American Comics: The Strongest Villain

"If I could get a photo of Batman, it would definitely be a classic," Su Sheng mused with a grin as he stowed the camera away in his backpack.

Harley Quinn, who had just closed the door, paused when she heard this. She turned to Su Sheng with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Are you leaving?"

"Gotham under Bane's rule has become unbearably dull," Su Sheng said dismissively. "There's no chaos from the usual neurotic villains, and Batman's game of cat and mouse is nowhere to be seen. A quiet life here is a waste of time. Where should we head next? Metropolis? I hear Superman is still missing. Central City? The Flash is probably dealing with his own issues. Or maybe Star City? The Green Arrow could be an interesting encounter, or perhaps we could find ourselves among a ragtag team of second- and third-tier heroes and villains. Time travel could be quite entertaining." He spoke with an air of detached amusement, clearly contemplating his next move.

Although Harley Quinn didn't fully grasp all of Su Sheng's musings, it was clear that he was growing bored with Gotham. "Will you take me with you?" she asked, her voice tinged with eagerness.

"What would I take you for?" Su Sheng raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his tone.

"I could be your pillow," Harley Quinn suggested hopefully. "You always need someone to hold to fall asleep, right?"

Su Sheng turned away, as if searching for something. "I'm tired of that. I'm moving on."

Harley Quinn's expression fell. As a kidnapper, she should have felt relieved at the prospect of regaining her freedom. She should have been glad that Gotham might be saved and order restored. Yet, instead, she felt a deep sadness, as if she were being abandoned once again. It echoed the abandonment she had felt when her father had left her and her mother.

The psychological games she had been studying seemed irrelevant now. The time spent with Su Sheng had fostered a sense of warmth and dependency that Harley Quinn hadn't anticipated. The thought of being left behind weighed heavily on her.

"Will you come back?" she asked, her voice hopeful.

"Maybe," Su Sheng replied, shrugging as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. "If Gotham ever becomes exciting and interesting again, I might come back."

"When will you return?" Harley pressed, her voice laced with desperation.

"Not sure," Su Sheng said nonchalantly, pushing open the door. "I'll be going now."

Even though he hadn't yet decided on his next destination, Su Sheng was determined to acquire a new vehicle first. The Batmobile, for instance—an impressive vehicle that could run and fly, with a sleek design and numerous functions—was just what he needed. He wasn't certain of its location, but that wouldn't deter him. He planned to visit Gotham City Hall, find Bane, and swap Batgirl for the vehicle. After all, he had promised Batgirl he'd deal with Bane, but that didn't mean the two couldn't overlap. Bringing Batgirl along to confront Bane, then disposing of him, seemed like an efficient plan. The implications of Batgirl's fear or Bane's anger were secondary concerns.

As Su Sheng left, he headed toward Gotham City Hall. His thoughts were interrupted when a figure darted past him, vanishing into a nearby alley. The woman moved with remarkable agility—Miranda Tate, known publicly as Gotham's new philanthropist and a board member of the Wayne Foundation. However, her real identity was Talia al Ghul, the mastermind behind the current upheaval in Gotham.

Talia had deceived Batman, manipulating him and seizing control of Wayne Enterprises. Her actions had led to significant losses for the Wayne fortune and contributed to Gotham's chaos. Her ruthlessness and ambition intrigued Su Sheng.

Opting for action over speculation, Su Sheng followed her into the alley.

Entering the alley, Su Sheng found himself in a dead-end. To his left, a door was slightly ajar, revealing a narrow gap. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind him and plunging the room into darkness.

The silence was shattered by a sharp gust of wind, signaling an attack. Su Sheng's instincts kicked in. His ability to copy and master various skills, including world-class combat techniques and heightened perception, allowed him to react swiftly. He sensed the danger and pivoted, catching sight of a dagger whistling toward him.

With practiced ease, Su Sheng grabbed the dagger mid-air, his movements precise and controlled. He then threw it into the dark corner where he had sensed the threat. The dagger embedded itself into the wall with a sharp thud.

Satisfied with his aim, Su Sheng found the light switch and flicked it on. The room illuminated, revealing an abandoned warehouse. To his left, a woman leaned against the wall, her face a mix of shock and pain. She wore a blue dress, and a bloodstain marred the exposed part of her left shoulder where the dagger had grazed her.

The sudden light made her squint. She looked up at Su Sheng with surprise and questioned him. "You're Su Sheng, aren't you? Why are you here? Didn't Batgirl come to see you?"

Su Sheng surveyed her calmly, recognizing the gravity of the situation. "I arrived before she did. What's your game, Talia?"

Talia's expression was a mix of pain and defiance. "I didn't expect you to be involved. What do you want?"

Su Sheng's eyes narrowed as he considered his next move. Gotham's web of intrigue was as complex as it was dangerous, and he was determined to navigate it to his advantage.