Chen Jinzhao didn't show anger. Did they really think he was a sick cat?
After his anger subsided, Chen Jinzhao took a few deep breaths of the frigid air. Fortunately, the plane had descended to a certain altitude, bringing the temperature within a range he could tolerate; otherwise, he would have been frozen solid by now.
With a bomb ticking away in the plane's belly, Chen Jinzhao couldn't afford to give up halfway.
In a flash, Chen Jinzhao devised a solution. He exerted force with his fingers, ripping through the metal plating of the aircraft's exterior to create a few openings. Then, he inserted his fingers into these holes for leverage, inching closer to the bomb.
At this point, he had no choice but to fight with all his might.
The process was agonizing. The aircraft's outer metal layer was incredibly strong. Chen Jinzhao had to expend immense effort to break through it before he could insert his fingers, resulting in sharp edges tearing at his digits. He could only grit his teeth and push forward.
There was also something he wasn't sure was good or bad.
Due to the extreme cold, Chen Jinzhao's fingers had lost all sensation. Therefore, even though his fingers were being sliced by the metal, he felt no pain.
One minute later.
Chen Jinzhao was hanging upside down from the underside of the plane, getting closer and closer to the timed explosive.
Another two minutes passed, and Chen Jinzhao finally reached the timed bomb mechanism. The countdown displayed less than three minutes remaining.
Chen Jinzhao breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he had made it in time.
After taking a deep breath, he began disarming the bomb with one hand. The device was screwed firmly into the fuselage, making it difficult to dismantle quickly. Chen Jinzhao was patient, unscrewing each bolt meticulously as he worked to disable the bomb.
If anyone had witnessed this scene, they would have been utterly shocked.
Chen Jinzhao's palms were a bloody mess, and the screws he had removed were stained with blood and shreds of flesh.
The sight was gruesome.
Chen Jinzhao ignored his injuries. With just over thirty seconds left on the timer, he forcefully ripped the bomb mechanism free and tossed it away.
Whoosh!
Finally, the trouble was over.
Chen Jinzhao felt an immense sense of relief, looking down at the bomb mechanism plummeting towards the ground.
About ten seconds later, the timer detonated, erupting in a dazzling flash of fire in the sky.
The massive blast wave nearly capsized the aircraft, but thanks to the pilot's exceptional skill, the plane was quickly stabilized.
The two escort fighter jets performed evasive maneuvers in the air.
Chen Jinzhao knew they were celebrating.
One of the fighter jets approached Chen Jinzhao. The pilot's face was obscured by a thick helmet, making it impossible for Chen Jinzhao to see their features.
However, the pilot gave him a thumbs-up, eliciting a genuine smile from Chen Jinzhao.
The plane was preparing for an emergency landing. Turbulence caused the fuselage to shake violently. After several jolts, Chen Jinzhao lost his grip on the sharp metal plating and began to fall freely. A startled Chen Jinzhao felt a strong pull abruptly halt his descent after falling several dozen meters.
He had almost forgotten. He was still attached by a rope.
This was his last lifeline.
"I won't die. I will make these people pay!" Chen Jinzhao gritted out, this conviction fueling his will to survive.
However, his previous efforts had drained him significantly. Now, he relaxed his body, letting the wind buffet him, allowing himself to recover his strength as much as possible.
The crew had clearly noticed the anomaly. The plane was circling over a city, not descending further, which would have meant Chen Jinzhao's death.
Two minutes later.
Just as Chen Jinzhao was preparing to climb back up using the rope, his body began to ascend uncontrollably.
In an instant, he understood.
It must be the crew pulling him up. This sparked a warmth in Chen Jinzhao's heart.
While some corners of this world might be filled with filth and depravity, most people were simple and kind.
"If one day I become the God of Spring, I will make the peach blossoms bloom for you," Chen Jinzhao thought to himself.
With the combined efforts of the crew, Chen Jinzhao was finally pulled back into the cabin. The chief flight attendant risked going to close the cabin door, nearly being blown out by the fierce cold wind. Only when the door was secured did everyone finally relax.
"Mr. Chen, how are you feeling now?" a flight attendant inquired.
Upon seeing Chen Jinzhao's bruised skin and mangled hands, the chief flight attendant immediately instructed her subordinates, "Mr. Chen's condition is plain for all to see. Further questions are pointless. Go get the medical supplies immediately."
Prolonged exposure to extreme cold without proper treatment could lead to Chen Jinzhao facing the risk of amputation.
Chen Jinzhao feigned composure and said, "Thank you all for your assistance. Our survival through this ordeal is thanks to your united efforts. I will ensure you receive rewards once the plane lands safely."
The crew members had mixed feelings.
But most of them were stunned by Chen Jinzhao's actions.
To them, Chen Jinzhao was like a superhero!
After retrieving the medical supplies, the chief flight attendant and others began to clean Chen Jinzhao's wounds to prevent infection from airborne bacteria.
The chief flight attendant added, "Mr. Chen, please bear with us a little longer. In another ten minutes, we will be landing at Jiangning Airport."
"Alright," Chen Jinzhao replied with a single word.
Meanwhile.
Far away in Linzhou, Jiang Yangping was anxiously awaiting the outcome.
Upon learning that the two fighter jets he had dispatched had been driven away, Jiang Yangping's heart sank to the bottom. He had a premonition that Chen Jinzhao might escape alive.
"Xiao Li, any new information?" Jiang Yangping asked.
Xiao Li was Jiang Yangping's secretary.
Xiao Li shook his head. "We haven't received any reports of a plane crash yet."
Jiang Yangping's heart skipped a beat. He muttered, "Could the timed bomb have malfunctioned?"
"However, our radar detected an explosion at an altitude of four to five thousand meters above Jiangning. Chen Jinzhao's chartered flight was in that vicinity at the time," Xiao Li reported the latest situation to Jiang Yangping. Upon hearing this, Jiang Yangping instantly understood everything. He slammed his fist on the table, "Well done, Chen Jinzhao! To actually risk your life and go outside the cabin to defuse the bomb, what a ruthless man!"
Failing to kill Chen Jinzhao this time left Jiang Yangping feeling disoriented and uneasy.
He was terrified that Chen Jinzhao might seek revenge if he survived.
Xiao Li seemed to sense Jiang Yangping's thoughts and whispered, "Mr. Jiang, we might still have a chance."
"I know."
Jiang Yangping took a few deep breaths and waved Xiao Li away from his office.
He dialed a number in the capital again and relayed the situation of Chen Jinzhao's chartered flight to an elder. The elder listened in silence for a long time, murmuring, "Could it be that even heaven doesn't want Chen Jinzhao to die?"
"We still have an opportunity, you know," Jiang Yangping said.
The elder fell silent again. Jiang Yangping continued, "As long as we have the resolve, there is nothing we cannot achieve. They say man cannot defy heaven, but in China, aren't we heaven?"
"Please issue your order as soon as possible!"