American comics: Something is wrong with this superhero world

Chapter 255 Transaction (Update)
The silence in the forest was suddenly broken. The Joker was walking quickly between the dense trees when he suddenly heard a mechanical roar from above his head. He looked up and saw Bruce Wayne, wearing a high-tech mecha, falling from the sky and landing steadily in front of him.

The Joker blinked and was speechless when he saw the high-tech mecha on Bruce Wayne. Damn, could you please stop bullying me like this? Why not just wear the regular Batman suit?
Normally when they are filming movies or putting on a show, they don't use all kinds of high-tech weapons and just want to engage in flesh-and-flesh combat. However, when the real fight comes, they use mechas to deal with ordinary people like me who don't have super powers, without any martial ethics.

The clown looked around and complained: "There's no cell phone signal in this remote place. How did you find me?"

Bruce Wayne looked at the Joker expressionlessly, but a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Do you think the company's physical examination is just a simple welfare?"

The clown was stunned for a second, then suddenly realized what was going on. He laughed and said, "Hahahaha!!! I understand! You shameless guy, you installed a locator on me during the physical examination, right?"

"Arthur, are you crazy? Why are you laughing like that? I also participated in the design of the Joker's character, why are you acting in front of me?" Bruce Wayne was speechless. Could it be that this guy was too immersed in the role and couldn't get out of it?

"Arthur is dead. There is no such person as Arthur in the world anymore. The one who is alive now is the Joker." The Joker looked at Bruce Wayne and said, "And all this is thanks to you, Batman, Bruce Wayne. Hahahaha~"

"It seems that he is indeed crazy." Bruce Wayne looked at the laughing clown and said, "It turns out that his brain is broken. No wonder he dares to go against me."

"Hehehe~ No, actually, I have never been so sober as I am now." The clown laughed.

"I found that when I wasn't wearing the clown mask, I was actually living with a thick mask on. The mask was so thick that I forgot what I really looked like. But when I put on the clown mask, I put down the mask I had worn for my whole life, untied the shackles on me, and understood what my real self was like."

"This feeling makes people feel happy and can't help but laugh from the bottom of their hearts ~ Hahahaha!!!"

"I'll reserve a good place for you in Arkham, of course after the lobotomy." Batman said to the Joker who was laughing wildly again.

"Catching me doesn't mean you win. It's useless even if you catch me. When the time comes, someone will naturally reveal your shameful secrets to other superhero agencies."

Bruce Wayne's expression became even more severe: "Do you think I would let this happen? Do you know how much media I control? Do you know the market value of Wayne Enterprises? Do you know..."

"Stop! Stop talking. I know you're awesome, but the people you've offended are also awesome. Tony Stark and Harry Osborn are also billionaires and chairmen of super corporations. I'll send them your dirty laundry. I'm sure they'll be happy to help you spread it."

The clown narrowed his eyes and the smile on his face became cunning: "Bruce, since we are both smart people, instead of hurting each other, why don't we make a deal?"

Bruce asked calmly: "What deal?"

The Joker held up two fingers: "It's simple. First, let Harley go. Second, let me go. In return, I will help you keep those secrets that you can't tell. How about it, does it sound fair?"

Bruce sneered: "Do you think I will believe you easily? I need to know what you have and whether there is any substantial evidence. Otherwise, how do I know you are not bluffing?"

The Joker exaggeratedly made a hurt expression: "Oh, Brucie, you break my heart! We have worked together for so many years, and you don't trust me?"

Bruce was not swayed by the Joker's acting skills. He rolled his eyes and said, "Don't give me that. Evidence, I want to see evidence."

The Joker's expression suddenly became serious: "You want to see evidence? Okay, but I'm Bruce, sincerity is mutual. You have to show me some sincerity first." Bruce frowned: "What do you mean?"

The Joker raised his eyebrows and made a thoughtful expression: "It's not too much to ask for me to talk to Harley on the phone? Just one minute, I promise."

Bruce's expression became even colder: "No. Telephone calls will leave traces, and others may be able to monitor it."

The Joker curled his lips and said, "If you don't allow me to make phone calls, how can I know if Harley is safe?"

Bruce thought for a moment and said, "I can return Harley's clothes and personal belongings to you. This should be enough to prove that she is with me. In addition, I can record her recordings for you to listen to one by one. Of course, you can't take them away. This way, the information will not be transmitted through the Internet, and there will be no risk of leakage."

With Bruce Wayne's skills, AI face-changing and dubbing are not difficult tasks, but Bruce is still afraid that the Joker will find out any flaws in the real-time video call, while recording is much easier.

The Joker narrowed his eyes, as if he was weighing this proposal. He could never have imagined that Harley had actually been rescued by Xiao Xian after being kidnapped by Bruce. After thinking for a moment, the Joker agreed to Bruce's proposal.

Bruce and the Joker came to a private reception room in Wayne Manor, where the lighting was soft and the decoration was low-key and luxurious.

Bruce took out a bunch of clothes and small items from an exquisite box and handed them to the Joker: "This is Harley's stuff."

The Joker couldn't wait to look through it and confirmed that it was indeed Harley's stuff. Then Bruce took out an encrypted audio player and played a recording. In the recording, Harley sounded a little tired, but in good spirits.

After listening to this, the Joker nodded with satisfaction: "Yes, it seems that Harley is indeed here with you."

Bruce put away the player and said coldly: "Now it's your turn to fulfill your promise."

The clown grinned and pulled out a USB flash drive from his pocket: "Of course, of course. I am a man of my word."

He turned on his laptop, inserted a USB drive, and played two videos.

The first video shows Bruce beating a man severely in a dark alley. The man seems to have obviously lost the ability to resist, but Bruce is still beating him violently.

The second video was taken in a luxurious villa, where Bruce was having a crazy party with several men and women. The scene was quite chaotic and unbearable.

After reading it, Bruce asked expressionlessly: "That's all?"

The Joker shrugged and said, "Bruce, you underestimate me. This is just an appetizer." The Joker winked slyly, "The rest of the good stuff will have to wait until our deal is completely completed before I can show you. After all, a good story always has to retain some suspense, doesn't it?"

(End of this chapter)