I Run Away with the Earth to Save the World [Unlimited Flow] - Chapter 101

Tang Song said just one sentence to Jing Qizhen and didn’t elaborate further.

After all, he was on a remote farm abroad with limited resources. Tang Song couldn’t guarantee that mobile communications wouldn’t be intercepted or monitored by others.

A simple signal jammer would be easy to set up but completely cutting off cell signals across the farm would create its own problems. First, it would make it difficult for his team to communicate if something happened. Second, it would essentially broadcast to everyone that something suspicious was going on there.

Tang Song was still lying in wait to catch his targets. Most importantly, he needed to use the chaos to let the bodyguard escape. Scaring off the kidnappers’ accomplices before they even arrived was out of the question.

At the farm, the accomplices of the three kidnappers were continuing their infiltration mission.

It was afternoon and the sunlight over the farm was just right.

Two of Tang Song’s subordinates had deliberately changed into farm uniforms. Following several sheepdogs, they herded a large flock of sheep to a comfortable spot, feigning a lazy and casual demeanor to mislead the intruders.

One of them whispered, “Are you sure this will work? Shouldn’t we wear fake masks or something?”

The other replied, “You’re already wearing a hat, right? Just don’t take it off.”

The first person nodded seriously, then couldn’t help but adjust the brim of their hat lower.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the farm, the kidnappers’ accomplices were sneaking around, taking advantage of the vast, sparsely populated area. Broad daylight didn’t deter them.

Using binoculars, one of them carefully observed the shepherding area.

After putting down the binoculars, one of the accomplices said in a low voice, “Those are just farm staff managing the livestock. Their herding route should move forward, so we can circle around from here.”

***

Back on the plane, Jing Qizhen and the others were still sitting around the dining table, chatting as they ate.

The Earth, energized from running back and forth with updates, enthusiastically narrated the latest developments at the farm to Jing Qizhen.

The Earth: “Tang Song’s people are in position! They’re about to fire a stray shot to break the ropes!”

A few minutes later, the Earth suddenly exclaimed, “Wow! That guy went all out! Not only did he shoot through the ropes but he also shot through the bodyguard’s arm. He did it on purpose!”

Jing Qizhen, unfazed, remarked, “Not surprising. If the bodyguard escaped unscathed, he might overthink things later and start suspecting that Tang Song deliberately let him go. But with a real injury, his focus will shift to worrying about his wound, leaving no room for doubt.”

The Earth nodded. “That’s true. When the bullet hit, the bodyguard’s face turned pale. If that shot had been just slightly off, it wouldn’t have grazed his arm and snapped the ropes. It could’ve severed his carotid artery instead!”

Although he couldn’t see the live events happening at the farm, Jing Qizhen could imagine from the Earth’s detailed descriptions that the recently injured bodyguard’s mind was likely blank with shock.

When free to move, navigating through a hail of bullets was certainly dangerous. However, the bodyguard wasn’t just coasting through his job. He had some skills and a clear understanding of risks, so he wouldn’t panic easily.

But being captured by enemies, tied up, and then suddenly hit by a stray bullet was a different story. In that moment, the bodyguard truly felt he had just brushed against death.

When the stray bullet accidentally severed the ropes binding him, the bodyguard didn’t even have time to feel the pain of the bullet wound in his arm. He scrambled to free himself, tearing a piece of fabric from the edge of his black suit to tightly bandage the wound. Then, crouching carefully, he moved to the door. Hearing the gunfire outside start to subside, he quietly opened the door, observed the surroundings and slipped out, keeping low as he dashed away.

The Earth excitedly exclaimed, “Ahhhh! The bodyguard escaped! He successfully followed the ‘safe route’ Tang Song left for him!”

Jing Qizhen calmly responded, “Relax, stay calm.”

The Earth quickly replied, “Got it!”

Since the Earth was highly engaged, it essentially provided live updates. Jing Qizhen barely had time to relay the full situation to the others. During the brief moments when the Earth went to gather new information, he summarized the latest farm developments.

Jing Qizhen: “The bodyguard is escaping.”

The others, even though they knew it was all part of Tang Song’s prearranged plan, were momentarily stunned by the sudden update.

Then Jing Qizhen added, “The kidnappers’ accomplices have entered the building through the bathroom vent.”

Everyone: “!!!”

Those familiar with Jing Qizhen’s connection with the Earth understood where the information came from. But people like Caroline, David, and Joyce, who didn’t know the full story, now looked at Jing Qizhen with growing suspicion and intrigue.

David and Joyce, completely distracted from drafting their email to the professor, looked up at Jing Qizhen. Even Wilcox, who usually kept his younger cousin in check, didn’t bother pushing Joyce’s head back down this time.

Caroline’s gaze lingered on the earpiece Jing Qizhen had been wearing the entire time. Though it was just a prop for their internal radio communication, Caroline seemed to have misunderstood, believing it was receiving direct intelligence from the farm.

The Earth’s voice came again, filled with excitement, “Wow! Someone shot the bodyguard again. This time in the leg! But he managed to drag his bleeding leg, roll onto a small farm truck loaded with local produce, and drive off the farm!”

Jing Qizhen nodded, glanced at David, and slightly adjusted the Earth’s account before reporting, “The bodyguard was shot in the arm and leg but managed to drive himself out of the farm. Tang Song plans to use the injured bodyguard to spread false information and draw out more of the people behind this.”

David nodded.

As the betrayed and unlucky employer, he would have preferred to lock the bodyguard in prison forever. But with Tang Song and Jing Qizhen clearly sharing a common interest with him for now, he had no objections. If Tang Song believed the bodyguard still had value, David, who relied on their protection for his current and future safety, wasn’t in a position to disagree.

Caroline, however, pressed her lips together in displeasure, her deep crimson-purple lipstick exuding a chilling intensity.

Licking her lips, she spoke cautiously, her words tinged with unmistakable vindictiveness, “Since that bodyguard betrayed David, it wouldn’t be right to simply let him go, would it?”

Jing Qizhen earnestly discussed with Caroline, “Should we report him to the police again or issue a bounty? Which approach do you think would be more appropriate?”

Caroline responded, “I’ll arrange for some people to participate in the effort to capture that bodyguard. It’s not an excessive action and it makes the whole situation seem more believable. What do you think?”

Caroline used a consultative tone when speaking to Jing Qizhen.

After all, both David’s previous ordeal and the events in the erosion area had made it clear to Caroline that Jing Qizhen and his group were highly strategic individuals with clear objectives. They weren’t the kind of people who could be easily swayed with money alone.

Jing Qizhen blinked a few times and said, “I think that’s doable… but we’ll need to inform Tang Song first. If the bodyguard’s injuries are too severe and your team ends up actually capturing him, wouldn’t that be a little awkward?”

After all, Tang Song had gone to great lengths to make the bodyguard’s escape seem natural and convincing.

Caroline and David: “…”

They had never expected Jing Qizhen to reject what they considered a reasonable proposal. However, they also hadn’t anticipated that his primary concern would be something so… specific.

The two friends exchanged glances. Imagining that awkward scene of trying to release someone while fumbling around, they could faintly feel the secondhand embarrassment.

David sincerely sought advice, “So what do you think is the best course of action?”

Jing Qizhen suggested, “Let’s wait until Tang Song finishes his performance and hear his thoughts?”

After all, Tang Song was undeniably an expert at that kind of bait-and-catch strategy…

Caroline and David nodded in agreement. They had no objections to Jing Qizhen’s proposal.

Lu Lingxi: “…” Although he understood the logic, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his boss’s reputation was being unfairly tarnished.

Just then, the Earth began live reporting to Jing Qizhen’s mind again. “Ah! The three accomplices of the kidnappers found their target! They successfully broke through the defenses Tang Song set up and located the place where the kidnappers are being held!”

Jing Qizhen was slightly startled. “What!?”

He frowned. Up until now, everything had clearly been within Tang Song’s calculations, so Jing Qizhen hadn’t been particularly worried.

But now, hearing that the enemy had genuinely broken through the defenses and found the kidnappers, it was unexpected and naturally caused some concern.

The Earth reassured him, “Uh… Tang Song’s fine.”

Jing Qizhen paused. “This was intentional too…?”

The Earth replied, “More or less! The enemy’s firepower is quite strong. Even though Tang Song’s team is skilled, to avoid injuries, he ordered a retreat after the initial skirmish.”

A peculiar thought crossed Jing Qizhen’s mind. He asked the Earth, “Don’t tell me Tang Song buried explosives under the farm, planning to take out the kidnappers in one go…”

The Earth immediately refuted, “He didn’t have time to dig and bury anything! He just had high-purity ether anesthetic released through the ventilation ducts!”

Jing Qizhen: “… Ether in the air can explode, right? Both sides are armed and any crossfire could trigger it! Releasing high-purity ether through the vents is no different from planting explosives! A single mistake and the whole house could blow up!”

The Earth cheerfully explained, “That’s exactly why the kidnappers and their accomplices, even after noticing the smell, didn’t dare to make a move, 0.0.”

Jing Qizhen: “…” That actually… made sense.

Inhaling too much ether would lead to unconsciousness but at least they’d survive. Resisting and opening fire, however, could ignite the high-concentration ether vapor in the air, causing an explosion that would obliterate the house and leave no one alive.

The Earth added, “Besides, Tang Song is hiding far away! He even had the lead border collie drive the sheep far off.”

Jing Qizhen hesitated for a moment before saying, “The farm owner probably has insurance but if the farm suffers theft or a fire, filing a claim shouldn’t be an issue. If ether actually explodes, though, the insurance company might not cover it.”

Hearing the sudden, convoluted train of thought, the Earth was stunned. “…Huh?”

Jing Qizhen explained, “The claims department will definitely investigate the cause of the accident. If it’s just an accidental fire, that’s fine. But if it turns out to be arson or an explosion, it could be considered insurance fraud.”

The Earth: “…That means Tang Song was taking a pretty big risk just now!”

Jing Qizhen: “Exactly. He was probably betting on the fact that the kidnappers valued their lives.”

The Earth: “Well, the kidnappers are unconscious now! 0.0 Tang Song just ordered the windows opened for ventilation and sent someone to ‘collect the bodies.’”

As soon as the Earth finished speaking, Jing Qizhen received a call from Tang Song.

Tang Song: “You’ve been briefed on the situation here, right?”

Jing Qizhen: “Yeah, Babyball told me.”

Hearing this, the Earth immediately puffed up with pride. If it could, it would’ve sent Jing Qizhen a [smug.jpg] sticker.

Tang Song: “Alright, then I don’t need to go over the details again. Write down the license plate number of the small truck the bodyguard drove away. I placed a tracker on it. The truck has already left Boston. I’ll send you the coordinates in a moment. Have Babyball track that location. The bodyguard will likely abandon the truck somewhere he can switch vehicles. Make sure Babyball watches for that. I need a complete escape route map for the bodyguard, along with details of any suspicious individuals he interacts with. Have Babyball monitor them all.”

Jing Qizhen: “…Got it.”

Even though Jing Qizhen was just passing on instructions, he couldn’t help but feel the overwhelming pressure that Tang Song was about to put on the Babyball.

He glanced at Lu Lingxi, suddenly reminded of his first encounter with him. Back then, the volunteers in military uniforms, sitting around with laptops, PS4s, or Switches, had lifeless expressions as they played horror games for ‘training.’

That was probably the Babyball’s future… assuming it didn’t decide to strike.