Chapter 383 A wise man knows when to yield. Zhang Kui, a man who was over 1.8 meters tall and as strong as an ox, had his face turned a deep purplish-red, and his face was covered with snot and tears. He was no longer the arrogant man he had been before.

He was deeper and heavier than Bai Wei, and the pressure of the mud made his bones creak. He truly felt the threat of death; the fear of being crushed and suffocated to death completely broke him.

What face, what dignity? In the face of death, they're all bullshit!

All he wants now is to survive!

"Comrade Su An! I was wrong! I shouldn't have opposed you before! I shouldn't have used dirty tricks during training! I was blinded by greed! I'm a bastard!" Zhang Kui wailed, shouting with all his might, "Please! Just let me go! As long as you can get me out of here, I'll do whatever you say, even if you tell me to go east! I'll beat a dog if you tell me to beat a chicken! I, Zhang Kui, will do anything for you!"

This shameless pleas for mercy left everyone present speechless.

Gao Kai couldn't help but chuckle, but then realized it was inappropriate and quickly suppressed it. He glanced sideways at Su Tang, feeling incredibly pleased with himself.

Liu Landi and Chen Xiaocao exchanged a glance, both seeing relief in each other's eyes. Chen Xiaocao, in particular, recalled how Su Tang had used her wit and wisdom to outmaneuver the male soldiers who looked down on them during the assessment, and her admiration for Su Tang deepened even further.

Jiang Yan, watching all this from a distance, remained silent.

From Su Tang's absurd proposal to Qin Ye's domineering presence, and then to Zhang Kui's complete breakdown and begging for mercy... the entire situation changed so quickly it was dazzling.

She was like a chess player, subtly manipulating everyone's emotions and actions, guiding the situation step by step toward the outcome she desired. This insight into and control over people's hearts was even more alarming to Jiang Yan than her marksmanship and tactics during the assessment.

Su Tang ignored Zhang Kui's wailing. She simply raised her eyes and looked at Qin Ye on the high platform, as if seeking final confirmation.

When Qin Ye met her gaze, a barely perceptible warmth seemed to melt away from her icy eyes. He nodded slightly, the movement almost imperceptible.

A nod is the highest instruction.

Once Su Tang felt at ease, she immediately withdrew her gaze, and her entire aura instantly changed.

Soon, the planks and bamboo poles that Su Tang needed were prepared.

Su Tang directed several male soldiers to carefully lay several planks of wood on the edge of the mud pit, forming a simple platform.

Then, she personally picked up the longest bamboo pole and said to Zhang Kui in the mud, "Zhang Kui, now listen to my instructions. Place this bamboo pole horizontally under your armpits and in front of your chest, and lean your body back as much as possible, putting all the weight of your upper body on the bamboo pole."

Although Zhang Kui was afraid, his survival instinct made him do as he was told without hesitation.

When the bamboo pole supported his upper body, he immediately felt the sinking trend stop and even floated up slightly.

"It...it worked!" he exclaimed in surprise.

Soon, Gao Kai and the others returned carrying several large buckets of water.

"Teacher Su, the water's here! What do we do next?" Gao Kai looked at Su Tang expectantly, like a primary school student waiting for praise from his teacher.

"What...what is this for?" Chen Xiaocao asked Liu Landi, puzzled.

Liu Landi also shook her head.

Su Tang walked to the edge of the mud pit, carefully observed the position and angle at which Zhang Kui had sunk, and then said to Gao Kai:

“You, and you two, carry a bucket of water over. On my command, slowly and evenly pour it into the mud along the gaps between his body and the mud. Remember, go slowly, don’t rush it all in at once.”

"Okay!"

Two strong male soldiers immediately lifted a bucket of water and carefully walked to the designated location.

All eyes were fixed on the bucket.

"fall."