Chapter 248: Suicide Bomber (1/2)
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.