After a night of heart-to-heart conversations, Xiao Jie finally understood the whole truth about the mission-bearers. Across China, there were about a hundred mission-bearers, each with their own unique abilities. Some had regular jobs, while others were freelancers who participated in societal activities. But all mission-bearers were registered with the National Security Bureau because their responsibilities often required them to travel extensively, making it impossible to maintain regular jobs and provide for their families. The government took on the responsibility of supporting the mission-bearers' logistics, providing them with the equivalent of a civil servant's salary as a basic guarantee, as well as covering all travel expenses for their missions. However, the work of mission-bearers was often extremely dangerous, with some even battling against powerful invaders from outer space. At times, they faced enemies with no known record, which meant they were fighting in complete ignorance of their opponent's capabilities. Despite the risks, these mission-bearers quietly dedicated themselves to their duty, acting as unsung heroes. It wasn't uncommon for a mission-bearer to disappear without a trace during a mission. Professor Wang had to explain these risks to Xiao Jie, as he needed to understand the gravity of their responsibilities. The professor also detailed the situation regarding the bound Firebrand King, Lucifer. Lucifer had been bound for nearly ten thousand years, though no one could be sure of the exact timeline—it could be much longer. According to the information they had, Lucifer was close to breaking free from his shackles, and if he succeeded in entering the human world, it wouldn't just be humanity at risk; all living things across all dimensions would face his wrath. He would bring his hatred of the Creator with him, sparing no one. The mission-bearers' most critical task was to prevent Lucifer from entering the human world or, if he did, to destroy him.
Xiao Jie asked, "How can we stop Lucifer from entering the human world?"
The professor's answer was that they didn't know yet. When Xiao Jie asked how they could defeat Lucifer if he did enter, the professor's answer was still unknown. This added to the pressure on Xiao Jie, who had agreed to become a mission-bearer and contribute to humanity's continued progress.
However, the professor's next words inspired Xiao Jie, providing him with much-needed motivation: "Remember, our purpose is the continued advancement and progress of humanity. We fight for everyone. Your arrival has given me hope when I was on the brink of despair. Your strength has surpassed my imagination. If you have enough time to grow and perfect your skills, you might just be the weapon we need to defeat Lucifer. Work hard, my boy."
Xiao Jie was invigorated by the professor's words, even fantasizing about standing atop a mountain, sword in hand, with Lucifer begging for mercy at his feet, while the entire world looked up to him with reverence. It was an exhilarating thought.
Aside from offering additional insights to the professor, Zhu Zi informed Xiao Jie that he needed to prepare his identification documents and copies to register with the National Security Bureau for his salary and other paperwork. It became clear that Zhu Zi was meticulous, not as rough around the edges as he appeared. After just one night, Xiao Jie felt he had grown significantly, beginning to develop a sense of responsibility for the world. Of course, he knew that personal growth required time; there was no shortcut to success.
The professor then explained that based on their information, they estimated that Lucifer had two to three years before he entered the human world, and once he did, it would take him about two more years to acclimate and grow. This provided Xiao Jie and the other mission-bearers with a window of opportunity. Additionally, the professor outlined the future plans for Xiao Jie's training. He would receive instruction in combat techniques, magic, Daoism, swordsmanship, and other specialized knowledge. Xiao Jie readily agreed, as he was eager to learn. While most mission-bearers lacked the talent to master all these disciplines, Xiao Jie was different—he had the talent and the thirst for knowledge.
The professor also had a bit of an ulterior motive. Since Xiao Jie had just joined and was not yet registered with the National Security Bureau, he wasn't officially a mission-bearer. Given Xiao Jie's terrifying power, if he had a sudden impulse and acted recklessly, it could cause chaos. Thus, Yue Nan Nan, the most skilled among the mission-bearers, was chosen to guide and supervise Xiao Jie. However, in Zhu Zi's eyes, there was a chance that these two might end up becoming a couple, and this was the perfect opportunity for them to bond. Though Yue Nan Nan grew up in Beijing, she was originally from Northeast China, even if she no longer knew where her hometown was, as her parents had passed away when she was young, leaving her in the care of her master.
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The next day, around 8 a.m., Professor Wang and Zhu Zi left for Beijing, taking Xiao Jie's identification copies to complete his registration. Given his new status, Xiao Jie would no longer be a simple salesperson restricted to one city or area. Yue Nan Nan suggested accompanying Xiao Jie to his workplace to formally resign, and he didn't object. After all, having a beautiful woman by your side always boosted one's confidence.
Though the job of a salesperson wasn't glamorous, there was a lot of responsibility, including customer information, payments, and other tasks that couldn't simply be abandoned. Xiao Jie's excellent performance also made his departure difficult for the business. His colleagues tried to persuade him to stay, even offering him a week off to rest and spend time with his "girlfriend," whom they assumed was Yue Nan Nan. Yue Nan Nan remained calm and didn't explain, while Xiao Jie was resolute in his decision to leave. After some negotiation, the business manager, knowing it was a private company, had no choice but to let Xiao Jie go. After completing the necessary handover tasks, Xiao Jie and Yue Nan Nan left without drawing too much attention.
In the following days, Xiao Jie's life returned to a semblance of normalcy. Each morning, he would visit the farmhouse at the foot of Qianshan to train with Yue Nan Nan, then return home at night to spend time with his father. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, he would attend evening classes at the local college. About a week later, he received his new work ID and salary card, officially becoming a mission-bearer.
By August 8, Xiao Jie resumed his routine, arriving at the farmhouse around 8 a.m. Under Yue Nan Nan's guidance, he made remarkable progress. However, as his training continued, Xiao Jie began to grow restless, feeling cooped up in the farmhouse. Despite Yue Nan Nan's efforts, Xiao Jie found it difficult to maintain focus. The constant training had begun to wear on him, given that his previous job involved regular travel and interaction with people. To alleviate the tension, they agreed to take a day off and hike through Qianshan.
The saying goes, "In the north, there's Qianshan; in the south, there's Huangshan." Qianshan was a renowned site for both Buddhist and Daoist practices, making it a popular tourist destination with high admission fees. But with their abilities, they didn't need to enter through the main gate. Xiao Jie felt like a superhero as they quickly explored the key landmarks, including Xianrenguan, Qingyanshi, and Xianrentai, eventually reaching Wufoding. Xiao Jie took on the role of a tour guide, describing the various sights, while Yue Nan Nan eagerly asked questions, showing genuine curiosity. By the time they returned from Wufoding, it was only 11 a.m., a journey that would typically take an entire day.
As they approached Baihumiao, Yue Nan Nan suggested they take a break. "We should rest for a bit. It's important to balance work and rest. Don't overdo it," she said.
"Sure, let's take a break. But just to be clear, I'm not excited," Xiao Jie replied, his tone playful.
Yue Nan Nan shot him a glare, then sat on a grassy patch by the path. Xiao Jie leaned against a large rock, feeling quite comfortable.
"Hey, beautiful. I never asked—how old are you? You wouldn't be like the professor, would you? He doesn't look old but is actually quite up there," Xiao Jie teased.
Yue Nan Nan responded, "I'm not like the professor. He practices Daoist health techniques, so his age isn't apparent. I'm one year older than you."
"You're amazing! At 23, you've earned the title of 'Goddess' and are famous across China," Xiao Jie said, staring at her in awe.
"Everyone has a different journey. You know my story. I started learning from my master at the age of three, and completed my training by sixteen. Then, under the professor's guidance, I became a mission-bearer. All my time was spent training and carrying out missions," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice. Indeed, a young woman like her should be dreaming of romance and enjoying a carefree life, not living a life so drastically different from other women her age.
Xiao Jie, though a year younger, had more worldly experience. He slid closer to Yue Nan Nan and asked, "How about I set you up with a boyfriend? I have a great friend who's a marketing assistant at a supermarket."
Yue Nan Nan's face turned bright red. She looked at Xiao Jie, who was now sitting so close that their faces were nearly touching. The memory of Xiao Jie accidentally touching her chest earlier flashed through her mind, and she grew even more uncomfortable, not knowing where to place her hands.
Xiao Jie found the whole situation amusing. The famous Goddess could act like an ordinary girl, blushing and shy. But their moment of lightheartedness was cut short when a small green