This time, Xiao Mu struck first. He swept his machete horizontally with his right hand, forcing everyone before him to hastily retreat.

Xiao Mu unleashed Shadowless Trace, Basic Sanda, and the Mountain Cleaving Blade Technique to their fullest. Even his Basic Medical Skills helped him spot enemies' weaknesses.

"Ah—"

A scream of pain echoed as Xiao Mu slashed one man's leg. Without hesitation, he swung again, cutting the other leg. The man collapsed to the ground.

Blood stained the blade. Xiao Mu felt no panic; instead, a fire burned in his chest, and a hint of excitement flickered in his eyes!

"Come on!"

With reckless abandon, Xiao Mu attacked ferociously. People around him kept falling, but he took several slashes himself.

The pain of his wounds fueled his ferocity. He spun and slashed, cutting a gash across the chest of his ambusher.

Xiao Mu stepped forward for the finishing blow—but after one step, his head felt heavy. A wave of weakness washed over him.

What... was happening?

His consciousness blurred. His body swayed unsteadily, on the verge of collapse.

Seeing this, someone kicked him. Xiao Mu fell, struggling to rise but unable.

"Hmph! Brat, weren't you tough? Done already?" The leader sneered, dragging his blade toward Xiao Mu.

Humiliated by a punk, he seethed inwardly. He'd cripple both the kid's hands—no doubt.

"Stop!"

Night Glass finally rushed out, Li Yan close behind.

"Oh? Isn't this Second Miss Xiao? What brings you here?" the man said with a fake smile.

"I don't care which faction you're from. Lay one finger on him today, and you'll regret it!" This was the real Night Glass—a true tough girl.

The man's eyes flickered at her threat. But remembering Xu Judong and Liu Biao backed him, he calmed.

"Sorry, Second Miss Ye. I won't just 'touch' him lightly!"

Tension thickened. Night Glass clenched her fists, praying silently for backup.

The opposing leader shifted his foot. His men poised to strike. The air froze.

Suddenly, commotion erupted at the cafeteria entrance.

All eyes turned. Over twenty men in suits and white gloves rushed in swiftly.

"These are... the Lin family's men?!"

The attackers froze instantly. Without hesitation, they dropped their machetes and surrendered.

Everyone knew the Lin family's fearsome rep. In the underworld, no faction dared confront them head-on.

Night Glass was stunned. Why would the Lin family help?

Could it be... because of Lin Hanyun?

Not just her—Xu Judong and Liu Biao, hidden in shadows, were equally shocked.

"Damn it! We were so close to crippling that kid!" Xu Judong cursed.

Liu Biao growled grimly, "Next time, I'll completely cripple him!"

After this battle, Xiao Mu's reputation in Huazhong would soar, his authority beginning to form.

...

In the hospital, Xiao Mu lay unconscious on a bed, his face deathly pale.

"Doctor, what's his condition?" Night Glass asked anxiously.

"Minor injuries, nothing serious. But his body shows severe overexertion—he collapsed from exhaustion. He needs days of rest."

"Severe overexertion?"

Night Glass recalled Xiao Mu fainting suddenly. Before the fight, there'd been no signs of strain.

After the doctor left, Night Glass's face turned icy. "Daring to harm my master... those people... and their backers. Not one will escape me."