Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1255 - 609

The confrontation concluded as swiftly as it began.

A frigid gust, thick with the metallic tang of blood, swept through the forest clearing, rustling a few crimson-stained fallen leaves.

With each step, Fang Cheng's feet crunched on the fragmented rock debris, the sound a faint, grating noise.

A subtle, golden glint could be perceived deep within his piercing eyes.

His seemingly slender frame, enveloped by an eerie gray mist, emanated a palpable, suffocating pressure.

Drenched in a cold sweat, the lanky man found his camouflage jacket clinging damply to his back.

He hastily retreated half a pace, his military boot soles scraping against the damp earth, desperately trying to widen the chasm between them.

He knew that betraying the organization's crucial secrets and divulging classified information would seal his fate, leaving no path for retreat but death.

Yet...

His gaze flickered towards the distance, where a massive pine tree lay snapped in two, a testament to Fang Cheng's sheer power.

If he were to act the hero now, the gruesome remains of his fallen comrades scattered on the ground would undoubtedly become his own immediate future.

Death was inevitable, but prolonging his demise seemed a far better prospect than being pulverized instantly.

Even the densest of minds could discern the logical choice here!

This thought spurred the tall, thin man to grit his teeth in silent resolve.

Should he manage to survive this trial within the military zone, he could vanish with a new identity, perhaps even seeking refuge abroad.

"Have you reached a decision?"

Fang Cheng allowed him no further time for contemplation, his gaze fixing upon the man with an intensity that felt almost physical. His voice, calm and measured, continued:

"Disclose your identity and affiliations first, and I might consider granting you a dignified burial."

These words, laced with undisguised contempt, echoed the very taunts the tall, thin man had hurled earlier.

Now, returned by Fang Cheng with unwavering accuracy, they struck the hearts of the ruthless criminals like a colossal hammer, causing them to falter.

"I've decided! I've made my choice!"

Cold sweat beaded on the tall, thin man's forehead as he hastened his reply:

"On our assignments, my brothers often referred to me as 'Grey Eagle.' You may address me as Xiao Hui if you prefer."

As if to underscore his sincerity, he swallowed hard and spoke with hurried urgency:

"We operate as independent mercenaries, taking jobs from the black market. Our usual tasks involve minor clean-up operations or reconnaissance. We don't typically have deep connections with each other."

"This particular operation brought us together; someone offered a substantial sum to forcibly assemble us. They specifically directed us into the West Mountain examination grounds for their own purposes."

"I swear, we weren't deliberately targeting you or intending to harm the examinees. We were merely hired hands fulfilling an external contract."

As he spoke, he hastily discarded the blood-stained dagger, letting his hands fall obediently to his sides.

He feared causing any misstep that might ignite the wrath of the humanoid T-Rex before him.

Fang Cheng observed him with an impassive expression before posing his next question:

"Your objective was to locate the entrance to the ancient civilization ruins in West Mountain, correct?"

"Yes, yes, that's right!"

Grey Eagle nodded vigorously, a forced, ingratiating smile spreading across his face. He bowed so deeply his body formed nearly a ninety-degree angle:

"As you've just heard, the reason we went to such lengths to infiltrate the examination hall wasn't for a position in the Special Search Team, but to discover a concealed entry point to the West Mountain ruins."

"You believe aimless wandering in the forest will help you pinpoint the ruins?"

Hou Peng, clutching his dagger, his eyes darting nervously, couldn't resist interjecting.

"It wasn't aimless."

Sensing that Fang Cheng and the others possessed knowledge of West Mountain's hidden secrets, Grey Eagle dared not withhold the full truth. He quickly elaborated:

"Recently, the magnetic field in West Mountain has become exceedingly erratic, creating several weak points in the spatial barrier.

"The Special Search Team detected this anomaly, initiated a grid search, and ultimately narrowed the potential location to the core area of West Mountain – precisely where this physical test is being conducted."

"Our employer, armed with this precise information, spared no effort in dispatching us, intending to find the new spatial rift before the Special Search Team could."

As he spoke, Grey Eagle swallowed hard, a flicker of avaricious excitement momentarily surfacing, unconcealed, in his eyes:

"You must understand, the military maintains strict control over the existing ruin entrance, keeping it sealed and monopolized."

"If we could uncover a new passage, access that mysterious, vast New World, and retrieve some ancient technology or perhaps gene-altering Heavenly Treasures... the potential rewards would be beyond comprehension!"

"Wealth would be the least of it. With the resources gleaned from within the ruins, we could attain Extraordinary Power and truly ascend above the common masses!"

"Hmph!"

Ma Donghe scoffed dismissively, his tone dripping with disdain as he interjected.

"You think too highly of yourselves. Just a few of you puny wretches think you can score big under the military’s and Special Search Team’s noses? Without fear of breaking your own teeth!"

Grey Eagle felt his face twitch from the scolding, but catching sight of Fang Cheng’s emotionless eyes, he immediately swallowed his anger back down.

He bent his spine lower and tentatively offered:

"Brothers, since we’re all here for the ruins of the ancient civilization and to take the Special Search Team exam, why don’t we join forces..."

"Join forces?"

Fang Cheng cut him off, his tone still calm:

"Can you make that decision? Why don’t you first contact your backer and have them come out to talk to me?"

"This... I..."

Grey Eagle stammered at this, his lips trembling slightly, his eyes darting around the dark forest.

He was visibly nervous, stuttering unable to form a complete word.

Seeing his guilty demeanor, Ma Donghe took a heavy step forward.