Song Ning and Han Xiao moved fast.
In theory, Xiong Gang should have been just a short distance ahead of them.
That meant they could pursue at full speed without being overly cautious.
As they rounded another bend along the steps,
Han Xiao abruptly stopped and signaled to Song Ning behind him.
Song Ning saw that he had already pulled a grenade from the back of his waist.
Neither of them had changed the ammunition in their guns, but the grenades they had brought this time were all waterproof.
Apparently, something was happening up ahead.
Song Ning quietly prepared for combat as well.
But soon, several low, short turtle dove calls came from ahead. "Coo-coo-coo-coo."
Only then did Han Xiao relax and answer with a few calls of his own. "Coo-coo-coo-coo."
As he hooked the grenade back into place, he turned to Song Ning. "It's Xiong Gang!"
A few minutes later, a flashlight beam swept toward them, and Xiong Gang's voice came softly through the darkness. "Han Xiao! Is that you?"
"Yes! Song Ning and I are both here!"
The three-person team reunited.
Xiong Gang hurried over and wiped his face, though whether it was wet with water or sweat was impossible to tell. "There's a problem up ahead! Come take a look, and you'll see!"
They followed Xiong Gang for a short distance before discovering a vertical fissure about four meters wide ahead of them, its depths hidden from view.
"There's no way around on either side. We have to cross here! My safety rope isn't long enough. Do you still have yours?"
"Yes!" Han Xiao began unwinding the safety rope around his waist.
Fortunately, they had brought a full set of equipment this time.
Since they had originally planned to descend into the mine, each of them had