TEFSCBSS Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Beating the Drum? Who Can’t Do That?

“Cough, cough. That’s right, it’s me. I’m the werewolf.”

Li Tiechui remained expressionless as he faced the crowd, exuding the aura of a hidden master, calm and unreadable.

However, onstage, Yun Yang and Zhao Wen were fuming with rage, while the audience below broke into an uproar. Who would have thought someone would self-eliminate as a lone wolf?

“Isn’t this just messing around?”

“Exactly! How can someone who plays like this still win? He might even secure a spot in the final selection!”

“This isn’t fair!”

They clamored for an explanation from Li Tiechui, but he remained indifferent as if he were mute the moment he wasn’t playing the game—just like Li Tiezhu back in the day.

Su Li rubbed her temples at the commotion and quickly waved for Wang Qingmu to come up and help explain, hoping to calm the crowd.

“Everyone, please quiet down! First of all, Werewolf isn’t a game with just one fixed way to play. It only has a few simple rules.”

“But within these simple rules, there are endless strategies!”

“Take Butcher Liu’s stunt earlier today—wasn’t that also a case of a werewolf self-eliminating?”

“At first, everyone was upset about it, but can you say his tactic was ineffective? Didn’t it bring a new level of excitement to the game?”

“We started by rigidly following the rules, then we learned how to fake identities, argue, and interrogate each other.”

“And now—!”

“We’ve moved beyond just manipulating roles. We can now exploit the mechanics of the night phase to create an entirely new playstyle!”

“Just like Butcher Liu!”

“Just like Li Tiechui!”

“I think the reason everyone is upset right now is that you’re too immersed in the perspective of the other players. No one likes being deceived.”

“But if you look at it purely as a spectator—wouldn’t you find this kind of intense showdown thrilling?”

As Wang Qingmu spoke, the crowd began to realize they might have overreacted. Though many still disapproved of Li Tiechui’s tactics, they couldn’t deny that his performance—jumping between roles, deceiving left and right, even faking his demise—was undeniably exhilarating and mentally demanding.

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Su Li stepped forward from backstage.

“Alright, the finals are officially over! Now, dear audience, it’s time to vote for your favorite players among these seven finalists. The three players with the highest combined score—based on audience votes and today’s game points—will win a role in our new production!”

“Li Ergou, who are you voting for?”

As Su Li finished speaking, the audience broke into discussions.

“I think Li Tiechui isn’t bad. Sure, lying isn’t the most honorable thing, but his play was entertaining, and he’s got guts!”

“Exactly! Didn’t Boss Zhao say this script isn’t for the faint-hearted? We need someone fearless to hold the stage!”

“What about Master Wufei? Is he getting eliminated?” asked a young woman, known as Tofu Beauty.

“Oh my, has Beauty got her eyes on that little monk? Don’t worry, I’ll ask him tomorrow if he plans to leave the monastery.”

“Hehe, thanks, Auntie!”

“I’m with you on this. Honestly, what’s so great about being a monk? Always hungry, always cold. With Wufei’s quick thinking, he’d do well in business if he ever left the monastery.”

The conversation drifted further off-topic, and soon they were discussing when to arrange a wedding banquet for Wufei and Tofu Beauty. Meanwhile, another part of the crowd was engaged in their debate.

“Don’t you guys think Young Master Zhao is kind of pitiful?”

“You mean Zhao Wen?”

“Yeah, him!”

“Yeah, poor guy. The son of a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Justice, completely outplayed by a mere carpenter. Truly tragic.”

“Yeah, actually, Young Master Zhao is pretty impressive. Every time he uses his abilities or debates, his logic is spot on. I think he’s got potential.”

“And that Wan Niang isn’t bad either! Even though she made a mistake at the last moment, she’s been sharp and thoughtful the whole way through.”

“True! No wonder she’s known as the little scholar around here—she’s brilliant.”

Wan Niang’s father was a teacher at a local academy. She had been studying under him since childhood and would occasionally tutor younger children herself.

…

Before long, everyone had finished their discussions and cast their votes for their favorite players. Meanwhile, Su Li and the others tallied the votes and calculated the final scores, finally determining the rankings for the competition!

“Now, I officially announce the winners of today’s finals—Princess Yunyang, Wang Wu, Wufei, and Pang Dahai!”

Su Li announced the names clearly and concisely. Even though these four didn’t secure a role in the new script, the audience still erupted into enthusiastic applause.

Then, she continued, “Now, let’s welcome our third-place winner to the stage—Wan Niang!”

The moment Wan Niang’s name was called, Butcher Liu, who had been waiting excitedly in the crowd, quickly pulled two wooden drumsticks from his belt and started pounding on a drum that had mysteriously appeared in front of him. As he played, he chanted loudly, “Wan Niang! You’re the best! Wan Niang! You’re the prettiest!”

Wan Niang, who had been carefully maintaining a gentle and refined persona, slowly dropped her act. Her expression turned ice-cold as if she had never heard of the name Wan Niang in her life.

With a deadpan face, she walked up to Su Li, accepted her award and invitation, then, still expressionless, turned and strode straight toward Butcher Liu.

Seeing Wan Niang approaching, Butcher Liu got even more excited. He raised his drumsticks, ready to give a grand solo performance on the spot.

But before he could bring the sticks down, Wan Niang lifted her leg high and brought it down in a powerful kick, smashing the drumhead into pieces.

And she wasn’t done. In a sudden burst of movement, she grabbed Butcher Liu by the head and shoved him straight into the broken drum. At the same time, she snatched his drumsticks and began pounding on the drum’s edge.

“Oh, you wanna stand out, huh?” Bang!

“You think you’re so great, huh?” Bang!

“You wanna play the drums?” Bang!

“You wanna play the drums?” Bang!

“I’ll drum you to death today!” Bang! Bang! Bang!

It all happened so fast that the audience barely had time to react. In the blink of an eye, the burly Butcher Liu was getting beaten senseless, unable to fight back or even make a sound.

On stage, Wang Qingmu, who had been helping with the awards, turned pale.

Part of it was sheer frustration at Butcher Liu’s dumb antics. The other part was pure fear—of Wan Niang.

“W-Wan Niang… maybe let’s calm down a bit?”

His voice trembled as he spoke, too scared to approach. All he could do was watch awkwardly as the drumsticks kept striking the drum.

In the end, it was Su Li who stepped in, pulling Wan Niang back before she killed the poor guy.