A Divine Farmer

Chapter 187 - The Real Robbery Had Begun!

Zhang Xiaolong reached out and caught the Jadite Phoenix. Seizing the moment, the criminal drew his gun and aimed it squarely at him.

“Walk over here quietly, or a single twitch of my finger will end your life,” the criminal commanded in a steady tone. “Think about it, you're all wealthy. What's more valuable to you, this stone or your life?”

“Do you have the guts to shoot?” Zhang Xiaolong asked, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Need I remind you of your surroundings? If you fire that gun, do you really think you'll have any chance of getting away?”

“If I can't escape, I'll take you down with me!” The criminal was visibly rattled.

Zhang Xiaolong remained unfazed by the gun pointed at him and casually walked forward.

“What are you planning to do?” the criminal asked, unable to contain his anxiety. He truly was afraid to shoot.

As Zhang Xiaolong had pointed out, firing the gun would be like a wild animal trapping itself in a cage, with no possibility of escape.

“I just want to have a chat,” Zhang Xiaolong said, dismissing the criminal's tension and taking a seat in the chair.

The criminal kept his gun trained on Zhang Xiaolong, not daring to let his guard down. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Let's discuss your plan,” Zhang Xiaolong said, lifting his gaze. “If I'm not mistaken, you're just a bit player. The real mastermind is the one reaping the biggest rewards. You might have a small fortune, but it's a pity you won't be able to run now, and that little money won't do you any good.”

The words seemed to enrage the criminal, who leapt up and thumbed the trigger. “I'll shoot you dead, and I'll still find a way to escape.”

“Are you certain?” In a flash, Zhang Xiaolong's form blurred as he swiftly grabbed the criminal's wrist.

His grip was like iron hooks, causing the criminal's hand to go limp, robbing him of the chance to fire. The gun simply fell from his grasp.

Zhang Xiaolong smoothly extended his hand to catch the falling pistol and settled back into his chair. “Do you still think you stand a chance?”

The criminal's face contorted in frustration. He had thought that even if he couldn't flee, killing Zhang Xiaolong would be easy. But now, the gun had been effortlessly snatched away with a flick of a finger. What chance did he stand now?

Even with the gun in his adversary's hands, he wouldn't dare provoke him further, as he had come to the sobering realization that they were not on the same level in terms of combat prowess.

“Exactly who are you?” he asked, resigned to his fate upon encountering such a formidable opponent.

“Perhaps I'm the one who could save your life,” Zhang Xiaolong suggested, gesturing towards the diamond and the Jadite Phoenix. “Both items are of great value, yet neither belongs to you. But if you leave now, you'll be saddled with all the charges. Imagine the consequences of an armed robbery involving goods worth over a billion.”

“No… that's not the case. Actually, this is…” the criminal stammered, trying to explain.

“Save it for the police,” Zhang Xiaolong said, rising to his feet.

“Do you mean that if I talk, I might be spared?” the criminal asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.

“It could lessen your sentence. Of course, you could also choose silence. I'll turn you over to the police, and you'll shoulder all the blame alone. It makes no difference to me. The choice is yours,” Zhang Xiaolong stated, picking up the priceless blue diamond. “Let's go.”

The criminal offered no resistance, hanging his head as he walked out.

At that moment, in the Xu family's courtyard, the police were wrapping up their investigation. Just as they were about to disperse the crowd, two individuals emerged from the villa.

Upon seeing them, or rather the man in the lead, the crowd gasped in shock.

“It's him!”

“That's the criminal!”

“Is he still here? Is this some kind of elaborate prank?”

Many were incredulous, suspecting they had witnessed a mere performance.

“Xiaolong, what's happening here?” Chen Yaru approached, seeking an explanation.

“Better to let him confess to the police. It'll be clearer that way,” Zhang Xiaolong replied, glancing at the criminal.

The police, having spotted the culprit, quickly moved in and handcuffed him.

“It was Xu Shaoning who put me up to this,” the criminal blurted out without hesitation. “He had us lie in wait here, ready to strike as soon as the diamond appeared. The Xu family's estate is usually secured with various protective measures and guards, but they were all disabled in advance, allowing our crew to move in and out undetected. Without that, even if we had attempted the heist, there'd be no escaping.”

“What? Xu Shaoning paid people to steal from his own home? Am I losing my mind here?”

“I feel like I'm losing it too. Does he actually have some sort of bizarre hobby that makes him enjoy orchestrating this kind of drama?”

“It's not just his own stuff, though. The Jadite Phoenix isn't his.”

The crowd was abuzz, utterly stunned by the criminal's claims.

“You're falsely accusing me,” Xu Shaoning, who had just finished bandaging his leg, indignantly pointed at the criminal and retorted, “Who would believe such nonsense? What good does it do me to rob my own place?”

“I have proof,” the criminal replied calmly. “I secretly recorded a video when Xu Shaoning hired us…”

“Go to hell!” Although Xu Shaoning was furious, he hadn't completely lost his composure—until that remark sent him over the edge. In a flash, he pulled out a handgun and shot the criminal without a second thought.

The gunshot rang out, the bullet hitting the criminal's shoulder and blood spraying out.

“Drop the gun!” Chaos erupted anew as the police quickly drew their weapons, aiming at Xu Shaoning.

“Haha… What if I don't?” Xu Shaoning grabbed a nurse trying to get away and held the gun to her head. “If you're so brave, shoot me dead. Let's see how many people die here!”

The nurse, who had been caring for Xu Shaoning, was now tragically taken as a hostage. The police hesitated, knowing that if Xu Shaoning truly snapped, he might actually kill her.

“Shaoning, put the gun down!” Xu Jindou demanded, seeing his son take a hostage.

“What gives you the right to command me?” Xu Shaoning shot back, giving no regard to his father. His eyes, red with rage, fixed on a certain direction. “Zhang Xiaolong, it's you again. Are you just born to ruin my plans?”

“It all depends on what you consider a ‘good thing',” Zhang Xiaolong replied, unruffled. “If your idea of good is built on others' suffering, then your downfall is inevitable.”

“Cut the crap! What moral high ground do you think you have? You're nothing but a farmer. What right do you have to preach to me?” Xu Shaoning's expression twisted into something fierce. “You think I've lost? I'm telling you, it's not over. I haven't lost yet!”

At his command, the waiters who had been circulating with drinks suddenly bowed, each revealing an automatic rifle in hand.

“Police, drop your weapons. The actual heist starts now!”

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