Chapter 493: In the End, His Heart Softened

Although he deeply despised their behavior, Yu Dazhang ultimately still didn't dare to pull the trigger.

He didn't dare gamble with Ying Xuelian's life.

After all, she was working for the National Security Bureau; one shouldn't kill the donkey after the grinding is done.

Just as he hesitated, the man charging at the very front had already reached close range, a kukri cleaving straight down at him.

Yu Dazhang held his dagger in a forward grip, dodging as the blade tip flicked upward in a slant, precisely slicing across the wrist holding the knife.

As the tendon was severed, the kukri slipped from the man's hand and clattered to the ground.

Before he could react, Yu Dazhang drove the dagger straight through his neck.

Seeing his companion taken out the moment he went up, the man behind couldn't help but feel fear, but he only paused briefly before lunging in to attack again.

Clearly, he feared the two people behind him even more.

Unlike those before him, he valued his life more.

When he was still a meter away from Yu Dazhang, he suddenly stopped, then wildly waved the stiletto in his hand.

This move caught Yu Dazhang somewhat off guard, and he instinctively stepped back.

Sensing it was working, he sped up his slashing and continued pressing forward.

During this process, Yu Dazhang's gaze caught sight of those two agents also shuffling Ying Xuelian toward this side.

Having a hostage is such a hassle… Yu Dazhang grumbled inwardly.

Then, seizing the right moment, he suddenly stepped forward, used his dagger to parry the other's stiletto, and immediately reversed his hand to drive the dagger into the man's chest.

After two more stabs, blood spurted from this last man as he slowly toppled backward.

"Nice moves."

This time it was the woman speaking; she stared at Yu Dazhang with curiosity, as if looking at prey, her eyes unable to hide her excitement and greed:

"You shouldn't be from the National Security Bureau. From what I know, their recruitment is very strict — first off, your weight alone wouldn't pass."

As she spoke, the man pressed his blade against Ying Xuelian's neck, shuffling her forward slowly.

Seeing Yu Dazhang standing in place without moving, he threatened:

"Back off. If you don't want her dead, get out the door."

Once outside the door, his advantage would be gone… Yu Dazhang naturally had no intention of listening.

At the same time, he was watching the two's movements closely — the moment he spotted any move to draw a gun, he would shoot without hesitation.

The two seemed to guess his thoughts as well; neither reached for a gun, just shuffling Ying Xuelian slowly outward.

As the distance between them shrank, Yu Dazhang began calculating the success rate of a surprise attack in his mind.

But when he saw the blade tip pressed right against the artery on Ying Xuelian's neck, he knew such a plan was simply unworkable.

"Back off!"

The man suddenly raised his voice, simultaneously pushing the stiletto forward, slicing open Ying Xuelian's skin.

"Fine, I'll back off."

Seeing blood streaming down Ying Xuelian's neck, Yu Dazhang dared not stall any longer and could only retreat helplessly.

But what no one expected was that at this moment, Ying Xuelian suddenly shouted:

"Don't worry about me — grab them! Dazhang, grab them! You absolutely cannot let them escape!"

At the same time, she struggled desperately, trying to ram herself against the stiletto pressed to her neck.

The man reacted extremely fast, swiftly pulling the stiletto back.

"You behave yourself."

The woman behind snapped at her, simultaneously reaching out to rest a hand on Ying Xuelian's shoulder.

Strangely, without any visible exertion, Ying Xuelian went rigid as if electrocuted, her body instantly locking up.

Yu Dazhang narrowed his eyes.

He saw it clearly — though the woman appeared to use no force, she had hooked her index and middle fingers around Ying Xuelian's collarbone.

To pin down a living person with just two fingers spoke volumes about this woman's skill.

"Don't hurt her."

Yu Dazhang said, waving the pistol in front of their eyes, then, right before them, holstered it back into the gun case.

On the surface, this move looked like it was meant to make them drop their guard, but in truth, it was preparation for his next step.