God Among Men

Li Ang was very alert now. The moment he heard the sound, he got up.

He went to the window and immediately spotted a Batarang lodged there.

"Batman."

Li Ang's heart tightened, though he was not particularly surprised.

Ever since his fight with Batman, he had known Batman would definitely keep an eye on him.

For someone with "persecution delusions," it would have been stranger if Batman had not investigated Li Ang.

He just had not expected Batman to come so quickly.

Something that had only happened today, and Batman already knew about it?

There was only one question now.

How much did Batman know?

Li Ang first listened carefully and found that Kara in the next room had gone quiet.

She was probably asleep.

Then Li Ang opened the window and took the fire escape up to the roof.

Gotham nights were still somewhat chilly. The cold wind blew against him, seeming to seep into his bones.

Yet Li Ang did not see anyone on the rooftop.

Just then, the fluttering snap of a cape sounded behind him.

He turned around and, sure enough, Batman appeared before him, every inch of him radiating money.

"What is it?"

Li Ang asked.

Batman clearly had not come to fight.

Soon, Batman's deep, calm voice, carrying an undeniable authority, reached him. "Take her and leave Gotham. I'll give you new identities so no one can trace you again."

His tone sounded like an order, which annoyed Li Ang.

We were all born to parents. What gave him the right to order Li Ang around?

So Li Ang immediately smiled. "Leave Gotham? Go where? How are we supposed to survive?"

"Go to Metropolis. With your abilities, it won't be hard for you to find a better job than at the Iceberg Lounge. She'll receive a better education there too."

Batman spoke in a low voice, his eyes fixed on Li Ang as if they could see through his soul.

Thinking about how he had washed dishes at a Chinese restaurant before becoming a bartender at the Iceberg Lounge for over a month, earning a miserable one or two thousand dollars a month, Li Ang felt his anger rise.

Did Batman know how important this bar manager job was to him and Kara?

In America, people without identities or homes could easily become destitute homeless people, with no chance of ever turning their lives around.

Now that he had finally found a respectable job and was about to get a new identity, how could Li Ang possibly give it all up just because Batman told him to?

He could find a better job just by going to Metropolis?

Fun fact: Metropolis and Los Angeles had the highest homeless populations in America.

"Not everyone is born into wealth."

Li Ang looked at Batman. "We're not leaving. I just want her to have a stable life."

"There is no stability in Gotham."

Batman's voice deepened at those words.

So Batman knew that himself.

"You not showing up would be the greatest stability of all!"

Batman neither confirmed nor denied it after hearing Li Ang's words.

"Given how special she is, once people discover her, they'll reject her and treat her as a monster. Someone will kill her!"

Batman's lowered voice was somewhat frightening, but it only made Li Ang more irritated.

Clearly, Batman knew a great deal—perhaps even that Kara was an alien.

But so what?

Everything that had happened today made it seem as though everyone was rejecting Kara. More than one person had already told him that Kara was not suited for Gotham.

But if that was the case, where would she fit in?

As an "old father," Li Ang was naturally unwilling to accept it. Anyone who dared treat his goddaughter like that was his enemy.

"Is that why you want her to leave Gotham?"

Li Ang said angrily, "If that's really the reason, then there's no difference between anywhere else and Gotham."

"Humanity is foolish and ignorant. Even if what you said happens, even if people reject her and call her a monster, it'll only be because they fear her—because they fear her power!"

"But! They will never be able to kill her!"

At this point, Li Ang calmed down.

Expressionless, he looked at Batman and said, "She won't be a monster. She'll become their god!"

Thank you, Batman!

Batman paused at those words. He gave Li Ang a deep look, knowing Li Ang had made up his mind.

After saying that, Li Ang did not linger and headed straight downstairs.

When he looked back, Batman was already gone.

"Mr. Li Ang, Kara does not meet our school's admission requirements. We hope you can find a better school..."

Li Ang hung up before the caller could finish.

Today did not seem to bring any good news.

Naturally, he would not simply sit and wait. He called those schools himself.

But unfortunately, without an identity or connections, those schools simply would not agree to admit Kara.

After all, even attending college in America required recommendation letters. Connections were an extremely important part of the process.

Especially at a time like this.

Unless Li Ang used money to force open some doors, begging would be useless.

He sat on the sofa, holding his phone and staring at the numbers on it.

He had not called James Gordon yet. If there was news, James Gordon would call him himself.

Clearly, things had not gone smoothly.

Although James Gordon was the commissioner of the Gotham Police Department, he was far more upright than his predecessor and never engaged in corruption, which made certain matters harder to resolve.

Should he really call Sophia Falcone?

But how was that any different from calling Penguin?

Those two Gotham "big shots" could definitely settle this matter with ease, because they had people and power.

But if he asked them for help, things would become difficult for Li Ang later on.

"Godfather, maybe forget it. These books are easy anyway. I can teach myself."

Kara came over and wrapped her arms around her godfather.

"This isn't about self-study."

Li Ang forced a smile. "The school environment and interpersonal relationships in America are important."

"Don't worry. I'll handle it."

Upon hearing Li Ang's words, Kara hugged him tightly and fell into self-blame.

If she had not been so reckless, she would not have been expelled for exposing her abilities.

But... she did not regret it. She only thought she needed to be more careful in the future, and besides, saving people had felt pretty good.

Just then, Li Ang's phone rang.

It was an unknown number.

Li Ang hesitated before answering. If it was a scam call, he would just hang up.

"Is this Mr. Li Ang?"

A middle-aged woman's voice came through the phone.

"Hello, this is he. May I ask who's calling?"

"I'm Principal Connie from Louise Memorial Middle School. Do you have a daughter?"

"Yes."

Though confused, Li Ang answered.

This was not a scam call, was it?

Then he heard her say, "Here's the situation. You're very fortunate. Wayne Enterprises is currently holding a charity program to help children with excellent grades who cannot attend school for various reasons. I looked into it, and your daughter has excellent grades. Would you be interested in enrolling her at Louise Memorial Middle School?"

Li Ang very much wanted to refuse with some dignity, but when he saw Kara's delighted expression beside him, he immediately smiled. "Of course. We'd be very willing."