The shooting happened right at Sinestro's feet. He didn't intervene, he just hovered in mid-air, watching quietly, observing how things would unfold, what choices Hal Jordan would make, and whether he was worthy of inheriting Abin Sur's will and becoming the guardian of Sector 2814 of the universe.
The situation became extremely dangerous. There were other customers in the store, a mother and son, who were terrified by the sudden gunshots and hid in a corner, not daring to make a sound.
Hal also noticed them, and when he realized the child was less than five years old, he couldn't help but slap himself.
Damn it, what are you doing?
Hal gritted his teeth. He had to solve this himself. If he failed, the cashier and the mother and son might very well die.
He would never allow that to happen!
Bang!
The alloy door was kicked open, and a burly man carrying a submachine gun walked in, cursing and searching everywhere. He wanted to shoot the troublemaking bug into a hornet's nest.
Hal took down the mirror on the counter and used its reflection to observe the situation ahead. After confirming the burly man's position, he fired continuously without hesitation.
Bang bang bang bang!
His marksmanship was excellent; six bullets hit the burly man's arm, side, calf, and other non-vital areas.
The burly man roared, trying to retaliate, but Hal, who had pounced on him, kicked him to the ground. He picked up the submachine gun, made a gesture to the mother and son in the corner to call the police, and then, hugging the wall, looked outside.
Another burly man pointed a gun at the driver of a passing vehicle, apparently trying to switch cars.
"Can't let him go."
Hal immediately made a decision. His breathing quickened, and the adrenaline secreted by his adrenal medulla reached his brain, making his attention more focused than ever before. At this moment, he felt as if he was back in the cockpit.
Hal grabbed the hostage in the store and threw him onto the street.
"Hey! Big guy, your brother is in my hands. If you don't want him to die, stop right there."
As he spoke, he fired three shots. The gunshots attracted the burly man. When he saw his companion bleeding all over, he didn't hesitate to pull out his pistol and press it against the girl's head.
"Damn bastard, come out, or I'll blow her brains out."
The girl was terrified and screamed in horror.
"I'll only count to three!"
"One!"
"Two!"
"Help, save me, boo hoo hoo hoo!!!"
The burly man narrowed his eyes, a cruel killing intent flashing within them.
"Three!"
"Wait!"
Hal raised his submachine gun and slowly walked out, "I surrender, let her go."
"Go to hell, you scum!"
The burly man raised his gun and fired. The bullet hit Hal's chest, and he fell backward to the ground.
"Idiot!"
The burly man spat, threw the sobbing girl aside, and strode towards the store. Just then, Hal's soul returned, and he sat up like a zombie, raising his Browning pistol.
Bang!
The bullet accurately hit the burly man's heart. He stumbled backward, raised his right hand.
Bang!
The gun fired again. The burly man fell to his knees, collapsing in a pool of blood.
Hal gasped for breath, quickly unbuttoning his clothes. When he saw his chest with no scars, he was completely stunned.
What's going on?
He was clearly hit by a bullet, so why was he unharmed?
Fifteen minutes later, the police arrived at the scene, set up a cordon, collected evidence, and took the parties involved back to the police station for statements. The girl solemnly expressed her gratitude to Hal and, almost pleadingly, asked for his home address and contact information.
Hal didn't want any trouble but couldn't find a reason to refuse.
After dealing with various errands, it was already evening. Hal, physically and mentally exhausted, lay on the sofa, staring at the bullet hole in his clothes for a long time.
"I did that."
A familiar voice came from the side.
Hal quickly turned around and, seeing Sinestro at the doorway, exclaimed,
"You... how did you..."
"I've been silently watching you from behind."
Hal: "..."
"Your choices were remarkable."
"Courage, kindness, compassion, sacrifice – the qualities you displayed in that battle were gratifying. Abin Sur didn't choose wrong; you are the most suitable candidate. You will inherit his will and become one of the greatest Green Lanterns."
These words made Hal Jordan very embarrassed.
"I only did what any normal person would do."
Sinestro shook his head slightly, walked to the window, and looked at the distant sunset. After a long time, he slowly said, "Hal Jordan, are you willing to become a member of the Green Lantern Corps and dedicate everything to protecting the peace of the universe?"
"Of course I am, it's just..." Hal said with a wry smile, "My ring..."
"The power ring, I'll help you get it back."
...Inside the Xiao Manor, Linda, who was enjoying a delicious Chinese meal in the stone pavilion, looked up.
Two unfamiliar visitors appeared in the sky. One had three fingers missing and looked like an Earthling based on his appearance. The other had red skin, wore green battle armor, and had tight muscles and long limbs. His race was unknown.
"Who are you looking for?"
Linda said unhappily. After a day of martial arts training, she finally got some rest, only to be disturbed. It would be strange if her temper was good.
Sinestro stared at the green power ring on the girl's index finger and said with a serious expression,
"The owner of that ring is not you."
Linda played with the power ring in her hand and sneered, "The ring was a gift from Luke Xiao. Since he gave it to me, it's mine. It has nothing to do with you."
Sinestro said coldly, "This ring is very important to me. You must return it to me."
Linda bared her teeth, and red light gathered in her eyes.
"What if I don't return it?"
Sinestro glanced at Hal, who nodded slightly, fully recalling the power ring. The ring erupted in a strong green light, vibrating at an extremely high frequency, generating enough energy to destroy most metals in the world.
But Linda felt nothing at all. Her finger remained still, and she even took the time to flick a grain of rice off the table.
Seeing this, both their expressions instantly froze.
Hal couldn't help but gasp, completely shocked.
At such a close distance, he could perfectly use the power of the ring to unleash a full-power strike, yet he couldn't do anything to the other party.
Where did this freak come from?
This was too terrifying!
Sinestro frowned and asked, "Who exactly are you?"
"Who I am is none of your damn business."
Linda snorted, picked up a beef and radish dumpling, and put it in her mouth, savoring it. Ever since she tasted dumplings, she had been conquered by this mysterious food from the East. She pestered Aunt Li every day to make dumplings with various fillings: pork and cabbage, pork and chives, lamb and scallions, beef and celery, and so on. She ate them every day, every meal, without getting tired of them.
Sinestro realized that the Earthling in front of him was no ordinary being, very likely a strong individual hidden among humans, but this would not make him back down. The power ring was Abin Sur's relic and the symbol of the Green Lantern Corps; it could not fall into the hands of outsiders.
"My final warning: the ring belongs to the Green Lantern Corps, it belongs to Hal Jordan. If you don't return it, don't blame me for being impolite."
"That's what I've been waiting for! Aunt Li, heat up the dumplings, I'll be back in a bit."
With that, the girl leaped up and flew towards the suburbs at an extremely fast speed.
Sinestro didn't hesitate and immediately followed.
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