Chapter One: A New Mission

In the following month or two, Shen Ye completed several more missions, eliminating a few bullies of Lü Daqi’s caliber. Yet, none of these deeds caused much of a stir. No one had a clue that they were the work of the Chopsticks Demon.

Shen Ye continued searching for his next target. Strangely, however, those infamous gangs and other notorious criminals seemed to have vanished; rumor had it they’d all gone to Sheep City. Even when he swept the streets with his Eye of Justice, he found scarcely anyone with an evil score above five, as if every wrongdoer had simply melted away.

Just then, a notification chimed in his mind: “Ding! System mission generated. Host, please find a relatively safe place within ten minutes to accept the mission.” Shen Ye was driving down the street when he heard the chime, feeling a touch bewildered—another mission? Did the Hero System still have tasks for him?

He realized he wasn’t far from Silver Beach, so he drove there in seven minutes, entered his seaside cottage, and settled onto the lazy sofa behind the bar. He checked the time—eight and a half minutes. He let out a long breath.

Time ticked steadily toward the ten-minute mark. Suddenly, Shen Ye’s mind blurred, and before he could react, he found himself back at the place where he’d first received the Hero System. The adorable little girl appeared before him once more.

“Elf, does the system still assign missions?” Shen Ye asked.

“Of course,” the cute little girl replied, sucking on a lollipop. “I used to think there was nothing fun to do in your twenty-first century. Turns out, these antique single-player games aren’t half bad, though your era is rubbish—can’t even make a decent virtual reality.” Her words were muffled by the lollipop.

Shen Ye wiped his brow. “All right, so what exactly is the system’s new mission?”

The little girl removed the lollipop from her lips. “According to the system’s assessment, the number of villains in County N has dropped to an extremely low level, and there are no more heinous criminals. County N can now be considered a preliminary paradise on earth. But as a hero, your ambitions shouldn’t be confined to a single county. You should set your sights on broader horizons—like Sheep City, which is just ahead of you.”

“So, after all that, the system’s mission is simply to have me leave County N and continue cleansing evil in Sheep City.” Shen Ye shrugged. “Honestly, I haven’t found any high-evil-value criminals in County N lately. I was just thinking of heading to Sheep City. But, Elf, does the system offer any rewards for this?”

“Of course,” the Elf nodded. “The system can provide you with a metal formula invented in the twenty-seventh century. With it, you can forge a superalloy—whether you make it into a sword or knuckles, it will be a peerless weapon. However, the specifics of refining it are up to you.”

Shen Ye was delighted. His current combat style relied mainly on his fists and sheer physical attributes. A pair of excellent gauntlets would be invaluable. But as he read through the formula and the alloy’s refinement process, he grew increasingly troubled. The instructions spanned several pages—how could he, a self-professed academic failure, ever hope to master it? He groaned inwardly.

Since Shen Ye intended to move to Sheep City, relocating the restaurant was the next step. He mentioned it to Wen Xiuting, who readily agreed to go with him. For her, County N was a place of heartbreak, and leaving was a relief.

Afterward, Shen Ye drove home. As he opened the door, he saw his mother and father deep in discussion and couldn’t help but be curious. “Dad, isn’t it strange that you’re home instead of at the mahjong table? Is something up?”

Lin Mei snorted. “Your father’s been feeling flush lately—lost over two thousand at the tables, and now he’s come to me for money.”

Shen Jiaping offered an embarrassed smile. “Don’t make it sound so bad. Besides, we’re not short on cash these days, are we?”

“Not short? That’s over two thousand! And it’s not even your own earnings—it’s your son’s.” Lin Mei’s tone hardened. “Shen Ye, from now on, just give us two or three thousand each month—enough so your father and I don’t starve. Your dad is far too good at losing at cards.”

Shen Ye frowned slightly. “Mom, you should keep a closer eye on the money. By the way, Mom, I’m thinking of moving the restaurant.”

“Where to?” Lin Mei asked anxiously. The restaurant’s income was crucial to Shen Ye’s future prospects as a suitor.

“Sheep City. There’s a bigger crowd there—more money to be made,” Shen Ye replied.

Skeptical, Shen Jiaping remarked, “But, son, you always said running the restaurant wasn’t just about making money, but about enjoyment. If you open in Sheep City, you’ll be run off your feet.”

He had to admit, for all his easygoing ways, his father knew him well.

“Opening in Sheep City will be exhausting, but I’m still young—young people should work hard.” Shen Ye offered this as a convenient excuse.

“That’s right, that’s the spirit!” Lin Mei was moved by her son’s drive. She had always hoped he would strive for more. “But, son, your seaside cottage business is doing so well. Isn’t it a shame to just give it up?”

Shen Ye propped his chin in his hand. “And all those loyal regulars who’ve supported my cooking—they’ll be disappointed if they can’t have my dishes anymore. After all, I’ve brought them so much joy with my cuisine.”

“How about this, Mom? You know the restaurant’s success is thanks to a special seasoning. I can provide you a monthly supply of it. Why don’t you take over the Silver Beach location?” he suggested.

Lin Mei was tempted, but hesitated. “But I don’t know how to cook American food.”

“You can learn. I’ll delay my move for a month and teach you everything. Honestly, American cuisine is simple, and your cooking skills are better than mine already. Besides, your little grocery shop barely makes any money. You might as well close it,” Shen Ye said.

Lin Mei pondered for a moment. “All right, I’ll give it a try.”

“Then I’ll also be a shareholder in the Silver Beach cottage! How much do I get each month?” Shen Jiaping chimed in eagerly.

Lin Mei shot him a look of disdain. “You? Forget it. You haven’t worked a day in decades. I’ll hire a pretty waitress instead. As for dividends—don’t even think about it.”

Shen Jiaping could only sigh in frustration.

(Midnight—asking as usual for recommendations. Also, the second volume begins here; the protagonist enters Sheep City, where the waves are higher, the challenges greater, and the villains stronger.)