"What? Master Thomas killed all the criminals in Gotham?"
Alfred was extremely shocked after hearing Thomas's story from Fang Yuan.
Not just him, even Bruce's eyes widened.
Killing all the Gotham criminals and making Gotham the safest city in the World?
Bruce even wondered if the phrases "Gotham" and "safest city in the World" had a grammatical error when put together; they just didn't seem to fit.
From the first moment he saw Thomas until now, Bruce only felt that Thomas was very kind and gentle, but he showed no special expression when he saw classic Batman villains like Deathstroke and Joker.
Bruce had initially thought his father's work environment was much better than his own, without the Joker causing trouble. Now it seemed the truly ruthless one was actually his father!
Joker?
He estimated that even if there was one, he would have already taken care of him.
Fred frowned, "That's too—too bloody, and extremely dangerous. I personally strongly advise against it."
A Batman who kills wouldn't cultivate a Gotham fan club; he would only have a large group of villains who want to get rid of him quickly.
"Of course, you used to say that too," Thomas recalled.
Fred suddenly felt a premonition, "Master Thomas, in your timeline, I couldn't persuade you?"
"No, you did persuade me. I didn't use extreme measures against criminals at first," Thomas's voice was low, "until they—killed you."
Bruce's heart tightened, and he unconsciously gripped his father's arm.
Only Batman himself knew that Batman + Butler-man was the complete Batman.
Alfred's existence allowed him to fulfill both identities, Bruce Wayne and Batman. Fred was not only his logistical backbone but also the cultivator of Bruce's justice, discipline, and calm demeanor, and the maintainer of Batman's good nature, always bringing him the warmth of home in the darkness.
Therefore, losing Fred was an extremely unacceptable thing for any Batman. This kind of stimulus had even caused Batman to turn dark in the past.
Seeing the atmosphere on the field become serious, Fred took out his phone, pretending to make a call.
Fang Yuan cooperatively asked, "What are you going to do?"
Fred and Fang Yuan played along, "I'm calling the insurance company to have them add a few more policies for me."
"Ha!"
Bruce and Thomas didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but after Fred and Fang Yuan's deliberate mischief, the atmosphere returned to being relaxed.
From beginning to end, even knowing he might die, Fred never flinched.
Where Bruce went, he went.
"Thank you, Alfred," Thomas sincerely thanked Fred, "for everything you've done!"
He knew that in this World, after his wife and he met their demise, Fred had de facto assumed the responsibility of Bruce's father.
Fred shook his head, "Compared to me, you are the one who worked the hardest."
Thomas looked at Bruce and said firmly, "It's worth it!"
If he hadn't become Batman, he wouldn't have had the chance to help Bruce trick omega and save his son.
When he rescued Bruce from omega, he felt an unprecedented sense of redemption!
It was as if in that alley many years ago, he had finally saved his child.
This alone made Thomas feel that all the setbacks he had endured were worth it.
Thomas and Fred exchanged glances, both showing the smile of an old father.
And Bruce, who had been watching them, was also filled with emotion. He had once thought he had lost his father, but now he actually had two fathers, and the root of all this was Fang Yuan's appearance.
He looked at Fang Yuan gratefully. Fang Yuan also noticed his movement; he could read Bruce's expression even without Telepathy.
So Fang Yuan directly tilted his head back.
This immense favor, you will never be able to repay!
Only by working like an ox or a horse for Vought Corporation as its top star can you repay even one ten-thousandth of it.
Bruce, of course, understood the meaning of Fang Yuan's expression, and he couldn't help but laugh wryly.
He knew that Fang Yuan was someone who expected repayment for favors.
But Bruce didn't mind; everyone has selfish motives, and Fang Yuan was good in that he made a huge contribution first, then discussed compensation with them.
So Bruce did not intend to be perfunctory about Vought Corporation's matters.
Living a new life, Bruce Wayne was darker and more unscrupulous than before.
With Superman as a precedent, he decided to further perfect his Superhero countermeasure plan to prevent the destruction of the World by Superman from recurring.
Shifting Clark Kent's personality towards a more positive direction was not only his desire for Superman to return to his inner goodness but also a part of his countermeasure plan.
Prevention is the best countermeasure.
The same applied to other Superheroes. Although Bruce told Fang Yuan he didn't want to interfere with their life trajectories,
lest they fail to become Superheroes.
But from the fact that he immediately ascertained the current status of various heroes, it was clear that he had all the necessary surveillance in place.
However, even so, the countermeasure plan was not entirely comprehensive.
For example, Bruce had never even considered preparing a countermeasure plan for Thomas and Fred.
Because he knew these two would never be against him; in fact, if needed, Thomas and Fred would calmly face death!
Even if he might be the Batman with the darkest heart, he was willing to firmly believe this.
Another special person in his countermeasure plan was Fang Yuan.
Because even though he possessed the memories of many Batmen, Fang Yuan was a first-time encounter.
Moreover, Fang Yuan's upper limit was on par with Darkseid. Although Bruce knew from Thomas that Fang Yuan had likely used unknown methods for a temporary boost that time, Bruce directly assumed Fang Yuan could repeat its use.
So, countering Fang Yuan in combat was difficult.
However, Bruce hadn't actually considered restricting Fang Yuan in combat for now, nor could he at present.
So Bruce decided to adopt another form of countermeasure—catering to his preferences.
The purpose of countermeasures is to have a response when someone turns dark; wouldn't preventing someone from turning dark be the best countermeasure?
Fang Yuan was too mysterious, and he had too little information, so Bruce temporarily ignored the possibility of Fang Yuan suddenly turning dark.
Generally, conventional darkening has traceable signs, usually stemming from encountering distressing events.
Bruce remembered a line the Joker said: "All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy."
Fang Yuan helped them restart the World just to open Vought Corporation and sign Superheroes.
He had asked Thomas what Vought Corporation was, and it was similar to a regular celebrity management company.
If that was the case, then going along with Fang Yuan's wishes would naturally keep him on the same side.
This was also why Bruce, knowing Fang Yuan would benefit from the signings, still let Fang Yuan have his way.
Now, after signing, he found it had no effect on him. He had felt it carefully, and there was no possibility of being manipulated through it. So Bruce felt that having Superheroes join Vought Corporation in exchange for Fang Yuan, a powerful helper, was a worthwhile deal.
He didn't trust Fang Yuan's character, but Bruce believed that Fang Yuan's extensive efforts for this World were definitely for profit.
Shared interests make friends.
You will get 90 chapter ahead for this fanfiction.
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