Chapter 23: Fierce Battle

Having taken down Ai Chixiang, Mo Shu was in high spirits, the pent-up resentment in his chest finally dissipated. In contrast, Black Mirror now felt an immense pressure. Behind him, Geng Hua and Mo Shu were in relentless pursuit. Though these two belonged to different teams, Geng Hua’s Jiangbei citizenship made him a natural rival to Black Mirror’s Kunsheng Team, and Mo Shu had certainly been offended enough by Ai Chixiang, Black Mirror’s teammate.

Moreover, Black Mirror had witnessed the very moment when Mo Shu and Geng Hua turned from enemies to allies. If the two joined forces today, this race would become much more difficult for him.

“Perhaps I should strike first,” thought Black Mirror. He resorted to old tricks and began to slow down once again.

Geng Hua, however, was not fooled. Just yesterday, this very tactic from Black Mirror had flipped Mo Shu’s car. While he didn’t fully understand the mechanics, he remained on guard, slowing down and keeping a cautious distance from Black Mirror.

"Geng Hua! Stick with me!" Mo Shu caught up, braving the howling wind as he shouted and gestured at Geng Hua.

Though he couldn’t hear clearly, Geng Hua understood Mo Shu’s meaning and immediately changed lanes to the right side of Mo Shu’s car.

The two really were teaming up! Black Mirror noticed the pair closing in, their cars advancing side by side.

“Heh, perfect! I’ll take you both out together!” Black Mirror muttered with a twisted laugh.

Yet, just as he finished his threat, Mo Shu and Geng Hua’s cars shot past him on the right like streaks of lightning.

What just happened?

Did they really overtake him so easily?

What had Black Mirror done? Wasn’t he supposed to take them both out?

The Kunsheng Team’s crew stared in disbelief. In the VIP section, Zhao Kunlun was dumbfounded, while Weiermin beside him frowned slightly.

“Idiot!” Zhao Kunlun cursed inwardly.

Geng Hua was equally astonished. The momentary loss of control he’d felt before was gone this time. Could it be that Mo Shu had intentionally positioned himself between Geng Hua and Black Mirror, bearing the brunt of that strange force?

Mo Shu glanced at the unharmed Geng Hua and breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, things were not as simple as they appeared to outsiders. As he overtook Black Mirror, no one could see the immense crushing force Mo Shu endured inside his car.

Though, thanks to Wang Yining’s “Tank Aura,” the vehicle itself remained unshaken, that force was transferred directly to Mo Shu himself.

Now, his left wrist ached from gripping the wheel, and the left side of his face, pressed numb by his distorted helmet, was nearly devoid of sensation.

All Mo Shu wanted was to finish the race quickly; he was deeply worried that, if delayed further, he might end up with a lopsided mouth or drooping eyelid. How would he ever pursue Wang Yining then?

Still, Wang Yining’s “Tank Aura” had clearly played a huge role in stabilizing the car—a true weapon for protecting teammates.

The Kunsheng Team was now entirely on the back foot: Ai Chixiang had crashed out, Black Mirror had fallen back to fourth, and the entire track was under the control of the Star Team—this being their debut appearance at the national championship.

At this moment, every media outlet—photographers and videographers alike—trained their lenses on a single figure.

Mo Shu! The miraculous young driver!

Every GTCC event was broadcast live on both television and the internet. Thanks to this race, the Star Team would be remembered by even more racing fans, and Mo Shu’s name would surely spread far and wide.

Black Mirror pounded his steering wheel in a fit of rage, roaring hysterically, “You reckless brat! You don’t know your place!”

Only eight laps remained, and Black Mirror’s failed tactics had cost him precious time.

Twenty-nine seconds and eleven milliseconds—that was the gap between him and third-place Geng Hua.

But Mo Shu, Wang Yining, and Geng Hua’s cars were all running nose-to-tail. Black Mirror believed he still had a slim chance.

Geng Hua, in third, seemed content not to fight further, planning to simply finish the race and perhaps repay Mo Shu’s earlier help.

The two Star Team drivers, running first and second, had the “Speed Aura” team skill. Even so, Geng Hua kept close on their heels, which surprised and secretly impressed Mo Shu.

In contrast to the tense, high-stakes action on the track, the atmosphere in the Star Team’s pit was one of joy and celebration; everyone was already starting to celebrate their debut victory.

Only Wang Yu remained tense and alert, issuing a warning through the team radio: “Black Mirror’s closing in fast! Don’t get distracted, keep pushing!”

After all, Black Mirror was a two-time champion with a near-maniacal obsession with racing—Mo Shu had expected he wouldn’t give up easily.

In just three laps, Black Mirror had cut the nearly thirty-second gap to 13.439 seconds. If Mo Shu and the others didn’t hurry, the final lap might turn into a desperate showdown.

“Pit now for fresh tires!” Wang Yu reminded them over the radio.

The ultra-soft tires had very short lifespans, and with Fukang Circuit’s many slopes and sharp turns, they could last only eight or nine laps. For the sake of speed, nearly every team had chosen this compound.

Mo Shu and his teammates had managed their tire temperatures and wear exceptionally well, completing only twenty-five laps on three sets.

With five laps to go, it was the perfect time to switch to new tires, restoring grip and allowing them to go all-out for the win—the Star Team’s carefully researched optimal strategy.

The pit crew performed brilliantly: Mo Shu’s tire change took just 3.66 seconds, while Wang Yining’s crew was even faster at 3.12 seconds.

The pair sped out of the pits, with Geng Hua close behind.

But as they prepared to rejoin the track, all three were stunned. A fiery red car was roaring toward them with menacing speed.

Black Mirror! He hadn’t pitted?

Fortunately, their pit stops had been swift; otherwise, Black Mirror might have overtaken them on exit.

But… could it be? The three racked their brains.

No! He was on ultra-softs too.

Relieved, they figured if he didn’t pit this lap, his tires would surely be done for by the next.

But things did not unfold as expected.

Lap 26…

Lap 27…

Lap 28… and still no pit stop. Black Mirror was doggedly chasing them down with ruined tires. Was he planning to finish all thirty laps on this battered set?

Impossible!

“Wang, is Black Mirror really on ultra-softs? How many laps has he done? Why hasn’t he pitted?” Mo Shu asked, bewildered.

“Yes, ultra-softs… this is his twelfth lap. What on earth is going on?” Wang Yu’s voice betrayed his disbelief.

“No matter, his tires will be shredded next lap. There’s no way this is possible!” Wang Yining declared confidently.

But she was wrong too. Black Mirror had no intention of pitting and continued to chase them relentlessly into the final lap.

His front right tire was barely holding together, the rim sparking against the track with every turn. The other three tires looked no better—molten black rubber peeling away in layers, splattering across the circuit like clumps of sludge.

“How is he still keeping up with us with tires like that?” No one could believe their eyes.

“This maniac must be a system user!” Mo Shu finally arrived at the answer in his heart.