A Meeting of Two Heroes at the Hongmen Banquet

Just as Bruce was preparing to leave the Daily Planet building, an encrypted message from Alfred came through.

"Sir, you've just received an electronic invitation from LexCorp."

Bruce settled into the back seat of the Rolls-Royce and turned on the in-car display. An exquisitely designed invitation, brimming with futuristic flair, appeared before him.

"Lex Luthor is inviting me to a private charity dinner at Lex Tower tonight." Bruce looked at the invitation, a cold smile curling at his lips. "That was fast."

"He made a special note," Alfred's voice continued. "'To ensure the dinner's openness and transparency, Mr. Wayne is sincerely invited to bring along a journalist friend from the Daily Planet.'"

"Oh?" Bruce raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding Luthor's intentions.

Two birds with one stone. He could use the media to put this Gotham upstart in his place, while taking the opportunity to preach his 'humanity first, beware extraterrestrial threats' doctrine to Superman's mouthpiece—the Daily Planet. What a conceited bastard.

Bruce was filled with contempt for hypocrites like Luthor. He spoke of the future and science, yet secretly dealt with the Cosmic Tyrant, trying to gain the power to destroy the world. He hated Superman not because Superman was a threat, but because Superman had stolen the one spotlight that should have belonged to him. His evil was built on a diseased sense of pride and jealousy.

"Alfred, reply for me. Tell him I'm honored to accept Mr. Luthor's invitation," Bruce ordered. "Also, call Perry White, editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet. Tell him I personally admire Mr. Clark Kent's professionalism and hope he can accompany me again tonight for the follow-up coverage."

Have Clark come too. I'd like to see how Luthor performs his Superman-smearing routine with Superman himself sitting right in front of him. This should be a very entertaining show.

That evening, Lex Tower.

This Metropolis landmark stood in the night like a black sword piercing the heavens, its entire structure glowing with an icy blue light that represented technology and wealth.

The dinner was held in the observation hall on the top floor. Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows stretched Metropolis's dazzling nightscape. Elegantly dressed guests held champagne glasses and chatted cheerfully to the strains of classical music, while the air was thick with money and power.

The moment Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent entered the hall together, they drew everyone's attention.

Bruce had changed into a more formal black tailcoat, making him appear even taller and more handsome. A flawless social smile rested on his face as he calmly nodded to guests who greeted him, as though he were the true host of the evening.

Clark, at Bruce's side, seemed somewhat out of place. He was still wearing the cheap suit from earlier that day. Faced with such extravagance, he looked a little at a loss and could only stay close behind Bruce like a restrained intern.

Just then, the crowd parted. The host of the dinner—Lex Luthor—approached them with a smile, surrounded by a group of assistants.

"Bruce! My friend!" Luthor spread his arms and gave Bruce an enthusiastic hug, as though they were old friends reunited after years apart. "I never expected Gotham's prince to honor my little party with his presence!"

"Lex." Bruce smiled and patted him on the back. They separated, and the instant their eyes met, sparks seemed to crackle in the air.

This was a silent contest. Luthor was asserting, through the bearing of a host, that this was his territory. Bruce, meanwhile, showed through his unhurried composure that Luthor's presence had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Your parties are never 'little,' Lex," Bruce said with a smile. "Besides, I heard the best champagne in Metropolis is served here. I wouldn't want to miss it."

Luthor laughed heartily, as though he had heard something amusing. His gaze then shifted to Clark behind Bruce.

"This must be the Daily Planet's rising star, Mr. Clark Kent." Luthor took the initiative to offer his hand. "I've read your reports. Sharp writing, distinctive perspectives. Welcome."

"Hello, Mr. Luthor." Clark hurriedly shook his hand, neither servile nor arrogant. His super senses allowed him to clearly catch the fleeting contempt in Luthor's eyes when he said, "Sharp writing."

The conversation among the three continued at the dinner table. This was no longer an interview, but a genuine contest filled with verbal barbs and traps.

"Bruce, I have to admit, your fifty-billion-dollar Blüdhaven Revival Plan is an impressive undertaking." Luthor cut into the premium steak on his plate and spoke as if casually. "But that city... like Gotham, it's rotten to the core. No matter how much money you throw at it, you'll only treat the symptoms, not the cause. The real threat doesn't come from poverty. It comes from those... uncontrollable forces."

As he said this, he gave Clark a pointed glance.

Bruce dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin and smiled in reply. "I believe the real threat comes from those who try to play God and control everything. They wave the banner of 'humanity's future,' but they only want to satisfy their own diseased need for control. Placing all hope in a single 'savior' is itself the most dangerous thing of all, isn't it?"

His words were both a warning to Luthor and something meant for Clark to hear.

Sitting between them, Clark felt as though he were perched on pins and needles. He could hear the blades concealed behind every word exchanged between two of the wealthiest men on Earth. Luthor was frantically implying that Superman was a threat, while Bruce was warning him to beware ambitious men like Luthor.

At last, Luthor set down his knife and fork. He looked at Bruce, finally revealing his true intent.

"Bruce, we stand at the pinnacle of human intelligence. We should join hands and lead humanity toward a safer, more controllable future, rather than placing our fate in the hands of an... outsider." He paused, then looked at Clark with a smile. "Mr. Kent, don't you agree? How can we trust a 'hero' who doesn't even dare reveal his true identity?"

Under the lights of the hall, Luthor's smile was confident and charming, but in his eyes gleamed the cold light of a venomous snake.