TEFSCBSS Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Su San — Hunt Begins!

The first round of the mini-competition had ended, and all the judges, along with the thirty specially selected audience members, gave their scores to the ten candidates.

As night approached, people gradually left in small groups.

Contestant No. 5, Wang Qingmu, glanced at No. 2—someone he had quite the mutual understanding with—and called out, “Brother Chen, Brother Jiuming! How about we go over the day’s events together for a bit?”

No. 2, Chen Jiuming, also had a good impression of Wang Qingmu, and the two headed to a nearby food stall to share drinks and talk about their thought processes from earlier.

Watching the close bond between No. 2 and No. 5, No. 8, Jiang Yanke, suddenly had a glimmer in his eye. He turned to No. 1 and said, “Song—”

“Get lost.”

…

Su Li shook her head at the group of rowdy kids. As the last person finally left, she hurried to hang the “Closed” sign, lock the door, and get ready for bed.

With a wave of her hand, the Gu siblings, who were massaging their arms and legs nearby, quickly scurried off to the back courtyard and into their rooms. It had been an exhausting day.

As for Su Li, ever dedicated and consistent, she returned to her small, cozy coffin and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

The script store quickly fell silent. Compared to the lively scene earlier, the place now felt a bit lonely.

At that moment, Su San arrived with a group of burly men. They easily pushed open a window and slipped inside.

The store was dimly lit. Makeshift bookshelves and bamboo dividers obstructed their view.

“Boss, why aren’t we heading to the back courtyard?” asked one of the big men. His name was Ge Jiantai, a fierce-looking fellow and a sworn brother of Jiang Liang.

Su San didn’t even glance at him. “Silence.”

He wasn’t some reckless brute who acted without a plan—he had been casing the place for days. Every time the store closed, he waited to see if Su Li would leave, trying to figure out her habits and defensive arrangements.

But night after night, she never exited the front of the store. Which meant… Su Li must be sleeping here.

Tsk. Such dedication. What a waste.

No matter how clever she was, Su Li should’ve known better than to oppose Chancellor Su. Going against the current? She deserved what was coming.

Su San and Ge Jiantai carefully searched the front section of the store. The reception desk, the private guest room, the public gaming hall—nothing. Su Li was nowhere in sight.

Su San’s gaze landed on the rooms representing the live-action script scenarios. Without hesitation, he ordered, “You go check out this ‘Locust Tree Village.’ I’ll take ‘Shan Shi Village.’”

“Remember, once you find her, don’t waste time talking. Kill on sight.”

A cold glint flashed in Ge Jiantai’s eyes as he turned and headed toward Locust Tree Village.

…

Su San stood silently in front of the iron gate to Shan Shi Village, deep in thought.

Damn. Good thing he had scouted this place beforehand. Otherwise, even with all his strength, he would’ve exhausted himself trying to break through this heavy iron door.

He slipped inside the moment the gate opened.

He searched the entire village, even peeking inside a few empty houses and coffins, but came up empty-handed.

Finally, he reached what looked like a shrine, and inside, he heard voices.

“Master, isn’t this place fine? Let’s just stay here.”

Su San crouched behind a window and recognized the voice—it was Wufei, the monk who frequently came to the script store. The other voice belonged to an older monk.

The elder shook his head. “Wufei, I know you care about everyone and want the young ones to be well-fed and clothed. I’ve never complained about you and Wuzhen bringing them here to act.”

“After all, it’s my fault you’ve struggled to survive with me all these years.”

“But remember, we are monks. Visiting the script store is fine, but don’t make it your refuge. Don’t take advantage of Miss Su’s kindness and move in permanently.”

Wufei protested, “But our Vajra Temple is on the outskirts. The trip is exhausting for Wuming and the others. They may be eating more, but they’re skinnier than ever! Even senior brother—his robes are falling off him!”

The old monk sighed. “And have you thought about Miss Su’s future?”

Wufei froze, guilt flashing across his face. He turned away, silent.

The old monk could easily guess what his clever second disciple was thinking.

If all the monks of Vajra Temple moved into the script store, it wouldn’t matter whether Su Li welcomed them or not. Public perception would shift instantly.

Working with a religious order, would the money spent by players be seen as offerings? Would the players themselves be seen as worshippers?

Worse, how would those in power perceive this?

Throughout history, everyone knew religion was a double-edged sword. If Su Li allied too closely with them, who would be controlling whom? Would the monks begin using the store to spread Buddhist ideology, or would Su Li use their influence to push her agenda?

Judging by Wufei’s expression, he already knew the answer.

Out of everyone at Vajra Temple, Wufei was the smartest and quickest to learn. Smooth-talking, shrewd, and adaptable.

Knowing all this, he still wanted to bring the monks into the store.

The elder sighed again. “Wufei, we mustn’t only look at the short-term benefits. Feeding everyone today doesn’t justify ruining our future.”

He patted Wufei’s shoulder. “Let’s go. Your senior brother should be done with alms by now. We still have to cook for Wuming and the others.”

“Otherwise, our little monks might starve to death before our temple ever regains its former glory.”

With that, he walked toward the exit.

Wufei silently followed, saying nothing.

Once they were gone, Su San emerged from behind the window.

“Tsk. Lucky they left. Otherwise, I would’ve had to start a massacre tonight.”

He did one more sweep of the area, made sure no one was hiding there, then left to rendezvous with Ge Jiantai at Locust Tree Village.

…

Elsewhere, Ge Jiantai boldly entered Locust Tree Village.

The layout was almost identical to before, except now, right at the entrance, there were three visible outhouses.

Hmm. Judging by the crude workmanship, this had to be the handiwork of the infamous Butcher Liu.

Ge Jiantai ignored the outhouses. Please, there was no way a former chancellor’s daughter would hide in a place like that.

He ventured deeper into the village when he suddenly heard faint sobbing, just a short distance ahead.

“Waaah, you died so tragically…”

“No, I died tragically!”

Hearing that ghostly wailing, Ge Jiantai felt a chill crawl up his spine.

He crept toward the sound.

And wouldn’t you know it—right there, crying her heart out, was none other than Su Li.