Blazing Armor

Six people climbed the stairs, and as they ascended, the temperature on the seventh floor was so intense that they could feel a noticeable change with each step. This rare phenomenon indicated that the fire on the seventh floor was far more ferocious than what they had observed from the outside.QMcBxQTbxpCFtuwlSmaOesvsRqBicW

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To prepare for the possibility of no water on the seventh floor, they brought two water hoses from the sixth floor. Laying water hoses requires extensive training, especially when it involves multi-story vertical deployment. Efficiency is critical—minimizing the hose length and maximizing its effectiveness. Every additional bend in the hose reduces water pressure and spray velocity, while each detour shrinks the area the water can reach. The water hoses were their weapons in this fiery battlefield, and the better these weapons performed, the higher their chances of success.fpxcXeceivSwVUhtGssoUQAGEDuXjj

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On the seventh floor, only one fire hydrant in the hallway was functional. Ren Yi didn’t dare send his team inside to locate another hydrant—it was too easy to get lost in the chaos. Three water hoses would have to suffice.hXgaIgDLWOwraxYnjpDHnOwoGIoUYO

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When they opened the door to the emergency exit, a wave of heat radiation roared at them like a predatory beast, scorching their willpower. Ren Yi instinctively stepped back two paces.YabGnVAhdiqFJkFdpaeLyJCpphfIAV

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It was too hot—impossible to enter.LjtxySXxpTsnozPYqJbNYgXjlYjCMo

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Sun Dingyi extended a thermometer into the space. “Damn, the perimeter is already close to 800 degrees.”wPBclwJPJUfVGFFmkwcFLpOSwAUpAh

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“That means it’s at least 2,000 degrees inside the fire zone,” Ren Yi said, squatting down in hesitation.BrzlHkWCxnjQcAVnvZnDoatWwmEUek

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To conserve oxygen, they had all removed their masks. While the hallway was smoky, crouching low allowed them to breathe, albeit with difficulty.mShWtmLLjrssPwkULWffxhbUlenFwg

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“Captain Ren, what now?” someone asked.YTNoADVcfHfSRKPsvNNWrezWXsVUiS

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Ren Yi shook his head. “At this temperature, there’s no way we can go in. When it’s this hot, we’re likely approaching a flashover.”YwUtMKwqSDvTauMqUVpfXGziBnRnPa

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“If a flashover happens, the upper floors will be unsalvageable,” Liu Hui pointed out.yQfanSdVDEKADPrEVHjUNzJUUyUafs

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“How about we break all the windows around us to disperse the flames?” Liu suggested.PbOHiUOxBPLOLtpAZpllTRAPamSVvB

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Sun Dingyi analyzed, “Breaking the windows will just make the fire climb upward faster. The result will be the same.”oRwVZIUrZcenIAuEqlgQHztneFSpkS

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Ren Yi switched to the command frequency. “Captain Chen, how’s the evacuation of civilians coming along?”CIiIdEFMuuzyPozwGGRVyQhdmlvmzX

vNTtQCyopmekMvC

Chen Xiaofei responded, “There are hotels and office buildings above, with at least two or three hundred people trapped. The height complicates the search and rescue. It’s going to take some time. Can you control the fire?”cXDoetjTffLprbJJYRVrqeXKOYjNvf

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“… When will the water cannon be operational?”GJPrXVsBPEMojoXOhOgDmLERaOUpWZ

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“I was just about to tell you—it’ll be ready soon.”PHoDiMcNTpaZdNBDBnkpMSTemKapbT

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“The seventh floor is currently inaccessible, but with the water cannon, we might have a chance.”KwYeIOVEwXbOVweVdjzsIYjGlUoacl

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“You’ll have full command of the water cannon. Additionally, Yan Jue’s team has freed up a high-pressure hose for you.”bYdQSZzazLoYwlmzywOWoGLfaNIfUU

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“Great,” Ren Yi said, turning to Liu Hui. “We’ll do as you suggested. Break all the surrounding windows. This will help lower the temperature at the fire’s center. Once we have the water cannon suppressing the flames from spreading upward, we might find the right moment to lower the fire shutters.”vpawJXLDDoNVubEKILRTuZzWLKzdpc

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Since they couldn’t enter the fire zone, breaking the windows had to be done by the team outside. Ren Yi contacted Gao Ge to confirm they had completed their task and returned to the ground. He then instructed Gao Ge to lead a team and use the aerial ladder to break the windows on the east and west sides of the seventh floor.wmjSfGELRsKCXrAEJiVXgkiNOuiGrH

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Before long, the water cannon began dousing the corridor fire. Shortly after, Gao Ge finished breaking the windows, and the flames started dispersing through the east and west sides. Yan Jue personally manned a water hose, positioning it from a raised platform on the west side of the seventh floor, directing water into the building.VPsYXSGYLqgTEEnzylCzBcZaQgnXcs

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However, the temperature inside the fire zone wouldn’t drop immediately. They could only wait.UXTswhToagNAxfZRPKLiqmXcmMVOFW

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After about five minutes, Sun Dingyi took another temperature reading. It had finally gone down.VYTKZVWkxysmOfPAIxLebhsudIucTm

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“Good. Let’s move in.”JlsqqgCIgtGAhrmxzTTzSIsMVeOvrE

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“Wait a second,” Liu Hui interjected, glancing at Li Sa. “Captain Ren, we all know what it’s like in there, but Li Sa doesn’t. This is her first time in a fire zone this dangerous.”DqrWSyfHHJYsDEuyzadZXnAXFmHsgB

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Li Sa frowned. “When have I ever missed training with you? I know what it’s like in there.”PEHvjyuWiyxfifQdgTleZrKLjWOsKt

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“Training and real combat are worlds apart,” Liu Hui argued. “And you’re a woman—your physical strength is already nearing its limit.”pyVpPOIIQSdPtorffbbdDtebjbKiIC

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“Squad Leader Liu, I think I know my physical limits better than you.”FNhjRveafOhLVcvVAofPlljLdRTkVd

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“You think I’m just arguing for the sake of it? I—”IvKPTAdpMJhFnrUPxJnogBwUJbolEE

OGjXBEtBGBIbRLt

“Enough. Stop wasting time,” Ren Yi cut in. “Li Sa assisted me in lowering the fire shutters on the sixth floor just now. She has her strengths, and besides, her oxygen reserves are probably the highest among all of us.”bwzDcXTsuBPaAGjVnEEUbnkkWLAdrD

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While the air tank capacity was the same for everyone, individual consumption rates varied based on body size, activity level, and emotional stress. Li Sa naturally had an advantage in body size and exertion levels compared to male firefighters. Moreover, she had gone nearly two minutes without using her air supply while working on the sixth floor.dTBmmrxDotqFnIYftspQTFOqDdWakw

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“Exactly. I still have 23% left,” Li Sa confirmed.xSvwEdRbVSlGDdpVRevAYOfbYDsmNN

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“We’re short on manpower. This is the time to trust your teammates. Let’s go,” Ren Yi said, putting his mask back on and pushing open the emergency exit door. Crouching low, he led the team into the fire zone. He already had a sense of the environment and the layout, heading straight north with the others following.owkoEhVzvjTCaPmfErfaznjCvwKdAj

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The seventh floor was the most intensely and thoroughly burned area of Building B. It was where the raging fire from Building A, with nowhere else to climb, had gathered. Adding to the danger, the seventh floor housed stalls selling books, toys, and sports equipment—densely packed and filled with flammable materials. As they advanced, they used the water hoses to clear paths. When that wasn’t possible, they were forced to detour, losing precious time.HMckoEYbYbYJxyqnTosMPhCNrfitgo

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Despite their earlier efforts to reduce the fire’s intensity, the temperature had only dropped enough to avoid cooking them alive. The searing heat permeated their pores, giving them the illusion they were already roasted. The relentless heat radiation was like an invisible torture, gnawing at their bodies and spirits from all directions. The pain made them gasp and cough uncontrollably. The crouched posture sapped their strength, and eventually, they were practically crawling on all fours.MmNWPkzvIMBoaPIfgBiBySEWxmCzeG

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Ren Yi knew they could only endure this environment for a few minutes. Success or failure hinged on this moment. If they couldn’t locate the fire shutters within two minutes, he would have no choice but to call off the mission and retreat while they still had the strength.dcBpSfyMxieqDNYVVUnogMvfFKeSQI

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As they struggled forward, Chen Xiaofei’s urgent voice suddenly crackled through the earpiece. “Ren Yi! Ren Yi!”bkmTTpmpeHSaHjGzGaOOApSoycwqpe

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“I’m here.”tMZYuEZMGsZcFSWFzwClhIBpPHTUIW

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“There are trapped civilians on the seventh floor of Building A—a father and son, near the corridor!”UYuJpCbXUOGpQxnIuSIyMnBeymuRXE

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“What?” Ren Yi exclaimed in shock. “Building A? Cough cough I thought Building A was clear!”CpKMFaStRmHYhcEbnqdOOuJXEwnQMB

DscACWxJamVntzd

“It might be a security guard who didn’t have time to retreat,” Chen Xiaofei said in a low voice. “Because of the spacing and angle issues with the west side building, the elevated platform can’t get close to the skybridge. The vehicle must be moved to the north side, but with over forty fire trucks and a dozen water trucks blocking the area, moving them is difficult. Yan Jue said it would take at least six or seven minutes. That father and son can’t wait for the platform. Ren Yi, you’re their only chance.”shogSQXByGDgeNMuwUCQGUmyoqADbD

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“Building A has been burning… for almost an hour. And there are… cough cough… still people alive?” Sun Dingyi coughed violently.AtfkHslnDieGDTLCWoDKkPIcIyCFPZ

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“Yes… cough cough… we’re almost at the skybridge,” Ren Yi said, picking up speed as he crawled forward.HafrIoKbzGwPafGZkUZJNkHFfbmUQU

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The six of them pushed through excruciating pain, nearing the limits of human endurance, and finally reached Gate 1 North. The skybridge was faintly visible, but the father and son were nowhere to be seen.YBxNLuoMlwouTMgfMEYLMILzBSSkqO

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“Liu Hui, Ding Qing, Xiao Cai, you provide water gun support. Li Sa, stay by the hand brake. As soon as we complete the rescue, lower the rolling gate immediately. Sun Dingyi, come with me to check it out.”wXZFOUAEhuGXCMLDCjUpIfEaalcyGa

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“Got it.”SiaHCatjjSGJgVgsqvOJwHtnODFgqg

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Ren Yi and Sun Dingyi jogged toward the skybridge. Through the roaring flames, they finally saw someone on the other side. His cries for help were faint, torn apart by the wind and fire. His body was already severely burned in multiple places, yet he still clutched a child tightly in his arms, shielding him.ZmEDIdJcKzlgJBUQPwMHkMdHnUKtnR

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“Help… save my son… please—” The man’s agonized and desperate screams pierced everyone’s nerves. The flames on the skybridge were subdued by the water cannon, so they weren’t burning fiercely at the moment, but crossing it meant the water cannon had to be turned off.fqHryzMuggResHBgZPOmyPINqZqkrj

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Ren Yi spoke into the radio, “Captain Chen, I see them. Turn off the water cannon first.”udBrACDLbNAfBSOPYFvFWKPhnDbXee

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Chen Xiaofei took a deep breath. “There are many stalls on the skybridge. The moment we shut off the water cannon, the flames will flare up again. You’ll have to move as fast as possible.”DoVrZQUryswWSQmXKYjJUQgDrrgcXC

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“Understood.”qpZwbkagopOrHDPqIDTeUHhFqpadia

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Sun Dingyi grabbed Ren Yi, shaking his head. “Captain Ren, it’s too dangerous.”FWXSWhYEVtzSZDAbJzzivmIjTkUXbO

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“But we have to save them.” Ren Yi looked at the length of the skybridge and the raging flames consuming the opposite building. He was terrified—anyone would be. That building was already burning from the inside out, a blazing inferno ready to devour anything that got near. He couldn’t fathom how that father had struggled through such a hellish place to stay alive and run out to call for help. Even a fully equipped professional firefighter might not have made it.PDHeHppLTrXIPmXDcMUqGpaoEcgieJ

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Perhaps the power to protect one’s child was stronger than even the instinct to survive.mXNwTzfCVPunIIFaFIVZnSsjmdOZps

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“Captain Ren,” Li Sa called out just as Ren Yi was about to go. “How much air do you have left in your SCBA?”UmHJhMMlGKGNQTSNlVYUvnXxlSCqXH

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Ren Yi hesitated. “Enough.”kKEePMBjLaRQyuRGiFxrPTsEElvgzz

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“Switch with me.”SWsrzQETJrmlSuENhufAzyzFQOGLjP

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“Everyone is running low. Regulate your breathing and use it sparingly.” Ren Yi pressed the radio. “Stop the water cannon.”wQVWQlyLTsCyhymukjyEEAdrdbmCuI

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“Captain Ren!”bNAlgYGSxVyHVVSsrdHDITLtjnIlCg

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Ren Yi took a deep breath. They had trained for this—special breathing techniques could conserve oxygen in emergencies. Now was the time to use them. Without the father and son waiting ahead, he might have abandoned the mission and safely retreated with his team. Getting this far was already a risk; returning would be a significant challenge. He couldn’t waste someone else’s oxygen for his own safety.HywrhzRBHFlnTIhjQbFqFTypeeBMPq

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As soon as the water cannon stopped, Ren Yi mustered all his strength and dashed toward the other side. Sun Dingyi used the water gun to suppress the flames on the skybridge, covering Ren Yi.pIITtAVkqhBbmaZcQUvOcfRBiRkZkc

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When Ren Yi stepped onto the skybridge, he noticed something unsettling about its vibrations.CzzhBpLQBzYEnmxFiIqcokSnYbdqcF

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The skybridge, made of reinforced concrete and glass, had been burning for an extended period. The steel reinforcements had likely deformed. While the glass, more resistant to high temperatures, appeared intact, the water cannon had caused significant structural damage. The first issue was the immense water pressure, which could collapse roofs or break floors, let alone a skybridge. The second was the intermittent use of the cannon, with the constant hot-and-cold alternation accelerating material shrinkage and deformation.zMybRvLQqIRkMkjrpkxFNYVhpSrYeN

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But Ren Yi had no time to worry about that now. He sprinted as fast as he could to the other side, finding the severely burned man near the door. The man had placed his body over his son, shielding him from the licking flames.JXJqVeQXCZCVtwaOLHXpgmQiHHobWv

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“Help… help…” the man murmured weakly, barely clinging to life.QwpFYznHHbDrknStsdXouhmJpdOXeU

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Ren Yi rushed forward, frantically slapping at the flames on the man’s body, but it was futile.YlJTkdUVtLGTZHUmSRmbvtUgTuGZDb

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He trembled as he pushed the child in his arms toward Ren Yi. “Save… save my son…”CowpvHdYUiYcsyGRXxMrNrkZoyCbtl

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The child was very young, only about three or four years old. Miraculously, he was barely injured in this inferno, but his breathing was weak, clearly having inhaled a significant amount of toxic smoke. Ren Yi took the child in his arms and shouted, “I’ll get the kid out and come back for you! Hang in there, brother!”qUZpmUdqfJlkaXsxYfnTiIikDvqxwk

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The man shook his head, his ash-covered face streaked with dried tears, his eyes already devoid of life. “Go… just go…”tswyevFaJZNlwgGKODthXXfeOiRRID

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Ren Yi removed his respirator and placed it over the child’s face, letting him take a few breaths of fresh air. But when Ren Yi tried to put it back on himself, he realized the oxygen tank was empty.pucYjdtNEeHsLyzrdizoXZJPqxsplp

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Cursing, Ren Yi tore off the heavy, empty breathing apparatus. Turning around, he found that the flames in the corridor had surged again, now completely engulfing the pathway.IbgcTvAvCwZITeirkitvrOqINmHsyG

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Gritting his teeth, Ren Yi tucked the child into the front of his protective suit. With no other choice, he stepped into the fiery abyss.FfYAWftrghiTGRTTIfjMRCsqnflPAy

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The flames licked at Ren Yi’s skin, searing him with an agonizing pain that felt as though countless iron brushes were peeling away his flesh layer by layer. He couldn’t help but scream out in agony.LGhlMjLQOCJFXdQYZqHIitCwzveuqf

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But after running only a few meters, the corridor began to tremble violently. Steel, concrete, and glass started to collapse around him. Eyes wide with terror, he sprinted desperately toward Building B, toward a sliver of hope.pUIUpdQRTzETPJRfliryDfGvzdQuXq

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“Captain Ren!”cMHiSyUGZoDwnUXQrRSEJSUFiZUURH

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Sun Dingyi and the others watched as Ren Yi emerged from the flames with the child in his arms. But the corridor began to crumble behind him, leaving their eyes bloodshot with helplessness, wishing they could sprout wings and fly to his aid.jUqGXZgINUczVKKPcmYyoMQNDmfIKf

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With a deafening crash, the middle section of the corridor completely gave way, slamming into the sixth-floor walkway below and triggering a chain reaction that smashed through four more levels.QEDBhGCGKAtmucXwiaxhrqHxMpHlfE

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The violent tremors made it nearly impossible for those on either side of the corridor to stay on their feet.rZFyHZXgrcbShqdWitscdJBXemNfPV

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Ren Yi came to an abrupt stop. Ahead of him was an insurmountable gap; behind him, an inferno with no way back. Beneath him, only a precarious remnant of the walkway, teetering on the brink of collapse.hDoaXZxiWcybxWYIAqbsLjjiAQzQYP

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Despair consumed him.PoVmKkMsCovAyxbZSHUCzbfibtlxwM

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From the ground below, Gong Yingxian had been watching Ren Yi’s every move, his face drained of all color. Fear gripped him like an invisible hand squeezing his throat. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe. He knew that if Ren Yi didn’t make it out alive today, there would be nothing left in this world to stop him from falling into the abyss.JKvRJhWjGToHxGQKuzSnFRZqZLfiNW

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Sun Dingyi rushed to the broken edge of the opposite corridor. With hands cracked and bleeding from the heat, he struggled to tie a rock to a rope. “Captain Ren, catch this!” He threw the rope toward Ren Yi.ghzACwXzuviCXpygqvNjJysFGrqsPO

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The rope landed on the walkway. Ren Yi bent down to grab it but inhaled too much smoke, his body at its limit. As he bent over, he collapsed to his knees, unable to rise. With the last of his strength, he managed to tie the rope around the child’s waist.lOxYYrXUmHdQtiyDzRAgUUDibhrmJR

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Liu Hui shouted, his eyes red with frustration, “Tie it to yourself! Tie it to yourself!”gomUOWjzKxFlrkOxLoiQsDhqHPwZvI

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Ren Yi knew the fragile edges of both sides of the corridor were on the verge of collapse. To pull him up would require at least three adults venturing onto the walkway, which would surely give way under their combined weight. It was already a miracle if they could save the child.GyoWCkwNbxFjjJLiDQEMQuubTOJinB

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He tied the knot securely and used every ounce of strength left in him to throw the child toward safety. The child dangled in midair over twenty meters of burning chaos, his small body swaying from the tension of the rope, fragile and vulnerable.OgZVUqxFDIlSEufWyLiLmVoyoFNXOO

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Sun Dingyi immediately began pulling the child up, but the rope caught on the jagged edge of shattered glass. With each tug, the sharp edge frayed the rope further. Though the rescue rope was designed for extreme strength and durability, it couldn’t withstand repeated slicing from the sharp glass. The child was still a distance away when the rope began to snap.irgoOJlTipFTJUfPRUMvIDwhqcTaAI

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Ren Yi lay prone on the ground, his eyes fixed on the child. The physical pain and mental torment seemed to fade away. He knew he was moments from losing consciousness, from dying—whether from the heat or from asphyxiation.pooJwHyBHLRiEEVAPSdwLjRtnDNNpM

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He didn’t want to die. But when he chose this profession, he had long since prepared himself for this moment.RvnxeeUgElVGXrTjQBXdODzABJBXsh

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Accepting it, however, was far more difficult than he had imagined.FrKhTQKiIKGKYiYGlGKNHrKgetfVUR

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He desperately wanted to live. His father was waiting for him. Gong Yingxian was waiting for him. Gong Yingxian… was probably on the ground right now, watching him. If he died, the wounds of Gong Yingxian’s childhood would surely reopen, perhaps never to heal again.piBPrvEZnzPOpvlYDwqVxbOUHfZHbN

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But he had no strength, no options left.IaNJGpIcwlLxzuYSqkWkWKVJGkSmEY

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At least let that child live…dcRKVfUXsVkIyOyLroAhsCXSoDJFHj

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“Lieutenant Sun!” Li Sa shouted in horror. “What are you doing!”ksJFApFHFKGjWbQCzmyKzMWOtwxQgL

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Sun Dingyi had grabbed another rescue rope, fastening one end to his own harness. Tossing the rest to Liu Hui and Ding Qing, he leaped off the walkway without hesitation, grabbing the child mid-air.tdqIFXfSWrVmfuamLLnwUGeCKoWmOI

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Ren Yi’s eyes widened as he watched Sun Dingyi. A spark of energy reignited within him. Struggling, he fought to rise.jlMghYfxmonMZkKpXAgtDmVlKNpZMc

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“One, two, three—pull!” Liu Hui and the others pulled on the rope with all their might.iTmOcMKcWnCxnnsbzkmfLEfhpbnMHZ

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But this rope, too, wasn’t spared from the relentless wear and tear. The edge of the broken walkway was lined with jagged glass, and now, with the weight of five adults and a child, the corridor began to emit ominous creaking sounds.AxKVhSBsRADIBvcijATEZNhHYeMSBt

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Sun Dingyi could feel his own rope fraying, and even the corridor itself was on the verge of collapse. He raised the child with one hand and shouted, “Pull the child up! Save the child first!”MCwXjDXcNTzmCueKFwJdHXCYZpqgHk

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Ren Yi watched the heart-wrenching scene unfold, powerless to do anything but shout in desperation, “Pull harder! Get them up!”OyAGZmPJohonhOEDRJkGsqNEncFyQs

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“Save the child first, now! That’s an order!” Sun Dingyi roared.QypnwXdMurESojDlqugmzIKOrkRjxU

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Liu Hui gritted his teeth, gripping the rope tightly. “Li Sa, go, pull the child up!”mWcCMofOeQWuRLPkTmbXFuAuJdSjRk

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Li Sa crawled to the edge of the broken walkway, his upper body hanging over the abyss as he reached for the child.ipFhZkHlmotYPUgeELQTRDlPsvALAW

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Summoning every ounce of his strength, Sun Dingyi hoisted the child upward. Li Sa grabbed the child’s arm and pulled him up, dragging him to safety.qDzSnGsVmjZsUHxtkXYLosYUGWXZAI

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With a deafening clang, the walkway sank further. From Sun Dingyi’s angle, he could see the steel beams beginning to bend. Despair filled his eyes. “Liu Hui, the walkway won’t hold. Fall back!”CusBqpeMOYnHdkDsIJrdjineAkcgsL

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Ren Yi stared at the scene, frozen in hopelessness. On one side was the crumbling corridor, on the other, Sun Dingyi hanging precariously over the abyss. He felt like a lifeless stone, unable to move or utter a single word.FDRZVXMWokyYPREmkGybnJgQfcgcrX

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Liu Hui and the others refused to retreat, still straining to pull Sun Dingyi up. The walkway groaned like a dying creature, concrete cracking and glass shattering.ZZKOSAzSMSYVpyJVDjPXssoAGxWvEC

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Tears streamed down Sun Dingyi’s face as he reached for the buckle of his harness.EbpjSYNZNKgNkocFWnynhszDUvEeJv

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“No…” Ren Yi stretched out his hand in vain.RWMGiMILDkQgpKTkvGpvJbBaAUpCbF

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With a roar, Sun Dingyi shouted, “In the next life, we’ll still be brothers!” He unlatched his harness, his body plunging like a bird with broken wings into the choking smoke and fire below.ErGPYgIqzttyQdSVKnmbEvePTtMgUs

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“Aaaahhhhhh!” Ren Yi let out an agonized scream.WcoMJjhmblKOSYnIAdfsiMfhGFjTzM

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“Lieutenant Sun—”IVmOQuquEmsGXZzjqoruImfIgMUCBT

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Liu Hui and the others broke into uncontrollable sobs as the recently returned Li Sa frantically pulled them back. “The walkway’s about to collapse! Fall back now!”fRUEMsCrpRCyKEgTdNvRKaGgrIwjWn

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Moments before the corridor gave way completely, Li Sa managed to drag everyone back to Building B. They could only watch as the walkway crumbled, taking their brother with it, disappearing into the inferno below.bUBDwNrUvxHVzZuQqvMtktgFRRmUZj

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Ren Yi lay prone on the ground, guttural cries tearing from his throat like a dying animal. His heart felt as though it was being ripped apart. He couldn’t tell if this was reality or a nightmare. His eyelids grew heavier, his breathing weaker. Eventually, he couldn’t even summon the strength to move a single finger.erHtdyFdXaRUadenstHvmADMQznihH

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Voices called out to him from across the way, but they felt distant, as if from another world.drCwZQTtUIMtOIDTWqfddHbvqhpImI

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