Start with push-ups to gain experience

Chapter 292 Happiness Around Us, Safer Ways to Contact Us
Over the next few hours, the atmosphere in the room became strangely harmonious.

The two had a friendly and productive discussion on how to play the challenging role of a "triple agent".

Fang Cheng patiently taught Xu Hao some basic counter-surveillance and secure rendezvous techniques.

These methods mostly originate from fragmented memories obtained from movies and TV series in previous lives. Although they are not systematic, they are exceptionally practical for the current situation.

For example, how to use public places for contactless intelligence transmission, how to identify simple surveillance equipment and tracking signs, and how to successfully obtain classified information.

And the gestures and coded language used by the two when they meet, each with a specific meaning.

Fang Cheng explained things clearly and meticulously, with a well-organized structure. He even simulated several scenarios on the spot for Xu Hao to practice.

Xu Hao was secretly alarmed upon hearing this, and his gaze toward Fang Cheng became increasingly wary, as he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Could this guy have been a secret agent before? He's so skilled at this.

At the same time, it completely dispelled any侥幸心理 (侥幸心理 refers to a mentality of taking chances or hoping to get away with something) that might have been considered a fluke.

This new "boss" is meticulous and shrewd, and definitely not someone who can be easily fooled.

With the "teaching" session concluded, Fang Cheng, seeing that Xu Hao had basically grasped the essentials, gave him his first formal task:
"I'm giving you three days. Use all the connections you have to find out the current progress of the Noah Organization's investigation into me personally. How much information do they have? What are their next steps? Can you do it?"

Xu Hao took a deep breath, abandoning his previous student-like demeanor, and his face became serious:
"I try my best."

"very good."

Seeing that he agreed so readily, Fang Cheng nodded in satisfaction.

Although Xu Hao's loyalty is questionable and his abilities are limited, if used properly, he can undoubtedly add a very valuable trump card to one's own game in a turbulent situation.

Xu Hao sat on the sofa, secretly making up his mind as well.

In any case, he must survive this dangerous game.

Because he still had very important things to do, and he absolutely could not die here without knowing why!
The room fell silent again for a short while, with only the sound of their breathing and the faint noise of the city outside the window.

As Xu Hao was pondering how to begin the investigation, he suddenly sensed something was amiss.

The room seemed...too quiet.

He suddenly looked up and was shocked to find...

Fang Cheng, who was originally sitting on the opposite sofa, has disappeared.

Xu Hao suddenly stood up and rushed to the door. The door was ajar, and the corridor outside was quiet.

The guards were lying sprawled on the ground.

They were all fast asleep, with drool still hanging from the corners of their mouths, almost dripping down their collars.

"Get the hell up, all of you!"

Xu Hao cursed under his breath and kicked them one by one.

The henchmen were kicked awake, rubbing their sleepy eyes and touching the back of their heads that were throbbing slightly, looking at their boss with blank expressions.

"Hao...Brother Hao, what's wrong?"

"Huh, how did I fall asleep..."

"Sleep with your grandpa!"

Xu Hao was furious at their stupidity, but remembering Fang Cheng's elusive nature, he didn't bother to scold his underlings anymore.

"What's wrong? I was talking to a friend and you guys were snoring at the door, trying to keep me entertained?"

"Get out of here, all of you go wash your faces and be more presentable."

He waved his hand, which served as a cover for Fang Cheng, who had already left.

....................................

at dusk.

Jiangdong District, Global Elite Fighting Club.

The afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long, warm patches of light on the floor.

Inside the training hall, the trainees had gradually left, and the noise slowly subsided.

Only the occasional clatter of equipment and the hum of the air conditioner remained, making the space feel exceptionally spacious and quiet.

Fang Cheng, shirtless, was tirelessly striking a large sandbag.

Sweat dripped down the defined lines of his muscles.

boom! boom! boom!
Each punch was powerful and heavy, causing the sturdy sandbag to shake violently and the hanging iron frame to creak under the strain.

Given Fang Cheng's current physical condition, this level of training would hardly bring about any increase in skills or experience.

But he didn't stop, as if what was hanging in front of him wasn't a sandbag, but an enemy lurking in the shadows.

Fang Cheng used this pure, violent physical method of collision to vent the pressure in his heart, while also sorting out his chaotic thoughts.

Although the brief encounter with the special investigation team did not expose his true identity, the name "White Owl" has likely been firmly remembered by the other side, and there will certainly be no shortage of trouble in the future.

The mysterious Noah organization is like an invisible net, slowly tightening its grip in the shadows.

They have already begun investigating him, and once his hidden true identity is confirmed, the consequences will be unimaginable.

These past two days, Fang Cheng has remained vigilant, carefully observing his surroundings whether he is near his residence or on his way to work.

However, with his current heightened senses far exceeding those of ordinary people, he did not discover any obvious signs of tracking or surveillance.

Perhaps Noah's investigation is still in a very early stage, having only gathered some basic information and not yet taken any substantive action.

Alternatively, after listing themselves as key targets for observation, they became more cautious and did not make any close contact rashly, lest they alert the enemy.

However... Fang Cheng knew very well that this calm was only temporary.

Since they were able to find out about the raid on Wu Shih-hao's rice noodle factory last year, let's follow the trail.

He discovered that he was the real culprit who destroyed Wu Shih-hao's gang, orchestrated the "massacre" at the dock warehouse, and also wiped out the entire team of pursuers at the garbage disposal plant.

It's probably just a matter of time.

The only thing that might confuse them is the speed at which their own strength is increasing.

After all, with a skill panel, one's strength improves almost daily.

In just a few months, he has continuously broken through physical limits that are unimaginable to ordinary people, and his combat power has undergone tremendous changes.

Just like in the battle at the flour mill, even though he fought with all his might, he could only deal with the siege of a few dozen ordinary gang members, ultimately killing more than a dozen and seriously injuring most of them.

This is a stark contrast to the two subsequent near-overwhelming victories and the image of a "psychopathic killer."

Logically speaking, they should find it hard to believe that this was done by the same person.

Perhaps, just as Xu Hao had guessed before.

They tend to believe that behind the public identity of "Ma Donghe," there exists a mysterious organization that is equally powerful and hostile to Noah.

Fang Cheng was never worried about himself.

With his current strength and the potential to continue growing in the future, even if he can't win, he's still confident he can escape.

His real worries were about his family members, including his mother, maternal grandfather, and uncle, as well as his close friends and family, such as Zhou Xiumei and Wen Xin.

If one day...

What should you do if the Noah Organization discovers your true identity and threatens you with the lives of your family and friends?
Thinking of this, Fang Cheng's eyes suddenly turned cold, and the power of his deliberately restrained punches and kicks unconsciously increased!

boom--

The sandbags let out a muffled thud as they were overburdened, and the chains connecting them shook violently.

It instantly swung up an arc nearly as tall as a person, almost parallel to the ground.

"We must find a way to completely eliminate this hidden danger!"

Fang Cheng punched and kicked while thinking of a solution.

Right now, we either need to take the initiative.

Using the intelligence provided by Xu Hao, the mole, we should try our best to find the Noah Organization members lurking in Dongdu City, and find an opportunity to wipe them out and eliminate them completely.

However, this plan is extremely difficult, requiring not only absolute confidence in its capabilities but also a perfect timing to gather everyone together. Moreover, even if successful, there's no guarantee that intelligence won't be prematurely relayed back to Noah headquarters.

As a large multinational organization, they will inevitably send more and more skilled personnel to continue investigating the situation.

At that point, all I'll face is endless pursuit and killing.

Even with his confidence, Fang Cheng didn't think he could single-handedly take on a powerful organization.

Alternatively, they could continue to lie low, create more smokescreens to confuse the enemy and buy time.

For example, they deliberately guided their attention to the fictional "organization behind Ma Dong-hyuk".

However, this approach is too passive, leaving one constantly under the shadow of investigation, and the risks are difficult to control.

With a fierce glint in his eyes, Fang Cheng suddenly threw another punch, sending the sandbag, weighing several hundred kilograms, soaring high into the air once more, the iron frame emitting a screeching sound.

No matter what!
We must eliminate as many potential threats as possible, or at least muddy the waters, before our true strength is fully revealed.

"The longer I can delay, the stronger I will become, and the more control I will gain!"

Fang Cheng frowned, secretly making up his mind.

"Xiao Fang, you seem quite irritable today?"

A slightly concerned voice suddenly reached my ears.

Fang Cheng stopped what he was doing, turned around, and saw Coach Xu Maocai standing not far away, holding a towel and a bottle of mineral water.

Xu Maocai looked at Fang Cheng, who was slightly panting and covered in sweat, then glanced at the sandbag that was almost falling apart from being beaten, and asked:
"What's bothering you? Tell me, don't keep it to yourself."

"It's alright, Coach Xu."

Fang Cheng casually replied, taking the towel offered by the other party to wipe his sweat, forcing a smile:

"It's just everyday family matters. A little exercise and stretching can really lift your spirits."

Xu Maocai nodded, seemingly quite empathetic:
"Everyone has their worries in life. Exercise is indeed the best way to relieve stress. After working up a sweat, you can temporarily forget all your troubles."

"Yes."

Fang Cheng smiled, took a sip of mineral water, and echoed the sentiment.

As the two were talking, Fang Cheng noticed a hint of worry in Xu Maocai's eyes. Thinking of Xu Hao's situation, he casually asked:
"Coach Xu, have you seen Xu Hao recently?"

Upon hearing Fang Cheng mention his son, Xu Maocai's smile dimmed slightly, and he sighed, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"I saw him. He suddenly came to see me a couple of days ago. I thought he had finally acknowledged me as his father, but..."

Xu Maocai shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness and heartache.

“During that time last year, we thought he had suffered an accident, and his mother and I almost collapsed.”

“Now that he’s back, it’s a good thing, but he’s still the same as before, hanging out with that bunch of shady characters. I said a few words to him, but he’s even more temperamental than me, and I can’t control him at all.”

Knowing that his family's affairs had probably already spread throughout the club, he wasn't embarrassed to hide them. Instead, as if he had found someone to confide in, he talked about Xu Hao's rebellious experiences from childhood because of his parents' divorce.

Fang Cheng listened patiently, gaining a deeper understanding of Xu Hao's past and personality, and then offered a few words of comfort:
“Young people all have a rebellious phase. When he matures a bit more, he will understand his parents’ good intentions. Coach Xu, don’t blame yourself too much. I think Xu Hao is not a bad person at heart. He just needs someone to guide him properly. I will help you train him in the future.”

Xu Maocai took it as a casual joke, shook his head with a smile, and didn't take it seriously.

The two chatted briefly about the club's recent work arrangements before saying their goodbyes.

Fang Cheng glanced at the several notification messages that appeared on the panel.

Boxing Experience +1

[Sanda Experience +2]

[Muay Thai Experience +2]

I then stretched my slightly sore shoulders and went to the locker room for a hot shower.

After taking a shower and changing into clean clothes, I planned to go to the music training center on the third floor.

As soon as I stepped out of the venue, I saw Zhou Xiumei, wearing a floral dress, carrying a guitar case, standing quietly at the entrance waiting.

When she saw Fang Cheng come out, a sweet smile immediately bloomed on her face.

"Cheng-ge, you're done with your training."

"Hmm, sorry to keep you waiting. How was class today?"

Fang Cheng naturally took the violin case from her hand, and the two walked side by side toward the elevator.

"It's good. The teacher taught me a new fingering technique today. It's a bit difficult, but I feel like I practiced it quite well and made some progress..."

As Zhou Xiumei spoke, she secretly observed Fang Cheng's profile.

Seeing that he seemed different from usual, I asked him softly:

"Brother Cheng, is something on your mind?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking about work."

Fang Cheng smiled, not wanting her to worry.

The taxi drove along the streets at dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun gilding the skyscrapers with a golden edge, and the neon lights along the street began to light up one after another.

Zhou Xiumei chattered on about the interesting things that happened in the training class, trying her best to liven up the atmosphere.

As the vehicle turned past the nearby Yuying Primary School, Fang Cheng's gaze fell upon the school gate.

There were many luxury cars parked there to pick up and drop off children, and many well-dressed parents gathered in front of the gate, either craning their necks to look out or helping their children carry their schoolbags.

At the bus stop in front of the school gate, a girl in a blue school uniform skirt was standing alone, her heavy schoolbag pressing down on her thin shoulders.

She would occasionally tiptoe to look in the direction of oncoming cars, her small figure appearing particularly lonely amidst the noisy crowd of students leaving school.

"parking."

Fang Cheng spoke to the driver, then opened the car door, waved to the girl, and called out:
"Wen Xin!"

Upon seeing Fang Cheng, the girl's eyes lit up instantly, and a bright smile immediately appeared on her face.

She took short strides and ran towards the taxi:
"Brother! Sister Zhou!"

"Get in the car quickly."

Fang Cheng opened the car door for her and made room for her.

Because Wen Huiyi is quite busy working at the clinic, she is embarrassed to often take time off to pick up and drop off her daughter.

Normally, Wen Xin would take the bus home by herself after school.

If Zhou Xiumei also has class that day, the two will arrange to go together.

Fang Cheng happened to be going that way today, so he came to pick her up.

With Wen Xin joining them, the atmosphere in the carriage immediately became more lively.

Zhou Xiumei asked Wen Xin about her day at school, how she got along with her classmates, and whether she was keeping up with her studies.

Although Wen Xin was still a little shy in front of strangers, she was exceptionally relaxed and lively in front of Fang Cheng and Zhou Xiumei. She answered questions very seriously, and occasionally shared some of the knowledge she had learned that day, reciting the text aloud.

Listening to the two girls' cheerful laughter and feeling this simple yet genuine warmth, a certain belief in Fang Cheng's heart became even stronger.

No matter what storms he faces, he must protect these people he cherishes and never allow his mother, grandfather, uncle, or the two girls in the car who are like family to be harmed in any way.

Just then, Wen Xin, who was sitting next to Fang Cheng, seemed to sense the fleeting heaviness and determination in his heart. She quietly clenched his large hand with her small hand, tilted her face up, and looked up with a hint of worry in her clear eyes.

A subtle thought, one that only Fang Cheng could "hear," entered his mind:
"Brother...are you...unhappy?"

Fang Cheng's heart stirred, and he returned her a reassuring look, silently responding with his own thoughts:
"Brother is alright, don't worry."

In that instant, his silent exchange with Wen Xin was like a flash of inspiration, suddenly illuminating a corner of his mind.

To establish a safer and more discreet way to contact Xu Hao... perhaps a similar method could be used?

A communication link based on mental power and special senses?

Fang Cheng gazed at the fleeting street scene outside the window, lost in thought.

Perhaps I should try and explore some new approaches to meditation next.

(End of this chapter)