But What If I Enhance the Demon Sealer's Abilities?

The final third-rank expert was Chen Tianshang of the Chen Family, another prominent clan in Taiping City.

The Chen Family relied on the backing of the renowned Hundred Artifacts Villa. It was said that the Hundred Artifacts Villa originated from a blacksmith shop that forged weapons for the first armies of the Tianqi Dynasty. Later, they followed the dynasty's first emperor on his campaigns, crafting many famous weapons for the founding monarch.

After the Tianqi Dynasty was established, that blacksmith was credited with meritorious service in assisting the emperor's rise, founding the Hundred Artifacts Villa to specialize in crafting various weapons for the imperial court.

They were, for all intents and purposes, a legitimate imperial faction.

Later, the Tianqi Dynasty endured numerous rebellions, and the Hundred Artifacts Villa became involved in one, nearly meeting its end.

However, a centipede dies but never falls stiff; the Hundred Artifacts Villa did not perish after all. In these chaotic times, relying on their unique, peerless method of crafting artifacts, they had become a force that could not be underestimated.

"Five third-rank experts. Aside from the Nanyue Blade Sect, which wasn't specified, Madam Shen noted that the others have a very high probability of colluding with the Feng Mansion..."

Mu Ye pondered. To become this young hero, these individuals would surely have to become his stepping stones.

"And finally, the Feng Family..."

There wasn't much information on the Feng Family, mostly just noting that Feng Wuque was a third-rank expert.

Because for so many years, the Feng Family had only produced this one young third-rank expert; the others lacked the aptitude for martial arts.

Even Feng Wuque's father was only a first-rank.

"Actually, there should be another expert who is close to the fourth rank, or perhaps already at the fourth rank..." Mu Ye narrowed his eyes.

Madam Shen was unable to detect the old man guarding the pavilion.

This must be Feng Wuque's trump card.

Fortunately, he had visited the Feng Family beforehand... Otherwise, if he had fought until the very end and such a fourth-rank expert suddenly appeared, even if he could retreat unscathed, Madam Shen might not be so lucky.

After finishing the documents, the carriage came to a stop.

They had arrived at the Feng Mansion.

At the same time, a notification appeared.

[Shen Mansion side quest, Beside the Couch (III) initiated.]

[Quest Requirement: Protect Madam Shen and ensure her safe return.]

[The difficulty of this side quest is two stars. The quest is lengthy and includes a rating system, featuring two special achievements: 'Young Hero' and 'Dynasty Widow'. Please challenge with discretion. Once completed in real mode, the side quest will close.]

Mu Ye's eyes brightened slightly. These ratings and special achievements were usually reserved for main stages.

He hadn't expected them to appear in the final link of a side quest.

It seemed that as these side quests reached their conclusion, the rewards and difficulty increased, perhaps rivaling the formal stages.

"Two more challenges to go..."

Since that was the case, he would first observe normally to see where the difficulties lay.

Mu Ye followed Madam Shen into the Feng Mansion.

The banquet began quickly. Everyone mentioned in the files was present, and Mu Ye remembered each of them clearly.

This Feng Wuque is actually somewhat handsome...

There were many guests at the banquet, such as the merchant families of Taiping City, proprietors of various famous shops, martial arts school masters, and socialites from prominent clans... they were all influential figures in Taiping City.

A small portion of them had participated in the sacrificial banquet at the Shen Mansion back then.

The scale of this banquet was not as grand as the one at the Shen Mansion, but the caliber of the guests was significantly higher.

After the banquet was halfway through, Feng Wuque, just as Madam Shen had anticipated, began to officially make his move:

"Taiping City is currently surrounded by demons. The incident at Chishui Village from a few months ago is still fresh in our memories. My Feng family deeply feels the suffering of the many commoners in Taiping City and wishes to relieve the world of its worries. However, a lone man can hardly achieve great things, and even my thousand-strong Xifeng Army feels powerless in the face of demons..."

"But if everyone is willing to unite, then those mere demons will certainly be no match for our combined strength!"

"My Feng Mansion wishes to establish the Taiping Martial Alliance. Those who join will be under unified command and protected by my Xifeng Army, while working together to resist the demons outside the city."

"In this way, we will surely be able to restore true peace to Taiping City!"

"Are you all willing to join?"

The dagger was revealed at the end of the map; it was nothing more than that.

What kind of nonsense Taiping Martial Alliance is this? Mu Ye thought to himself. It sounds high-sounding, and it does carry some weight.

In reality... whenever he thought of the Chishui Village incident, Mu Ye couldn't help but shudder.

Soon, the surrounding crowd responded, and many people chimed in, expressing their desire to join.

"You're just a greenhorn. To be under your command? Who do you think you are?"

However, there were those who refused to submit.

"That's easily settled..." Feng Wuque laughed heartily. "Let us meet as friends through martial arts and decide it that way, how about it? Everyone present is one of the top experts in Taiping City. I am willing to host the ring. Whoever can take first place will become the sole hero of Taiping City and preside over the Taiping Martial Alliance. I presume no one has any objections to this?"

"Then let me test exactly how much weight you carry..."

The battle unfolded from there.

Feng Wuque's strength was astonishing; with a casual move, he sent the martial artist who had stepped forward flying to the ground.

Next, it was naturally time for a person of substance to take the stage, such as the leader of the Chishui Gang, Chi Haolong.

A famous third-rank powerhouse in Taiping City, a local hero.

The two fought to a standstill, and in the end, it naturally concluded with Feng Wuque winning by a narrow margin.

This Feng Wuque's Wind King Leg seems to be only at the seventh level... is he really that trashy?

A seventh-level Wind King Leg opens over two hundred apertures. Feng Wuque's actual strength seems to have reached over three hundred apertures... it looks like he has practiced other secret martial arts as well...

Soon, the others all took the stage one by one.

Mu Ye could see that while these people appeared to be locked in an evenly matched struggle, they were actually putting on a spectacular show while subtly holding back, allowing Feng Wuque to win narrowly without expending too much energy.

After the fights, everyone appeared convinced and submissive.

"I wonder if the Shen Mansion is willing to join the Taiping Martial Alliance and accept the protection of my Xifeng Army?"

In the end, Feng Wuque naturally revealed his wolfish ambition. "Madam Shen, these demons are dangerous. If you don't join, you must be extremely careful! After all, a demon appeared in your mansion just a few months ago..."

These words, containing an implicit threat, were delivered without a trace of subtlety.

[1. Step out and challenge him.]

[2. Remain silent.]

[3. ...]

Two options appeared.

Mu Ye pondered for a moment and chose 1.

After making the selection.

Feng Wuque laughed:

"Demon Sealer Mu Xinghe, I know who you are... Since you want to challenge me, then come and try."

"However, if you want to challenge me, you must first defeat them."

[1. Forcibly defeat Feng Wuque and take Madam Shen away.]

[2. Defeat them one by one.]

Mu Ye tried the first one. After he made his choice, Feng Wuque didn't say anything and proceeded to accept the challenge.

The battle ended quickly. Even without synchronizing with the player, the Demon Sealer's current strength was close to the fourth rank. After a fierce battle that forced Feng Wuque to use several secret martial arts, he still managed to emerge victorious.

He successfully took Madam Shen away, but because he had challenged them midway, his reputation was insufficient and the others did not acknowledge him. Although he succeeded in taking Madam Shen, it was only the most basic completion of the mission.

Furthermore, the crisis at the Shen Mansion was not resolved, because as soon as they stepped out of the Shen Mansion, they were surrounded by the Xifeng Army...

Reload, choose to defeat them one by one.

Throughout this process, Mu Ye secretly memorized all the secret martial arts of these third-grade opponents. Through practical combat with the character, he recorded all their characteristics, even reloading several times just to study their attack habits.

He didn't stop until he achieved over ninety percent understanding, then challenged Feng Wuque. This time, Feng Wuque had been watching from the sidelines for a long while and had recovered. In the actual fight, he seemed to have taken some potent medicine, his strength becoming astonishingly powerful, as if he had activated some secret technique.

In the end, both sides suffered heavy losses.

"Interesting..."

Seeing this, Mu Ye knew that relying solely on the strength of the Demon Sealer, the normal mode could only go this far.

But Mu Ye was not satisfied yet. He wanted to know more outcomes to ensure that the real mode would be foolproof.

"But what if I improve the Demon Sealer's abilities? How would you, Feng Wuque, respond then?"

Mu Ye smiled slightly and took out the Character Ability Upgrade Book.