I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

“My name is Chen Liang. I am the Chief of Security for the ‘Infinite Nova’. I am the overall person in charge of security on this cruise.”

Chen Liang, a middle-aged man, spoke cautiously.

Seeing his timid demeanor, Xue Jing understood that he must have communicated with the police and learned about the incident that had just occurred.

“So, you are Chief Chen... What can I do for you?”

Xue Jing asked with a smile.

Sensing the mild kindness in Xue Jing’s tone, Chen Liang breathed a sigh of relief.

After deliberating for a moment, he said, “Mr. Xue, it is truly our honor that you chose to travel on the ‘Infinite Nova’...”

Inside, Chen Liang was bemoaning his fate.

Initially, when informed by the Public Security Bureau about the incident at the dock, and discovering that this teenage killing spree perpetrator was a passenger, the captain decided, for safety reasons, to refund his ticket and politely refuse his boarding.

However, just as the refund process was underway, the captain received a phone call, and after a series of deferential nods and bows on the phone, he told Chen he couldn’t process the refund—this young man had to board.

Thus, the task of placating this homicidal maniac and ensuring he wouldn’t cause security issues on the ship was forcibly handed over to him, the Security Chief.

Faced with someone capable of unscathed retaliation against dozens of armed individuals, Chen Liang, a retired soldier, understood the implications far more than the average person.

In an environment like a cruise, if the other party wished, killing everyone on board would hardly be a challenge.

To think they had to allow such an extremely dangerous person aboard, he wondered what kind of call the captain had received.

After laying out a large amount of flattery, Chen Liang continued:

“... If there is anything we do not accommodate well, or if you encounter any dissatisfaction while on board, please do not hesitate to tell me directly. I will do my best to fulfill all your requests...”

Xue Jing blinked, noting Chen Liang’s formal posture, as if accepting a lecture from a superior, since his arrival. He patted the seat beside him with a smile, saying, “No need to stand, take a seat, Chief Chen.”

Chen Liang hesitated for a moment before slowly sitting beside Xue Jing, maintaining a cautious posture, only sitting on half the seat, his back straight, with hands placed on his thighs.

“Relax, Chief Chen. After all, I’m not some demon... Quite the opposite, I am a law-abiding model citizen.”

Xue Jing patted Chen Liang’s shoulder. “I won’t do anything to make things difficult for you, rest assured.”

Chen Liang gave a forced smile. Although he wasn’t convinced by Xue Jing’s words, he felt slightly relieved hearing the promise.

Noticing that at least from his words, Xue Jing seemed normal and good-tempered, Chen Liang relaxed considerably and began to engage in conversation with him.

“Mr. Xue, let me tell you a bit about the ‘Infinite Nova’. It is one of the largest and most luxurious cruises in the Fifth Urban Circle...”

Xue Jing was undoubtedly a great listener. As Chen Liang introduced the cruise ship, Xue Jing listened attentively, never zoning out or brushing off the details. He even asked pertinent questions at just the right moment, greatly satisfying Chen Liang's desire to explain everything.

At first, Chen Liang had been cautious and wary, but he gradually sensed that this young man was genuinely a good kid, leading him to relax considerably.

Only when it was time for ticket inspection did Chen Liang reluctantly end his conversation with Xue Jing, personally escorting him through the ticket gate and onto the ship, clearing security.

During this process, Xue Jing obediently entrusted his Vutu blade to the staff for safekeeping. Although Chen Liang knew this act was symbolic, as Xue Jing was a grave threat even without the sword, it demonstrated Xue Jing’s willingness to follow the rules, alleviating many on the ship, including Chen Liang.

This cruise ship was immensely large. When Xue Jing stepped onto the deck, the slight sway was the only indication he was on a ship and not a small city.

The first thing he saw was a water-park-like amusement area with a large swimming pool and water slides, where many people in swimsuits were frolicking.

As Chen Liang led Xue Jing down an interior corridor, he explained, "This route stops in Qingcheng for half a day, allowing passengers to go ashore and explore.

After you’ve settled your luggage in your cabin, you can roam freely, as long as you’re back before 6 PM."

"There are fifteen restaurants on board, featuring cuisines from all over. As a first-class passenger, you can dine anywhere at no cost, and the captain has instructed that any special dishes and services will also be fully accessible to you at no extra charge."

After a short walk, they arrived at the ship's interior, resembling a massive mall. It stretched upwards for dozens of floors, seemingly endless.

"The ship has a total of twenty-six decks and twenty elevators scattered throughout. Maps adorn many walls, so you won't get lost."

"Your suite is on the twenty-second floor."

Listening to the introduction, Xue Jing walked along, suddenly stopping.

"Director Chen, this is far enough. I can find my room myself," he said.

Chen Liang stepped forward, pressing the elevator button for Xue Jing.

"In that case, I’ll take my leave. Mr. Xue, if you need anything, feel free to call or message me on WeChat, and I’ll assist you right away," he said, respectful and courteous.

Xue Jing nodded and smiled, "Thank you."

Watching Xue Jing board the elevator, Chen Liang exhaled and turned away, pulling out his phone to make a call.

"Hello... Captain... It should be fine..."

His fragmented voice drifted away as Chen Liang departed. Unnoticed by him, a black cat crouched in the shadows, its emerald-like vertical pupils fixed on the ascending elevator.

"Swoosh—"

The black cat vanished from the spot, transforming into a streak of black lightning. It darted around rapidly, leaping smoothly to the second, third, fourth floors...

When it reached the fifth floor, the elevator doors opened, and the black lightning darted in, the doors closing slowly behind it.

Xue Jing felt a slight weight on his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw Catcat settled comfortably, licking its white-gloved right paw.

"Teacher Wan, where did you go just now?"

Xue Jing asked casually.

Catcat licked its right paw, using it to wipe the glossy sheen from its cheek, and murmured, "The food on this ship isn't bad... Though it's not as good as yours, there's a wide variety. I only sampled a bit of everything in that restaurant, and I'm not even halfway done."

Xue Jing chuckled, "Did anyone catch you?"

"Caught or not..."

Catcat glanced at the surveillance camera in the corner of the elevator ceiling.

"Haven't we already been spotted?"

Xue Jing also looked at the camera, rubbing his chin.

"Hmm... Shouldn't be a problem, they probably won't say anything."

"I also encountered something outside just now..."

Xue Jing exited the elevator, eyeing the information on his cruise card, starting his search for the assigned room.

"...You have quite the vibrant life."

Catcat said thoughtfully.

Initially, she thought her own life was unique, forced into hiding from a major security company before she even came of age. However, after more than a month with Xue Jing, hearing his encounters and being part of them, she gradually realized there was something peculiar about him...

"It's like that child detective... Tch, I'm beginning to think there might be trouble on this ship."

Xue Jing laughed heartily, "No way, you're too sensitive. Before, it was all just a coincidence..."

Chatting idly, he found the room, swiping his card over the sensor-equipped lock with a beep, and opened the door.

This was one of the finest suites aboard the Infinity Nova, luxuriously decorated with two levels, a marble spiral staircase leading to the second floor in the corner.

The room featured four round portholes and a modestly sized balcony, offering a stunning view of the sea when stepped out, providing a rather comfortable setting.

Xue Jing opened his luggage and took out its contents.

A pair of ordinary glasses labeled GOD-1280, clothes, familiar shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, towel, and other everyday necessities.

There was also a nebulizer and several glass jars filled with various medicinal liquids, meticulously prepared for his martial arts training during his journey and stay in Feng City.

Xue Jing arranged his items and placed a female outfit and glasses in front of Catcat.

"Join me for dinner, Teacher Wan."

Catcat lay lazily on the soft bed, stretched his paws skyward, and sunk his head into the bedding, responding languidly, "I just ate..."

Xue Jing chuckled softly, "You must've eaten from the buffet, right? Many dishes on this ship require the chef's personal touch to bring out their true flavors."

Catcat's ears twitched at the mention of delicious food.

He rolled over, stood up reluctantly, and said, "In that case... I'll munch a bit more."

Noticing Xue Jing's unwavering gaze, Catcat, in an almost human fashion, pouted, "What are you looking at? Can't you turn around?"

Xue Jing raised an eyebrow, "After so long, is there anything I haven't seen? Why the shyness?"

Catcat opened his mouth, revealing sharp fangs, picked up the clothes in his teeth, and headed towards the restroom, muttering indistinctly, "It's different..."

When he emerged again, he had transformed into the charming figure of a cat-eared girl.

Wearing the glasses from the bed, which concealed her strikingly long phoenix eyes, Ning Fengwan stood with hands on hips, "Let's go!"

...

At the tail end of the Infinitas Nova, two figures, a man, and a woman, were inexplicably suspended in mid-air near the propeller.

The woman held a fist-sized, white putty-like solid and stared skeptically at the man, "Are you sure this will attract the 'Sea Bee Swarm'? This is the last bit of deep-sea honey we have... If it fails again, we're out."

The man oozed confidence, "Don't worry, this information came straight from 'Mr. Fox's' mouth, it's 100% accurate!"

The woman pouted, "Mr. Fox's words have never been wrong... Yet he always leaves out half the picture, and outcomes never match expectations..."

The man chuckled, "So, would you prefer another gamble in the ocean, akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, or trust Mr. Fox and ensure we meet the 'Sea Bee Swarm'? Either way, which would you choose?"

The woman sighed, saying no more, and flickered before diving into the water.

She retrieved a strange drill-like device and bored a small hole into a colossal eight-meter diameter propeller.

Then, she slipped the white putty into the hole.

She surfaced again, shook her hair, and moved her fingers. Instantly, a cloud of steam enveloped her, quickly drying off the seawater clinging to her body.

“Sigh, why do we have to do this…”

the woman sighed.

“There’s no choice. If we want to navigate that boundary without getting lost, we must be led by the 'Sea Bee King.' Our boss is at odds with the 'Joint Breeding Group' and they've completely cut off our transactions. Even middlemen are too scared to sell to us, so we must catch one ourselves.”

The man scratched his head.

“Speaking of which, what did you offer Mr. Fox?”

“It was a divine relic, GOD-1590, the Radiant Bouquet… Our boss gave it to me before we set off, saying to use it as a last resort to seek out Mr. Fox.”

“Isn’t that too wasteful, using a divine relic as payment?”

“The boss said it’s fine. Although it's powerful, the side effects are too severe, making it useless. In our hands, it's just junk…”

“Who knows why Mr. Fox collects divine relics… Rumor has it he sometimes half-gives them away to others, engaging in a lot of baffling behavior…”

“Western food is all just hype. It sounds fancy, but it’s not that tasty.”

In the restaurant, Ning Fengwan mumbled as she ate a flamboyantly prepared steak with a knife and fork, glasses perched on her nose.

Xue Jing didn’t reply, swirling the cola in his wine glass, gazing out at the seascape beyond the window.

This posh restaurant, reportedly exclusive to first-class ticket holders, claimed to offer only high-end dishes prepared by the chef's discretion. There was no menu to order from.

The only glasses available were these wine glasses.

Xue Jing took a sip of cola, sighed, and smiled at Chen Liang standing beside him, saying, “Why did you bring this yourself? It's too much trouble… Director Chen, have you eaten?”

Upon entering the restaurant, he had asked only to be told there was no cola available. Today’s menu required pairing with a specific red wine flavor…

So Xue Jing sent a message to Chen Liang, who then personally came over with a large bottle of ice-cold cola.

“I’ve already eaten, Mr. Xue.”

Chen Liang replied with a smile.

Xue Jing thought for a moment, then said, “Sit down and chat for a bit, Director Chen, I have some questions.”

Chen Liang agreed, somewhat puzzled by Ning Fengwan who was eating, then sat down properly.

...