"Tell the Federation government to release those people they arrested twenty days ago. Once our people are safe, I will naturally release the hostages here. I know you can cut off the rear carriages, but I'm telling you, cluster bombs have already been installed in the first five carriages. You don't need me to tell you how many passengers are inside those five carriages. Your time is running out—the cluster bombs are set to detonate in thirty minutes. If you don't get a clear answer within thirty minutes, heh heh, you'll all perish together."
The conductor's heart tightened. Twenty days ago? What people did the Federation arrest? There had been no news reports at all. She was completely baffled, but since the demands were made, obviously they weren't just shooting blanks.
"Have their demands been reported to headquarters?" she asked the security captain.
He nodded, "Already reported. But headquarters said it's impossible to get a response in half an hour. Also, those arrested are said to be vicious criminals. If they're released…"
She clenched her teeth tightly, "When will reinforcements arrive?"
"About twenty minutes more. But now that there are bombs, even if reinforcements arrive, it might still be…" The security captain's face was drenched in cold sweat.
Her expression suddenly turned calm.
The security captain was stunned, "Conductor, are you saying we should abandon all the hostages?"
She said firmly, "Who said I'm abandoning them? Execute the orders."
On the spirit conduction high-speed rail, once there's an emergency, the conductor is the highest commander.
The crew all looked over, and the security captain waved his hand, signaling his team to slowly retreat.
She then loudly called out to Car 5, "Please don't act rashly. We have passed on your demands, but we need time. Thirty minutes is too short. Please extend the bomb timer. Trust me—I will do everything to mediate and help you achieve your goals. But please promise me you won't harm the hostages."
All staff and security personnel had withdrawn to Car 6.
"How do I know you're not just stalling?" a hoarse voice called from inside.
She was calm, "You've already planted bombs. Even if we have mech support, we can't storm the carriage, since hundreds of lives are at stake. I just asked headquarters; they said your demands can be met, but it requires higher-level Federation approval. The whole process will take about an hour. If you trust me, set the timer to one hour. I believe you have a device to detonate anytime, so you won't fear me lying."
The criminals inside hesitated. After a moment, the hoarse voice spoke again, "Fine. I'll trust you this once. The bomb timer can be set to one hour. But if you lie, after an hour, everyone dies together."
Mo Lan took a deep breath; the situation had stabilized somewhat. "Now let's discuss conditions. First, let me introduce myself. I'm the conductor of this train. My name is Mo Lan. I'm an ordinary person without soul power. My father is Mo Wu, the governor of Tiandou City and a Federation congressman. I believe my identity means more to you than an ordinary person. So I want to negotiate with you. Please release the elderly, women, and children in the first five carriages. In exchange, I will become your hostage."
"Conductor, no!" The security captain was anxious and tried to stop her.
Mo Lan shook him off forcefully. Though an ordinary person, she managed to break free from the security captain, a two-ring Soul Master's grip. Turning, she glared fiercely. Facing her powerful aura, the captain didn't dare meet her eyes.
The criminals inside fell silent for a moment. "We can't agree to your terms. We can't verify your identity."
Mo Lan suddenly stepped forward, appearing at the entrance of Car 5, fully exposing herself to their weapons.
"You can search my image on the Soul Network. Add my and my father's names. Confirming my identity shouldn't be difficult."
As she spoke, she looked inside.
All the passengers were gathered toward the rear. From her vantage point, she could only see the cluster bombs stuck on the ceiling—no criminals in sight. Through gaps, spirit conduction ray guns aimed at her side showed how cunning the criminals were.
Perhaps influenced by her calmness, after a moment the criminals responded, "Okay, your identity is confirmed. I can release the elderly, women, and children. But don't try any tricks. We'll play a game of trust. I'll release ten hostages first, then you come in. Then I'll release the rest of the elderly, women, and children. If after releasing ten hostages you don't keep your promise, I'll kill those ten first."
"Fine!" Mo Lan agreed immediately without hesitation.
The criminals acted quickly. Ten elderly and women quickly walked over, crying. Each deeply bowed to Mo Lan as they passed.
Mo Lan remained expressionless, hands behind her back, signaling the security captain.
The security captain took the hostages and thoroughly checked them to prevent bomb planting.
"Our sincerity is shown. Your turn." The hoarse voice came again.
Mo Lan reached into her pocket, took out her spirit conduction ray gun, and tossed it to the security captain behind her. She raised both hands, showing she was unarmed, then calmly walked into Car 5.
Soon she arrived in front of the crowd. A spirit conduction ray gun was thrust forward, pressing against her forehead.
"Do you know? You truly are a congressman's daughter, courageous! But you must understand—we're criminals, and we never keep promises."
Mo Lan was briefly startled. It seemed she saw the flash of a gunshot at the muzzle.
Bang!
"Haha, finally took revenge on the Federation government once."
Whether an illusion or not, at the moment the criminal fired, she seemed to see a purple light.
"Are you the congressman's daughter?" Gu You glanced at Mo Lan.
She nodded uncertainly. The events just now left her confused.
"Run! There are criminals!" But her first thought was to warn Gu You to run.
Gu You smiled at her, "Run? With me here, nothing will happen."
Mo Lan was speechless. She wasn't stupid. To be saved at the instant the criminal fired meant a speed comparable to a bullet. This young boy was probably a powerful Soul Master.
"Who are you!" The criminals inside were confused too—how did someone appear when they fired?
"Who am I?" Gu You smiled slightly.
"Your daddy."
(End of Chapter)