Chapter 24: The Aftermath Lingers, New Perils Arise

The assassin leader gasped out a name, only to expire at the critical moment, his eyes wide with undying resentment.

Mao Yu’s brows furrowed tightly. The atmosphere in the banquet hall froze instantly, and Feng Yao turned pale, her body trembling slightly.

"Damn it!" Mao Yu cursed under his breath, a nameless rage surging in his heart.

Before the joy of victory had even faded, a servant rushed in with news: the remnants of the conspirators were gathering at a gang stronghold, plotting their revenge.

Whispers broke out among the guests, and an air of unease began to spread. Mao Yu sensed a new pressure; he knew the peace was merely temporary, and a sense of urgency washed over him. He gazed toward the distant gang stronghold, his eyes filled with determination and vigilance.

Feng Yao stepped to his side, gently taking his hand to offer silent support.

"Ling'er, come with me," Mao Yu said to Mao Ling.

"You got it, Brother Mao!" Mao Ling replied, following closely behind him. Though she was afraid, she remained brave.

The gang stronghold was located in an abandoned factory on the edge of the city, its atmosphere grim and terrifying. As soon as Mao Yu and Mao Ling approached, they were intercepted by a group of remnants. The two leaders were the gang bosses, Zhang Biao and Wang Hu.

"Well, well, isn't this the famous Young Master Mao? What’s the matter? After defeating the mastermind, you think you're invincible?" Zhang Biao mocked, his face twisted in disdain.

"Spare me the chatter. I came here today to give you a chance," Mao Yu said coldly, his gaze sharp.

"A chance? What kind of chance? A chance to deliver your head to us? Hahaha..." Wang Hu roared with laughter, and the surrounding thugs joined in the mockery.

"A chance to keep your lives," Mao Yu stated, enunciating every word as a powerful aura erupted from him.

"You've got some nerve! Men, take him down!" At Zhang Biao's command, the thugs drew their weapons and charged at Mao Yu with fierce aggression. Mao Ling hid behind Mao Yu, clutching his coat tightly.

"You're courting death!" Mao Yu snorted. A dagger flashing with cold light appeared in his hand out of thin air.

With a swift glint, the thugs in the front collapsed to the ground. Mao Yu moved with agility, weaving through the crowd like a ghost. Every strike was clean and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. Mao Ling, watching from behind him, was dazzled and secretly impressed: "Brother Mao is just too cool!"

Seeing their men fall so easily, Zhang Biao and Wang Hu’s expressions shifted drastically.

"This kid is supernatural! All together now, kill him!" Wang Hu shrieked.

"Brothers, don't be afraid! There's only one of him. With so many of us, we can exhaust him to death!" Zhang Biao urged, trying to boost morale.

The thugs swarmed forward once again, surrounding Mao Yu.

Mao Yu sneered, "Trifling tricks!" Not wanting to waste more time, he released a fraction of his supernatural ability.

A powerful energy wave swept out like a storm, leaving the thugs terrified.

"All of you, stop!" Mao Yu’s roar echoed like a thunderclap in everyone’s ears. He stood there like a god of war, radiating an overwhelming sense of intimidation. Struck by his presence, the thugs dared not take another step. Some of the smaller fry began to shrink back, their eyes filled with fear.

"Now, I will give you one more chance: surrender, or die!" Mao Yu’s tone was icy and brook no argument.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared before them. Ignoring her family's objections, Feng Yao had insisted on coming to the stronghold to find Mao Yu. Seeing that he was unharmed, her eyes were filled with relief. Mao Yu felt a warmth bloom in his heart upon seeing her. He walked over and gently took her hand. Observing their intimacy, everyone present felt the depth of the bond between them.

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with malice. They knew that taking down Mao Yu today was likely impossible.

"Let's go!" Zhang Biao said, unwilling to accept defeat.

"Consider yourself lucky, kid!" Wang Hu glared viciously at Mao Yu before fleeing in disgrace with his remaining men.

Mao Yu did not pursue them. He turned to Feng Yao and said softly, "I’ve worried you."

Feng Yao shook her head, holding his hand tightly without a word. Suddenly, a violent explosion erupted in the distance, sending flames shooting into the sky. The deafening sound made Feng Yao turn even paler, and she instinctively clung to Mao Yu.

Mao Yu’s eyes sharpened, and a strong sense of unease surged within him. "Oh no, a diversion!"

The remaining thugs, as if injected with adrenaline, lunged at Mao Yu and Feng Yao with reckless abandon. Their faces were twisted in frantic grins, as if they could already see Mao Yu being torn to pieces.

"Kill him! Avenge our boss!"

"Geez! These guys are crazy!" Mao Ling turned pale with fright but still stood firmly in front of Feng Yao.

Mao Yu shielded Feng Yao behind him, his gaze as cold as a blade. "If you want to touch her, you have to get through me first!"

The battle broke out instantly. Mao Yu faced many enemies alone, yet he did not lose the upper hand for a moment. His movements were ghostly, like a nimble leopard weaving through his foes. Every punch and kick carried a fierce force, each strike lethal.

"Brother Mao, on the left!" Mao Ling, sharp-eyed, called out a timely warning.

Mao Yu side-stepped, dodging a machete, and threw a backhanded punch that sent the ambusher flying.

"Good coordination, Ling'er!"

The battle grew more intense. Though the thugs were numerous, Mao Yu’s combat prowess was overwhelming. Aided by Mao Ling, they gradually found themselves unable to cope. Seizing an opening, Mao Yu released a powerful energy shockwave.

"Boom!" With a thunderous sound, the surrounding thugs were blasted away, cries of agony filling the air. Seeing that the situation was lost, the remaining thugs dropped their weapons and fled in a panic.

"Consider yourself lucky this time; you won't be so fortunate next!" Zhang Biao threw out a threat before turning to run.

"Trying to run? It's not that easy!" Mao Yu snorted, but just as he was about to pursue, he stopped abruptly.

His brows knit together as he looked into the distance, a strange sense of impending crisis looming over him.

"Brother Mao, what is it?" Mao Ling asked, sensing his change in demeanor.

Mao Yu did not answer. He silently took out his phone and opened an anonymous message he had just received: "Every move you make is under our surveillance. Watch your step..."

He looked up, his gaze deep, as if he could pierce through the night to see the enemy hidden in the shadows.

"It seems the real game has only just begun..." he said in a low voice, clenching his fists.

At this moment, Housekeeper Lin, the steward of the Feng family, hurried over. Seeing the carnage at the scene, his face turned ashen.

"Young Miss, the Master demands your immediate return!"

Feng Yao looked at Mao Yu, her eyes filled with worry and reluctance. Mao Yu gently patted her hand, giving her a reassuring look. Only then did Feng Yao follow Housekeeper Lin away.

Mao Yu watched her retreating figure, his heart a complex mix of emotions. He took a deep breath, turned to Mao Ling, and said, "Ling'er, it's time for us to go as well..."

Suddenly, he felt a powerful presence closing in rapidly.