Daredevil Joins

When Bai Jing woke up, it was already twelve thirty in the afternoon.

"The soundproofing is fucking amazing, the bed's insanely comfortable, and the light isn't harsh at all!" Bai Jing stood by the window, watching the bustling traffic below as he stretched lazily.

His bedroom had cost less than three hundred thousand dollars, yet it already had such great results.

Apparently, Zuckerberg had spent a hundred million dollars on security measures. He wondered how good that must have felt.

"I obviously don't love money, so why does having money feel this damn good?" Bai Jing scratched his head and looked around again.

"The surrounding walls could be replaced with holographic projections, so the environment could change depending on my mood. Then add an Artificial Intelligence to control the temperature and humidity, keeping the room in its most comfortable state at all times. That would eliminate the need for people to handle security too!"

Anyone could betray him, but Artificial Intelligence...

Well, that might not be reliable either.

He had no idea where his clothes had been tossed. There was, however, a set of loose clothing waiting for him: a dark blue shirt and a pair of pants he had no idea what to call.

He remembered only mentioning it in passing. He had not expected Denny to remember.

She might not have been suited to being that kind of secretary, but as a personal secretary, she was undeniably professional.

When he stepped outside, someone was sitting by the door. It was Ryan Daling.

Bai Jing casually asked, "Anything going on today?"

"Matt Murdock, whom you asked us to find, has arrived. He's waiting downstairs!" Ryan said softly.

Unlike The Punisher, who was off roaming God knew where, Matt Murdock was a lawyer with an open practice. He often took on cases for the poor and went against gangs, so he had quite a reputation.

"Mm! Mm?" Bai Jing froze, then quickened his pace and hurried downstairs.

From far away, he saw a handsome black-haired man with an elegant demeanor sitting steadily on the sofa. A cup of coffee sat before him, steam curling from it.

"Hello, hello!" Bai Jing hurriedly extended his hand. "You must have been waiting a long time. I'm terribly sorry. I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly. If I'd known, I would've gotten up earlier!"

"Not at all." Matt Murdock smiled and nodded. His smile and demeanor were impeccable. Bai Jing's gaze was sharp, yet he could not find even the slightest trace of impatience in Murdock.

He carefully examined the first hero he had encountered since coming to this world.

Daredevil looked like an ordinary man. His features carried a gentle, approachable refinement, and his smile was warm. Though blind, he was confident and spirited, filled with love for the world and for life.

If he had to compare him to someone similar, that person would be Hua Manlou.

"Matt Murdock. This is my business card." Matt Murdock took out his card and handed it to Bai Jing.

"My surname is Bai. You can call me Bai Kunlun." Bai Jing accepted the card.

He was not lying. What was Kunlun? A mirror!

Ryan, standing nearby, was somewhat speechless. They had only just learned that their boss's surname was Bai, yet this newly arrived blind man knew it the moment he showed up.

Ryan felt that his position had been threatened.

"So, Mr. Bai, did you ask me here because you have a lawsuit that needs my help?" Matt Murdock asked.

"Here's the situation." Bai Jing smiled. He did not mind Matt Murdock concealing things and said, "I'm a law-abiding citizen, so after taking control of the Gray Squirrel Gang, I don't intend to touch illegal or criminal matters anymore. I was wondering whether I could earn money by charging protection fees while also maintaining public security in my territory!"

"No one here understands the law, so I wanted to ask you whether there's a reasonable and legal way to achieve that goal."

"Hmm?" Matt Murdock blinked, taking a moment to process it.

What?

A gang wanted to obey the law?

What a ridiculous thing to say!

Yet he really could not avoid considering Bai Kunlun's proposal.

After all, the previous boss had been the one committing evil. Bai Kunlun had clearly only just taken power. If he wanted to do legitimate business, that was entirely possible.

"I understand what you mean." Matt Murdock nodded. "You want to transform your current gang into a private security company, then use that security company to protect the area under your control while collecting a certain fee as payment!"

Bai Jing nodded. "That's it. So, is it troublesome to set up?"

Matt Murdock shook his head. "Not at all. Since 2001, after the planes hit the buildings, the demand for security companies in America has risen sharply. Every state has loosened its requirements for registering security companies. In New York State, as long as you are at least eighteen, have no criminal record, possess at least a high school education, and can pass a psychological evaluation, you can register a security company!"

"I see." Bai Jing nodded. "What about fees, then? Would there be a problem if I charged ten percent?"

"There's no issue with how much you charge, as long as you don't force people to buy!" Matt said this with some guilt. How could a gang possibly avoid coercion?

Still, if they could honestly work in security, it would count as a legitimate profession. That was better than continuing to sell drugs!

Bai Jing nodded. "Then it seems like I can get started?"

"No, no, no!" Matt shook his head. "There may be no issue with the American government, but there's a huge problem in Hell's Kitchen!"

"There are more than a hundred organizations in Hell's Kitchen, with over a hundred thousand people involved in gang activity. It's fine if you only do small-scale community security work, but if you openly claim territory, you'll be making an enemy of all Hell's Kitchen!"

Matt said seriously, "You'll die without even a place to bury your body!"

"Are you here to persuade me to give up?" Bai Jing leaned back against the sofa.

"I just think you should consider it more carefully..." This was someone who wanted to change Hell's Kitchen. Matt Murdock did not want to watch him die beneath gangsters' guns.

"What if I gradually expand my sphere of influence until it covers all of Hell's Kitchen?" Bai Jing continued.

Matt Murdock froze and fell silent for a long time.

"Then perhaps... it would stir up a bloody storm."

"Then what's your opinion?" Bai Jing asked. "Do it or not?"

Matt Murdock shook his head. "In such a short time, you took control of two gangs, and judging by their attitude toward you, they respect you greatly. It's clear that you are an exceptionally capable and outstanding young man!"

"But your thinking is still too naive!" Matt Murdock said. "All of Hell's Kitchen has more than a hundred gangs and over a hundred thousand people!

There are Asians, Europeans, South Americans, and Africans. Yellow people, white people, black people, and brown people. People who believe in Protestantism, Catholicism, Islam, Mormonism, and Eastern Orthodoxy.

They speak English, Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese. They target and hate one another, and their sins have continued for hundreds of years!

With such a complicated population, it might still be possible merely to form a united alliance. But to unify them according to your method? There is absolutely no possibility of that!"

Bai Jing shook his head. "Have you forgotten? They have one thing in common: they are all Americans now!"

Bai Jing rose to his feet, walked to the window, and looked at the scenery outside. "Since they can submit to America's rule, they can naturally submit to mine as well!"

Matt Murdock was about to say something, but Bai Jing continued, "They have another thing in common: they are a group of ignorant, obedient people who long for better lives!"

"They don't dare start a revolution or rebel. Even with life this difficult, they do not dare point their knives and guns at the government. Instead, they point them at others who are just as weak. Such people are the easiest to rule. So long as I hold power in one hand and justice in the other, then give them a comfortable order, I believe they'll submit!"

"How many people would have to die?" Matt Murdock abruptly stood. "An ambitious man like you is even more terrifying than Kingpin."

If he had not currently been here as a lawyer, he would have grabbed his cane and attacked already!

"You don't like order, Attorney Matt?" Bai Jing turned around and asked in surprise.

"Who wouldn't like order?" Matt Murdock said. "But order bought with power and blood will only bring even greater pain!"

"You're too naive." Bai Jing shook his head. "You only see the hundred thousand gang members who may die. Have you considered the other millions of people in Hell's Kitchen?"

Matt Murdock shook his head. "Gangsters' lives are lives too!"

"But when weeds grow in a wheat field, does the farmer leave them alone?" Bai Jing looked at Matt Murdock, certain that he could feel his gaze. "I heard you have always represented poor people who suffered injustice, fighting for their rights?"

"But have you ever considered that if the world does not change, every person you save will be accompanied by ten more equally unfortunate people being born? If you can save ten, another hundred equally unfortunate people will be born into this world!"

"But..." Matt Murdock fell silent.

"Or do you have a better way?" Bai Jing continued.

More silence.

If he had a solution, he would not be running through streets and alleys every day as a superhero!

It was precisely because he did not know how to deal with the broken order left behind after Kingpin disappeared that, even after defeating Kingpin, he could not kill him.

Some fans said that scene was comparable to Nameless sparing King Qin. What utter bullshit.

Was Kingpin even worthy?

"Do you know Batman?" Bai Jing asked again.

Matt Murdock nodded.

Naturally, the Marvel Universe did not have Marvel stories, but it had DC. Batman and Superman were equally beloved by the public.

"How would you evaluate Batman?" Bai Jing asked.

"He is a great man... and a tragic one." For the sake of his city, he worked tirelessly, yet the world had not improved. Instead, the situation only worsened.

Was that not a reflection of Matt Murdock himself?

That was why he could empathize so deeply with Batman.

"But I think he's an idiot." Bai Jing said calmly. "As the head of the Wayne Family, a billionaire rich enough to rival nations and the major capitalist behind Gotham City, what would happen if he pushed construction projects, focused on production, valued education, and ensured that everyone in Gotham City had work and books to read?"

Matt Murdock looked up in shock. Could things actually be done that way?

But if he truly followed Bai Jing's train of thought, Gotham City could indeed become safe and orderly. Batman would not need to work so tirelessly at all!

"But he did nothing. All he knew was how to catch criminals. Then he wouldn't kill them; he'd lock them up and let them escape again. As a result, more and more criminals got out, and the harm they caused grew greater and greater!"

"What could have been solved with one death ends with thousands or tens of thousands dead. The criminals are still at large, and then he goes home and laments why the world is so difficult!"

"But wasn't all of it created by him?"

"This is the difference between petty kindness and great kindness!" Bai Jing said calmly. "You're a kind person, so you pity the lives of those scum. But that is only petty kindness. If you look at it from the perspective of all Hell's Kitchen, you'll realize that Hell's Kitchen would be better off without those people. That is true great kindness."

"Petty kindness... great kindness?" Matt Murdock was not someone incapable of listening to others. It was precisely because he had listened that he stood there blankly.

He sank into deep thought.

What have I been doing all these years?

Was all my running around for nothing?

Watching Matt Murdock sink into thought, Bai Jing was actually somewhat disappointed.

Matt had the common flaws of the white liberals often seen in film and television.

A Saint Mother, someone who only shouted slogans without any real program.

His mind was not particularly sharp either. He had not noticed the trap in Bai Jing's words.

The vision Bai Jing painted was sweet, and theoretically, it could indeed be achieved.

But once human factors and political factors were added in, everything would change.

For example, some people simply did not want to work. They only wanted welfare benefits, and prison did not bother them.

For example, some people did not want those at the bottom to receive higher education. They would rather have them live muddleheaded lives.

The same policy was honey in China, but in America, it would become arsenic.

Matt was merely an ordinary person who had received a higher education. His perspective and worldview were only at the level of an ordinary person.

He was even far inferior to the vast number of readers sitting in front of their phones.

He could only serve as a cadre and carry out policies. Asking him to accomplish anything groundbreaking was impossible.

Still, there was no one else available right now, so Bai Jing would make do. At least he was a hero!

"So, what do you say? Want to give it a try?" Bai Jing held out his hand. "Join us, and fight for Hell's Kitchen's better tomorrow!"

Matt Murdock let out a sigh.

I've failed for so many years. Perhaps it's time to try another way?

After a long silence, he raised his head. "Did you know who I was all along?"

After all, there was no reason for Bai Jing to say so much to a blind lawyer.

Bai Jing must have known he was Daredevil.

"Is that important?" Bai Jing asked.

"Yes. It isn't important anymore." Matt Murdock shook his head. "Perhaps people don't need a Daredevil."

He held out his hand and clasped Bai Jing's palm. "I hope you truly are as you say. Otherwise, the other me will return!"

"Just watch."

I've always felt that not showing the ideological advantages of being a successor to socialism in Marvel is an enormous waste.

Also, this chapter was 3,900 words. At first, I considered splitting it, but then I decided against it.

After all, I've never attended training on chapter breaks. I personally hate it when a story cuts off right at the exciting part, but as an author, it seems I should master that skill.

I'll find a chance to learn it later.

And finally, lurk if you want, but could you at least cast a vote?