High Favor

A limited Ranger quest, and the side quest has also changed to the Yunhai Sword Sect.

This indicates that the quest likely has follow-ups.

Given Shen Qingchan's strength, protecting her shouldn't actually be difficult.

These quests do not display a star-rated difficulty level; most of the time, one has to rely on their own judgment.

Mu Ye judged that, with his current strength, it shouldn't be hard.

Accepted!

"In that case, many thanks," Madam Shen said.

Mu Ye nodded, then took out the piece of Bitter Flesh, intending to turn in this Shen Mansion side quest.

"Do you know what this is?"

"Bitter Flesh, processed from the meat of demons..." Madam Shen was well-informed. "The processing method is very secretive, requiring soaking in various medicinal herbs, but even so, it cannot eliminate the side effects brought about by consuming Bitter Flesh."

"The imperial court has long since banned it."

Mu Ye immediately recounted the situation regarding the Iron Leg Sect, then asked:

"Does Madam know who the backer behind this Iron Leg Sect is?"

"The Taiping Feng Family." Madam Shen's eyes flickered slightly; she sat down slowly and took a sip of tea. "The Feng Family are hereditary nobles of the imperial court. Centuries ago, the founding ancestor of the Feng Family was a meritorious official who helped the Tianqi King conquer the world. Though they have been demoted several times over the generations, they still hold significant status due to their command of the Xifeng Army, a force three thousand strong."

"Decades ago, because the Feng Family committed an act of defiance, they were demoted once more and sent to Taiping City. Their status and prestige plummeted to rock bottom."

"But a starving camel is still bigger than a horse; no one in Taiping City dares to provoke them lightly."

"However, this generation of the Feng Family has produced a Feng Wuque, who is said to have quite a bit of martial talent... He went out to travel and study martial arts several years ago, and I heard he returned half a month ago."

"The Iron Leg Sect has no channels to obtain large quantities of Bitter Flesh..." Madam Shen mused. "Demon meat requires slaying demons, and it also needs to be soaked in a specialized medicinal bath. Aside from Demon Sealers, the easiest way to slay demons is to possess an army."

"The imperial army is equipped with armaments specifically for demons, such as the Heaven-Shattering Thunder and the Blood Pagoda..."

"Generally, only these two groups have access to demons."

"You mean..."

Mu Ye nodded slightly.

Of course, the most crucial part was the conversation he had overheard.

"I understand." Madam Shen stood up. "After Shen Tianxing died, many people in Taiping City wanted to swallow this piece of fat. The Feng Family maintains an army, and in these troubled times, they are short on money. Naturally, they would set their sights on the Shen Mansion."

"They also have the strength to acquire two Man-Eating Demon Foxes."

[Shen Mansion side quest 'Beside the Couch (Part 2)' completed]

[Reward: 100 Paradise Coin]

Mu Ye felt this side quest was basically a freebie.

In truth, he didn't know as much about the Feng family as Madam Shen did.

Mu Ye had only deduced from the news of the Feng family young master's return to Taiping City that the people he overheard talking to Tie Longgang that day must have been from the Feng family.

He hadn't expected her to know even more about the Feng family.

At this moment, Madam Shen turned around, looked at the man before her, and suddenly let out a faint sigh.

As soon as Mu Ye heard it, he knew Madam Shen was about to stir up trouble again; this side quest was likely a chain.

"I received an invitation today," Madam Shen said.

"From the Feng family?"

"That's right."

"Feng Wuque of the Feng family has broken through to the third rank, so he is setting up a ring and hosting a banquet, inviting many martial arts experts in Taiping City to come up and exchange pointers."

"All the famous experts in Taiping City should have received an invitation."

Madam Shen said, "Based on my judgment, the Feng family intends to establish their authority and use this to suppress my Shen Mansion, thereby forcing my hand."

"The Madam is so well-informed?" Mu Ye wondered inwardly. Did this woman know too much?

"Not exactly well-informed, just a guess..." Madam Shen lowered her head slightly, only to discover that her shadow had somehow overlapped with his. From a distance, it looked as if they were leaning against each other. Her eyes flickered, but fortunately, she kept her head down.

"Then why not just not go?" Mu Ye said.

"If I don't go, it would be a slight to the Feng family, giving them even more reason to find fault with me," Madam Shen said, looking up. "I naturally have to go, and I would like to ask you to accompany me when the time comes."

[Shen Mansion side quest: Beside the Couch (Part 3)]

[Quest requirement: Accompany Madam Shen to the Feng family and return safely]

[Yes/No]

[This is a one-star quest with a high difficulty level.]

It had appeared—a star-rated quest.

"Accepted." Mu Ye looked at the quest panel and smiled confidently.

Madam Shen stared at him with wide eyes, remaining silent for a long time before finally speaking:

"Why are you willing to help my Shen Mansion? Logically speaking, you are merely a Demon Sealer; there is no need for you to wade into these muddy waters..."

[1. I am simply fulfilling a request from Hero Shen to look after Madam Shen.]

[2. I am not willing to help the Shen Mansion; I am only willing to help you, Madam Shen.]

[3. To be honest, I fell for you at first sight, Madam. I desire your body.]

[4. I once had a younger sister who looked very much like you...]

[6. ...]

Mu Ye looked at the options and began to ponder.

These choices all felt increasingly absurd.

However, these were undoubtedly the paths to breaking through the favorability threshold.

Over these past few days, Madam Shen's favorability had reached 25, but it had been impossible to push past 30.

Saving her life had only increased it by 10 points, which showed just how difficult it was to raise this Madam Shen's favorability.

30 points was a dividing line, representing a state of being held in high regard.

Mu Ye tried all four options and was surprised to find that only 1 and 4 did not decrease favorability. Option 2 could raise it to 28, but it still could not break through 30.

Option 3 could raise it to 29 points.

This was quite unexpected for Mu Ye, as option 3 was just so damn blunt.

It would have been decent if it didn't decrease favorability, yet it actually added the most?

Moreover, it didn't fit the cold, mysterious persona of a Demon Sealer at all; it even created a strong sense of contrast.

This could actually increase favorability?

If this were his past life, this option would likely have been labeled as "cringe" and criticized by countless women.

I don't understand women... Mu Ye thought to himself.

It seems none of them can break through 30. Mu Ye looked at the sixth option.

This one allowed for manual input, which was a rather unique feature of the game.

Although options were provided, most of the time there was a final option for custom input, meaning one didn't have to follow the provided choices entirely.

"Should I try it myself?"

Mu Ye gave it a try, only to find that what he input was even worse than the provided options.

"Fair enough. As a blunt, ugly man, how could I possibly understand women?" Mu Ye shrugged.

It was just a game, so why did it have to involve women?

Mu Ye thought for a moment and simply typed:

"I am merely seeking my own redemption in this world."

With that, Mu Ye turned and walked away without looking back.

Madam Shen was stunned. She watched his retreating figure, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

[Madam Shen's favorability increased by 35/100 (Highly Favored)]

"?" Mu Ye.

What the hell is going on? Why did it go up so much?

Mu Ye was puzzled. In truth, those words had nothing to do with Madam Shen; they were purely a self-reflection of the Demon Sealer character living in such a world.

Mu Ye couldn't figure it out. Madam Shen was too complex. If she were a real person, setting aside her identity as a cultivator, he felt her level was at least several tiers higher than his own.