Yes, they were running away!
Shao Yushan and Jiao Zhiming had never genuinely intended to lead the candidates from the three districts in an attempt to kill Ryan. Their real objective was to use those candidates as a distraction so that they could escape.
Both men understood very well that Ryan was an exceptionally powerful opponent. Even if every candidate from the three districts joined forces, they might still be unable to defeat him!
Therefore, after stirring up the crowd and directing everyone's attention towards Ryan, the two planned to take advantage of the chaos and slip away unnoticed.
In fact, even if someone noticed them escaping, it wouldn't matter much. The candidates from the three districts would still be there to keep Ryan occupied, and by the time he finished dealing with them, Shao Yushan and Jiao Zhiming would have already fled far away. Who knew where they would be by then?
It was a rather clever plan, almost flawless in its execution.
