I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

He was dressed simply and plainly, which should have made him inconspicuous, yet his striking appearance and compelling aura drew attention wherever he went.

"Hmm? Who is that person?"

A sturdy young man with a strong jaw and a physique built for action, clad in a white outfit that allowed for ease of movement, pointed toward Xue Jing, who stood a short distance away, a look of confusion etched across his face.

"Just by looking at his attire, he seems to be a martial artist. He’s probably not just some second-generation rich kid attending the banquet..."

"Which dojo does he belong to? Was he invited for security detail as well? He looks a bit too young, though."

Beside him, a man in a suit cast a glance at Xue Jing and the nearby Xiao Zhao. After processing their faces in his memory, he smiled and said, "Master Li, I believe that must be one of the top disciples from the Hidden Dragon Dojo."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhaochuan twitched at the corner of his eye, a puzzled expression creeping onto his face. "But there are six direct disciples at the Hidden Dragon Dojo, and I’ve even met the youngest girl among them..."

“I don’t recognize this kid.”

“Can’t they recruit new disciples?” someone nearby joked.

Upon hearing that, Li Zhaochuan turned to face the speaker.

“Zhang Daqing, what brings you here?”

Zhang Daqing, tall and slender in a dark blue suit, approached and rested his elbow on Li Zhaochuan's shoulder, nodding toward Xue Jing in the distance.

“Li Qi, the ‘Dragon King,’ has long planned to take on seven disciples. This could be the seventh one, cleverly concealed.”

"He’s already out there taking on tasks, yet none of us are in the loop. They must have been secretly training him for some time, hoping he would emerge and shock everyone," Li Zhaochuan sneered.

"What can a kid who hasn’t even grown all his hair do? Today's assignment is probably just for show. Li Qi might have sent him over to earn some credit and gain experience – as long as he doesn’t hold us back, that’s all that matters," he added, casting a glance at Xue Jing's appearance and chuckling.

“Who knows, maybe they want this pretty face to charm some wealthy ladies.”

Zhang Daqing clicked his tongue and shook his head, letting out a sigh.

“You shouldn't be so quick to judge. You might not even stand a chance against him. His stances are incredibly steady; each step is measured—precisely the same, neither more nor less. His upper body remains completely still, demonstrating exceptional control over his body. He has already mastered the art of channeling force.”

Zhaochuan remained unimpressed, flexing his bulging arm muscles. "What’s the point of great force control? Even if he can amplify his strength tenfold with every move, he’d still be no match for a blow from someone who wields hundreds or even thousands of times that force. It’s utterly meaningless."

Zhang Daqing rolled his eyes. "There’s just no reasoning with you muscle-bound brutes."

...

"Master Xue, please take a look."

Xiao Zhao retrieved a map from the hotel lobby and spread it out before them, pointing out various locations while seeking guidance.

spread it out before Xue Jing.

“This is the layout of the banquet hall,” Xiao Zhao explained, pointing to a section that had been circled on the map.

“Today, we’ve hired a total of six experts. Each one is responsible for the security of a specific area, and you will oversee this particular section.”

“Once we enter the banquet hall, the responsibility for this area will be entirely yours.”

Xue Jing examined the map with great care, committing every detail to memory before nodding with a confident smile.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this!”

As they made their way to the elevator, Xiao Zhao pointed out several crucial details, each of which Xue Jing diligently noted down. After all, he was there to make money, and his commitment to work was commendably serious.

Navigating through multiple elevators with Xiao Zhao, Xue Jing eventually arrived at the twenty-second floor of the Rui Zhu Hotel.

"Just follow the corridor straight ahead, and you'll find the banquet hall. Young Master Ye reserved it for today, and he specifically instructed that—"

Xue Jing paused for a moment, glancing back at Xiao Zhao, who maintained his composed demeanor, a far cry from the unease gripping Xue Jing's heart. "This is as far as I can take you. It's better if you remain here; unnecessary individuals shouldn't linger nearby. I can't go any further, so I must leave you now," he finally said, his voice steady but carrying an apologetic undertone.

Xiao Zhao's expression remained respectful, his gratitude evident in the way he nodded.

With a final bow, Xue Jing turned and made his way toward the banquet hall. As he walked, the chatter and laughter from within grew louder, a cacophony of voices that felt both inviting and overwhelming.

Just beyond the corner, he spotted a majestic set of double doors, adorned with intricate carvings that hinted at wealth and status. His heart raced as he approached, the anticipation tingling in his fingertips. Without hesitation, he pushed the doors open, stepping into a world that felt both familiar and entirely new.

Inside, the opulence of the gathering he had imagined unfolded before his eyes. The lavish decor, the elegantly dressed guests mingling with glasses in hand, and the tantalizing aroma of the feast being served—this was indeed a spectacle reserved for the city's elite, a realm where fortunes were made and destinies intertwined. Yet, Xue Jing couldn't shake the feeling that beneath the glittering surface lay hidden complexities, a maze of intrigues waiting to ensnare the unwary.

He stepped inside, ready to navigate this labyrinth, but a flicker of doubt lingered in his mind, a reminder of the delicate balance he now had to maintain within these walls.

He reminisced about those elegant gatherings depicted in movies, where soft piano melodies intertwined with the gentle clinking of glasses, as men and women engaged in conversations beyond the grasp of everyday life.

However, as he pushed open the doors to the banquet hall, a cascade of vibrant music enveloped him.

"Everyone—"

"Let’s get hyped!!"

Amid the raucous cheers and enthusiastic shouts, neon lights flickered throughout the venue, lending it an electrifying atmosphere.

"Hmm? Did I come to the wrong place?"

He stepped back quietly, glancing at the floor number, confirming he was indeed at the right location: 22.

He pushed the door open once more, stepping into the banquet hall.

The vibrant music enveloped the room, and Xue Jing scanned the lavish surroundings. Above him, several stunning chandeliers sparkled with a crystal brilliance, illuminating artfully crafted wall murals and exquisite sculptures. The floor was cloaked in a richly patterned carpet, and every aspect of the decor exuded a classic elegance.

Yet, inexplicably, a DJ booth stood out amid the grandeur, its presence somewhat jarring in the otherwise timeless atmosphere.

Xue Jing stood in the middle of the ballroom, shaking his head in disbelief. “You all might as well have gone straight to a nightclub,” he remarked, struggling to find the right words.

Had they really rented such an expensive hotel ballroom just to dance at a different venue?

As he observed the room filled with well-dressed young people nodding and swaying to the energetic beat, Xue Jing chuckled softly, unfazed by the revelry around him.

After all, he was there solely to oversee security; what the guests chose to do was simply none of his concern.

Even if he walked in to find dozens of people hosting an extravagant gathering, Xue Jing’s task for the day remained unchanged. He matched the hall's layout to the map he had reviewed earlier and began to make his way to the section assigned to him for patrol, embarking on his rounds.

From a distance, he noticed a few individuals with a distinct martial bearing; they were likely fellow disciples hired by the Rui Pearl Hotel. The raucous music crescendoed before culminating in a final, resounding beat, signaling the end of a rousing performance.

As the drums reverberated, several chandeliers hanging from the ceiling illuminated the hall in unison, instantly dispelling the dimness that had enveloped it. A team of staff members entered through the main door, beginning to dismantle the DJ booth and carefully carrying its components away one by one. Xue Jing observed this with a nod, realizing that the dance party was merely a segment of the evening's itinerary, not the main event. With the lights now fully on, he found himself more noticeable amidst the crowd.

“Hmm, who is that?” Nearby, some guests turned their heads, intrigued by the sudden change in atmosphere.

The group of lively young girls who had spotted him instantly lit up with excitement. However, before any of them could act, a muscular man clad in white fitness attire strode over to Xue Jing.

"Are you the new direct disciple at Hidden Dragon Dojo?" he asked, his tone direct and unambiguous.

His approach drew the attention of onlookers nearby. Not far off, several men and women clustered together, curiously watching the unfolding scene.

Glasses in hand, he turned to look towards the commotion.

"Hmm? What's going on over there?" Ye Chenglin, the party organizer, asked, his brow furrowed in puzzlement.

"It seems there’s a bit of a squabble between those two security guards that Ruizhu set up," someone remarked, their expression revealing a flicker of curiosity.

"Let’s go check it out!" Ye Chenglin chuckled, immediately making his way toward Xue Jing’s location, with Pei Youguang trailing along.

He scratched his head, hurrying to keep up behind his friend, eager to uncover the details of the unfolding situation.

his elder brother Pei Tiancheng.

When they got closer, he casually glanced at the two security guards in a heated dispute, casually lifted his glass, and took a sip—

“Pffft!”

“Jing... Jing Bro?”

Seeing the familiar figure standing in the midst of it all, Pei Youguang couldn't help but spit out his drink in shock.

…

"Brother Jing!?" Chen Hao's voice echoed through the corridor as he hurried over, his eyes wide with a mix of astonishment and confusion.

Xue Jing, with his usual composure, stood there calmly, taking in the chaotic scene before him.

Xue Jing, with his trademark composed demeanor, turned slowly to meet Chen Hao's gaze.

"Why all the fuss, Chen? Did something happen?" he asked calmly, a hint of curiosity lacing his tone.

Beneath their conversation, an unspoken tension simmered, something neither had the courage to articulate.

"Y-You... You're here? At the party?" Chen Hao stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

He glanced around, the lavish decorations and the muted chatter of the partygoers fading into a distant murmur in his ears. The atmosphere felt thick, as if every breath was a struggle to bridge the growing distance between them.

almost tangible, filled with unspoken words.

"I have my reasons," Xue Jing replied curtly, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he were weighing the very air between them.

He then glanced past Chen Hao, scanning the room as if searching for something—or someone—in the crowd, though his expression gave nothing away.

With a quiet determination, he resumed his steady stride down the corridor, leaving Chen Hao bewildered in his wake.

Behind them, Ye Chenglin and Pei Youguang watched in silence.

They exchanged a knowing glance.

Their earlier conversation faded into the background, overshadowed by a shared curiosity about Xue Jing's unexpected appearance. Questions simmered just beneath the surface, each one demanding answers that felt just out of reach.

As Chen Hao finally steadied himself, he resolved to follow Xue Jing, eager to uncover the reason behind his enigmatic presence. But as he took his first step, the raucous energy of the party surged back, engulfing the brief moment of tension in its lively embrace.