Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups-Chapter 1154 - 562

On the overpass, the traffic slowly crawled.

Fang Cheng did not immediately respond but tapped his index finger rhythmically on the steering wheel, producing a muffled thud-thud sound.

After a few seconds of silence, he slowly opened his mouth:

"How are they doing now?"

"Very cooperative and compliant."

The Professor was evidently prepared, and his answer was articulate:

"For safety’s sake, I also arranged for them to stay at Yunlin Cottage, with Old Chen and Eagle Eye taking turns watching over them."

"They have sharp senses and high vigilance, and as soon as there’s any movement, they’ll immediately notice."

These words implied: Until you give the nod, these three individuals are both rescued victims and suspects under house arrest, with no chance of escape.

Fang Cheng nodded slightly, then asked again:

"Have you checked their backgrounds?"

"We questioned them through the night last night."

The Professor flipped through the notebook beside him, accompanied by the sound of rustling paper, and reported in detail:

"The two young people are a couple. The man is Zhang Kuan, twenty-four years old, originally an ordinary mechanic, but his awakened ability is ’Mechanical Intuition.’

This is a very rare talent. He may not be able to create machines out of nowhere, but he possesses an incredible ability to learn technology. As long as his hands have touched it, he can intuitively grasp the internal structure and operational logic of a machine, enabling rapid repairs and modifications. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

According to what he confessed, within just two months of awakening, he became the top modification master in the underground racing scene of East Capital. It was precisely because of this miraculous modification technology that he attracted the attention of the Bloodthorn Mercenary Corps, who needed vehicles modified.

His girlfriend is Jiang Yun, twenty-two years old, formerly a nurse, with abilities inclined towards psychic perception.

Besides being able to sharply detect the emotions of people around her and distinguish between malice and goodwill, she seems... to possess a certain potential for ’Mind Reading.’

The Professor’s tone seemed somewhat unsure:

During the questioning, several times I hadn’t even expressed a question, and she seemed to anticipate it and quickly gave an answer.

But this is just my perception and requires further observation.

After a slight pause, the Professor continued:

As for the little girl, she’s an orphan, has no formal name, claiming to be ’Bean,’ only twelve years old this year.

Her ability is ’Animal Communication,’ able to control city small animals like rats, sparrows, or stray cats and dogs.

Previously, she survived on the streets by directing these little creatures to steal food from restaurant kitchens.

After introducing the three individuals, the Professor sighed:

They’ve all drifted here from other provinces, with no familial relations in East Capital; their backgrounds are as clean as a blank page.

Currently, they’re in a state of panic and confusion, huddled in their room, afraid to come out, not knowing where to go.

At this point, the Professor’s voice slightly raised, with a hint of probing:

I’ve briefly observed them, and these people don’t seem to have bad personalities or any deceitful intentions.

Although their ability ratings are low and their combat power is limited, in assistance roles, they’re all quite unique.

Zhang Kuan can handle equipment maintenance and vehicle modifications, Xiao Yun can handle intelligence discernment and early warning, Bean is a natural scout.

If nurtured properly, they could be very beneficial to the future development of the organization. My suggestion is to try to bring them in.

Fang Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly.

Currently, the Illuminati is in its infancy, and manpower is scarce.

If they truly have clean backgrounds, it indeed presents an opportunity to supplement fresh blood.

But the crux lies precisely in the word ’trust.’

The human heart is elusive, and without prolonged interaction and examination, who dares guarantee that their backgrounds are genuinely clean and that they’re honest and reliable?

The recruitment of old Chen, Eagle Eye, Xiao Ya, Fatty Hu, Fei Ying by the Professor previously.

Those are backed by the Professor’s personal credibility; they are descendants of old friends or long-known acquaintances, aware of each other’s backgrounds.

That guarantee is why Fang Cheng chose to accept them without reservation.

Moreover, after the baptism of last night’s battle, these new members have proven their loyalty and reliability with practical actions, fully capable of undertaking major tasks, and may even be considered for more important roles in the future.

But these three strangers are different.

Fang Cheng’s caution stems not just from the fear of traitors leaking the secrets of the Illuminati.

More importantly, it’s about setting rules at the very inception of the organization.

The Illuminati’s mission is to be a beacon in the Dark World, not a shelter, nor a rabble anyone can enter.

Thoughts swiftly turned in his mind, and he glanced at the time on the navigation.

There’s only ten minutes left until the agreed time with Lin Chuqiao.

"Got it."

Fang Cheng looked at the traffic ahead, which had finally started to loosen, and said casually:

"Keep an eye on them, make sure nothing goes wrong."

"I’m going to pick up Chu Qiao now, and I’ll meet with you in the afternoon."

After speaking, he hung up the phone and tossed the cellphone back into the bag on the passenger seat.

As the road ahead cleared, the engine let out a low rumble, and the black sedan, like an agile fish, swiftly threaded through the traffic holes and accelerated onto the fast lane.

Fang Cheng cast his gaze towards the ever-extending overpass, his eyes deep and calm.

Whether those so-called ’potential stocks’ are truly worth recruiting.

Listening to reports isn’t enough; you have to personally assess them in the afternoon to decide.

After all, hearing is believing, seeing is the truth.

.........

Jiangbei Suburb, Qinghe Ancient Town.

Passing through a lush grove, amid the greenery conceals a farmhouse guesthouse named ’Hidden Cloud Cottage.’