Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1219 - 592_2

"Whether the examiner bestows compassionate marks is all up to destiny!"

With that declaration, he pointed his cigarette-wielding finger at Fang Cheng and let out a chuckle. "I noticed you submitted your paper early too. What’s the problem? Are you also struggling with those theoretical questions and decided to just let it go, like I did?"

In Ma Donghe’s estimation, while Fang Cheng was a legitimate university student, he was, at heart, a martial artist who began his journey in a boxing club. After years since graduation and indulging in a relaxed lifestyle, how much could he possibly recall from the dusty theories in textbooks? Furthermore, this examination seemed to be a product of last-minute cramming. Aside from the law, which was his strong suit, facing those arcane and challenging psychology and political science queries, his head likely throbbed no less than mine did.

Fang Cheng listened, his lips curving into a slight smile. He saw no need to explain that he had already committed all past exam papers to memory. Instead, he played along with Ma Donghe’s sentiment, responding, "That’s about right. I’ve put down all that I could. The remainder hinges on how high the Special Search Team decides to set the passing threshold."

"You have an open mind, that's the spirit!" Ma Donghe guffawed, his fan-like hand vigorously thumping Fang Cheng’s shoulder, causing his collar to shake. "We martial artists depend on our fists and valor, not on scribbling essays to vanquish foes. When the physical test arrives on the third day, that’s when we’ll truly demonstrate our capabilities!"

Glancing around and noting that no one nearby was paying them heed, he lowered his voice, leaning closer to Fang Cheng. "I made some inquiries yesterday. The upcoming wilderness survival expedition to West Mountain might present a more intricate environment than we initially anticipated."

"Not only will we be tasked with running with weights, but we must also remain vigilant against mutated beasts lurking in the mountains, a consequence of the recent explosion incident."

Fang Cheng offered a subtle nod, his expression composed. "Given that the Special Search Team chose such a location for the exam, it’s certainly not merely a standard cross-country run. How have you prepared yourself?"

"Have no worries." Ma Donghe flicked ash from his cigarette with two fingers, a flourish imbued with confidence. "I grew up wrestling wild boars in these mountains. When we venture into West Mountain, stick close to me, and I guarantee we’ll see the expedition through to the end!"

The moment he finished speaking, he abruptly realized something.

The seemingly refined and delicate junior brother before him was, in reality, a ferocious beast concealed within human guise. In the wild, should they encounter mutated beasts, it remained uncertain who would become the prey.

Perhaps I should focus on clinging tightly to this formidable ally instead!

With this thought, Ma Donghe scratched his head sheepishly, managed an awkward laugh, and quickly amended his statement: "Ah, what I meant was, I’m quite familiar with the mountain terrain. I can take the lead, ensuring we don’t waste precious energy by aimlessly wandering through the woods."

Fang Cheng observed Ma Donghe’s self-assured bearing and also smiled, nodding. "Very well, I shall depend on you then." Ma Donghe flashed a grin, the earlier awkwardness now masked.

The two stood beneath the cool shade of a tree, engaged in easy conversation. Ma Donghe took a few more drags from his cigarette, watching the smoke curl and dissipate before a sudden recollection surfaced.

"Oh, right, Ah Cheng, aside from the physical assessment, you should also give some thought to tomorrow’s interview."

"Why is that?" Fang Cheng turned his head to look at him.

"Didn’t I already mention the preliminary test during our gathering at Wangjiang Building?" Ma Donghe set down his cigarette, his expression growing somewhat serious. "Among the selections for the initial test, besides wilderness survival and freestyle combat, there’s a psychological evaluation termed 'Abyssal Echo.'"

"It sounds deceptively simple, but in reality, it proves incredibly insidious." His tone faltered, as if dredging up an unpleasant memory, his features contorting. "I assumed all I had to do was ingest a pill, recline on a chair, and drift off to sleep. But the instant I closed my eyes, I witnessed my deceased grandfather emerging from the earth!"

"The old man was caked in blood, brandishing a butcher’s knife, pointing it directly at my face and denouncing me as an unfilial descendant who had tarnished the Ma Family’s honor. He pursued me, intent on severing my head."

"Damn it all, the sheer realism of it nearly sent me into cardiac arrest!"

Ma Donghe spat emphatically as he recounted this, a fierce resolve hardening his features. "Fortunately, I’ve possessed a brave spirit since childhood. Though I’ve never encountered a ghost, I’ve never harbored fear towards them either."

"To see this old man, buried for so many years, still attempting to lecture me ignited a fiery anger within, so I lunged forward and swung my arm, delivering several resounding slaps!"

"It is truly as the saying goes: even ghosts fear the wrath of a villain. After those two slaps, the old man vanished!"

Fang Cheng couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at the preposterous act of "defying one’s own family with righteousness."

"Ahem..."

Ma Donghe, realizing he had strayed, quickly cleared his throat to steer the conversation back on course:

"What I’m trying to say is, given the peculiar nature of things, since the initial examination featured such strange inquiries, the psychological evaluation during this retake will probably follow suit, perhaps even more bizarre."

"After all, the difficulty of the retake is bound to overshadow the initial test. To be perfectly honest, a flicker of unease has begun to stir within me, and I’m uncertain how challenging tomorrow’s interview will turn out to be."

"Didn’t you achieve a high score previously?"

Fang Cheng inquired nonchalantly.

"Indeed I did!"

Ma Donghe instinctively puffed out his chest, an air of pride emanating from him:

"The proctor remarked that I possessed exceptional willpower, demonstrating courage by throwing punches when faced with apprehension, and thus merited the highest possible mark."

"However... due to my performance during the test being somewhat... outlandish, they saw fit to deduct forty points."

"Forty points were deducted?"

Fang Cheng’s eyebrows arched in curiosity.