The Strongest Mantis Shrimp was most likely nearby to have been able to observe the situation in the ward for fear that the wounded would be transferred and his explosion would not achieve the expected effect. That explained why he hit the detonator and exploded the bomb ahead of time.

Since there was such a heavy scent of nitroglycerin in the air, I decided to use the Heavenly Dog Tracking Technique!

I walked to the further end of the corridor to take a few deep breaths of fresh air. A few minutes later, Dali came back with the acupuncture needles. As this was the first time he witnessed my use of the technique, his mouth fell agape as he watched me prick my neck with the needles, rooted to the spot with shock.

When the last needle entered the acupuncture point, it felt as if I had taken a fist to the nose, the smell of nitroglycerin in the air thick to the extent I felt that I had been submerged in a vat of the substance.

Due to constraints, I didn't use the medicine I concocted from bee venom so I wasn’t crawling on the ground like a dog. Of course, the miraculous effect of the technique was greatly reduced, but it was just enough for the task at hand.

Led by my nose, I followed the direction of the scent while Xiaotao, still immersed in the loss of her comrades, unlocked her gun bolt and followed closely behind, her grief rendering her speechless.

Although there were all sorts of odors in the air, the strong smell of nitroglycerin was like an unbroken line that led me downstairs to the compound below. When I turned around, I noticed Ward 403 was in my direct line of sight.

"He’s nearby!" I blurted.

The smell led us to the underground parking lot of the nearby shopping mall where a sudden dazzling light almost blinded our eyes. A van sped towards us. Without a moment's hesitation, Xiaotao raised her gun and pointed it at the van, shouting, "Stop! Police!"

The van charged at us at full speed, but the glare made it impossible for us to see the driver. Xiaotao and Wang Yuanchao fired several shots at the front of the van, yet the van continued its course, about to crash into us. "Get out of the way!" I shouted.

We leapt aside, tumbling on the ground. The van crashed into the wall next to the exit of the parking lot, issuing a reverberating bang. Sounds of gunfire triggered all the car alarms and a few more shots originated from behind my ears.

Looking up, I saw Wang Yuanchao shooting in a direction and a shadow beating a hasty retreat under the cover of the row of cars. It wasn’t until I turned around that I realized there was no one in the van. The bastard took advantage of the chaos to jump out of the vehicle at the moment of the crash.

Seeing that the bullet missed, Wang Yuanchao exploded forth like a leopard. I was about to chase after the suspect but Xiaotao interrupted, "We’ll go around and surround him!"

The three of us returned to the ground. There were only two ways out of the parking lot–the exit of the parking lot and an entrance to the mall. Xiaotao fired a shot at the mall’s glass doors, smashed the lock and with a lift of her foot, nimbly kicked the door open.

"The bastard is still live streaming!” shouted Lao Yao from the other end of the line. “He’s placed the camera on his hat so the audience can see him running frantically. The live stream is reaching the climax! I’ll put you on speaker."

The loud hubbub of the live stream came from my cell phone. This time, The Strongest Mantis Shrimp wasn’t using a voice alteration software. His real voice was clear and unmistakable, "Buddies, I'm being chased by the police now. Isn't it exciting? Don’t forget to hit the rewards button. After tonight, all you’re going to see in my live stream are the four walls of my prison cell!"

Several more gunshots rang out, prompting The Strongest Mantis Shrimp to curse, "Motherfucker! This guy is crazy! But I’m hiding now so he won’t be able to find me! A round of applause, mates!"

When I asked Lao Yao where the suspect was, Lao Yao reported that he was hiding in the storeroom behind the cosmetics counter on the first floor, which I immediately communicated to Xiaotao. We ran hell for leather in that direction, not forgetting to inform Wang Yuanchao.

As we approached the storeroom, The Strongest Mantis Shrimp declared, "Buddies, it seems I have exhausted my good fortune. But it doesn't matter—I still have a bomb strapped on me so even if I die, I'll take a few officers with me!"

I was caught off guard but soon regained my senses and immediately warned Xiaotao and Wang Yuanchao against advancing any closer. At the same time, I instructed Lao Yao to turn off the hands-free.

The situation was at a standstill with the four of us fanned out around the cosmetics counter. There was a small door behind the counter where the bastard was hiding. "Can you shoot him through the door?" whispered Dali.

"I don’t have many bullets left,” remarked Xiaotao. “If we don’t kill, we'll be in trouble."

Wang Yuanchao spoke into the radio, gesturing to Xiaotao that reinforcements would arrive soon.

"I don’t think we’ll be able to catch him alive,” I said. “We could attempt to lure him out and give Yuanchao a chance to shoot him in the head!"

"I had the same idea!” nodded Xiaotao. “Song Yang, you negotiate with him!"

Without a negotiator on the scene, I could only wade through uncharted waters with gritted teeth. I cleared my throat and yelled, "Pork Rong, this is the police. We have you surrounded so I advise you not to do anything foolish. Come out of the room and surrender."

"I’m a true man who’s unfazed by anything!” Pork Rong burst out in sardonic laughter. “I’ve never been afraid in my life! If you’re thinking of getting me to surrender, you can wait till the next life!"

"You have only two choices ahead of you,” I calmly stated. “Come out and surrender, or die in that room!”

The door inched open and a hand holding a dead man’s switch reached out, evoking a sharp intake of breath all around. It was the kind of detonator that only went off when released, often seen in movies.

I had to commend him for such a crafty move.

He slowly stepped out from behind the door, the improvised explosive vest on his body packed with explosives and wires. There was a wire connected to the detonator, indicating that a signal jammer would do nothing to stop him.

Pork Rong was a tall, muscular fellow, his body covered with tattoos, his firm jaw speckled with a stubble. His features were typical of a rough Northeastern man—the baseball cap on his head fixed with a tiny camera was aimed at his own face.

"Officer, I advise you to recognize the gravity of the situation,” gloated Pork Rong. “I have 30 kilograms of TNT on me. As soon as my hand is released, the building will explode with a bang. No one’s getting away!"

When the reinforcements arrived, Xiaotao shouted, "Everybody, stay where you are. Don't shoot! He has a bomb!"

"That's right!" Pork Rong grinned like a Cheshire cat.

Dali’s eyes were red and misty with teardrops that threatened to slide down his cheeks, a woebegone whisper sounded in my ear. "Dude, it’s an honor to be able to die by your side. Let’s be best buddies again in our next life."

I flitted a white-hot side-eye. "Don’t be stupid!" I retorted.

Detonator in hand, Pork Rong sauntered towards us, forcing us to retreat, except for the grim-faced Wang Yuanchao. Noticing the only gun still pointed at him, Pork Rong glared at Wang Yuanchao. "Fuck, why aren’t you retreating?” he cursed. “You were the one who shot me earlier, right? If you don't step back, I'll blow you to bits!"

Wang Yuanchao fixed a ferocious gaze on him, the two engaging in a glaring contest. "Don't be crazy! You only have one chance!" I yelled.

"It’s great if I kill even one of you and two just makes my day!” mocked Pork Rong. “With so many officers accompanying me to the underworld, I’ve definitely succeeded!"

"Go on comforting yourself with that bullshit then,” I sneered. “Even if you take 10,000 people with you, you'll still end up dead. Is there anything more valuable than your own life?!"

Pork Rong grimaced, the hand on the detonator stretching out in front of me. "You’re the one who pushed me into a corner!” cried Pork Rong. “Either we die together, or you retreat. There’s no third option!"

His hand was only a few centimeters away from me. If only I could grab the detonator, this crisis would be resolved.

But if I fail, everyone dies!

At the thought of the lives that were in my hands, my palm turned slick with cold sweat!