Chapter 120: Mount Goodwill

Dong led them to Good Man Mountain. Good Man Mountain was far from the city and extremely remote, filled with steep slopes and sharp rocks. At the end of the road, they had to get out of the car and continue on foot up the mountain. When the officers saw the jagged rocks, one by one they started to lose their nerve—this wasn’t training, it was torment. Liu Fei and Xiao Qi were stunned; they had never been to such a place.

“Do you see those ropes hanging from the trees up there?” Dong asked, unable to suppress a laugh. “I used to train here when I was a teenager. They should still be strong enough not to snap. If you don’t want to fall onto those rocks, you’d better work on your ‘light footwork.’” Back in his own training days, Dong had been left battered and bruised, needing months to recover. But he wouldn’t let these people get hurt; otherwise, there’d be no one left to rescue Qian Yin. Before anyone could hit those sharp rocks, he’d intervene—he wouldn’t allow them to come to harm.

Dong missed Qian Yin dearly. He wondered how she was, whether she had enough to eat, if she was being forced to do things against her will.

Everyone wore strange, conflicted expressions, unsure how to argue with this new instructor, or how to refuse the training. Was it really so trivial, when life itself was at stake?

“Begin. I promise you won’t get hurt,” Dong reassured them, not wanting their fear to keep them from even trying to climb the rope.

Xiao Qi’s hand had nearly healed. She glanced at the sharp rocks and swallowed hard. Seizing the rope, she flew up with surprising speed, reaching the summit with ease. It wasn’t as hard as she’d imagined. She slid quickly back down and exhaled with relief, standing silently aside.

Dong only nodded, offering no praise. Liu Fei went next, grabbing another rope and ascending just as swiftly—using the rope as both leverage and lifeline. Both Liu Fei and Xiao Qi performed excellently; the others could not match them.

The rest went in groups of five, flying up the ropes to the summit and sliding down again. Most made it, though a few with weak arms began to slip dangerously. At the critical moment, Dong swung across on another rope, catching each one before disaster struck.

Watching Dong’s swift rescues, Xiao Qi and Liu Fei felt a growing respect for him. Nearly a dozen people almost fell, but Dong saved every one of them. He sounded harsh, but his actions proved otherwise.

“Those of you who fell, pick up two rocks and do a hundred squats with them. Those who succeeded, rest where you are,” Dong ordered, offering no words of encouragement.

The dozen who had been saved felt a brief gratitude, but now could only sigh as they struggled to lift two heavy rocks. A hundred squats would be exhausting.

Dong watched their efforts with some exasperation. If they couldn’t even carry two rocks, how could they hope to climb?

He picked up the two largest rocks and began squatting beside them. Inspired, the other officers grabbed their own rocks and followed suit. Xiao Qi and Liu Fei joined in, forgoing their rest period.

Dong said nothing more; he’d only meant to set an example, but if everyone wanted to join, so be it. The faster they improved, the sooner Qian Yin could be rescued.

They lined up and began their squats—a striking scene from a distance. Though not perfectly in sync, each person pressed on, sweat streaming from their brows.

The morning sun shone down as their movements grew more deliberate, sweat pouring faster. Suddenly, a chorus of stomachs rumbled.

Dong was hungry too, but he had already arranged for food to arrive the moment the last squat was done and the rocks set down.

As the vehicle arrived, everyone looked up. Dong opened the trunk, took a bottle of water and two steamed buns, and sat on a rock to eat. The others helped themselves. Normally, they wouldn’t have touched plain buns and spring water, but hunger left no room for choice.

To their surprise, the plain steamed buns tasted wonderfully fragrant—perhaps it was the sweat, or the effort, that made everything more delicious.

Even Xiao Qi, the pampered young lady, set aside her airs and devoured two buns. Still hungry, she reached for a third. She nearly choked on her last bite, and Liu Fei patted her back, handing her an opened bottle of water.

“Slow down, no one’s going to steal your food,” Liu Fei said, exasperated. He was full after two buns; wheat foods had never been his favorite.

Xiao Qi took the water, saying nothing—she would have choked if she spoke. When she finished drinking, she glared at Liu Fei, as if to say he should know better than to talk while eating.

Liu Fei waved his hand apologetically, meaning he hadn’t meant any harm—he was only concerned for her.

Once everyone had food in hand, the vehicle drove off.

After they ate, Dong let them rest, then said, “You’ll climb up and slide down one more time before walking back. From now on, we’ll train from night until dawn. During the day, you’re free to work or sleep as you like—I won’t stop you.”

The officers thought they’d misheard—night and dawn training? How could they survive without sleep?

“Isn’t this bad for our rest?” Xiao Qi protested. After all, late nights were terrible for a woman’s skin. She thought it would only be for a day or two, but if this became routine, it would be exhausting.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be training with me for months. I’ll get you ready as quickly as possible—then you can save Qian Yin,” Dong replied, glancing up at the rocks.

With nothing more to say, Xiao Qi climbed up first again. On her way down, the rope snapped. Dong shot forward, grabbing another rope and swinging out, his foot landing on a rock to propel himself, catching her before she could fall.

The officers’ hearts pounded—if the ropes could break, this was a new danger.

Dong frowned; clearly, he’d need to replace the ropes when he had the chance.

Liu Fei, undaunted, found a sturdy rope, tested it, and climbed up. He slid straight down, landing safely.

And so, their arduous training continued.