Chapter 437

Lex and Bruce both moved to the boy's side, but neither helped him up—instead, they observed his condition, for his appearance and timing were far too strange.

"Sorry, could you help me up? I'm not feeling well." The boy coughed twice, then spoke.

Bruce made no move, only standing in place and asking: "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I'm Clark, Clark Kent. I already said—I'm a student in Metropolis. I saw smoke coming from the house and came to help put it out."

The boy named Clark sighed, then continued: "I just started college this year. My student ID is in my pocket—you can take it out and check. I'm not lying."

Bruce walked over, felt through his pockets, and indeed found a student ID: "Metropolis University, First-Year Student, Clark Kent, Journalism and Communications."

He put the ID into his own pocket, then stepped forward and helped Clark up. He supported Clark out of the ruined parlor and into a nearby guest room.

Clark lay on the bed, rested for a while, and seemed to feel better. He removed the gas mask from his face, revealing a handsome, striking face that rivaled Bruce's.

He took several deep breaths, then touched his chest and muttered: "Damn it, how did I…"

At that moment, the guest room door knocked. Lex opened it and found Saul standing outside.

fantuantanshu.

Bruce resumed staring at the bedsheet's pattern; Lex buried his gaze in the door handle's mechanism. Saul entered, saw the other man on the bed, paused, and turned to Bruce: "…That's not your helicopter engine, is it?"

Clark, having regained some strength, sat up on the bed. "Hello, I'm Clark. Thank you for saving me."

Saul narrowed his eyes, sizing up Clark. "Are you in high school or college?"

"I just started college this year—at Metropolis University. It's not far from here, so when I saw the smoke, I came right over."

"How did you get here?" Saul asked.

Bruce turned to look at Clark as well, clearly curious. Saul glanced out the window at the sky, then said: "If my guess is right, the snow depth now far exceeds what any vehicle can traverse."

"I walked."

"I once taught at Metropolis University. Though it's close, walking takes at least twenty minutes. Yet from ignition to visible smoke, less than three minutes passed…"

"I run fast. I'm this year's cross-country champion in my department." Clark struggled to explain.

Clearly, everyone in the room except Clark disbelieved his story. As Bruce prepared to press further, Saul said: "You look pale. What's wrong?"

"I just… suddenly felt unwell." Clark frowned. "Probably ran too hard just now."

He suddenly seemed to realize something, turning to Saul: "You're a professor at Metropolis University? I…"

"Emergency situation, right?" Saul finished for him. Clark relaxed visibly. "Thank you for understanding. I know the school told us not to go out…"

"Regardless of how you got here, clearly you're trapped like we are."

"Or…" Saul locked eyes with Clark. "Why don't you show us again—how you ran from the Mayor's Mansion to Metropolis University in three minutes?"

Clark shook his head like a bobblehead. "No, I'm tired."

Saul turned to Lex and Bruce. "I'd like to talk to him about recent developments at Metropolis University. If you've nothing better to do, go rest."

Lex looked like he wanted to say something, but Saul turned away immediately. He hesitated, then left the room. Bruce followed him out into the dim corridor and said: "You know something, don't you?"

"What do you mean?" Lex did not answer directly.

"That so-called treasure. Your father. The conspiracy two years ago. And that professor…"

"Oh, there you are." Selina appeared at the staircase. She glanced back at the ruined parlor across the hall and shook her head. "You two really are something—you actually blew this place up."

She then scanned Lex from head to toe. "Are you really a Metropolis citizen? Your level of destruction isn't common even in Gotham."

Lex seemed to have no interest in speaking to Selina. He stopped, turned to Bruce, and said: "I admit you're a genius—but nowhere near my level. Your so-called perfect helicopter engine? Pathetic."

"I can tell you this: I know a lot." Lex crossed his arms, staring into Bruce's eyes. "My father has spent years searching for a treasure. He hasn't come up empty."

"This banquet was his plan all along. He invited every East Coast elite here—to eliminate his rivals, and to create chaos, muddy the waters, and slip through unnoticed."

Bruce narrowed his eyes, locking gaze with Lex. "You're saying the treasure is here?"

"Correct." Lex gave a firm answer, then began pacing before Bruce.

"The Mayor's Mansion is Metropolis's oldest estate, built by the first European settlers. After they left the city, it became the official residence and office of every mayor."

"Everyone knows Metropolis, unlike Gotham, operates under a strong-mayor system. The mayor holds immense power. Before White, the previous mayor was widely expected to become president—under his leadership, Metropolis flourished."

"Some said he was a viable presidential candidate. But after leaving office, he vanished without a trace. Still, many rumors persist about him—including the one my father heard."

"He heard the mayor conducted secret radiation experiments, discovering a method to enhance the human body and brain—to create mutated humans with superior strength, extended lifespans, and heightened intellect."

Lex glanced at Bruce's expression. "I know it sounds like the delusion of a fool. But he did find evidence proving the mayor ran secret experiments beneath the Mayor's Mansion."

"He was obsessed with acquiring superhuman intellect. He investigated relentlessly—until he bought every building around the mansion, then orchestrated this event to infiltrate the underground chambers."

Lex stopped pacing and faced Bruce. "Metropolis's affairs belong to Metropolis. Whatever the mayor did underground is none of your concern. Go back to Gotham."

"You know what I'm truly interested in. What really happened in that conspiracy two years ago? And that professor…"

"I was inside the mansion then—but I never left my room. I don't know what happened within the estate."

"Then…"

"About that professor—I won't say a word."

Lex crossed his fingers in front of his mouth, forming an X. He lowered his hands, turned, and walked away—leaving behind a faintly malicious smile.

After he left, Selina approached, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Bruce. When they returned to the room, Bruce sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard, a rare look of fatigue on his face. He rarely showed such expression before outsiders, but Selina seemed accustomed to it.

"You seem upset?" Selina sat beside him, turning to study his face. "You're that curious about the professor's story?"

Bruce pressed his lips together. "If I can't determine his origin, I can't ignore his dangerous abilities."

"You don't trust him? But he seems to trust you."

"Where did you see that?"

"Didn't you notice? When Lex tried to attack you, he chose to stand by you."

Bruce shook his head. "I don't trust dangerous abilities. If they ever go out of control, I need a way to counter them…"

"Alright, let's talk about the treasure. I like finding treasure. What about you?" Selina smiled at Bruce.

"Lex told me there's a secret beneath the Mayor's Mansion—probably just to get me to scout for him."

"Yes, but…"

Selina deliberately stretched the word, drawing Bruce's gaze. Then Bruce saw her lift one finger—on its tip appeared a key.

"What if I picked up a key from him?"