American comics: From Hogwarts to God on Earth

Chapter 104 Zigong redeems people

Rune continued, "I also think that Clark not only deserves the car, but he also deserves a front-page headline or a TV interview. Clark and I will go talk to the rescued man in a bit, and if he agrees, I'll go find a few reporters."

Jonathan was visibly stunned by Rune's words. His brows furrowed tightly, and his face showed confusion and bewilderment. Even Clark, standing beside him, looked at Rune with a puzzled expression. He understood that Rune was speaking up for him, but to appear in the newspapers or on television? Wasn't that a bit much?

Martha broke the silence, asking softly, "I know you wouldn't harm Clark, but could you tell me?"

Why do this?

Rune looked at Clark and said, "Do you think an ordinary person could be as strong as Clark?"

Blessed by God, Clark's current strength far surpasses that of his counterpart in the original comics. Now, he has not only mastered flight and laser beams, but can even cool the surrounding air by taking a deep breath. When Clark first accomplished this, Rune's initial reaction was that Clark was destined to make outstanding contributions to combating the greenhouse effect.

However, even though Clark's physical abilities far surpassed those of ordinary people, he never questioned his origins in the slightest. Sometimes Rune admired Superman's nonchalance.

Jonathan, who had lived with Clark for over a decade, was well aware of his physical condition and said, "Of course not. But I—..."

"But you think saving someone is easy for Clark, and he shouldn't accept such an expensive gift as a token of gratitude, right?" Rune interrupted Jonathan.

Jonathan certainly thought so, so he nodded.

"But he gave it to me! It was a mutually agreeable deal!" Clark shouted, and Jonathan tried to say something, but Martha stopped him.

"Enough! Let's hear what Rune has to say!" Martha said loudly, easily stopping the two men in the house.

Sometimes, she really wanted to travel back in time and kiss the version of herself who decided to take in Rune. She made the right decision!

However, she wasn't happy because Rune had improved her family's living conditions. Well, that was part of it, but more importantly, Rune had significantly eased the tension between Clark and Jonathan.

As ancient as the ancient magic on Rune's body is the wisdom that remains in his mind.

Martha's words made the two men in the house look at Rune, who continued, "You two know about Clark's situation..."

Knowing that saving lives was easy for him, just a simple act—but what about the others? Do the others even know that?

Looking at Jonathan, Rune continued, answering his own question: "He probably doesn't know, since someone asked him not to display his power. Have you ever considered what others would think if they knew Clark gained nothing after saving people?"

Jonathan suddenly understood why Rune insisted Clark accept the car. If others knew that Clark had saved someone and received nothing in return…

"Those who would have gone to save people would think, 'If such wealthy people aren't willing to pay for saving a life, then I won't go to save them.'" Rune looked at this man who had become a father but still lacked a deep understanding of human nature, and continued, "Those who were saved would think, 'If such wealthy people don't pay after being saved, then I certainly don't need to.'"

"By making Clark return the car, you're essentially saying that rescuers shouldn't ask for payment. Do you think that's reasonable? You're asking good people to risk their lives on a rescue that might not even be paid, and then if they ask for payment afterwards, they might face criticism, with Clark being a prime example. Can you accept that outcome?"

Rune's voice wasn't loud, and his tone was calm, without being aggressive, but his words silenced Martha and Jonathan for a long time, while Clark also lowered his head in deep thought.

Actually, a similar incident occurred in ancient times, in the famous story of Zigong redeeming a man. At that time, the State of Lu had a law: if a Lu citizen was enslaved abroad, someone who could redeem them could have the ransom reimbursed by the state treasury. However, Zigong redeemed a Lu citizen, but upon returning home, refused to accept the state compensation, for which Confucius criticized him. Later, Zilu, another disciple of Confucius, rescued a drowning man, who, in gratitude, gave him an ox, which Zilu accepted. Confucius praised him for this.

The reason is simple: Zigong raised the moral standard that everyone could reach to a height that most people could not reach, which made many people hesitate to redeem people.

Upon hearing the argument between the two, Rune immediately thought of this anecdote. Moreover, DC and Marvel superheroes generally do things similar to Zigong, and combined with the "happy education" mentality prevalent in the US, these superheroes have successfully cultivated a large number of spoiled brats—they take the heroes' sacrifices for granted, and curse them whenever they make a mistake. Many villains even seek revenge against the heroes because they were not saved.

This left Rune speechless. It was clearly those supervillains who started the battle, so why didn't you retaliate against them? Did you not want to? Oh, it's that you couldn't!

Superheroes are merciful and will spare your life, but supervillains will really kill you, so you become a bully who preys on the weak and fears the strong?

Good people should be held at gunpoint?

After figuring everything out, Jonathan sighed and then sincerely apologized to Clark: "I'm sorry, I didn't think that much about it. I have to offer you my sincerest apologies for my ignorance."

Jonathan wanted to bow to Clark, but Clark immediately realized what his father was about to do and quickly stopped him: "I was wrong too. Actually, I also thought this car was too expensive. I just wanted to drive it around for a bit and then return it..."

As he spoke, he scratched the back of his head and said sheepishly, "But after I argued with you, Dad..."

I deliberately said I wouldn't pay it back—I should apologize to you too, I shouldn't have gone against you—”

Martha watched with relief as the two stubborn men reconciled, and patted Rune on the shoulder: "Without you, I really don't know what I would have done."

After saying that, she turned to Clark and said, "I also have to apologize to you. I don't have Rune's wisdom; I just instinctively thought you should return the car. But that was wrong."

Jonathan looked at Rune, thinking: If Clark were like Rune, he wouldn't be so restrictive of Clark. But how to put it? Sigh, Clark is still too immature.