Chapter 225: So Many Familiar Faces When Infiltrating Enemy Camp?

"Oswald Cobblepot?"

"That's me."

"Why did you..."

"Don't you remember, Mr. Thor?" the Penguin countered. "You followed the Riddler's orders to kill the Mad Hatter. What happened after that?"

"I was... captured."

"You were played."

Speaking of this, the Penguin chuckled: "You caused too many losses for our friend there, remember? The Riddler's subordinates originally boasted numerous super-villains, but thanks to your fence-sitting, only Poison Ivy, Firefly, and Mr. Zsasz remain. I suppose our friend hasn't necessarily guessed your betrayal, but he has likely sensed something fishy about you."

"He sold me out?"

"To be precise, he gifted you. He handed you over to the Mad Hatter, and barring any accidents, you were meant to become one of the Joker's cannon fodder—of course, that was predicated on my not intervening."

"Then I should thank him for not just shooting me on the spot."

"Honestly, I also think he was too concerned with saving face," the Penguin replied. "What was the point of handing you to the Mad Hatter to be killed? If you had unleashed greater combat potential under the Joker's banner, he would probably regret last night's poor decision."

"That part doesn't need much worry..."

"In any case, what's done is done." The Penguin shrugged. "The Riddler's super-villains are already few and far between, and the Joker's usable forces now include two traitors: you and me. You have fulfilled your prior promise by using Batman's hand to remove most of the players. Now we can proceed with the next steps of our plan and wipe out both the Riddler and the Joker in one fell swoop—though it would be even better if a few more people disappeared."

"Is that so?"

Ma Ma Zhaodi glanced at the controller in his hand and smiled: "Now that you hold control over me, why continue with the previous plan? Why not just seize all the spoils for yourself?"

"You can't leave me, friend," the Penguin answered. "Just as I can't leave you. Our plan is proceeding smoothly, but it's not enough to control the entire situation. I need you to help me kick out a few more people; you need me to completely overthrow the Joker and the Riddler. You want a substantial reward from me, and I want to establish my own faction and become the new Crime King of Gotham City."

"In other words," Ma Ma Zhaodi interrupted, "it's just like before: I risk being killed while continuing to serve as cannon fodder on the front lines. You just stay in the villa, hiding safely behind the Joker. Even if I die out there, it won't affect you in the slightest. But if I succeed, you'll come along to pick the biggest peach."

"Our divisions of labor are simply different, Mr. Thor. You cannot take over Falcone's vast underworld empire and assets for the Joker, nor can you handle organizational scheduling, intelligence management, financial operations, and similar tasks for him. But I can. That is precisely my strength, my value."

Ma Ma Zhaodi remained silent.

"Besides, I have offered better conditions. After our success, I proposed giving you a portion of the assets and authority, or simply a share of the annual profits. Yet you refused everything. You only demanded a lump-sum payment as compensation for plotting against the Joker and the Riddler. Honestly, if I took that money and gave it to Slade or little Floyd, they could accomplish the same thing. The TV would even praise them for being good guys, for being heroes once."

Saying this, the Penguin waved the remote in his hand: "I understand you might fear the Joker and the Riddler seeking revenge later, or perhaps you are simply an undercover agent sent by Batman, wanting nothing more than a 'legitimate undercover payout.' Even for the Gotham City Police Department, no one ever questions income earned by taking money to fight criminals. But I don't care about any of that. Right now, whoever fights the Joker and the Riddler is my ally."

"I can help you remove the Mad Hatter's control. I can triple the reward I promised you. But you must finish what you set out to do. So, do we have a deal now?"

"No problem," Ma Ma Zhaodi answered readily. "I agree."

"?"

Damn it, the Penguin cursed inwardly. I've been played. This guy only wanted money; he would have done it even at the original price.

How can someone be so greedy yet so reckless with their life?

At this moment, in the Penguin's mind, the possibility that Ma Ma Zhaodi was a police undercover agent or a Batman plant began to drop significantly.

Good people fight for faith; that is why they do not fear death. This guy has no faith whatsoever. His fearlessness stems entirely from the promise of money. He is a typical desperado.

The journey to meet the Joker afterward proceeded without further hitch. In fact, the Joker couldn't even be bothered to look at Ma Ma Zhaodi again. He waved his hand as if discarding trash, ordering the Penguin outside to take "Thor" to meet tonight's action partner.

"Take this guy directly to see Man-Bat. Give the controller to Mr. Freeze for now; he needs to arrange the mission, and I don't trust that beast. Thor, don't you find your current ending quite interesting?"

Ma Ma Zhaodi said nothing.

The Joker pursed his lips.

"Fine, it wasn't very funny anyway. You may leave."

"Yes, Boss." ×2

Inside the office, the Penguin brought Ma Ma Zhaodi to meet Mr. Freeze and Man-Bat. Mr. Freeze still wore that expression of deep-seated grievance, while Man-Bat was exactly what his name suggested—a giant, human-shaped bat.

"Thor, these two will be your companions from now on: Mr. Freeze, Victor Fries, and Man-Bat, Kirk Langstrom."

"Hello, Mr. Thor."

Mr. Freeze extended his hand in a gesture of friendliness. Man-Bat stood still, making no move; his claws were unsuitable for shaking hands—in fact, his sanity was not entirely clear at the moment.

Naturally, Ma Ma Zhaodi made no response.

"My apologies, let me explain briefly," the Penguin said to the angrily glaring Mr. Freeze. "Mr. Thor was ordered by the Riddler yesterday to assassinate the Mad Hatter but failed. He is currently under control, retaining only basic motor functions. He cannot think, nor will he react to external stimuli."

Mr. Freeze's expression softened: "So, he hasn't been turned by us?"

"Correct. All his actions are now controlled by us. And this is his remote—Victor, keep it safe."

"No problem." Mr. Freeze secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he took the remote. "I've seen the Mad Hatter use this thing before. I guess I probably don't need the instruction manual."

"That's good. Please remember, do not casually release his mental control, at least not while unprepared. As for other matters, he will obey whatever you order."

Mr. Freeze smiled and assured the Penguin: "Of course, I won't casually release his control."

"However, just to be on the safe side, I'd like to confirm which button releases the control. Is that alright?"

(End of Chapter)