Chapter 14: Showcasing Skills

“Now that there are no further questions, I’ll proceed to outline the interview rules and recruitment requirements. Those unable to meet the criteria or accept them should leave the conference room,” Ning Xi said, seeing that no one else had a question.

“Firstly, you must have an unblemished record with no criminal history. Secondly, you should possess extensive combat experience. Thirdly, you must hold a valid driving license and be a highly skilled driver. Lastly, when the protectee faces danger, their safety is of utmost importance. In other words, you need to be ready to risk your life for them.”

As Ning Xi articulated the requirements, about four or five people successively left the conference room, most of whom failed to meet the criteria.

The ones remaining had no thoughts of leaving. Such a hefty compensation naturally came with strict demands, but they were unbothered by the potential sacrifice of life. Having chosen this profession, they were already mentally prepared.

Moreover, a monthly salary of 150,000 was quite worth the risk.

Noticing that only a few had left, Ning Xi assured with a smile, “Don’t worry, everyone. We promise to ensure that you’ll have no future concerns. If someone happens to lose their life on duty, Brilliant Group pledges to compensate your family with five million.”

Ning Xi’s words only strengthened their determination. They each started to survey their competitors with cautious eyes.

“Now it’s time for you all to demonstrate your capabilities,” Ning Xi declared as she slowly backed away. “One of our prerequisites is abundant combat experience. Hence, I ask that you validate yourselves through combat. However, this isn’t a fight to the death. Either defeating the opponent or surrendering would suffice, so please pay attention to the severity of your actions. Also, we’ll cover all medical expenses if anyone gets injured accidentally. There’s no need for worry.”

Ning Xi glanced around at everyone. “We’ll hire the final victor. So, please give it your all and impress us.”

Once done, Ning Xi stepped back and positioned herself at the conference room’s entrance.

With Ning Xi’s exit, the atmosphere in the conference room instantly grew tense.

Those who stayed believed in their abilities, each possessing notable skills to varying degrees. Among them were retired special forces soldiers, seasoned security personnel, and even national martial arts champions. Virtually everyone boasted a wealth of combat experience.

But at this moment, they were all competitors.

No one dared to act rashly, as wary glances were exchanged all around. Lin Xiao, too, found several scrutinizing gazes directed at him.

After all, he appeared to be the weakest. His plain clothes and slender build made him resemble an ordinary laborer rather than a security guard.

Ning Xi, positioned at the conference room’s entrance. She noticed Xiao had attracted attention. She watched him with a measure of concern. She was actually pleased to see Lin Xiao again, yet unfortunately, he was an applicant, and she was the recruiter.

The company’s policies prevented her from offering Lin Xiao assistance.

The standoff in the conference room didn’t last long before someone finally lost patience and made the first move.

A burly man, nearly two meters tall and built like a tank, stood near Lin Xiao, muscles rippling and menace radiating off him. He let out a loud chuckle. “A fight’s bound to happen sooner or later. If you won’t start it, then I won’t be polite.”

No sooner had he spoken than the burly man lunged at Lin Xiao, his sandbag-sized fist hurtling forward with explosive force.

The punch was swift and heavy, cutting through the air with a faint burst—its sheer momentum enough to make several onlookers’ faces change.

This man was one of the few Lin Xiao had taken note of earlier—someone whose strength likely placed him in the room’s top five.

He chose to strike first to assert dominance, hoping to crush someone quickly and scare off any potential challengers.

As for why he chose Lin Xiao, he looked like the easiest target—less bulky, less imposing than the rest.

But what he hadn’t realized was that appearances deceive. Sometimes, the one who seems weakest is the most dangerous of all.

Watching the incoming fist, Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly. Instead of dodging, he calmly raised his right hand—and struck back with equal force.

“This kid’s finished!” The thought raced through everyone’s mind the moment Lin Xiao chose to clash head-on with the burly man.

A muffled thud rang out as their fists clashed.

The smug expression on the muscular man’s face vanished in an instant. A sharp, bone-deep pain shot through his arm, followed by an overwhelming force that hurled his massive body backward.

Crash!

He hit the ground hard, skidding nearly two meters before coming to a groaning stop.

Lin Xiao didn’t move. He calmly retracted his hand, expressionless, standing as if nothing had happened.

A collective gasp swept through the conference room.

The silence that followed was deafening—broken only by the pained groans of the man on the floor. Everyone was stunned.

That burly guy was no pushover. Most in the room couldn’t have taken a punch from him, let alone return one. But Lin Xiao didn’t just stop the attack—he launched the guy like a sack of bricks.

“Holy crap… This isn’t playing possum. This is a damn T. rex pretending to be a kitten,” someone muttered in disbelief.

Lin Xiao had been written off as the weakest of the bunch. They’d all been wrong.

“Good thing I didn’t take a swing,” one man thought, cold sweat creeping down his back.

Earlier, he regretted not jumping in first. Now? He felt nothing but relief.

Standing by the door, Ning Xi was just as stunned. She knew Lin Xiao could fight. She’d seen him beat down a few thugs at the motel, reducing them to a tooth-scattering frenzy, but she hadn’t expected him to be this formidable. The muscular man was trained and hardened, yet Lin Xiao sent him flying with a single punch.

She had been considering transferring him to another position if he lost today. It now seemed that her worries were entirely unfounded.