Chapter 84: Perilous Rebirth (Part 3)

　　The woman's scream was abruptly silenced by the gunshot. Deep within the shelter, Dong Sanshao, Dong Yaoting, and Zhang Facai looked up in alarm. The old man let out a weary sigh. "You must leave immediately—any delay could be fatal! We are mere civilians who might survive capture, but you three are marked men." He called out, "Gouzi!" and the young man hurried to his side.　　"Quickly, lead them to safety!" the old man urged. "But Grandfather, what will become of you?" Gouzi, with his distinctive bowl-cut hair and sleeveless jacket, had the alert demeanor of a clever youth. The old man replied firmly, "We are simple villagers who can talk our way out of trouble. Stop hesitating—go now!" He gave Gouzi a firm push toward the exit.　　Dong Sanshao's immediate reaction was to raise his sniper rifle toward the shelter entrance. Zhang Facai bent down to hoist Dong Yaoting onto his back. Gouzi deftly navigated through the huddled villagers, guiding Zhang Facai forward while Dong Sanshao provided rear guard. "Elder, should I survive this day, I swear to return and repay your life-saving grace!" True to his character, Dong Sanshao performed three formal kowtows towa