Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Wei Chen had already half-squatted up. Facing the weapon thrusting at him again, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he no longer held back! The moment the screwdriver was about to pierce his face, his left hand shot out like lightning, accurately grabbing the other man's wrist holding the weapon, his five fingers exerting force like steel hooks!

"Ah!" The gaunt man felt as if his wrist had been crushed by iron clamps. He cried out in pain, and his fingers involuntarily loosened, causing the screwdriver to fall to the ground with a "clang".

Wei Chen pressed his advantage, grabbing the other man's wrist and thrusting forward, his right shoulder slamming into the skinny man's chest like a battering ram!

"Bang!" Another muffled thud. The gaunt man was thrown off his feet and flew backward, crashing heavily onto a seat across the aisle. He knocked two sleeping passengers who had been awakened and were still confused about what was happening, making them stagger. He himself slumped in his seat, coughing violently, unable to get up for a moment.

At this moment, Wang Zhenshan and two other young passengers who had reacted rushed over and quickly pinned down their accomplice who had suddenly sprung up, temporarily tying him up with belts and ropes.

Only then did the extremely tense atmosphere in the carriage suddenly relax, followed by even more enthusiastic and prolonged applause, cheers, and exclamations!

"My God! There were accomplices too!" "That was close! Thank goodness for this young man!" "That skill... he's practically a martial arts master!" "Incredible! He's both intelligent and brave! First he exposed the human traffickers, then he subdued two others, and even took down their hidden accomplices!"

Everyone looked at Wei Chen with immense respect, even a touch of worship. What had happened in that brief minute was more thrilling and exciting than anything in a play!

Wei Chen's keen observation, calm mind, sharp words, and especially his lightning-fast, precise, ruthless yet skillful movements completely won over all the passengers on the train.

The elderly woman who helped hold the child was so moved that tears streamed down her face. She held the still unconscious but breathing more steadily child tightly, repeatedly saying, "Hero! Little hero! This child must have accumulated eight lifetimes of good karma to have met you!"

Wang Zhenshan also let out a long sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat that had unknowingly seeped from his forehead, walked up to Wei Chen, patted him hard on the shoulder, and said in a tone full of lingering fear and heartfelt admiration: "Comrade Wei Chen! Well done! I, Old Wang, have truly seen the world today! If it weren't for you, the situation today... would be unimaginable!" He looked at the two men who had been subdued on the ground and his accomplice who had been tied up, still feeling lingering fear.

Who would have thought that these human traffickers were so cunning and ruthless? They not only used drugs and brought ropes and gags, but also hid a third accomplice carrying a weapon! If it weren't for Wei Chen's quick reaction and exceptional skills, today they might not only have failed to catch the people, but also caused injuries or deaths among the passengers!

"Officer Wang, you flatter me. It's the result of everyone's joint efforts." Wei Chen smiled modestly and flexed his wrists. Those few movements, though seemingly effortless, had actually involved some of his true energy to ensure power and speed. He was more concerned about the child's condition. "How is the child?"

The clinic worker had already examined her and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Her breathing and pulse are a little better than before, but the effects of the sedative are still there. She needs to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible. However, she should be out of immediate danger."

"That's great!" Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Soon, the train conductor, having been notified, arrived with more crew members. They were both surprised and delighted to see the three criminals subdued and the child unharmed.

Under Wang Zhenshan's command and with the cooperation of the passengers, the three dejected and ashen-faced human traffickers were completely subdued, and all weapons and suspicious items were confiscated. The black bag was opened, and sure enough, several packets of white powder wrapped in oil paper, along with some forged letters of introduction and a small amount of cash, were found inside. The evidence was irrefutable.

After a brief stop at Qingshuihe Station, the train headed directly to its next major station—Jining South. Wang Zhenshan had already contacted the Jining South Station Police Station and the railway hospital via the train's communication equipment.

Qingshuihe is a small station; getting off here to go to the hospital is not as fast as getting to the next station!

When the train finally pulled into Jining South Station, the platform was already brightly lit. Police officers from the local police station, doctors and nurses from the railway hospital, and even some station leaders were already waiting there.

As the train doors opened, Wang Zhenshan and the train conductor personally escorted three handcuffed human traffickers, who were being glared at by the passengers, off the train and handed them over to the police officers at the local police station. They also handed over bags and bundles containing evidence such as sedatives and ropes, and explained the case details and Wei Chen's crucial role in the case.

The child was carefully carried off the train on a stretcher by medical staff and rushed to the railway hospital for emergency treatment. Only after seeing the child taken away did the passengers in the carriage truly relax, applauding both to celebrate the child's rescue and to pay tribute to Wei Chen, Wang Zhenshan, and others.

On the platform, the director of the Jining South Railway Station Police Station tightly grasped the hands of Wang Zhenshan and Wei Chen, repeatedly expressing his gratitude: "Officer Wang, Comrade Wei Chen! Thank you so much! You've cracked down on a dangerous gang that commits crimes across the country! You've saved the child and eliminated a major hidden danger for our railway police! On behalf of the police station, I thank you!"

Wang Zhenshan quickly said, "Chief, we really have to thank Comrade Wei Chen this time! If it weren't for his meticulousness, his discovery of suspicious points, his extraordinary courage, and his superb skills, we might not have been able to capture this group of vicious criminals so easily!"

The police station chief looked at Wei Chen with even more surprise and admiration: "Comrade Wei Chen, you're amazing! So young, yet so brave, resourceful, and with such excellent skills! Which unit are you from? We must write a letter of commendation to your unit!"

Wei Chen remained low-key, only saying that he was an ordinary employee of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, passing by on a business trip, and did what he was supposed to do.

The commotion had completely subsided, and the meritorious train started moving again, departing from Jining South Station. But the atmosphere inside the carriages was different.

Having experienced this thrilling event, the passengers seemed to have developed a closer bond due to their shared experience. They discussed the incident, focusing on the capture of the bandits and showering Wei Chen with praise. Many even tried to approach Wei Chen for a chat, but he politely declined, citing the need to rest.

The train conductor came over personally and insisted on taking Wei Chen to a quiet berth in the train attendant's rest carriage (equivalent to a soft sleeper). He also said that the train would do its best to meet all of Wei Chen's needs all the way to Baotou, with priority given to meals and hot water, and all trivial matters such as ticket checks would be waived.

Wang Zhenshan also made a special trip to express his sincere gratitude once again and left his contact information: "Comrade Wei Chen, if you ever come to the Northwest again, or need any help, just let me know! I, Old Wang, have been working in the railway system for over ten years, so I still have some influence. Thank you so much this time!"

Wei Chen could sense the sincerity of the veteran train police officer and politely agreed.

The train continued westward, speeding along day and night. The scenery outside the window was undergoing dramatic changes without anyone noticing.

When Wei Chen awoke from his meditation and looked out the window, the familiar plains or hills were no longer in sight.

The vast grassland, though now covered in the withered yellow of winter, appears desolate and bleak, still possesses a breathtaking primal power with its boundless expanse reaching the horizon and its magnificent, unobstructed connection between heaven and earth.

The sky became exceptionally high and azure, with low-hanging white clouds that seemed almost within reach. The cold wind grew even more biting and dry, howling past the car windows and carrying the scent of grass and earth.

This is the Inner Mongolian Plateau. Here, the sky is high and the land is vast, and the population is sparse.

Standing by the car window, Wei Chen gazed at this unfamiliar and vast land. The sense of pride that had been simmering within him since leaving Beijing finally surged forth. The arduous tasks at the factory, the earnest expectations of his family, and his own pursuit of power and the future would all unfold in this expansive land.

He took a deep breath of the crisp, free air that rushed in through the car window, his eyes sharp and bright, filled with unwavering anticipation.

"Ugh—!"

The long, desolate whistle echoed across the empty platform, eventually fading away in the biting north wind. The green train, like a weary steel dragon, finally came to a stop beside the platform of its final destination—Baotou Station.

The train's announcement system broadcasts: "Passengers, our next stop is Baotou Station. We are about to reach Baotou Station, the final destination of this train..."

Wei Chen's lips curled up slightly.

Baotou, we've arrived.

As the train door opened, a gust of wind, far colder and drier than that from the interior, and carrying the distinctive scent of the grasslands, rushed in as if it were real, instantly penetrating his thin cotton coat and sending a shiver down his spine. Wei Chen tightened his collar, slung his unassuming canvas backpack over his shoulder, and, along with the sparse disembarking passengers, stepped onto the soil of Baotou.

The world before my eyes suddenly opened up.

The sky was a near-transparent, breathtakingly blue color, as if washed by the purest ice water. Large, thick, white clouds floated low on the horizon, their edges outlined in dazzling gold by the sunlight, seemingly within reach.

As far as the eye can see, there are no tall buildings or densely packed houses, only low-rise station buildings with distinct Soviet or local styles and some auxiliary buildings. Beyond that, there is an endless expanse of plains covered with snow.

The snowfield wasn't flat; it undulated gently, like the tranquil bosom of Mother Earth in her slumber. Withered grass stalks stubbornly poked their heads out of the snow, swaying in the wind. In the far distance, the horizon merged with the sky, a vast expanse of white. The cold wind howled across the empty platform and fields, its mournful sound like an ancient horn, carrying a primal and free spirit.

The temperature here is significantly lower than in Beijing, but the air is exceptionally dry and fresh. With each breath, the cold air fills the lungs, invigorating the spirit.

On the platform, there were more tall figures wearing thick fur coats and fur hats, their cheeks red from the cold. They spoke in a mixed Mongolian and Han dialect with a strong tone and obvious nasal accent, carrying goods or talking loudly, their eyes showing the unique straightforwardness and a hint of scrutiny of the grassland people.