I Run Away with the Earth to Save the World [Unlimited Flow] - Chapter 94

Amused by the Earth’s eagerness, Jing Qizhen chuckled and replied, “Alright, alright, I trust you. Go for it, Babyball!”

A moment later, the Earth responded with “…”

The Babyball seemed to fall into an eerie silence.

Jing Qizhen asked, “What’s wrong, Babyball?”

The Earth replied, “Why is there no one at that location?”

Jing Qizhen mused, “Hmm… Maybe it’s like in the movies, kidnappers wait for the bodyguard to bring David over, then call to tell him the real meeting spot?”

The Earth thought for a moment, finding the scenario oddly familiar. “Makes sense. So, what do we do next?”

Jing Qizhen casually took the bodyguard’s phone, unlocked it with his fingerprint and started scrolling through the call records and communication history.

He asked offhandedly, “When the contact arranged the location with you, what exactly did they say?”

Having already confessed everything, the bodyguard was still intimidated by the unfamiliar group. Now resigned, he answered truthfully, “They just told me to bring the boss there…”

Jing Qizhen raised an eyebrow slightly. “They didn’t explicitly mention binding him? That means the person meeting you is probably not alone.”

The reasoning was simple: whatever their goal, luring David over was far more complex than just killing him. If they went to such lengths, they must have a specific purpose. Considering that David was a grown man capable of resisting, the most likely scenario was that the group intended to outnumber him and hold him at gunpoint the moment he appeared, forcing him to negotiate.

Yan Hong suddenly interjected, “But you still have David with you. If it’s just a ransom handoff, it makes sense for you to go back and forth. But bringing along a live, unwilling person seems a bit hard to justify, doesn’t it?”

Manman propped her chin with one hand. “That’s not hard. The bodyguard could simply claim that the location wasn’t safe. As long as the route he suggests isn’t too outrageous, he could likely convince him to move.”

Yan Hong nodded in agreement.

David had recently been through two attacks. In such a situation, being ‘rescued’ by the bodyguard would likely make him more inclined to trust and follow the bodyguard’s lead.

Having faced significant danger, the ordinary civilian Old Xiao was still rattled by the situation. Wiping cold sweat from his forehead, he nervously asked, “So what’s our next step?”

Tang Song, unfazed, replied in a flat tone, as though discussing what to eat for dinner, “We just need to lure them out somehow, then toss a tear gas or tranquilizer grenade. Problem solved.”

As long as the people came out, the Earth could lock onto their location. From Tang Song’s perspective, there wasn’t even a need for a detailed plan. Just pinpoint their coordinates and take them out.

Everyone else: “…”

David: “…”

Even the previously anxious bodyguard froze, his expression momentarily solidifying.

Just moments ago, he had feared Lu Lingxi, who pointed a gun at his temple with a seemingly innocent smile and Jing Qizhen, whose words brooked no argument. But now, hearing Tang Song’s calm, matter-of-fact tone, he felt an even colder chill run down his spine.

The bodyguard couldn’t help but wonder what had gone so terribly wrong in David’s life that he had attracted so many unnervingly capable people…

Jing Qizhen quickly caught up with Tang Song’s train of thought and mentally asked the Earth, “Babyball, what’s the environment like around the location where they’re planning to kidnap David?”

The Earth replied, “Secluded, empty, just like the desolate wilderness you’re heading to now.”

Jing Qizhen instantly felt reassured. “Then it’s fine.”

The Earth paused for a moment, confused. “Huh?”

Jing Qizhen blinked. “Tang Song’s plan just now! The key issue isn’t about taking down all the kidnappers in one go but about how to transport them after they’re subdued. However, since you said the meeting spot they chose is remote, then that solves the problem. Whether we use tear gas or tranquilizer darts, there’s no risk of accidentally injuring bystanders. Plus, it’ll be easier to move them out.”

The Earth immediately understood and said cheerfully, “Then I’ll go take another look nearby! Since they agreed on a location with David’s bodyguard, it’s probably not too far. I’ll search the area!”

Jing Qizhen chuckled. “Thanks, Babyball!”

The Earth proudly replied, “Ah, what can I do? Every successful Long Aotian has a ball working itself to death behind the scenes.” |3|

If this were their usual playful banter, Jing Qizhen would have retorted, “We do all the fighting and cleanup and you’re lying around shouting ‘666’ until you’re out of breath?” |4|

But today, the Earth has genuinely done a lot. Jing Qizhen didn’t want to discourage its enthusiasm for helping out. Without hesitation, he smiled and encouraged the ball, “Babyball, you can’t overwork yourself. We’re counting on you!”

Excited by the recognition, the Earth practically glowed. If it weren’t so big and round, Jing Qizhen had no doubt it would proudly strike a pose.

The Earth: “Aiya, I know, I know!”

Meanwhile, seeing there were no more clues to extract from the bodyguard, Gu Leshan promptly gagged him again. Amid the bodyguard’s panicked and shocked gaze and muffled ‘mmm-mmm’ sounds, Gu Leshan swiftly shoved him under the car seat.

Holding his phone, Si Jiayang typed two lines to David, who was beside him, [The bodyguard can hear you, so don’t speak for now. Let’s communicate via text.]

David took a deep breath, nodded with a wooden expression and agreed.

Because Tang Song had set a good precedent earlier, when the group discussed the previous attack on David’s villa, new ideas began to emerge.

Jin Guijuan asked softly, “There’s something I’ve never understood. During the two waves of attackers earlier, they were clearly out for blood and loot. So why only use guns instead of something like a rocket launcher to blow up the entire villa? If they wanted David dead, wouldn’t that solve the problem directly?”

Gu Leshan took the initiative to answer, “David’s villa is brick-and-mortar construction. If it were made of panel materials, it would’ve been blown apart for sure. But a brick-and-mortar structure has some resistance against heavy weapons. Plus, while a rocket launcher can cause significant damage to a house, there’s still a small chance someone inside could survive if they’re lucky.”

Tang Song added, “More importantly, the social impact of light and heavy weaponry is entirely different. Gun violence is considered a routine accident in countries where firearms are legal but using a rocket launcher to blow up a residential area is on another level. The degree of police investigation it attracts would be worlds apart.”

Jin Guijuan thought about it. “So, in short, a sniper rifle has minimal noise and its lethality toward David alone is sufficient. Using a rocket launcher, however, creates more noise, making it harder for the attackers to escape after achieving their goal?”

Tang Song: “Exactly!”

Jin Guijuan couldn’t help but glance at Tang Song. Although she refrained from asking aloud, Jing Qizhen could guess what she was thinking from her expression.

Even those ruthless attackers knew better than to use rocket launchers. Meanwhile, Tang Song had just confidently suggested using a wide-area weapon like tear gas.

Jing Qizhen couldn’t help but chuckle and even took the initiative to explain to Tang Song, “Tear gas and tranquilizer darts are low-lethality, auxiliary area-effect weapons. They’re standard equipment used by law enforcement during arrests, right?”

Yan Hong nodded. “That’s correct.”

Only then did Jin Guijuan fully understand and she immediately felt relieved.

Jing Qizhen thought for a moment and added, “Moreover, the reason those people didn’t use weapons like rocket launchers isn’t just to avoid drawing police attention. The more fundamental reason might be that if their goal really is those special items from the erosion areas, they’re probably worried that heavy firepower might destroy the items outright.”

With that thought, Jing Qizhen directly turned to the Earth to confirm. “Babyball, how many erosion areas have been resolved so far?”

The Earth replied instantly, “Five!”

Jing Qizhen’s eyes narrowed slightly for a moment.

They went to the Yunhai Wancheng Department Store, the remote Shennongjia mountain village and the Boston villa district, which accounted for three erosion areas. The special item ‘Ribbon of the Red Dancing Shoes’ that appeared at the black market auction corresponded to an erosion area in Copenhagen…

Jing Qizhen’s expression turned more serious as he asked, “Babyball, what’s the situation with the fifth erosion area?”

The Earth answered, “That erosion area appeared in a primitive tribe in Africa! 0.0”

Jing Qizhen was momentarily stunned. “A primitive tribe in Africa?”

The Earth nodded. “Yep, that erosion area was only just resolved. I couldn’t see the situation inside because you weren’t there. But I do know that the local tribespeople brought back a wooden mask from the erosion area. They’re treating it as a divine relic and are planning to hold a full-tribe sacrificial ceremony!”

Jing Qizhen: “…”

Great. With the isolated nature of the African primitive tribes, even the vast and secretive reach of the dark web wouldn’t extend to such a physically and technologically cut-off place anytime soon.

Just as the Earth finished speaking, it suddenly exclaimed excitedly, “I see people!”

Jing Qizhen immediately perked up. “What do you see?”

The Earth replied, “Three people in a car! They’re armed! They’ve stopped their car about seven kilometers from the rendezvous point.”

The U.S. highway system is highly developed but because of the sparse population and tendency for people to cluster in cities, it’s not unusual to drive for long stretches on remote highways without seeing anyone.

Jing Qizhen relayed the situation and their distance to Tang Song.

After only a few seconds of thought, Tang Song decisively concluded, “Just three people? Our minibus still has room under the seats. Here’s the plan: we won’t regroup with our allies yet. We’ll pretend to be passing travelers. When the time comes, Little Lu and Leshan, you two watch for the right moment, roll down the window and throw both the tranquilizer darts and tear gas. Then we’ll take those three kidnappers with us and regroup with the others. What do you all think?”

Jing Qizhen spoke sincerely on behalf of the group, “We think it’s a solid plan. Let’s do it. Your call!”

Old Xiao, Jin Guijuan, and the others nodded quickly.

The bodyguard, stuffed under the car seat and unable to move or speak but hearing everything clearly: “…”

Sitting in the back seat, David, though unable to speak, didn’t let it stop him. While using hands-free to call Caroline, he was also typing on a chat app with his friend. [I think this money was well spent. They’re really professional.]

Caroline typed back. [Agreed. Also, I’ve already had my people pick up the trash you left behind. The police headed toward your villa have been redirected to me. I’ll have them take the trash to the station and after my medical checkup, I’ll swing by the station to check things out.]

David: [Pikachu Hugging.GIF]

Thanks to the Earth’s precise navigation, Jing Qizhen and his group finally located the kidnappers’ car about seven kilometers away from the agreed rendezvous point after nearly two hours of driving.

Tang Song calmly turned up the car’s speakers to the maximum volume, blasting death metal.

Amid the deafening roars, Jing Qizhen suggested, “Why don’t you drive a bit more erratically, like a drunk driver on a wild joyride?”

Tang Song nodded. “Makes sense!”

Everyone else: “…” Why are you two so skilled at even this kind of thing?

While Jing Qizhen and Tang Song demonstrated their peculiar synergy, Lu Lingxi and Gu Leshan were already armed. As the car swayed erratically with the windows wide open, Lu Lingxi expertly shot out the kidnappers’ car window. Gu Leshan then tossed both tranquilizer darts and tear gas canisters inside.

Half a minute later, Tang Song calmly turned off the blaring music, performed a flawless 180-degree turn and parked the car neatly next to the kidnappers’ vehicle.

Lu Lingxi donned a gas mask before getting out to open the kidnappers’ car door.

Two minutes later, Gu Leshan, Lu Lingxi, and Yan Hong, who had volunteered to help, returned with three semi-conscious kidnappers. Following the same method, they tied them up and stuffed them under the car seats.

Jing Qizhen glanced at the vehicle’s seating capacity and muttered, “I think we’re over capacity.”

Tang Song frowned slightly and added, “Yeah, we’re breaking traffic laws. What a headache.”

Everyone else: “…”

That’s what you focus on?!