Although Lin Hao has some memories from his previous life, he is still worried that the murderer might not be in the Wind Shock Cave or the Red Cliff Cave at the moment.

Because the two caves are not far from each other and are both by the creek, making it very easy to fetch water.

The three teams are each led by a villager. Lin Hao is the safest since he's on the opposite mountain, while Zhang Boqing is in the most threatening position, and Ye Min acts as the long-range sniper support.

Lin Hao was the first to get into position, followed by the three snipers. Meanwhile, Zhang Boqing and his team worked their way upstream along the creek, which was the most arduous route.

Lin Hao held binoculars, searching the creek in front of Wind Shock Cave and Red Cliff Cave repeatedly, hoping to find the murderer's tracks.

Unfortunately, due to the great distance, he couldn't find any traces at all. However, Lin Hao persistently checked bit by bit.

"County Magistrate Lin, Sniper One is in position..."

"Sniper Two is in position..."

"Sniper Three is in position..."

"Roger that, hide in place and await instructions." Lin Hao replied, picking up the walkie-talkie.

Fortunately, the direct distance between them wasn't too far; otherwise, this walkie-talkie would likely be useless.

Especially in such complex terrain, just take a few turns, and there will be no signal coverage.

"Understood!" Ye Min and the other two snipers responded simultaneously.

It was evident that the SWAT team was not just for show; they had strong combat experience.

After waiting for almost half an hour, Zhang Boqing arrived near Wind Shock Cave and Red Cliff Cave with his team.

"County Magistrate Lin, we are in position." Zhang Boqing reported.

"Secretary Boqing, I can see you." Lin Hao's voice came over.

"County Magistrate Lin, we are preparing to advance while searching..." Zhang Boqing reported.

"Be very careful! Retreat immediately if there's any danger, and I'll have the snipers support you." Lin Hao said sternly.

"Okay, I understand." Zhang Boqing replied.

In the valley now are more than fifty police officers, who began advancing while searching along the creek, quickly discovering man-made footprints and tracks.

"Chief, there are footprints here." One of the police officers shouted.

Hearing that there were tracks, everyone felt a twist in their hearts, realizing they had found the murderer's trail, and they all became extra cautious.

Lin Hao, upon receiving the news, picked up the binoculars and focused his gaze on the entrances of the Wind Shock Cave and Red Cliff Cave ahead.

Suddenly, he spotted a figure emerging from Red Cliff Cave and was instantly overjoyed.

"Secretary Boqing, it seems the suspect is in the Red Cliff Cave ahead, have your men surround it from three directions, but don't rush to alert them." Lin Hao instructed.

Hearing that the murderer was spotted, Zhang Boqing was thrilled, signaling for all police officers to be on alert and then began approaching from three directions.

At the same time, Lin Hao gave the order, "Ye Min, the suspect is in Red Cliff Cave, quickly adjust your sniper angle."

"Yes!" The three snipers, led by Ye Min, immediately began repositioning to select new sniper positions.

Soon, the three snipers were in place, and Ye Min's sniper rifle was already aimed at the cave's entrance.

Lin Hao kept an eye on the officer Zhang Botian. At this moment, he was still wearing his police uniform, carrying a 54-style pistol, seemingly as tense as a wounded bird.

This guy had obviously stayed in Red Cliff Cave for the night, and today he came out for food, still unaware that he had been discovered.

He walked toward the creek, squatted by the water to drink and wash his face, looking around nervously. It was clear he was still on edge, yet from his vigilant behavior, he seemed to have some anti-tracking ability.

"County Magistrate Lin, I can snipe the suspect from here." Ye Min reported in a low voice.

"No need for now. If he can surrender, that would be best," Lin Hao felt there was no need to kill him and preferred to let him face legal judgment.

Of course, even such a heinous criminal, if captured alive, would only face execution, possibly without even the chance of a reprieve.

The current problem is that he is armed, and a firefight could cause casualties.

Zhang Boqing had already led his team to surround from three directions, effectively trapping him in the direction of Red Cliff Cave.

At this moment, the murderer Zhang Botian seemed to notice the Wind Shock Cave opposite and thought the environment there seemed better, slowly walking across.

Suddenly, Zhang Botian crouched down, seemingly hearing an unusual sound from the front, becoming extremely alert.

"Stop!" Lin Hao was also startled.

Upon receiving the command, Zhang Boqing raised his hand, and everyone halted, making the entire valley fall into complete silence.

Zhang Botian seemed to sense something, pulling out his pistol and cautiously moving along the mountain wall.

The atmosphere in the valley immediately became incredibly tense.

Lin Hao held the binoculars, watching Zhang Botian progress slowly, feeling very conflicted. After all, if he gave the order, the guy would certainly be shot dead by the snipers.

Though he is a murderer now, ending his life prematurely was still a psychological burden for Lin Hao.

"County Magistrate Lin, Sniper One in position!"

"Sniper Two in position!"

"Sniper Three in position!"

The three snipers, led by Ye Min, had readjusted their positions, taking aim at Zhang Botian in the valley.

"Received, await orders!" Lin Hao pressed down once more.

Zhang Boqing heard his voice and said sternly, "County Magistrate Lin, why not let the snipers kill Zhang Botian?"

"Although he is a murderer, he might have had no choice. If he surrenders, I want to give him a chance to explain." Lin Hao suggested kindly.

Suddenly, Lin Hao picked up the microphone and shouted, "Zhang Botian, you are surrounded, raise your hands and surrender!"

Upon hearing that he was surrounded, Zhang Botian quickly dodged behind a rock, his heart filled with alarm.

After all, in his view, he had been hiding in Red Cliff Cave last night and thought it impossible for anyone to discover him. But today, he had just stepped out of the cave and was already surrounded.

"Zhang Botian, you are a police officer, supposed to protect people's lives and property. But why did you kill? And such young children—you have truly lost your humanity! You are utterly reprehensible!" Lin Hao's voice came through, like a heavy hammer striking Zhang Botian's heart.

Killing might not matter much, but killing two young children drove Zhang Botian into extreme madness, losing all rationale.

Now he was filled with regret, yet unable to change this fact, he had no option but to keep going down a dark path.

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