Martin Variety in American Comics.

Chapter 6 Damn Gotham, damn bastards!
Darkness is the eternal background color of Gotham. The lead-gray sky is like a thick curtain, always covering the entire city, making it difficult to tell the difference between day and night.

Martin stood in front of a dock in the harbor. The fierce wind from the sea hit him, slapping his coat, making a snapping sound.

He lowered his head from time to time, watching the movement of the watch hands, waiting for the night to fall.

The Last Quote, a ship belonging to the Penguin, like the Ice Peak Hotel, symbolizes the ambition of this former fallen aristocrat.

The ship was originally a cargo ship on the verge of being scrapped, but after being bought by the Penguin, it was converted into a large cruise ship that integrates catering, entertainment and fortresses.

During the day, the cruise ship sails near the coast of Gotham and only docks in the evening to pick up wealthy businessmen and celebrities who are seeking excitement. They head to the sea and after a night of revelry, they dock again at dawn.

The ship has implemented a strict membership system. Only those with invitation letters are eligible to board the ship. Those invitation letters are made and distributed by Penguin people themselves, and the number is strictly limited.

Although Detective Martin's status was not low, he was not invited, and he did not have the stealth ability of Batman, so he had to find another way.

He asked Gordon to contact Alfred and ask the old butler to pass the invitation to Bruce Wayne to himself.

No matter how high-end the banquet venue is, Master Wayne will always be invited.

Even a self-proclaimed gangster boss like the Penguin is proud to invite Master Wayne, otherwise he would just be a gangster thug and would not be accepted by Gotham's business groups.

When the hour hand of the watch pointed to seven, there was no light in the Gotham sky. Although the lights were turned on in the port in the distance, they only illuminated a small area.

Martin heard a car horn and turned to see two high beams moving towards him, then slowly stopping.

"Mr. Martin!"

The old butler in a black tuxedo got out of the car and handed over a white invitation written in gold foil according to proper British etiquette.

Although Martin had been a king, he didn't remember any of the complicated etiquette.

Finally, he just said a simple thank you to the old butler.

Alfred didn't care about etiquette, and immediately handed over a bank card, explaining: "The one million in the card is your reward, thank you for solving the case of the museum. The other one million is for your support, I hope you can gain something on the Penguin's ship."

Martin raised his eyebrows, thinking that the Wayne family was indeed an international financial tycoon. They could give away two million dollars as easily as losing a hair.

With the idea of not wasting money, he put away the bank card and said to Alfred with a smile, "Don't worry, I will definitely find out what conspiracy these criminals are gathering for."

Alfred bowed slightly to Martin and drove away from the port.

Martin touched the still warm bank card and thought that Alfred was really anxious this time and even provided him with such support that might completely expose Batman's identity.

"Woo——"

In the thick night in the distance, the sound of the last quotation number's whistle was heard. The originally quiet port suddenly became lively. Luxury cars turned on their lights and drove towards the dock, illuminating the entire port like daytime.

Martin followed the convoy, blending into the crowd and being inconspicuous.

The huge Last Quote came to the shore, spewing white steam, and lowered a long ladder decorated with countless flowers and covered with a thick red carpet.

When the first passenger in a neat suit landed on the boat, countless colorful lights lit up, outlining the shape of the final quotation number and reflecting the man-made fountains and sculptures.

These useless but gorgeous things can best arouse the hidden desires in the empty hearts of the rich. The men in suits and the women in gorgeous clothes hold their heads high, as if they are not going there for fun, but to do something big to change the world.

Martin was at the end of the line, observing the ship's defenses. By the time he got on board, he had already drawn up a rough defense map in his mind.

"An invitation from Mr. Bruce Wayne?"

Martin handed over the invitation, and the person in charge of checking randomly found a photo of Bruce Wayne, pointed at it and asked, "Do you think this is you?" "Don't you have eyes? Of course it's not me."

Martin rolled his eyes and spoke preemptively.

"Don't you know me? Don't you know that there is an act called forwarding in this world?"

The person in charge of checking the invitations took another close look at Martin, then he suddenly realized, "So you are the detective. I was blind. Please come in."

"Lead the way!"

Martin waved his hand, and the man who checked the invitations turned into a waiter, pointing the way ahead and introducing the various areas of the ship.

Martin listened quietly, perfecting the structural diagram of the final offer in his mind. Only after he introduced the arena on the lowest level did he ask, "Can this ship still fit an arena?"

The waiter puffed out his chest and said proudly, "You really underestimate us. Not only do we have an arena here, but sometimes you can even see superhumans fighting each other. It's very exciting."

"Then let's go there!"

Martin nodded. He had no interest in using people as tools for his own pleasure.

But the arena is on the lowest level, and getting there requires passing through most of the ship below.

Following the winding ladder all the way down, Martin arrived at the arena, and heard noisy shouts before he got close.

"Punch!"

"It's my money. I will definitely get a comeback next time."

"Kill him... Kill that bastard..."

Before Martin even stepped into the arena, the enthusiastic cheers were like waves, hitting his face through the bulkheads welded from steel plates.

He walked to the audience and looked down. He saw a strong man holding a big knife and fighting bloody with three wild wolves the size of calves.

"Woohoo—that's it!"

The audience in the stands watched the strong man fighting with the beast, shouting even more excitedly, jumping and dancing like a group of monkeys in clothes.

The person in charge of this match knew very well how to stimulate the spectators. When the strong man lost the ability to resist, he released a few little wolves to eat the challenger who was only breathing his last breath.

Seeing this scene, the audience on the stage became even more excited.

Martin smelled the strong hormone smell in the air, and his stomach churned. "What a bunch of bastards who should all be taken out and shot. It's so disgusting."

He turned his head away, unable to bear to look any longer.

As a former gladiator, he knew very well that the strong man would die in extreme pain.

"Damn Gotham, damn bastards..."

Martin couldn't stand the debauchery of these people, and seeing the Penguin's Latino secretary standing on a high place, he walked over through the crowd.

　Please collect, read, vote, and recommend! Please leave more comments, thank you for your support!
　　

(End of this chapter)