Chapter 32: The Helicopter Arrives, Mission Objectives Doubled?

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor:

Atlas Studios

Chen Yeliang kept pressing forward little by little, with each and every one of his word striking the heart of the chief commander precisely.

This was indeed the only way left. If it wasn’t for the fact that he didn’t know how to fly a helicopter, the chief commander would have gone in himself!

“No… No…” The commander gritted his teeth and said,” I cannot afford to sacrifice one for the other. Both your life and the residents’ lives are equally important. I can’t let you take the risk! ”

‘As the chief commander was the most experienced firefighter there, he knew how dangerous it was to fly a helicopter into the fire site!

Putting aside the other considerations for the time being, small explosions in the fire site were going off continuously, and the slightest inattention could cause the helicopter to get blown off course. Even professional pilots with over ten years of flying experience might not be able to handle it.
If they were lucky, they might be able to survive by parachuting from the out of control helicopter, otherwise both the helicopter and its passengers would perish!

The chief commander weighed the pros and cons. He eventually decided that he would rather give up the risky but efficient air descent proposal and choose a safer method to control the blaze.

Chen Yeliang did not expect the chief commander to be so stubborn. Most of the people present had already agreed that this was the best solution, yet he was still unmoved.

Just as Chen Yeliang was trying to think of more convincing arguments,

he became aware that someone had been standing beside him without his realization. Chen Yeliang turned around and saw that it was the mayor!

At this moment, his eyes were filled with determination to stake everything on this! His gaze towards Chen Yeliang was also filled with admiration.

“Lagree with his proposal!”

So saying, under everyone’s stunned gazes, the mayor took out his all-mighty little phone again.

“Send a helicopter over to the chemical plant immediately. Be quick!”

His voice was powerful and resounding. He wasn’t trying to achieve a realistic compromise. It was because he genuinely saw hope in Chen Yeliang!

But before Chen Yeliang could start preparing, the chief commander of the fire department stood in front of both of them.

“Please rescind your order! The danger of entering the fire site isn’t something you can imagine. He’s just a student!” The chief commander said anxiously.

‘The mayor placed one hand on Chen Yeliang’s shoulder and said, “He was able to bring the trapped workers out of the fire unscathed, I’m willing to believe that he has the ability to go in there again!”

“With all due respect, I cannot agree to this. This is the site of the fire disaster. As the fire department’s chief commander I am in charge. I have to be responsible for everyone’s lives!”

“Being in charge does not give you the right to decide and act on your own! Since you can’t think of a better solution, you should trust him!”

“I said no!”

“He can do it!”

The two highest authorities were at odds with each other. With one party agreeing with the proposal and the other party against, they were arguing non-stop!

A simple decision had degenerated into a heated debate. Worse still, no one dared to separate the two of them and simply allowed them to continue.

As precious time was lost, Chen Yeliang eventually stood between them and separated them.

“Gentlemen, please calm down,” he said calmly.

Both men were arguing until their faces had turned red. They stood with their hands on their hips, gasping for air.

Chen Yeliang turned to face the fire department’s chief commander and said, “Since the facility’s director and engineer are here now, why don’t you ask if they can reiterate what types of chemicals are in the facility!”

“Chief Commander, think about it carefully. The magnitude of this sort of explosion is enough to raze the entire facility to the ground, and the excess chemicals will all end up in the Hanghe River, a river that Xilin City depended on for its livelihood!”
“We are not the only ones suffering. There are also a few other cities downstream! Every city has millions of residents!”

“Not only that, poisonous substances will accumulate in the sky of Xilin city, at a concentration which is dozens of times stronger than what we can smell now!”

“You should be fully aware of these consequences without me telling you!”

“Putting the fire out may be the safest method, but we don’t have the time now! Why don’t we take the plunge and let me take the risk alone? It’s better than putting the millions of residents in Xilin City at risk!”

“So I think I’m your best choice!”

After saying that, Chen Yeliang grinned and said, “Even if you don’t agree, it’s fine.”

“T’ll say it again. If I want to go in, no one can stop me!”

Chen Yeliang looked past the chief commander at the ferocious flames in the distance.

At this moment, it wasn’t just the chief commander, everyone’s faces were also filled with shock!

‘They could not understand why Chen Yeliang would persevere to such an extent. He was clearly at the age where he should be protected, so why would he risk his life to protect others!

The chief commander’s insistence began to falter. He gritted his teeth and finally nodded twice.

However, he grudgingly added, “You can go, but I want to listen to your plan first!”

Chen Yeliang didn’t mind, and just took it as a rehearsal of his actions in his mind.

“It’s not really a plan. Just fly the helicopter to the area above the production area, find a suitable location to hover while I rappel down. I will return after turning off the valve.”

“Is that all… just like that…” The chief commander felt his mind go numb. He couldn’t tell if it was good or not.

‘The engineer who had been studying the topographic map suddenly interrupted them.

“Why are you guys still dawdling?! The fire can’t be controlled. The facility will explode in a few minutes!”

Usually, he was a man of few words. The moment he opened his mouth, it was to pronounce words of startling import!

The mayor looked at his watch and said, “The helicopter will arrive in one minute’s time!”

“Understood.” Chen Yeliang nodded and turned to the engineer. “Are you able to give an estimate of the time of explosion?”

The engineer looked up, listened to the wind and looked at the fire. After a moment, he replied, “In fifteen minutes time at most!”

He had given the most optimistic estimate. It however, did not mean that the explosion would obey his rule, and explode on time fifteen minutes later.

On hearing this, everyone’s hearts tightened, and all eyes turned towards Chen Yeliang.
Not only did he not back down, he even laughed and said, “It’s sufficient!”
‘The engineer finally smiled, but almost immediately he added awkwardly.
“Actually, not only the natural gas valve, but also… the valves of the wastewater and poisonous gas… also need to be closed…”
‘The mayor immediately sensed that something was wrong. “I recall that the allowable storage capacity of wastewater and poisonous gas in the chemical plant is strictly regulated. Don’t tell me you’ve exceeded the limit!”

He was a tall and brawny fellow, and his voice was deep and sonorous. If he spoke a little louder, it would make people tremble.

The engineer instinctively took a step back and smiled apologetically. “Yes, it exceeded a little, but I assure you that this is the first time!”

Treating the wastewater and poisonous gas would increase the operating costs of the chemical plant. In order to save time and money, they would store them in excessive quantities. When the quantities reached the maximum limit, they would then treat it according to regulations.
They had saved a lot of money, but the things that needed to be treated had not been done so! Now, these waster products had become another time bomb in the fire. The chief commander wanted to strangle them to death!

“Tl deal with you all later!” The mayor said menacingly. Then, he turned to Chen Yeliang and said, “Now that the mission has doubled in complexity, it’s not too late for you to quit. No one will blame you!”

After all, having the courage to step forward was already a very admirable thing.

Chen Yeliang shook his head and declined the mayor’s good intentions. “A gentleman keeps his word. I will definitely complete the mission!”

He raised his head confidently. The helicopter that they had been waiting for so long finally flew over his head.

The mission had officially begun!