Free Web NovelChapter 691: Chapter 311: The Mysterious Mine Cave
Of course, what really made Gu Ji decide to take the risk.
Is that he still had a checkpoint save file in his hand. If the mine turned out to be dangerous and costly, he could always start over and try a different plan.
The only thing Gu Ji couldn’t quite understand was...
Why did the game’s side quest want him to pay attention to the seismic activity patterns? Isn’t that the job for those earthquake experts?
With questions in his mind, Gu Ji had already finished applying the medication to his arms and the front of his neck.
When it came to the back of his neck, he found it a bit inconvenient, but suddenly a figure appeared beside him, "Let me help you."
"Alright, thanks."
Gu Ji turned his head to find it was Ying Wanyu.
"No need to thank me, you’ve saved me twice, I should be the one thanking you." She pursed her lips, came behind Gu Ji, first rinsed the affected area with water, then took some ointment and gently applied it with a cotton swab. "Where are you from?"
"Mr. Qi."
"I’m from Yanzhao Province, we’re not far from each other, how many people are in your family?"
"Oh, I have a sister, Xiao Jian!"
While chatting, Gu Ji called his rescue dog over and began to change the subject.
On the one hand, the information he found under "Bian Shizhang" was rather scarce, and on the other, he felt that the atmosphere was getting a bit off, veering into a strange territory.
Though Ying Wanyu wasn’t bad looking, even with her cheeks lined from the gas mask, it couldn’t hide her delicate features.
But let’s not kid ourselves, whether it’s a game checkpoint or real life, after the recent "Li Huiran" incident, he’s not willing to casually entertain such thoughts.
Upon hearing the sound, Xiao Jian eagerly jumped onto Gu Ji’s legs.
Its paws scrambled about, baring its mouth, extending a big tongue, with eyes full of anticipation and sincerity gazing at him.
Xiao Jian was a black golden retriever, known for its friendly appearance.
But being familiar with dog training, Gu Ji knew.
Xiao Jian was hungry.
So he took out a can of meat from his backpack and fed it personally, also as a reward for Xiao Jian’s brave performance at the chemical plant.
After applying the medication.
Gu Ji put on his rescue suit again and wore his helmet, while the others were mostly sorted out as well.
With gear ready, he and Wang Yuexi took the lead, guiding the team toward the northeast to the mine entrance.
To reach the mine in the shortest time possible.
The only way was to climb over the mountain in front, leaving them no choice but to climb from its base.
When they had just reached halfway up the mountain.
Suddenly, the sound of helicopter rotors came from above, a military-green Lark 3 helicopter with a transparent cabin, exactly like the one used by the Ethiopian military that Gu Ji had seen while finishing the Laird Airport checkpoint.
The main reason is that it’s cheap and effective.
Lark 3 was a multipurpose light helicopter, capable of rescue operations carrying survival equipment, as well as army operations, armed reconnaissance, and fire support, making it used in about 70 countries and regions globally, including the Pakistan Defense Army.
"The Bafang moves fast!"
"As hosts, when rescue teams from other countries encounter danger and lose connection here, they must show their stance."
"It looks like the military came to support. I saw soldiers in the cabin."
While everyone chatted, the helicopter swiftly crossed the mountaintop, disappearing from sight.
But shortly after, a strange call came through the radio.
"Xia Kingdom International Rescue Team, this is SA-012. We have arrived near the target mine entrance. Where are you now? Over!"
"This is Xia Kingdom Rescue Team. We are on the way to the mine entrance. We saw you fly over us from the mountaintop. We’re about 3 kilometers away from the target."
"SA-012 received, discovered vehicles, but no one inside. The mine entrance seems intact. We will explore inside first and leave the pilot for you to meet. Over!"
"Received!"
With just a few exchanges, it seems the support from Bafang had begun to explore the mine.
They must be seriously worried about the issue with Saudi Arabia and the United States, needing to confirm the situation quickly.
For Gu Ji, having others risk exploring ahead was a good thing, allowing more room for error.
"Phew, look, there’s the mountaintop, just cross it, and we’ll see the mine!"
"Mr. Han, we’re almost there!"
Gu Ji stepped onto the mountaintop and looked down.
In the middle of three large mountains was a flat basin, with a large mound on the northern side marking the mine entrance, where several buses and transport vehicles, likely from the Saudi and American rescue teams, were parked.
But the most eye-catching was the military-green Lark 3 helicopter.
Gu Ji and his team quickly slid down the slope, but as they approached the helicopter, they heard the pilot constantly calling out something.
"This is SA-012, Jabez, please respond! Static..."
"This is SA-012, Daud, can you hear me? What’s the situation inside? Static..."
"Reporting to Mr. Yian, the Xia Kingdom International Rescue Team has arrived at the target point and is now meeting with Bafang’s support helicopter!"
Han Yue reported to Yian Qingwen while leading his team to the helicopter, asking casually, "What’s happening?"
"I don’t know what’s going on inside. Jabez and Daud have been in there for fifteen minutes but haven’t sent a single message."
The pilot anxiously pressed the radio button, repeatedly calling his teammates.
"Did they lose contact as soon as they entered the mine?"
"Initially it was clear, but after ten seconds the signal started degrading, until a complete disconnection."
"It seems there’s metal interference inside the mine, or aftershocks could have scrambled the field. Everyone must stick to the main team. No wandering around. You must report before any action, understood?"
With rich rescue experience, Han Yue scented the first sign of danger quickly, "Do you have an internal map of the mine?"
"Yes, here’s the mine’s exploration map, filed at the Geological Bureau."
Taking the map from the pilot, Gu Ji squeezed in to study it closely and snapped a photo with his phone.
His thoughts aligned with Han Yue’s.
In a large underground mine, if communications fail, getting separated or lost becomes extremely dangerous, especially shortly after seismic activity.
Imagine.
In the pitch-black underground, completely alone, surrounded by rock walls, where calling for help goes unheard—faced with solitude, lack of oxygen, hunger, cold, and potential collapses at any moment.
"Conserve the headlamp on your safety helmet. Alternate the lights between front, middle, and back per team sequence."
After scanning through, Han Yue was struck by the vastness and complexity within the mine.
If it hasn’t collapsed much inside, they’ve got a marathon of a search ahead.
"Pilot, stay here to keep trying to connect with your companions. I’m leading the team inside to find the target."
"Alright, please ensure your safety, my Xia Kingdom friends."
"Don’t worry."
Putting away the map, Han Yue turned to lead the team into the mine.
But before leaving, Gu Ji noticed something in the cabin – military explosives, which might come in handy later as a mountain-breaking tool.
At the entrance.
The air inside was damp and dark, a stark contrast from the scorching chemical plant.
"Bian Shizhang, Wang Yuexi, lead the way!"
"Yes!"
Gu Ji turned on the headlamp on his helmet, stepping into the cave first.
Unlike the cracks they generally rescued from, the further they ventured into the mine, the wider it expanded, with the walls supported by wooden beams and metal frames, possibly the reason for minimal collapse.
The air inside was remarkably humid. Just moments in, the walls became visibly slick reflecting the headlamp’s shine.
"SA-012, we’ve started entering the mine, can you hear my voice?"
"Static...You...Static..."
"SA-012! SA-012, static..."
Han Yue shook the transceiver twice, met with ear-piercing noise, "The signal interference is strong in the cave, everyone stay close! Tech team, monitor oxygen levels and toxic gases!"
"Understood!"
Just as Han Yue was issuing commands.
Suddenly, Xiao Jian bared its teeth viciously. Following its gaze, Gu Ji vaguely saw a stain at the corner ahead – could that be...blood!!
