Chapter Fifty-Seven: An Uninvited Guest

With Russlein’s joining, the Divine Racing Team truly underwent a dramatic transformation.

The team’s mechanics discovered that rally tires could be switched out for even harder ones—tires of extreme rigidity. The chief designer realized that the suspension could be tuned to an even stiffer setting, so stiff that the car’s jolting would leave one’s insides churning, mind reeling, and only then be satisfied. Manager Wang Yu found that their race strategy ought to be even more aggressive—so aggressive, in fact, that it overturned all the habits he’d developed in circuit racing.

Such is the nature of rally racing: tough, passionate, grueling, and immensely captivating.

Russlein devised a multitude of race strategies and car tuning plans for the team. In the upcoming ERC events, there would be detailed, written protocols for every possible scenario—how to address sudden issues with the car, how to adjust the setup when drivers faced difficulties. These were no longer vague notions stored only in people’s minds, but concrete plans implemented in comprehensive contingencies.

Was this the legendary German sense of order and precision? No—it was more than that.

Russlein rejected all four co-drivers the team had originally scouted from the transfer market. After much consideration, he decided to revise and scale back the team’s planned entry list.

Mo Shu would partner with Wang Yining.
Wang Qing would partner with Geng Hua.
The former would drive, the latter would navigate.

This meant that Wang Yining and Geng Hua would no longer take the wheel themselves, but would instead serve as co-drivers—appearing on the ERC stage as assistants rather than drivers.

To cement this plan, the team’s management convened for three consecutive nights. Russlein painstakingly explained his reasoning and strategy. In the end, Wang Yining and Geng Hua agreed to sacrifice their driver roles and respect the team’s decision, all for the sake of unity and the dream of one day raising the ERC championship trophy.

Think of it: on the GTCC circuit, Mo Shu and Wang Yining had already formed a “superstar team” with seamless collaboration, though their teamwork had sometimes been hampered by physical distance. But now, with both in a single car—combining the “Speed Aura” and the “Tank Aura”—they might well become an unstoppable force.

As for Wang Qing and Geng Hua, although neither possessed a system, Russlein put forth a bold proposal: he would personally rebuild the “Alien War Machine,” transferring its stewardship to Wang Qing and Geng Hua.

Mo Shu vividly remembered that “Alien War Machine,” which reached a top speed of 503 kilometers per hour and whose engine had played a heroic role in his GTCC trophy win. Russlein himself had once drifted through a corner at over 200 kilometers per hour in Blackgold Petroleum’s wind tunnel simulation—not just any car, but one protected by Russlein’s legendary aura, a true “god car.”

But could Wang Qing, a novice freshly graduated from training, handle such a beast? It didn’t matter—Russlein had even greater tricks up his sleeve. He not only designed a tailored training regimen for Wang Qing and Geng Hua, but also declared he would personally coach them. He vowed that with diligence and dedication, the two would master sixty percent of his skills in a short time. When they actually took to the competition, even if they didn’t win every round, they would at least possess the strength to challenge other top factory teams.

Mo Shu and Wang Yining were envious. Russlein was clearly playing favorites—why not guide them to a new level as well?

Russlein’s answer: he couldn’t help, not for lack of will, but because Mo Shu and Wang Yining, as system holders, could only break through technical barriers by cooperating with each other. The mysteries and synergy between the systems were known to no one but themselves; only by personally exploring could they reach new heights. No outsider could help—nor was there any need. As time passed and their teamwork deepened, the systems’ bonuses would manifest ever more powerfully.

With these sweeping changes, the Divine Racing Team took on a new spirit. Everyone wore a vibrant, energetic look—even when exhaustion crept in, encouragement flowed among colleagues, and those who shouldered extra burdens for the sake of the team dispelled fatigue and laziness in an instant. To put it bluntly, the team now seemed powered by pure adrenaline.

When one is truly focused, the passage of time becomes imperceptible. Soon, the day would come for the Divine Racing Team to set out.

In Bern, Switzerland, the first round of the ERC Global Rally Championship would commence in just two weeks. The team’s advance crew had already departed for Bern to construct the forward base and prepare for road reconnaissance ahead of the race.

Back in Nanshan City, things were more relaxed. After an intense period of training, Wang Qing and Geng Hua had made remarkable progress in both coordination and technical ability, much to Russlein’s satisfaction. As the championship approached, Russlein reduced their training load, allowing them to rest fully and enter the international arena in top form.

One beautiful weekend evening, Wang Yu, Mo Shu, Wang Yining, Wang Qing, Geng Hua, and Russlein decided to unwind. They planned to go out for hotpot—partly to introduce the German to this traditional cuisine, and partly because, once the season began, “hotpot” would vanish from their lives for some time.

As the six of them left the team headquarters, laughing and chatting, an uninvited guest appeared, startling them all.

“Brother?” Wang Yining blurted out in astonishment.

Brother? Aside from Wang Yining, the others had nearly forgotten that she had a brother; Russlein certainly couldn’t recall who he was. But to everyone else, another name was all too familiar.

Black Mirror.

“What do you want?” Wang Yu asked, displeased.

Mo Shu quickly stepped in front of Wang Yining, shielding her. He remembered all too well what Black Mirror had done in the GTCC—the fall of Stellar Group and Zhang Aimin had been orchestrated by this father and son in collusion with Weiermin.

Still, Mo Shu restrained himself from harsh words. After all, these were Wang Yining’s biological father and brother—blood ties could not be ignored. For Wang Yining’s sake, he would give them some face.

“And your father? Hiding in the shadows again, plotting some dirty trick?” Wang Yu had no such reservations.

“Heh heh heh! Insult me all you want, but must you drag my old man into this?” Black Mirror’s cold, sinister laugh sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

“What’s so funny? How did you know we were here?” Wang Yu pressed.

“Relax. I’m not here for revenge. I have something to discuss with you,” Black Mirror replied leisurely.

“What good could you possibly want? Even if you did, it wouldn’t be anything decent. Don’t block our way!” Wang Yu began to drive him off.

“Fine! Don’t come crying to me if you regret it later!”

“You bastard, plotting against us again?” Wang Yu, seldom so furious, took a menacing step forward, ready to vent his anger for Uncle Zhang.

As Wang Yu prepared to shove him aside, Mo Shu quickly intervened, stopping him.

Wang Yu looked at Mo Shu in surprise—this kid was even calmer than he was.

“Wang, let’s hear what he has to say.”

“You actually want to trust this scum?”

Mo Shu shot a quick glance at Wang Yining, worried she’d be hurt by his words.

“Wang, he is still Wang Yining’s brother. We don’t know what’s going on yet—let’s at least hear him out. Don’t get angry.”

“Fine… It’s only because you ask,” Wang Yu finally conceded, albeit reluctantly. “Alright, Mo Shu, I’ll listen to you this time. Let’s see if anything good can come out of that Black Mirror’s mouth.”