The next day, in the seaside shantytown, Jun Haotian slowly opened his eyes, squinting against the blinding sunlight that made him feel uncomfortable. His body trembled slightly as he sat up, noticing a burnt smell lingering in the air. Nearby, Yun Tianji smirked, "Kid, you’re finally awake!"

In an instant, memories flooded back to Jun Haotian. He looked at Yun Tianji with a mixture of surprise and excitement, "Old man, I’m not dead? I’m really not dead!"

"Do you want to die? Unfortunately, you’ll be disappointed," Yun Tianji replied, still smirking.

Before Yun Tianji could continue, Jun Haotian interrupted eagerly, "Did you save me yesterday? You must know what happened. What were those strange powers?"

"No," Yun Tianji chuckled, patting his leg with satisfaction.

"Why not?"

Looking at his disciple earnestly, Yun Tianji murmured, "Until you’ve figured out what you want for your future, I won’t tell you anything. You can continue being a useless playboy, living a life of luxury. Being a second-generation heir isn’t a bad path."

"My future?" Jun Haotian was puzzled.

"Yes, your future," Yun Tianji nodded seriously, his deep eyes locking onto Jun Haotian's. After a long pause, he spoke, "Haotian, you are not an ordinary person, and neither am I. As a member of the Jun family, you should be aware of things that normal people don’t know."

Jun Haotian’s expression grew tense, even fearful, as he lost his playful smile. "You’ve known all along?" He sighed, feeling despondent. "I’ve been considered a cripple without meridians since I was six. What achievements can I hope for in this life?"

"Having no meridians doesn’t mean you can’t have power. Besides, who said you have no meridians? Yours are just different," Yun Tianji said as he stood up, giving Jun Haotian no chance to speak further. "Until you’ve made up your mind, I won’t tell you anything. Your future is your choice."

In the courtyard of the shantytown, Yun Tianji held his compass, gazing at the setting sun, and chuckled. Behind him, Jun Haotian, looking tired but determined, stood up straight. "I’ve made up my mind!" he declared.

"So soon? Really?" Yun Tianji asked, intrigued.

"I don’t want to be useless. I’ve faced death once and don’t want to face it again. Besides, I know that possessing precious things invites trouble. Even if I chose an ordinary life, I exposed myself yesterday. My days of peace are over," Jun Haotian explained.

Yun Tianji nodded, impressed by Jun Haotian’s quick understanding. He wasn’t just a spoiled playboy but a wise thinker. Curious, Yun Tianji squinted and smiled. "You have many paths ahead, each a bright future."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I don’t want to die! And I don’t want to be a laughingstock," Jun Haotian said simply.

After a moment of contemplation, Yun Tianji nodded. "Alright. Since you’ve made up your mind, prepare yourself. First, let me ask, do you know what an Esper is?"

As a Jun family child, Jun Haotian knew about extraordinary things, being part of an ancient martial family. However, he had been shielded from such topics since childhood. His father had issued a gag order to protect his psyche, so he only had fragments of knowledge.

Before he could answer, Yun Tianji continued, "An Esper is just a term, much like what novels depict. It refers to anyone with abilities beyond ordinary humans. What is an Esper? An Esper is someone who is different from the norm."

"Different from the norm?" Jun Haotian didn’t quite understand.

"There are many views on Espers, and many types. Western mages, sword masters, knights, Eastern warriors, Japanese onmyoji and ninjas—all these different people are Espers. Your grandfather was an Esper too."

Yun Tianji paused before continuing, "Espers aren’t just about having great power. Some have unique abilities like seeing spirits, X-ray vision, or even immortality, like Peng Zu."

"So, how can I gain power?" Jun Haotian asked eagerly, feeling like a mysterious door was opening before him.

"Don’t rush. Let me finish. If there are Espers, there are also organizations that govern them. Many years ago, the state already had such organizations."

"Oh, I know, the Dragon Group and Phoenix Group?" Jun Haotian interjected, familiar with these from his family.

"Yes, but that’s not all. Most countries have such organizations to protect, govern, or counter Espers. Our country has three main groups: Dragon Group, Phoenix Group, and Blade Group," Yun Tianji explained. "To become an Esper, you must understand your peers and the environment of Espers."

"There are more than the top three groups?" Jun Haotian asked, curious.

"Yes, the top three are national weapons, mobilized only in state-to-state conflicts or major crises. Besides them, there are six lesser groups, often referred to as the National Security Sixth Division, handling domestic issues."

Jun Haotian thought for a moment and then laughed mischievously. "Old man Yun, you must have a reason for telling me this. You want me to work for you, don’t you?"

Yun Tianji laughed, "Among the National Security Sixth Division, one is the most secretive, powerful, and has the most authority, called the Sixth Division or the Mystery Investigation Bureau. I’m the head of this bureau in Binhai, responsible for everything here."

"You? This old man? You must be joking!" Jun Haotian was shocked but couldn’t believe it.

Yun Tianji squinted and said, "Alright, I’ve said enough. Now, you face another choice. Currently, you’re unsafe. You have two options: join the Mystery Investigation Bureau and I’ll be your direct contact, or return to Kyoto, where your grandfather will protect you, and I can enjoy my peace. You can ask him about what you need to know. He knows as much as I do."

Jun Haotian had initially run away to avoid a marriage arrangement and didn’t want to be a burden or a joke. Now, a new path opened before him. Returning wasn’t an option. But joining the Mystery Investigation Bureau…

After thinking for a while, Jun Haotian shamelessly asked, "Are there any benefits to joining the Mystery Investigation Bureau?"

Yun Tianji tilted his head and smiled, "You’re a real opportunist. Of course, there are benefits. The bureau isn’t a rigid job. Espers who help complete missions get hefty rewards, and you’ll enjoy the status of a bureau-level official, with more power than local officials. No need for daily office hours, just missions."

Jun Haotian liked the sound of that and immediately agreed, "I’ll take the job!"