Chapter 505: Far in the Sky, Close at Hand

Explosive Disposal Expert sighed and said, "There's a third method, basically an improvement on the second; still a local detonation, but it requires a lot of preparation in advance."

"First, use sandbags and rammed earth to build a wall around the explosive, absorbing the first blast's energy."

"The second wave requires precise calculation of the blast power and pre‑arranged explosives; we use a counter‑explosion to shrink the damage zone."

He pointed at the blueprint and said, "I was just calculating this method's feasibility; the outermost layer will be poured reinforced concrete to keep the blast within a reasonably minimal area."

Deputy Director Zhao's eyes lit up: "This method seems good, doesn't it?"

The principal was excited: "Alright, alright, the method is good, so let's start immediately; as long as we can save the campus without damaging the buildings, that's enough!"

Bomb Disposal Specialist frowned, his face solemn, and said, "In theory it works; however, the mass of the peripheral explosives, the detonation timing, and the shockwave direction all need strict calculation—not something easy to pull off."

"Besides, I've seen this method on a foreign forum; the success probability is extremely low."

"Even if it succeeds, the two teaching buildings and that adjacent Shushe lou are unlikely to be saved."

Those words poured a bucket of cold water over the previously excited crowd in an instant.

The most frustrated was the principal, whose original plan to expand the teaching grounds was his own idea.

He didn't expect that on the second day of construction they'd hit a Landmine, injuring two workers and causing such a huge impact.

He thought the matter was over, but they unearthed an aircraft bomb; it can't be defused, so they can only force a detonation.

He intended to do a good deed, but the good intention backfired; in this half‑day he experienced life's extreme ups and downs.

"I have a suggestion!"

At that moment, Section Chief Li, who had barely spoken, suddenly spoke up.

"In our department, we once had a senior—not formally trained—but his bomb‑defusing skill was outstanding."

"He successfully defused an aircraft bomb back in '82, only a size smaller than this one."

"We can find that person to try; if he can defuse it, that's best; if he truly can't, we can attempt a controlled detonation."

"Time is of the essence; bring the person here quickly!"

Deputy Director Zhao immediately gave the order for them to fetch the person.

At that moment, everyone could only pin their hope on this reclusive expert.

Half an hour later, a police car drove back.

The doors opened, and everyone looked up expectantly.

The principal even jogged up to greet them, but when he saw who stepped out, he was stunned.

The person turned out to be an elderly man with graying hair, a slightly hunched back, squinting eyes.

But, a real person doesn't show his face, and a shown face isn't real; perhaps this is a truly skilled sweeper monk?

"Little Li, what brings you to see me?"

"Senior, we uncovered a bomb and want you to take a look."

"What, you want me to eat?"

"It's not a meal, it's a bomb."

"Century egg? That sounds good!"

"It's not a century egg, nor a meal—it's a bomb, a heavy aircraft bomb!"

"Oh, oh, oh, you should've said so earlier!"

Everyone on the spot was dumbfounded.

The old man was at least seventy‑something to eighty years old.

He walked slowly, and he also suffered severe hearing loss.

"Little Li, can this work?"

"Leader, let him inspect the site first; back then he really could!"

"How old was he then, and now? Over thirty years ago he was in his early fifties, in his prime!"

"I'm at a loss too; maybe we should let the senior go see it, and if it fails, he can give advice or pointers."

"......"

Kang Changyi and a few others followed Lu Yang.

The incident happened suddenly, so they stayed on site to keep order.

Since they aren't sappers and have never professionally learned bomb‑defusing techniques, they can't help, only stay to watch the situation unfold.

"I'll take a look."

The old man was helped into the pit.

He pulled a pair of reading glasses from his pocket and shakily put them on.

Seeing his hand tremble like Parkinson's as he reached for the aircraft bomb, everyone was greatly frightened.

Section Chief Li quickly grabbed him, fearing that a slip might trigger the bomb and send everyone away.

"I won't touch it; I'll just look, don't be afraid."

"Okay, looking closely, it's much larger than the one I defused in '82."

"From its shape and the nose, it appears to be a Japanese Type 25 aircraft bomb."

That remark instantly changed everyone's view of the old man; he truly was an expert.

No need to consult any data; he recognized the bomb model at a glance.

The principal hurriedly asked if there was a solution; at that moment the old man suddenly seemed to hear clearly and said he could defuse it.

Just as everyone was about to rejoice, he added another sentence.

"If it were thirty years ago, I could definitely defuse it, but now I'm afraid I can't."

"......"

"Ah, I'm getting old—eyes are blurry, hands tremble, and my ears often can't hear clearly."

Even if we go back thirty years, or even twenty, this bomb wouldn't have corroded this badly; the difficulty wouldn't be this great.

I estimate the fuze is already loose, the small charge compartment may have become damp and caked; in this condition it would explode with a single pinch.

Unless we have X‑ray vision to see exactly what's inside the aerial bomb, like an X‑ray, otherwise it's difficult.

My suggestion is, while the condition is still relatively controllable, detonate it on the spot; that's the safest…

The old man's suggestion coincides with the Explosive Disposal Expert's final plan.

It also fully confirms that this bomb can only be detonated, not disassembled.

Now the sun is setting, painting the sky a deep red; the group stands at the edge of the pit, conflicted and helpless.

After a long silence, Deputy Director Zhao spoke: "Since that's the case, quickly discuss the feasibility of a third option; find a way to reduce the blast power to the minimum, preserving this century‑old academy with as little building damage as possible."

At this point, that's all we can do.

"Let's go."

The group sighed and returned to the command room.

The principal stood there, staring off into space for a long time.

Watching his despondent retreat, Lu Yang felt a trace of sympathy.

Ding Tengfei, indignant and baffled, said: "Brother Lu, I just don't get it—why can something the Japanese left decades ago still threaten our safety now? Is that really reasonable?"

Lu Yang: "Indeed, it's very unreasonable."

Chen Panpan: "I think, if we search the whole country, there must be someone who can disassemble it!"

Zhou Kaidong patted him: "The problem is, in the current situation, each second of delay adds a second of danger; in such a short time, where can we find someone who can disassemble this old, weathered bomb?"

"There is."

"Who?"

A few turned to look at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang said nothing, silently pulling up the system panel.

He found a bomb‑disposal‑related skill option in the marketplace and exchanged a first‑class merit earned from "cutting hands and feet" for it.

In an instant, a torrent of theoretical and practical professional knowledge about Explosive Disposal and Mine Clearance flooded his mind like a raging river.

When he cast his gaze again at the aerial bomb before him, he instantly completed a 3D X‑ray dissection of it.

Every detail, every component, all internal structures were laid bare before Lu Yang.

"Dual fuzes, the springs are rusted, it's actually in a half‑defused state."

"Sure enough, there's an anti‑tamper mechanism; the Japanese were truly cunning."

"The propagation charge column has caked and become damp; the old senior's guess was spot on. Indeed, it's very tricky…"

Seeing Lu Yang muttering to himself, the others looked bewildered, and Ding Tengfei pressed further.

"Brother Lu, you just said there's someone who can disassemble it—who is it, can we contact them?"

"Far away in the heavens, yet close before our eyes."

"Who?"

"Me."

??????

Everyone's mind filled with question marks; they just wanted to say: Stop kidding.

Lu Yang hooked his finger at them: "Want to earn merit? Then do as I say; let me take you to make a big contribution together…"