American comic book: After mastering resurrection, I became incredibly popular.

"Secondly, after the broadcast tonight, the courtroom is in chaos. Many of the 'claws' are questioning 'who is impersonating the leader,' and there are even voices that are unfavorable to you. I suggest you come here in person as soon as possible to calm people down, of course, in the guise of Joseph Powers."

Wang Baixi replied with a short message: "I'll be there later."

Then, a very soft knock came at the door.

"Who is it?" Wang Baixi closed his laptop.

“It’s me,” Zatana’s voice came from outside the door.

Wang Baixi stood up and went to open the door. Zatana outside had changed out of her evening gown and was wearing a loose white bathrobe. Her hair was not completely dry and was draped wetly over her shoulders.

"What's wrong, Miss Magician? Why did you take a shower so quickly today?"

“You’ve been working in there for about twenty minutes now,” Zatana said with a smile.

"That long?" Wang Baixi scratched his head. "Let's not talk about that. Is there something you need?"

“It’s nothing, I just wanted to make sure you were still in the room.” Zatana’s gaze swept over his shoulder and across the room. “Based on my guess, you’ll probably sneak out in the middle of the night.”

"You didn't use any mind-reading magic on me, did you? How could you guess this?"

“Your thoughts are written all over your face, dear Mr. Wang,” Zatana said.

Wang Baixi leaned against the door frame and chuckled, "Alright, so you came to my room just to accuse me of trying to sneak out in the middle of the night?"

Zatana's expression changed subtly at that moment.

“Not entirely.” She lowered her gaze to her bare feet on the carpet in the hallway. “Today, when I was casting a tracking spell at Gotham Cemetery, I ran out of magic. It almost got you involved, which reminded me of some things from the past.”

"what's up?"

“Some things I don’t want to remember. In short, this incident reminded me that there are many things I can’t do alone.” Zatana raised her head and looked directly into Wang Baixi’s eyes. “If you’re willing, I’d like to teach you some basic magic. Your soul perception is very strong, and your mana pool is much deeper than that of ordinary people, but you lack proper guidance.”

“Great! A magician is going to officially train me to enter the industry. I’m thrilled! But what tuition should I pay?” Wang Baixi scratched his head and asked.

From now on, he can be considered to have a teacher.

Zatana's expression suddenly turned serious.

"But there is one more thing: you cannot hide anything from me, Your Majesty. Tell me your origins. Where do you come from, and who are you?"

Wang Baixi was silent for a moment, and the usual frivolity on his face faded away at that moment.

But he didn't look away. "You know, Zatana. Like the answer to that riddle, 'Stranger,' that's where I come from."

"You must have an even deeper secret."

"Yes, but you definitely won't believe me if I tell you."

Yes, how could he claim to be a time traveler?

Zatana bit her lower lip, wanting to ask further, but in the end she just shook her head. A smile curved her lips, a mixture of amusement and unspoken disappointment.

"Fine, then let's start classes tomorrow, and no one is allowed to be late."

Wang Baixi watched Zatana turn and walk back to her and Cassandra's room at the other end of the corridor. After the door closed gently, he leaned against the door frame and stood there for a moment.

It's time to head to the Owl Court.

……

In the courtroom, the Claws gathered in twos and threes, discussing the bizarre deaths of Cobb and others, as well as the "Lord of the Court" who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Kelvin stood next to the head of the table, constantly gesturing to keep everyone calm.

"Everyone, the leader will be here soon! Please be patient!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Joseph Powers walked slowly into the council chamber through the main entrance. He was wearing his signature dark gray suit, with an owl brooch pinned to his chest, and the mask on his face gleamed coldly white in the candlelight of the chamber.

Kelvin was the first to step forward and bowed respectfully.

"Chief. You've finally arrived. They've all been talking about that imposter on the radio."

"Yes, I already know. Someone dared to impersonate me, dared to impersonate the will of the Court of Owls!" Those clowns not only killed them, but also distorted the court's principles.

"How come I didn't know I was serving some damn common people?"

The claws in the council chamber all bowed their heads.

“Blood must be used to pay for this.” Joseph slammed his fist on the high-backed chair in the main seat. “That imposter must pay the price.”

Kelvin nodded in agreement, but a subtle sense of confusion arose in his heart: Mr. Wang didn't usually speak like this. He wouldn't suddenly become so irritable...

Just then, the sound of high heels clicking on the stone floor echoed through the council chamber.

"That's right, blood must be paid for with blood."

It was a woman's voice.

Everyone turned their heads at the same time. In that instant, Kelvin Ross felt his blood rush from his limbs back to his heart.

The person who arrived was... Maria Bowles?

She was wearing a simple black suit, and her hair was styled in a bun.

What the hell? Wasn't she dead?

You're not dead!

Although Wang Baixi said she had been managing the company, both he and Wang Baixi knew that Maria was long dead.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and bow!" Joseph shouted at the crowd.

The Claws exchanged glances, but quickly bowed reflexively. Only Kelvin stood beside the head of the table, turning to look at Joseph, then at Maria.

No, this Joseph is definitely not Mr. Wang, and these two people... they are also imposters!

Chapter 115 Reunion with My Lover

At the same time, it was 7:30 a.m. Middle East time.

As soon as the sun fully emerged from the ochre-colored horizon, the heat from the desert began to rise.

Bruce Wayne drove a rented SUV southeast along the old trade route, which was half buried by sandstorms.

He had been driving along this trade route on and off for nearly two hours, stopping only once to drink water.

At this moment, there was a loaded grappling hook gun on the passenger seat, and spare batteries and a medical kit were tucked under the back seat.

Zatanna's tracking spell failed to locate Jason, but he couldn't return to Gotham empty-handed.

He needed someone who knew this land better, someone who knew the location of Lazarus' Pool better than he did, and someone who owed him an answer.

Before long, the off-road vehicle crossed the last sand ridge and stopped at the edge of an oasis surrounded by weathered rock walls.

In the center of the oasis stand several low buildings constructed of local limestone, their exterior walls painted in an ochre color similar to the surrounding rock faces. Without getting close, it is difficult to distinguish them from the landscape.

Bruce turned off the engine about two hundred meters from the buildings. He took off his sunglasses and placed them on the dashboard, opened the car door, and walked towards the buildings.

At this moment, two guards dressed in white robes emerged from the hidden sentries on both sides of the rock wall, but they did not stop him; they simply followed him.

Clearly, someone had given advance notice of Bruce Wayne's arrival.

The archway of the largest building in the center of the oasis was half-open, with ancient emblems engraved on its lintel. Bruce casually walked through the archway, down a corridor covered with Persian carpets, to a well-ventilated marble hall.

The morning sunlight streamed down through the openwork patterns of the dome, drawing a net of light and shadow on the ground.

The person he's looking for, or the person looking for him, is standing in the center of that net.

It was Talia Elgul, his "former lover".

She wore a dark green, belted robe, her long hair casually draped over her left shoulder. When she saw that familiar face, she smiled slightly. "My lover, it's been a long time. You're a little later than I expected."

Bruce did not respond to the greeting. He took two steps forward and stopped about five steps away from Talia.

Where is Jason?

“You mean… Jason Todd? I’m sorry, I don’t know.” Talia took a sip of tea, looking up at him from above the rim of the cup.

“I know the League of Assassins has planted enough spies in Gotham. Your people have been watching me and my men for at least two years. I also know you definitely tampered with Jason’s body. Talia, you’d better give me an answer that satisfies me,” Bruce said sternly.

Talia sighed, placing the teacup on the stone table beside her, her sigh carrying a hint of regret that was hard to discern as genuine.

"Bruce, you're always like this. After all these years, the first thing you do when we meet is ask me about other people."

"I don't have the patience for pleasantries right now."

"Alright, I'll tell you: I really don't know Jason Todd's whereabouts. I didn't move his remains; it's possible my father did, but I think that's highly unlikely. As for other potential culprits, there are many. If I were to make a list, that list... would be very long."

“However, if you’d like to stay a few more days, I can read the whole list to you,” she said with a smile.

Bruce did not answer.

"You want to take me back?"

“You know I miss you very much,” Talia said, lowering her voice. “And my father is looking for you too.”

"Do I have any information you want?"

“Yes, about the Riddler.” Talia said the name with undisguised annoyance. “He came here recently, twice. The second time, he destroyed a pool of Lazarus.”

This statement caused Bruce's expression to change.

"It's him, the Riddler?"

"You seem quite interested too, my lover?" Talia tilted her head. "How about we talk somewhere else?"

Bruce's shoulders twitched slightly, but that wasn't a sign of agreement.

At that moment, in the shadows on both sides of the hall, about a dozen white figures holding curved knives were slowly approaching him.

Talia's invitations never leave guests with the option to refuse.

"Go! Don't hurt him!"

Hmm, what a contradictory instruction.

At that moment, the group moved swiftly. One assassin immediately leaped up, his blade slashing down from Bruce's right rear. Bruce hurriedly turned around, simultaneously throwing out a folding short stick hidden in his sleeve.

Before the crisp sound of metal clashing had even subsided, his left elbow had already struck the throat of an assassin standing nearby.

Then, assassins in white robes emerged simultaneously from the shadows in all four directions of the hall.