Chapter 872: The Simple and Honest People of Gotham City
Zhou Huai looked down at Eliza, who was kneeling in front of him.
The bird-woman girl, who had just been struggling on the brink of life and death, now stood with her knees together, hands on her lap, head bowed, barely daring to breathe.
The pair of pure white wings had also been folded up and pressed tightly against their backs, appearing extremely submissive.
Zhou Huai's gaze remained calm, but he was secretly making plans in his heart.
Thinking about the girl's current state, and considering that she had endured being tortured by the four level 60 experts rather than utter a word, it was clear that she genuinely didn't know the exact location of the "Sacred Relic Map".
If she had known, she probably would have confessed long ago in that state of extreme fear and despair.
Since the clues point to the power behind her, perhaps I should go and search her family myself.
After all, that painting was related to whether he could communicate with his mother, who was the embodiment of the Origin Tree, which was his core purpose in infiltrating the heart of the Free Federation.
"Which family did you just mention?" Zhou Huai asked casually.
“The Arigal family, sir.” Eliza raised her head, her voice soft, her eyes cautious.
“Okay.” Zhou Huai nodded slightly and looked at her. “I’m also interested in that painting now. Take me back to your family home to see it.”
"Yes, sir."
Zhou Huai was somewhat surprised by Eliza's quick answer.
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze scrutinizing: "Why did you agree so readily?"
Eliza did not panic when she heard Zhou Huai's question.
She took a deep breath and said frankly, "You are very strong, sir. I, or rather our Yalig family, do not wish to antagonize a strong person like you."
Eliza's mind flashed back to the scene from just moments ago. With a mere wave of her hand, a bolt of golden lightning as thick as a bucket struck down, instantly turning four high-level professionals above level sixty into charred remains. This overwhelming difference in strength, leaving no room for resistance, had already made her completely give up.
She knew very well that any attempt to hide or resist against a monster of this level would be futile and would only bring annihilation to the entire family.
"In addition..." Eliza paused, a hint of helplessness in her voice, "Actually, we also want to know the whereabouts of that painting."
"After all, if that painting were truly in our family, it would be a problem for the Yalige family. Just like Uncle Buck's betrayal today, as long as the rumors about this painting persist, there will be a constant stream of greedy people coming to our door. Our family cannot afford such an undeserved disaster. If we can use your help to find out the truth, it would be a relief for us as well."
Zhou Huai smiled upon hearing this.
"You seem to have thought things through very clearly."
He glanced at the girl. Those who can recognize the situation are often the ones who live longer.
"Get up, let's get going."
After saying that, he stopped looking at Eliza and turned to walk slowly toward the griffin lying on the ground not far away.
Although the griffin had been struck by lightning and its dark golden feathers were charred, as a high-level magical beast, it had already regained its ability to move.
When the griffin saw the human who had casually summoned lightning to instantly kill his master walking towards it, its eyes were filled with fear.
Its massive body tensed abruptly, the feathers on its head bristling, and it staggered backward, opening its bloodied beak to let out a warning roar at Zhou Huai.
"roar--!"
Wind magic brewed in the griffin's throat, stirring up the surrounding sand and stones as it tried to force back the man before it.
As a result, Zhou Huai didn't even stop walking.
He walked up to the griffin, faced its open beak, and raised his hand.
"Slap! Slap!"
Two crisp, resounding slaps landed squarely on the griffin's head.
These two slaps didn't utilize any higher-dimensional laws; they were purely physical force. A white sonic boom even erupted in the air.
"Waaah..."
The griffin, which had been displaying a fierce demeanor, was stunned by the two slaps. Its massive body swayed violently, and its head slammed heavily into the asphalt road, creating a large crater.
When it shook its head and raised it again, the griffin's eyes immediately became clear.
The ferocity in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by extreme docility.
It dared not bark anymore, and obediently squatted down, revealing its broad back, making it easier for Zhou Huai to ride it.
Eliza stood behind, watching this scene unfold.
That's the exclusive mount of a level 60 berserker. It has a violent temperament, and no outsider can get close to it except for its chosen master.
But in front of this young man, just two slaps were enough to completely subdue this ferocious beast.
Soon, the two rode on griffins, took to the air, and headed towards the giant city not far away.
The wind howled in my ears, and the griffin's broad, fleshy wings flapped violently.
The closer Zhou Huai got to the giant city, the more he frowned.
He sat atop the griffin, looking down at the increasingly frequent battles below.
In the wilderness and along the highway, flashes of magical light and the sounds of explosions filled the air. Professionals from different factions were engaged in a frenzied battle.
Even in the city, chaotic scenes could be seen.
The colossal city was in utter chaos. On the streets, heavily armored knights and mages were exchanging fire with impunity; shops were smashed and flames burned at street corners; even warriors in heavy mechs were launching magic missiles in the city center, blasting buildings to pieces.
The screams of civilians, the maniacal laughter of professionals, and the wailing of sirens mingled together.
Looking down at the chaotic city below, Zhou Huai turned his head slightly and asked Eliza behind him, "Has the city always been this safe?"
Eliza followed Zhou Huai's gaze, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes. She shook her head in denial: "No, Gotham City has always been very safe."
"Although there are some frictions between underground forces, they would never dare to openly start a war in the city center like they are now."
"But as you know, we've recently heard some rumors that our great Holy Lord has passed away."
"so...."
Eliza lowered her voice, a hint of panic in it.
"Not just Gotham City."
"Many regions in the Free Federation are vying for territory, mainly due to the influence of the Holy Knights and the Holy See."
"Before, with the old Holy Lord keeping things in check, the major powers were relatively well-behaved. Now that the Holy Lord is dead, there is no leader, and they are all trying to seize supreme control of the Federation. The gangs and families below are also taking the opportunity to cause trouble, and the entire Federation is in chaos."
Zhou Huai understood.
He looked down at the constantly flashing magical explosions and thought to himself that the old Holy Lord of the Free Federation, who was known as a walking god, had actually died at this time.
That was one of the most powerful beings in the world, a supreme being who had touched the edge of higher-dimensional laws. How could such a person suddenly perish for no reason?
It's highly likely that this is related to Mr. Duan.
Now that Mr. Duan has escaped his predicament and absorbed the Sea God's essence to complete his higher-dimensional divine status, his first step in regaining control of the Free Federation, his stronghold, is naturally to eliminate the old Holy Lord, the biggest obstacle. Only a transcendent being like Mr. Duan could silently annihilate a god.
Just then, he suddenly thought of something.
A sentence Eliza had just mentioned flashed through his mind, and he suddenly turned to look at Eliza.
"Wait a minute, what did you just say this city was called, Gotham City?"
Zhou Huai's expression turned somewhat strange.
"Is it Gotham City, the city with its kind and honest people?"
Eliza was somewhat bewildered by Zhou Huai's sudden question.
"It's not that the local people are simple and honest. Even without the old Holy Lord incident, Gotham City has always been the most troublesome place in the Liberty Federation."
She explained earnestly, "The underground trade, black market transactions, and crime rate here are among the highest in the entire Federation."
Hearing this familiar premise, Zhou Huai casually made a sarcastic remark.
"Won't there be another Batman named Bruce Wayne upholding justice?"
Eliza shook her head: "Bruce Wayne is the mayor of Gotham."
"In fact, he is the worst guy in Gotham City."
"He controls at least a dozen underground forces."
"Even the Holy Knights can't do anything about him."