Chapter 23: Settling Gang Disputes and Recruiting Abilities into the Fold

Inside the Esper Bar, the air was thick with the pungent scent of alcohol and gunpowder, illuminated only by dim, flickering lights.

Zhang Biao slammed his hand onto the table, making the glasses clatter. "Wang Hu, what the hell is your game? You’re encroaching on my territory and laying hands on my people!"

Wang Hu sneered, brushing a speck of dust off his suit. "Brother Biao, you can eat whatever you want, but you’d better watch what you say. Your territory? In this City of Espers, whoever has the hardest fist makes the rules!"

An invisible tension crackled between them like static electricity. The surrounding espers retreated, fearing they might be caught in the coming storm. The air grew stifling, the atmosphere brittle with hostility, as if a violent clash could erupt at any second.

"Gentlemen, let's talk this over. We're all in the same business; why ruin the harmony?" Mao Yu appeared between them, wearing his trademark lazy smile.

"Who the hell are you? Do you have any right to speak here?" Zhang Biao shot him a look of disdain.

Wang Hu added with a mocking tone, "Exactly. Where did this little nobody come from, and why is he meddling in my business?"

Mao Yu remained unruffled, his smile unwavering. "Don't be so hasty, gentlemen. I know exactly who stirred up this conflict between you, and I know what their next move is."

At these words, Zhang Biao and Wang Hu froze, and the surrounding espers perked up their ears.

Mao Yu pulled a document from his pocket and tossed it onto the table. "Take a look, gentlemen. This is a plan I intercepted from the mastermind behind the scenes. It clearly states they intend to let you destroy each other so they can reap the rewards."

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu picked up the file, their expressions darkening as they read. The document detailed every clash between them and the calculated machinations of the puppet master.

"This... this is impossible!" Zhang Biao’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Wang Hu’s face turned livid. "We’ve been played!"

The espers whispered among themselves, casting looks of admiration toward Mao Yu.

"Now you understand, don't you? Your true enemy isn't each other, but the one hiding in the shadows," Mao Yu said, scanning the crowd with a firm gaze. "I, Mao Yu, declare here and now: anyone who threatens the peace of the City of Espers will have me to answer to first!"

Several espers who had long been dissatisfied with Zhang Biao and Wang Hu stepped forward. "I’m willing to follow Brother Mao!"

"Count me in too!"

"Me as well!"

More and more espers joined Mao Yu’s side, their eyes filled with hope and fervor.

"Yaoyao..." Mao Yu turned to Feng Yao, his gaze softening.

Seeing Mao Yu resolve the crisis so effortlessly, the weight finally lifted from Feng Yao’s heart. Unable to contain her emotions, she threw herself into his arms, holding him tight.

Mao Yu gently stroked her hair, whispering, "It's all right, Yaoyao. Everything is over." The scene moved the surrounding espers, who could clearly feel the deep love between them.

Even the usually stoic Butler Lin couldn't help but reveal a look of relief. He stepped toward Mao Yu and bowed deeply. "Young Master Mao, I offer my sincerest apologies for my previous behavior. I hope you can overlook the transgressions of a small-minded man."

Mao Yu smiled faintly. "Butler Lin, you are too kind. Protecting Yaoyao is my responsibility."

The espers who had previously been oppressed by the arrogance of Zhang Biao and Wang Hu now looked at Mao Yu with profound respect. They had witnessed his wisdom and capability, and they saw the natural aura of a leader radiating from him.

A burly esper stepped forward, his voice gruff. "Brother Mao, I, Iron Bull, am willing to follow you!"

Next, a nimble esper spoke up. "Brother Mao, me too! That move you pulled was absolutely legendary!"

"Count me in! Follow Brother Mao, and we’ll live like kings!"

"Me too!"

"I'm joining as well!"

In the blink of an eye, five more espers pledged their loyalty to Mao Yu. Looking at their vibrant, hopeful faces, Mao Yu felt a surge of ambition. He knew this was only the beginning; his future would be nothing short of brilliant.

"Good! Welcome, brothers! Together, we will build the strongest faction in the City of Espers!" Mao Yu raised his arm, his voice resolute.

Just as the crowd cheered, the bar door was kicked open. A man in black stumbled in, pale and covered in blood.

"Young... Young Master Mao... disaster..." The man gasped out a few words before collapsing to the floor.

Mao Yu’s expression darkened instantly, a sense of foreboding washing over him. The bar fell into chaos; the message brought by the man was like a bomb, instantly shattering the atmosphere.

Mao Yu quickly knelt to lift him up. "What happened? Tell me, slowly!"

The man fought through the pain, stuttering, "The... the police station... attacked... an ambush..."

Mao Yu’s heart tightened. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he made an instant decision. "Brothers, the police station is under attack. We must go at once!"

The crowd responded immediately, charging out of the bar after Mao Yu.

At the entrance of the police station, the sounds of gunfire and shouting were deafening. A group of black-clad assassins was ferociously attacking the guards.

"Kill them! Leave no one alive!" the leader of the assassins roared, his blade swinging like the scythe of the grim reaper.

"Stop!" Mao Yu bellowed, charging into the fray with his followers.

"Brother Mao is here!"

"Let's move!"

Mao Yu’s arrival acted like an adrenaline shot for the guards. Their morale soared, and they fought back fiercely against the assassins.

"Mao Yu, you’ve finally arrived! We’ve been waiting for you!" the assassin leader sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"Hmph! You think you clowns can run wild in front of me?" Mao Yu scoffed, vanishing in a blur and reappearing instantly before the leader.

*Bang!*

With a thunderous impact, the assassin leader was sent flying by a single punch, crashing to the ground while spitting blood.

"Boss!" The other assassins swarmed forward, desperate to protect their leader.

"You're courting death!"

Cold light flashed in Mao Yu’s eyes. His powerful ability erupted, and an invisible force surged outward, blasting the surrounding assassins away.

"Argh!" The assassins screamed as they fell to the ground, unable to rise.

Mao Yu did not stop. He walked toward the leader, his tone icy. "Who sent you?"

The leader’s face turned deathly pale, his eyes filled with terror. He knew his end had come.

"It... it was him..." The leader trembled as he whispered a name.

The name left everyone present in utter shock.

In the banquet hall of the Feng family estate, the lights were brilliant and the atmosphere festive. Mao Yu and his companions were celebrating their victory.

"Brother Mao, you were amazing! You took down those assassins in one go; you’re like a god!" Iron Bull raised his glass, exclaiming with excitement.

"Haha, it was all thanks to you brothers!" Mao Yu laughed.

"Young Master Mao, thanks to you, the Feng family has escaped disaster," Feng Yao’s father said with genuine gratitude.

"You are too kind, sir. Protecting Yaoyao is my duty." Mao Yu glanced tenderly at Feng Yao, his eyes full of love.

Just then, a servant walked in hurriedly and whispered something into Mao Yu’s ear. Mao Yu’s expression turned solemn in an instant.