Chapter 6: The Review Controversy and the Vindication of Glory

"Re-examination? What kind of re-examination?" Mao Yu stared at the text message on his phone, his brows furrowed as a sense of foreboding washed over him. Having just broken through to the mid-stage of a junior esper, he had been riding high on his success, but this sudden notice of a re-examination caught him completely off guard. Could someone be targeting him intentionally?

Mao Ling, standing beside him, leaned in to take a look. As she read the message, her small face fell. "Brother, what’s going on? Is someone trying to sabotage you?" she asked, clutching his arm in nervous concern. The atmosphere in the room grew heavy in an instant.

Mao Yu took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. He thought to himself, *I was bullied by people like this when I was weak, but now, I absolutely will not suffer in silence. I must find a way to strike back.* "Don't worry," he said aloud. "When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we cover with earth. We’ll go and see what this is all about."

The next day, Mao Yu and Mao Ling arrived at the Esper Administration Bureau right on time. As soon as they entered the lobby, they ran into their nemesis—the sharp-faced, monkey-like Zhao Qi.

"Well, well, if it isn't Young Master Mao? What a rare guest!" Zhao Qi sneered, a look of malicious delight on his face.

Mao Yu sneered inwardly; it seemed this re-examination was indeed connected to him. "Zhao Qi, save the sarcasm! What is this re-examination really about?"

"Oh, oh, oh, you dare question me? Your registration information has issues, so of course it needs to be re-examined!" Zhao Qi said, looking down his nose at him. "Who knows? Maybe your esper level is faked too. Don't come crying to me for mercy when that comes to light!"

"You're spouting nonsense!" Mao Yu’s blood boiled. He pulled out the evidence from his original registration and the system records. "These are the proofs. What else do you have to say?"

Zhao Qi took the documents, flipped through them carelessly, and tossed them aside with disdain. "Who knows if these things are real or fake? System records? Hmph, for all I know, you tampered with them yourself!"

"You..." Mao Yu was trembling with rage; he hadn't expected Zhao Qi to be so shameless.

Feng Yao, who had been silent until now, felt a moment of hesitation. While Mao Yu seemed somewhat unique, she had worked with Zhao Qi before. Would standing up for Mao Yu cause her trouble? Yet, seeing Zhao Qi’s blatant corruption, her sense of justice compelled her to act. She stepped in front of Zhao Qi and said coldly, "Zhao Qi, isn't it going a bit too far to make things this difficult for him?"

Seeing Feng Yao, Zhao Qi’s attitude softened immediately, though he remained stubborn. "Miss Feng, I am merely following protocol..."

"Protocol? I think you’re abusing your power for personal gain!" Feng Yao interrupted him sharply.

Zhao Qi’s face turned from green to pale. He hadn't expected Feng Yao to speak up for Mao Yu. He glared at Mao Yu, cursing under his breath: *Just you wait, kid!*

Just as Zhao Qi thought Mao Yu had no way to deal with him, Mao Yu suddenly displayed a strange, enigmatic smile. "Zhao Qi, do you think you can cover the sky with one hand? Don't forget, bad deeds always leave a trail." With that, Mao Yu calmly pulled a photograph from his pocket, held it up for a moment, and then slammed it onto the desk in front of Zhao Qi.

"What is this?" A flicker of panic crossed Zhao Qi’s face, but he quickly regained his composure. However, when he saw the contents of the photo, his eyes widened as if he had seen something truly terrifying. Beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down his forehead. He pointed a trembling finger at Mao Yu, wanting to say something, but it was as if his throat had been constricted; he couldn't get a coherent word out, and his face turned ashen.

The photo clearly showed him accepting a bribe back when he was conducting the registration, a moment Mao Yu had captured at some point.

"You... you took a secret photo!" Zhao Qi roared, though his voice lacked conviction.

"Zhao Qi, that’s a hilarious thing to say," Mao Yu sneered, holding the photo up so those around them could see. "I happened to capture this by chance. I never expected a dignified official of the Esper Administration Bureau to engage in such disgraceful, underhanded dealings."

The surrounding staff of the Bureau erupted in an uproar. Angry accusations surged toward Zhao Qi like a tide. "I can't believe he’s that kind of person!" "He must be severely punished!"

Feng Yao’s gaze became complex, but she remained on Mao Yu’s side, watching Zhao Qi coldly.

Zhao Qi’s expression grew even worse. He tried to defend himself, but it was too late. He attempted to save face, only to find that everyone around him was waiting to see him made a fool.

"Zhao Qi, do you have anything else to say?" Mao Yu’s voice wasn't loud, but every word hit like a heavy bomb, stripping Zhao Qi of all dignity.

"You... just you wait! I’ll file a complaint!" Zhao Qi glared at Mao Yu with pure venom before turning and fleeing in a panic.

The staff of the Bureau crowded around to carefully inspect the evidence in Mao Yu’s hand.

A moment later, a supervisor approached and said solemnly, "Mao Yu, your registration information is perfectly fine. We will re-register your profile immediately. Furthermore, we will launch an investigation into Zhao Qi’s misconduct and deal with it strictly."

Mao Yu nodded, a sense of accomplishment filling his heart.

Mao Ling cheered happily, jumping to Mao Yu’s side and hugging his arm tightly. She thought to herself, *Brother has suffered so much to become an esper, and these people actually tried to frame him—they are truly evil.* "Brother, you’re so cool! You’re the best!"

People around them cast looks of admiration; Mao Yu had finally established a firm footing in the esper world.

He looked back at Feng Yao and noticed a new, earnest appreciation in her eyes.

"Mao Yu, thank you for this," Feng Yao said. Her voice remained cool and proud, but there was a hint of softness in her tone.

Mao Yu smiled slightly, secretly resolving to go even further on this path of power.

Feng Yao, meanwhile, had her perspective on him fundamentally changed by this incident. The relationship between the two seemed to have shifted quietly at that very moment.

A playful smirk tugged at the corner of Mao Yu’s mouth as he watched Zhao Qi’s wretched retreat. He felt a surge of satisfaction: *Little man, you're too green to mess with me!*

He turned to look at Feng Yao and found her studying him with a complex expression—was that... admiration?

Mao Yu touched his nose. Had his charisma score gone up again?

"Ahem," he cleared his throat, breaking the slightly awkward silence. "Miss Feng, thank you for your help earlier."

Feng Yao nodded slightly, her tone much gentler than before. "It was only a small favor. However..." She paused, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes. "You kid, you’re quite full of secrets, aren't you? Even having that kind of evidence."

"Hehe," Mao Yu scratched his head, feigning modesty. "Just luck, pure luck."

Mao Ling, unable to contain her excitement, hugged his arm and shook it vigorously. "Brother! You were amazing! You’re my idol!"

Mao Yu patted her head with a smile. "Little girl, just follow your brother from now on; I’ll make sure you live the high life!"

The supervisor of the Bureau personally updated Mao Yu’s registration information and provided him with some special resources and opportunities as compensation for the ordeal.

Mao Yu understood that this wasn't just because he provided evidence of Zhao Qi’s crimes, but because of the strength and potential he had demonstrated.

Standing in the grand hall of the Esper Administration Bureau, basking in the admiring gazes of the crowd, a sense of grand ambition rose within him.

This was only the beginning. His goal was to stand at the very pinnacle of the esper city!

"Brother, where are we going next?" Mao Ling asked, her eyes full of anticipation.

Mao Yu looked into the distance, his eyes flashing with a resolute light. "To keep getting stronger, of course! There are still many unknown challenges in this world waiting for us!"

Feng Yao watched him as well, her view of him completely transformed. This seemingly cynical youth possessed such powerful strength and wisdom. She suddenly realized that she was becoming increasingly interested in him...

Just then, a staff member hurried over and handed Mao Yu an invitation embossed with gold leaf.

"Mr. Mao, this is..."