Chapter 333 Worm
After confirming their location based on the satellite map, the team members began to advance in the general direction.
There was no ready-made path, so they had to clear their own way: Bai Ling used a machete to clear the dense bushes and vines, Xia Lili fixed ropes at dangerous places for everyone to use as a support to descend, and A Le was responsible for rear surveillance and path marking.
Although the process was bumpy, the expectation of getting closer to hope supported everyone.
At this moment, Xia Lili accidentally made eye contact with Ale who was fixing the rope.
In an instant, a heart-pounding hallucination suddenly flashed before her eyes!
In the picture, A Le was descending a steep slope along a rope. Suddenly, he let out a suppressed groan of pain, and his whole body twitched violently. Then he lost control and fell heavily from a height of several meters!
Xia Lili suppressed her dizziness and focused on the illusion: the rope that had just been dragged out of the bushes was covered with dozens of dark brown ticks, each only the size of a sesame seed, and was moving rapidly towards Ale.
Even though he was wearing gloves and a one-piece rescue suit, some ticks burrowed into the seams between his cuffs and gloves, while others slipped into the back of his neck as he moved.
When a tick bites a person, it secretes anesthetic saliva that is imperceptible at first, but then injects a neurotoxin.
Hallucination scene: Ah Le suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous while descending, his arms lost control and the rope loosened, causing him to fall and be seriously injured.
When Bai Ling found him, he discovered that he had been bitten in many places on the back of his neck and wrists, and the wounds were swollen and black.
However, the toxicity could not be identified in time and the wound could not be thoroughly cleaned at the scene. Ultimately, due to the spread of the toxin and severe injuries, he did not survive to be sent to the hospital.
Xia Lili suddenly pulled herself out of the illusion, and her back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
She shouted at Ah Le, "Don't touch that rope! Stand back two steps—check your cuffs and collar to see if there are any bugs crawling in!"
Before she finished speaking, she quickly bent down and picked up a long branch. She carefully carried the rope that had just been dragged out of the grass to a distance. Her voice was tense but she tried her best to remain calm: "There are ticks on it. Don't touch it directly with your hands."
She suppressed the throbbing in her heart and turned to look anxiously at Bai Ling and Ah Le: "Do you have any insect repellent with you? There may be poisonous insects in this area, so we must take precautions in advance."
Bai Ling and A Le were stunned by this sudden warning and looked at each other in confusion.
Ah Le subconsciously reached for his first aid kit and then shook his head. "We don't have any specialized insecticide in our regular equipment... Rescue missions prioritize trauma treatment, immobilization, and warmth. Pest control isn't usually included in emergency plans."
Xia Lili frowned and said immediately, "We must request support now. Contact the helicopter and send more people, especially bring insect repellent and spray."
"There are poisonous insects lurking in this area. If we don't clean up the environment first, if someone gets bitten when the main group descends from here, the consequences will be disastrous."
Ah Le, however, was a little anxious. He pointed to the main road that was already vaguely visible ahead and advised, "We only need this section! Once the road is opened, the large campus forces, engineering teams, and equipment can come directly up, which will be much more efficient."
"Now we have to wait for the helicopter to land, and then wait for the dispatch and flight, which wastes time."
Ah Le's tone was sincere, but also revealed a hint of reluctance: "We've come here with so much hardship, can't we go any faster?"
Xia Lili said firmly: "No, no one can risk moving forward until support arrives."
She glanced at the two of them, her tone as firm as iron: "Perhaps other things can be weighed."
"But human lives are at stake. There must be zero risk. There is no room for luck."
"Our medical facilities are extremely limited now, and there are many venomous insects in the mountains that we haven't seen before. A bite from one of these insects can't be cured by simply applying medicine."
Xia Lili's voice was calm but powerful. "It's better to be cautious and slow, but we must ensure everyone's absolute safety."
"Victory is already within reach, there is no need to fight for it now."
Ah Le's expression darkened upon hearing this, but his previously anxious attitude gradually softened. Bai Ling gave Xia Lili a deep look, then nodded at Ah Le and said, "Follow Advisor Xia's instructions."
So the three-person team made a conspicuous mark on the spot with fluorescent cloth strips and rubble, and then began to return carefully along the original route.
On the way, Xia Lili contacted the command center via satellite phone and made a clear and calm request:
"Requesting a support team to quickly reach the marked point with professional insect repellent, weed control equipment, and sufficient ropes."
"Another engineering team needs to be dispatched from the main road to further reinforce and widen the path we have already opened."
"We must thoroughly eliminate the pests and clean up the environment before organizing the main force to descend!"
Her voice came through the airwaves, calm and firm.
The three of them carefully returned along the same route they had taken, walking in the morning dew and the remaining night, and finally arrived at the camp on the mountain when the sky was just beginning to turn pale.
The rescue team members immediately came forward, some handed them hot water, and some asked them to rest.
Although Xia Lili looked tired, she still shook her head and said in a low but firm voice: "We have found another way down the mountain."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire camp seemed to be lit up.
Some people cheered quietly, some couldn't help but applaud, and the tension that had been weighing on everyone's hearts for days was suddenly dispelled by hope.
Xia Lili said nothing more, turned around, and crawled into the tent, tucked into her sleeping bag. The ground was still rough, and the air still smelled of mud and grass, but she felt a sense of peace.
The trapped people were finally able to get down the mountain, and the construction team no longer had to force their way through the dangerous landslide-prone road, but could safely come up via a new route.
The risk is smaller and there is a way out.
It was almost daybreak and we had found the way.
Xia Lili fell asleep peacefully.
Around nine o'clock in the morning, Xia Lili woke up from a short rest.
Bai Ling had been waiting outside the tent for a long time. As soon as he saw her come out, he stepped forward to report:
"Advisor Xia, the engineering team is already in place, reinforcing and widening the entire route we explored last night."
"The areas with poisonous insects have also been thoroughly treated for pest control. Now the entire passage is safe and controllable, and people can be organized to go down the mountain."
Xia Lili nodded, took the cup of instant noodles handed to her by her teammate, lowered her head and quickly ate a few bites.
Before they could finish their hot soup, Bai Ling turned around to gather the rescue team members and began organizing the crowd to evacuate.
The news that "it's time to go down the mountain" spread throughout the camp as quickly as a spring breeze.
Anticipation and joy suddenly appeared on people's faces, and the anxiety and fatigue of the past few days seemed to be swept away.
Everyone quickly packed up their few remaining luggage, supported each other, lined up, and moved towards the exit in an orderly manner.
Xia Lili stood on the side of the path, watching the entire transfer process quietly.
Her eyes met with everyone who walked down the mountain along the new path, making sure there would be no more emergencies.
Some people nodded to her, some had tears in their eyes but smiles on their lips, and some children turned around and waved at her vigorously.
"Sister Xia, you guys have worked hard!"
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