Chapter 11: Thunderbolt Decree

Lin Xiao was oblivious to Huang Caixing’s thoughts. He had simply lent a hand, something that wasn’t particularly memorable.

After getting off the bus, he quickly arrived at the motel where he was staying. The owner’s niece, Ning Xi, the white-collar beauty he’d met in the afternoon, was no longer present. Only the older owner was behind the cash register.

Her eyes sparkled at the sight of Lin Xiao. She promptly stood up and asked with sincere enthusiasm, “Ah, young man, you’re back. Did you find who you were looking for?”

Her warmth toward Lin Xiao wasn’t just because of his astonishing martial prowess but also due to the fact that he had saved her niece earlier that day.

“Thank you for your concern, ma’am. I’ve found them.”

“That’s good, very good. Have you had dinner yet? If not, please join me.”

“Thank you, but I’ve already eaten.”

Back in his rented single room, Lin Xiao tidied his clothing, took a quick shower in the cramped bathroom, and then lay down on the single bed. Within five minutes of lying down, his steady, rhythmic breathing indicated he had fallen asleep. This was a habit ingrained from his time in the military.

Of course, should any thief be foolish enough to try and sneak into his room, they’d be courting disaster. Even though Lin Xiao seemed to be sound asleep, any slight disturbance would instantly awaken him.

Time flew, and a night passed in the blink of an eye.

At around five in the morning, well before dawn, Lin Xiao woke up.

After freshening up in the bathroom, he quietly left the motel and made his way to a nearby park, which was deserted at this early hour.

Lin Xiao loosened up his body and found a secluded spot where he adopted an unusual posture.

His body moved like a graceful dragon, each motion as poised as a startled swan. With every challenging pose—far beyond what an ordinary person could perform—sweat poured from Lin Xiao, and his breathing grew heavier.

Each breath he took echoed like a distant thunderclap.

It was fortunate the park was empty at this hour. The sounds Lin Xiao was making were not too loud, but if discovered, they would undoubtedly cause a stir.

Lin Xiao was in the midst of his daily cultivation. He was practicing a fragmented technique he had stumbled upon by chance during his childhood, known as Thunderbolt Decree.

“The Dao is the essence, and the Law is its application. Inner cultivation can eradicate the demons within oneself, aligning one’s body and mind with the mysteries of the universe, gathering the Five Elements, harmonizing the Four Symbols, achieving balance between water and fire, merging metal and wood, refining the sun and cooking the moon, the spirit breaks free from the physical form and ascends to become an immortal. When used externally, it can eliminate demons and harness the power of the thunderbolt…”

This was the introduction to Thunderbolt Decree. There were more words following this, but sadly, they were blurred and indecipherable.

Even though it was a fragmented technique, it held immense value for Lin Xiao. It outlined three stages of cultivation: Qi Initiation, Qi Refinement, and Spiritual Ascension.

Lin Xiao’s formidable combat prowess, which warranted his title as the Night Emperor in the underworld, largely stemmed from this fragmented technique.

In Xia Country’s ancient legends, countless heroes either brandished their swords to the world’s end, stole from the rich to aid the poor, or defended their homes and countries. They possessed exceptional martial arts skills, had the ability to move across rooftops and walls effortlessly, and were indomitable against countless enemies.

These incredible martial arts techniques were indeed real and were known as ancient martial arts. Despite the passage of thousands of years, they haven’t faded into obscurity but have been preserved.

Of course, such incredible techniques that granted unimaginable power were mastered by only a select few. Most widely taught techniques served merely to strengthen the body and promote overall health.

Lin Xiao belonged to the exclusive group of individuals who had mastered such incredible techniques.

In the intricate realm of traditional martial arts, there existed four fundamental stages of power – Bright Force, Dark Force, Flowing Force, and the legendary Transcendent Force.

The journey began with Bright Force. It was a stage marked by the fledgling mastery over one’s physical strength, refining it into precision and effectiveness. The practitioners at this stage were considered minor experts and merely dipped their toes into the vast ocean of potential that lay ahead.

This led to Dark Force, an elusive stage that housed the influential figures who ruled the underworld. At this level, power manifested internally as Qi, transcending the visible and muscular, focusing instead on the projection of qi to amplify martial techniques.

Then came Flowing Force, where power became as potent as it was elusive. The masters who attained this level could effortlessly neutralize any incoming force, manipulate their opponents’ qi flows to their advantage.

At the apex, however, stood the legendary Transcendent Force. Here, power transcended the confines of the ordinary. The practitioners who attained this level retired from worldly affairs, devoting themselves to secluded cultivation, their existence becoming whispers in the annals.

Lin Xiao estimated that the number of individuals worldwide who could reach the Flowing Force stage was scarce. As for the mythical Transcendent Energy, it was indeed a legend.

Lin Xiao’s cultivation of the Thunderbolt Decree was merely at the initial stages of Qi Initiation. However, even this initial stage could rival someone at the Dark Force stage.

Lin Xiao aspired to break through to the Flowing Force stage, even to the mythical Transcendent Force stage. He sought to unravel the origins of the Thunderbolt Decree, and thus, he engaged in tireless cultivation daily. He didn’t ease up even after retirement.

Around six in the morning, Lin Xiao stopped his cultivation. Continuing would lead to diminishing returns and potential harm to his body.

At this time, the park started to fill with people. Feeling his empty stomach, Lin Xiao decided to get some food.

After having a quick bite to fill his stomach, Lin Xiao patted his now-empty wallet.

“I guess it’s time I find a job.”

He returned to the motel, the proprietress was already up and about.

She greeted Lin Xiao, “Up so early, young man?”

“Not really, Ma’am. You’re up too, aren’t you?” Lin Xiao said with a laugh. “Speaking of which, do you know any places nearby that might be hiring?”

“Hiring? I wouldn’t know. I don’t get out much. Plus, with your abilities, I’m not sure I can recommend you for any ordinary jobs,” the proprietress shook her head. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she added, “Oh, I do have a newspaper here that lists job vacancies. You could have a look.”

With that, she rummaged in the drawer underneath the counter.

Shortly after, she handed Lin Xiao a newspaper. “Here you go, young man. Take a look.”

“Thank you, Ma’am.”

“It’s no bother.”

Lin Xiao accepted the newspaper and immediately squatted down to browse through the job listings.

His spirits fell as he realized that most of the jobs listed required a degree, a bachelor’s at the very least. Lin Xiao had left high school early due to unforeseen circumstances and joined the military.

He flicked through the pages, growing increasingly disheartened until he reached the last page. His eyes suddenly lit up.

There, on the paper, were two words, ‘Security Wanted!’

The entire last page was dominated by this one job advertisement. The recruitment address and contact information were provided, but the salary and requirements were left open-ended, with just the word, negotiable.

Lin Xiao sprang up, his eyes sparkled with excitement.

As the former captain of the Dragon Sword Squad, he had extensive experience with all sorts of security details. He was seldom involved in ordinary protection tasks, as his expertise was reserved for significant VIPs and high-profile individuals.

Even a small corporate security role was nothing compared to guarding imperial dignitaries, a task he could handle with ease.

“This is the one!”