Chapter 542: Chapter 245: New Year, Flames

"Don’t be nervous, we will do our best to ensure your safety. What happened in the village? Did someone violently attack the villagers and set fires?"

"Yes, yes..."

It was either Gu Ji’s professional technique or his calm and steady tone.

It immediately gave the herder an inexplicable sense of security.

"Who are the attackers? How many of them are there? What kind of weapons do they have?"

"I don’t know the exact number, it doesn’t seem like many, maybe two or three vehicles, they have long knives, clubs, and possibly bombs, cough, cough, cough..."

"Relax, leave it to us to handle."

While he was inquiring about the enemy’s information, he didn’t let it hinder his hands from working.

He wrapped gauze around the herder’s neck, covering the wound, then folded cotton balls and gauze handed over by Li Yanan and others, and layered them on the wound, finally securing them tightly with another layer of gauze, "Press firmly on him!"

The round-faced SWAT officer followed Gu Ji’s instructions and moved his hands to press on the gauze and cotton.

"Remember, let him relax every ten minutes, monitor breathing and heartbeat, if they stop, perform CPR immediately, do you know CPR?"

"Don’t worry, I understand!"

Perhaps it was Gu Ji’s professionalism that gradually restored the confidence of the round-faced SWAT officer.

The others witnessing this scene were instantly astonished.

After all, although everyone had learned some basic trauma care during police school, it was just rudimentary first aid skills for passing exams. Mostly, their training focused on combat and firearm handling, rarely used in actual operations, and over time, those skills got rusty.

But Gu Ji’s performance just now, in both demeanor and technique, rivaled that of a professional emergency doctor.

Wu Kang approached behind him at this moment.

"Gu Ji, what should we do now?"

"First, get out and help!"

Gu Ji wiped the blood on his hands with his clothes, suddenly pulled the gun’s sling, and drew the rifle from in front of his chest, holding it against his shoulder.

Noticing this detail, Gao Bo also grabbed the gun in his hand.

"Hoo, hoo, hoo..."

Just stepping out of the vehicle, a gust of snow swirled and slapped Gu Ji’s face, chilling him to the bone, making him shiver.

Before the first group of SWAT officers even had time to intervene, Qiu Junrong and Xiong Changyuan had already jointly pinned a fierce assailant with a long knife to the ground, covering him with crushed snow.

They were not just plain instructors.

One was a commander of a Bian Ga Anti-terror Special Forces Brigade, the other was a deputy commander of a Special Forces detachment, both proven combat experts.

"Stay honest!"

"Instructor, the herder’s wounds have been temporarily treated, and the emergency services are on their way. The herder said that the village was suddenly attacked by an unidentified group, at least 15 people, in four vehicles, wielding knives, clubs, and Molotov cocktails."

Gu Ji, holding a gun, walked to Qiu Junrong, while Xiong Changyuan used the police tactic of "rearward knelt rib pin" to harshly subdue the violent thug.

Upon hearing his report, Qiu Junrong showed a slight surprise in his eyes.

He didn’t expect that within just over a minute, this guy could gather so much valuable information.

However, he didn’t speak but glanced at Xiong Changyuan beside him first.

Even though Qiu Junrong ranked higher as an instructor than Xiong Changyuan, as an active military officer he lacked domestic law enforcement authority. In emergencies, he could act courageously, but in commanding operations and arresting criminals, only Xiong Changyuan, as a deputy commander of the Bian Ga Special Police Detachment, had that authority.

"What’s your name? Speak! What’s your name!"

Faced with Xiong Changyuan’s questioning, the thug only growled in a language no one understood, finally spitting fiercely.

"This group’s modus operandi is that of typical outlaws, everyone be careful, the Fuyun County SWAT squad takes at least half an hour to arrive, and the fastest local police station officers will need fifteen minutes. Rescuing lives comes first. Mr. Qiu, keep an eye on this person; the rest, come with me!"

As deputy commander of the Special Forces detachment, Xiong Changyuan operates on the frontline of anti-terrorism year-round.

He could immediately recognize their general identity through behavior and dialogue.

These outlaws are often the most frightening sorts of criminals.

They are usually organized and purposeful, akin to those controlled by "Heaven" drugs from Northern Myanmar or Liangben, extremely ruthless but completely fearless of death, never stopping until achieving their goals.

"Mr. Tuohedi, how long until you arrive? The situation is dire, I request prioritizing rescue. Yes, I’m with a group of SWAT trainees, understood..."

Xiong Changyuan’s gaze was always fixed on the direction of the village as he moved and talked on the phone with the head of the Fuyun County SWAT squad.

In theory.

Cops, even off-duty, must respond if an emergency falls within their jurisdiction.

But he, being an instructor leading a group of elite young officers from various provinces and cities in the Xia Dong region, has the responsibility to ensure their safety first. Hence, notifying for backup was essential.

Ending the call, Xiong Changyuan spoke softly:

"In a moment, rush in with me to save people. Remember, when encountering outlaws, don’t hesitate, directly subdue them. Shooting is only a last resort, which means, if the outlaw has a weapon, explosives, or corrosives, or if violent actions endanger comrades or civilians, do you all understand?"

"Understood!"

All the SWAT officers responded in unison.

"First squad, first team, infiltrate from the left side of that big rock by the village, loop around to the back of the village, ready to ambush fleeing outlaws at any time. Second and third teams, guard at the dirt road entrance of the village, forming a blockade. The rest follow me for an assault."

Xiong Changyuan, after one glance nearby, instantly formed a tactical plan in mind.

Gao Bo, hearing this strategy, found it somewhat familiar.

Upon thinking it over, he realized it resembled the plan Gu Ji had devised during the Liangben Society chase in Japan!

Gu Ji quickly surveyed the village’s layout, a typical road-side village structure with houses on both sides of the mountain road, and Xiong Changyuan’s ambush and blockade teams were positioned perfectly at the ends of the dirt road.

Essentially trapping these violent terrorists within the village.

The ambush group was tiny for concealment purposes, while the blockade’s two teams could immediately provide firepower if needed, whether for support or cover during retreat, ensuring any unexpected situation is controlled instantly.

It’s truly remarkable, having such a seasoned SWAT leader.

The team began infiltrating and surrounding the village under Xiong Changyuan’s lead.

Today marked the first day of the Lunar New Year; high above at the village entrance, festive red lanterns swung on the tree branches, snowflakes danced, lightly dusting the sandy-brown plateau.

This should have been a joyous time for villagers celebrating the New Year together with family.

But now, because of these outlaws, it turned into a living hell.

Blazing fires, thick black smoke, coupled with harrowing screams echoing from the village houses, while the small-tailed sheep in the herders’ pen were restlessly clashing against barriers, bleating mournfully as if accompanying an infernal dirge.

Each SWAT officer’s face glowed with rage at these sounds.

Upon spotting two SUVs and a pickup at the village entrance, Xiong Changyuan’s steps grew lighter; using tactical gestures, he split the following team into three groups to charge towards the drivers’ seats, prioritizing neutralizing the drivers to prevent outlaw escape.

Gu Ji’s team was separately assigned to that pickup.

"Everyone, follow up, circle around from both sides of the car’s rear! Move!"

"Beep—!"