#13 — Testing Skill

Rewind to that morning—when Xu Mo witnessed Ji Feng and Tong Lei exchanging smiles across the classroom, his blood boiled with rage.

"Damn it! Ji Feng actually dares ignore my warning!" The sight fueled Xu Mo's fury, hardening his resolve to teach Ji Feng an unforgettable lesson.

After school that afternoon, Xu Mo waited at the campus gates as a brawny, sunglasses-wearing bald man emerged from a BMW X6, greeting him with deference. "Young Master Xu, what urgent matter requires my services?"

Xu Mo sneered. "Brother Chao, I need someone dealt with."

The bald man called "Chao" immediately cursed, "Whoever dared offend Young Master Xu must have a death wish! Just name the target—I, Bald Chao, won't hesitate!"

"A classmate," Xu Mo spat. "The bastard had the nerve to defy me at school. Time he learned his place."

"No problem. How should we handle him?" Bald Chao asked eagerly.

Xu Mo pondered. "Taking action on campus would trace back to me, causing trouble for my father's reputation. We'll ambush him on his way home. Have your men pose as muggers—that pauper won't have money to hand over. Then... teach him a brutal lesson."

Bald Chao grinned viciously. "We'll beat him until even his mother won't recognize him!"

"I'll watch from nearby," Xu Mo said coldly, lips curling in anticipation. "Let's see how long that bastard lasts."

...

Facing the three thugs blocking his path, Ji Feng instantly went on high alert.

Mangshi County's security was notoriously poor. Underdeveloped areas lacked streetlights, and sparse police patrols enabled rampant street crimes like muggings.

These men clearly weren't offering friendly directions home.

Ji Feng's eyes darted rapidly as he assessed escape options while backing away to avoid encirclement.

*Crack!*

A twig snapped behind him. Spinning around, Ji Feng's heart sank—three more figures had materialized, cutting off retreat.

Six attackers now surrounded him.

"This is Xu Mo's doing!" Realization struck. Muggers operated in pairs at most—only a targeted attack would deploy six against one person.

Ji Feng's gaze flickered urgently, mind racing for solutions. With alleys flanking both sides and enemies fore and aft, escape seemed impossible without movie-style parkour skills—pure fantasy.

Unnoticed by Ji Feng, a black BMW X6 idled in a nearby alleyway. Moonlight revealed two figures inside, cigarette tips glowing.

"Damn, soft Zhonghua cigarettes hit different," Xu Mo exhaled luxuriously. "The old man restricts everything except smoking—drives me crazy!"

Driver Bald Chao laughed. "Young Master Xu need only say the word—I'll have premium smokes delivered daily!"

"Brother Chao flatters me!" Xu Mo took another satisfied drag.

"Only the truth!" Bald Chao's smile turned ingratiating. "When Party Secretary Tong Kaide ordered county-wide raids last month, your father's tip-off saved my venues from shutdown. I owe everything to the Xu family's patronage."

The sycophancy pleased Xu Mo immensely. "Naturally. With your quarterly... contributions, my father looks after his own."

"Gifts to County Chief Xu come from genuine respect, not expectations!" Bald Chao lied smoothly before lowering his voice. "By the way, my bathhouse just acquired two stunning new girls. Perhaps Young Master Xu would grace us with a visit?"

Xu Mo's eyes lit up. "Tonight, after we finish with Ji Feng— Wait, why haven't they attacked yet?"

Bald Chao chuckled darkly. "Patience. My men will deliver proper... education."

...

As the six thugs closed in from both sides, Ji Feng's stomach knotted with dread.

*Think!* His mind whirred desperately.

"Master, are you in danger?" Intelligent Brain's voice suddenly echoed in his consciousness.

Startled, Ji Feng mentally snapped, "Why are you here now?"

"Your heightened mental state generated strong bioelectric currents, activating emergency contact protocols," Intelligent Brain explained.

"Get back! I can't afford distractions right now!" Ji Feng ordered.

But Intelligent Brain persisted: "Master, this system is designed for crisis intervention. Though training remains incomplete, emergency combat assistance protocols may activate with sufficient bioelectric energy."

Ji Feng's eyes widened. "You can help me fight?"

"Affirmative. Required: intense physical movement to generate necessary bioelectric charge."

"Intense movement...?" Comprehension dawned. Without hesitation, Ji Feng began convulsing wildly on the spot—arms flailing, legs kicking like a seizure victim.

The bizarre spectacle froze the approaching thugs mid-step.

Meanwhile, Intelligent Brain's voice reported: "Bioelectric current detected... levels rising... initiating combat mode!"

Suddenly, Ji Feng's legs burned as if scalded. Instinct took over—he launched into a soaring leap, both feet lashing out horizontally.

*Thud! Thud!*

Two attackers took heel strikes directly under their chins, crumpling unconscious before hitting the ground.

The remaining four barely registered shock before Ji Feng landed in a crouch, pivoting into a spinning low kick that shattered kneecaps with audible *cracks*.

Agonized screams filled the alley as the last thugs collapsed.

Panting heavily, Ji Feng stared at his hands in disbelief. Before the injured men could recover, he bolted into the maze of alleys and vanished.