Igniting a War and Framing the League of Assassins!

The following morning.

Gotham City's financial news channel is broadcasting a breaking news report.

"... It is reported that in the early hours of last night, the Van Cottler Trust Company, located in the Financial District, was attacked by unidentified individuals. Its internal servers and all paper documents were precisely destroyed, but no cash was lost. The GCPD stated that this was a highly professional operation with a strong warning message, and no organization has yet claimed responsibility..."

Harley Quinn, wearing a silk nightgown and with a fried dough stick dangling from her mouth, mumbled, "Looks like that pretentious princess is actually quite trustworthy."

Link turned off the TV, a dismissive sneer on his face.

"Keeping promises? No, this is just a test, and also a show-off."

"This kind of insignificant business blow is like a mosquito bite to the Court of Owls. They will be angry, they will investigate, but they will never fight the League of Assassins to the death because of it."

Harley blinked, somewhat puzzled. "Then what should we do?"

Link walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city that had just awakened, a cruel smile curving his lips.

"Commercial offenses will only result in commercial retaliation."

"But if it's religious blasphemy and humiliation etched into the bones... then all that will be gained is war."

He turned around, his eyes flashing with a mad and meticulous light.

"Talia gave me a list that included not only court assets, but also some more interesting places."

Link snapped his the Snap, and a map of Gotham's underground structure was projected into the air.

A site marked "Ruins of the Temple of Hermes" is glowing with a scarlet light.

"This is one of the most important secret shrines of the Court of Owls, where they hold ancient, clandestine rituals. To them, this place is more sacred than any other corporation."

Harley's eyes lit up; she had already guessed Link's plan.

"You mean... we should go and smash their hideout?"

"Smash?" Link shook his finger. "No, we're going to deliver a 'gift'."

He went into the laboratory, and a moment later, he took out two things.

A short sword with an ancient design and a blade that gleams with an eerie, cold light. At the end of the hilt is a miniature demon head, exactly like the emblem on the League of Assassins' letters.

There's also a small spray bottle.

"This sword is a perfect replica of the weapon used by that ninja messenger. As for what's in this bottle..."

Link gently pressed the nozzle, and a peculiar aroma, a mixture of sand, herbs, and the stench of aged blood, filled the air.

"... I synthesized this ' Justice League Special Perfume' by analyzing the scent on Lei Xiao O. Gu's letter. I guarantee the scent is pure and authentic, no deception."

Harley excitedly snatched the short sword, swung it twice in the air, and her face was full of bloodthirsty smiles.

"Honey, you're a genius! A complete and utterly wicked genius! I absolutely love this plan!"

Frame someone!

And it was such a blatant and undisguised attempt to frame someone!

Link wants to do is not just provoke a war; he also wants to use this method to tell both sides that your actions, your weapons, and your identities are nothing more than props that can be copied and used at will.

This is a deeper level of contempt than a direct attack.

That evening, a light drizzle began to fall in Gotham City.

The Ruins of the Temple of Hermes are located in one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, hidden beneath a long-abandoned opera house.

The entrance was covered in dust and cobwebs, but Link easily saw through the disguise thanks to his knowledge of mechanisms gained from the Riddler.

He and Harley, like two shadows, silently bypassed all the infrared sensors and pressure-triggered traps.

"These security systems are so outdated, they haven't been updated in centuries." Harley pouted, following behind Link as if she were strolling through her own backyard.

After passing through a dark and damp passage, a huge underground space came into view.

In the center of the cavity is a huge altar carved from White Marble. At the very center of the altar, a lifelike stone owl sculpture stares at the entrance with its empty eyes.

Around the altar stood eight guards dressed in tailcoats and wearing silver owl masks, motionless like Statue, exuding an ominous aura.

"These people...something's not right." Harley frowned. She couldn't sense any emotion from them; they were like... Deadman.

"They are ' Near-Talon,' the failed experiments that were eliminated, retaining only some combat abilities and absolute loyalty."

Link's voice was icy.

Before the words were even finished, the heads of the eight guards simultaneously turned 180 degrees, locking onto the two individuals.

There were no warnings, no shouts.

Eight figures, like arrows released from a bow, rushed towards us from eight different directions, accompanied by a piercing sound.

Harley let out a shriek and brandished her beloved hammer, ready to charge.

But Link was faster than her.

He moved.

The body, incorporating Batman's fighting techniques, displayed unimaginable coordination and precision at this moment.

His figure weaved among the eight guards, each dodge perfectly timed, each strike aimed straight for the vital points.

There were no unnecessary movements, and not a single ounce of effort was wasted.

Elbow strike, chokehold, joint break.

His attack wasn't like a fight; it was more like a ruthless, methodical dismantling operation.

Less than thirty seconds.

All eight "Near-Talon" collapsed to the ground, their bodies twisted into bizarre angles, and they lost all ability to move.

Harley stared in disbelief, her mouth agape for a long time.

She knew Link was strong, but she had never seen such a powerful and artistic killing.

Link straightened his collar as if he had done something trivial, and strolled onto the altar.

He glanced at the enormous stone owl sculpture, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

He pulled out a bottle of red spray paint and drew a hideous, twisted demonic head on the owl's face.

Bright red paint slid down the stone carving's lines, like an owl shedding bloody tears.

After doing all this, Link took out the replica short sword from his pocket, took a deep breath, and plunged it into the heart of the owl sculpture.

"Pfft!"

The short sword disappeared at the hilt, the demon's head on it facing the entrance to the altar, as if silently declaring its conquest.

Finally, Link took out the spray bottle and evenly sprayed the "Justice League Special Perfume" inside all over the altar.

That unique aura belonging to the League of Assassins instantly enveloped the entire underground space.

"Let's go, the show's about to begin."

Link grabbed the still-dazed Harley, turned, and disappeared into the dark passage.

Less than ten minutes after they left.

A hidden stone door slowly opened, and an elderly man wearing a golden owl mask and a magnificent robe walked in, escorted by two real "Talons" guards.

When he saw the scene on the altar, he froze.

The sacred altar was desecrated, the protective emblem was smeared, and the enemy's weapon was stuck in the heart of their faith's totem.

That pungent yet familiar smell was like a resounding slap across his face.

The old man slowly raised his hand, removed his mask, revealing a face distorted with extreme anger.

"Shadow... Martial... Alliance!"

He spat out those words through gritted teeth, his voice hoarse and venomous, like a curse from Hell.

"Awaken... all... Talons!"

"I will make those bastards from the desert shed their last drop of blood on the land of Gotham!"