I Run Away with the Earth to Save the World [Unlimited Flow] - Chapter 99

Jing Qizhen and his group quickly gathered their belongings, particularly the special items retrieved from the erosion areas.

Tang Song followed them out and said directly, “Switch to the vehicles in the barn. After that, we’ll be leaving soon as well, so you don’t need to worry about this farm’s location being compromised.”

Jing Qizhen nodded. “Understood.”

Though David was still in the dark, he hesitated, observing the team’s calm and organized manner. Trusting their competence, he ultimately chose to keep quiet and follow along.

By the small minibus parked at the farm, Lu Lingxi and Gu Leshan exchanged glances. Unexpectedly, it was Manman who walked up to the vehicle, opened the door, and got into the driver’s seat.

Her reasoning was simple and irrefutable. “I have a U.S. driver’s license.”

Both Lu Lingxi and Gu Leshan nodded in agreement.

Old Xiao chuckled wryly. “Now that you mention it, Manman, I just realized. When we were driving yesterday, did anyone else even have a U.S. driver’s license?”

Gu Leshan blinked innocently, offering only a smile in response.

Jing Qizhen: “…” Got it. No need to answer.

The Earth mulled it over and suddenly exclaimed, “So if a cop had stopped you yesterday, you’d have gone straight to jail, huh? Oh, wait. It’s not just the license issue. You were overloaded too!”

Jing Qizhen thought for a moment, then decisively shook his head. “…It wouldn’t have come to that.”

The Earth: “So, how do we handle this? Let David take care of it?”

The curious little ball had seen enough American TV shows to be genuinely intrigued by the answer.

Jing Qizhen: “…Kidnap the cop, bring him to the farm with us, and let him go afterward.”

After all, they’d already abducted several kidnappers. What’s one or two more?

The Earth: “…” Such a simple and brutally direct solution.

Shortly after, Gu Leshan hopped into the front passenger seat while Lu Lingxi, carrying a dismantled rifle that looked inconspicuous when packed, headed to the back.

Si Jiayang shot a resentful look at Gu Leshan.

Jing Qizhen reached out to pat Si Jiayang’s shoulder, ready to say something.

But before he could, Si Jiayang sighed bitterly. “I get it. Leshan’s in the front to protect Manman, just like how Little Lu, with the sniper rifle, naturally chose a spot in the back, ideal for shooting.”

“Hmm?” Jing Qizhen decisively pulled his hand back.

Since you understand everything, my friend, there’s nothing left for me to explain.

This was classic ‘I know the logic but—‘ territory.

Honestly, given how Si Jiayang had been force-feeding the team dog food before, Jing Qizhen couldn’t help but feel a little schadenfreude seeing his forlorn expression now.

But then, remembering all the delicious food Si Jiayang had cooked for them, Jing Qizhen quickly suppressed his urge to laugh.

In a small, potentially confined team setting, you couldn’t afford to offend the chef; a truth worth remembering.

As usual, the Earth took charge of navigation. Jing Qizhen sat in the seat behind the driver, ready to guide Manman with directions, as he could also see the road ahead.

Si Jiayang, still sulking, sat next to Jing Qizhen. With the driver and front passenger seats occupied, that was the closest he could get to Manman.

Meanwhile, the Earth multitasked, occasionally glancing at other locations.

The Earth: “Tang Song’s gathered the rest of his people for a meeting. Oh, oh! He’s planning the next phase of operations. Hmm, he says he just wants to bring the Filipino maid along but why does it feel like he’s planning something big?”

Jing Qizhen remained calm. “After being stared down with a sniper rifle, anyone with a bit of a temper wouldn’t let it slide so easily.”

It was worth noting that while the erosion area volunteer teams were full of talented individuals, most were non-combatants. When it came to single-combat capability, Tang Song’s team had an overwhelming advantage.

Previously, Tang Song’s plans had to account for Jing Qizhen and his group’s safety. But now, with the teams splitting up, Tang Song was left with elite fighters whose combat prowess was off the charts. While they might not handle the erosion areas as deftly as Jing Qizhen’s group, they were more than capable of dealing with human attackers.

After commenting on Tang Song, the Earth turned its attention to Caroline and Wilcox.

The Earth: “Caroline and Wilcox are heading to the airport together. Joyce is trailing behind his cousin, looking as lost as a lamb.”

Jing Qizhen: “…I can’t accept your description.”

He recalled Joyce’s expression, calm yet glaring at others, and thought it was far from a lamb.

The Earth: “Hey, in front of his cousin Wilcox, Joyce doesn’t stand a chance. That poor kid doesn’t understand anything and Wilcox doesn’t have the time to explain. Caroline’s actual thoughts are far more meticulous than her haughty princess-like demeanor. With those two surrounding him, Joyce just looks utterly lost!”

Jing Qizhen: “…”

He glanced at David, who was similarly dazed, like a confused lamb, and said to the Earth in his mind, “If you put it that way, I guess I can sort of understand. Joyce’s state probably matches David’s pretty well.”

At least David, as a paying client, had the decency not to pry too much out of consideration. Joyce, on the other hand, was just Wilcox’s accessory. Even if he asked, no one would bother to answer him. Clearly, his position was even lower.

The rest of the journey was uneventful.

Upon arriving at the airport, thanks to the Earth’s guidance, Jing Qizhen and his group wasted no time finding Caroline, Wilcox, and Joyce.

David’s face lit up as he saw Caroline, like he’d found a long-lost relative. “Caroline!”

Caroline strode over and gave her good friend a light hug.

Jing Qizhen looked them over and asked, “Everything go smoothly?”

Wilcox, now fully recovered from the disheveled state he’d been in at the police station the day before, grinned brightly. His golden hair gleamed as he replied, “Of course!”

Caroline added, “I deliberately left one false lead with my people and another one for the police station.” That’s how you do a double-blind.

Jing Qizhen was silent for a moment. “Send me the contents of both false leads.”

Caroline blinked. “Hmm?”

Jing Qizhen: “I’ll double-check them for you. Later, we’ll see where the movement comes from.”

Caroline immediately understood. “Alright, thanks!”

If they didn’t know who the mole was, the spread of one of the false leads could reveal the culprit’s identity.

Of course, there was also the chance that the enemy, with their far-reaching influence, might realize both were false and lie low.

But Jing Qizhen reasoned that, since Caroline and her group had made it safely to the airport, that scenario was unlikely. If the enemy were that capable, ordinary people would’ve been forced out of the game already.

After obtaining Caroline’s false leads, Jing Qizhen signaled the Earth to check the corresponding locations and also informed Tang Song immediately.

Tang Song’s reply was brief. [Understood.]

The Earth, after scanning the coordinates, reported back, “Nothing unusual for now. Maybe they haven’t had time to act yet?”

Jing Qizhen: “Probably. Let’s keep an eye on it later when we get a chance.”

The Earth: “Got it, I’ll keep an eye on things for you!”

The Earth agreed enthusiastically. It really enjoyed the sense of participation.

Jing Qizhen: “Thanks, Babyball!”

The Earth: “=.=!” Feeling awesome and adorable!

As Caroline had predicted, the private jet was quickly prepped, skipping the process of arranging a flight crew. After all, Gu Leshan was as capable as several people combined.

Following Tang Song’s advice, Jing Qizhen and his group grabbed enough food from the airport’s fast-food restaurant before boarding.

It wasn’t until the plane had taken off and reached cruising altitude that David finally relaxed.

David: “That’s it? We’re really leaving for another country?”

Wilcox shrugged. “What else?”

As the tension eased, David instinctively reached out, intending to order a glass of red wine from the flight attendant, only to remember that that private flight, while luxurious and comfortable, lacked onboard service staff. Everything had to be self-served.

David quietly withdrew his hand, stood up, and resignedly went over to the fast food stash they had packed. Without any sense of entitlement as the boss, he fetched drinks for himself and Caroline and then asked Jing Qizhen and the others, “Anyone want something?”

Within minutes, the table was covered with all kinds of snacks.

Some people immediately dozed off after boarding. The private jet was spacious enough, with beds available for sleeping. Others, still alert, gathered to chat about their shared experience of being attacked.

Jin Guijuan, not understanding the foreign languages being spoken, grew curious.

Lu Lingxi, ever considerate, translated for her. Between translations, he even pulled up some basic language tutorials on his tablet and began giving Jin Guijuan an impromptu lesson.

The young woman had entered the workforce early due to her family background and started to work as a teenager. By age, Jin Guijuan was actually the same as a typical college student.

Seeing them, Jing Qizhen chuckled and added, “While learning a foreign language isn’t essential with a translator around, it’s handy for eavesdropping on gossip every now and then.”

Jin Guijuan: “…” This was the first time she’d heard such a reason for studying. It was oddly refreshing.

The Earth: “Exactly, exactly!”

The Earth, fluent in nearly all human languages, dialects, and gestures, delighted in observing global happenings from every possible perspective.

Jing Qizhen, hearing the Earth’s cheerful tone, suddenly paused in thought.

For a fleeting moment, he wondered if the ball of omniscience also knew the launch codes and passwords for most of the planet’s nuclear weapons…

Caroline, with a fry hanging from her mouth, patted her chest in a mock display of being shaken up. After chewing and swallowing the fry, she spoke in a calm tone, “I told the professor that the previous Boston villa disappearance case caused me severe psychological trauma. I said I can barely maintain my daily life and often feel anxious inside. He was very understanding and sympathetic, telling me to take a good rest for a while.”

David sharply inhaled. “I haven’t even requested leave from school yet!”

After all, first there was the disappearance of several people in his villa, followed by some of them dying after returning, and then an attack. David’s focus had been entirely on his personal safety, leaving no room to worry about academics, let alone pursuing the truth.

Joyce’s face also turned as if he had been struck by lightning. “…!!!”

He finally realized that when he boarded the plane with his cousin Wilcox, he had the nagging feeling he had forgotten something important!

Caroline: “…”

Manman turned and whispered to Si Jiayang with a laugh, “I keep forgetting they’re still college students who have finals to deal with…”

Wilcox was equally speechless. “…You two better send an email to your schools right now.”

Jing Qizhen turned around to face them, reminding them, “Caroline, provide them with the police reports and any related records you filed earlier. They’ll need those.”

Caroline blinked. “Oh, right, I have those!”

David and Joyce: “…”

At that moment, the Earth suddenly exclaimed in shock, “Huh?! Huh?! Tang Song just leaked information about David at the farm using a bodyguard’s phone?!”