novelraw Chapter 125: Missions
Chapter 125: Missions
Ye Jun looked around his abode, wondering if he was forgetting anything. It wasn’t a permanent departure, but surely it would take some time before he got back.
’I don’t think I need anything else,’ Ye Jun thought.
"Are you really leaving?"
He turned around to look at Meihui. She was still in her disguise, even though the abode was a private space. That was mostly because she was careful about her identity.
After he informed her of his plans, she ended her seclusion and came right away. Worry was clearly written all over her face, as she fidgeted on her feet.
"It’s important," Ye Jun said. "I’ve hit a bottleneck here. If I stay here for long, it’ll take a long time to progress. I only have five months left, you know."
"Then you shouldn’t have made so many enemies," Meihui sighed, massaging her eyebrows. "They are just waiting for an opportunity. If you leave, you’re basically serving yourself on a silver platter."
"That’s a risk I’ll have to bear if I want to improve," Ye Jun replied as he moved closer to her. "Still, I didn’t think you would be so worried about me. I’m flattered."
Meihui blinked as her ears turned red and she pushed him away. "I-It’s natural to worry about your friends. What are you thinking?"
"That should be my question," Ye Jun smiled at her. "I didn’t even mention anything, so what are you thinking?"
Her blush deepened as she glared at him and then looked away.
Ye Jun chuckled. ’Teasing her is much fun.’
He took her hand and said softly, "It’s risky, yes, but it’s important. We don’t know how much time we have left. Even if I ignore it, what if someone comes after you? What will I do then?"
Meihui remained silent at that. Then, she said, "I’ll come with you."
"You worrywart," he sighed and squeezed her hand. "You can’t babysit me forever. I know you’re worried about my safety, but can you protect me from everything?"
"I can!" Meihui said, her eyes showing an unusual resolve. She didn’t even get embarrassed this time. "I will protect you."
Ye Jun looked into her eyes, seeing through her bravery. He asked, "You’re projecting yourself onto me, aren’t you?"
Meihui’s eyes widened as she shivered and turned her face away.
"If you don’t want to talk about it, then I won’t, but don’t think I can’t see through you," Ye Jun said, standing beside her. "I told you once. You’re very bad at acting."
Meihui looked down.
"I don’t mind it," Ye Jun whispered softly. "But you also have to understand that we are different. I can protect myself."
"I’m sorry," Meihui said after a long stretch of silence. "I didn’t mean to impose my... whims on you."
Ye Jun knocked on her head slightly and said, "Don’t apologize for it. As I said, I don’t mind it. I’m actually very happy with it. If it eases your heart, then I’m willing to go further, let alone just this."
Meihui didn’t face him. Not like he didn’t know it already.
After a while, she said, "You’re right. Even if I’m projecting myself onto you, I shouldn’t try to babysit you."
She took a deep breath and took out an iron-black bracelet along with a few talismans. "These are my last few Escape Talismans. Take them with you. If you find yourself in trouble, tear one and it’ll send you some distance away. It’s random, so be prepared."
She put the bracelet on his wrist and said, "This will create a defensive shield around you which can take a few attacks from the late stages of the Soul Tempering Realm."
She looked up at him and said, "I hope you succeed in whatever you plan to do and crush every enemy and obstacle in your way."
Ye Jun smiled and kissed her forehead, making her flustered again, but she didn’t back away this time. He said, "Thanks for everything."
"Any idea when you will be back?" Meihui asked. "If Liangxue ends her seclusion, I’ll have to tell her."
"No idea." Ye Jun shrugged. "Probably a bit long for that reason. But less than five months for sure."
Meihui nodded in understanding. "I’ll try to get back in full health by then."
"Noice. Take care of yourself," Ye Jun smiled and said. "Also, take care of others. Mountain is busy, but he also doesn’t like fighting so if anything happens, please handle it."
"Even if he is a bit weird, he’s a good man at heart," Meihui said. "So, it’s a small matter."
"Also, there’s a woman named He Wenxin," Ye Jun said after some thinking. "She’s kind of my friend too, so can you take care of her? I fear that they’ll target her after I leave. She accompanied me all this time."
He knew he shouldn’t have mentioned that and knew he was right from the way Meihui’s mood soured as she frowned.
"Another woman?" she asked, her tone displeased.
"Relax. We are just friends," Ye Jun reassured her. "A good friend who might suffer because of me, so can you please do it?"
"Hmph! It’s not like I care about it. You’re a womanizer and a scumbag so it’s normal," she pouted and looked away. "I’ll consider it."
"Nice." Ye Jun gave her a hug, which made her body stiffen, but she relaxed soon and returned the hug. "I’ll miss you."
"S-Stop saying cheesy things and get going," Meihui said, her voice low. "Idiot."
Ye Jun chuckled and backed away. "As you say."
With that, he kissed her forehead again and left the abode. He wanted to meet Song Liangxue before leaving too, but she was very deep in her cultivation.
Besides, he was coming back in a month or two anyway.
Thinking of that, he headed out towards the Administration Hall. It also handled the missions department along with the contribution points system.
On the way, he enjoyed the scenery of the White Gale Pavilion and had to say it truly was wonderful. He was grateful that he was reborn here.
Soon, he reached the majestic Administration Hall and went directly towards the Mission Board.
[Mission: Herb Collection — Mistfall Gully] [Tier 1]
Reward: 1 Contribution Point
Collect twenty bundles of Ironveil Moss from the lower ravines of Mistfall Gully, northwest of Misty City. Moss must be harvested before dawn or the medicinal properties degrade. Watch your footing, the rocks are slick. No known threats.
Requirement: None.
Posted by: Outer Elder Wen
...
[Mission: Pest Extermination — Liang Family Farm] [Tier 1]
Reward: 1 Contribution Point
Exterminate or relocate a family of Stone-Backed Badgers that have burrowed into the Liang family grain stores, two li east of Misty City. Non-lethal removal preferred. Lethal removal accepted. The grandmother will feed you either way.
Requirement: None.
Posted by: City Affairs Liaison
...
[Mission: Escort Duty — Mansour City to Yanmoor Crossing] [Tier 2]
Reward: 2 Contribution Points
Escort merchant Fou Delang and his cargo along the South Road to Yanmoor Crossing. Three-day journey. Cargo contents declared as dried spices. The client is talkative. Patience is not required but will help.
Requirement: Fourth-Stage Qi Condensation or above.
Posted by: Fou Trading House
...
[Mission: Bounty — The Crooked Fox] [Tier 2]
Reward: 4 Contribution Points
Capture or confirm the death of a rogue cultivator operating under the alias "Crooked Fox." The suspect has been robbing travelers along the Black Wind Road. Last seen near the third milestone. Estimated cultivation: early Qi Condensation. Alive preferred.
Requirement: Fifth-Stage Qi Condensation or above.
Posted by: Xuanwu Imperial Road Authority
...
"So many missions." Ye Jun muttered, looking at the giant wooden board filled with missions.
Most of them were Tier 1, as the missions were divided based on difficulty. So these were the easiest ones. They came from the territories the sect controlled.
That was how a sect functioned.
He looked through them, trying to find something that suited him.
"Hmm, they won’t give me what I want," Ye Jun mumbled to himself. "Either they’re too dangerous, or not enough."
He wanted something that provided him decent contribution points, but was also in an area where he could farm attributes. That was his main goal, after all.
Just then, he noticed a small yellow paper stuck in the board’s corner. He was drawn to it.
...
[Mission: Tribute Follow-Up — Greywood Village] [Tier 1]
Reward: 2 Contribution Points
Greywood Village, twelve li northwest of Beacon of Guang, has missed its monthly herb tribute for the second consecutive time. Travel to the village, collect the outstanding tribute or document a valid reason for the delay, and return. No known threats in the area.
Requirement: None.
Posted by: Outer Elder Wen
...
"Interesting," Ye Jun grinned. "Isn’t Beacon of Guang near the Black Wind Wildlands?"
No one took the mission and he could understand the reason. It was too far away, so the contribution points weren’t worth it.
But this was a perfect one for him, especially since he didn’t need to do anything aside from checking out a random village.
He took out the paper and said to himself, "Easy peasy. What can go wrong in visiting a small village?"