial world,
At inns, hearing you’re Huashan Young Hero, Yue Buqun’s disciple, they respectfully prepare you excellent rooms, waive the charges,
Other disciples of renowned sects, hearing you’re Huashan Young Hero, respectfully invite you to travel together,
People around Huashan, even from farther places, trust Yue Buqun, and trust you taught by Yue Buqun,
They provide wealth and incense offerings to Huashan Sect,
Boosting Huashan Sect’s influence,
Promoting Huashan Sect’s reputation,
all convert into your invisible assets.
Otherwise, do you think you could be so carefree, receiving respect and hospitality wherever you go?
Having drinking buddies, admirers?"
Ling Huchong fell silent, not quite understanding what admirers meant, though he understood Batman’s point.
"You enjoy various benefits the Young Hero’s reputation brings, while disdaining the expectations world places on you,
while reluctant to part with martial skills taught by your sect, you disdain its moral constraints, seeking your freedom and individual liberation."
Batman calmly said: "Don’t you think, you’re also hypocritical, shameless, and insincere?
If you truly believe, killing or not killing Tian Boguang is not much of your business, not your responsibility,
Then, I wouldn’t enforce you to kill him..."
He raised an arm, casually snapped his fingers.
A dark figure swooped down rapidly from the sky, landing with a thud on the stage.
As the dust cleared, a man wearing a suit of burlap made from straw, appeared on the stage.
"This is the seventh member of the Justice League, Scarecrow."
Batman introduced coldly: "And the person beneath his foot is..."
Tian Boguang.
Without needing Batman’s clarification, the bewildered Ling Huchong recognized the familiar face of the monk under Scarecrow’s foot.
"Brother Linghu..."
Tian Boguang, or rather, now named "Unrepentant" the monk, hazily raised his head, seeing his best confidant in life, his face turned ashen white as paper.
Not long ago, he was still eating vegetarian and chanting at the Hengshan Sect, suddenly captured by a strangely dressed man claiming to be Scarecrow, thrown onto the stage.
His face pale, not because of being amidst martial heroes worried about being torn apart for past crimes,
but fearing his identity would lead to Hengshan Sect, who harbored him, and Ling Huchong, who befriended him, being attacked by everyone.
Thud!
Scarecrow stomped on Tian Boguang’s back, making him spit out a large mouthful of blood with a gasp.
Ling Huchong instinctively wanted to rush forward to save his confidant and friend but suddenly recalled his status, forcibly halting his steps, only looking sadly and angrily at Scarecrow and Batman.
"Young Hero Linghu, since you’re unwilling to kill Tian Boguang,
Then Tian Boguang’s life or death no longer concerns you."
Batman smirked, squatting down, took out a small knife from under his cape, and leisurely began cutting Tian Boguang’s skin.
Ripping sounds.
Ripping sounds.
The muscles on Tian Boguang’s face were sliced piece by piece, this former notorious flower thief, now monk named "Unrepentant",
Initially tried to act tough, but the unbearable pain overwhelmed everything, making him let out screams not humanly.
Ling Huchong watched this scene unfolding, his features twisted and trembled, his hands clenched tight,
and the martial artists below the stage, stirred up, were also subdued, standing still not daring to move.
Batman moved the knife slowly, ensuring Tian Boguang wouldn’t easily die, and letting him feel the utmost pain.
While flaying Tian Boguang, he calmly said to Ling Huchong: "You are a gallant hero reaching for the skies, an unrestrained gallant knight without constraints.
Young Hero Linghu, you don’t care about public opinion, and want to associate with your confidant Tian Boguang.
And after the latter became a monk and mended his ways,
Genuinely pleased, silently sent your blessings.
Castrated, became a monk, from then on staying away from women.
Such an end for Tian Boguang, in Young Hero Linghu’s heart, is reasonable,
Even in the hearts of many martial people, it is reasonable.
In the martial world, there’s always been such a rule: no matter what wrongs were committed, how many were killed, as long as one goes to Shaolin, becomes a monk, henceforth doesn’t meddle in worldly affairs,
past misdeeds can be written off.
Even if not becoming a monk, just living in seclusion, not stepping into the martial world again, one could write off their sins, nobody would object to it.
Because, in this world, in the morality of the vast majority in this world,
Ordinary people without martial arts are not considered human.
Not even as good as pigs and dogs."
Batman’s eyes regained focus, slowly said: "But, has it always been like this? Is it right?
Ordinary people without martial arts are not considered human, they have no emotions, don’t get justice.
Those with martial arts are considered human, they have emotions and righteousness, can get justice..."
Ling Huchong looked at Tian Boguang under Batman’s knife, entire body covered in blood, and recalled the blessings he silently gave after the latter became a monk, his chest filled with sorrow and indignation.
Thud!
He knelt heavily on both knees, kowtowing to Batman, cried: "Ling Huchong is willing to exhaust all his martial arts, in exchange for the senior to give Tian Boguang a quick death."
"A quick death?"
Batman tilted his head slightly, glanced at Tian Boguang whose skin was peeled off, and said indifferently: "When he traveled the world, committing numerous acts of evil,
did he ever listen to the pleas of those women?"
Batman casually reached under his cloak and retrieved a pill, tossing it into Tian Boguang’s mouth, forcing him to swallow it.
Once Tian Boguang swallowed the pill, he felt a warm flow spreading throughout his body, his skin once again grew on his bloody and mutilated body.
Yet, Tian Boguang’s face showed no joy, only immense fear.
"We’ll peel it off again."
Batman said softly: "In the past ten years, you’ve committed 1,394 crimes of flower picking, so I will peel your skin 1,394 times, and then let you die.
The time is still long."
Upon hearing this, Tian Boguang’s body began to tremble uncontrollably, tears and snot flowing as his head was heavily smashed against the brick floor of the arena.
Ling Huchong’s expression changed multiple times, he wanted to rush forward to rescue Tian Boguang, at least kill Tian Boguang to spare his drinking buddy from the pain of peeling,
but the extreme fluctuations of inner strength from the Justice League members, including Scarecrow,
and the looks from his fellow disciples behind him, prevented him from lifting his legs.
If he charged forward, it could very well mean death and destruction for him,
and his sect behind him...
His master and mistress treated him like their own son,
his junior brothers and sisters revered him like a brother, how terrifying would the retaliation be from them afterwards?
Ling Huchong dared not move, nor could he move,
he locked eyes with Tian Boguang, who looked at him pleadingly from the arena, but ultimately, he couldn’t make any moves.
And Tian Boguang, as if realizing something, slowly turned his head, avoiding eye contact with Ling Huchong, silently enduring the peeling.
"Senior..."
Ling Huchong’s voice choked as he said: "What do I have to do for you to let Tian Boguang die quickly?"
"Oh? Didn’t you just say Tian Boguang’s life and death are none of your concern,
you have no obligation or responsibility to interfere?"
Batman said mockingly: "Why do you wish to uphold justice now?"
Ling Huchong found himself speechless, could only heavily kowtow on the ground.
"Hehe, well then."
Batman shook his head, "You refused the proposal to kill Tian Boguang earlier,
so there is only one path left for you.
I will abolish your martial arts, let you as an ordinary person with no martial arts, find all the women harmed by Tian Boguang,
let you compensate and aid them.
If you can persevere, then maybe I can give Tian Boguang a swift death, perhaps even spare his life."
"..."
Ling Huchong’s mouth moved, he looked at his suffering friend on the arena, wanting to immediately agree,
but his rational mind stopped him.
Finding those women harmed by Tian Boguang, to compensate and aid them, how difficult and terrifying a task is this?
During this process, he would endure tremendous humiliation and verbal abuse from the victims and their families,
beaten, attacked,
even start from scratch, working painstakingly to earn astronomical compensations...
Not to mention, many victims are no longer alive, after much hardship to find them, perhaps only a lonely grave would be found.
Ling Huchong’s face turned deathly pale,
he yearned for freedom and the release of personality, wanting to be unattached and unconcerned like an hermit.
Devoting all time to redemption,
such a terrifying and bleak life was absolutely not what he wanted.
So, he chose a simpler solution.
Zheng——
Ling Huchong lifted the longsword, placing it horizontally in front of his neck, and cut deeply.
If he didn’t want his friend to suffer, yet refused to take responsibility for his friend’s mistakes,
then he only had the option of drawing his sword and committing suicide.
"Ren Yingying, Blue Phoenix."
Suddenly, Batman reported two names, interrupting Ling Huchong’s suicidal act.
"At this moment, my Justice League partners have arrived at the locations of the Sun Moon Cult, the Religion of Five Poisons, and other underworld gangs."
Batman said unhurriedly: "Like me, they carry Benevolence Detectors and land mines facing enemies.
Xiang Wentian, Dongfang Bubai, Taogu Liuxian, Green Bamboo Old Man, Yang Lianting, Jiangnan Four Friends...
Everyone will receive fair and equal judgment and punishment.
No matter if male or female, old or young,
whether high martial arts skills or weak power.
Even including government, the court, and the palace.
Those who truly take pleasure in wickedness will suffer punishment like Tian Boguang,
no longer will they be forgiven just because they don monk’s robes.
If this world considers ordinary people less than human, only gallant knights as people,
then it’s up to me, up to our Justice League, to make ordinary people human.
Under our supervision and vigilance,
some crimes will have nowhere to hide,
some justice will be upheld.
We will be everywhere,
mountains, swamps, capitals, villages, snow-capped mountains, barren lands...
Gods will be watching within three feet.
Under the absolute power, absolute supervision and control of the Justice League, martial arts will no longer be a tool for fame and fortune, but a tool to improve the living conditions of the greatest number of people.
Farming, mining, logging, building, forging, transporting...
Ordinary people learning martial arts can truly improve their lives, instead of relying on wandering gallant knights.
Martial arts belong to the people, power belongs to the people,
during this process, those of you who rely on force to rise in status,
will hate us, discard us, curse us,
because we are not your heroes,
we are a group of silent guardians, a group of vigilant protectors, a group of knights in the dark."
Having said that, Batman left the skinless Tian Boguang to the Joker to continue the lingchi,
while Batman himself came to the kneeling, unsuccessful Ling Huchong, opened his palm, revealing a flesh-colored gem chip.
Ling Huchong said: "This is..."
"You can understand it as the Dark Knight’s Proof."
Batman said calmly: "You were about to commit suicide anyway, why not try putting on the chip.
Maybe it can give you a new future."
"..."
Ling Huchong remained silent for a long time, slowly took the chip from Batman’s hand, and placed it on his forehead.
From then on, the world lost Ling Huchong,
and gained a new companion at Batman’s side, a man in red and green cape executing justice in the dark.
He had a new name, Robin.
