****
*Morning, Earlier That Day*
When Xu Mo caught Ji Feng and Tong Lei exchanging smiles in the classroom, fury surged through him. *That bastard Ji Feng ignored my warning!* he seethed, vowing to make him pay.
After school that afternoon, Xu Mo lingered at the gate. A bald man in sunglasses stepped out of a BMW X6, bowing slightly. "Young Master Xu, what's the rush? Got a job for me?"
Xu Mo snorted. "Brother Chao, I need you to handle someone."
Bald Chao's face twisted with scorn. "Who's dumb enough to cross you, Master Xu? They're begging for it. Name the target, and I'll take care of it."
"A classmate," Xu Mo growled. "He's been acting cocky at school. Time to teach him a lesson."
"No problem," Bald Chao nodded eagerly. "How do you want it done?"
Xu Mo thought for a moment. "Not at school—he'd know it was me, and it could cause trouble for my dad. Ambush him on his way home tonight. Get a few guys to pose as robbers. He's a poor kid, no way he's got cash. When he can't pay, rough him up."
Bald Chao grinned. "Consider it done, Master Xu. We'll beat him so bad his own mom won't recognize him."
"I'll watch from the sidelines," Xu Mo said, a cruel smirk curling his lips. "Let's see how tough he is."
---
*Present Moment*
Ji Feng's senses sharpened as he faced the three rough-looking youths blocking his path. Mangshi County's poor security—dim streets, sparse patrols, and rampant crime—made nighttime robberies common. These guys weren't here to guide him home.
His eyes darted, assessing. As he stepped back to avoid being cornered, a *snap* of breaking branches sounded behind him. Whirling, he saw three more youths closing in. Six total, boxing him in.
*Xu Mo's behind this,* Ji Feng realized. A typical robbery wouldn't involve this many for a lone student. It had to be retaliation.
Trapped, with houses lining both sides and no escape route, Ji Feng's mind raced. Flying over rooftops like in wuxia films was a pipe dream.
Unseen in a nearby alley, a BMW X6 idled under the moonlight. Inside, Xu Mo exhaled a plume of smoke, savoring a Zhonghua cigarette. "These are the good stuff. My old man's fine with anything but smoking—drives me nuts."
Bald Chao, in the driver's seat, chuckled. "Master Xu, want smokes? Just say the word, and I'll have them delivered."
"You're too kind, Brother Chao," Xu Mo said, grinning.
"Not at all," Bald Chao replied. "Last month, when Secretary Tong Kaide had the Public Security Bureau raid entertainment spots, your dad tipped me off. Saved my business. I owe you and County Magistrate Xu big time."
Xu Mo waved it off, smug. "No big deal. You keep the quarterly tributes coming, and we've got your back."
"That's my duty," Bald Chao said, smirking. "By the way, got two new girls at my bathhouse. Wanna check 'em out tonight?"
Xu Mo's eyes gleamed. "Hell yeah. After we deal with Ji Feng, we're there. Why aren't your guys moving yet?"
"Patience, Master Xu," Bald Chao said. "They'll handle him."
---
As the six youths closed in, Ji Feng's heart sank. *What now?*
*"Master, are you in danger?"* Intelligent Brain's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
Startled, Ji Feng thought, *Why're you here?*
*"Master, your heightened focus and enhanced bioelectricity triggered our connection,"* Intelligent Brain explained.
*Got it. Go back—I'm in trouble!* Ji Feng urged, his attention on the threat.
*"What trouble, Master?"* Intelligent Brain asked.
Ji Feng quickly described the six attackers. Before he could dismiss it, Intelligent Brain interjected, *"I can assist, Master. Have you forgotten? I'm a super-agent training system with combat courses."*
Ji Feng's lips twitched. *"Those lessons won't help now. Can you make me a fighter instantly?"*
*"Per system protocols, if the Master hasn't completed training but faces imminent danger, I can use bioelectricity to aid escape, with your cooperation,"* Intelligent Brain said.
Hope flared. *"How do I cooperate?"*
*"Provide sufficient bioelectricity,"* it replied.
Frustrated, Ji Feng snapped, *"What's bioelectricity, and where do I get it?"*
*"Bioelectricity is generated by bodily activity, unique to living organisms. Vigorous exercise produces it,"* Intelligent Brain clarified.
*Vigorous exercise?* Ji Feng hesitated, then began jumping frantically, shaking his body like he was in a seizure. To the six youths, he looked deranged.
His bizarre behavior froze them in place. Intelligent Brain's voice continued, *"Receiving bioelectric current… Sufficient current acquired… Initiating attack!"*
A surge of heat flooded Ji Feng's legs. Instinctively, he leaped, lashing out with both feet.
*Bang! Bang!*
His kicks struck the chins of the two closest youths, sending them crashing backward, twitching briefly before going still.
The remaining four hesitated, stunned. Before they could react, Ji Feng dropped into a crouch, his feet snapping out in rapid succession.
*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Each kick smashed into a knee with surgical precision, the sickening *crack* of breaking bones echoing. The four screamed, collapsing in agony.
Panting, Ji Feng stood, staring at the writhing figures in disbelief. *I did that?*
Snapping out of his shock, he bolted before they could recover, darting into an alley, weaving left and right until he vanished into the night.
---