After leaving the park, Lin Li was no longer in the mood to stroll around. He hailed a taxi directly and headed straight for the Vehicle Management Office.
The taxi driver, a Black man, warmly welcomed Lin Li to the city. He was very talkative, assuming Lin Li was an immigrant from China, and offered various tips on things to note, where to find good food, scenic spots, and historical sites. He even sternly warned against certain areas due to gang wars over territory and advised against going out after certain hours at night.
Lin Li was surprised to hear about Jetts of Jipuyuedun Street. When Lin Li curiously inquired, the Black taxi driver briefly described him: Jetts was a scoundrel, a loser, who had clashed with others on Jipuyuedun Street a month ago, seizing control of it and driving the taxi driver out. This had caused the taxi driver's business to plummet recently, forcing him to drive a taxi just to make some money.
Upon reaching their destination, the Black taxi driver even gave Lin Li a business card and quietly told him that for any needs concerning taxis, marijuana, human trafficking, smuggling, gambling, XX, weapons, or any other unsavory underground activities, Lin Li could find him. He could make introductions, and the referral fee was very cheap.
It turned out he was a pimp. Lin Li, speechless, accepted the business card.
Lin Li registered to take the motorcycle driving test at the Vehicle Management Office, paying 20 US dollars. The staff gave him a book on motorcycle driving and traffic safety rules. After studying it, he was to return in one week for the written test. If he passed, he would then bring his own motorcycle for the road test one week later, and that would be it. If he failed, he would have to pay again for a retest.
Alternatively, he could choose a driving school and hire an instructor, which would be a bit more expensive at 300 US dollars.
After he was done, Lin Li returned directly to Star Labs.
Wells and Cisco were still inspecting and researching at the particle accelerator loop.
Caitlin, however, remained blankly seated in the control room. From the time Lin Li left for the Vehicle Management Office until his return, roughly an hour later, she was still in the same state.
"Can't you let go? You're acting like a clumsy penguin right now."
Lin Li entered the control room lobby, threw the book on the table, and said to Caitlin.
Caitlin was startled awake. She retorted, "Can you let go of your loved one? Can you?"
Lin Li said, "I can't, which is why I'm working hard to go back."
Caitlin sighed, "I can't either. So, we are a pair of star-crossed lovers."
"No, we are not a pair of star-crossed lovers; it's just me."
Lin Li said with a wry smile.
"The Central City Police Department confiscated all of Star Labs' data, video recordings, audio recordings, and traffic camera footage after the explosion. I browsed through all of it a few days ago when I went to find Barry…"
At this moment, Barry walked into the control room lobby. Lin Li saw Barry's spirited expression and stopped speaking.
Lin Li said, "Alright, we'll talk later. Right now, Barry and I have a battle to resolve."
Caitlin was completely bewildered, wondering what Lin Li was up to and what kind of battle he had with Barry. Had a Metahuman appeared?
Caitlin asked, "A battle? With whom? Has a Metahuman appeared?"
Barry said, "No, it's a battle between Lin Li and me, a duel of ideologies. Lin Li, I still hope you'll listen to me."
"Barry, I still maintain my view. Everyone has different ideologies. Forcing your own ideology onto others is not ethical."
"Lin Li, killing doesn't solve problems. You're my good friend, and I won't let you become a killing machine dominated by power."
"I won't, Barry. You're just a stubborn mule. Let's go to the underground training room."
Caitlin watched as the two left the control room lobby.
No, they were going to fight. She needed to inform Dr. Wells and Cisco.
In the end, several members of Star Labs all came to the underground training room.
Wells asked, "Why are they going to spar?"
Caitlin, who understood the situation better, explained, "On the way down with them, I learned that Barry advocates that no matter what crimes a person commits, they should not be killed. They should be apprehended and handed over to the law for proper resolution. Lin Li, on the other hand, advocates killing those who deserve to be killed and handing over those who don't to the law for judgment. How to determine who deserves to be killed is up to Lin Li. Since their ideologies differ greatly and neither could convince the other, they decided to fight."
Cisco raised his hand, "I support Barry's ideology."
Caitlin nodded in agreement, "I also support Barry's ideology."
Barry's approach of operating within certain rules and having clear boundaries was something they supported.
As for Lin Li's approach of judging who should or should not be killed based on his own Claim, it was too individualistic and arbitrary. If this were in the East, it would be called a martial artist causing chaos with his own set of standards, acting privately, disregarding the law, and even potentially, if he started by following his own rules, he might gradually become lax and dispose of anyone recklessly. Once the desire to kill arose, with Lin Li's abilities, the destruction he could cause would turn him into a demon. Barry was worried about such a situation, which is why he constantly urged Lin Li not to kill, especially given Lin Li's firm belief that those who deserve to be killed must be killed.
Dr. Wells did not speak; he just watched Barry and Lin Li thoughtfully.
"Who do you think will win?"
"Lin Li."
Cisco and Caitlin said in unison. They had no doubt about the outcome. Barry was fast, yes, very fast, but he was truly just fast. With Lin Li's physical strength and his own Biological Force Field alone, Barry would have no way to break through, unless Barry ran from 5.3 miles away…
In the center of the underground training room, a cleared space, Lin Li and Barry stood facing each other.
First, it was the usual pre-fight banter.
"Lin Li, I must guide you back to the right path."
Lin Li almost wanted to spit in Barry's face. How could he assume his way was the only correct one? Everyone has their own opinions. Is it really okay for you to twist my will like this? I believe my ideology will be recognized by more people.
He was helpless. This Barry felt a bit different from the one in the TV show, at least the TV show's Barry wasn't so stubborn, insisting he couldn't kill anyone.
"Barry, I know what you're worried about. I won't become what you imagine. My opponents are Metahumans. I won't bother with ordinary people, nor do I have any reason to. With that time, I'd rather research how to go home."
"No, Lin Li, even if they are Metahumans, you cannot kill them."
"We'll see."
"Let's fight. Get ready, I'm coming."
Barry took a running stance, yellow arcs of electricity appearing around him, signaling to Lin Li that he was about to attack.