Chapter 461 Lhasa Sojourn !
Beneath the glistening surface of the water, mere meters below their vessel's keel, a colossal shadow, as dark as midnight, surged forth from the abyss. It was an enigmatic entity, both awe-inspiring and terrifying. This otherworldly apparition made its fleeting appearance, a mere three to five seconds in the inky depths.
"Dear God, what in heaven's name was that?" quivered one voice, trembling with fear.
"Mom, I was positively petrified! What on Earth was that?" cried another, the anxiety in their voice palpable.
"At least three hundred meters in length, it couldn't have been a sea snake. There's nothing known to man of such staggering proportions," declared a third voice, grappling with the inconceivable.
A hushed silence followed as their collective understanding of the world beneath the waves unraveled before their eyes. They hadn't fathomed the existence of such colossal denizens lurking in the ocean's shadowy depths. In comparison, the Loch Ness Monster seemed feeble.
Even the ship's seasoned captain, his countenance befuddled, remained in stunned disbelief. His mouth agape, he seemed suspended in time.
It wasn't until a voice broke through the eerie silence that the crew returned to reality. "How can this be? The power systems have malfunctioned!"
"Report! The entire avionics system is in disarray!"
"The communication system has failed, we've lost all contact!"
Additional fault indicators blazed to life in mere seconds, their clamorous alarms echoing throughout the warship's command center.
Dear God!
What had occurred to their mighty vessel?
As the captain, now fully recovered, prepared to order a comprehensive investigation into the source of these malfunctions, a frantic sailor stumbled into the room, urgently shouting, "Our warship is taking on water! It's flooding rapidly! Everyone, evacuate immediately! Grab life jackets!"
What!
Was their warship indeed sinking?
The captain bellowed, "Seal the watertight compartments swiftly! Implement all measures to ensure our warship does not meet its demise. This guided missile destroyer is worth over a billion dollars!"
"Captain, it's too late. Our ship will sink any moment now."
Before the captain could retort, he beheld a mass exodus onto the deck. Crew members, some hastily donning life jackets, others frantically lowering lifeboats, all sought escape.
The captain reached for the satellite phone on board, intending to relay the dire situation to his superiors, only to discover that the communication system had ceased functioning. Frustration overwhelmed him, and he cast the device to the ground before hurrying out.
The warship's descent was swift. Its pronounced tilt was unmistakable in a matter of minutes, and it was destined for the depths within a mere twenty minutes. None aboard comprehended the colossal gashes that marred the vessel's underside, steel plates seemingly etched asunder by monstrous, razor-sharp talons.
***
Meanwhile, in the tranquil heart of Lhasa.
Liu Yong and his companions had arrived the previous day, nestled in the finest local hotel, relishing the region's culinary delights.
The previous afternoon had been leisurely, with no visits to Bu Palace or Jokhang Temple yet. Instead, they had wandered along Barkhor Street, savoring every moment.
Their sojourn had been relatively untroubled, though altitude sickness had struck Li Changle. Gasping for breath after just a few steps, she experienced tightness in her chest and mild dizziness, typical symptoms for those unacquainted with Tibet's lofty elevations. Ailan, a seasoned Tibet traveler, also exhibited some signs of discomfort but fared better than Li Changle, a Tibet neophyte.
As for Liu Yong, he seemed entirely unaffected.
Observing Li Changle's plight, Liu Yong swiftly procured several oxygen canisters, which helped alleviate her discomfort.
Today marked the conclusion of their adjustment period, with Li Changle's altitude sickness waning. She now resembled her former self, fit and healthy.
In the morning, Ailan guided them to the illustrious Potala Palace. The place was bustling with visitors, but Ailan had secured their spot by queuing up in the predawn hours.
Entering the Potala Palace was akin to stepping into a gilded realm. The inner sanctum housed golden effigies adorned with a mesmerizing array of precious gemstones. Each statue weighed a dozen to dozens of tons in solid gold. Liu Yong couldn't help but marvel at the opulence. He was no stranger to wealth, yet this was on an entirely different scale. Within the Potala Palace, the least valuable treasure was gold itself.
With ample time and freedom, they explored the palace for hours. Upon emerging, Liu Yong and Li Changle posed for numerous photographs in the grand square before the court.
As dusk descended upon the city, Liu Yong suggested, "I believe we're all a bit famished. Xiao Ai, lead us to the finest eatery around, and I'll foot the bill personally. No need to involve the travel agency this time."
Xiao Ai concurred, "Brother Liu, I know of an exceptional restaurant, but it specializes in Sichuan cuisine."
Waving aside concerns, Liu Yong replied, "Let's give Sichuan cuisine a try, then. Lead the way."
Embarking in a luxurious vehicle, the travel agency's finest, driven by a taciturn Tibetan chauffeur, they traversed Lhasa's winding streets. Sichuan restaurants seemed to pepper every corner of the city, a culinary abundance. Xiao Ai's recommendation was amongst the best.
Liu Yong paid no heed to the price, and the following meal cost upwards of ten thousand yuan. Even then, he considered it quite reasonable.
Once again exposed to a world of luxury, Xiao Ai marveled that a single meal could cost tens of thousands.
Post-dinner, Xiao Ai inquired, "Brother Liu, should we explore the city by night or retire to the hotel?"
Having spent the day leisurely, Liu Yong was relaxed. However, considering Li Changle's condition, he consented, "Let's return to the hotel. Li Changle is feeling a bit tired."
Thus, they made their way back.
Their off-road vehicle pulled up at the entrance of a luxurious five-star establishment, the crème de la crème of local accommodations. Only three presidential suites graced this hotel, and Liu Yong had secured one for their stay.
Once ensconced in the suite, Li Changle nonchalantly tossed her bag onto the lobby's plush sofa. "Brother Yong, I'm truly exhausted. I think I'll take a hot bath."
Concerned, Liu Yong offered, "Would you like me to prepare the hot water for you?"
She declined, saying, "No need, I can handle it myself."
As Li Changle disappeared into the bathroom, Liu Yong settled onto the sofa, retrieving his phone. First, he checked the group chat of Universal Enterprise Group's middle and upper management. All appeared well, and nothing seemed to warrant his concern.
Next, he delved into the news. A particular headline seized his attention.
It read: "Country. M's Guided Missile Destroyer Sinks in South Atlantic Ocean: Enigmatic 300-Meter Creature Blamed for Attack."
Liu Yong was momentarily stupefied. Could this colossal, 300-meter monstrosity be the same entity that had crossed paths with the Overlord in their prior encounter?
It was voiceless and possessed no tools, yet it had apparently incapacitated a warship. Could it have been its razor-sharp claws?
After several moments of introspection, Liu Yong's anxiety deepened as he pondered the fate of his own vessel.
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