Chapter 816: The Road Ahead – Grand Finale

“Recruiting from the security company takes too long—and it’s easy for others to slip in spies.” Lin Xiao thought for a moment. “We’ll go with open recruitment. Post the job ad tomorrow.”

“Director, if we’re recruiting from the public, we have to inform the Human Resources Department,” Wang Xiao reminded him. “Because of the sensitive nature of our work, all personnel must pass a strict background check. Without HR’s approval, we can’t officially hire anyone.”

Lin Xiao frowned. “It’s that complicated?”

“Yes.”

“Who’s in charge of HR?”

“Wan Xiaotian,” Wang Xiao replied. As someone placed by Wan Shanyue to assist Lin Xiao, she was familiar with all the company’s internal affairs. “I don’t recommend going to him directly. After what happened yesterday, odds are he’ll shut you down.”

“I figured as much. But this is work—it has nothing to do with personal grudges,” Lin Xiao said calmly. “Wang Xiao, go speak to HR first. If they give you trouble, I’ll deal with Wan Xiaotian myself.”

“Understood. I’ll go now.”

Wang Xiao nodded and left the office.

Lin Xiao resumed scanning the stack of documents, occasionally circling a name—key personnel worth observing or developing further.

Just then, the phone on his desk rang.

He glanced at the caller ID. It was Elder Qin.

He picked up. “Elder Qin?”

“Are you free right now?” Qin Mu’s aged voice came through the receiver.

“Yes.”

“Good. Come to the Western District immediately. It’s urgent.” Qin Mu gave him an address.

“Understood. I’m on my way.”

After hanging up, Lin Xiao didn’t hesitate. He packed his things and left the Brilliant Pharmaceutical building, heading straight for the address in his Cayenne.

After verifying his identity at the gate, he arrived at Villa No. 13—a refined, understated residence.

Before he could knock, Qin Mu, seated in the courtyard, waved him over.

“Lin brat, over here.”

“Elder Qin.” Lin Xiao entered and greeted him with a bow.

“No need to be so stiff. At this rate, you’ll scare off every woman in your life,” Qin Mu joked, chuckling.

Lin Xiao didn’t react. He knew the old man’s personality—cheerful and teasing, despite his age.

“What did you want to see me about, Elder Qin?”

The moment turned serious. Qin Mu’s expression shifted, and his voice grew solemn. “Remember what I told you in Old Wan’s office at Brilliant Pharmaceutical?”

“You mean the Martial Alliance?”

“Yes.” Qin Mu nodded. “The headquarters is in the Imperial Capital. The Southern Division here is just one branch, meant to maintain regional balance.” He paused. “Do you know who makes up most of the Alliance’s headquarters?”

“Who?”

“People from the military. Your old Dragon Sword teammates. Your former captain. After retirement, most of them joined the Martial Alliance.”

Lin Xiao’s eyes widened slightly. He’d always heard rumors of ties between the military and the Alliance, but he hadn’t realized the connection ran this deep.

Then why, as Dragon Sword’s former captain, had he heard nothing about it after retiring?

As if reading his thoughts, Qin Mu continued, “The Martial Alliance is a government-run force created to counter threats from the ancient martial world. To prevent infiltration, everyone has to pass extensive background checks. With your résumé, you should’ve been accepted immediately—but because your cultivation method was unknown, some higher-ups were wary. They feared you might be a pawn of some ancient force.”

Qin Mu smiled faintly. “Originally, I planned to delay your application until I could convince them. But you’ve made such a splash recently that any opposition has been crushed.”

“So… I can join the Alliance now?”

Qin Mu shot him a look. “What, you don’t want to anymore?”

“Of course I do.” Lin Xiao shook his head firmly.

He’d never forgotten Elder Qin’s support. And defending the country wasn’t just a duty—it was his belief.

“Good. Then come with me to the Imperial Capital as soon as possible. The situation there is grim.”

“Grim?” Lin Xiao frowned.

The Martial Alliance was a core force of the state. How could it be in crisis?

“Have you heard of the Ling Family?”

“The Ling Family?” Lin Xiao’s gaze sharpened.

He had. He’d even fought some of their people before.

Back at the Dongzhou hotel, they’d harassed Mo Ling. The Mo Long Group—an international giant worth hundreds of billions—had suffered immense pressure because of them.

The Mo family was one of the most prestigious clans in Xia Country. Yet they’d been forced into a corner by the Ling Family. That alone showed how terrifying the Lis were.

But they were still just a clan. In Lin Xiao’s eyes, no matter how strong a family was, it couldn’t match the power of the state.

Now Elder Qin was saying the Ling Family could threaten the Martial Alliance? That changed everything.

“That’s right. The Ling Family. A so-called millennia-old clan. One of the three giants of the ancient martial world.”

“There’s the Martial Alliance—the government’s sword. Then there’s Penglai, a mysterious sect that rarely interferes. And finally, the Ling Family.”

“Among the three, the Lis are our greatest threat.”

Qin Mu’s voice dropped. “The current crisis in the Alliance stems from them. And you, Lin Xiao… you’re the key to breaking the deadlock.”

Lin Xiao took a deep breath. “Understood. When do we leave?”

“If you’re free now, let’s go immediately. I’ve arranged a helicopter to the capital. As for your job, Old Wan’s already been informed.”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Before departing, Lin Xiao called Chen Lingxin and Yuan Yu to reassure them, and also contacted Wan Caixuan and Ning Xi.

Then he boarded the helicopter headed for the Imperial Capital.

Inside the chopper, he gazed down at the sprawling land below.

“Imperial Capital… Mo Ling… the Ling Family…”

His heart was far from calm.

A new challenge awaited him.

But no matter what came, he would never back down.

Never forget your original purpose. Walk forward with a cautious heart—and unstoppable courage.