The three of them strode into the village of Aobang. This stronghold looked much larger than it looked from the mountains. The guard at the door roared alertly when he saw several strangers, and others gradually gathered with guns in hand. John threw the pistol aside and spread his hands.
"Oh...oh, gentlemen, calm down, we don't mean any harm."
Among the gunmen of the Austrian gang, there was a man who was much taller than the others. The others made way for him to reach John.
"Everyone, you have intruded into someone else's territory." The strong man said. "If you get lost, get out of here quickly. I'll give you five seconds."
"We are coming to this place, there is no such thing as getting lost."
"I don't know you, please tell me your name."
"I am Angelo, Mr. Fuli's security supervisor and butler, this is... Howard, and this lady is Stritch." John pointed at Miller and Stritch.
"Ochie Callahan, the leader of this gang." It seems that this leader named Ochie is not as arrogant and unreasonable as John imagined. "What are you doing here? Or do you want to take this place as your own?" , just like the Europeans brutally driving away the Indians.”
"It's unfair to say that. To be precise, we are the Fuli family in central New Hanover. We don't want to disturb the indigenous people nor do we want our property to be infringed."
"Then you've come to the right place, I wouldn't dare trespass on a rich man from Scarlett Meadows."
"Maybe Mr. Callahan doesn't know something, but your men captured one of our people."
"Mr. Angelo is very good at flattery."
John ignored him and continued: "Mr. Fuli is committed to establishing friendly relations with his new neighbors, so he hopes to resolve this matter peacefully. If you agree with us to take away this running kid, we will no longer pursue it."
Ochi Callahan called one of his men to whisper a few words, and then a relieved and contemptuous smile flashed across his face. The previous caution and temptation were gone.
"I don't care how you know that we captured this kid, Mr. Angelo, but I won't believe the tricks of the so-called Fuli family, but if you want me to let your people go, you have to make your conditions clear. "
Facing Ouqi's threat, John didn't feel nervous at all, but maintained a mysterious smile.
"I guess we're a grasshopper on a string and our leverage is your O'Drisco gang's leverage, it's a matter of who uses it - and when."
"Haha, what do we have in common? You expect us, the O'Drisco Gang, to empathize with you country bumpkins and then let you go?"
"Presumably your gang was driven here by the police, right? As far as I know, a note was left in front of any police station in Ambarino state, telling them that John Coster, who was running around, was following Kost. The remnants of Helm O'Drisco's men hid in the icy west of Grizzli, and the next day a large number of police officers would trample the snowy mountains."
"John Coster? It seems that the name Angelo is nonsense. You are the fugitive who makes all bounty hunters jealous. You actually showed up at your door today. I kidnapped you and turned you over. I think you can get a lot of money." Ou Qi pulled out a pistol and pointed it at John's head. It was a short-barreled double-barreled shotgun. If the bullet was fired, John's head would explode like a ripe castor seed.
John looked at the dark barrel of the gun in front of him very calmly. Although he could see that Ouqi was secretly applying force to his index finger that was pulling the trigger, he remained unmoved, "You can try it and see if the police give you a reward first." It’s better to tie your hands and feet with hemp rope first.”
At this time, the deputy on the side held down Ou Qi's arm, "Boss, think clearly, it took a lot of effort for the brothers to get back to this place."
"Benjamin! Did you pee your pants because of this guy's nonsense?" Ochi yelled at the deputy who tried to stop him.
Although Ochi Callahan has a tough attitude, the subtle changes on his face make it easy to see into his heart. No matter how angry he is, rational thinking will come. Ochi's hand holding the gun gradually softened, and finally he turned around Circle the handle of the gun and put the gun back into the holster.
"I'll let you go this time! If it weren't for those damn police, your head would have been blown, John Coster." Ochi said viciously.
"This is really a bold assumption, but I do appreciate the contribution of these law enforcement forces to the establishment of a civilized society. At least it has restrained gangsters like you who kidnap others at will."
"you?"
Ochie Callahan pointed at John angrily, but he found that it was of no use, so he decided to do something serious. He called the deputy to his side, "Benjamin, get that kid out of the dungeon. This kind of person does not deserve to eat our food." Sir, Madam, please take your people and get out of here quickly, I will take action if I see your face again."
Before leaving, John did not forget to leave a message on the door: "Please stop peeping, your friends. This is not a polite way to visit. Coulter Village is here to visit you at any time. You come here in an upright manner."
The four of them walked back to Lake Isabella in silence, without anyone saying a word, until they found the horses waiting in the woods. John muttered something about going back quickly, and then fed Black Pearl a white radish.
"Mr. Coster?" Bibo asked tentatively. There were a few bruises on his tender skin. He seemed to blame himself for this.
"Sit up, kid, you've suffered a lot too, I don't blame you." John mounted the horse and stretched out his hand to Bibo.
The way back was a long journey, and Miller naturally couldn't stop: "It's wonderful! John, you are really a master of negotiation. You showed me that there are other ways to resolve conflicts besides close combat, and you also gave the tall man some advice. A show of force."
"It's all thanks to your cooperation. Your fearlessness in the face of danger is more important than what I said. Don't you think so, Mrs. Manstar? I see that you have been silent just now."
"I always trust your judgment, John. It's just that when you introduced us just now, I couldn't figure out why you both had fake names, but I had my real name?"
"Haha, Mrs. Manstar, I think Brother John might want to use your famous name to suppress the arrogance of the Austrian gang." Miller joked.
"On the contrary, I don't want them to know that there is a ruthless guy from Saint-Denis among the three of us. That might not be as simple as letting us go."
"So, you only revealed your identity because you wanted Ochi Callahan to think that you were making an exchange of equal value, but I don't think he, a gangster, would not know the name of the all-powerful Mrs. Manstar."
"For them, Stritch's gender is unknown. Besides, how could he possibly want such a big shot to come to the snowy mountains?"
"Thank you for the compliment, gentlemen. To be honest, when I was in Saint-Denis, I couldn't believe that I would be where I am today."
"From the mansion to the wilderness, you have suffered a lot in the past few years, haven't you?" John tilted his head and looked at Stritch, who was bouncing on his horse, and a smile appeared on the latter's fair cheeks.
…
