Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1359 - 657:

Wei Zheng was dressed in the crisp, dark green uniform of the Special Search Team, his regulation button fastened securely, with the silver stars on his epaulettes glistening in the sunlight.

He held a blue folder in his hands and quickly descended the steps.

The newcomers around him, who were still making a commotion, immediately fell silent at the sight of the rank insignia on his shoulders and unconsciously straightened their postures.

Wei Zheng maintained a stern expression as he walked through the crowd until he reached the three before him, where his cold demeanor melted into a gentle smile.

"Have you been waiting long? There was some traffic on the way, and I just got here as well."

Raising the folder in his hand, Wei Zheng explained:

"Come, the few of you follow me inside first to handle the paperwork. The lobby is full of people today, and waiting in line could be painstakingly slow; I’ll take you through the fast track."

"Brother Wei, always so dignified!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Donghe immediately gave a thumbs-up, then nudged Hou Peng with his elbow, signaling him to keep pace.

The three followed behind Wei Zheng, passing through the internal security check via a side entrance, and entered the service hall on the first floor of the headquarters building.

A cool breeze met them, instantly dispelling the summer heat.

The hall was extremely spacious, with colossal electronic screens scrolling through various departmental red-tape documents.

Uniformed staff moved back and forth with archives in hand, and the sound of ringing phones echoed continuously.

Wei Zheng led them to the far left to the "New Personnel Identity Registration Room."

A long line of dozens was waiting at the door.

Wei Zheng walked straight up, pushed open the half-closed glass door, and placed his work ID firmly on the table.

The clerical staffer behind the desk was engrossed in checking forms, and upon being interrupted, frowned and was about to speak.

However, as she glanced up and saw the rank insignia on Wei Zheng’s epaulettes, she swallowed the rebuke that was about to leave her lips.

"Chief Wei, what brings you here personally?"

She stood up promptly, replacing her expression with a fawning smile.

"I’m here to process the records for three newcomers."

With a calm tone and the natural authority of a superior, Wei Zheng announced with no room for negotiation: "Here’s their roster documentation, let’s proceed with the process."

"Alright, please hold on."

The clerical officer deftly operated the console, flipping open the metallic lid of the adjacent machine.

The registration procedure was exceedingly meticulous and precise, embodying the imposing regulations of the state apparatus.

First came the iris scan, with a cobalt beam gliding over Fang Cheng and the others’ pupils.

Next was the fingerprint collection process for all ten fingers.

Lastly, a mechanical arm with an attached syringe emerged, pricking Fang Cheng’s fingertip to draw two milliliters of blood.

As the needle descended, Fang Cheng deliberately withdrew his True Qi, ensuring his fingertip’s flesh relaxed completely.

So that the frail metal syringe could pierce the skin smoothly, without being forcibly bent by his robust muscle fibers.

Watching the blood flow through the transparent tube into the analyzer, Fang Cheng wore a composed expression, though his mind remained keenly aware.

The Special Search Team’s grip on the biometric data of its personnel was exceedingly stringent.

The numerous medical examinations served as a vital means to thwart mutants and hostile forces from disguising and infiltrating.

However, he was a bona fide human, entirely unconcerned about such constitution tests.

Besides, Shi Chengyi had paved the way earlier, enabling his recruitment under the guise of a Martial Artist.

This endorsement was sufficient to account for the extraordinary vitality coursing through his blood.

Upon completing the procedure, the printer dispensed three black magnetic cards imprinted with photos and embedded chips.

The trio accepted the magnetic cards, then each signed their names in three thick volumes of confidentiality agreements.

"Once you’ve signed, you’re officially part of the Special Search Team."

Watching them pen their names swiftly, Wei Zheng nodded with satisfaction:

"Come, let’s go to the logistics equipment office to collect your uniforms. On the way, I’ll give you a general brief of the headquarters’ layout."

The four proceeded along the main corridor toward the elevator.

The hallway was flanked with one-way glass, occasionally offering glimpses through door gaps of serious meetings inside.

"Our building here has thirty-three floors above ground and five floors below."

Walking ahead, Wei Zheng’s voice was steady and clear:

"The underground primarily houses detention rooms, interrogation zones, and large equipment storage. The first to fifth floors make up the Logistics Department, handling medical care, equipment distribution, dining, and more — this is the department you’ll interact with most frequently."

Ma Donghe, briskly moving with crutches, interjected:

"So where’s the department that handles the fighting?"

"The Action Department occupies floors six to fifteen."

Raising his right hand, Wei Zheng pointed above, elaborating on the matter:

"This area harbors the most combat personnel in the team, with the heaviest firefighting presence. They’re at the forefront of clearing anomalies and tackling supernatural terror events."

"Donghe, you’ll head to the twelfth floor to report momentarily."

Peering from behind Ma Donghe, Hou Peng raised his hand slightly and asked softly:

"Chief Wei, what about the Intelligence Department?"

His assessment this time reported the intelligence collection position.

"Floors sixteen to twenty."

Wei Zheng glanced back at Hou Peng, responding with patience:

"This department mainly handles information collection, network monitoring, and abnormal data analysis. The work here is relatively safe but mentally taxing, fitting for someone meticulous like you."

He paused and then gestured upward to the tower’s higher section:

"Above the twenty-first floor is the Research Department. The folks in lab coats there focus on biochemical weapons and mutated organism research, subject to strict control. Try to avoid going there without reason."

"Above that, there are smaller departments, including the Investigation, Organization, Financial, Administrative, and Staff Departments, along with other more specialized areas."

"As for the thirty-third floor at the very top..."

Wei Zheng’s tone dropped slightly, inadvertently filled with a hint of reverence:

"That’s Chief Ling Shaofeng’s office; without a summons from the chief, no one may approach of their own volition."

Just then, the group turned a corner, arriving at the skybridge connecting the north and south annexes.

The skybridge floor was laid with polished marble, while the sides were lined with floor-to-ceiling glass, boasting excellent lighting.

Ahead, a man clad in a gray suit, of slender build, emerged from the opposite elevator area.

This person’s appearance was somewhat sharp, as he glanced down at the document he held.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly lifted his head, revealing an old scar at the corner of his eye.

His gaze bypassed Wei Zheng, landing directly on Fang Cheng at the rear.

Fang Cheng cast his eyes over as well.

Their gazes met in mid-air.

The slender man abruptly halted as though stepping onto a scalding iron, his body experiencing a moment of rigidity.

His pupils contracted rapidly, Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.

His hand holding the document twitched uncontrollably, causing the paper’s edge to brush with a faint rustling sound.

This man was exactly Director Lu Tianming of the Internal Investigation Department.

Fang Cheng maintained an unchanged expression, his pace steady, though his peripheral vision lightly swept over that terrified face.

The memory of that night at the West Mountain examination site flashed simultaneously in both their minds.

Recalling the monster that treaded air, plowing the entire forest into ruin, now contrasted against the gentle, harmless visage before them.

Lu Tianming instantly felt cold sweat break out on his back, causing his clothes to cling uncomfortably to his skin.

He reacted quickly, forcibly averting his gaze from Fang Cheng’s face, pretending to glance at his wristwatch, muttering:

"Ah, my memory’s slipping, I forgot! I still need to get the supplementary report on the West Mountain incident from the Classified Records Room."

Making excuses for himself, he then swiveled around abruptly, like fleeing from a pursuing beast, hastening away.

"Director Lu!"

Seeing this, Wei Zheng paused, extending a courteous greeting.

But Lu Tianming acted as if deaf, entirely ignoring Wei Zheng’s salutation. Instead, he quickened his pace.

The sound of his shoes tapping frantically against the marble floor echoed sharp and hurried, as he swiftly retreated into the elevator area, pressing the down button posthaste.

As the elevator doors that just opened closed again, his silhouette vanished instantly without a trace.

"Who’s that skinny monkey? Looked like he saw a ghost."

Ma Donghe, leaning on his crutch, gazed at the tightly shut elevator doors, looking completely baffled.

Retracting his hand suspended mid-air, Wei Zheng’s brow slightly furrowed, he turned and quietly warned:

"Shut your mouth, don’t assign random nicknames. That was Director Lu Tianming of the Internal Investigation Department!"