Seeing Tang Geng’s troubled expression, Han Lang followed Yuan He.
“Alright, alright, Brother Ma. Don’t be so full of resentment here. The Zhao family and we have no real connection, so since they are people of no consequence, why bother getting worked up over nothing? Don’t make Brother Tang Geng feel awkward here!”
Hearing Han Lang’s words, Tang Geng immediately cast a grateful glance. But Ma Long seemed to be just starting, still somewhat insistent.
Just as he was about to say something else, Han Lang preempted him once more.
“That’s enough, Brother Ma! The interview has already begun, let’s calm down and maintain a good mindset!”
After speaking, Han Lang returned directly to his seat and closed his eyes to rest.
Seeing this, Ma Long naturally couldn’t continue to complain, so he had no choice but to sit down resignedly, remaining silent.
The recruitment interviews for special forces were usually concluded on the spot.
Therefore, those who had been interviewed either passed and went home to prepare for the subsequent assembly, or were directly eliminated and missed this recruitment opportunity.
Thus, as the interview process progressed, the number of people in the waiting hall gradually decreased.
Time ticked by,
Soon, the interview assistant walked back into the hall, still with the same expressionless face, and calmly announced.
“Tang Geng, Tang Qin, Han Lang, Ma Long, please prepare for your interview!”
Hearing his name, Ma Long immediately jumped up from his chair excitedly and said to Han Lang.
“It’s our turn, young sir!”
Han Lang was also extremely nervous, but seeing Ma Long’s uncomposed demeanor, he could only reply helplessly.
“Heard you! Let’s go!”
As the group walked out of the hall, Tang Geng quietly introduced the interview process to the two.
“There are ten judges in the recruitment interview, five from the Tang family and five from the Zhao family. They are the patriarch and four highly respected elders of the clan. However, to balance the strength of both sides, the number and strength of recruits have been roughly equal in previous recruitments! As for subsequent development, that is, the cultivation after entering the special forces, it will basically depend on oneself!”
“However, as I mentioned before. Those belonging to the spheres of influence of the Zhao and Tang families usually only need a five-five vote to pass. But for brothers like Han Lang and Ma Long, who represent themselves, they must achieve a four-six ratio to be recruited!”
“So, to be honest, bringing you here for an interview today is just a formality. Because according to previous years’ situations, you are most likely to be eliminated this time and then apply again in a different form.”
“However, you don’t need to be too discouraged. Everyone’s personal charm is different! It’s not entirely impossible that the interviewer might give you an extra vote if they find you sincere.”
“After all, even those who don’t belong to the Tang or Zhao families need to have a certain number of qualified individuals to silence the gossips, don’t they?”
After listening to Tang Geng’s re-explanation, Han Lang and Ma Long’s excitement was more than halved.
They also knew very well.
Although in terms of themselves, the two did not belong to the Tang family.
Given their relationship with Tang Geng and Tang Qin, coupled with their repeated conflicts with Zhao Wei, the Zhao family members would likely view them with even more displeasure than those “intermediaries” who had no connection with either side.
Therefore, the probability of the two being rejected was even greater than that of others.
However, it had come to this point.
Even if they knew the outcome, they could only continue to complete the interview.
“Alright, Brother Tang Geng! We understand what you’ve said. Even if we are dissatisfied with this rule, we have no ability to change it now. So, it’s better to take it one step at a time and see what happens!”
Hearing this, Tang Geng didn’t know how to comfort them and could only follow them silently to the interviewers.
Since they were already well-informed about the information of the recruitment applicants, such as their strength and achievements, the recruitment interview did not involve any special tests.
The interview venue was also very simple.
Ten interviewers sat in a row, with the four interviewees standing in order.
The interview process did not involve any flashy questions and answers, but after verifying their identities, one of the interviewers directly spoke.
“First candidate, Tang Geng! Age 26, early stage of Foundation Establishment, please vote!”
As soon as the words fell, the ten interviewers began to express their opinions one by one.
The result was not surprising, with five votes in favor from the Tang family and five votes against from the Zhao family. Since Tang Geng belonged to the Tang family, the result was naturally a pass.
“Tang Geng, please step forward to receive your recruitment token!”
Hearing this, Tang Geng respectfully stepped forward and took a two-finger-wide pendant, which faintly emanated spiritual energy, from the first interviewer, replying.
“Thank you!”
Thus, the first candidate’s interview was completed.
Next,
“Second candidate, Tang Qin! Age 25, early stage martial artist!”
The same process quickly passed, and Tang Qin also received her recruitment token as expected.
“Third candidate, Han Lang! Age 25, early stage of Foundation Establishment!”
Hearing his name, Han Lang’s body trembled, but he still respectfully took a step forward.
Since Tang Geng had reported Han Lang’s contributions to the incident of the superpowered individuals in Lecheng, the Tang family interviewers had no hesitation in approving Han Lang’s application and directly cast their votes in favor.
However, when the Zhao family elders saw this application form, they all frowned and, after a moment of thought, cast their votes against it as expected.
But when it came to the last one, Zhao Xun, he hesitated to express his opinion. Instead, he leaned over the interview table with a serious expression and asked with a half-smile.
“Han Lang, right? I heard you made significant contributions during the invasion of Lecheng by superpowered individuals. Is that true?”
Everyone present was puzzled by Zhao Xun’s behavior.
He hadn’t asked anyone so pointedly during the interviews with so many people.
Now that he had suddenly changed his approach, what was he up to?
Han Lang was also clueless and could only reply cautiously, “I dare not claim contribution! I merely did my humble best!”
Unexpectedly, Zhao Xun continued to ask, “Then, Mr. Han Lang, what are your thoughts on the incident involving superpowered individuals?”
Han Lang replied with a brief sentence almost without hesitation: “The foreign superpowered individuals’ ambition to destroy our Xia Kingdom is unceasing. We should naturally do our utmost to protect national dignity with our lives!”
Unexpectedly, Zhao Xun exclaimed, clapping his hands on the table upon hearing this.
“Excellent! A young man of ambition! With righteous individuals like you in the cultivation world, why worry about Xia Kingdom not prospering!”
At this moment, the entire interview venue, including the staff, looked at Zhao Xun’s performance with utter bewilderment!
But he acted as if he saw nothing, and continued to speak.
“Everyone, this young man before us has no family or background, yet he has managed to cultivate to the early stage of Foundation Establishment, which is truly a heaven-sent talent! More importantly, such a gifted individual possesses such firm stands and principles, taking the revival of the country as his responsibility and national righteousness as his principle. He is truly a rare talent! I believe that when faced with such talent, we should put aside our prejudices and give them a chance! Don’t you agree?”
Hearing these words, the Tang family elders, although they didn’t know what Zhao Xun was up to, at least their interests were not affected for the time being.
However, the four elders of the Zhao family were all pale-faced at this moment.
But given that Zhao Xun’s status was no lower than theirs, and in such an occasion, even if they had some dissenting opinions, they couldn’t directly refute him.
Thus, they could only watch as Zhao Xun, feigning ignorance, finally stamped his approval on Han Lang’s application form!