Esper

They returned to the temporary outpost. Zhou Yaning and the others went to report the situation, while Lu Chengchuan sat in the lounge and waited.

The Investigation Bureau had paid a million for ten days of his time. The time was not up yet, so he intended to stay a few more days. Besides, he did not want to leave so soon.

Earlier, he had asked Zhou Yaning to help him find martial arts manuals. She had said that once the matter of the fog was resolved, she would contact the Investigation Bureau for him.

The two Yellow Grade martial arts he knew only went up to the third level. He could advance no further now, and the system had not given him any other martial arts to cultivate. He could only look for them himself.

With the Investigation Bureau involved, as long as they were willing to help, finding a few martial arts manuals would not be difficult.

After messaging his mother to let her know he was safe, Lu Chengchuan searched the news from the past few days to see what else had happened.

After looking at his phone for quite a while, he found the internet filled with posts and videos about monsters. Information spread too quickly and too widely for the authorities to control in time. Besides, the matter had become too big, so they simply allowed discussion to continue.

Everyone was guessing where the monsters had come from. Had they descended from another world? Had they always existed on Terra and only appeared now? Or had someone created them, then accidentally lost control and let them escape?

There were all kinds of guesses online, and every one of them sounded plausible.

As he browsed the posts, he suddenly saw a blogger claiming to have awakened an ability that allowed him to create fire out of thin air. The man had even filmed a video. Some people below doubted it, while others believed him.

He opened the video and saw the blogger raise one hand. Without making any visible movement, a red flame appeared in his palm. The blogger controlled the flame as it drifted around his body, making it look much like a magic show.

Through the video alone, Lu Chengchuan could not tell whether it was real.

Now that monsters had appeared and he himself had a system, someone awakening an ability did not seem impossible.

It was not until the afternoon that Zhou Yaning finished reporting the intelligence to her superiors, along with Lu Chengchuan's situation.

"His strength far surpasses that of an ordinary person, and he wants to buy martial arts manuals. Understood. Interact with him more. Don't let the relationship turn too bad. As for the martial arts, I'll give you an answer later."

The director told her to build a good relationship with Lu Chengchuan and keep him steady.

Naturally, Zhou Yaning complied. She went to the lounge and found Lu Chengchuan. "I asked about the martial arts for you. The director is considering it. Let's exchange contact information. I'll tell you immediately once there's an answer."

"Is it over?" Lu Chengchuan asked.

Zhou Yaning slowly nodded. "Temporarily. As for what comes next, we can only wait until the monsters appear again."

She sighed. She knew it would not be that simple. This was only the beginning, and it was hard to say what would happen afterward. She was very busy now. The matter of the fog had only just been resolved, and her superiors had already sent her to find several people.

"Then I can leave?" Lu Chengchuan asked again.

"Yes. I'll contact you when there's a result."

Lu Chengchuan had helped them resolve the fog. Although Zhou Yaning really wanted to know what secrets he carried, she was also afraid that pressing too hard would drive him into a corner. She knew how formidable Lu Chengchuan was. Even with a gun in her hand and soldiers all around, she did not dare say they could take him down easily.

"Then goodbye. I hope I receive good news later."

That night, Lu Chengchuan returned to the rented apartment. The moment he entered, his mother saw him and immediately ran over.

"Where have you been these past few days? Did anything happen?"

"I'm fine. I've already found a job, and I had something urgent to take care of these past few days." Lu Chengchuan did not dare tell her he had been fighting monsters. He could only say that he had urgent business.

Huang Yuyun vaguely sensed that something was wrong, but since her son had returned safely, she did not want to ask too much.

As long as he was safe and sound, she did not ask for anything more.

After returning home, Lu Chengchuan rested for two days. During that time, posts about monsters and Espers continued appearing online. Many people had somehow become Espers and awakened all kinds of powers.

The matter of Espers was confirmed. Official media reported on many Espers through television and the internet.

After resting for two days, Lu Chengchuan did not want to waste time. Using work as an excuse, he went out again.

The past two days had been quiet, and no monsters had appeared in the city. Lu Chengchuan encountered no monsters after going out, so he could only return home when night fell.

Several days passed in a row before Lu Chengchuan finally received a call from Zhou Yaning.

"Do you have time?"

Zhou Yaning's cool voice sounded through the phone.

The moment she called, Lu Chengchuan's interest was piqued. "Anytime. Is there a result regarding the martial arts?"

"More or less. Since you have time, I'll send you a location. We'll meet there."

Zhou Yaning sent him a location. He opened it and saw that it was a members-only club over an hour's drive away.

After agreeing on the meeting place, Lu Chengchuan immediately headed out.

He took a taxi to the club. Once he confirmed he was at the right place, he called Zhou Yaning.

"I'm at the entrance to the club. Where are you?"

"Go inside and wait in the lobby. I'll have someone take you upstairs."

Lu Chengchuan glanced at the club's sign. It was a club with all sorts of businesses, involving everything from reading, gaming, fitness, social gatherings, and making friends to all kinds of miscellaneous activities.

He entered the club and waited in the reception hall.

"Sir, are you looking for something? Do you need any help?"

He had not been standing there long when a young, attractive waitress walked up to him and asked in a sweet voice whether he needed help.

"No, I'm waiting for someone." Lu Chengchuan shook his head.

He did not need help, but as a waitress at a members-only club, she was highly motivated to make a sale. She had never seen Lu Chengchuan before and knew he was not a member.

"Sir, what do you think of our club?" The waitress tried to start a conversation.

Lu Chengchuan did not understand what she meant. After thinking about it, he nodded. "It looks pretty good."

He meant it sincerely. The club was indeed quite good in terms of its decor and location. He had rarely visited places like this in recent years, but now that he was seeing one, it seemed rather impressive.

"You think so too? Many entrepreneurs in Anyang City are members of our club, as are members of various associations and students from prestigious universities... If you met them, you'd definitely like it..."

The waitress chattered on and on. Even Lu Chengchuan, who was not much of a socializer, understood that she was trying to sell him a membership. He quickly interrupted her.

"Sorry, I'm not getting a membership."

Lu Chengchuan was somewhat speechless, but his refusal was still firm.

He did not care what the waitress thought. Right now, he was only interested in martial arts and monsters. He had no interest whatsoever in the people or activities at this club.

He had refused, but the waitress was battle-hardened. She did not give up and still wanted to continue.

"Mr. Lu, I'm Qian Xiaoling. Do you still remember me?"

At that moment, a young voice rang out. A young woman walked over, interrupting the waitress once again.

Lu Chengchuan turned and saw a cute young woman. He thought for a moment, then nodded. "I remember you."