Chapter 227 China's Blue-Whale!



Hu Shijun's suggestion was approved as it resonated with the members of the Global Shipping Group. Renowned for its impressive fleet, the group possessed one of the largest salvage ships in China, aptly named the [[ " Blue Whale. " ]] This state-of-the-art vessel was a true marvel, with a remarkable displacement of 85,000 tons and a maximum lifting weight of 6,000 tons.

The [ " Blue Whale " ] was explicitly designed for marine salvage operations, equipped to venture into the vast depths of the open sea.

Before the commissioning of this mammoth ship, the Global Shipping Group had another salvage vessel, considerably smaller, with a displacement of 10,000 tons. Nevertheless, it showcased its prowess by successfully salvaging the wreckage of a C-17 transport plane in the distant land of country M.

However, time had taken its toll, and the previous salvage ship now sat idly in port, having been decommissioned for several months. The vessel would likely be sold as a second-hand salvage ship unless an unexpected event occurred. The crew that manned the  [[ " Blue Whale " ]] consisted of seasoned veterans chosen from the original crew members who had served on the previous vessel. Their expertise and experience were unmatched.

Idle moments were a luxury that the ambitious crew couldn't afford to indulge in. Hu Shijun voiced his agreement with Liu Yong's sentiment, suggesting it was worth allowing the "Blue Whale" to embark on an expedition to the Indian Ocean. Embracing the idea, Liu Yong nodded in approval and said, [ " No problem, then let our 'Blue Whale' set sail and head for the Indian Ocean. " ]

Promptly, Hu Shijun organized the necessary arrangements, ensuring a smooth execution of their plan. The stakes were high, with the potential reward of 100 million US dollars awaiting the discovery of the plane wreckage—an immense sum that made the endeavour all the more enticing.

The scene transitioned to a bustling port in Huahai City. The "Blue Whale" stood poised, completing all necessary preparations for its impending voyage. A crew member stepped into the captain's room, saluting respectfully before delivering a report [ " Report to Comrade Captain, the 'Blue Whale' is ready, please set sail! " ]

Captain Ren Ziquan's heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nervousness. This marked the "Blue Whale" maiden voyage into the vast oceanic expanse. Taking a deep breath to steady his emotions, he raised his hand and commanded, [ " Start the engines, set sail! " ]

Within minutes, a resounding siren echoed through the air, heralding the departure of the colossal ocean-going salvage ship. Slowly but surely, the "Blue Whale" gracefully maneuvered away from the safety of the harbour, gaining momentum as it charted its course at a swift pace.

The ship's objective wasn't to conserve fuel by adopting an economical speed. Instead, it sought to reach the Indian Ocean swiftly, consuming copious amounts of diesel in the process—a small price to pay in its pursuit of success.

Captain Ren Ziquan, standing in the confines of the captain's cabin, gazed out at the vast expanse of the sea beyond the window. Emotions churned within him as he pondered the significance of their mission. 

The "Blue Whale" was a testament to China's exceptional shipbuilding technology, boasting advanced equipment and imported underwater vehicles. With such remarkable resources at their disposal, Ren Ziquan's determination remained unyielding—they would undoubtedly locate the wreckage of the ill-fated plane.

His resolve etched onto his features, Ren Ziquan marvelled at the sheer scale and sophistication of the ship. The "Blue Whale" was a marvel of engineering, measuring nearly 298 meters in length and 58 meters in width. Its primary lifting hook possessed a remarkable capacity of 6,000 tons, complemented by a 4,000-ton capacity under full rotation—truly placing it at the forefront of salvage ships worldwide.

With its sails set for the Indian Ocean, the "Blue Whale" was part of a collective effort to find the remnants of the downed aircraft. Unwavering in their resolve, the government of YD had not relented in their search. In addition to issuing a substantial reward, they had intensified their search operations. Experts had expanded the scope of their investigation based on their calculated estimations of the crash site.

The substantial reward's allure drew numerous official and privately-owned ships to converge upon the designated sea area. Each vessel sought to claim the coveted prize of 100 million US dollars should they be the fortunate discoverers of the plane wreckage.

Yet, despite their collective efforts, optimism waned over time. Several days had elapsed, but the elusive wreckage remained elusive. 

Speculation ran rife, drawing comparisons to the enigmatic disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines flight from years past. Some experts and media outlets suggested that the current incident may yield a similar outcome—an unsolvable mystery. However, the YD government vehemently denied such conjecture, maintaining an unwavering commitment to their search.

The plane held immeasurable value to the YD government, as it carried several national treasures, including priceless relics of the Buddha.

Despite the scepticism from other countries and individuals, the significance of these relics was irrefutable to a nation steeped in the Buddhist tradition. The YD government spared no expense in their pursuit, mobilizing vast resources to ensure the recovery of these precious artifacts.

Following Liu Yong's guidance, the Overlord temporarily ceased its search efforts in the designated sea area. 

Liu Yong's unwavering confidence in the capabilities of the Overlord led him to the conclusion that the plane had likely veered off course, rendering further exploration fruitless. Trusting his instincts, Liu Yong decided to investigate an alternative hypothesis—the theory put forth by a meticulous netizen who had analyzed the flight path and postulated an alternate crash area.

By this point, the Overlord had distanced itself from its temporary abode, traversing several hundred nautical miles. Still waiting to encounter the colossal monster fish lurking in the trench, its frequency of visits had diminished. Now well-fed and satiated, the giant speargun-carrying creature continued its journey.

Suddenly, a few hundred meters ahead, a group of majestic killer whales gracefully glided through the waters. The Overlord's appetite was piqued, and a desire to taste their flesh surged. Deciding to indulge in this rare opportunity, it prepared for a swift attack, fixating its sights on the most prominent member of the pod.

With unparalleled speed, the Overlord pounced, clamping its formidable jaws around the unsuspecting giant killer whale. Sensing danger, the remaining pod members scattered, fleeing in all directions. 

The Overlord paid no heed to their retreat, relishing its freshly caught prey with greedy delight.

As the Overlord savoured its hard-earned meal, a voice—Liu Yong's- echoed within its consciousness.