The task levels in "Eternal Chivalry" are not randomly divided. Based on Ye Weiming's previous observations, one-star tasks are basically effortless errand tasks, two-star tasks involve fighting minor monsters, and three-star tasks usually involve simple puzzle-solving or fighting elite monsters.
For higher-level tasks, Ye Weiming has yet to experience them, so he can't make hasty judgments. But based on the current trend, a five-star task would at least involve an opponent on a level similar to Chouba. Despite Ye Weiming having defeated Chouba before, he knows exactly how he achieved such a feat.
His current strength has indeed improved from before, yet if he were to go head-to-head with Chouba now, he'd still be forced to the ground and grinded into the dirt.
The only difference is whether he could withstand three or five moves by his opponent.
In other words, there is no difference at all.
Of course, compared to the task difficulty, what's more crucial is, the rewards for this task are just not appealing enough!
5,000 experience points and 500 cultivation points are roughly equivalent to the higher end of the rewards in a four-star task. Only the monetary reward is quite generous, far more than other five-star tasks.
100 gold, at this stage in the game, is definitely considered quite a fortune.
But the problem is, what's the use of so much money during the early stage of the game when it's more important to establish a solid foundation?
The players' life skill levels have not been raised yet, and even if you have money, you can't buy anything good. After the players level up, this 100 gold may still be considered a decent fortune, but its purchasing power will definitely have drastically decreased.
Plus, tasks involving protection are the trickiest to handle, so no matter how you look at it this mission is not a good deal.
After scrutinizing Ye Weiming for a while, You Jin finally spoke: "If you're not particularly interested in the money, I can substitute the cash prize with an intermediate swordsmanship technique."
Ding! Task change:
Longmen Escort Agency
Task Level: Five-star
...
Task Reward: 5000 experience points, 500 cultivation points, one intermediate swordsmanship technique.
Penalty for Failure: Loss of salary for three months, no access to any sect benefits except for private apartments during this period.
What the hell, isn't this too harsh?
An intermediate swordsmanship technique is quite a reward indeed, but what's with the added failure penalty?
A military order?
Losing three months' salary is bearable. With Ye Weiming's current constable salary, he only earns 10 gold a month; he could earn it back by completing a few tasks. But not being able to enjoy the sect's benefits is a completely different story.
Sect benefits refer to the preferential policies the sect provides for its players. Players can acquire them by using money or something other sects call "Sect Contributions," and what God Catcher Office calls "Merit". The price is much cheaper than outside.
For example, some rare medicinal herbs, equipment, and increased cultivation effects using the cultivation room. All items that are not available on the market.
If these benefits were to be revoked for three months, it would definitely impact the growth of his strength significantly.
Is it worth taking such a risk just for an intermediate swordsmanship technique?
Ye Weiming sneered dismissively, then...
Ding! Successfully accepted the "Longmen Escort Agency" task. Please go to the Longmen Escort Agency in Hangzhou immediately to understand the situation.
Seeing that Ye Weiming silently accepted the task, You Jin nodded approvingly. He then pulled out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Ye Weiming saying, "This is a help-seeking letter from Du Dajin, the Head of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency. There might be some clues inside that could help you solve the case."
Ding! You have obtained an item named "Help-seeking letter from the Longmen Escort Agency".
"Thank you for your kindness, Commanding Officer You."
Contents of the message asking for Dragon Gate Escort Agency's help read: "On the third day of last month, the Dragon Gate Escort Agency received a peculiar cargo..."
It seems that the System is thoughtful. Concerned that players would not understand traditional Chinese characters, especially cursive scripts, it provides translations for all similar content.
Having briefly glanced over the message, Ye Weiming read that they were asked to protect a living person. The man named Master Yin who entrusted this task was so generous that they could not refuse him. Their only requirement was to deliver the incapacitated person safely into the hands of Zhang Sanfeng, the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect.
The journey went smoothly until they arrived at the foot of Wudang Mountain. They ran into fake Wudang Heroes who took the person away. The unfortunate fellow then had his joints crushed by the villains, using the Crushing Fist technique from the Shaolin Sect. What's worse, the person they were supposed to escort was Yu Daidan, the third-ranked direct disciple of Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of the Wudang Sect!
This was major trouble. Earlier, Master Yin had threatened to wipe out the entire Dragon Gate Escort Agency if there were any accidents. Also, Zhang Sanfeng's seven disciples were as close as brothers, any of whom were dreadful opponents for the tiny Dragon Gate Escort Agency. Inadvertently offending both parties, the Escort Agency's leader was in utter panic. He wrote an urgent message to the officials asking for help.
After Ye Weiming finished reading the message, You Jinyou casually spoke: "The leader of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency was originally a secular disciple of the Shaolin Sect. He's definitely asking for help from his mentor, so perhaps asking us as well is just his way of seeking extra insurance. Or maybe you could get through this mission without a fuss."
Haha….
A mission that gives out a five-star evaluation, yet can be fudged through, do you think I am a fool, or do you think you are?
However, Ye Weiming did not dwell on this. Having accepted the mission, the rest was to face the obstacle as it came.
After stowing the message away, Ye Weiming took a carriage heading straight to Hangzhou.
When Ye Weiming arrived in Hangzhou, it was already close to dusk. He first ate a few street snacks to fill his stomach, then bought two bundles of straw mats, each with ninety-nine pieces. He also purchased a few bottles of Realgar wine for self-defense, useful for his treasure hunt in the Leifeng Pagoda dungeon.
With night fully fallen, Ye Weiming finally set out for the Dragon Gate Escort Agency.
Using the Eight-Steps Chasing Toad movement technique, Ye Weiming's speed increased nearly twofold. However, Hangzhou being a big city, even at his speed, it was completely dark when he arrived at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency.
Barely stepping onto the street outside the Dragon Gate Escort Agency, he heard noises of clanging weapons and shouting.
Could it be this soon?
Feeling tense, Ye Weiming instantly infused his legs with inner strength. His speed increased again, and in a flash, he was outside the agency's gate. Peering inside, his heart suddenly sank.
In the courtyard of the escort agency, a group of players dressed like monks good battling another group of players dressed as Taoist priests. In another area, six or seven NPC monks were circling a young man holding an iron hook in one hand and a judge's brush in the other.
Apart from this, there were corpses strewn about the ground, with blood splattered over every inch of the agency's compound!
Ding! A massacre has occurred at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency, with no survivors left. The mission has changed.
Massacre Mystery
Mission Level: Five-Star
Investigate the reasons behind the massacre at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency. This case involves both the Shaolin and Wudang Sects, so please handle with caution!
Mission Rewards: 5000 Experience, 500 Cultivation points, One Intermediate Level Swordsmanship Scroll.
Failure Penalty: No salary for three months, and no access to any Sect benefits except for private apartments.
Shaolin, Wudang...
So, this is the true nature of this five-star mission?
Taking this mission even more seriously, Ye Weiming did not rush to join the battle. While advancing into the courtyard, his gaze swiftly swept over the scattered bodies.
Just as Ye Weiming was collecting clues as quickly as possible, two Shaolin disciples suddenly blocked his way: "Brother, this is part of our mission. Please step aside."