bantayden Chapter 1291 - 626:
Chapter 1291 - 626:
Within a few minutes, the space portal completely collapsed, and the barrier between the two worlds closed again.
Fang Cheng was certain that even if the Special Search Team turned that plot of land upside down, they wouldn’t find any traces.
Afterward, he excavated Ma Donghe and Hou Peng, who were buried alive by the aftermath of the battle from the pile of mud and stones.
Fang Cheng pulled up the dazed two and quickly withdrew from the scene, which had turned into a wasteland.
The mist in the heart of West Mountain had strong hallucinogenic effects, easily disrupting the senses.
Many examinees had gotten lost in the woods, wandering around like headless flies.
Although Fang Cheng was completely unaffected, to avoid appearing too abrupt, and considering Ma Donghe and Hou Peng were indeed injured, he deliberately found a quiet cave to rest in.
He first efficiently helped the two to reposition their dislocated bones, and then started a fire in the cave, organizing a barbecue right there.
As for the mutated wild boar Ma Donghe mentioned earlier, it sizzled with oil over the fire, turning into the most delicious roast in their mouths.
The three enjoyed the gourmet while resting comfortably in the cave for a few hours.
As dawn approached, they leisurely reached the finish line just in time.
Along the way, they encountered many dusty and exhausted examinees.
From their discussions, they learned that last night, the stationed units of the Special Search Team saw multiple emergency signal flares launched in the exam area, worried about serious safety concerns in West Mountain, thus carrying out such a grand carpet search.
Fang Cheng had already prepared for the worst, drafting in his mind.
If questioned upon entering the camp, he even coordinated flawless stories with Ma Donghe and Hou Peng.
The result, however, was unexpectedly calm.
His eyes slightly shifted, landing his gaze on the east side of the camp.
Several heavy off-road vehicles were parked on the open ground, the bodies covered in mud, and the exhaust pipes were still puffing out white smoke.
A few examiners were fiercely discussing around the map on the engine cover.
Fang Cheng immediately saw the two Special Search Team officers who led the mountain search last night.
The brawny male examiner and the woman in a white uniform, wearing high heels.
Both looked exhausted while flipping through the thick search report, completely ignoring this group of examinees.
No special treatment, no particular questioning.
In the official view, Fang Cheng and his two companions were merely one of the hundreds of disheveled lucky ones who passed tonight.
"Hey, what department do you think we’ll be assigned to after official recruitment based on our exam results?"
Ma Donghe sat on a pile of military supply boxes, seemingly forgetting his injuries, and began fantasizing about the future:
"I think the Equipment Department is quite good, just cleaning guns every day, no need to risk on the front lines, yet comfortably passing the days."
"The Equipment Department is nice, but it requires solid academic scores. At our level, it might be challenging."
Despite the pain, Hou Peng grimaced but excitement shone in his eyes as he quickly joined the discussion:
"I think Intelligence Department is the best. Just sitting in the office enjoying air conditioning, typing on the keyboard, analyzing and compiling various intelligence materials."
"Not only safe, but occasionally can go out for fieldwork, just like a business trip tourism on public expense."
Saying this, he turned to Fang Cheng, with genuine reverence in his tone:
"No matter where, I’ll follow Brother Fang’s lead. Had he not saved me last night, I would’ve been done for in the woods."
"Yes, yes, yes. Our three, let’s look out for each other in the Special Search Team, and grow stronger together!"
Ma Donghe slapped his thigh with force, somewhat excitedly shouting.
It happened to tug on his wound, making him sharply inhale with pain, his facial features instantly scrunching together.
Fang Cheng watched their comical antics, smiling softly, refraining from dampening their spirits.
At this moment, a round sun finally leapt over the distant ridgeline.
Golden morning rays penetrated through the pine forest, dispersing the remaining mist.
The uniquely fresh morning air mixed with the fragrance of pine and cypress, allowing the examinees to finally completely relax their nerves tense all night.
According to the broadcast notification, the physical fitness test officially concluded, with the results calculation requiring around a week.
After the exam supervisor finishes speaking, everyone can take the troop transport vehicle outside the camp to return to the East City District.
"Gurgle—"
Ma Donghe’s stomach issued a thunderous complaint.
"Let’s go, let’s eat. I haven’t slept all night, right now I’m so hungry I could eat a whole cow."
The three followed the guidance to the dining tent at the back of the camp.
The Special Search Team’s logistics support was indeed humane.
Along the long line of metallic tables, they laid out steaming hot food.
Though the presentation was ordinary, the sheer volume meant they were absolutely satisfying, and entirely self-serve.
Thin-skinned, thick-filled buns, rich seafood and shredded meat porridge, baskets of boiled eggs, and large plates of sizzling beef steaks.
Ma Donghe’s eyes turned green as he seized the tray, directly piling the buns and steaks into a precarious small mountain, taking while drooling.
Hou Peng also couldn’t wait to reach for the food on the table.
Fang Cheng’s hunger was actually even more intense than theirs.
The series of outbursts and flying last night had depleted most of his physical reserves.
Although he had just eaten a meal of roasted wild boar in the cave, the portion was far too small.
Even if he alone gnawed off most of a pig’s leg, it was still not enough to fill the void.
Yet in the public eye, Fang Cheng maintained his composure.
He held his tray and only took nine large meat buns, six steaks, along with a bowl of seafood and shredded meat porridge.
He then walked to a corner, sat down, and chewed and swallowed slowly, avoiding revealing his terrifying appetite, like a black hole.
Just as Fang Cheng drank half a bowl of hot porridge.
In his sight, three figures in tattered camouflage uniforms walked straight over.
The leader was the police academy student, Yan Rui.
His close-cropped hair was stained with mud and ash, a band-aid on his face, and his gaze pierced through the crowded people, landing accurately on Fang Cheng.
Ma Donghe was burying his head, gnawing on buns, his mouth bulging, and couldn’t bother to look up.
Hou Peng, however, was particularly alert, immediately putting down the boiled egg in his hand, straightening up, and staring intently at the newcomers.
Yan Rui stopped in front of the table, proactively extending his right hand:
"Let’s reintroduce ourselves, graduate of the National Special Police Officer Academy, Yan Rui."
Fang Cheng put down the porridge bowl, pulled out a napkin to wipe the grease off his joints, and calmly extended his hand for a handshake:
"Fang Cheng."
Yan Rui released his hand and leaned his body slightly forward, moving closer to Fang Cheng’s ear.
Then, speaking in a volume only the two could hear, he softly said:
"About last night, thanks."
He paused, his tone very sincere:
"Rest assured, regarding the encounter with you in the woods earlier, the three of us told the examiners nothing."
After speaking, a slight smile squeezed onto Yan Rui’s usually stern face.
He nodded at Fang Cheng, then turned around, leading his two companions towards another food line.
Fang Cheng sat in place, lifted the remaining half bowl of shredded meat porridge, and his gaze followed Yan Rui’s retreating figure.
Interesting.
Last night, Yan Rui and the others did indeed see him and Grey Eagle deviating from the route to search for the ruins’ entrance.
Fang Cheng had already prepared a story, planning to blame everything on the mysterious masked man if an official investigation occurred.
Unexpectedly, this police academy student took it upon himself to smooth out this flaw.
Was it meant as leverage, or just a gesture of goodwill?
Fang Cheng replayed Yan Rui’s look and tone in his mind.
No bluff, rather straightforward and candid.
It seemed more like pure kindness.
Fang Cheng’s lips curled into a slight smile.
Then, he tilted his head back and drank the remaining meat porridge in a few gulps, finishing it cleanly.
It seems this Special Search Team exam has yielded quite a bit.
Not only has he unexpectedly uncovered the secrets of the ancient civilization ruins of West Mountain, personally stepping into the Otherworld.
More importantly, in last night’s intense combat, several fighting skills experiences saw significant improvement.
Moreover, he even unlocked the near-divine skill of "Flying" as he had hoped.
Fang Cheng looked at the panel information only he could see before him:
[Boxing Experience +30]
[Boxing Lv3 (536/1000)]
[Sanda Experience +30]
[Sanda Lv3 (226/1000)]
[Jujutsu Experience +25]
[Jujutsu Lv2 (482/500)]
[Muay Thai Experience +20]
[Muay Thai Lv2 (471/500)]
Fang Cheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Next, he planned to use the stable environment provided by the Special Search Team to continue diligently honing his skills.
Aim to further upgrade various fighting skills as soon as possible to solidify his strength.