American comics farmer: start by adopting the villain savior.

Chapter 199 Clark and the Capital: A Strange Encounter in Metropolis. [Bonus Chapter]

Time passed quickly, and the day arrived before Clark and Shen Du set off for the metropolis.

The farm was shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning, with glistening dewdrops hanging on the blades of grass, and the air filled with the moist scent of earth and grass.

The whole family gathered under the wooden porch of the farmhouse to bid farewell to their short trip.

Shen Du's face was expressionless, but his tightly pursed lips betrayed a hint of impatience.

Salafir clung to his clothes like a clingy little rice cake, her eyes slightly red: "Shen Du...you must come back soon...I'll miss you..."

"."

His gaze passed over Salafir's shoulder and landed on Kayla, who was standing quietly behind him.

The wolf girl simply watched quietly, her silvery-white hair gently swaying in the morning breeze.

Shen Du's lips twitched.

That would be best!

He guessed that his foolish older brother had long been eager to get rid of him, the third wheel.

"Alright, Salafil."

Seeing this scene of 'life and death', Locke found it somewhat amusing. He stepped forward, scooped up Salafir who was still reluctant to leave, and said, "It's not like Shen Du isn't coming back. It's only two days. It'll be over in the blink of an eye."

As he spoke, he casually placed the little one into Kayla's outstretched arms.

"Kayla, keep an eye on him."

Kayla quickly hugged Salafir, who had suddenly been thrust into her arms. She was a little flustered, but still nodded earnestly: "I will, Mr. Locke."

After doing this.

Locke then turned to Shen Du, ruffled his soft hair, and said in his usual gentle tone, "Remember to listen to Brother Clark and be careful."

Disdainfully tidying her messed-up hair, she gave Locke a look that said, "Are you kidding me?"

"."

Locke looked at Clark.

The tall young man was frantically checking his belongings one last time, muttering to himself, "Tickets...wallet...spare cash...uh, and Uncle Lionel's credit...cough cough, VIP card!"

He checked again and again to make sure the card was securely in his pocket, even pressing it against the fabric for added peace of mind, before finally letting out a sigh of relief as if he had accomplished a major task.

But when he looked up, he met Locke's smiling, scrutinizing gaze, and he became even more nervous, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet, like a Boy Scout on his first Smallwell hike.

Seeing the starkly different reactions of the two, Locke smiled helplessly, then changed his mind and said, "Alright then, God Capital, remember... to be more understanding of your brother Clark."

Shen Du let out a soft snort as a response, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but his expression clearly said:

—Do you even need to tell me?

Without further delay, he nimbly climbed onto the back of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which was large enough to carry both him and Clark.

Seeing this, Clark was naturally also present in Jonathan's office:
"Be careful on the road!" "Watch your little brother! Don't lose him!" "Don't get lost!" "If all else fails, let's go in a Gundam!" "Isn't there any teleportation magic, Locke?" "How about we take Dad with us, Clark!"

Um.
Amid Jonathan's wailing as he was being punished by Martha, Clark deftly straddled the motorcycle's driver's seat.

"We walked!"

He turned around, gave his family members standing at the door a bright but slightly stiff smile, and waved vigorously.

Martha smiled and waved her hand, Salafir waved her little hands vigorously in Kayla's arms, and Locke nodded slightly.

As for Dior?

Dior arrived last night.

She stood silently at the head of his bed.

He said in a cold, warning tone, "Clark, don't get carried away with your playfulness."

He was so startled he almost spat out his heat!
Clearing his mind, Clark took a deep breath to calm his nerves about the 'important task' of taking his younger brother on a trip alone, and steadily twisted the accelerator with his right hand.

With a deep roar, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle carried the two brothers, each with their own thoughts, away from the Kent farm and onto Interstate 70, which leads to the metropolis.

A little dust rose up behind the car, and the figures of the farmhouse and family members gradually shrank in the rearview mirror, eventually disappearing into the distance.

And so.
The atmosphere on the motorcycle, which had been briefly lively due to the noise of the departure, quickly fell into a subtle silence.

Clark steered with utmost concentration, his back ramrod straight, as if carrying out a sacred mission. Shen Du sat quietly in the back seat, his small face gently caressed by the wind, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the rapidly receding cornfields and pastures.

The silence lasted for a long time, so long that Clark could even hear his own heartbeat quickening slightly with nervousness.

Ok
As the older brother, Clark felt obligated to break the unsettling silence.

At least we should find something to talk about and show that the older brother is caring and reliable, right?

Clearing his throat somewhat awkwardly, Clark tentatively and sheepishly projected his voice through his bio-field, allowing it to penetrate the whistling wind and reach the back seat:

"Shen Du, um... do you know which pavilions we're going to visit after the expo opens tomorrow? I heard there's a space exploration pavilion that sounds pretty good..."

Clark tries to demonstrate his reliability as an older brother.

He did his homework beforehand.

"is it?"

"Even if we have VIP tickets and priority access, you certainly wouldn't like to abuse your privileges and cut in line. In the end, you'll still have to wait in line obediently, won't you?"

"Therefore, our optimal route is actually to enter from the east entrance."

Shen Du didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, and said in a flat tone, "Then, based on the official exhibition area distribution map and crowd flow hotspot predictions released by the Expo."
"We should prioritize visiting the 'Luther Quantum Frontier' and 'Luther Bioengineering' exhibition halls in Area A, and avoid the morning rush hour in the Family Hall in Area B."

"In the afternoon, you can choose to visit 'Luther Energy Innovation' in Zone C or 'Luther Artificial Intelligence Applications' in Zone D. As for the Space Exploration Pavilion you mentioned..."

"It belongs to Wayne Enterprises."

He paused, then offered his assessment without reservation:

"Located in Zone E, the exhibits are mostly science popularization items aimed at the general public, the interactive projects are childish, the expected waiting time is more than 45 minutes, the cost performance is extremely poor, and it is not within my consideration."

Slightly bewildered by this barrage of data and analysis, Clark opened his mouth.

After a long pause, he finally managed to utter a question tinged with frustration:

"Where...where did you get all this from?"

He felt that the intelligence he had gathered from all over the place was utterly worthless in the face of the capital.

Bruce said the Space Exploration Museum is a must-see attraction!
"The internet is amazing, isn't it?"

Shen Du's tone remained flat. "I secretly went to my arrogant brother's room and used his computer so we could avoid wasting time on meaningless queuing and watching low-brow displays. Efficiency is a problem, you big oaf brother."

After being choked by his 'big, dumb brother', Clark's face darkened and he was about to lash out.

Can.
Arrogant older brother?

Is this referring to Dior?
Clark shrugged. As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy.

The thought of Dio's perpetually cold face being categorized as arrogant by the gods immediately replaced his displeasure with a strange sense of balance, and he even felt a little amused.

He struggled to suppress a laugh, admitting in a complicated tone:
"Alright, Shen Du, your idea is indeed quite thoughtful."

"."

After that, there was another silence.

Only the sound of the wind and the engine accompanied me.

After a while, Shen Du suddenly spoke again, breaking the silence.

With a hint of barely perceptible amusement, he said, "Big, goofy brother, do you know what's going on?"

"Ok?"

Clark immediately responded, assuming his brother had made some new discovery or had some need.

Is it because you've been sitting for too long and are uncomfortable? Or do you need to go to the toilet?
"You probably forgot to fill up this motorcycle with gas."

"?"

"Shen Du, how did you know?"

Clark was taken aback, instinctively assuming his brother had used some extraordinary sensory ability, and asked in surprise, "Could it be that your magic can sense the amount of fuel in the tank?!"

“You’re overthinking it.” Shen Du let out a short, soft chuckle. “I’m just suggesting you take a look at the dashboard in front of you.”

"?!"

Clark froze, nearly losing his grip on the steering wheel.

He suddenly looked down at the motorcycle's dashboard.

The yellow warning light on the fuel indicator had come on at some point, and the needle was trembling as it pointed towards the edge of the red zone, which represents danger!

A wave of embarrassment suddenly washed over Clark.

He actually made such a basic mistake.
Before setting off, I was so busy checking my tickets and VIP card that I completely forgot to check the fuel level.
"I...I'll find a gas station right now!"

Clark frantically looked around, his super vision scanning the road ahead like radar, quickly locking onto a road sign a few kilometers away. "There's one not far ahead! Luckily, we spotted it early..."

He breathed a sigh of relief, still shaken. If they had broken down in the middle of nowhere, with the capital city in tow…

He couldn't even imagine what Dior's expression would be when he found out.

They couldn't possibly have to beg their uncle for help halfway through their brotherly journey, asking Locke to use the power of the Yamato to teleport them there directly, could they?

That's too embarrassing.

Seeing Clark's flustered state, Shen Du snorted softly and closed his eyes, as if he had just casually reminded him of a trivial matter.

But the slight upturn of his lips still revealed his triumphant satisfaction.

The Harley-Davidson's engine sounded somewhat strained as it sped toward the next gas station.

Speeding along the flat, straight roads of Kansas, the scenery rushes past at an astonishing pace.

A Harley-Davidson motorcycle that has been refueled seems to be infused with a new soul, and the roar of the engine becomes exceptionally smooth and powerful.

Clark even had the illusion that his old friend, which Dior had passed down to him, was so light today that it seemed to be defying gravity, almost like it was flying at low altitude.

The journey was originally estimated to take three to four hours according to the map.

But when Clark's superhuman vision allowed him to see the outline of that modern metropolis slowly rising like a mirage, shimmering with the luster of metal and glass in the sunlight...
He glanced at his watch incredulously.

Only two hours and twelve minutes have passed!
"This... is unbelievable..."

He muttered to himself, his voice filled with confusion.

Even with his superhuman senses and reaction speed, which allowed him to safely maintain a driving speed far exceeding the limit, the arrival speed was still somewhat beyond the realm of common sense!

"The capital city! We've arrived!" He couldn't help but raise his voice, announcing to the rear with a great sense of accomplishment.

A very soft hum came from the back seat, still tinged with sleepiness: "Have we arrived in the Metropolis?"

We've arrived in Midville!

Clark excitedly corrected himself, pointing to the faint outline of the town ahead.

"??? Where is Midville?" A question mark appeared on Shen Du's forehead. "Aren't we going to the Metropolis?"

Is the big, goofy older brother finally giving up and deciding to get lost?
"Uh"

Clark's enthusiasm was dampened a bit by the question, and he explained somewhat awkwardly, "It's just a small town on the outskirts of the metropolis."

"We're about sixty miles away. Should we cross the West River or the Hobbes River ahead? In any case, we'll soon officially enter the New Troy District of Metropolis!"

"."

His response was a long, meaningful silence from the back seat.

Half an hour later.
Clark's tone became cheerful again as the towering buildings in the distance undeniably filled his field of vision.

He tilted his head slightly, using his bio-force field to envelop his voice, which traveled through the wind and reached the small, quiet figure in the back seat—a figure so quiet it was almost forgotten.
"This time we've really arrived! The capital city!"

"The New Troy district is just ahead! Look at those skyscrapers! Aren't they magnificent!"

Slowly open your eyes, which have been closed.

Shen Du's indifferent gaze fell upon the approaching steel jungle in the distance. Unlike Clark, his face lacked excitement; he simply assessed the situation calmly: "Hmm. I see it."

Clark's enthusiasm was dampened by half, but he still tried to rekindle his brother's interest:

"Look over there, those twin towers, that's Lex's dad's new headquarters! I heard they have some big exhibits at this expo."

"And that one! That building with the huge golden globe on its roof, that's the Daily Planet building, arguably one of the most iconic buildings in the entire metropolis!"

Following Clark's gaze across the twin towers and the building topped with a ball, Shen Du's tone carried its usual arrogance: "Not bad."

With a helpless dry laugh, Clark could only silently withdraw his fingers and continue to admire the city skyline he had been away from for so long, experiencing a kind of lonely self-admiration.

He skillfully slowed down, allowing the Harley to docilely merge into the increasingly dense morning traffic of the metropolis into the wide streets.

The city's hustle and bustle instantly enveloped them.

The honking of car horns, the clamor of crowds, the bizarre lights on various electronic screens...

All of this was so different from the tranquil Smallwell.

Clark naturally slowed down, letting the motorcycle move slowly along with the morning traffic in the metropolis.

He glanced at his watch; it was just past ten o'clock, and there were still more than two hours before the check-in time at the hotel his uncle had booked for them.

"Shen Du, it's still early. Is there anywhere you'd like to visit first?"

Clark turned his head and asked, taking on the responsibility of being considerate of his older brother.

Shen Du crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the bustling commercial street and crowds beside him, before uttering two words with utter disinterest: "Whatever."

This put Clark in a real bind.

While driving carefully, he took a moment to send a group text message to his family on the farm to let them know he was safe.

But seeing that Shen Du seemed uninterested in anything, he scratched his head and tried to search his memory for something that might interest his special younger brother.

"How about Centennial Park? I heard it has a beautiful rose garden and fountain."

"No fun." Shen Du didn't even lift his eyelids.

Glen Morgan Square?

"Too many pigeons." The tone was clearly one of disdain.

"Little Bohemia?"

"Why go to Little Italy if you're not going to Italy?" Shen Du scoffed.

"Wireless City Cinema?"

"The film list doesn't seem to have any movies worth wasting your time on." He had already browsed the theater's schedule without realizing it.

"Laisi Department Store?"

"Isn't this 2005? Where did this Messi come from?"

God ended the conversation with his last sentence.

"."

All the lessons I did were ruthlessly rejected by God.

Clark felt that the little note he had written up late into the night before the trip, listing "must-see attractions for brothers," had now become a pile of worthless scraps of paper due to the capital's ruthless and precise rejection.

His face was ashen, and he was speechless for a moment. He could only stare at the endless stream of cars in front of him and let out a silent sigh.

But just when he was at his wit's end, his eyes lit up, as if he had remembered something.

His tone carried a hint of uncertainty and probing, mixed with a touch of awkward embarrassment:
“Um… Shen Du, how about… we go to a place I used to work at? The place I used to… uh, you know, the place I was in during that time.”

He was vaguely referring to that experience of running away from home.

"?"

Shen Du's strange gaze immediately turned towards them.

Clark blushed slightly and quickly added:

"I just honestly work to earn money! I haven't done anything else!"

"Oh?"

A slight ripple finally appeared in Shen Du's eyes.

A place where even that evil, big, dumb guy can make money peacefully?
This sounds unusual, even strangely appealing.

"Okay." He nodded without hesitation, his tone unusually urging, "Let's go take a look."

Seeing that God finally showed interest, Clark breathed a sigh of relief and felt much more relaxed.

We've finally found a place where this child is willing to move around!
Since that was the case, he immediately stopped hesitating, twisted the throttle, and skillfully maneuvered the motorcycle to change lanes and directions, driving past the iconic Bessolo Avenue and heading towards the neighborhood that held a special place in his memory.

"That store is called 'Lux'."

Clark drove while explaining, his tone tinged with nostalgia, "It's a bar, but it's open during the day too. The owner is..."

He recalled Samael's languid yet somewhat mysterious demeanor, and those eyes that seemed to easily see through people's hearts.

"Apart from being a little strange, everything else is fine."

"It's a pity that his family of origin wasn't very happy. Sigh, he's a pitiful person."

Lux...light? A bar?
The god silently memorized the name, while simultaneously letting out a cold laugh at the opportune moment:
"Big idiot brother, so you mean you, a sixteen-year-old high school student, are going to take a six-year-old elementary school student to a bar in broad daylight? We're doomed."

He was jolted awake by Shen Du's cold, mocking remark.

Clark nearly slipped from his grip on the handlebars.

He reacted suddenly.

Shinto
Although his thinking is frighteningly mature and he speaks as logically as an adult, his physical age is indeed only about six years old!
I actually had a brain fart and decided to take my underage brother to a bar?!

He could almost see Dio's icy eyes and Uncle Locke's silent yet even more oppressive gaze; cold sweat soaked his back.

His body was stiff, and even the motorcycle's trajectory seemed somewhat rigid.

“…Uh,” Clark’s throat was dry, and his voice weakened as he cautiously asked, “Then…are we still going?”

"It's all here."

Shen Du, of course, had no intention of backing down. Instead, he spoke in a tone as if it were a matter of course, issuing a command, and decisively uttered two words:
"go."

What age restrictions? What laws and regulations apply?

That kind of thing is meaningless to his god.

"……All right."

Seeing that God's attitude was so resolute, even hinting at taking the lead in this 'adventure', Clark was inexplicably relieved after his initial astonishment.

It's just like--

The "what's the use" attitude: "My brother agreed anyway, so we'll both get scolded."

Moreover, it's normal for a former employee to take his younger brother to visit his old workplace during his vacation and reminisce.

Clark tried to convince himself.

"boom--!"

Carrying the two brothers who were flirting with the edge of the law, the motorcycle roared deeper into New Troy.

They passed through increasingly bustling commercial streets and neon-lit Chinatowns, passing beneath the Daily Planet building topped with a golden globe...

After passing another iconic landmark of the Metropolitan Area, the Hell's Gate Bridge, we finally turned onto a street that contrasted sharply with the hustle and bustle of the main road.

During the day, this place is very quiet and exudes a sense of understated luxury.

The roads are cleaner, pedestrians walk more leisurely, and even the air seems to have settled down.

"Om-!"

The brakes screech, and the car slowed down in front of a building with a dark glass curtain wall and a simple yet sophisticated design. Clark brought the car to a smooth stop with Salafir in tow.

At the very top of the neon sign, the store name is elegantly outlined in lettering—

Lux.

"This is it."

Clark stopped his motorcycle, his tone somewhat complicated, a mixture of familiarity with returning to a familiar place and a subtle sense of guilt for bringing his younger brother to such a place.

He took a deep breath, got out of the car first, and looked at Shen Du: "Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

Shen Du nimbly jumped off the back seat, straightened his not-so-disheveled clothes, and looked up at the stylish bar.

Lux?

In the name of light? What a boastful tone.

Let me, the God of War, see what's going on here!
If it's not his type, he'll just light a fire on the boss's butt!

(End of this chapter)