The masked figure let out a low chuckle from beneath his mask, an especially irritating sound. Di Shishi, furious, wanted to rush forward but was held back by Qin He.
After all, by this point, too many people had been positioned before, behind, and around their dozen-odd vehicles.
Qian Zimo clenched his fists in anger. Something was wrong.
He had analyzed the force of their attacks several times before, estimating their strength in Qingcheng.
But today was different. It was as if their strength and numbers had suddenly multiplied geometrically, catching him completely off guard! The convoy, which they could have perfectly protected, now became a larger target precisely because of the sheer number of attackers!
"Qin He, there are too many of them. This doesn't feel right," Qian Zimo said to Qin He in a low voice.
Qin He nodded, her tone heavy, "I know!"
She felt as though the other side had come out in full force. Previously, their actions had been full of probes and stratagems, a series of calculated moves.
Qin He narrowed her eyes. What exactly was wrong? She suddenly felt they were in a hurry. Was that just her imagination?
In the car opposite, the strategist spoke again, "Tell me where that book is, then come with me, and I'll let these people go. How about it? I promise to treat you as an honored guest."
Qin He's lips were tightly pressed together.
"What about the other option? Isn't it a transaction? There should be two options."
The strategist chuckled, "That would be me killing all these people, then breaking your legs and stuffing you into a sack to take you away."
A transaction?
Qin He let out a cold laugh. No wonder she had felt before that they weren't trying to kill her. It turned out she had saved their lives once!
However, the weight of this life-saving favor was clearly limited.
"I have no choice. I'll go with you, but you can forget about the book," Qin He said with a somber expression. "That book has already been sent abroad and can't be retrieved anytime soon. If you're willing to let me return to the Qin family, I can try to find a way to get it back."
The strategist let out a low laugh, a hint of mockery in his tone, "Miss Qin, are you joking?"
"Then I have no way to help you," Qin He said, looking at the strategist. "If you insist on the book, I truly cannot produce it now. It will have to be a fight to the death. However, if I die, you will never find out where the book is."
Her threat became more pronounced. "While I can't protect the people around me, I can guarantee that I'll be dead before you can break my legs!"
Killing others was not easy, but killing oneself was very easy.
Qin He was certain that the other side did not want her dead, nor did they dare to let her die.
In the car opposite, Shen Yizong's lips curved playfully under his mask. Interesting, very interesting.
Under such an absolutely overwhelming situation, Qin He was merely a trapped rabbit. Yet, this rabbit actually had the courage to threaten him.
She was indeed meticulous and intelligent, quickly finding his pain point in this desperate situation.
If he hadn't killed Cang Ying and taken complete control of the organization, mobilizing so many people and equipment that he didn't have authorization for, Qin He might have indeed managed to turn the tables in the end.
However, he truly couldn't let Qin He die.
After Shen Yizong chuckled, he pursed his lips, his gaze beneath the mask sharp and cold.
Yilin needed her, and finding the book also required her. Moreover, he himself suddenly didn't want her to die so easily.
Such an interesting entity shouldn't be ended so quickly.
Shen Yizong felt a playful urge. "Alright. Since you're coming with me, I'll find the book sooner or later. But Miss Qin, I hear you've always been skilled. I'm worried you might not be obedient and try to escape halfway. After all, I've already compromised on the book; you should show me some sincerity, right?"
Qin He's expression turned grim. "What do you mean?"
"I'm afraid you'll run," Shen Yizong said, then sighed. "It would be quite a shame if these people were to die here."
As soon as he finished speaking, a gunshot rang out from behind.
Qin He's heart suddenly clenched, and she turned her head.
The second car, which had been flipped by the RV earlier, was now lying on its side in a deep ditch. Qi Zhen, his face covered in blood, was crawling out.
His leg was injured, but his eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the strategist.
"I recognize his mask! It's him! He's the one who killed Xiao Yang!"
His brother's killer was right in front of him. Qi Zhen was completely blinded by rage. He and his brother had no other family and relied on each other, living a life on the edge.
After his brother's death, the greatest meaning of his life was revenge!
The bullet from earlier had hit Qi Yang's leg.
Qin He looked at Qi Zhen's leg, which was bleeding profusely, and immediately called out, "Don't kill him!"
The gunshot did not resume. Qi Zhen looked at Qin He, "Boss, my life is cheap now. You don't need to—"
Qin He suddenly turned her head, looking at the strategist not far away.
He looked unhurried, as if expecting something.
"You're afraid I'll run, right?" Qin He gritted her teeth, directly grabbed the weapon she had equipped, and fired a shot into her own left leg.
Her eyes were sharp and clear. The intense pain made her entire body tremble violently.
Qian Zimo and Di Shishi, who were beside her, immediately rushed over, "Are you crazy?!"
Qin He stared at the person not far away. "Is that enough?"
Shen Yizong hadn't expected Qin He to be so resolute, but this was the outcome he desired.
The corners of his lips curved into a smile beneath his mask. He said nothing.
Qin He gritted her teeth and directly aimed the gun at her right leg.
"Enough," the man said slowly.
"You, come over here. How to deal with the weapons on you, I don't need to tell you, right?"
Qin He directly removed the weapons she was equipped with and pulled off her bulletproof vest.
Qian Zimo's face was cold as he grabbed her. "Don't go. If we die, we die together!"
Qin He looked at Qian Zimo, lowering her voice. The pain in her left leg made her sweat profusely, and her voice was strained.
"Qian Zimo, you are the smartest, most rational, and steadiest person in Qingyan Mansion. You should know what choice to make now! A moment of reckless bravery will only lead everyone to their demise here!"
Di Shishi gritted her teeth, having no intention of listening to Qin He. "Then let's die together!"
Qin He looked at Qi Zhen, who was not far away. Qi Zhen was also startled by the gunshot.
If he hadn't crawled out just now wanting to kill, their boss might not have had to shoot herself for him!
Qin He looked at Di Shishi and Qian Zimo. "You know, this group has never intended to kill me. But if we resist here now, no one will have a chance to live. If I go with him, you can live, and I can live!"
"Qin He!" Qian Zimo stared at her intently. This decision was too difficult to make!
He used to mock those who were controlled by emotions and made foolish choices, but now, being in the midst of it, he finally understood.
Qin He, Di Shishi, Zuo Xiuxian—
These people were like brothers and sisters to him. How could he abandon his sister like this!
Qin He patted Qian Zimo reassuringly. "As long as we are alive, we can find more firewood. I'll wait for you to rescue me!"
Meanwhile, the strategist was growing impatient. "If you keep talking, I won't have much patience left."