C9 I Actually Became a Hostage!

Niu Li's instincts screamed danger, and he involuntarily recoiled, a chill creeping up from his jawline.

Truth be told, Niu Li was still reeling from the shock. How on earth had he ended up as a hostage? Moments ago, he was marveling at the wonders of magic and exchanging compliments with an Elf. Then, out of the blue, two men had materialized, taking him captive and dragging him into this long-abandoned control room.

Niu Li shifted slightly, striving for composure. He knew that staying cool-headed was crucial for survival, especially in perilous times like these.

"Mr. Hu, what's our next move?" The burly man with a beard menaced Niu Li before turning to consult his accomplice, who appeared to be calling the shots.

From the corner of his eye, Niu Li stole a glance at the other man—a wiry fellow, no more than thirty, with a countenance that suggested the world was in his debt. His sullen demeanor was unnerving, but it was his narrow eyes that truly sent shivers down Niu Li's spine, reminiscent of a sinister cobra.

Instinctively, Niu Li sensed that this slender man posed the greatest threat, a realization that weighed heavily on his heart.

"Quiet. I need to think," the slim man commanded, his cool demeanor unshaken as he paced the control room.

Niu Li held his breath, the only sound the methodical footsteps of Mr. Hu.

Abruptly, Mr. Hu halted and fixed his gaze on Niu Li, who flinched and huddled tighter into the corner behind the battered desk.

"Our only play is to use him. When the cops call out, you're going to demand an off-road vehicle—and make sure it's bulletproof," Mr. Hu instructed the bearded man.

"Got it," the bearded man replied promptly, his face contorting with rage as he added, "Mr. Hu, it's got to be Scarface Lee who ratted us out. He's been itching to rule H City as its underground king. If we make it out of this, I swear I'll flay him alive."

Mr. Hu simply shook his head, his silence pregnant with contemplation.

The voice from outside was stern and final, "You inside, listen up! You've got thirty seconds to come out and surrender, or we start shooting."

At that moment, the voices of patrolling officers echoed outside the control room.

"Do these incompetents really think they can make me surrender?" scoffed the man with the stubble, peering disdainfully through the glass window.

Perched in mid-air and accessible only by an iron staircase, the control room was a strategic stronghold, easily defended and difficult to assault. From his vantage point at the window, Stubble Man had a clear view of the officers' positions below.

There were over twenty officers on the scene, strategically stationed at the few available access points, each armed with a handgun.

"Listen up down there, I've got hostages. If you don't want them hurt, you'll do as I say," Mr. Hu bellowed from against the wall.

"What?! There are hostages inside?" exclaimed a middle-aged officer, taken aback. They had the criminals cornered and were ready to make an arrest at any moment, which would surely bring commendation.

But where had these sudden hostages come from?

"Deputy Chief, the criminal's just bluffing. I've been on his tail all the way to this abandoned factory. I assure you, there are no hostages inside; it's got to be a ruse," a muscular officer at the middle-aged officer's side asserted confidently.

"And what if they do have hostages? Who's going to take the fall if the hostages are harmed?" the middle-aged officer retorted with a stern look.

The muscular officer was at a loss for words. He was convinced the criminals couldn't have taken hostages in such a short time, but he hadn't actually witnessed the absence of hostages. If the criminals truly had a hostage, they couldn't afford to be reckless.

"Mr. Hu, it seems they doubt we have hostages?" Stubble Man remarked.

With a cold laugh, Mr. Hu replied, "Show him around outside."

"Right away, Mr. Hu." Stubble Man glared menacingly at Niu Li and barked, "Come on out!"

Niu Li seethed with anger, but they were armed, and these were bandits who could casually face off with the officers. It was wiser to play along.

Niu Li emerged reluctantly, his meek appearance pleasing Stubble Man immensely.

The weak should indeed quake in the presence of the strong like him.

Stubble Man seized Niu Li and strode to the door, kicking it open with one swift motion. He snatched up a pistol, pressed it against Niu Li's temple, and marched out of the control room.

"They've actually taken a hostage!" The burly guard stared in shock at Niu Li, now a captive in Stubble Man's grasp, a wave of helplessness washing over him. He had been right on their heels, certain they had no chance to take anyone. Where had this hostage come from? What was happening?

The middle-aged patrol officer shot a withering look at the burly one before turning his attention to Stubble Man. Lifting his megaphone, he called out, "Let's not do anything rash. We're willing to meet your demands, just please, no harm to the hostage."

"I've got a hostage, and I'm warning you: no shooting, or he gets it right away. Second, I want an off-road vehicle, and it better be bulletproof. I need that vehicle in three minutes, or he's dead. Got it?" Stubble Man bellowed, smirking triumphantly.

The burly patrol officer's anger flared. "Deputy Chief Inspector, we can't give in to this thug's demands. He's murdered the chairman of Meixia Group, and the city committee's been notified. If we comply, the fallout will be severe. I can't condone this."

The middle-aged officer shot him another irate look, thinking to himself, "Don't I understand the stakes? But what's our next move? If we don't comply and the hostage dies, I'll be the one to answer for it. You, of course, would be unaffected."

After pondering for a tense few seconds, the Deputy Chief Inspector clenched his jaw and decided, "Do as he says. Get a bulletproof off-road vehicle here, now."

"What? Deputy Chief Inspector!"

"Enough. The hostage's life is our priority. I'm giving you an order," the middle-aged Chief Inspector said sternly, his gaze piercing.

With a grimace, the burly patrol officer took one last look at the swaggering Stubble Man outside the control room, then turned and dashed out of the derelict factory.

"Please hold on for a few minutes. Our team is already preparing the vehicles. Whatever you do, don't harm the hostages," the middle-aged patrol officer urgently called out into the microphone.

"That's more like it. You're truly the people's finest," Stubble Man said with a menacing grin. Wrapping his burly arm around Niu Li's neck, he leaned in and murmured, "Kid, you're our lifesaver. Once we're out of here, I'll make sure to repay you handsomely." Then, with a perverse gesture, he licked Niu Li's neck.

Niu Li tensed up, a cold dread washing over him. A single thought raced through his mind: "I've been abducted by a gay man! And he's talking about repaying me, does he mean to..."

Shuddering at the thought, Niu Li was then overcome with a surge of fury. I'm a straight man—keep your distance!