Chapter 348: The Turning Point

The command to "stop" was like a flash of lightning that drew everyone's attention. It was then that everyone noticed a black Audi parked next to the armed police convoy at some point. A young man holding a loudspeaker stood beside the car, clearly the one who had been shouting earlier. This young man was none other than Zhou Ming, who had rushed from the Yanjing Hotel.

"Comrade, this area is very dangerous. Please leave immediately and do not interfere with our operation to capture the criminals threatening our nation and people!" an armed police officer stepped forward and said to Zhou Ming.

"I'm here to help you resolve this situation," Zhou Ming replied, his eyes simultaneously monitoring the situation with the hostage, and continued, "Moreover, this isn't a criminal threatening our country and people, but a tragedy that shouldn't have happened."

The armed police officer was stunned. He didn't understand what Zhou Ming was talking about. What did he mean by helping? What tragedy shouldn't have happened? There were hundreds of heavily armed police officers here—did he really expect a stranger to solve anything? It was ridiculous!

Zhou Ming knew that merely talking wouldn't get him inside, even if he genuinely intended to persuade the hostage to surrender. So, he took out his phone, skillfully dialed a number, and handed it to the police officer. "You'll understand once you take this call."

The officer, skeptical, took the phone and immediately stood straight, saying, "Hello, Sir."

Seeing this, Zhou Ming didn't stay to watch. He directly walked towards the hostage. At this moment, the police officer shouted after him, "Comrade Zhou Ming, the person over there is an elite soldier from the capital garrison. Let me send someone to protect you."

Zhou Ming waved his hand and said, "No need. I know him. If he really wants to kill me, no number of guards will help."

The officer thought about it and seemed to agree, so he said, "Then what about your phone?"

"Keep it for me."

With that, Zhou Ming left the safety of the armed police barricade. The sound of gun bolts clicking around him filled the air. Zhou Ming could feel the tension among the armed police as he took that step, sensing that they were ready to fire at any sign of danger.

Although Zhou Ming knew that with the hostage's marksmanship, a single bullet could end him, and no number of surrounding guns would matter, he still felt a deep warmth from the armed police's concern.

He looked back at the armed police officers, smiled, and thanked them, then continued towards the hostage.

Zhou Ming's smile left the armed police officers somewhat stunned. They hadn't expected that in such a tense battlefield, faced with a formidable enemy, their highly trained comrades were on edge, while this young man, who seemed just a bit stronger and had no visible special skills, approached the hostage with such calmness. Who was he?

The question of who Zhou Ming was wasn't only in the minds of the armed police but was a shared curiosity among the thousands present.

Zhou Ming boldly stepped out of the encirclement. Being the brightest star in the night sky, it was impossible not to attract attention, especially when facing a powerful enemy. Even with hundreds of armed police unable to handle him, wasn't Zhou Ming walking out to his death?

As if to prove everyone's judgments right, a shot rang out from the hostage's direction, a bullet striking the ground in front of Zhou Ming, kicking up dust and leaving a bullet hole. 

Hearing the shot, Zhou Ming felt the air around him tense up immediately. Although startled by the gunfire, he didn't react aggressively. He simply took a deep breath, spread his arms to signal the armed police behind him to stay calm, and said, "Don't worry."

The hostage's voice came from ahead: "Zhou Ming, what are you doing here? I'm giving you a chance. Leave immediately, or don't blame me if my bullets show no mercy!"

The hostage's words made everyone nod involuntarily. However, Zhou Ming took a step forward and said, "I'm not leaving because I'm here to persuade you to lay down your weapons."

If Zhou Ming's appearance earlier had only caused confusion and surprise, his firm stance now inspired admiration. But when Zhou Ming said this, many found it ridiculous.

Had this person lost his mind? To walk out and try to persuade a top soldier to surrender? What kind of nonsense was this?

Becoming a top soldier wasn't just about mastering combat skills. It required a resilient spirit and a sharp mind. Even if everyone didn't understand why the hostage was causing chaos, they knew he was determined and unlikely to be swayed easily. Wasn't this just a joke?

This was the shared thought in everyone's mind. The police officer holding Zhou Ming's phone anxiously shouted, "Zhou Ming, come back! This isn't going to work!"

But Zhou Ming remained unmoved, raising the loudspeaker and calling out, "Hostage, we've met before. You know me and my character. You should trust me."

After a while, the hostage responded, "Zhou Ming, I know you're a good person. Your courage to come out like this earns my respect. I'll spare you this time, so go back. This has nothing to do with you, and don't try to persuade me anymore."

"But I'm here to persuade you!" Zhou Ming insisted.

Behind Zhou Ming, a police officer ran up to the police officer in charge and said, "Captain, we should get him back. What is he saying? This isn't how you persuade someone to surrender!"

The police officer in charge shook his head slightly and didn't comment, only instructing them to stay alert.

Looking at Zhou Ming's determined figure, holding the phone, the officer recalled the earlier call from the Central Office. As a senior officer, his perspective included political considerations. This situation might have escalated to a political level.

More importantly, he had a premonition that Zhou Ming was no ordinary person. His brave stance today might be for something more significant.

"Zhou Ming, I respect you, but that doesn't mean I won't shoot you. So, I suggest you leave immediately and stop making absurd statements, or don't blame me for being unkind," the hostage shouted, with an underlying threat.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ming burst into laughter, "Since I've come out, I won't leave so easily. I have something very important to tell you."

"What is it?" the hostage asked immediately.

Actually, Zhou Ming had come out with a mix of trust and gamble. After all, the hostage had been driven to violence by anger. No one could predict his current state of mind. But Zhou Ming also knew that, essentially, the hostage wasn't a bad person. As an elite soldier, his willpower was extraordinary. Even if he was mentally strained, he would still have some rationality, perhaps holding onto hopes for his family. Zhou Ming felt he had a good chance of coming out unharmed.

With the hostage's question, Zhou Ming confirmed his mood. If nothing else, his concern for his family was genuine.

Relieved, Zhou Ming said, "I know you're doing this because you can't accept something happening to your family. But here, I can tell you that Ah Xiu and your son are safe. Both mother and child are well!"

"Are you not lying to me?" the hostage asked.

Hearing the tremor in the hostage's voice, Zhou Ming understood the man's current emotions. Zhou Ming continued, "You know I never lie. So please, put down your gun and surrender."

Zhou Ming's words resonated through the street like a clarion call. As his words echoed, the street fell silent, with everyone holding their breath in anticipation.

It wasn't long before a figure in green emerged from the barricade and, under everyone's gaze, dropped his semi-automatic rifle.

Surrendered? The top soldier who had fiercely resisted hundreds of armed police for over an hour was actually surrendering because of a few words from this young man who appeared out of nowhere?

This scene left everyone's jaws dropped. No matter how much they rubbed their eyes, the sight of the top soldier standing there with his rifle dropped on the ground remained unchanged.

As everyone's minds were in a state of disbelief, Zhou Ming smiled and said to the hostage, "Luckily, Du Peng arrived in time. Although it was a premature birth seven months early, your wife and child are safe. They've been transferred to a provincial hospital with the best doctors and equipment. They'll be fine."

The top soldier, who had terrorized the street, also smiled. "Thank you. But I fear I won't have the chance to see my son."

"Seeing your son is every father's right. You will," Zhou Ming replied.

The hostage seemed puzzled by Zhou Ming's words.

But there was no time for more explanations. The police officer in charge had already reacted, directing the armed police to move in and secure the unresisting hostage thoroughly.