587: Chapter 587 West Mountain, the Mysterious Place That Reappears

On the huge electronic screen, rows of red subtitles were scrolling.

[Physical Fitness Test and Assessment]

[Location: Xishan Military Restricted Zone - B3 Garrison Sector]

[Subject Name: All-Terrain Cross-Country Running and Wilderness Survival]

[Exam Requirements: Candidates must trek across the designated area and arrive at the finish line on time.]

[Additional Exam Location Provisions: Field combat uniforms, marching rucksacks, fully loaded with a weight of 20 kilograms.]

"Cross-country running at Xishan?"

Ma Donghe widened his eyes, staring at the screen with a blank expression:

"Aren't the exams supposed to be weightlifting, long jump, high jump, and 100-meter sprints on the track and field? I even bought the new Nike sports vest, so why has it been changed to mountain climbing?"

Fang Cheng tilted his face up, his gaze falling on the two characters 'Xishan', his eyes flickering slightly.

Xishan was definitely not a peaceful place.

In November of last year, a mysterious massive explosion had just occurred there.

At that time, the wildfire spread across the skies, followed by a bizarre black rain, causing panic throughout all of Dongdu.

The situation even affected Xiguan District and several surrounding urban areas, and the locality underwent a full month of strict control and lockdown.

After the fire was extinguished, the military directly established a military restricted zone in parts of Xishan, pulling up barbed wire to restrict ordinary citizens from approaching.

Even now, the blockade had not been completely lifted.

Late at night, harsh air raid sirens could still occasionally be heard faintly coming from the depths of Xishan.

The aftermath of this mysterious explosion stirred up surging undercurrents within the circle of extraordinary individuals, having a rather far-reaching impact.

Fang Cheng himself had been drawn into it multiple times, either actively or passively.

Not to mention the distant past, the treasure-snatching incident at Lu Family Manor on Miwu Mountain previously arose because of the golden bumpa bottle that leaked out from the Ancient Tomb in Xishan.

Recently, in order to save people, he had personally wiped out the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group at Silver Wing Building, leading to a direct conflict with the military.

And the military's unscrupulous capture of extraordinary individuals as experimental Materials seemed to involve the entrance to some ancient civilization ruins located in Xishan behind the scenes.

Fang Cheng stroked his chin with his right hand, countless thoughts instantly flashing through his mind.

The Special Investigation Team would actually set the examination venue for the enrollment exam in such a sensitive military restricted zone...

Was it simply a venue arrangement, or was there another purpose?

In the hall, buzzing discussions sounded one after another.

The surrounding candidates who were collecting their admission tickets obviously saw this notice as well.

Everyone whispered to each other, and the focus was entirely concentrated on the physical fitness test on the third day.

"What is going on? Didn't they previously test basic physical fitness events, and as long as your scores met the standard, you could pass?"

"Cross-country running plus wilderness survival? And they didn't even give detailed mileage and time? I don't understand how this is going to be tested."

"Sigh, I've been practicing 100-meter sprints and weightlifting for half a year, and now all that effort has gone to waste!"

"Exactly, changing the exam subjects at the last minute is just too informal..."

Listening to the complaints continuously coming from around them, Wei Zheng sighed slightly, lowering his voice to explain to the two of Fang Cheng:

"The higher-ups changed their minds at the last minute. Originally, the assessment plan had already been finalized, but Director Ling suddenly intervened."

"He said that what the Special Investigation Team wants are soldiers who can fight hard battles, not dead muscles trained in the gym."

"So with a wave of his pen, he canceled all the original physical fitness assessment items and dragged people directly to Xishan for cross-country running."

Fang Cheng withdrew his gaze from the electronic screen and asked seemingly casually:

"Were there similar precedents in the past?"

Wei Zheng frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and replied:

"This kind of assessment method was only used a few times more than a dozen years ago when the Special Investigation Team was just restructured."

"Later, because there were too many variables in the wilderness exam venue, prone to accidents and cheating, coupled with the difficulty of quantifying scores and too much controversy triggered, it was abolished long ago."

Speaking of this, he seemed to remember something, and immediately added another sentence:

"Right, the restructuring of the Special Investigation Team back then was also fully spearheaded by the newly appointed Director Ling Shaofeng, laying the current pattern within the team of valuing technology and making martial arts secondary."

Hearing this, Fang Cheng narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

Ma Donghe, however, curled his lips indifferently:

"Who cares who spearheaded it? An exam is an exam no matter what is tested."

Wei Zheng watched the two's expressions, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes:

"To be honest, I didn't expect that after so long, the wilderness exam venue would be dug up again in the re-examination this year."

"You must mentally prepare yourselves. The depths of Xishan have not been fully developed yet, and the terrain is extremely complex."

"Besides, that place is now a military restricted zone. Since the exam includes a survival assessment, the difficulty is definitely not low, and even... there might be danger."

"Danger?"

Upon hearing this, not only was Ma Donghe not scared, but he grinned instead, revealing a row of white teeth:

"That's even better. I find it most annoying to run and jump around like a student, and I thought I was back at school participating in a sports meeting."

"Fighting with real swords and guns is actually my strong suit."

As he spoke, he patted his thick chest forcefully with a domineering look:

"During the preliminary exam last time, wasn't wilderness extreme survival tested as well?"

"I even ripped a wild wolf apart with my bare hands! This time it's just carrying an extra bag and running along a mountain road, how big of a deal could it be?"

Looking at Ma Donghe's carefree appearance, Wei Zheng shook his head helplessly.

The preliminary exam was just training and screening aimed at idle people in society.

How could it possibly be compared to a regular civil service examination.

He stopped paying attention to Ma Donghe, turned his head to look at Fang Cheng, his expression turning a bit more solemn:

"This man Ling Shaofeng is extremely unfathomable, always plans before acting, 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 Teacher that Ling Shaofeng has recently paid close attention to intelligence regarding Xishan, and seems to be secretly launching a certain operation, investing a massive amount of manpower and material resources."

"Therefore, this exam being changed to Xishan is definitely not a coincidence..."

Just as Wei Zheng was speaking, his voice suddenly paused.

He keenly sensed something, and his gaze instantly crossed Fang Cheng's shoulder, falling upon the crowd behind.

Fang Cheng's pupils moved slightly, glancing backward accordingly.

A few meters away, a skinny man wearing a loose gray suit was casting his gaze toward this side.

This person had a pair of obvious prominent ears, high cheekbones, and his eyes revealed a thief's glint.

Seeing that his eavesdropping had been discovered, the skinny man shrank his neck and revealed an awkward, ingratiating smile.

Then, pretending to be nonchalant, he turned around, squeezed into the crowd, and quickly slipped away without a trace.

Wei Zheng did not pursue the matter, but because of this, he interrupted the topic of continuing to talk about the upper echelons of the Special Investigation Team.

Taking advantage of the action of adjusting his collar, he leaned closer to Fang Cheng and instructed in a low voice:

"Junior Brother Fang, try to follow Donghe when the time comes."

"Although it is an individual assessment, there are many variables in the wilderness, and looking out for each other is always good. The medical team's assessment standard is to be able to finish running the entire course with a load to pass, without needing to compete for rankings with those combat personnel."

"Alright, I will take note of that."

Fang Cheng nodded, his expression still as calm as water.

He withdrew his gaze from the direction where the skinny man had disappeared, and then swept across his surroundings.

A few young candidates wearing camouflage uniforms and possessing stern temperaments particularly caught his attention.

Although those people were not wearing police academy uniforms, their standing postures were like pine trees, and the web spaces of their hands were covered with thick calluses.

Clearly, they were all seasoned practitioners who touched guns year-round and practiced hard kung fu.

Among them, a young man with a buzz cut seemed to sense Fang Cheng's scrutinizing gaze.

He turned his head to the side, and the two gazes intersected in mid-air.

The buzz-cut man's gaze scraped over like knives, carrying a sharp intent.

Fang Cheng calmly looked away, the corners of his mouth curving into an arc.

Wilderness survival?

For him, this was at least more interesting than lifting iron in the training hall.

In that kind of complex, concealed wilderness environment full of uncontrollable factors,

certain methods that were inconvenient to display under surveillance cameras might instead find their practical use...

"Alright, the procedures are all done."

Wei Zheng raised his wrist and glanced at the time on the dial:

"The two of you go back today to get a good rest, build up your energy, and first deal with tomorrow's written test."

As he spoke, he glared at Ma Donghe:

"Especially you, Donghe, stop eating and drinking indiscriminately everywhere."

"If you get diarrhea on the day of the exam, your family's old man will definitely skin you alive."

"Understood, understood! Rest assured when I handle things."

Ma Donghe chuckled and patted his chest in assurance.

The three of them passed through the sensing glass door, walked out of the noisy administrative hall, and stood on the broad granite steps.

A slightly sultry breeze blew across their faces.

The square was still bustling; looking out, there were faces with various expressions everywhere.

Fang Cheng took a deep breath and stepped down the steps.

Walking halfway, he stopped his footsteps and turned his head back.

Looking up once again at the building behind him that symbolized the country's highest extraordinary law enforcement authority.

The huge metal national emblem refracted a chilly halo under the sunlight.

Fang Cheng's gaze crossed the dense crowd, his eyes deep and calm.

No matter how many forces and calculations were intertwined inside the Special Investigation Team,

since he had decided to enter the game, this massive state machine was destined to become a brand-new hunting ground for him to extract resources and step onto the Peak.

...

At past eight o'clock in the evening.

The night in Wanghu Town always arrived earlier and was more peaceful than the urban area.

As two beams of blinding headlights pierced through the darkness, the black Land Rover SUV slowly drove into the old street and parked at the corner of the wall.

The engine was cut.

Fang Cheng pushed open the door, got out of the car, and closed the door with his backhand.

Almost at the same time, the lights in the courtyard lit up, and the heavy wooden door was pushed open from the inside.

Mother Li Biyun greeted him wearing an apron, her tone revealing a bit of complaint and heartache:

"How did it get so late? I called you and you didn't answer."

She looked Fang Cheng up and down by the light, her eyes full of care:

"Have you eaten? Half a pot of spare rib soup is still being kept warm in the kitchen pot, I deliberately saved it for you, you can drink it once you heat it up."

"I ate in the urban area, Mom."

Fang Cheng locked the car, a trace of a gentle smile appearing on his face:

"My phone was on silent earlier, I didn't hear it. Ma Donghe and I ate outside, we are very full, no need to busy yourself."

He followed his mother into the courtyard and saw Grandfather Li Zhenhua also draped in a coat, standing at the doorway of the living room.

The old man had obviously been waiting for news all along. When he saw Fang Cheng, the wrinkles on his face relaxed quite a bit, and he asked impatiently:

"A-Cheng, how is it over at the Special Investigation Team? Are the procedures all settled? Have you figured out the exam process?"

"They're all done."

Fang Cheng walked over to the coffee table, poured himself a cup of warm water, and moistened his somewhat dry throat:

"I collected the admission ticket and checked the exam venue. The first written test starts tomorrow morning, the interview is the day after tomorrow, and the physical fitness test is three days from now."

"As for the exam questions, they are all within expectations. I am 100% sure, you can rest assured."

"That's good, that's good!"

Watching his grandson's full-of-confidence appearance, Grandfather Li Zhenhua nodded repeatedly, his face glowing:

"I knew it, our family's A-Cheng has been smart since he was a kid, and studying and exams have never made anyone worry. No matter how high the threshold of the Special Investigation Team is, it will definitely not stump you!"

"Alright Dad, praise Chengcheng a little less."

Li Biyun interrupted from the side, gently pushing Fang Cheng's back:

"Go take a bath quickly and sleep early. You must build up your spirit before the exam, don't stay up late at all, otherwise you'll easily feel sleepy in the exam room tomorrow."

She urged verbally, yet couldn't help nagging a few more sentences:

"Tell Mom if you lack anything. What do you want to eat tomorrow morning? Shall Mom make you hand-rolled noodles? Add two poached eggs?"

"Alright, as long as it's light."

Fang Cheng nodded obediently, not refusing this care.

He said goodnight to his grandfather and mother, and turned to go upstairs.

He pushed open the bedroom door on the second floor and locked it from the inside.

With a soft click.

The gentle smile on Fang Cheng's face instantly faded, and his originally relaxed spine straightened slightly.

The whole person was like a sharp blade out of its sheath, recovering his habitual sternness and depth.

He walked to the window, drew the curtains, leaving only a crack to observe the night outside.

Returning so late was of course not just to look at an exam venue.

After coming out from the Special Investigation Team headquarters, he and Ma Donghe casually found a restaurant nearby to settle lunch, and then parted ways.

That roughneck Ma Donghe said he had to hurry home to memorize exam questions, trying to cram.

As for Fang Cheng, he drove to Jinshui Fish Market.

The renovation project there was going on in full swing.

As his preset secret base, the old renovation waste of the entire small building had been completely dismantled and cleared out.

Lin Chuqiao was indeed a talent.

In just a few weeks, she not only resolved the complex company business license issue, but also procured a batch of military-grade soundproofing Materials and security equipment through private channels.

At the dusty construction site, Fang Cheng and she carefully finalized subsequent safety measures and monitoring arrangements, and also specially encouraged her with a few words.

Lin Chuqiao didn't take the opportunity to complain and act spoiled like before; instead, the more she invested in the base's construction, the more she enjoyed it.

Looking at this woman who had turned into a workaholic, Fang Cheng couldn't help smiling helplessly.

After leaving Jinshui Fish Market, he then went to that apartment in Haitian Garden.

In recent days, apart from the early morning daily training plan, there was rarely time and condition to practice combat skills.

No one disturbed him there, making it a great place to concentrate on practicing kung fu.

For a full three hours, he practiced Muay Thai knee and elbow attacks, Jiu-Jitsu aerial rolls, and ground grappling.

Without using extraordinary strength and speed, he just polished his skills over and over again, engraving those killing techniques into his bone marrow.

As for dinner, he didn't eat with anyone either.

Instead, alone in the room, he finished off more than a dozen catties of high-calorie braised beef and five roast chickens.

If he hadn't filled his stomach early on, coming back home, the little bit of food his mother left behind probably wouldn't even be enough between his teeth.

"Tomorrow, the written test..."

Fang Cheng walked to the bedside, glanced at the review Materials placed on the table, the corners of his mouth curving into an indifferent arc.

For someone like him with photographic memory, questions of that level were simply child's play, completely unnecessary to waste energy on cramming at the last minute.

In contrast, another matter weighed more heavily on his mind.

Fang Cheng took off his shoes, got on the bed, and sat cross-legged upright.

He adjusted his breathing frequency, his spine straight like a pine tree.

His hands hung naturally on his knees, and his eyes slowly closed.

As his consciousness sank, the surrounding world receded like a tide.

Ever since he forcibly suppressed that bizarre 'fiend mask' last time,

he keenly sensed that his Inner Scene World seemed to have undergone some subtle and profound changes.