HPDBC Chapter 84 A Talented Person is Envied by Heaven
Chapter 84 A Talented Person is Envied by Heaven
Xu An and Tang Feng got into an argument.
Jiang Xiyan stood to the side watching with concern, unable to get a word in edgewise.
On the one hand, she didn't want Xu An to go down. As Tang Feng said, searching for a body below 100 meters is an extremely difficult task. There are no more than five people in China who can do it, one of whom is Lao Mao.
On the other hand, she couldn't bear to leave Old Cat's body in the dark underwater cave forever. Old Cat was kind and humorous, and they had become friends during her previous summer visit to Du'an.
"Captain Tang, give me one chance. Trust me, I won't risk my life like this. Old Cat needs me now. Can you bear to watch his body remain in this dark, sunless underwater forever?"
"The sooner we find him, the sooner we can bury him and prevent his body from being damaged more severely."
Chinese people believe in the importance of burial for peace and that death is a great loss.
Xu An's words touched Tang Feng.
Tang Feng and Lao Mao had a very good relationship; they were very good friends. Lao Mao did a lot of charity work during his lifetime and rescued many people in distress. He often helped Tang Feng and his diving rescue team.
How could he bear to leave the old cat's body underwater in the dark and sunless environment?
Tang Feng took a deep breath, his expression serious: "I'll give you a chance, but you must prioritize your own safety. Experts from all over the country are on their way. If you can't find them, come up here first, and we'll think of another way."
Xu An nodded solemnly, "I know, Captain Tang."
"I'll have someone provide you with all the logistical support. I'll have someone waiting for you fifty meters away," Tang Feng said.
Xu An nodded, put on his diving equipment, and glanced back at the group of people standing on the shore.
"Xu An, you must come back safely." She pursed her lips. "Don't be stubborn. Brother Cat knows he won't blame you."
Xu An smiled slightly at her, "Don't worry."
After saying that, he put his mouth on the lip and plunged into the water.
Immediately afterwards, a member of the diving rescue team also entered the water.
Just as they entered the water, Xu An's figure was still visible, but he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
He was secretly alarmed; the speed at which it was falling was not a good thing. But now that he was underwater, there was nothing he could do but pray that the other person would be safe.
Ideally, we should find the old cat's remains and bring them back.
Old Cat, he knew him well too. A man with a gentle smile always on his face, known as the top cave diver in China, a man who was unhurried and methodical in everything he did...
Once in the water, Xu An transformed into an underwater dragon, needing neither a guide rope nor even a powerful flashlight; his fiery eyes scanned like radar.
He went up to a depth of 100 meters, then slowed down and searched bit by bit, leaving no place unchecked.
When they reached a depth of 120 meters, Xu An spotted him immediately!
He swam over quickly, and when he saw the old cat sitting quietly on the nearly 40-degree slope, he suppressed his grief.
Old Cat's diving equipment was completely undamaged; he raised one hand, still holding the regulator in his mouth.
The exposed facial skin was already pale.
"Old cat, I've come to take you home."
Xu An gently lifted his body with both hands; his body felt exceptionally light.
Since the old cat had been dead for less than 24 hours, there was no large amount of gas accumulated in the cavity, so puncture was not necessary.
A puncture is a procedure that involves breaking through the skin to expel gas from the body cavity.
Generally speaking, if a person is underwater for more than 24 hours, gas will begin to be produced in the cavity. During the process of recovering the body and bringing it to the surface, the salvage personnel need to perform a puncture operation to remove the gas from the body.
If no puncture is performed, the air pressure will gradually decrease during the ascent, causing the gas inside the body to rush out. Without a way for the gas to escape, the body will be forced to rise, and eventually, once it reaches a critical point, it is very likely to explode!
Xu An swam very slowly. Although he wanted to retrieve the old cat's body as soon as possible, he had to consider his own situation.
At a depth of 120 meters, without decompression, his special abilities are highly likely to be exposed.
Looking at the old cat with its eyes closed peacefully, as if it were asleep, Xu An felt a lump in his throat.
"Old Cat, didn't you say you wanted me to come back and witness you become the world's number one cave diver? I haven't even seen you yet, why are you leaving already?"
"You're cheating!"
"Aren't you the number one cave diver in China? Everyone calls you Cat God, right? You should have nine lives! How could a simple nine-day skylight be a problem for you? You're the guy who's going to become the world's number one cave diver!"
"If you open your eyes right now, I'll immediately become your disciple!"
Looking at the now motionless body, like an old cat sleeping peacefully, Xu An cursed inwardly, "Damn it!"
"God is unfair!"
"You've saved countless lives in your life; you should be blessed with great merit, and even the King of Hell wouldn't dare take you!"
"Damn God, you're so blind..."
50 meters away.
The members of the diving rescue team waited patiently here.
He silently prayed for Xu An.
Suddenly, he noticed the light below.
They quickly headed downstream.
When he saw the situation clearly, he was stunned at first, then realized what was happening and rushed forward to help.
Xu An gave him a hand gesture.
He nodded to indicate that he understood.
Seeing the old cat looking like it was asleep, he felt very sad.
Old Cat saved countless lives throughout his life, participated in many public welfare activities, and made great contributions to the domestic cave diving research system.
His death was a tragedy, a loss to the nation.
Without Lao Mao, China's cave diving research system is at least twenty years behind.
On the shore, Jiang Xiyan and Tang Feng waited anxiously.
More than two hours have passed since Xu An went into the water.
Jiang Xiyan stared at the water with worried eyes, so nervous that she didn't even realize her palms were sweating.
She kept praying for Xu An in her heart, while at the same time regretting that she hadn't stopped him from going down.
The idea came to her without her even realizing how selfish she was.
However, some feelings are inherently selfish.
Suddenly, a large number of bubbles rose to the surface of the water.
Jiang Xiyan opened her eyes wide, and then two heads emerged from the water.
She beamed with joy, and the worry in her eyes instantly turned into delight.
Xu and An held the old cat's body in their hands.
"Quickly! Go up and help!" Tang Feng shouted, immediately rushing forward to assist.
When the old cat's body lay quietly on the ground, everyone fell silent.
Looking at that incredibly familiar face, all that came to mind was his gentle, smiling appearance.
Everyone present had interacted with Old Cat.
The excitement of recovering the body was fleeting, and everyone was filled with a heavy heart; the atmosphere around them became somber.
Jiang Xiyan covered her mouth with both hands, tears welling in her eyes, trying not to cry out loud.
Tang Feng looked at the old cat sleeping peacefully, his face somber, his eyes filled with sorrow, a mix of complex emotions swirling within him.
Xu An remained expressionless, but a lump formed in her throat, and her vision began to blur, becoming a shimmering, crystalline blur.