Starting from scratch, Batman crushed my dream of getting rich

Chapter 459 Believe I am Qin Shi Huang
"There are many things to discuss, let's talk about them one by one."

Clark scratched his head and folded up his Superman costume. "Shall we go downstairs first?"

"Put your clothes in here." Ma Zhaodi handed him a suitcase. "We also need to buy you a suit so you can wear your uniform underneath when you wear it. Oh, and here are your glasses too, non-prescription, no prescription."

"Hey, this looks a lot like the one I had before."

Clark was quite pleased and took the non-prescription glasses from Ma Zhaodi: "I didn't bring my own glasses with me this time—thank you, Ma."

"You're welcome, please go downstairs first."

Clark and Ma Zhaodi, one a superhuman capable of flying and teleporting, and the other a climbing master with superhuman physical abilities, obediently walked down the stairs.

“I’m more used to using the biofield while wearing glasses,” Clark chuckled. “Tell me about Vought Corporation first?”

"Well, you've seen it yourself."

Ma Zhaodi shrugged.

"Cheers, adoration, interviews, applause. Water Corporation is a purely commercial company, headquartered in our city, in New York. As for its operations—"

"Commercialized superheroes?"

"The main part can be basically understood like this—of course, there are also some rather strange financial transactions and assets with unclear destinations. I don't have time to calculate them in detail, but they are probably things like bribery or buying off the media. This is a dark side that all large companies have, but this part of Walter's revenue and expenses account for a much larger proportion than other companies. I wonder if there is anything fishy going on."

"Superhero-themed movies, games, theme parks, all sorts of merchandise advertisements, and most importantly, the superhero security business system. Vought International is the world's largest superhero operating company, with more than two hundred superhumans under its umbrella, who are then rented out around the world in exchange for promises of benefits or simply US dollars."

The Vought International Corporation's influence in the United States today is no less than your influence in this metropolitan city.

"That sounds a little uncomfortable."

Clark subconsciously recalled the whispers Queen Maeve had said to him on the street: the world's standard for measuring heroes seemed to be a hero's fame and commercial value; the more money a hero could make, the more successful he was, rather than the more he could help the people.

This standard, once used to measure products and celebrities, is now associated with the term "superhero."

"It's normal to feel uncomfortable. After all, we are all normal people, but we have come to this sick world."

The two talked as they arrived at the entrance of a hotel on the street.

"Old recipe, old method."

Ma Zhaodi led Clark inside and explained, "When you first arrive in a new universe, there's usually no chance to find a place to stay immediately. So the old way is to find a hotel or motel to stay in for a few days, and then move in after you've settled on a long-term place."

"You have a lot of experience."

"You don't need to worry about renting a place. I'll find two studio apartments and furnish them—where were we?"

“You’ve talked about Vought Corporation, but I’d like to know what this so-called Seven Heroes is all about.”

"They are the seven most famous and commercially valuable heroes of the Vought Corporation. The Vought Corporation has vigorously promoted them to the world. Due to their different abilities, identities and races, the seven of them basically cover the support tendencies and camps of most citizens, which can be described as a comprehensive harvest."

"You met two of the Seven today. The one who can fly is the strongest of the Seven, named Homelander. His abilities are very similar to yours in many ways, although he doesn't have the same aesthetic appeal in terms of numbers."

“The other one is called Queen Maeve, her name taken from Celtic mythology. Her power is an enhanced body, somewhat overlapping with Homelander's, though slightly weaker. However, because she's a woman, she was also included in the Seven to garner support for diversity and feminist rights.” “Diversity, feminist organizations.”

Clark couldn't help but sigh.

“Superheroes shouldn’t be politicized or commercialized like this.”

Ma Zhaodi smiled awkwardly but politely.

What you're saying is useless. DC itself is now adding more complex elements to its works, showcasing the diversity of humanity from sexual orientation to skin color and race.

Some inhuman beings treat politics as a business, and they'll do anything for profit—of course, Ma Zhaodi is referring to the universe of The Boys.

At this moment, the receptionist asked, "Two standard rooms? How do I pay?"

"Swipe your card."

Ma Zhaodi paid the bill with his credit card and handed a room key to Clark: "I booked a week's stay. By then, the studio apartment should be fully furnished."

"it is good."

"I know you might be wondering why a group called the 'Seven' would hold an audition to become an eight-member group—the answer is that, based on the information I've found so far, the lamplighter in the Seven seems to have retired because he doesn't want to continue being a hero, so it has temporarily become a six-member group."

Who are the remaining people?

Ding--

The hotel elevator doors opened, and the two stepped inside.

"Homelander, Queen Maeve, you've already met A-Train, A-Train's ability is super speed; there's also Black, wearing a black uniform, this person doesn't speak, and his ability doesn't seem to be anything special, he seems to be a body enhancement type like Maeve."

"There is also a Deep Sea creature whose abilities are similar to Arthur's. It can breathe underwater and move at high speeds, and it can also communicate with and command fish."

Who is Arthur?

Ma Zhaodi raised an eyebrow: "You don't recognize him? It's okay, you'll get to know him sooner or later."

"Okay. But if we count all of them, including the retired lamplighters, there are only six people. Where's the last one?"

"I'm sorry, I forgot about the Invisible Man. His ability is to alter his carbonaceous skin to refract light, achieving invisibility—he's so unremarkable that I forgot about him."

"Finally, one more point: all superheroes have basic physical enhancements. Their bodies are stronger, their muscles are tougher, they are stronger, and they are faster than normal people—Maeve and others with physical enhancements have additional enhancements on top of that."

"And what about their abilities? Where did they come from?"

“Online information seems to say that superhumans are born that way—of course, Vought International would call it ‘God’s blessing,’ but I’ve found that the United States seems to have the most superhumans in the world, while the Vatican and Jerusalem don’t have many superhuman births.”

Ma Zhaodi chuckled: "Believe in what Water Company says, or believe that I am Qin Shi Huang."

(End of this chapter)