manynovel Chapter 121 Gotham Night
Chapter 121 Gotham Night
With the basic construction of the teleportation point completed, the debugging work entered its most critical phase. Chen Haotian and Nick Fury worked continuously for nearly twenty hours in the basement, repeatedly checking the stability of each energy node.
"The spacetime locator is functioning normally, and the energy coordinator is outputting steadily." Nick Fury closed his eyes, sensing the flow of magical energy. "But for some reason, I always feel like something is interfering with our work."
Chen Haotian stared at the data stream on the monitor screen: "It's probably Gotham's own energy field at work. This city has a unique... aura."
Around midnight, the debugging work finally came to an end. Chen Haotian suggested taking a short break, and the two went to the office on the top floor of the warehouse, which offered a panoramic view of the entire eastern district at night.
Gotham's nights are never peaceful. Distant neon lights flicker, sirens occasionally pierce the night sky, and the towering Wayne Tower stands like a lighthouse in the city center.
"Speaking of which, we haven't really had a chance to appreciate the city's night view yet." Chen Haotian handed Nick Fury a cup of coffee. "Despite the many dangers, we have to admit that Gotham has a unique charm."
Nick Fury took the coffee, his one eye fixed on the view outside the window. "I'm more concerned about those operating in the shadows. According to the Penguin, at least five different factions are monitoring us."
Just then, a black shadow flashed across the distant night sky. The shadow moved extremely fast, almost blending into the darkness, but Chen Haotian and Nick Fury noticed the anomaly immediately.
"It seems our 'neighbor' has finally decided to pay a visit." Chen Haotian took a sip of coffee, his tone relaxed.
Nick Fury was on high alert: "It's Batman. Should we activate defenses?"
"No need," Chen Haotian waved his hand. "This is a good opportunity to test our security system. As long as he doesn't try to break into the basement, let him be."
However, things did not go as Chen Haotian had anticipated. Batman's figure paused briefly on a nearby rooftop before heading directly towards the warehouse. His cape fluttered in the night wind as he glided in like a real bat, finally landing on the other side of the warehouse roof.
Chen Haotian put down his coffee cup, walked to the window, and met Batman's gaze: "Good evening, Dark Knight. What brings you here?"
Batman's voice was deep and intimidating: "This warehouse belongs to Wayne Enterprises. You do not have permission to work at night."
"We have a cooperation agreement with Wayne Enterprises," Chen Haotian replied calmly. "It was personally approved by Mr. Bruce Wayne."
"I know who you are." Batman took a few steps forward, his black armor gleaming coldly in the moonlight. "Chen Haotian, Nick Fury. You've been quite active in Gotham lately."
Nick Fury moved silently to Chen Haotian's side and behind, his right hand already gathering magical energy: "We're just doing business, Batman. Legitimate business."
Batman's gaze swept over Nick Fury: "A 'businessman' with magical abilities? Gotham doesn't welcome people of unknown origin like you."
Chen Haotian chuckled: "Unknown origins? Compared to a billionaire who flies around in the night wearing a mask, I think our origins are relatively clear."
These words seemed to touch a nerve with Batman; he shifted slightly, but quickly regained his composure: "Final warning, leave Gotham."
"I'm sorry, but I can't comply." Chen Haotian shook his head. "We have an important project underway here. However, I can guarantee that it will not pose a threat to the citizens of Gotham."
Suddenly, Batman hurled a batarang straight at Chen Haotian's face. Nick Fury immediately reacted, a magical barrier instantly forming to block the batarang in mid-air.
"Looks like our conversation is over." Chen Haotian sighed. "Nick, play along with him, but don't hurt him."
Nick Fury nodded, his hands tracing complex paths, and several magical chains emerged from the void, wrapping around Batman. Batman reacted swiftly, dodging the chains with a side somersault while simultaneously throwing a smoke bomb.
Thick smoke instantly filled the entire rooftop, but it had no effect on Nick Fury. His magical senses were able to pinpoint Batman's location precisely. Another burst of magical energy shot out, striking the rooftop beneath Batman's feet and forcing him to relocate.
"Your magical abilities are powerful," Batman's voice came from the smoke, "but Gotham is my city."
As he spoke, several small drones flew in from the night sky, firing electric nets at Nick Fury. Nick Fury easily burned away the nets with magical flames, but this also distracted him for a moment.
In that instant, Batman suddenly appeared behind Chen Haotian, his grappling hook gun pointed at his back: "Game over."
Chen Haotian remained completely calm, without even turning around: "Do you really think so?"
Suddenly, Batman's equipment began to emit piercing alarms. He was surprised to find that all of his electronic devices were overloaded and malfunctioning within a short period of time, and even the basic functions of the armor began to become unstable.
"A simple electromagnetic pulse." Chen Haotian finally turned around, a faint smile on his face. "It's specially prepared for high-tech equipment."
Batman retreated decisively, but Nick Fury's magical barrier had already enveloped the entire rooftop. He was trapped in an invisible cage.
"We don't want to be your enemy, Batman," Chen Haotian said calmly, "but we won't allow anyone to interfere with our work. How about we call it a night?"
Batman paused for a moment, then suddenly hurled a specially made explosive device at the magical barrier. Amidst the violent explosion, a crack appeared in the barrier, and he immediately escaped, leaping into the night.
"He's more difficult to deal with than I thought." Nick Fury removed the magical barrier, a hint of seriousness flashing in his single eye.
Chen Haotian walked to where Batman had just stood and picked up a small, fallen device: "This is... an energy tracker. It seems he's been suspicious of our activities for a while now."
"Do we need to move to a different location?" Nick Fury asked.
"No need," Chen Haotian said, fiddling with the tracker. "On the contrary, we can use this opportunity to let him see what we want him to see. After all, sometimes the best cover is to reveal it appropriately."
In the distance, Batman's figure landed on the rooftop of another building. He spoke through the communicator in his mask: "Alfred, I need all the information on Chen Haotian and Nick Fury, especially their movements before they came to Gotham."
The butler's voice came from the other end of the communicator: "It's been checked, sir. Strangely, these two people seem to have appeared out of thin air; there are no prior records of them."
Batman stared at the distant warehouse, a thoughtful look in his eyes. Tonight's encounter had made him realize that these two outsiders not only possessed advanced technology but also mysterious magical abilities. What unsettled him even more was that the man named Chen Haotian seemed to have an extraordinary understanding of him and Bruce Wayne.
"Continue to monitor them," Batman finally said, "but keep your distance. I suspect they're more dangerous than they appear."
Back in the warehouse basement, Chen Haotian and Nick Fury continued debugging the teleportation point. Their encounter with Batman seemed like a minor incident, but both knew it was just the beginning. In the darkness of Gotham, more challenges were quietly brewing.