"Save her."
"Doctor!"
"Be careful to stay hidden!"
Outside Villa No.32, there was chaos.
Some who were fast had already rushed to carry the fallen Luo Yu.
As for Luo Yu, blood was pouring from her abdomen, her eyes tightly shut, and her breath weak.
An arriving surgeon examined her injuries, his eyes narrowing when he saw the finger-sized wound on her back. If improperly treated, this injury could cause paralysis in Luo Yu's lower limbs. Even the most advanced medical capsules might be unable to repair the nerves and blood vessels inside her spine.
"Hurry, take her away. She needs surgery as soon as possible."
Some people nearby wanted to ask Luo Yu about the situation inside the villa, but the doctor glared at them.
"She will die if she doesn't get treated!"
"No, I won't die."
Lying on the stretcher, Luo Yu suddenly opened her eyes. Under the effect of strong painkillers, she could barely hold on.
"...Inside the villa... there are seven... cough... seven armed robbers... cough cough cough..."
"All of them... are male. I... I didn't see... any Star Core Warriors... maybe they're hiding their abilities... maybe there aren't... any..."
"There are a total of sixteen hostages, cough cough cough... three of them are females... they have... been killed... one of them was... a blonde..."
"You can't talk anymore!"
"Nurse, nurse, take her away quickly."
The doctor couldn't bear to see Luo Yu struggling to describe the situation inside the villa. To him, Luo Yu wasn't an intelligence agent but an injured person.
Listening to Luo Yu's description, one of the soldiers comforted her, "Miss, you should get treatment first. Your..."
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Gunshots rang out again from inside Villa No.32 while they were talking.
The gunshots stopped before the soldier could react.
Luo Yu's face turned pale. "They... they're killing people again..."
"Damn it!"
The soldier clenched his teeth in anger, punching the villa's wall. He had to suppress his own impulses and wait for instructions.
"Miss, thank you for providing us with this valuable intelligence. Thank you!"
The soldier saluted Luo Yu.
Everyone surrounding Luo Yu offered salutes as well.
The doctor snorted coldly, quickly following and entering the Medical Base vehicle to begin the operation.
「Temporary Command Center.」
Zuo Zhenyu slammed his fist on the table, his eyes bloodshot. He had heard Luo Yu's descriptions clearly through the video footage just now. They thought they had already understood the cruelty of the Black Shark Society bandits. But in reality, these bandits were utterly heartless, treating human lives as a game. They had killed three hostages without even stating their demands. Their methods were simply atrocious.
"No, this can't go on," Zuo Zhenyu muttered, then looked at Zhang Ju, his expression grave. "Zhang Ju, the robbers are extremely cruel. If we continue to wait like this, it will only embolden them, and the safety of the people inside the villa cannot be effectively guaranteed."
"I've decided to immediately implement the armed rescue plan to eliminate the robbers and save the citizens."
"But..." Zhang Ju began, trying to persuade him, "Zuo Zhenyu, if we forcefully attack like this, it could easily provoke the robbers and make them desperate."
"If the losses are too great, you..."
"It's fine. This is my decision, and I'll bear all the consequences."
Seeing Zuo Zhenyu's determination, Zhang Ju hesitated for a moment before making her decision. "Alright, our police teams will also join in. If there's a problem, we'll bear it together."
Both nodded, quickly discussing an assault plan.
They finally decided to send a total of three rescue teams.
The guards and the City Defense Army would each dispatch a heavy firepower team to attack from the front and back of the villa respectively.
Meanwhile, six Star Core Warriors would be drawn from both sides to sneak into the villa and rescue the civilians.
Tongyuan City had enjoyed peace for many years, so no serious incidents had ever occurred within its limits. Consequently, neither the police station nor the City Defense Army could muster more Star Core Warriors.
"Father!"
"Let me go too!"
Zuo Yiming, having heard their conversation and knowing they were short on Star Core Warriors, volunteered.
"You?"
Zuo Zhenyu glanced at him disdainfully. "You're just a newly awakened rookie who hasn't had a single day of military training. Sneaking into the villa would be nothing more than a waste of a robber's bullet."
"No, Father, I'm a Star Core Warrior now! I've unlocked my Talent, and I've comprehended Star Skills."
"Now that you don't have enough people, just let me join."
"No way!"
"Don't hinder official business here. Get lost."
Zuo Zhenyu kicked Zuo Yiming in the rear, causing him to stagger.
"That's not true! I'm not just getting in the way!"
"Zuo Zhenyu, I know what I'm doing. I have Light Awakening, and if the hostages are injured, I can provide Healing immediately."
Seeing that Zuo Zhenyu was still unwilling, Zuo Yiming called out his father's name directly for what seemed like the first time.
"Furthermore, surely you're not playing favorites? Although I'm not a soldier, I'm my parents' son, just like those brave soldiers. You can send them to dangerous battlefields, so why, when it comes to your own, are you suddenly so afraid of death?"
After speaking, Zuo Yiming stared angrily at his father.
Zuo Zhenyu hadn't expected this side of his son.
He looked at his son, who was now taller than him, and realized Zuo Yiming had grown up. He was no longer the child who needed his father's protection under his wing.
The crucial point was that this son of his, who had always seemed as frail as a sickly chick, actually dared to speak to him this way.
Although Zuo Zhenyu could see at a glance why Zuo Yiming had stepped forward.
Zuo Zhenyu smiled and slapped Zuo Yiming on the shoulder. "Alright then, you go."
"Be careful and protect yourself. Don't make your mother suffer the grief of burying her son."
"Don't worry, General Zuo."
Zuo Yiming gave a standard military salute and turned to leave.
"Wait, take me too," Lu Lin also stood up and said.
"You..."
Zuo Zhenyu wondered what was with young people these days. They were all so confident. Facing them were lawless, desperate men who shot to kill without a second thought, yet these youngsters weren't afraid and even wanted to join the fray.
"General Zuo, I have the Earth Talent and can protect civilians and teammates."
"Trust me!" Lu Lin said earnestly, knowing that Zuo Zhenyu would likely let him go for Zuo Yiming's sake.
"You... Fine. I really don't understand you young people."
"Remember, each of you get a suit of Inner Armor for Self-defense."
"Yes!"
Zuo Yiming and Lu Lin acknowledged and hurriedly ran out of the Temporary Command Center.
Outside the villa, three assault teams were already prepared.
The First Firepower Team was armed and ready.
The Second Firepower Team was primed to strike.
The Star Martial Team was raring to go.
After Lu Lin and Zuo Yiming joined, they also reported their Innate Attributes and Star Skill abilities to their new teammates.
The Star Martial Team leader acknowledged this and arranged for them to guard the rear.
He wasn't kidding himself; one was the only son of General Zuo, and the other was a genius who had comprehended Double Star Skills with his Earth Talent. Who would dare let these two spearhead the charge? Talents like them deserved a grander stage and a more brilliant future, not to be buried in such a small place alongside those with no hope of promotion.