DC Universe.
Gotham, Dirk Street.
Hogg United's new headquarters is located here, adjacent to the Aylesbury Community on the left and Hogg Street on the right.
Outwardly, it appears to be a small used car dealership, serving as a cover.
Though called small, it's not truly tiny. The automotive industry in Europe and America is quite developed, so even a small used car dealership occupies over half an acre—roughly 2,000 square meters.
Large used car dealerships are typically chain brands, some spanning over ten acres and housing hundreds or thousands of vehicles, far more than just a simple store.
It was only because Hogg United had grown so much, becoming the largest gang in the area, that they were able to open such a establishment.
And only a place this large would be suitable for a major gang whose personnel had expanded to over a hundred people.
Currently, there are only a dozen placeholder used cars in the showroom. The accountant is looking for channels to make the dealership appear more legitimate.
After all, a properly run used car dealership can generate significant profit and also serves as an excellent money laundering front.
Beyond the customer lounge, sales office, and vehicle maintenance area behind the showroom, lies Qingshui's private laboratory.
Of the over 2,000 square meters of the used car dealership, more than 300 square meters are occupied by Qingshui's private lab.
"Alright, I understand, I'm not lying to you, this is all the sample there is. One of the materials can't be found? Which material? An unknown organic compound, how would I know? If you can't find it, ask Mr. Victor if he can find a substitute. That's all."
Qingshui spoke to Two-Face, holding the phone between his ear and shoulder, while placing the remaining nearly ten milliliters of Titan Formula into the freezer.
How could he possibly give all the Titan Venom to Two-Face and Mr. Freeze? Even if he might not need the rest in the future, it could serve as a souvenir, a memento of his days in Arkham Asylum!
After ending the call with Two-Face, Qingshui resumed his work.
And his current job, for now, was...
Tailor.
There was still some high-strength flexible rubber fiber, a specialty of Wayne Enterprises, left over from when he made Black Gold's biomimetic muscle lining. Qingshui had the idea to use these scraps to create new Puppet accessories.
Coincidentally, a riot broke out at Blackgate Prison that night, and headlines once again featured Batman in his sexy black bodysuit, protecting Gotham with his cape.
This gave Qingshui the idea to create a cape that, like Batman's, would be fireproof, waterproof, and bulletproof.
But just that felt a bit wasteful. After all, Qingshui didn't have the same cross-dressing fetish as these superheroes; going out in a cape would basically tell everyone he had issues!
So, the cape was redesigned into a trench coat.
Conveniently, one of the gang members had been a tailor. After learning a few tricks from him, Qingshui purchased new materials and began production.
He used a blend of Wayne Enterprises' high-strength flexible rubber fiber and Kevlar fibers as the inner padding of the trench coat to ensure its elasticity and defensive capabilities.
In Qingshui's vision, this semi-Puppet device, named "Swift," could be worn as a trench coat normally, providing bulletproof, waterproof, and fireproof functions.
When Qingshui himself combined with Black Gold, Swift could also connect internally with Black Gold.
It might not play a significant role in actual combat, at most serving as a buffer and isolation layer.
But it would be incredibly useful when trying to escape.
Assuming they encountered a danger Black Gold couldn't handle, all of Black Gold's cylinder linings would simultaneously redirect the power of the air pumps through modified reverse levers, applying it to Swift.
Coupled with the elasticity provided by the built-in springs, Qingshui could be launched outwards.
However, this launch had two settings. If only Qingshui + Swift were launched, even accounting for mechanical energy loss, Qingshui could easily be propelled over a hundred meters into the air.
At this point, the Chakra Threads could be used to unfurl Swift, turning it into a paraglider for an escape flight.
Therefore, Swift didn't need a memory metal skeleton inside like Batman's cape.
If the second setting was chosen to launch Qingshui + Swift + Black Gold together, due to Black Gold's heavy mass, it would only be equivalent to a gliding leap, and one with a long cooldown at that, serving as a method to enhance mobility.
He kept busy until nightfall.
"Perfect."
Qingshui clapped his hands in satisfaction, examining the trench coat before him.
It was predominantly black, with a touch of white for accent, a slim fit, and a split tail resembling a swallow's tail.
It's truly me; only I could design such a functional and fashionable garment. If I get the chance later, I can have my main body make something similar. If it could be combined with the Wind Rush Technique, the gliding height and speed should be incredibly fast.
Actually, this design was something Qingshui had casually copied from a brand online that he found aesthetically pleasing.
Though due to his lack of skill, he hadn't copied it perfectly, and there were many differences from the original, it at least looked somewhat decent.
"Boss, it's twenty minutes until seven. Mr. Cobblepot sent you an invitation this morning to discuss a business deal at the Iceberg Lounge."
At 6:40 PM, the accountant found Qingshui, who was adjusting the frayed edges of the trench coat's tail with a needle and thread, and spoke while holding a schedule.
He was now essentially Qingshui's chief secretary for managing Hogg United.
"Let's go then. Remember to put Black Gold in the car."
Qingshui gestured to the black steel giant standing by the wall.
His subordinates would automatically disassemble Black Gold into multiple parts and place them in the car's trunk.
...
...
Fifteen minutes later.
Several cars slowly pulled up to the entrance of the Iceberg Lounge.
Aman, Qingshui's driver, was the first to exit, opening the car door for Qingshui.
"Oh, my dear friend, your outfit today is truly tasteful."
The portly Penguin, leaning on his umbrella, saw Qingshui step out and enthusiastically approached him for a handshake.
He was wearing a black tailcoat suit with a white shirt underneath.
Though all custom-made designer wear, Penguin's physique made anything he wore look somewhat comical.
Just like his nickname, Penguin, with his round body, white belly, and black outer layer.
In contrast, Qingshui, also in a black-and-white color scheme, looked quite handsome in his well-fitted trench coat, given his tall and rather robust build.
"You're not bad yourself, my friend."
Qingshui replied to the enthusiastic Penguin with a feigned smile and insincere words.
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