CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 218: PROTECTION?

That would really be the end of it. In other words, whether Xia Liang disarmed the bomb or not, I have to act as if he did.

"Damn it!" Number One was so angry his teeth itched. He wanted nothing more than to slam the detonator, point at Xia Liang, and scream, "Didn’t you say you disarmed it? Go on, disarm it!" But he quickly suppressed the impulse.

Seeing that his bluff had failed, Number One entertained another wicked idea. He shouted toward the first-class cabin again. "Since you were able to deal with Number Two and Number Three, that proves you’re highly skilled. They were both battle-hardened mercenaries, so you must be from the Dragon Country’s Weiguo Army..." At this, Number One paused, letting his words hang in the air.

Xia Liang didn’t respond, merely watching to see what trick his opponent would play next. If I weren’t trying to avoid causing a public panic, I wouldn’t need to play along with these clowns. I could have just eliminated all the hijackers, knocked the passengers unconscious, and flown the plane to Qingyun City myself.

When Xia Liang didn’t reply, Number One’s expression turned ferocious. "Good! Young soldier of the Weiguo Army, so you’re refusing to come out, is that it? Hmph!"

Suddenly, Number One stepped back and snatched a young girl from her seat. The girl turned pale with panic and began to struggle. "What are you doing? Let go of me! Let go of me!"

But her frail frame was no match for him. His hand was like an iron clamp; she couldn’t break free at all. Number One dragged her into the middle of the aisle and threw her to the floor.

"Shut up!" he roared, pointing his gun at her. "Say one more word and I’ll blow your brains out!"

Staring at the dark muzzle of the gun and Number One’s vicious face, the girl was paralyzed with terror. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her body trembled uncontrollably. Even so, she clamped her hands over her mouth, terrified that making the slightest sound would get her shot dead by the Demon before her.

However, Number One didn’t lower his gun just because she fell silent. He kept it aimed at her, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

"I’m going to count to ten! If you’re not out here by then, this girl becomes a corpse! Aren’t you from the Weiguo Army? Isn’t it your duty to protect the people of Dragon Country? Just come out with your hands up, and I’ll let her go!"

"Ten!"

Hearing his words, everyone’s heart clenched. No one doubted this vicious criminal would follow through. The girl at gunpoint finally broke under the pressure, screaming, "No! I don’t want to die! Please, somebody save me!"

This was exactly what Number One wanted. He was using her to force out that soldier from the Weiguo Army, or perhaps a special Protector. In his mind, only someone from those two organizations in Dragon Country could have taken down Number Two and Number Three without a single shot being fired.

"Nine!"

As he counted, Number One signaled the two men behind him with his eyes: shoot whoever comes out. Whether it was an ordinary person or not was of no concern to them. Besides, who would push an ordinary person out as a shield other than a member of the Weiguo Army or a special Protector trying some trick? It has to be the one who got Number Two and Number Three. And even if it isn’t, better to kill the wrong person than let a threat go.

"Eight!"

Number One’s countdown continued. Inside the first-class cabin, all eyes fell on Xia Liang. In truth, none of them wanted him to go. His presence gave them a sense of security. Some even began to argue for the "greater good."

"You can’t go out! He’s probably just bluffing," one said.

"Young man from the Dragon Group, you three are our only hope!" another pleaded. "With you here, those hijackers have to be cautious. If you get caught, we’ll all be left here to die!"

"That’s right! We’re all elites in first class! Just ensure our safety is enough!"

"They can’t possibly kill everyone out there, can they?"

It was painfully obvious that this group was far more concerned with their own skins than with the safety of the people outside.

Just then, Shi Qiang stood up. Under everyone’s gaze, he walked to Xia Liang’s side. "Brother Xia, let me go. If they take me hostage, you and Luu Qi will have a chance to make a move when they lower their guard."

"Five—"

The count from business class echoed through the plane. Seeing Xia Liang remain silent, an anxious Shi Qiang prepared to go out himself. If someone has to go, it should be me. I can’t let either Xia Liang or Luu Qi be put in danger. Even though we aren’t related by blood, they’re my brother and my sister. My main goal is to protect them, to draw the fire. But I also can’t just stand by and watch that girl die. Besides, they only want one person to surrender.

Watching Shi Qiang, Xia Liang felt a pang of warmth, but he shot him an annoyed glare. "You’ve called me Brother Xia for so many years. Do I look like the kind of person who would let his brother walk into danger?"

Unlike Shi Qiang, I’m more selfish. If I didn’t have one hundred percent confidence today, I wouldn’t go out there even if they killed every single hostage. Call me cold-blooded, call me heartless, I don’t care. It’s not that I’m a coward, but compared to complete strangers, I’d much rather protect the two people by my side.

"But—" Shi Qiang began, still anxious.

"Shut up. I said I have a plan, so just relax," Xia Liang cut him off, giving him a reassuring look.

"Three!" Number One’s voice boomed again.

Damn it. A cold light flashed in Xia Liang’s eyes. These bastards... I’ll leave one of them alive for questioning. The rest can be slaughtered. I’m technically a public official now, so I don’t need to worry about the aftermath. They’re a threat to public safety, which gives me the authority to eliminate them.

With that thought, Xia Liang called out with feigned reluctance, "Alright! I’m coming out! Don’t shoot."

Hearing this, Number One’s grim expression vanished, replaced by a smug smile. "As long as you come out, we promise we won’t shoot!"

Despite his words, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he aimed his weapon at the doorway. Numbers Four and Five, flanking him, did the same.

"Alright then! I’m coming out!" Xia Liang announced. As he spoke, he casually waved over a nearby flight attendant.

The flight attendant approached cautiously, terrified of making the slightest noise. "Is there anything I can help you with?" she whispered.

"Yes," Xia Liang nodded. "Do you have a toothpick?"

"A toothpick?" The flight attendant was stunned, having no idea what he wanted it for. Still, she nodded and pulled a few from her apron pocket. "Is this enough? I have more."

"That’s enough, thank you," Xia Liang said with a smile.

"You’re welcome, not at all," she replied hastily.