The sudden turn of events instantly plunged the atmosphere in the restaurant to a freezing point. Everyone's heart clenched, and their breath seemed to be held captive by an invisible hand.

In the midst of panic, a sharp cry pierced the brief silence like a blade, tearing the air to shreds.

"Da da da..."

Immediately afterwards, a deafening burst of gunfire roared, instantly swallowing all the screams and chaos, becoming the only melody at that moment.

Just then, a calm, middle-aged male voice pierced through the gunfire, reassuring everyone: "Don't be afraid, everyone. We're only here to find someone. As long as you cooperate, nothing will happen."

However, these words did not lessen the fear in everyone's hearts; on the contrary, they made them cower even more under the table, like frightened birds, afraid that the slightest carelessness would turn them into merciless victims of gunfire.

Wang Libin's eyes shone brightly at that moment; he knew that this was the time for him to step forward.

He gently shielded Wen Yuan behind him, his voice low and firm: "Wen Yuan, don't be afraid. I'm here, and I will definitely protect everyone."

After saying this, he took a deep breath, slowly raised his hands, and stood up with extraordinary composure, saying to those around him, "Friends, who are you looking for? I am willing to help unconditionally."

"You, come here!"

At his command, a thunderous sound echoed through the hall, and a tall, robust Western man, as tall as a tower, waved to him.

A subtle smile curved Wang Libin's lips, a sly glint in his eyes. He walked steadily toward the burly man, his words dripping with humility and obsequiousness: "Brother, what are your orders? Please tell me..."

The burly man pulled him closer, his arms encircling his shoulders like iron hoops, and whispered, "Do you know everyone here?"

"Yes, of course I know him!"

Wang Libin replied with a smile, his eyes darting around as he realized that the other party seemed to have no guard up.

In a flash, he launched an attack, punching the burly man straight in the abdomen.

"Bang!"

Although Wang Libin's punches were fierce, they were like a mud ox entering the sea, failing to shake the strong man in the slightest. Instead, Wang Libin himself was knocked to the ground by the reaction force.

In an instant, several cold gun barrels were mercilessly pointed at him, the atmosphere was extremely tense, as if even the air had frozen.

Wang Libin felt a chill run down his spine, but he remained calm on the surface. He quickly adjusted his breathing, trying to find a glimmer of hope.

He knew that recklessness at this moment would only make the situation worse, and only by using strategy could the crisis be resolved.

"Wait, brother, I... I was reckless just now." Wang Libin endured the pain in his body, raised his hands high, and his voice had an undeniable calmness. "I... I didn't expect that you were also a martial artist."

He knew very well how powerful his punch was, but instead of the opponent being unharmed, he was the one who was knocked down by the recoil.

This shows that the opponent's strength far surpasses his.

The burly man's eyes narrowed sharply, like a cheetah locking onto its prey. A chilling smile curled at the corner of his mouth. "A mere first-rank martial artist dares to challenge authority? You're truly overestimating yourself." His words were filled with contempt and disdain.

The gunmen around him sprang into action at the sound of the approaching storm, but then froze in an instant. The air was thick with the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm. Wang Libin felt a heavy sense of pressure with every breath he took, as if even his heartbeat was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

At this moment, the burly Westerner waved his hand, and the gunmen all stepped back. He then lifted Wang Libin up easily like a puppet, his eyes flashing with an unyielding light. "Tell me, who is Wu Tian, ​​or I'll blow your head off!"

His voice, as cold as an icy blade on a winter night, struck deep into Wang Libin's soul.

"Wu Tian?" Wang Libin was startled, bewildered by the sudden question. He hurriedly replied, "He's not here. He ran away just now..."

"Escaped?" The burly Western man's voice trembled slightly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, as if he were extremely concerned about Wu Tian's whereabouts.

Wang Libin nodded vigorously, "That's right. Just before you came in, he... he had already fled in a panic."

"Where did you come from?" the burly man asked urgently, his tone tinged with anxiety.

Wang Libin pointed firmly to the spot where Wu Tian had left, "It's...it's right there..."

Just as this tense conversation was about to end, Wen Yuan's voice, tinged with anger and urgency, boomed like a clap of thunder, "Wang Libin, is this what you call repaying a debt of gratitude?"

Although she was unaware of the truth, she knew that the visitors were up to no good, and that if Wu Tian fell into their hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Wang Libin gritted his teeth and argued, "This is not my fault. He abandoned us and ran away on his own. Moreover, all these people came because of him."

"Shut up!" The burly Western man roared in fury, ending the argument between the two. His gaze pierced through the darkness, fixed on the deep passage ahead, his heart churning with a thousand thoughts.

He suddenly grabbed the walkie-talkie and asked in a low voice, "Report on the situation outside..."

However, this resounding question was swallowed up by the abyss, without causing the slightest ripple; only deathly silence responded to him.

An indescribable fear surged in the eyes of the burly Western man, like a sudden gust of wind rising in the night.

He gestured, and a gunman moved in response, approaching the window with his gun.

"Captain... Captain, something terrible has happened!"

The gunman looked panicked, his voice trembling, as if he had seen a ghost.

Before he could finish speaking, a muffled "whoosh" was heard outside the window, and an iron pipe mercilessly pierced through the gunman's skull.

Blood and brain matter mingled to create a horrifying scene, gushing out and staining the windowpanes red.

After a brief moment of shock, the air was filled with panicked screams, surging like a tidal wave and completely shattering the brief tranquility.

These people, who were used to peace and quiet, were instantly overwhelmed by fear when faced with such a horrifying sight.

The other gunmen, without saying a word, raised their guns and unleashed a hail of bullets out the window. The gunfire stopped abruptly, and the world seemed to be put on pause, utterly silent.

Wu Tian's classmates were gripped by extreme fear. They covered their lips with their hands, trying their best to suppress the faint sounds leaking from their trembling teeth, but the subtle shivers still echoed in the silence, telling of their helplessness and despair.

The gunmen were in no better shape than the students; they felt as if they were being targeted by death, with a strong aura of death enveloping them.

At this moment, the deep, slow voice of the burly Western man rang out: "Wu Tian, ​​I know you can hear me. I'll count to five, and if you still don't show up, I'll kill someone."

Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking the heart of everyone present.