In a remote part of the wilderness, a temporary human-built camp stood on the muddy ground. After drying overnight, the earth had grown somewhat firmer.
With the rain stopped and the clouds dispersed, the construction that had been suspended for so long could finally resume.
The rumble of excavators and cranes rose and fell, echoing across the surrounding wilderness and breaking the morning's tranquility.
Near the enormous mine pit, several guards in camouflage uniforms stood alert at their posts, weapons in hand and eyes sweeping their surroundings.
Liu Jialin stood on a relatively high earthen slope, the hem of her clothes fluttering gently in the morning breeze.
She kept both hands in her pockets and stared solemnly at the surging, roaring river ahead.
Just as she had expected, the torrential rain that had continued for so long had pooled a tremendous amount of water in the low-lying areas, causing severe flooding.
The turbid floodwaters carried branches and rocks as they ravaged the land downstream. Wherever they passed, the vegetation lay flattened in utter disarray.
Fortunately, the camp and mine they had built were on higher ground, some distance from the flooded region.
For now, the water would not affect their construction or their stationing.
A steady tread sounded behind her, drawing closer from far away.
Soon, Zhang Xiao arrived beside Liu Jialin at a brisk pace, dressed in the same camouflage uniform. Her tone was urgent. "Captain, I just received a message from headquarters."
Liu Jialin slowly turned to look at her, brows slightly furrowed. In a deep voice, she asked, "Good news or bad news?"
Zhang Xiao's face was grave as she shook her head. "Bad news."
Liu Jialin's gaze darkened. "What exactly happened?"
Zhang Xiao hurriedly said, "The team that was supposed to come relieve us today encountered