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...