"Tell the Federation to release the group they arrested twenty days ago. Once our people are safe, I'll naturally let the hostages go. I know you've detached the back cars, but I'm telling you now—all five cars up front are rigged with soul tool cluster bombs. You should know how many passengers are in those five cars. You don't have much time. The bomb is set to detonate in thirty minutes. If we don't get a clear answer by then… heh, you can all die together with us."
Conductor Mo Lan's heart tensed. 'Twenty days ago?' She hadn't heard of any arrests—there were no reports in the news. But clearly, if they were making such a demand, it wasn't baseless.
"Has headquarters been notified of their demands?" she asked the security captain.
He nodded grimly. "Yes. But they said it's impossible to get approval from higher-ups in just half an hour. Plus, word is, the captured individuals were extremely dangerous criminals. If we release them…"
Mo Lan clenched her jaw tightly. "How long until reinforcements arrive?"
"About twenty more minutes. But with bombs already in place, even with support, we probably…"
She suddenly calmed.
The security captain was stunned. "Conductor, are you saying we abandon the hostages?"
"I never said that," she replied coldly. "Execute my orders."
In an emergency, the conductor held full command aboard a soul train.
The train staff all looked toward her. The security captain motioned for everyone to slowly withdraw.
Then she called out loudly toward Car Five, "Please don't act rashly! We've relayed your demands, but we need time. Thirty minutes is too short. Please extend the timer. I promise you, I'll do everything I can to negotiate and help you reach your goals. But in return, I ask that you do not harm the hostages."
All security and crew members had retreated into Car Six.
"How do I know you're not just stalling?" the raspy voice replied.
She remained composed. "You've already planted bombs. Even if reinforcements arrive with mechas, we can't risk a direct assault. This is a matter of hundreds of lives. I've already contacted HQ, and they've said your demands may be acceptable. But this matter involves the Federation's upper ranks and will require higher-level approval. The whole process takes about an hour. If you believe me, extend the timer. I'm sure you have a remote detonator. You're not afraid I'm lying, are you?"
Silence. Then, finally, the raspy voice spoke again. "Fine. We'll trust you once. I'll extend the timer to one hour. But if you're lying—one hour from now, everyone dies."
Mo Lan took a deep breath. The situation had stabilized for now. "Then let's negotiate. First, let me introduce myself. I'm this train's conductor. My name is Mo Lan. I'm just a regular person, no soul power. But my father is Mo Wu, Governor of Heaven Dou City and a Federal Council Member. I believe my identity holds far more value to you than a typical hostage. So I propose a deal—release the elderly, women, and children in the front five cars. In exchange, I'll become your hostage."
"No, Conductor! You can't!" The security captain panicked and rushed forward to stop her.
Mo Lan forcefully shook off his grip—even as an ordinary person, she broke free from the grip of a two-ringed Soul Master. She turned and glared at him. Her imposing aura was so strong the security captain couldn't meet her eyes.
The voice inside paused, then said, "We can't accept your deal. I can't confirm your identity."
Mo Lan stepped forward, appearing directly in front of Car Five's door, fully exposed to enemy weapons.
"You can search my name and image on the soul internet. Look up my name and my father's. It won't be hard to verify."
As she spoke, she peered into the car.
All the passengers had been herded to the rear. From her position, she could only see the bombs mounted to the ceiling, not the perpetrators. But peeking through the crowd, soul ray guns were pointed in her direction—clearly, the criminals were cautious.
Maybe it was her calm demeanor, but a moment later, the voice replied, "Alright. We've confirmed your identity. I'll release the elderly, women, and children. But don't try anything. Let's play a trust game. I'll release ten hostages first. Then you come inside. After that, I'll release the rest. But if you betray me after I release those ten—I'll kill ten people."
"Deal!" Mo Lan didn't hesitate.
Soon, ten women, children, and elderly hostages were released and ushered over. They sobbed as they passed Mo Lan, each bowing deeply to her.
Mo Lan remained expressionless, her hands behind her back, gesturing to the security captain.
He quickly received the hostages and ordered them thoroughly inspected for hidden explosives.
"We've shown you good faith. Now it's your turn," the voice inside said.
Mo Lan pulled out her soul ray gun and tossed it to the security captain. Then she raised her hands to show she was unarmed and calmly stepped into Car Five.
She didn't rush. Her pace was steady.
Soon, she reached the front of the crowd. A soul ray gun immediately pressed against her forehead.
"You know," the thug sneered, "you really do have guts. A politician's daughter through and through. But remember—we're criminals. We never keep our word."
Mo Lan's expression faltered for the first time. She thought she saw the gun muzzle flash.
Bang!
"Haha, finally struck back at the Federation!"
She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but in the instant the trigger was pulled—she saw a flash of purple.
"You're a councilor's daughter?" Gu You looked at Mo Lan.
She blinked blankly and nodded. The flurry of events left her dazed.
"You should run. There are armed thugs here!" she urged reflexively.
Gu You smiled. "Run? With me here, nothing's going to happen."
Mo Lan was speechless. She wasn't stupid—anyone who could intercept a bullet had to be a powerful Soul Master.
"Who are you?!" the stunned thug inside shouted. 'Where the hell did this guy come from?'
Gu You smiled faintly.
"Who am I?"
"I'm your daddy."
(End of Chapter)
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