Chapter 008: Concerning the Xihai River

Uncle Lai concluded that these symbols were intentionally left behind, serving the purpose of marking the way. Due to the complexity of underground projects, those who enter are often fearful of getting lost. Therefore, as they proceed, they continuously leave such symbols. If they reach a point where they can no longer advance, they can follow these symbols back to their starting point

The traces of the excavation are very recent, clearly left not long ago. The situation at that time was quite urgent, and there were no other conceivable options. Uncle Lai, concerned about my father, used the excuse of seeking shelter from the wind and was the first to lead the way inside.

"Because of intuition," Uncle Lai pointed to his head. "Everyone's intuition is different, but here at the West Sea River, when the five of us entered the ruined construction site, we all experienced a strong intuition almost simultaneously. The vast underground project seems like a cage, wanting to trap something."

Why?

On the day of the camping trip, the wind began to pick up. By the time darkness fell, the wind had become very strong. The gale whipped up clouds of sand, making it impossible for people to open their eyes, and the well-secured tents were lifted off the ground. The group was in disarray for a while, and after everyone gathered, Uncle Lai noticed that my father was missing

Only Uncle Lai, while the other four hesitated, decisively proposed to venture deeper. Uncle Lai is a meticulous person; he keenly noticed several distinctive symbols. The symbols are quite simple, just a crossed mark, which had been carved only moments ago.

The team from that year, regardless of the circumstances, undoubtedly had one point: they cared for each other deeply. If someone was missing from the team, they would do everything possible to find them. Despite the strong winds that nearly knocked them off their feet, the team split into two groups and set off in different directions from the campsite to search. They dared not disperse their members too widely; Uncle Lai led four people, while another leader took three.

However, the changes in life are inherently unpredictable, and no one can foresee them. After my father was demobilized, he received an opportunity near the West Sea River. At that time, the unit he worked for organized an exploration, with the primary task of searching for chromite near the West Sea River.

The West Sea River is destined to become an unforgettable and indelible point in his father's life. However, by that time, he had already been demobilized and had become an ordinary citizen, and the West Sea River of the past had been completely destroyed, so he and this place were unlikely to have any further connection.

Uncle Lai, I beg you, you know very well that I cannot answer these questions, yet you keep asking relentlessly. I have never had a good impression of those who intentionally trample on my intelligence

The wind grew stronger, and if they continued on, Uncle Lai and the others would face irresistible danger. They discussed among themselves and decided to find a place to temporarily shelter from the wind before continuing their search. It was during this search for a windbreak that Uncle Lai first noticed something unusual about the area. He saw some fragments of buildings scattered in the sand, and in a deeply sunken sand pit, there were clear signs of excavation.

"None of the four of them plan to venture deeper, do you know why?" At this point, Uncle Lai began to interrupt again

Uncle Lai began to persuade the other four individuals. At that time, there was no need for excessive education, as each person harbored a sense of honor and a sense of mission. Uncle Lai was very eloquent; after a few words, the four individuals felt ashamed. They believed Uncle Lai's words, convinced that their father had entered this place due to some unforeseen circumstances, delving deep within, and thus it was imperative to bring him back. Uncle Lai was very eloquent; after a few words, the four individuals felt ashamed. They believed Uncle Lai's words, convinced that their father had entered this place due to some unforeseen circumstances, delving deep within, and thus it was imperative to bring him back

After the task was completed, the team planned to return. At that moment, my father, perhaps unable to contain his excitement, informed others that there was a place nearby with beautiful scenery worth visiting along the way. The members of the team, all geologists, were very curious; having traveled many places, they could not imagine what splendid scenery could exist in such a desolate desert. The team consisted entirely of young and strong individuals, and after being persuaded by my father, their interest was piqued. They immediately altered their original return route and headed towards the West Sea River.

If someone with relevant knowledge or experience were to take a glance, they would likely think that the West Sea River project resembles mining. Uncle Lai gently shook a finger and said, "But that is not the case, absolutely not"

The intended location is said to be near the West Sea River; however, there is actually a distance of at least one hundred kilometers between them. Uncle Lai said, "Your father’s engineering unit, which was part of the *Map* Corps, had very strict confidentiality regarding the situation of the West Sea River, and no one knew about this place."

Uncle Lai's gaze and expression clearly conveyed to me that my persistent questioning about my father might lead to immense psychological pressure. In everyone's mind, a father is an idol from childhood, a hero in one's heart. If one day, his image were to completely collapse for some reason, perhaps many people would find it hard to accept.

Although the West Sea River carries both the character for 'sea' and 'river', it has no connection to any water source and is entirely unrelated to any picturesque scenery. My father stayed here for four years and is very familiar with the area. When he brought people into the former West Sea River project base, others were completely unaware, but he understood it all too well.

The entire project's trajectory involves a gradual descent into the layers, akin to traversing a spiraling mountain road. At this point, the outline of the underground project has become clear, as no amount of explosives could completely obliterate such a massive undertaking. Those individuals only destroyed critical components and areas, rendering the entire project base utterly paralyzed. At this point, the outline of the underground project has become clear, as no amount of explosives could completely obliterate such a massive undertaking. Those individuals only destroyed critical components and areas, rendering the entire project base utterly paralyzed

Do you know what the West Sea River Project is for

Everyone makes mistakes. Uncle Lai reached out for a cigarette again, and I could tell that he was sharing these past stories with a strong personal bias: "Our ancestors left us a saying, 'If one does evil unintentionally, they shall not be punished for it.' You must remember that your father did not intend to make this mistake."

In such a desolate place like the West Sea River, where there is no sign of life, who would carve symbols? Uncle Lai immediately thought of my father. Moreover, Uncle Lai held back and did not mention the symbols to others; he believed that my father must have his own reasons for quietly leaving the group.

At that time, I was completely unaware; I just wanted to find someone. As I walked, I may have already entered the actual site of the old engineering base of the West Sea River.

This is Uncle Lai's first and last time entering the West Sea River in his lifetime

They have already traveled over a hundred kilometers, and some people have begun to doubt, as continuing for another hundred kilometers in this manner would likely yield no pleasant scenery to behold. After some discussion, they decided to revert to the original route by tomorrow

When Uncle Lai and the others entered, they were astonished. Although the entire Xihai River engineering base had been completely destroyed, the scale of the original construction and the remnants of the destruction were indelible. It was a vast underground project, but many of the passages leading deep into the project had been blown up, making them inaccessible. If one were to force their way in, it would require time to find a route and clear obstacles. More importantly, the main structure of this project was quite complex, especially after the destruction, and unfamiliar individuals could easily become lost among the ruins. It was a vast underground project, but many of the passages leading deep into the project had been blown up, making them inaccessible. If one were to force their way in, it would require time to find a route and clear obstacles. More importantly, the main structure of this project was quite complex, especially after the destruction, and unfamiliar individuals could easily become lost among the ruins.

Uncle Lai and the others could not possibly know the specific situation of the West Sea River, but the instincts of several individuals were remarkably similar. They sensed that deep within this underground project, something existed, and once this thing broke free, everyone would be doomed. Their intuition instilled a sense of fear in them

Uncle Lai led the way; he was completely unfamiliar with this place, or rather, the West Sea River project. His only guide was the series of markers that appeared ahead to help navigate. Following these markers, the five of them gradually made their way deeper into the underground project. Since the entire site of the project had been bombed to pieces, Uncle Lai had little impression of the general outline of the project in his mind

"Uncle Lai, go ahead, I am listening." I do not want to back down; having come this far, what is there left to retreat from? The letter my father left me grows heavier by the day, pressing down on me to the point where I can hardly breathe. If I were completely unaware of the details, perhaps it would be easier, but once I grasp the clues, my nature will inevitably lead me to be unable to endure.

At that time, most of the team members likely focused their energy on work, with only Uncle Lai, who was closest to my father, noticing his unusual behavior. In Uncle Lai's eyes, my father was a rather composed and serious person. However, as the team set off towards the destination, my father's actions became erratic; his emotions were unstable, and he often sat outside alone at night, lost in thought. Uncle Lai inquired about it, but my father hesitated to speak.

After the destruction of the Xihai River, it gradually returned to its former desolation. The geological team conducted investigations at the target site for approximately five days. The preliminary investigation results indicate that the chromium content here is very low, rendering it of no developmental value