Chapter 587
West Mountain, the Mysterious Place That Reappears
On the huge electronic screen, lines of red subtitles scrolled.
[Physical Fitness Test Assessment]
Location: Xishan Military Restricted Area, B3 Garrison Area
[Subject Name: All-Terrain Trail Running and Wilderness Survival]
[Exam Requirements: Candidates must traverse a designated area on foot and arrive at the finish line on time.]
[The testing center will provide: field combat uniform, pack bag, and a total load capacity of 20 kg.]
"Let's go off-roading in Xishan?"
Ma Dong-hyuk stared wide-eyed at the screen, looking completely bewildered.
"Weren't the tests supposed to be weightlifting, long jump, high jump, and 100-meter sprint on the track and field? I even bought the new Nike sports vest. Why has it been changed to mountain climbing?"
Fang Cheng tilted his head back, his gaze falling on the two characters "Xishan," his eyes flickering slightly.
Xishan is not a peaceful place.
Last November, a mysterious explosion occurred there.
At that time, wildfires spread across the land, followed by a strange black rain, causing panic throughout the entire Eastern Capital.
The situation even affected Xiguan District and several surrounding urban areas, where strict control and lockdown were implemented for a full month.
After the fire was extinguished, the military established a military restricted area in parts of Xishan, erecting barbed wire to restrict ordinary citizens from approaching.
Even now, the lockdown has not been completely lifted.
Even late at night, the piercing sound of air raid sirens could occasionally be faintly heard coming from the depths of the Western Hills.
The aftershocks of this mysterious explosion stirred up a turbulent undercurrent within the community of supernatural beings, with far-reaching consequences.
Fang Cheng himself was involved in it multiple times, whether willingly or unwillingly.
To take a recent example, the treasure hunt at the Lu Family Manor in Misty Mountain was triggered by the discovery of the Golden Bamba Bottle from the Xishan Ancient Tomb.
Recently, in order to save people, he personally wiped out the Bloodthorn Mercenary Group at the Silverwing Building, which led to a direct conflict with the military.
The military's ruthless methods of capturing superhumans for experimental purposes seem to be linked to the entrance of an ancient civilization site located in Xishan.
Fang Cheng stroked his chin with his right hand, countless thoughts flashing through his mind in an instant.
The special search team actually set up the entrance exam venue in such a sensitive military restricted area...
Is it simply a matter of venue arrangement, or is there another purpose?
A buzzing sound of discussion rose up in the hall.
The other test takers picking up their admission tickets had obviously also seen the notice.
The crowd whispered amongst themselves, all focused on the physical fitness test on the third day.
"What's going on? Didn't we used to only have basic physical fitness tests, and as long as we met the requirements, we could pass?"
"Trail running plus wilderness survival? They haven't even given the detailed distance and time? I don't understand how they're going to test it."
"Sigh, I've been training in 100-meter sprints and weightlifting for half a year, and now it's all been for nothing!"
"Yeah, changing the exam format at the last minute is so unprofessional..."
Hearing the constant complaints around him, Wei Zheng sighed softly and lowered his voice to explain to Fang Cheng and the other man:
"This was a last-minute change of plans from above. The assessment plan had already been finalized when Chief of Staff Ling suddenly intervened."
He said the special search team needs soldiers who can fight tough battles, not dead muscles built up in the gym.
"So he wrote a few words and canceled all the original physical fitness test items, and directly took people to the West Mountain for cross-country running."
Fang Cheng turned his gaze away from the electronic screen and asked casually:
Are there any similar precedents?
Wei Zheng frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and replied:
"This kind of assessment method was only used a few times more than a decade ago when the Special Search Team was first restructured."
"Later, because there were too many variables in the field test sites, accidents and cheating were likely to occur, and the results were difficult to quantify, which caused too much controversy, so it was abolished long ago."
At this point, he seemed to remember something and then added:
"By the way, the restructuring of the Special Search Team back then was also spearheaded by the newly appointed Chief of Staff Ling Shaofeng, which laid the foundation for the team's current structure of emphasizing technology and downplaying martial arts."
Upon hearing this, Fang Cheng narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Ma Donghe, however, nonchalantly curled his lip:
"Who cares who's in charge? Whatever the test is, it's still a test."
Wei Zheng glanced at the two men's behavior, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes:
"To be honest, I didn't expect that after so long, the field test site would be brought out again in this year's re-examination."
"You need to be mentally prepared that the area deep in the Western Hills is not yet fully developed and the terrain is extremely complex."
"Moreover, that area is currently a military restricted zone. Since the exam includes a survival assessment, the difficulty is definitely not low, and there might even be... danger."
"Danger?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Donghe was not frightened at all; instead, he grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.
"That's great! I hate running and jumping around like a student. It feels like I'm going back to school for a sports meet."
"Fighting with real swords and spears is actually my forte."
As he spoke, he patted his broad chest forcefully, his face full of arrogance:
"Didn't the preliminary test last time also include a wilderness survival test?"
"I once tore a wolf apart with my bare hands! This time it's just carrying an extra bag and running on a mountain road, what's the big deal?"
Seeing Ma Donghe's carefree attitude, Wei Zheng shook his head helplessly.
The preliminary test was a training and screening process specifically for unemployed individuals.
How can it possibly be compared to a regular civil service exam?
He ignored Ma Donghe and turned to look at Fang Cheng, his expression becoming more serious.
"Ling Shaofeng is a very shrewd and calculating person. He always plans things out before he acts and would never change the exam rules without a reason."
"Although I am not an examiner and am not clear about the specific arrangements of the exam, I heard from the teacher that Ling Shaofeng has been paying close attention to intelligence from Xishan recently, and it seems that he is secretly carrying out some kind of operation, investing a lot of manpower and resources."
"Therefore, the fact that this exam was moved to Xishan is definitely not a coincidence..."
Wei Zheng was speaking when he suddenly paused.
He sensed something keenly, and his gaze instantly swept past Fang Cheng's shoulder, landing on the crowd behind them.
Fang Cheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he glanced back.
Just a few meters away, a thin man in a large gray suit was looking in their direction.
This man had prominent, protruding ears, high cheekbones, and a thieving glint in his eyes.
Realizing he'd been caught eavesdropping, the skinny man shrank back and gave an awkward, sheepish laugh.
Then, pretending nothing had happened, he turned and squeezed into the crowd, quickly disappearing from sight.
Wei Zheng did not pursue the matter, but this also interrupted the discussion about the high-ranking members of the Special Investigation Team.
He used the act of adjusting his collar to move closer to Fang Cheng and whispered his instructions:
"Junior Brother Fang, try to stay with Dong He as much as possible."
"Although it's an individual assessment, there are many variables in the field, so it's always good to have someone to look out for you. The medical team's assessment standard is that they can pass if they can run the entire course with a load, so they don't need to compete with the combat personnel for rankings."
"Okay, I'll be careful."
Fang Cheng nodded, his expression remaining calm and composed.
His gaze shifted from the direction where the gaunt man had disappeared, then swept across the surroundings.
Several young candidates dressed in camouflage and with a cool demeanor particularly caught his attention.
Although those men weren't wearing police academy uniforms, they stood upright like pine trees, and their hands were covered with thick calluses.
They were clearly seasoned professionals who had handled guns for years and honed their skills.
One of the young men, with a buzz cut, seemed to notice Fang Cheng's scrutinizing gaze.
He turned his head, and their eyes met in mid-air.
The man with the buzz cut glared at me with a sharp, piercing gaze.
Fang Cheng calmly looked away, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Wilderness survival?
This was at least more interesting for him than lifting weights in the gym.
In that complex, hidden, and uncontrollable wilderness environment.
Some methods that are inconvenient to show under surveillance cameras may actually find their place...
"Alright, all the formalities are complete." Wei Zheng raised his wrist and glanced at the time on the dial:
"You two go back and get some rest today, conserve your energy, and focus on getting through tomorrow's written test."
As he spoke, he glared at Ma Donghe:
"Especially you, Donghyuk, stop eating and drinking like that everywhere you go."
"If you get diarrhea on the day of the exam, your old man will skin you alive."
"I know, I know! You can trust me to handle things."
Ma Dong-hyuk chuckled and patted his chest to assure him.
The three of them walked through the sensor-activated glass doors, out of the bustling service hall, and stood on the wide granite steps.
A slightly hot breeze brushed against my face.
The square was still bustling with activity, and everywhere you looked, there were faces with all sorts of expressions.
Fang Cheng took a deep breath and stepped down the stairs.
Halfway there, he stopped and turned around.
Looking up again at the building behind me, a symbol of the nation's highest and most extraordinary law enforcement power.
The huge metal national emblem reflected a cold halo in the sunlight.
Fang Cheng's gaze swept over the dense crowd, his eyes deep and calm.
No matter how many powerful forces and schemes are entrenched within the Special Investigations Team.
Having decided to enter the game, this massive state apparatus is destined to become his new hunting ground for acquiring resources and reaching the pinnacle.
....................................
It was around 8 p.m.
Nights in Wanghu Town always come earlier and are quieter than in the city.
As two bright headlights pierced the darkness, the black Land Rover SUV slowly drove into the old street and parked at the corner of the wall.
The engine shut off.
Fang Cheng pushed open the car door and got out, then closed the door behind him.
Almost at the same time, the lights in the courtyard came on, and the heavy wooden door was pushed open from the inside.
Mother Li Biyun, wearing an apron, came out to greet them, her tone revealing a mixture of reproach and heartache:
"Why are you up so late? I called you but you didn't answer."
She looked Fang Cheng up and down under the lamplight, her eyes full of concern:
"Have you eaten yet? There's still half a pot of pork rib soup warming in the kitchen. I specially saved it for you. You can drink it after heating it up."
"I've already eaten in the city, Mom."
Fang Cheng locked the car, a gentle smile appearing on his face:
"My phone was on silent, so I didn't hear it. Ma Donghe and I ate out and had a big meal, so we don't need to do anything."
He followed his mother into the yard and saw his maternal grandfather, Li Zhenhua, also wearing a coat and standing at the entrance to the living room.
The old man had clearly been waiting for news. When he saw Fang Cheng, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out considerably, and he asked impatiently:
"Acheng, how's it going with the special search team? Have all the paperwork been completed? Have they figured out the exam process?"
"Everything is done."
Fang Cheng walked to the coffee table, poured himself a glass of warm water, and moistened his slightly dry throat.
"I've received my admission ticket and checked out the exam venue. The first written exam starts tomorrow morning, followed by the interview the day after, and the physical fitness test the day after that."
"As for the exam questions, they are all within expectations. I am fully confident, so you can rest assured."
"That's good, that's good!"
Seeing his grandson's confident demeanor, Li Zhenhua nodded repeatedly, his face beaming.
"I knew it! Our Cheng has been smart since he was little. He's never caused us any trouble with his studies or exams. No matter how high the threshold for the Special Investigation Team is, it won't be a problem for you!"
"Alright, Dad, stop praising Chengcheng so much."
Li Biyun interrupted from the side, gently nudging Fang Cheng's back:
"Go upstairs and take a shower, then go to bed early. You need to be well-rested before the exam, so don't stay up late, or you'll easily feel sleepy during the exam tomorrow."
She urged him on verbally, but couldn't help nagging a few more times:
"Just tell Mom if you need anything. What do you want to eat tomorrow morning? Mom will make you hand-pulled noodles with two poached eggs."
"Okay, something light is fine."
Fang Cheng nodded obediently, not rejecting this concern.
He said goodnight to his grandfather and mother, then turned and went upstairs.
Push open the door to the second-floor bedroom and lock it from the inside.
A soft "click" sounded.
Fang Cheng's gentle smile vanished instantly, and his previously relaxed back straightened slightly.
He was like a drawn blade, regaining his usual coldness and profundity.
He walked to the window, drew the curtains, leaving only a crack to observe the night outside.
Coming back so late, it's certainly not just to check out the exam venue.
After leaving the Special Investigation Team headquarters, he and Ma Donghe found a restaurant nearby to have lunch, and then went their separate ways.
Ma Donghe, that roughneck, said he needed to hurry home to memorize the exam questions, trying to cram at the last minute.
Fang Cheng then drove to the Jinshui Fish Market.
The renovation project there is in full swing.
As his planned secret base, the old renovation waste of the entire small building has been completely demolished and cleared out.
Lin Chuqiao is indeed a talented person.
In just a few weeks, they not only resolved the complicated issue of the company's business license, but also obtained a batch of military-grade soundproofing materials and security equipment through private channels.
At the dusty construction site, Fang Cheng and she carefully finalized the subsequent safety measures and monitoring arrangements, and he also gave her a few words of encouragement.
Lin Chuqiao didn't take the opportunity to complain or act coquettish as she used to. Instead, the more she devoted herself to the construction of the base, the more she enjoyed it.
Fang Cheng looked at this woman who had transformed into a workaholic and couldn't help but smile helplessly.
After leaving the Jinshui Fish Market, he went to the apartment in Haitian Garden.
In recent days, apart from the daily training schedule in the early morning, there has been very little time and opportunity to practice combat skills.
There's no one to disturb you there, making it a perfect place to concentrate on your training.
For three whole hours, he practiced Muay Thai knee and elbow strikes, and Jiu-Jitsu aerial rolls and ground chokes.
He didn't use extraordinary strength or speed, but simply honed his skills over and over again, engraving those killing techniques into his very bones.
As for dinner, he didn't eat with anyone.
Instead, he stayed in the house alone and devoured over ten kilograms of high-calorie braised beef and five roast chickens.
If I hadn't eaten beforehand, the little food my mother left for me when I got home probably wouldn't have been enough to even fill a tooth gap.
"Tomorrow, the written exam..."
Fang Cheng walked to the bedside, glanced at the review materials on the table, and a nonchalant smile appeared on his lips.
For someone with a photographic memory like him, those kinds of questions were child's play, and there was absolutely no need to waste energy cramming at the last minute.
In contrast, another matter concerned him more.
Fang Cheng took off his shoes, got into bed, and sat cross-legged.
He adjusted his breathing rhythm and straightened his back like a pine tree.
Her hands hung naturally on her knees, and her eyes slowly closed.
As consciousness sinks, the surrounding world recedes like the tide.
Since the last time we forcibly suppressed that eerie "demon mask".
He keenly sensed that some subtle yet profound changes seemed to be occurring in his inner world. (End of Chapter)