Seeing Zhao Wei's earnest expression, Zhao Xun's heart softened somewhat.
As a father, his two sons were his greatest indulgence, and with Zhao Wei making such a request, how could he bear to refuse?
Opening a path for Han Lang and a few others to enter the special forces was not a significant matter, but at its core, it was too much favoritism and against the Zhao family's rules.
After much deliberation, Zhao Xun hesitantly asked Zhao Wei, "Are you absolutely serious about what you're saying?"
Zhao Wei replied with a hint of helplessness, "I am, Dad! Have I ever begged you for any woman since I was a child? I promise you, this is true love. You also want to see me married and have children soon to continue the Zhao family line, right!"
Upon hearing the words "continue the family line," Zhao Xun immediately compromised.
He weighed the pros and cons briefly, then stomped his foot firmly. "Fine! Since you are so sure, I will make this decision on my own. The elders shouldn't question me about this. But you must remember, no matter what, you need to handle this with discretion and absolutely do not let a small gain lead to a big loss!"
Zhao Wei quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes, you can count on me to handle things!"
Zhao Xun nodded with satisfaction upon hearing Zhao Wei's promise.
Two days later,
The recruitment interviews for the Xia Kingdom's special forces officially began, and Han Lang and the other three had already made their preparations.
Upon arriving at the venue, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. From the entrance to the interview hall, soldiers in camouflage uniforms stood tall and straight, their imposing figures captivating Han Lang and Ma Long, filling them with admiration and longing.
Tang Geng and Tang Qin, being members of the Tang family, were familiar with the interview process, so the group proceeded without any complications, heading directly to the waiting area.
"Damn! This place is huge! I reckon it can seat at least five to six hundred people?" Ma Long exclaimed, craning his neck in amazement as soon as he arrived.
Han Lang, not quite understanding, inquired, "Five to six hundred people shouldn't be considered a lot, should it? After all, this is from an entire province that has passed the initial screening!"
Tang Geng nodded in agreement, "Xingcheng's cultivator community is generally at a mid-level in the entire Xia Kingdom. So, five to six hundred people isn't too many, nor is it too few. However, this is not the final number of recruits. Based on the number of recruits selected from Xingcheng in previous years, these people here will likely be reduced by about one-third!"
"Mm!" Han Lang and Ma Long both nodded in unison.
The cultivator world and the ordinary world were, after all, different. Therefore, the methods and requirements for recruitment were naturally not the same. The ordinary world had requirements for new recruits' age, physical fitness, and other aspects; however, for cultivators, these issues were entirely non-existent.
Thus, the sole criterion for recruiting into the special forces was cultivation strength. As long as one's comprehensive current strength and cultivation speed were assessed, and they could reach the Foundation Establishment stage within three months of enlistment after being baptized by the Xia Kingdom's sixth great spiritual脉, they could officially enlist!
However, the special forces had another requirement. That was not to recruit the same person repeatedly! For example, Zhao Wei had participated in the special forces recruitment several years ago. However, after three months of closed-door cultivation, he failed to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage and was therefore sent back by the special forces. For someone like him, the special forces would implicitly consider him a candidate lacking talent. And for such candidates, the special forces would not recruit them again. This was because, for such cultivators, while the cultivation resources of the sixth great spiritual脉 could better improve their cultivation speed, they would simultaneously occupy the cultivation resources of other more talented cultivators. This was something the country absolutely did not want to see!
Therefore, to prevent people like this from repeatedly participating in recruitment, the country arranged for immortal cultivation families like the Tang and Zhao families in various provinces to conduct interviews for the annual recruitment list. Of course, there was no need to worry about the Zhao or Tang families acting dishonestly. This was because if any such individuals were found in the list of selected candidates by the special forces, the family that submitted the list would face severe punishment. Even the Zhao and Tang families could be easily annihilated because of this!
After hearing these secrets, Han Lang and Ma Long gained a new understanding of the special forces.
But at this moment, Ma Long looked at the people in the waiting hall and couldn't help but ask again with confusion, "Little sir, look! Aren't these people sitting in the waiting area a bit strange? They are seated on both sides, with a sparse, empty zone in the middle. Isn't that a bit odd?"
Before Han Lang could reply, Tang Geng chuckled and explained, "Brother Ma Long, there's nothing strange about this! As I told you last time, most of the special forces recruitment in Xingcheng is already divided into the two major factions, the Tang family and the Zhao family. Even if those people don't fully bear the surname Zhao or Tang, their backing is actually from our two families. So, what you're seeing now is simply due to different factions. On the left is the Zhao family, and on the right is my Tang family! As for those in the middle, they, like you, do not belong to any family. That's why this situation has arisen."
After hearing Tang Geng's explanation, Ma Long suddenly remembered. Back in Ley City, Tang Geng and Tang Qin had basically introduced them to this situation. And at that time, Ma Long and Han Lang had felt indignant about it!
"Oh! Yes, I remember. But with so many people here, how will order be maintained during the interviews later?"
Tang Geng quickly explained, "You don't need to worry about that, Brother Ma Long! According to the order of the initial screening documents, interviews are usually conducted in groups of four, with interview assistants calling out names one by one. Those whose names are not called just need to wait here patiently. The interview list has been reviewed multiple times, so it's very difficult to have any errors!"
Ma Long suddenly understood. "So that's how it is! Then, do we just need to find a place to wait patiently now?"
Tang Geng nodded, "Yes! Our documents were submitted together, so we should be interviewed together. Why don't you sit with me on the Tang family's side?"
Han Lang and Ma Long did not refuse and immediately followed Tang Geng towards the right side of the waiting hall.
As the first row of people on the right saw Tang Geng approaching, someone immediately stood up and respectfully said to him, "Young Master Tang, please sit here!"
Tang Geng waved his hand, "No need, no need! There are no distinctions of status in the special forces. You came early, so please sit. We'll go to the back."
After speaking, he made an inviting gesture to Han Lang and the two of them, and then, amidst the touched gazes of the crowd, they walked towards the back row together!
Just as they were taking their seats, another person walked in through the entrance. Upon seeing him enter, the people on the left side of the waiting hall, just like before, stood up to offer him a seat. And that person did not stand on ceremony at all. He merely nodded slightly and sat down directly, a stark contrast to Tang Geng's earlier behavior.
Ma Long, being straightforward, blurted out, "Who is that? So arrogant!"
Tang Geng replied, "The second young master of the Zhao family, Zhao Wei's younger brother, Zhao Wu!"