Chapter 18: Decisive Battle Against the Gang, Establishing the Foundation of Power

The note was simple, yet it exploded in Mao Yu’s mind like a bomb: Midnight tomorrow, abandoned factory, a battle to the death!

Signature: Zhang Biao, Wang Hu.

Hmph, it seems these two are determined to fight him to the bitter end.

Mao Yu sneered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

The following night, the abandoned factory was filled with the pungent scent of motor oil and rust. The dilapidated walls were covered in chaotic graffiti, and the air felt thick with a suffocating tension.

Mao Yu arrived with Mao Ling and Feng Yao, their surroundings prompting them to remain hyper-vigilant. Moonlight streamed through the broken windows, casting eerie shadows over the rusted machinery.

"Brother Yu, this place... it’s creepy," Mao Ling murmured, shrinking back and clinging tightly to Mao Yu’s side.

Though Feng Yao appeared composed on the surface, her slightly trembling hands betrayed her inner unease.

Mao Yu took her hand, offering a reassuring look. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

No sooner had he spoken than a clamor of footsteps approached. Zhang Biao and Wang Hu emerged with a group of underlings, both men wearing sinister smiles.

"Young Master Mao, I didn't think you’d actually dare to show up!" Zhang Biao said, carrying a steel pipe over his shoulder, his tone dripping with provocation.

Wang Hu laughed maliciously. "There’s a road to heaven you chose not to take, and a door to hell you’ve insisted on crashing through! Today is your end!"

"Heh, just based on you pathetic excuses for men?" Mao Yu scoffed with disdain.

"Enough talk!" Zhang Biao roared, swinging his steel pipe at Mao Yu. "Today, I’ll show you exactly why life is so short!"

Wang Hu also brandished his machete, lunging viciously at Mao Yu.

The two factions instantly clashed, the factory erupting with shouts and the clanging of metal. Mao Yu moved like a tiger descending from the mountains, his fists and kicks swift and lethal.

"You forced my hand!" Mao Yu’s gaze sharpened, and suddenly, a ball of scorching flame appeared in his hand.

He slowly raised his head, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Now, let me show you what true power looks like!"

"Wait!" Mao Yu suddenly spoke, pulling a USB drive from his pocket. "I think you should see this first..." He pressed a button on the drive, and a projector beam illuminated the mottled wall, starting a video.

In the video, a mysterious figure was conspiring with a man in a suit, their conversation clearly audible—it was a plot to sow discord between Zhang Biao and Wang Hu.

"What the hell! So that old bastard was the one pulling the strings!" Zhang Biao’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the familiar figure in the video—their mutual "enemy."

Wang Hu was stunned as well; he had always assumed Zhang Biao was picking a fight on purpose, never imagining there was such a hidden agenda.

The surrounding underlings erupted in discussion.

"I told you! Brother Biao and Brother Hu have always been on good terms, why would they suddenly turn on each other?"

"So someone was playing us all along. How despicable!"

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu’s faces turned livid; they felt like fools, played like puppets.

Mao Yu added at the perfect moment, "This mastermind is the 'Black Snake' organization, hiding in the shadows. Their goal is to swallow both your gangs and control the entire underground scene of the Esper City."

"Black Snake?!" Zhang Biao and Wang Hu exclaimed in unison. That name was taboo in the city’s underground world; they never expected to be caught in such a massive vortex.

Just then, the man in the suit from the video suddenly lunged from the projection, attempting to snatch the USB drive.

Mao Yu was prepared. He dodged the attack in a flash, simultaneously raising a wall of fire that trapped the man.

"Trying to run? Not so easy!" Mao Yu sneered, a murderous glint in his eyes.

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu exchanged glances, seeing regret and anger in each other’s eyes.

"Young Master Mao, we misunderstood you before," Zhang Biao said first. "I never thought you were actually looking out for us."

Wang Hu agreed, "Indeed. We were deceived by 'Black Snake' and nearly caused a catastrophe."

Mao Yu smiled faintly. "To acknowledge one's mistake is the greatest virtue. Now, shouldn't we join forces to deal with the real enemy?"

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu nodded without hesitation. They were now filled with respect and gratitude toward Mao Yu, and fueled by hatred for "Black Snake."

The underlings also expressed their willingness to follow Mao Yu in opposing "Black Snake."

Mao Yu scanned the crowd, a sharp light in his eyes. "Good. In that case, we shall..."

He suddenly paused, his gaze fixed on the depths of the abandoned factory, where something seemed to be approaching.

"Wait," Mao Yu whispered. "It seems there are others..." From the depths of the factory, a frigid aura slowly closed in.

Mao Yu narrowed his eyes, the flames in his hand dancing more violently.

Though Zhang Biao and Wang Hu had submitted verbally, the pride in their bones made them restless, wanting to test the depth of Mao Yu’s strength.

"Young Master Mao, since we're to cooperate, shouldn't you show us your true skills?" Zhang Biao grinned, approaching again with his steel pipe.

Wang Hu nodded maliciously in agreement. "That’s right. Words alone aren't enough."

"Heh, if you’re so eager to be beaten, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Mao Yu sneered, his power surging like a volcanic eruption.

A system prompt sounded: "Detected that the host is entering combat state. Activating 'Berserk Mode', attack power increased by 50%!"

"Holy crap, I can do that?" Mao Yu was secretly delighted; the system was coming through this time!

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu attacked together, their pipe and machete weaving in a storm of strikes toward Mao Yu.

Mao Yu’s movements were ghostly; he dodged their attacks with ease.

His fists ignited with raging fire, striking their chests like two scorching meteors.

*Boom! Boom!* With two deafening crashes, Zhang Biao and Wang Hu were sent flying like broken kites, slamming into the ground and coughing up blood.

The surrounding underlings paled, retreating in terror.

The factory walls cracked from the shockwaves of the supernatural energy, sending rubble flying.

Mao Ling hid behind Feng Yao, nervously clutching her sleeve.

"Sister Yao, is Brother Yu... is he okay?"

Feng Yao’s gaze was resolute, fixed on Mao Yu. "Don't worry, he’ll be fine."

Mao Yu walked slowly toward Zhang Biao and Wang Hu, looking down at them.

"Now, do you still think I’m just bragging?"

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu struggled to stand, their eyes filled with fear and awe.

"Young Master Mao, we were wrong! We won't dare do it again!"

"Hmph, realizing it now? Too late!" A cold light flashed in Mao Yu’s eyes as he raised his fist again.

Suddenly, a cold laugh echoed from the depths of the factory. "Heh, what a wonderful performance..." A figure slowly stepped out of the shadows, wearing a strange mask.

"What the hell, where did this cosplayer come from?" Mao Ling muttered.

The masked man sneered. "You little ants, are you even worthy of knowing my identity?" Black energy swirled around him, radiating a suffocating pressure.

"Black Snake organization? They are merely my pawns."

Mao Yu frowned; this guy certainly had a big mouth.

"System, scan him. What level is he?"

"Ding! Target detected. Level: Peak Advanced Esper. Ability: Shadow Manipulation." The system’s voice made Mao Yu’s heart tighten. This was a much more dangerous character than Zhang Biao or Wang Hu.

"Yao, Ling, step back." Mao Yu shielded them behind him, his eyes burning with battle intent.

Feng Yao’s gaze followed Mao Yu intently, silently praying for his safety.

Mao Ling clenched her fists, cheering for him from the sidelines. "Brother Yu, go! Beat him up!"

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu retreated to the side, watching the situation unfold. Though they had been defeated, they were still somewhat unconvinced of Mao Yu’s true power.

If Mao Yu could defeat this mysterious masked man, they would be completely convinced and willing to follow him.

"Kid, your ability is indeed unique, but in the end, it’s just a flickering firefly trying to outshine the moon," the masked man said with contempt, as if victory were already in his grasp.

"Shadow Cage!" He formed hand seals, and black chains rose from the ground, trapping Mao Yu within.

"Hmph, cheap tricks!" Mao Yu sneered, his internal fire surging and instantly incinerating the shadow chains.

"Let me show you what it means to play with fire!" He pressed his palms together, a massive fireball condensing in his hands.

"Flame Burst!" The fireball shot toward the masked man like a cannonball, the shockwave of the explosion shattering the factory walls.

As the dust settled, the masked man had vanished.

"Where is he?" Mao Ling looked around, bewildered.

Suddenly, the masked man’s voice came from behind them: "Kid, you fell for it!"

Mao Yu turned abruptly, only to see the masked man behind Feng Yao, a dagger pressed against her throat.

"Let her go!" Mao Yu roared, his eyes filled with killing intent.

"Heh, you want me to let her go? Then kneel and beg me!" The masked man laughed maniacally.

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu exchanged glances, hesitating. While they feared Mao Yu, if they could use this chance to eliminate him, they could retake control of the underground.

"What do we do, Brother Biao?" Wang Hu whispered.

Zhang Biao’s eyes flickered as he weighed the pros and cons.

"Wait and see..."

Just then, five other espers stepped forward.

"Young Master Mao, we are willing to follow you!" they said in unison.

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu’s faces changed drastically. They hadn't expected Mao Yu to have so many followers.

"Good! Very good!" A trace of gratification flashed in Mao Yu’s eyes. "In that case, let’s take him down together!"

The masked man’s face turned grim, not expecting this turn of events.

"Hmph, a bunch of rabble, daring to oppose me?" He pressed the dagger slightly harder, and a thin line of blood appeared on Feng Yao’s neck.

"Stop!" Mao Yu roared, his power exploding like a volcanic eruption.

He flashed, appearing instantly behind the masked man...

"You’ve had your fun."