I Love Gotham

For Li Ang, there was good news.

The Iceberg Lounge had finished renovations, and he had to go back to work.

Going to work was actually good news, but that was the reality for the people of Gotham.

Having a job meant being able to survive.

He returned home and found Kara already waiting obediently inside.

Kara had gotten back faster than him.

"Godfather, can I go try out my abilities on my own from now on?"

Kara said excitedly to Li Ang.

He had wanted to say no, but looking at her eager eyes, he finally nodded.

As long as she was happy, that was fine.

"You can, but you have to be careful. Don't let anyone see you, don't tell anyone..."

Listening to Li Ang's words, Kara promised, "Don't worry, Godfather, no one can see me!"

She had already forgotten about the plane she saw earlier.

"So, have you learned how to fly?"

Li Ang asked after he finished speaking.

He had waited there for a long time, but Kara never came back.

And he didn't dare stay long near such a big pit, so he just left.

"No."

Kara said a little awkwardly.

"I feel like I'm still missing something."

But she didn't know what she was missing either.

Li Ang knew it was the sun's energy.

Kara was still young after all, and the Kryptonian physique had its own protective mechanisms, like how superpowers didn't all appear at once but gradually manifested.

Of course, the most important thing was that Gotham had too little sunlight. Although she could still absorb the sun's radiation energy, it was slower than in those sunnier cities.

If she were in Los Angeles, Kara would probably be flying all over the place by now.

Damn, she wouldn't really become the 'Shame of Krypton,' would she?

So Li Ang said, "Kara, remember to get more sun from now on."

"I understand."

Kara paused for a moment, then nodded.

After all, she already knew that basking in the sun gave her energy.

Then, Li Ang started making dinner.

He was trying to cook some simple dishes, and the results were pretty good.

After dinner, Li Ang said, "Tomorrow, wait for me to come back and take you to your new school. Get some rest early."

Hearing Li Ang's usual reminders, Kara no longer felt impatient but nodded obediently.

Walking down the street, Li Ang noticed that the security in the Diamond District had gotten worse.

Especially at night, certain races with astonishing talents appeared, taking advantage of the darkness to commit too many robberies.

He hadn't walked two steps before someone tried to mug him.

Li Ang wasn't panicked. He could tell at a glance that these weren't Penguin's men.

Because these people weren't wearing suits and ties.

"Do you have a Crime License?"

"Huh?"

The bewildered robbers exchanged glances.

And this time, Li Ang didn't need Frank to save the day.

"You can't even commit a crime right, and you still try to rob people."

Li Ang finished speaking and threw a Lightning Jab.

One man was knocked down, and the other quickly pulled a gun from his coat, but Li Ang snatched it away.

"Crack!"

With just a light squeeze, the pistol crumpled like a plastic toy.

"Get a good night's sleep."

Li Ang knocked this one out too.

Seeing that Li Ang was not someone to be trifled with, the other predatory criminals quickly shifted their targets.

Looking down the street, there didn't seem to be a single normal person.

In a place like Gotham, ordinary people simply didn't dare go out at night.

Iceberg Lounge.

Because it had reopened, despite what happened last time, it was still bustling.

But it was visibly clear that the defenses outside the club had been strengthened.

Groups of suited-up underlings stood outside the door, with lookouts posted upstairs.

Ever since his home base was hit last time, Penguin Cobblepot had become very protective of his nest.

Of course, last time was mainly because Sophia Falcone reacted too fast, and in the end, he hadn't killed Alberto Falcone.

He'd only given him a harsh lesson.

"Li Ang, we've been waiting for you."

Frank spoke up as soon as he saw Li Ang.

"What's the matter?"

"Boss Cobblepot is calling a meeting."

If that was the case, it had to be related to the Iceberg Lounge.

Entering the club, most of the other employees were already there, most of them looking terrified.

"That damn 'guy' robbed me of twenty bucks!"

"These people have no rules. I just got robbed, and before I'd gone far, someone else came to rob me again!"

"..."

In America, gangs had their own rules.

At least within gang territory, you'd only get robbed once. As long as you handed over the money, the next guys wouldn't bother you.

So most people who went out at night kept a few dozen dollars in cash on them—in a way, it was a good-luck charm.

And on Penguin's turf, as long as the employees said they worked at the Iceberg Lounge, the criminals with a 'Crime License' wouldn't rob them.

"Alright, get ready for work."

Li Ang said to the bartender and waitresses, then followed Frank inside.

Walking down the hallway, Frank spoke up. "Remember what I told you the first time?"

"Of course."

Li Ang nodded.

Back when he first met Frank and asked him how to get by at the Iceberg Lounge, Frank's answer was simple: working there meant treating yourself like a disabled person.

And severely disabled at that—you had to act blind, deaf, and mute!

That was the only way to stay safe.

Li Ang had done exactly that.

Although Penguin's operation was different from the Mafia and the Falcone family, the Omertà still applied.

Omertà meant that no one could snitch to the police; you had to keep silent. It was sacred and inviolable.

As long as you kept that rule, gang members wouldn't go after your family—they'd only go after you.

For Penguin, Alberto Falcone had clearly broken the rules, which was why he'd been furious enough to lead a raid on him.

That was also why Li Ang wouldn't snitch to James Gordon.

Frank was clearly reminding him now: act like you see nothing, hear nothing, and of course, say nothing.

Just listen to what Penguin had to say.

He knocked on the door.

It opened from the inside, and sure enough, a group of suited-up big shots was already seated.

Even Victor Saz had gotten used to this kind of dress.

If the lighting weren't so dim and they weren't in a hidden room, you'd probably think it was a financial industry party.

Li Ang and Frank each took a seat.

After a moment, Penguin Cobblepot slowly emerged from the back.

He wore a black tailcoat and a black top hat, using his umbrella like a cane, waddling as he walked like a penguin.

Soon, he set the tone for the meeting.

"I love Gotham. This is my home."

Penguin Cobblepot said slowly, "My father, my grandfather, my grandfather's grandfather... they all lived here. My ancestors built this city. I will not allow anyone to destroy it!"