Chapter 321: It's All Batman's Fault

As a CSI crime scene analyst and a scientific bookworm, Barry's statement was undoubtedly extremely cautious.

"No, what do you mean by saying he 'possibly' 'died in a car accident'?"

The three people in S. T. A. R. Labs had just breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Barry's on-site report; their brains immediately seemed to lag. After Cisco came to his senses, he was the first to ask into the microphone: "Barry, your location is a farm, and it's in such a remote suburb. Think clearly before you speak."

"I, I didn't lie." Barry was also somewhat incoherent: "Just now, a semi-trailer truck suddenly rushed out from who knows where. I don't know why it drove into the farm, then it flashed its headlights, blinding both of us, and then *bang* it knocked Clyde several meters away. He must be dead by now... oh right, I should first confirm if there's any possibility of his survival."

He flashed to Clyde's corpse, searching carefully. Cisco and the other two held their breath, waiting for his answer. A few seconds later, Barry's voice sounded again in the communicator: "No hope, he's not breathing. Actually, I feel like he's already a bit cold."

The three people in the lab looked at each other.

Dr. Harrison Wells' eyes flickered with light. He concentrated his thoughts but could not reach any conclusion, so he said to Barry: "Barry, bring Ma Dong's body back. Let's see if we can find any clues on him."

"Uh, probably not." Barry looked up at Joe, who was walking over: "Joe has already called for backup. We can't destroy the crime scene."

"... Alright."

The doctor made no further demands, but instead encouraged them: "Regardless, Cisco, Caitlin, Barry, you all did very well today. Go back and get a good sleep."

"Wells, what about you?"

"I'll be back shortly. Don't worry. I've been using a wheelchair for so long that I've long since adapted."

Seeing that Caitlin and Cisco still looked worried, the doctor sighed. The next second, the expression on his face turned Solemn, which made the two instantly feel a chill down their spines, because that was the expression Wells usually wore when preparing to criticize people on experimental projects.

"I'm going back right now."

"Goodnight, Dr."

The two left S. T. A. R. Labs at the speed of light with awkward smiles.

Ten minutes later, the doctor, sitting alone in an electric wheelchair, arrived in the corridor of S. T. A. R. Labs and reached out his hand toward a gray wall.

*Hiss—*

As a beam of blue light swept across his palm, a smooth, tiny mechanical voice sounded, and the wall beside him immediately split open to both sides, revealing a door.

White lights turned on, illuminating this small hidden room. After Wells entered, that familiar kind expression on his face immediately vanished, becoming cold and sharp.

"Gideon." He said: "Show me that future news report."

A female electronic voice immediately responded: "Yes."

As soon as the words fell, a newspaper instantly appeared before Wells in the form of a 3D projection. The headline on the front page was eye-catching, clearly written with "The Flash Disappears in a Crisis Incident," and the date of that report was April 25, 2024.

The doctor looked at that report, and the Solemn expression on his face gradually vanished. He finally smiled with satisfaction.

The next day, early morning, when the sun rose from the horizon, the police were already cleaning up the corpses and the house torn in half by the hurricane at Ma Dong's brothers' farm.

"Barry, did you go to the prison to see your father yesterday?"

"Ah, yes. I told him that I would soon find the real killer who murdered Mom."

Joe and Barry stood side by side at the edge of the farm, gazing at the sunlight after the storm.

"Barry." Joe's eyes clearly showed some relief, also carrying much guilt. He patted Barry beside him: "I'm sorry... I should have believed you."

"Joe" "No need to say more, Barry. You indeed did it."

Joe hugged Barry: "From the moment I saw Clyde on the road yesterday, I realized that there are indeed things in this world that exceed common sense. I realized that your father, my old friend, is innocent. I will pursue this matter—but Barry, promise me one thing."

"What?"

"Don't let Iris know what you're doing—the weakness of heroes is their families. If bad guys want to deal with you, they will definitely target Iris."

Looking at Joe's sincere eyes, Barry nodded.

"Today is a peaceful day too."

Ma Ma Zhaodi rode his small cart down the street, unable to help but sigh at the peace of life: "Central City is still good. Every time a villain goes down, life can be peaceful for a while. This is much better than Gotham..."

*Whoosh—*

As soon as the words fell, a golden-red lightning bolt carrying wind rushed past him, making him stagger and kicking up a cloud of dust.

The beautiful mood of the morning was instantly ruined, and a vein on Ma Ma Zhaodi's forehead bulged.

"Can you please look out for people when you're running?"

Fortunately, the food cart's cover automatically closed, blocking the dust and smoke; otherwise, today's pastries would have been ruined.

"Speed 544 kilometers per hour." In the earpiece, San San Bengzi's voice seemed a bit strained: "Don't get angry. At least he paid."

"?"

Confused, Ma Ma Zhaodi opened the cover. Sure enough, two of the neatly arranged Yunnan ham mooncakes were missing. Reaching into his pocket, he found a ten-dollar bill inside.

"No, I really have to control him... Did you deploy the nanobots?"

"Deployed, right inside the mooncakes—but didn't you say tracking a speedster is meaningless?"

"Incorrect. What I meant is that a 'normal person' tracking a speedster is meaningless."

Ma Ma Zhaodi explained: "But you are different. You are a silicon-based lifeform. Your brain itself is a top-tier computer. Your thinking speed and reaction speed far exceed those of normal people. When you grasp Barry Allen's movements, you can calculate, predict, and then counteract the instant he makes a move."

"You want me to collect the speedster's movement trajectory and behavioral data through the nanobots?"

"Yes. Build a model and algorithm to deal with speedsters. This will allow you to trade blows with other speedsters. With my help, you might even win."

"... Are you really a partner of justice?"

"Don't ask. If you ask, it's because others taught me well." Ma Ma Zhaodi immediately shifted the blame: "It's all Batman's fault—change the subject. Where did he go?"

"A fire broke out three blocks away—but Mr. Barry seems unable to control his speed yet. He ran nine blocks away."

"Fine." Ma Ma Zhaodi rolled his eyes: "Saving people is like putting out a fire. I won't hold a grudge this time."

"Sure?"

"Sure—never mind. Next time he steals pastries again, remember to give him a static shock."

PS: I have to take a day off tomorrow. Sorry, friends. My foot is swollen, I need to go see a doctor.

(End of this chapter)