72: Did they contact the Chinese government? The terrorists are making exorbitant demands.

Everyone grew even more desperate.

That was true, but coming from Lin Texian, the hope suddenly seemed much less certain.

Not long ago, he had vowed that this place was perfectly safe.

Hai Qing also tried hard to keep her voice down.

“Lin Pei just said that these Terrorists might have another motive.”

“Director, can we ask the Translator to find out what exactly they want?”

Lin Texian nodded and turned to ask Lin Pei.

“Lin Pei, your analysis is correct.”

“But tell me, what do they want?”

Lin Pei spread his hands.

He wasn't a Terrorist, and he couldn't communicate with those people.

How was he supposed to know?

However, when Terrorists kidnap people, there are only a few possible motives.

Faith, confrontation with the government, venting anger, demanding money... If it were about religious purification of society or venting anger, they probably wouldn't have kept them alive until now.

Lin Pei took a guess.

“Maybe it's for money?”

Lin Texian immediately raised his hand, signaling the Translator to convey the message.

“My Terrorist brothers, please calm down.”

“I am the director of this Film Crew, and I have the final say here.”

“Whatever demands you have, just name them. I will do my best to satisfy them.”

“I only hope you will spare the lives of my Film Crew.”

The crowd, who had just been resentful, softened their gaze when they saw the Director actively communicating with the Terrorists.

Although the Director had screwed them over, he was willing to save them when it mattered.

They admitted that their voices might have been a bit loud just now.

At this moment, the Streamer's camera was aimed directly at Lin Texian.

The live broadcast room had long since exploded with comments.

“Holy crap, it's confirmed! This is a real Terrorist attack. I was just wondering how they made the movie look so realistic!”

“Hurry, call the police! I hope our Dragon Country Government can rescue them quickly!”

“Director Lin has been courting disaster for his films for so many years—did he finally run into the real thing?!”

“I told you, Ivia ranks among the highest globally for the frequency of Terrorist attacks. Director Lin is truly brave!”

“Oh my, that's terrifying. The Film Crew is so pitiful.”

“Damn it, these Terrorists are too rampant. Can no one stop them?”

“...”

At the scene, the Translator conveyed Lin Texian's words to the Terrorists.

Ali, who was surrounded by others, smiled.

“We people of the 'Number One Organization' never beat around the bush.”

“We are holding you hostage specifically to secure new funds for the Organization.”

“We hope your embassy can quickly represent your Officials and transfer the ransom.”

“Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite.”

Everyone was stunned.

So these Terrorists had already notified the Dragon Country Officials?

That was good news.

It was hard to say whether the Dragon Country Officials would prepare a ransom, but they would definitely prepare military force.

The only uncertainty was the timing.

Furthermore, with so many Terrorists, a rescue of this magnitude would be extremely difficult and usually result in heavy civilian casualties.

Although there was hope, it was very slim indeed.

Until the last moment, no one dared guarantee their own survival.

Knowing that the Terrorists only wanted money, Lin Texian felt the situation was manageable.

He had accumulated some savings during his years as a director, and buying the lives of his Film Crew was definitely worth it.

“How much do you need? I will pay the ransom.”

Ali narrowed his eyes and held up five fingers.

Lin Texian immediately understood.

“Fifty million. I'll pay it.”

Ali let out a scoff.

“Fifty billion.”

After the Translator finished speaking, everyone was stunned again.

This was truly an extravagant demand.

The Film Crew could perhaps scrape together tens of millions, but where could they gather tens of billions in cash?

Just then, Ali spoke again.

“It's not just about money.”

“Isn't your Dragon Country powerful?”

“I need your Dragon Country Government to intervene and demand that the Ivia government issue a statement promising not to interfere with the political actions of our 'Number One Organization' in the future.”

After hearing this demand, everyone felt halfway dead.

No matter how powerful their Dragon Country was, it wouldn't interfere in the internal affairs of another nation.

Furthermore, asking a government to acknowledge a domestic Terrorist regime was simply delusional.

Realizing that the hope of survival had diminished further, the scene grew chaotic again.

At this moment, a Squad Leader of the Terrorists shouted.

“Silence!”

“My gun has no eyes.”

The Translator, dutifully, shouted out the translation.

Silence fell over the clearing again, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Even if they were destined to die, no one wanted to die immediately... Suddenly, a clear voice came from outside the encirclement.

“Yo, are you guys filming now?”

The speaker was Huang Jingyu, who had just emerged from the restroom.

Several people, including Lin Texian, were gesturing frantically inside the circle, telling him to run.

However, Huang Jingyu thought everyone was greeting him and happily walked toward them faster.

“Why is everyone so enthusiastic to see me today?”

“Director, your efficiency is unmatched.”

“Are there not enough Extras? Why are you personally joining in?”

“Where is the Cameraman? Is this long-distance shooting?”

Everyone sighed repeatedly, giving up on saving the man who had luckily escaped only to return to his death.

Several Terrorists had already aimed their guns at Huang Jingyu.

Huang Jingyu wasn't alarmed in the slightest.

Why panic when they were all on the same side?

He walked up to a Terrorist and even patted his shoulder.

“Bro, your costumes are too realistic! You look incredibly imposing.”

The Terrorist was stunned by the pat.

He asked a question in the local language.

“What the hell are you saying?”

If the Leader hadn't instructed them not to kill Dragon Country Citizens before the Dragon Country Government responded, he would have shot him already.

This guy was way too familiar.

Trying to butter them up on the spot wouldn't work.

It might even make him die faster.

Because they, as Terrorists, absolutely despised people with no sense of boundaries.

The viewers in the live broadcast room finally got a clear look at the person in the frame.

“Holy cow, I didn't expect Huang Jingyu to have such guts, chatting and laughing with the Terrorists?”

“Yeah, I really didn't expect that. How is he so composed?”

“What's going on? His fans all know he's actually quite timid.”

“Uh... he doesn't think this is filming, does he...”

Huang Jingyu, who had just patted the Terrorist, was also stunned.

Looking closely, these didn't seem to be the Extras from their Film Crew.

The feel of the muscle, the blue eyes, and the language that sounded like it was spoken by locals... Plus, he had seen the logo on the masks and clothes.

Wasn't this the “Number One Organization”?

Huang Jingyu's legs instantly turned to jelly.

Damn it.

The Terrorists really came?

Holy cow, meeting them once a day—that's frequent.

What terrible luck.

After scanning the crowd, his eyes suddenly lit up.

Then, his figure flashed, he entered the encirclement, and hid behind Lin Pei.

“Brother Lin, protect me! May all the Terrorists die!”

“...”

The netizens in the live broadcast room suddenly realized.

Sure enough.

That guy really thought they were filming just now.

Lin Pei forcefully suppressed the urge to punch him to death.

He glared at Huang Jingyu.

“Protect your head.”

“Shout again, and I'll feed you to the Terrorists' guns.”