msmithbooks Chapter 183, Section 80: I heard you're also from Gotham, so we might be from the same hometown
Chapter 183, Section 80: I heard you're also from Gotham, so we might be from the same hometown
Chapter 183, Section 80: I heard you're also from Gotham, so we might be from the same hometown.
Qin Wei didn't even bother uploading the video; in the eyes of these hackers, hacking into this computer was as easy and pleasant as taking a trip to a public toilet.
As expected, the chat room fell silent again after the USB drive was plugged in.
The video was quite long, and he figured it would take the other person a while to process it. In the meantime, he ordered a fried chicken and beer combo meal to appease his hungry stomach.
But to be fair, this British pub is quite authentic. In addition to the decor and atmosphere, it perfectly recreates the British people's terrible food handling and cooking skills.
Qin Wei didn't understand why he had to go through the trouble of preparing frozen chicken himself when the supermarket clearly sold it ready-made.
While the waiter wasn't looking, he dumped the entire plate of fried chicken into the trash can under the table.
But when he straightened up, the previously empty chat box was now filled with text.
"Where did you get this? Don't tell me this is what Robin Hood's been up to lately. If that's the case, he's in big trouble. I bet this thing is definitely related to the Freemasons!"
"Damn it, you know what! I initially thought it was a composite video, but after decoding it, guess what? It's real!"
The first two hackers commented, but when it came to the third hacker, who loved to spam, he unusually left a short message.
"Venezuela? So the rumors online are true!"
"Looks like you're from Gotham, so we might be from the same hometown."
Qin Wei did not give a direct answer; there were some things they didn't need to know too much about.
"Damn it, this is all we're supposed to do? Just throw this thing online? That's way too easy. Can't we make it a little more challenging?"
"Don't get too cocky yet, the main event is just beginning."
Qin Wei straightened his posture and typed a series of words on the keyboard.
"Once you upload it to the internet, you will definitely be targeted. Someone will try every means to track down your IP address and delete the video source file. Of course, your personal safety will also be greatly threatened."
""
"Damn it, you're insulting us. Hackers aren't afraid of being hacked!"
The second hacker had just made some arrogant remarks when the first one backed down.
"I'm quitting. This job is beyond my capabilities. I don't know if this video involves an Illuminati or Freemason conspiracy. I'll just pretend I'm a believer in conspiracy theories. Getting involved with them won't lead to anything good."
It was expected that some people would back down, and Qin Wei typed to express his understanding.
According to Tim's requirements, this task must be completed by at least two people working together, one to attack and the other to defend, while he would lurk in the shadows to guard the last line of defense.
Therefore, the decision of the Gotham natives became crucial.
"I'll do it."
Upon seeing the reply that appeared on the screen, Qin Wei breathed a sigh of relief.
It is foreseeable that this video will soon spread and ferment like a virus on the Internet, and before the real war arrives, a fierce cyber war will be launched first.
Once the conspiracy between the Court of Owls and the Gotham government is exposed to the public, even if it fails, the hidden blade of Talon will only be held to the necks of the two hackers, and Qin Wei behind the scenes will remain calm and collected.
He didn't feel like he was using the other party, nor did he think there was anything wrong with involving ordinary people in this huge conspiracy. From the beginning, he didn't want to be a lone hero, after all, this was not a war fought by one person alone.
It is a war between ordinary people struggling to survive in a terminally ill city and parasites that exploit them relentlessly.
Just as Qin Wei finished discussing the plan and was about to close his laptop, a private chat invitation popped up in the lower right corner.
Judging from the profile picture, the person who invited me is that fellow Gotham native who likes to spam the chat.
"What is it?"
"Mr. Wei?"
Qin Wei's heart tightened when his identity was exposed in a single sentence.
Even if the other party is a Gotham local, they should only know pseudonyms like "Matchstick Marlon" or "Judgment Knight".
He didn't know how to reply for a moment.
"Don't worry, I've encrypted the chat program. The following conversation will only be between you and me."
What are you trying to say?
"I am Barbara Gordon."
The other party gave an answer that was both unexpected and yet predictable.
Qin Wei had met Barbara once before; at the time, he was just a gang member, so it was normal for Chief Gordon to mention him casually.
It's hard to imagine that the seemingly innocent, lively, and naive girl was actually a hacker who loved to spam social media.
After a brief exchange, Qin Wei learned that Barbara had been investigating him for some time because she was worried about her father's safety. She had even secretly installed a listening device on her father's phone, so that every call Qin Wei made would first reach the girl's ears.
Even Tim was lured here by Barbara.
As the saying goes, you can guard against a thief in your own home, but it's hard to guard against one's own family. Qin Wei should be thankful that Barbara, influenced by Gordon since childhood, hates evil and is therefore determined to keep Qin Wei's true identity a secret after she found out. She also secretly erased many traces of Qin Wei's identity.
For example, six months ago at the crossroads, Qin Wei briefly revealed his skills, and the erased surveillance footage was Barbara's doing.
After reminiscing about the past, the girl steered the conversation back to the present.
"Please save my father! I visited him in prison yesterday, and his face was covered in bruises—there are too many of his mortal enemies there, and they won't let him go!"
In fact, Qin Wei had planned to do this even without Barbara's reminder. He had already discussed the plan carefully with Thomas, and the rescue (prison break) operation was scheduled for tonight.
However, out of caution, Qin Wei did not tell the other party the exact time of the operation.
After offering a few words of comfort, Qin Wei ended his day's activities. Leaving the bar, he pulled his trench coat tighter around himself and, under the astonished gazes of passersby, threw his newly purchased laptop into the Gotham River.
When I arrived at the agreed meeting point, Selena had already been waiting by the roadside for quite some time.
The girl was straddling her beloved little motorcycle, her brows furrowed, looking preoccupied.
"What's wrong?"
"I've met a terrible guy—"
Catwoman originally wanted to share with Qin Wei how she beat up several car thieves who were trying to steal her motorcycle in the alley, but just a few minutes earlier, she had caught a glimpse of a figure across the street.
To be precise, there were two people: one was her roommate Holly.
The other is Dr. Daniel Reed.
However, it is more appropriate to call him by his real name—Thomas Elliott.
The two walked across the street chatting and laughing, Holly linking arms with Thomas, the two as intimate as a couple.
Selena's first thought was that Thomas was trying to get close to Qin Wei indirectly through Holly, but then she reconsidered, thinking that this path seemed too circuitous. Besides, as the heir to the Elliott family and the de facto manipulator of the Court of Owls, was this really something of personal value to him?
She told Qin Wei everything she had seen and heard, along with her doubts, and the latter had the same questions.
Are you sure you haven't mistaken someone for someone else?
"Dr. Reed is exceptionally handsome and has a physique that makes it impossible to mistake him for someone else."
"So, do you think he's more handsome or I am?"
The topic surrounding Qin Wei took an unexpected turn.
"Wei, I thought we were talking about serious matters!" Selena tried to steer the wheel back, but Qin Wei's determined gaze made her relent: "You're more attractive to me."
Having received a satisfactory answer, Qin Wei smiled knowingly: "Then why don't we follow them and see what Elliott is up to? Owls don't operate during the day, so even if I'm exposed, they probably won't dare to make any big moves."