Chapter 96: Heart‑Pounding! An A-level Wanted Fugitive Bursts into Gan Fan Pen with a Gun!

The morning sun had not yet fully driven away the mountain mist, Lu Qingshan stood in the courtyard of his new house, his brows slightly furrowed.

The wind last night seemed harsher than usual, rattling the window shutters, leaving him with an uneasy feeling.

"Brother Qing Shan, it's time to eat!"

Lin Yue'e carried a steaming bowl of corn porridge out of the kitchen, with sleepy‑eyed Xiao Xue trailing behind, already fiddling with a small bowl, waiting to drink the porridge.

"Ah, they're here."

Lu Qingshan answered, shook his head, trying to dispel the inexplicable irritation.

Just as the three of them sat down, the radio on the kang cabinet crackled a few times, then a slightly urgent voice announced: "Emergency broadcast, emergency broadcast. Early this morning, three armed criminals Lu Jia Ying, Wang Hu, and Liao Fang fled from the direction of Shen City into Baishan City of our province."

"According to reports, during their flight the gang robbed a Beijing 222 jeep, seized a police sidearm with a dozen bullets, and acted with extreme cruelty and viciousness. They have now abandoned the vehicle, fled into the eastern mountains of Baishan region, and may attempt to escape toward the border."

"The provincial Public Security Department has issued an A-level Wanted Notice, mobilizing all city police officers and armed police troops to launch a massive manhunt in the Guandong Mountain area. The public is urged to stay vigilant; anyone spotting suspicious persons should immediately report to local public security authorities or the police substation. Repeating…"

"Clack."

Lu Qingshan's chopsticks fell onto the table.

Lin Yue'e turned pale, nervously looking at Lu Qingshan: "Qing Shan, this... the mountain area you mentioned, isn't it the hills behind our house?"

Lu Qingshan's expression grew extremely solemn.

Lu Jia Ying!

He had heard that name back in his previous life from seasoned crooks in prison; Lu Jia Ying was a notorious bandit, ruthless and a fugitive!

He never expected that in this life he would be on the run here so early!

And he even has a gun!

He quickly picked up the chopsticks, his tone as calm as possible: "Yue E, don't be afraid. The police and armed police are mobilized; they won't get away. For the next few days you and Xiao Xue should stay in the village, and I'll have Jin Hu guard the courtyard."

"What about you?"

Lin Yue'e's voice trembled.

"I've arranged for Zhao Tiezhu and the others to go up the mountain to check the traps and observe the situation. Don't worry, we have many people; nothing will happen."

Lu Qingshan offered words of comfort, but his heart was a storm of turmoil.

Gan Fan Pen, that is his territory and the foundation of his future, must not be muddied by these fugitives!

After a hasty bite of breakfast, Lu Qingshan slung the Type 56 semi‑automatic rifle on his back, a full ammo pouch and hunting knife at his waist, and checked Jin Hu's collar once more.

At the village entrance, Zhao Tiezhu, Liu Fugui, Zhao Er Zhuang, Zhao Fei, Zhao Lei, and Zhao Qiang were already waiting, each looking spry, holding their respective handy gear.

"Brother Qing Shan, are we still going deeper today?"

Liu Fugui rubbed his hands, asking excitedly.

Lu Qingshan glanced over them and said gravely: "Today we mainly inspect the traps set the past few days, not go too deep. Stay alert; the mountains are unsettled."

He did not elaborate on the fugitives, fearing unnecessary panic and that these people might act recklessly.

The party entered the mountain; morning mist swirled among the woods, and birds sang crisply.

But Lu Qingshan's heart remained suspended.

Mountain Wild Heart silently activated, its perception spreading like mercury across the ground.

A little after nine in the morning, when they reached a mountain hollow and prepared to retrieve several live traps hidden nearby, Lu Qingshan suddenly halted, his gaze instantly sharpening.

"What's wrong, Brother Qing Shan?"

Zhao Tiezhu, shouldering the Elm Wood Stick, asked puzzled.

Lu Qingshan made a shushing gesture and tilted his ear to listen.

In his perception, about a hundred meters ahead in the dense forest, three unfamiliar figures exuded a strong, violent aura!

That aura was unlike any ordinary hunter or herb gatherer; it resembled a beast driven to a dead end, full of desperation and ferocity.

It's them!

Lu Qingshan felt a chill; their hunting party's target was too large, they needed to split forces.

"Fugui, take Xiao Fei, Xiao Qiang, and Xiao Lei, and head back down to the village immediately! Stay concealed!"

Lu Qingshan spoke at breakneck speed, leaving no room for doubt: "Go to the village, find the mountain patrol team right away, have them take their gear, then call the town police substation to report! Quickly! Tell them the fugitives headed east of Gan Fan Pen, possibly three people, armed with guns!"

Liu Fugui didn't quite grasp what had happened, but seeing Lu Qingshan's solemn expression, he knew the matter was serious and didn't ask further, hastily urging Zhao Fei and the others: "Run, run, run! Keep up!" The four turned instantly and sprinted down the mountain.

"Tiezhu, Er Zhuang, you two follow me!" Lu Qingshan lowered his voice, pointing ahead, "There's a hard obstacle up ahead, possibly the fugitives."

Zhao Tiezhu and Zhao Er Zhuang's faces changed at the words.

Though simple‑hearted, they understood what armed fugitives implied.

"Brother Qing Shan, tell us what to do, we'll follow you!"

Zhao Tiezhu gripped the Elm Wood Stick tightly.

"Don't panic."

Lu Qingshan quickly surveyed the surrounding terrain; it was a slope, the trees not overly dense but providing sufficient cover.

"Tiezhu, creep from the left, find a concealed spot, ready your sling, and when I signal, throw stones toward them to make some noise. Er Zhuang, you do the same from the right, stay hidden, mainly to draw their attention."

"Got it!"

The two bowed and, like seasoned old hunters, slipped silently into the forest.

Lu Qingshan took a deep breath, checked the safety on his Type 56 semi‑automatic rifle, pulled the bolt, and the cold feel instantly steadied him.

He set the rifle's range gauge to fifty meters, then, like a raccoon, used the trees and rocks for cover, slowly edging toward the direction of the three auras.

In Mountain Wild Heart's perception, the positions and general movements of the three were crystal clear.

One led the way, seemingly holding something in his hand, while the other two followed, appearing weary and restless.

Getting ever closer.

Lu Qingshan could even smell a faint whiff of sweat and cheap tobacco drifting in the air.

Fifty meters!

He stopped behind a thick pine tree, and through the gaps in the foliage finally saw the other party.

The leader, of medium build, wore a tattered blue work uniform, his face covered with overlapping flaps of flesh, his eyes fierce, and in his hand he was holding a black, grimy Type 54 pistol!

It must be Lu Jia Ying!

Behind them were two people, one tall and thin, the other short and stout, each holding a machete, watching the surroundings warily.