Chapter 195: Black Cocoon's Public Art Exhibition, Mu Long's First Kill
July 26th, 5 PM, China Li Jing.
After meeting with the Ghost Bell, the Restraint Incarnation flew back to Broly Bookstore. Black Cocoon patiently sealed the book "Old Master Q" in plastic wrap and gently placed it back on the shelf with the restraint belt.
To avoid being reprimanded by the bookstore owner who was tidying up.
The incarnation then proceeded to Li Jing Square with a drawing book and pencil snatched from a school classroom along the way.
The sun was setting in the west, and the afterglow of the sunset was gradually dimming. The whole square was bathed in colorful neon lights, and passersby flowed endlessly, like a moving symphony.
Soon, a scream shattered the tranquility, causing pedestrians to stop abruptly.
Following the sound, they saw a young girl covering her mouth, her trembling finger pointing to a corner of the square. Looking towards her finger, a giant, pitch-black cocoon hung beneath a cosmetics billboard.
A sudden dead silence fell upon the center of the square, as if God had pressed the mute button, leaving only the jarring advertisement slogans ringing in people's ears.
Next, under thousands of glances, the abrupt and bizarre giant cocoon slowly opened, and from it emerged a figure entirely wrapped in a pitch-black restraint belt.
Some screamed, some fled, some stayed, some cast curious glances, and some were too excited to contain themselves. Different people seemed to hold varying views and attitudes towards this mysterious gray figure.
Black Cocoon raised the sunglasses on his face and silently hung upside down beneath the fashion billboard, holding a drawing board and a pencil.
He paid no mind to the surrounding noise and chatter, staying focused on his drawing without raising his head.
Moments later, Black Cocoon began to speak, introducing to the pedestrians in Li Jing Square:
"Hello, greetings to you all. This is the first exhibition of Swallowing Silver Mouse Mouse... Just record a video, upload it to social networks, and like and check in for a chance to receive a cartoon portrait of Swallowing Silver Mouse Mouse from me."
Upon hearing this, the passersby were momentarily stupefied. Then, a few of Black Cocoon's fervent fans exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, and finally stepped forward.
They asked questions and opened their phone cameras to snap photos of him profusely.
The camera's built-in flash flickered at the center of the square, causing Black Cocoon's sunglasses to shine intermittently. Yet his gaze remained lowered, focused on the drawing board, showcasing the demeanor of a performance artist.
Uninformed passersby also gathered around, enticed by the harmonious scene. The square's guards waved nightsticks to disperse them, but it was all in vain.
"Kid, congratulations on winning. I wish you success in your studies." Black Cocoon used the restraint belt to pat a young boy's shoulder and tore a page from his notebook, handing him the newly completed Swallowing Silver Mouse Mouse cartoon drawing.
The school-uniformed boy squealed excitedly, clutching the drawing as he ran off, inciting an uproar from all directions.
"Can we have a Blue Arc cartoon instead?"
"I want one of Master Mu Long!"
"I want a cartoon with Swallowing Silver and Blue Arc together!"
Black Cocoon shook his head and continued sketching on his notebook while saying:
"Children, I once vowed to only create art for Swallowing Silver in my life. What Blue Arc, what Mu Long... In my artistic view, they are hardly worth mentioning, devoid of beauty, like a stray dog by the roadside compared to Swallowing Silver.
"After all, nothing matches the artistic value of a savage primitive person living in modern society. I can feel Mr. Swallowing Silver's deep inner turmoil, and I'm willing to depict this sense of contradiction."
He paused and suddenly lifted a finger: "However, I can begrudgingly draw you a piece titled 'Swallowing Silver Mouse Mouse Devours Blue Arc's Battery'."
With these words, the crowd erupted into loud applause.
"Don't rush, let me brew my inspiration first."
He said, scratching his chin and squinting his eyes, earnestly pretending to draw with a pencil on his notebook.
Just like an artist pondering over how to compose the picture.
Soon, a man dressed in a silver uniform and wearing a metallic helmet flew over the square. He was equipped with a propulsion device on his limbs and the back, soaring through the air like the animated hero from "Astro Boy."
Below him, a youth wearing a medieval dark blue knight helmet and draped in a gray cloak was grabbing his shoulder.
The visitors were none other than the Mutants "Swallowing Silver" and "Mu Long."
It seemed that the square's guards had reported to the Mutants Association the moment Black Cocoon appeared. With Blue Arc resting at home, the only high-ranking mutants on standby were these two.
Black Cocoon raised his sunglasses, glancing at Mu Long with the corner of his eye, thinking, finally, he had lured him over.
In the next moment, Mu Long released Swallowing Silver's shoulder, descending straight down, performing a standard superhero landing. He then reached inside his cloak to unsheathe a pitch-black sword as dark as the night.
"Stand back." He said while walking, his voice as chilling as ice.
In an instant, the pedestrians screamed and scattered from Black Cocoon's side, soon leaving the entire square empty.
The Restraint Incarnation hanging upside down beneath the billboard turned to look, its gaze calmly fixed on Mu Long through its sunglasses.