But Fang Hong added, "We're so far apart, even if we kill them, they might not be able to tell, don't forget that this place is very special; those men in black hanging around here don't seem to be coming back to life either."

"Damn!" Ran Qingzhu suddenly realized, thinking to himself that a mastermind is truly a mastermind, so meticulous, capable of devising such a sinister strategy. It's very likely that the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team hasn't realized this—otherwise, they might have become impatient by now.

Although Fang Hong had provided many reasons, Ran Qingzhu still felt there was another reason behind that slap.

Clearly, he wasn't the only one who noticed this.

Miss Hilveld, clutching her shoulder, looked somewhat pale as she watched Fang Hong. Even though the pain caused her brow to furrow slightly, she couldn't help but curving the corners of her lips slightly, her eyes filled with deep meaning.

Fang Hong felt somewhat embarrassed under the gaze of Lady Noble, and said, "Don't overthink it, Miss Hilveld. The reason I struck that man earlier was that I still considered you a member of our team, but your actions have dragged us all into danger."

Miss Hilveld covered her mouth with her other hand and laughed, her eyes curving like crescent moons: "I didn't say a thing, Captain sir."

"Captain sir?" Ran Qingzhu was obviously a curious fellow, his gaze flitting back and forth between the two. He seemed somewhat dazzled by Miss Hilveld's appearance, his look at Fang Hong filled with both envy and admiration.

His head was full of flighty thoughts, thinking to himself that the mastermind was really on another level, this Native lady was stunningly attractive and appeared to be a noblewoman of some standing.

"If there's a chance," he thought, "I must ask the mastermind for some tips on charming ladies."

But Fang Hong obviously didn't have this self-awareness and glared at him resentfully: "You heard wrong."

What captain? Mentioning such a thing would be a joke—he hasn't even seen the shadow of a ship yet—of course, except for that previous canoe.

Fang Hong glanced at Miss Hilveld irritably, but she only absentmindedly brushed away some stray hair from her forehead.

However, the men in black following behind Miss Hilveld gave him a somewhat less friendly look, but it was unclear if it was due to their awkward status or if they had already received a hint from Miss Hilveld, so even though they were dissatisfied, they didn't speak up, standing there in silence.

But in the end, Fang Hong sighed. Miss Ship's Officer putting on a pitiful look made it too hard for him to be harsh, and he could only command with a sigh, "Go behind me."

Miss Hilveld was overjoyed and leaned behind Fang Hong: "Captain sir, have you forgiven me?"

"Don't even think about it, I'm just protecting the wounded."

Fang Hong answered with a flushed face, "Don't cling to me, Miss Hilveld."

But Miss Ship's Officer paid him no heed, contentedly leaning on his shoulder. She seemed somewhat exhausted, closing her eyes slightly, which caused Ran Qingzhu to stare openly.

Sophie watched this scene and clicked her tongue audibly.

Fang Hong wanted to say more but felt Miss Hilveld's slightly chilly temperature and was taken aback—for some reason, he was reminded of Miss Sicape leaning on his back in the same way at that time.

He lacked the power to save the Morning Dawn Star then, but now it was different.

The group continued to retreat, while the people from the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team finally became restless—they were about to reach the edge of the platform. The Gunslingers clearly wouldn't let them leave without a fight and couldn't help but shout, "Leave the person behind, and we'll let you leave. Otherwise, if you retreat any further, we'll attack."

But Fang Hong ignored them, only gesturing a middle finger at them.

If he were to believe the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team's nonsense again, he'd be a pig.

As for them opening fire, he didn't believe that—they would have fired long ago if the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team had dared. There was no need for such redundancy. The weak threats just showed how important the hostage in his hand was.

He even looked back and asked Miss Ship's Officer behind him about the identity of the man in her hands: "Who is this person, do you recognize him?"

But Miss Hilveld, weakly leaning on him, seemed somewhat reassured, resting her face on his shoulder and swaying slightly, murmured, "I don't know him." Fang Hong looked at her skeptically, not believing she didn't recognize the Native, as the latter's previous actions clearly showed recognition.

However, seeing Lady Noble's tranquil appearance, a strand of hair sticking to her cheek, looking as calm and soft as a dream, his heart softened, and he decided to drop the question temporarily.

He thought, now was not the time.

But he had obviously misjudged the resolve of the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team. The group had barely moved back a few steps when the people there actually opened fire—a bullet whizzed past Fang Hong's head.

He ducked, swearing under his breath—these people were actually serious.

But since they had opened fire, the hostage in his hands had become worthless. Bringing him was only a burden. Thinking so, Fang Hong pushed the man forward, letting him fall to the ground, and after a moment's thought, he drew his 'Lion' handgun and fired, hitting the man squarely in the back.

The man shuddered, blood pouring out from beneath him, and he fell silent, finally, settling the score.

Ran Qingzhu witnessed this scene, raising his eyebrows, thinking to himself that the mastermind was indeed a mastermind—he meant it when he said it wasn't a joke before.

However, the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team clearly disagreed with this view. They became enraged at the sight, and even the Gunslingers who had been hiding behind cover rushed towards this direction, guns raised.

The other side fired again in unison, and for a moment, stray bullets fizzled through the air, startling Fang Hong.

He inwardly cursed that they were the ones who fired first. It was their move, so why act surprised? It was as if they had disturbed a hornet's nest.

But surprised or not, he still turned and said to the others, "Don't engage with these people; we retreat to the other side of the platform, to the Lonely Bridge, and go down to the twelfth layer."

Hearing this, the people of the Silver Weslan unanimously nodded, as this was their original intention.

...

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