Chương 57: Dad, Hit Me Again

"Just now, the damage caused to the city while flying?"

When Tony Stark and James Rhodes heard this, they became anxious.

"I was being controlled earlier! I didn't want it to happen, but I couldn't control myself!" James Rhodes quickly explained. It wasn't his intention; if they wanted to blame someone, they should go after the mastermind, Ivan Vanko. He was innocent.

"I... just wanted to quickly deal with those Iron Soldiers to minimize trouble and damage to the city."

Tony Stark also offered an explanation. Normally, with his personality, he wouldn't bother explaining—he'd just act. But now, out of power and under the proverbial roof, he had no choice but to bow his head, especially since the other party was being so forceful.

"Ivan Vanko indeed bears significant responsibility, which is why he's been punished. But don't think you can absolve yourselves completely. Even if you're not primarily responsible, there's still secondary liability."

As Su Ye spoke, he started walking forward step by step.

Tony Stark and James Rhodes instinctively tried to step back, but the steel cables on their feet blocked their retreat.

"So, what exactly do you want to do?"

At this moment, both of them couldn't help but share the same thought Ivan Vanko had earlier: "Don't come any closer…"

Su Ye didn't say anything further. Often, actions speak louder than words.

If you can use your hands, don't bother talking.

With devil-like strides, he closed in on them in an instant, under their slightly fearful gazes. Then, a large black hand suddenly swung up.

Slap!

The first slap was for James Rhodes. Even though the cannon on his shoulder had been snapped by Ivan Vanko's whip, the remaining piece was still large and conspicuous.

That slap packed quite the punch. James Rhodes spun 1800 degrees in midair before hitting the ground with a thud, completely motionless.

If not for JARVIS reporting that James Rhodes was still alive and merely unconscious, Tony Stark might have initiated the War Machine's self-destruct sequence to blow up the bastard in front of him.

Without even glancing at War Machine, Su Ye turned directly to Iron Man, raising his large hand once more.

Slap!

Iron Man's awkward face was slapped to one side, but his body didn't lift off the ground. It seemed that this slap wasn't as powerful as expected?

At this moment, Batman, standing across, spoke again.

"Do you love studying, or going to the park?"

"Huh?" Tony Stark was confused. What kind of question was that? Studying or going to the park? Did they think he was an elementary school kid? And who did they think they were—Howard Stark?

Slap!

Just as Tony was puzzling over it, another slap landed on his face, making it tilt to the other side. Though his helmet absorbed the blows, his head was still ringing, and he felt like he was on the verge of a concussion.

"Do you prefer going to the park, or taking a walk by the beach?"

So, was the correct answer to the last question "the park"? Got it! Although Tony Stark's head was spinning, he managed a smile.

As long as I figure out your pattern, I can answer your questions and avoid more slaps.

Slap!

Another slap, and Iron Man's head tilted to the opposite side once more.

"Your love for studying—did you get that from me or your mom?"

From you? From your grandpa! Who the heck are you? Are you crazy? Motherf—!

Also, your questions aren't even coherent! Weren't we supposed to stick to parks or beaches?

Wait a minute—these questions come after each slap, which means I never even had a chance to answer! It's just an excuse to keep hitting me.

Slap!

"Growing a beard—that's from your mom. Dare to deny it?"

Slap!

"What birthday present do you want—left hand or right hand?"

Slap!

"..."

A barrage of nonsensical questions followed. By the end, Tony Stark couldn't even remember what the questions were, let alone think of answers.

Moreover, the relentless slaps from both sides had deformed his helmet. At this rate, he worried that his head would end up squished, resembling that egg-headed guy from Dragon Country who sang Plum Blossoms in the snow.

If he really ended up looking like that, how would he go out and pick up girls? Sure, with enough money even a monkey could be a daddy, but being ugly could still get him rejected...

Across from him, Su Ye finally stopped after five full minutes. He was wearing metal gloves, so while his arm felt a little sore, his hands were fine after that intense round of slapping.

Looking at Iron Man's "truly squished head" appearance, Su Ye even worried he might have slapped the guy's head into permanent damage.

Without Iron Man, the world would lose a lot of its fun.

"This time was just a small warning. From now on, behave yourselves. I'll be watching you from the shadows!"

After leaving those words, Su Ye turned and grabbed the lifeless Ivan Vanko. He shot a cold look at Iron Man, then suddenly soared straight into the sky.

Iron Man's mask had long since been deformed, severely impairing his vision. Tony Stark struggled mightily to tear the mask off his helmet. With a swollen face, he gazed in the direction Su Ye had disappeared.

Then, he saw a massive, bat-like black figure flying away, disappearing into the night sky.

At the same time, atop the Oracle Eco-Park, a massive searchlight was switched on, angled towards the distant sky. Bound to the searchlight was the lifeless Ivan Vanko. Blood from his severed arm splattered across the light, staining a large section red.

Due to Vanko's body and the blood splatters, the searchlight's beam in the night sky became uneven, forming a black shadow in the middle that resembled a bat.

"Batman?"

Tony Stark mumbled under his breath before his body finally gave out, collapsing to the ground.

The enormous bat signal hung high in the air, visible to nearly half of New York City.

For most people, they didn't yet understand what the bat signal represented. Compared to the fireworks that had been going off all evening, the bat signal seemed insignificant.

But for the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents following Black Widow to clean up the mess at Oracle Eco-Park, the signal was utterly shocking.

"First Spider-Man, now Batman, not to mention the Green Armor Guy. Are there really this many superheroes in New York?"