Chapter 25: Firm Resolve Meets Hidden Reefs, Unseen Storms Lie Ahead

A sudden gust of wind struck. Mao Yu, quick-witted and agile, pulled Mao Ling behind him for protection.

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu had returned, their faces twisted into sinister smiles; it was clear they had come prepared.

"Mao Yu, did you really think you could run?" Zhang Biao roared hoarsely.

"Coming from two losers who have already been defeated by me?" Mao Yu retorted with a disdainful sneer.

"Hmph, things are different this time!" Wang Hu chuckled deviously. "We’ve discovered your secret!"

Mao Yu felt a chill run down his spine. Had they discovered the existence of his system?

"What secret?" Mao Yu asked, feigning composure.

"Heh heh, you are colluding with the Feng family, plotting a rebellion!" Zhang Biao pointed at Mao Yu, shouting his accusation.

Mao Yu realized then that someone had been spreading rumors behind his back. He glanced around and noticed that the superpowered individuals who had previously supported him were now looking at him with wavering, suspicious eyes. A sense of inexplicable isolation washed over him.

"When you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext!" Mao Yu suppressed his anger and said coldly.

"Whether it’s a pretext or not, you know the truth in your heart!" Wang Hu sneered. "Boys, get him!"

A group of thugs swarmed forward, surrounding Mao Yu and Mao Ling. Mao Yu shielded Mao Ling, fighting while retreating, but he was quickly becoming overwhelmed by the sheer number of opponents.

"Brother Mao, what should we do?" Mao Ling asked anxiously.

Mao Yu’s brow furrowed as his mind raced to find a strategy. A direct confrontation would not work; he had to find a way to break through the encirclement. Suddenly, an idea sparked.

"Ling'er, cover me!" Mao Yu whispered.

Mao Ling nodded and unleashed her ability, manifesting an energy barrier. Taking advantage of the moment, Mao Yu stepped back and silently pulled something from his pocket.

A megaphone!

"Everyone!" Mao Yu’s voice boomed through the megaphone across the entire area. "I know someone is playing dirty, spreading rumors to sabotage our unity!"

The crowd paused, caught off guard by this unexpected move.

"I believe you all know what kind of person I am," Mao Yu continued. "I only wish to protect our home and build a peaceful city of superhumans! Must I be slandered simply because I possess great strength?"

Mao Yu’s passionate speech resonated with many. He paused, then added, "I know some of you are suspicious of me now, and that is understandable. But I ask you to trust me and give me a chance to explain!"

Instead of rushing to find evidence as he usually would, Mao Yu approached the suspicious individuals directly. He spoke to them candidly, sharing his thoughts and concerns. This gesture surprised the others; they began to re-evaluate Mao Yu, and the atmosphere shifted from suspicion to something more tempered.

"Boss Mao, we wronged you!" one individual stepped forward and said. "We believe you!"

"That’s right, Boss Mao, we all believe in you!" others chimed in, expressing their support.

While interacting with them, Mao Yu uncovered clues regarding a mysterious power at play. Following these leads, he discovered that the defeated "Black Snake Gang" was behind the rumors. They had been harboring a grudge, hoping to sow discord and turn the people against him.

Mao Yu exposed the Black Snake Gang’s plot in front of everyone. The gang members, humbled by Mao Yu’s wit, knelt on the spot to beg for mercy. The surrounding crowd gazed at Mao Yu with renewed respect.

Zhang Biao and Wang Hu exchanged glances, stunned that Mao Yu had neutralized the crisis so easily.

"It seems we underestimated him," Wang Hu said with a dark expression.

"Hmph, we’ll settle the score next time!" Zhang Biao grunted viciously.

Mao Yu looked at the crowd with a confident smile. He had successfully weathered the storm and solidified his influence. Suddenly, he felt a burning gaze upon him. He turned to see Feng Yao standing in the crowd, her eyes filled with...

Seeing how easily Mao Yu had handled the situation, Feng Yao’s beautiful eyes sparkled with intense admiration. She walked over to him, unhesitatingly linked her arm with his, and leaned in slightly, a faint, delicate fragrance drifting into his senses. Mao Yu felt his heart race; the air around them became thick with a subtle, romantic tension.

But this sweet atmosphere was short-lived, shattered by a sudden surge of killing intent. Several high-level experts from the Black Snake Gang appeared from the shadows, their grim expressions betraying their hostile intentions.

"Kid, did you think it was over?" the leader, a scarred man, hissed viciously. "The Black Snake Gang is not to be trifled with!"

Mao Yu sneered. "Losers daring to show their faces again? It seems the last lesson wasn’t painful enough for you!" He pulled Feng Yao behind him and signaled to Mao Ling, "Ling'er, prepare for battle!"

Mao Ling’s face hardened as she shouted, "Bring it on!"

At the scarred man’s command, the experts attacked simultaneously, their moves ruthless and aimed at Mao Yu’s vitals. Mao Yu dared not be careless; he dodged and parried while shielding Feng Yao. Mao Ling fought back with equal ferocity, her movements as agile as a swallow as she darted between enemies, striking with precision.

The battle was intense. Relying on the powerful abilities granted by his system and his refined combat skills, Mao Yu barely managed to hold off the encirclement. However, the opponents were clearly well-prepared, coordinating their attacks in waves that left Mao Yu no room to breathe.

Just as he was starting to lose ground, he noticed something familiar in the techniques of these experts. A terrifying thought flashed through his mind.

"Mao Yu, watch out!" Feng Yao’s scream broke his concentration.

A dark shadow lunged from the side, aiming directly for Feng Yao. Mao Yu reacted with lightning speed, pulling her behind him, but took the full force of the blow himself. He groaned, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth.

"Brother Mao!" Mao Ling cried out, rushing to steady him.

Mao Yu pushed her aside, his eyes blazing as he locked onto the experts. "Who are you people, really?"

The scarred man laughed coldly. "Want to know? Find out in your next life!" With that, he raised his blade and charged again.

Just then, a deep voice echoed from the distance: "Stop!"

Everyone turned to look. A mysterious figure, dressed in black and wearing a conical hat, walked slowly toward them...

"Black Snake Gang, when did you fall so low as to become someone else's lapdogs?" The man in black spoke with icy, mocking disdain.

The scarred man’s face changed, a flicker of terror crossing his eyes. He stammered, "You... you are..."

The man in black ignored him, turning his gaze toward Mao Yu with a cryptic expression. "Young man, we shall meet again..." With a flash, he vanished into the night.