TEFSCBSS Chapter 11

Chapter 11: The Stories of Huai Tree Village (Part 3)

He’s here, he’s here—bringing ghosts and monsters with him!

Wang Bokao was beside himself with excitement. At this moment, he didn’t care whether this was just a story. He just had to hear how vengeful spirits sought their revenge!

Wu Zhen’s expression was filled with compassion. “I am a wandering Daoist monk, traveling to hone my skills. I happened to hear rumors of a mother and daughter both dying within seven days in this place. It sounded unusual, so I decided to come and investigate.”

Wang Bokao sat below the stage, his eyes shining with enthusiasm as he scratched his head and nodded furiously. Oh, if it had been him who’d heard such bizarre tales, he’d have come running too! Master! Enlightened one! Please, continue!

…Wu Zhen pretended not to notice the overly animated “monkey” below the stage and continued. “I traveled on foot, so I was a bit slow. By the time I arrived, it was the wedding day of the bride and groom. While attending the banquet, I asked around and discovered that these two were closely tied to the story.”

“What’s strange is that the version of the tale I overheard differs greatly from what the two just recounted. It’s far more bizarre.”

“I heard there were four tyrants in this village who called each other brothers—‘Fierce Tiger,’ ‘Savage Wolf,’ ‘Crafty Fox,’ and ‘Venomous Scorpion.’”

“The ‘Venomous Scorpion’ was a young woman, just sixteen years old, with a heart as venomous as her nickname suggests. At home, she bullied her elder brother, tormented her stepmother, and showed no respect for her father. Outside, she defied all laws, was rebellious, and drove everyone away with her arrogance. That young woman is today’s bride.”

“‘Savage Wolf’ is the groom. Ruthless and unscrupulous, he once nearly burned down the village shrine and was banished from the village. After years of struggling, he returned as a wealthy merchant, draped in silks and pretending to be a refined gentleman—yet he’s even more dangerous now.”

“‘Fierce Tiger’ is Li Tiezhu, standing nine feet tall and astonishingly strong. He can punch through wooden walls and smash giant stones with his bare hands. Not one for thinking, he follows the Savage Wolf’s lead without question.”

“‘Crafty Fox’ is Zhao Si, the group’s mastermind. He’s a schemer, a man whose plots harm others without benefiting himself. He’s dedicated to corrupting the village’s morals and dragging the younger generation into ruin, earning the ire of everyone.”

“These four are deeply connected to the story. Don’t you all feel their involvement completely overturns the tale you’ve heard so far?”

Overturn?

The crowd below was stunned. Fierce Tiger? Savage Wolf? Crafty Fox? Venomous Scorpion?!

How bad must these people have been to earn such titles?

The audience raised their heads, their gazes falling on Zhao Si: Tsk tsk tsk, who would’ve thought? At first, he seemed like a decent guy—changing careers to be a waiter, serving tea, and chatting openly. But it turns out he’s a deceitful fox! No wonder we were tricked earlier!

Next, their eyes turned to Li Tiezhu, who had been silently meditating since the start: Tsk tsk tsk, really? Fierce Tiger? Makes sense—nine feet tall, sitting there looking like that? Who’d dare hire him as a carpenter? He’d slap you into the afterlife before fixing anything!

Finally, their eyes landed on Han Yueyi, whose face had been dark with frustration: Tsk tsk tsk, sure, he’s the Third Prince and all, but dressing as a bride for the role? And now they’re calling him ‘Venomous Scorpion’? Who knows what drama’s coming next?

Han Yueyi took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm.

Damn it, spending a day here feels more exhausting than a month in court! What kind of looks are these? Sympathy? Judgment? I’d rather face the cold stares of political enemies!

Wu Zhen waited for the crowd to process the revelations, then added more fuel to the fire.

“Alas…these are just rumors from the banquet and may not be true. But there’s one thing I saw with my own eyes.”

He wiped the sweat from his brow—They say monks don’t lie, but surely the Buddha will forgive me for embellishing during a game.

“I witnessed black energy lingering over the Liu butcher’s household, swirling ominously. The grudge was deep, one large spirit and one small one.”

“A laundress working in the butcher’s house told me the deaths of the mother and daughter were suspicious. She believed they were murdered.”

Wu Zhen sighed deeply and cast a suspicious glance at Han Yueyi. “I haven’t conducted a thorough investigation yet, so I can’t jump to conclusions. But the laundress suggested the culprit behind the murders of the mother and daughter might be this ‘Venomous Scorpion’ herself.”

The crowd gasped collectively.

Combining this with the earlier “turtle soup riddle” about a younger sister killing her elder sister, and now the laundress’s claim that the same sister killed their mother—this was no simple case.

All eyes turned to Han Yueyi, expecting him to explain.

But…

Han Yueyi glanced at the role description in his mission scroll:

[Oh, my poor bride! Your ‘father’ poisoned you, leaving you mute. You cannot speak to defend yourself!

You don’t know who killed your husband, but you suspect your ‘father’ is involved!

Use body language to prove your innocence and find the real killer of your husband, mother, and sister!]

The crowd waited in silence for Han Yueyi to act.

Wang Bokao widened his eyes, raising his arms in anticipation, ready to applaud the passionate performance.

Wang Qingmu prepped his carbon pencil, ready to document every detail.

The butcher Liu glanced at his “daughter” with concern while suppressing laughter.

Only Su Li regretted not being able to record the moment.

Han Yueyi: Stay calm. I’m the brilliant Third Prince. Being mute is just another challenge…

…sob…

Faced with the crowd’s eager eyes, Han Yueyi could only steel himself.

With an expression of grief and determination, he raised his hand and pointed to his throat. Then, he rasped, “Ahhh—” and waved his hand desperately, his face full of despair.

Han Yueyi: Everyone, I’m mute. I can’t speak…

The crowd: ???

Everyone exchanged bewildered looks.

Butcher Liu, quick-witted, turned away to stifle laughter before slapping Han Yueyi on the back, nearly sending him sprawling.

“My dear daughter! What’s wrong? Speak up!” Liu boomed, his voice thunderous.

Han Yueyi: I think I just saw my royal grandmother…

Before Liu could flatten him, Wang Bokao saved the day. “Ah! Old Han! You’re saying you’ve gone mute?”

Finally, the crowd understood. Oh, he’s trying to say he’s mute!

Han Yueyi escaped Liu’s grip, sprinting to the empty stage. He mimed panic, keeping a wide distance from the other contestants.

He pointed at his throat and frantically shook his hands.

Wang Bokao exclaimed, “I get it—you’re mute! Now act it out! Don’t worry, I’ll interpret perfectly!”

Han Yueyi, moved to tears: Ah, my dear brother, you’re my only hope.

Han Yueyi mimed a table and gestured as if holding a wine cup, rubbing its rim to indicate poison before pretending to drink it.

Wang Bokao: “Ah! You want to toast the groom with wine!”

Han Yueyi: …

Maddening! You’re dead, Wang Bokao!