TEFSCBSS Chapter 43

Chapter 43: You’re Not Good Enough—I Choose Gu Qing

Wang Bokao, clutching the invitation, was happily making his way to the palace academy.

By the way, he was still an enrolled student here, though he didn’t come to class often or take it seriously.

The little eunuch guarding the gate didn’t dare stop this “little demon king,” thinking that perhaps he was sent by the Minister of State, Wang Taifu. It was likely that there would be chaos soon, so he kept his distance to avoid any trouble.

The academy was in a study session, with their teacher, Wang Taifu, up top marking assignments. Each correction made a loud red cross, and the louder he marked, the more silent the students below became. None of the royal princes, grandsons, or companions dared to make a sound.

When Wang Bokao arrived, he saw this scene and nervously gritted his teeth. He crouched down and crawled to the side of Han Yueyi, pulling at his sleeve.

Han Yueyi had been focused on his reading when he was suddenly pulled, almost yelping out loud. He had to steady himself, maintaining calm and composure, otherwise, both of them would end up standing in the corner with a hand slap.

“What are you here for?” Han Yueyi couldn’t speak but quickly jotted down a few words for him.

Wang Bokao didn’t answer. He simply took out the invitation and showed it to Han Yueyi, not handing it over. Instead, he wrote on a piece of paper, “Xiao Lizi’s new script is out, and the top three have invitations. I brought yours.”

Han Yueyi nodded, reaching for the invitation. However, Wang Bokao swiftly dodged, shoving the invitation into his chest and writing more words: “To be honest, this script feels off. You’re not suited for it. I’m thinking of bringing Gu Qing to handle it—exorcism and rituals.”

After writing, he slammed the paper onto the desk and, without waiting for Han Yueyi’s response, quickly left the academy, vanishing in a flash.

The commotion immediately drew the attention of all the students, including Wang Taifu, who was brewing his anger at the front.

“Heh, it’s the Third Prince. What’s going on? Killing mosquitoes?” Wang Taifu didn’t mock much, grabbing his ruler and approaching, “I told you to remain quiet, focus on your studies. Let me see what the Third Prince has learned today.”

He glanced down at a book, the cover of which read Records of the Grand Historian. However, Wang Taifu was an experienced educator, and he didn’t believe for a second that Han Yueyi was reading that book. He reached out to snatch it, suspicious it might be some random leisure reading with a cover on it.

Han Yueyi, seeing this, threw himself over the desk and fiercely protected the book. In truth, it was Records of the Grand Historian, and he was genuinely enjoying it. But underneath the book were the notes from him and Wang Bokao.

Internally cursing, Damn Wang Bokao! Can’t I go one day without being tricked?

No matter how much he inwardly cursed, Wang Taifu wouldn’t be deterred from investigating. They were locked in a tense standoff—one trying to grab the book and the other trying to protect it. Wang Taifu, seeming a little older, was growing tired, his grip loosening.

Han Yueyi sighed with relief, ready to apologize. But just as he was about to speak, Wang Taifu swiftly grabbed the book and found the hidden note. The handwriting was unmistakably from his mischievous grandson.

A cold smile crept onto Wang Taifu’s face. “Oh? The Third Prince and my good-for-nothing grandson are close? He’s skipping school, but for the Third Prince, he’ll do anything. How impressive.”

Han Yueyi had no choice but to stand there, sweat pouring down, resigned. He stretched out his hand and let Wang Taifu hit him with ten slaps from his ruler, his hand swelling.

Crying silently, he thought, I’ve cursed my life by knowing Wang Bokao. He started all of this, but I’m the one who gets hit, and now I won’t even get to participate in the new script. What kind of world is this?!

His frustration and anger flared. He swore to make Wang Bokao regret it! Glancing around at the other princes watching in amusement, Han Yueyi sneered but didn’t respond. Then his eyes landed on someone, and a brilliant plan came to mind.

Wang Bokao, we’re still brothers, and I’m doing this for you. Don’t hold it against me!

On the way to the Long Princess’s mansion, Wang Bokao sneezed. “Who’s talking behind my back, praising me again? Sigh, being too handsome is such a burden.”

He cleared his thoughts and, clutching the invitation, carefully climbed over the wall into the Long Princess’s mansion, avoiding others as he made his way to Gu Qing’s courtyard.

“Who dares trespass into the Cave of Qingfeng Daoist?” Gu Qing, dressed as a Daoist priest, held a Tao Te Ching in one hand and a peachwood sword in the other.

Wang Bokao paused, bewildered. Is this how he is at home too? Carrying a peachwood sword around? Is there a ghost in the house?

That’s exactly what he thought and asked.

Seeing it was someone he knew, Gu Qing relaxed and immediately helped Wang Bokao down from the wall.

“What brings you here? Aren’t you supposed to find my sister?”

“Uh, well… let’s put that aside for now,” Wang Bokao’s eyes dodged. “You did well in the game yesterday. Xiao Lizi thinks you’re talented and wants to invite you to play the new script.”

“Also, we teamed up, and although we had a rough start and had to switch to the human race…”

“We ended up doing amazingly, almost like we were cheating! If the game didn’t end, we would’ve become saints first!”

Wang Bokao kept praising, almost too much. But honestly, after thinking about it, he realized Gu Qing must have some real skills—not only in exorcism but even divination.

The new dungeon was eerie. With a monk among the top three, having a non-fraudulent Daoist like Gu Qing would make things safer.

Gu Qing was flattered by Wang Bokao’s praise. He seemed modest, but his smile kept growing, clearly pleased.

After a long round of compliments, Wang Bokao finally got to the point.

“Xiao Lizi has a new script coming out the day after tomorrow—it’s making its debut!”

“The first time you play a script is special. If you don’t get one of the top three spots or win tomorrow’s qualifier, you can’t join the dungeon. The players there aren’t pushovers!”

Wang Bokao kept spinning the tale, “You know Han Yueyi, right? He’s been stuck at the academy. When he heard the new script was opening, he was disappointed he couldn’t join.”

“I told him he should just give his spot to you. After all, we saw your strength yesterday. Instead of wasting a spot, you should go experience it!”

“What? You think it’s unfair to the others?”

“Don’t worry. I checked with Xiao Lizi—those top three spots can be transferred! And with your strength and wisdom, they’ll be too impressed to complain!”

Wang Bokao’s words left Gu Qing flushed with excitement, eager to agree. He snatched the invitation and opened it.

But then, he closed it again…

Is this an invitation? Or some kind of curse written by a vengeful ghost?

From afar, Wang Bokao’s voice echoed, “Qingfeng Daoist, you must come the day after tomorrow!”