Stronger with More Jobs-Chapter 430 - 229: Thus Begins the Cruelty of It All

Chapter 430: Chapter 229: Thus Begins the Cruelty of It All

The mountain road leading to Black Pine Ridge was rugged and bumpy.

The chassis of the reinforced and modified military off-road vehicle emitted a dull scraping sound.

Outside the window, the rolling hills were covered with dark green vegetation, sunlight spilling through the thick clouds, casting dappled shadows, yet unable to dispel the increasingly thick oppressive feeling in the air, mixed with the smell of decaying leaves and earth.

The atmosphere inside the car was somewhat stifling.

Chu Kuanglan closed his eyes to rest, Lu Jiuyuan was cleaning the sword handle, Wei Banmeng’s cold eyes gazed at the quickly receding scenery outside the window, while Jiang Wei held a tablet, her small face expressionless.

Fang Qingyu sat in the passenger seat, his gaze sweeping over the figure sitting in the driver’s seat, steady as a tower.

Fierce Tiger Company Captain Zhang Tiezhu.

"Captain Zhang," Fang Qingyu broke the silence, his voice calm, "How many years have you been in the army?"

Zhang Tiezhu’s hand on the steering wheel was very steady. Hearing the question, a simple and slightly embarrassed smile appeared on his dark face, and he habitually scratched the back of his head with his free left hand: "More than ten years, Captain Fang. Joined the army when I was eighteen, as a rookie just getting familiar with the rifle, they said I... uh, had decent muscles and bones, some martial arts background, and picked me to participate in that ’Martial Artist’ selection."

He paused, his voice carrying a hint of emotion, and also a trace of imperceptible regret: "Trained, yes, but the talent... it’s really not great. Unlike geniuses like Captain Fang, after more than ten years, I barely managed to reach the Peak of Profound, yet still far from the Grandmaster realm. This lifetime, probably just like this."

As Fang Qingyu listened, a flicker of understanding flashed in the depths of his eyes, like melted gold.

Peak of Profound, in the Pocket World Blessed Land or Hidden Dragon Plan, might not count for much.

But here is the frontline, a place confronting the Life Ghost flesh mill for over ten years!

Over ten years, evolving from a new recruit to the captain of the sharp blade company, surviving countless battles with Life Ghost and growing his strength to Peak of Profound...

This itself is an extremely formidable skill!

This requires not only talent but also a steely will honed at the brink of life and death countless times, an instinct to fight, and a terribly resilient survival capability.

No wonder Commander Zhou sent him to cooperate.

This is not just trust but also recognition of Zhang Tiezhu and his Fierce Tiger Company’s strength.

"Being able to survive is a skill."

Fang Qingyu looked at Zhang Tiezhu’s rough palm and resolute profile, his tone carrying a hint of respect, "Peak of Profound, on the frontline, is already a backbone. Fierce Tiger Company, true to its name."

Zhang Tiezhu was momentarily stunned, evidently not expecting the rumored genius who could defeat a Grandmaster with one punch to say so.

He grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, a bit of warmth in his eyes: "Thank you, Captain Fang! Our Fierce Tiger Company, if nothing else, has one thing."

"Hard bones! Follow orders! Captain Fang and comrades point us where, we hit where!"

...

The convoy moved forward amidst the bumps for more than an hour.

The road ahead grew narrower and more rugged, the air’s decaying chill becoming even thicker.

Finally, they stopped at a relatively open sloped platform.

"Captain Fang, we’ve arrived! Ahead is the outer camp of Black Pine Ridge!"

Zhang Tiezhu turned off the engine and pushed open the car door.

Everyone got out, a cold wind mixed with the smell of damp, decaying vegetation rushed to meet them.

Before them was a simple field camp established on the slope.

A few deep green large tents, piles of supplies covered with camouflage nets, makeshift lookout posts, and a circular fortification made of sandbags and barbed wire.

Behind the camp was the entrance to a giant depression where the terrain suddenly dropped.

The sight at the entrance was disheartening.

On either side were steep, dark green pine forest-covered mountain walls, like the closed jaws of a giant beast.

The mouth of the depression was narrow, only allowing three or four people to walk side by side.

And most notably, in front of the mouth, was a layer of almost imperceptible, water wave-like transparent light membrane, completely sealing the mouth.

The light membrane emitted a faint energy fluctuation, giving a feeling of toughness and solidity.

Looking through this light membrane inside, the interior scene was even more bizarre.

It was a village ruin, forgotten deep within the mountain depression.

The village was not large, perhaps around a hundred households, but now only ruins and remnants remained.

Collapsed adobe houses, decayed wooden beams, overgrown wild grass, and twisted, eerie dead trees formed the main colors.

Sunlight seemed blocked out by an invisible force, making the light inside the depression exceptionally dim, shrouded in a persistent gray mist.

Silence, absolute silence!

No bird calls or insect chirps could be heard, as if even the air was frozen.

This was the "Ghost Village," classified as an absolute forbidden zone in the real world.

Black Pine Ridge.

"Captain Fang, comrades, this is Black Pine Ridge." Zhang Tiezhu pointed at the light membrane, his voice deep and serious, "This is the ’Super-Durable Force Field’ deployed from above."

Fang Qingyu nodded, his gaze penetrating the force field.

He scanned the silent ruins, seemingly sensing the cold malice contained within them.

"Leave the luggage at the camp first, let’s go in and survey the terrain."

Fang Qingyu ordered.

Soon, the five placed down their simple luggage.

Zhang Tiezhu, along with two elite lieutenants, accompanied Fang Qingyu’s team towards the transparent force field light membrane.

Fang Qingyu led the way, stepping forward. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Like passing through a cold water curtain, the body felt a moment of sluggishness, then he stood firmly on solid ground.

An even colder, damper sensation, with a strong rancid and indescribable "filth" smell, instantly enveloped everyone.