Chapter 200: The Riddler Attacked from Front and Back

Exquisite and ornate candlesticks were lit, and baskets of fresh, colorful fruit were placed on the table; white-gloved hands wiped pure silver cutlery—soup spoons, meat knives, dining forks, and wine goblets—with spotless white napkins. Against the pristine white tablecloth, they appeared clean and elegant, gleaming under the light.

"Mr. Wayne, everything is ready."

"Then, Alfred, welcome tonight's guests."

On one side of the long, white dining table sat a guest with pale skin, wearing a formal, magnificent gown. Had it been anyone else, such attire would have been specially prepared for this banquet of Gotham's wealthiest; but for this guest, it was simply how he was accustomed to dress.

The Penguin, the Scarecrow, and Mr. Freeze stood behind him, watching the four across the table with vigilance.

The Riddler wore his usual open-chested green suit, a composed smile on his face, a stark contrast to the Joker's world-weary expression with his mouth hanging down. Behind him stood Killer Croc, the Mad Hatter, and Poison Ivy; if a fight truly broke out, he would certainly hold the advantage in strength.

Two-Face was supposed to come, but he told the Riddler he had grown tired of such high-society banquets and had long felt intense disgust toward wealthy men like Bruce Wayne. He suggested sending someone who knew how to survive and escape instead; if they encountered Batman, that person could bring you back.

So the Riddler brought Ma Ma Zhaodi along.

Dressed in a suit and leather shoes, Bruce Wayne sat at the center of the table, secretly observing the guests on both sides. Alfred, in his formal gown, stood behind him with a calm expression.

The first course was an appetizer, a cold starter.

The plate held slices of baguette, President's butter, and some garnish vegetables, red and green interlaced, looking quite beautiful.

However, the Joker didn't even look at the plate and launched a zero-frame attack directly at the Riddler: "You are a pile of shit."

Bruce said nothing; he looked at the Riddler, who was leisurely spreading butter and enjoying the appetizer. Upon hearing the Joker's words, he instead burst into hearty laughter.

The Joker's face grew gloomy; he couldn't laugh at that moment, could only watch the Riddler laugh, which made him even more irritated.

Ma Ma Zhaodi looked at the butter on the table, somewhat curious whether it tasted good.

The second course was steaming hot soup.

"Gentlemen, please allow me to interrupt. Although I enjoy those jokes and riddles, we have much serious business to discuss tonight." Bruce held a spoon and said calmly: "My city—our city, the city the Wayne family is willing to give its life for, Gotham City—is suffering greatly in today's war—just as all of you here are suffering in this war."

"And we have gathered here today precisely to find a way to end this suffering."

At that moment, the third course was served: fish fried until the skin was slightly crisp.

"Edward."

The Joker held his knife and fork, looking at the Riddler across the table: "Have you ever had to cut off someone's head—I mean while they were still alive?"

"Oh." The Riddler placed a piece of golden fish meat into his mouth and replied with a relaxed expression: "Sometimes, yes."

"Have you noticed that a person's final twitch does not mean their final moment of life? After that, after their last struggle, they are still alive and watching you. Then a while later, I mean, after blood loss reaches a certain point, they truly die."

This cruel description made Bruce frown slightly; he couldn't help but look at the Joker and asked aloud: "Is this a joke?"

"I don't know, is it?"

Grrr—

The Riddler, who was about to open his mouth, paused; all three glanced at the Mad Hatter beside them. The black robe and mask concealed the other's expression, but everyone could be certain the sound had come from that guy.

Realizing everyone was looking at him, a guilty voice came from beneath the mask.

"Sorry, I didn't eat before coming. You all continue."

The Riddler sighed.

"Mr. Wayne, the Joker is trying to explain to you that your way of solving problems is absurd—according to him, the moment of peaceful staring after a person stops struggling but before they stop thinking appears very meaningful."

"In other words, when facing the end, people also stop fighting and struggling. Whether for a certain result, a certain answer, or a certain goal, at that moment none of it matters. In short, he believes this proves that all answers and results are meaningless, like dreams, like bubbles. In the end, the only true thing is that knife, and that fatal strike."

The Riddler sneered and summarized: "Of course, this is an absurd view, but he will likely insist—that this is his view."

Hearing his summary, the Joker's face grew even darker; he simply threw the fish knife in his hand, wanting to immediately prove his point with the Riddler's life.

Of course, not dying would also be fine; he just wanted to throw it.

The Riddler immediately judged that the flying knife's landing point was his face and calmly extended his hand; he was not a purely intellectual criminal with no strength, and could easily catch the knife.

"Boss, be careful!"

Just as he had thought about how to mock the Joker, a hand slapped out from behind.

Clang!

Thud!

The first sound was the flying knife being slapped off course; the second was the knife stabbing into a shoulder.

"Boss, are you okay?"

The expression on the Riddler's face froze; now with the Joker's knife stuck in his shoulder and his subordinate's concerned question in his ear, he felt attacked from both front and back.

What the hell are you slapping? If you hadn't slapped, I would have caught it.

Damn, miscalculated; if a fight really breaks out, he only has two reliable subordinates, and they might not be the advantageous side.

At the same time, Killer Croc behind him revealed huge claws and fangs, vines grew around Poison Ivy, and Ma Ma Zhaodi stepped back two paces, raising his large shield.

Across from them, the Penguin behind the Joker raised an umbrella capable of firing bullets, Mr. Freeze raised his freeze gun, and the puppet "Scarface" in the Scarecrow's hands raised a pistol.

"I thought this would be a friendly exchange, but in the end, we must resolve this with force!"

"Start saying your prayers now, you bugs!"

Bruce sat quietly in his seat, struggling to control his expression; he knew Ma Ma Zhaodi was good at causing trouble, but he hadn't expected him to be so good at it.

He looked to both sides and then said: "Alfred?"

Alfred replied calmly: "I am here, Master Bruce."

"This fish was prepared quite stunningly, but it seems it does not suit our guests' tastes."

"Please provide Mr. Edward with hemostasis, bandaging, and medication. Mr. Joker, this is my dinner party; I hope you will not make similar moves again. This is rude, very rude."

"Now, let us clear these things away and prepare the next course."

(End of Chapter)