TEFSCBSS Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Even in Ancient Times, They Urged Marriage

The night sky was dotted with countless stars.

Wang Bokao, with his pig-headed stubbornness, was walking home with Zhao Wen.

“You think that script murder game tomorrow is going to be that scary?”

Zhao Wen clutched the invitation in his hand, already unnerved by the eerie aura surrounding it. Even the interrogation notes his father compiled weren’t this unsettling.

“Ah, it’s nothing. No need to be scared. I’ve already invited a powerful master to join us.”

“But I didn’t expect Wufei to sell off a slot. Otherwise, if we had one monk and one Taoist priest, even if there were zombies in that game, they wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Can you stop talking? The more you say, the more terrified I get.”

Wang Bokao shook his head regretfully. “Forget it. You’re home now, so I won’t walk you in.”

“But let me give you some friendly advice.”

Zhao Wen immediately nodded. This was exactly what he had been waiting for. He had no clue how to prepare for the game tomorrow. If it weren’t for Wang Bokao being well-connected in that circle, he never would have agreed to go with this little troublemaker.

“Listen to me—when you get home, recite a few chapters of the Diamond Sutra, then memorize the Great Compassion Mantra, and copy the Heart Sutra a few times.”

“Oh, and I heard your dad has a secret weapon he uses when interrogating prisoners. You should, you know, ‘borrow’ it.”

The moment Zhao Wen heard the suggestion of stealing from his father, he shook his head furiously. “No way! If I get caught, I’ll be beaten to death!”

“Zhao Xiaogou, why are you such a coward? My grandpa beats me all the time—have you ever seen me scared?”

“The more hardships you go through, the stronger you become. I’m teaching you the way of life!”

“Besides, your dad’s weapon has seen countless criminals. The murderous aura alone would scare away any little ghosts!”

“Ever heard the saying that butchers aren’t afraid of ghosts? You know why?”

Zhao Wen shook his head again.

“Idiot. Butchers deal with blood every day, their aura is soaked in slaughter. Take Liu the Butcher, for example—he could take on seven or eight guards at once. Even military recruits, like that fool Li Feng who’s trained for years but never seen real bloodshed, can’t compare to him.”

“If this were a real supernatural event, Liu the Butcher would be a game-changer. Too bad it’s just a script. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even be taking you along, let alone helping you secure a spot.”

Zhao Wen was startled. Could Liu the Butcher be that strong?

“Judging by that look on your face, you’re probably thinking, ‘How could he be so tough when he got smacked around by a woman earlier,’ huh?”

“Tsk, you’re such a naive little boy. You don’t even have a sweetheart—what do you know? That was just playful flirting. One willing to hit, the other willing to take it.”

Zhao Wen still felt like something was off, but Wang Bokao’s words did make some sense. Lost in thought, he continued his walk home.

Wang Bokao fanned himself and shook his head. “Ah, I am something else.”

“Brilliant! Wise!”

Er Tong, walking behind him, scoffed. “That was just plain manipulation.”

Meanwhile, over at the princess’s residence, Yun Yang rushed in, looking utterly miserable, straight to the Eldest Princess.

“Oh my, oh my, what’s with this strong wind today? One after another, you’re all running to me.”

Hearing this, Yun Yang wiped away the tears she had painstakingly built up and turned to see her eldest brother, dressed like a Taoist priest.

“Big Brother? Why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to be refining elixirs?”

Gu Qing flipped to the next page of the Tao Te Ching. “Oh, nothing much. I’m heading out tomorrow, so I just came to inform Mother.”

“Oh,” Yun Yang responded absentmindedly, turning her head away as she continued her tearful act.

“Mother! You have to stand up for me!”

The Eldest Princess was startled. “What? Who bullied you? I mean, really, in this entire imperial city, who could dare to bully you? With your status, your position… and the fact that you barely step foot outside all year round.”

“Uh…” Yun Yang hesitated. Okay, maybe she wasn’t that untouchable.

“Someone bullied me! It was Wang Bokao!”

“What? He bullied you?!”

The Eldest Princess’ expression flickered between anger and… a little bit of delight. “Tell me everything!”

“Speak freely! Mother will ensure justice is served!”

“Tomorrow, I’ll have your royal uncle arrange the marriage. Next month, the betrothal gifts will be sent, and by the end of the year, the wedding will be complete!”

The more she spoke, the more excited she became. She knew Wang Bokao well—smart since childhood, cunning, mischievous, and tough as nails! Sure, he looked thin and scrappy, always flailing around, but the kid had been raised under the iron fist of Grand Tutor Wang since he was little! Unlike her own pampered children, who would cry at the slightest tap.

Once he became her son-in-law, he’d be at her mercy—her perfect sparring partner!

The thought alone had her itching to take action. She clutched the whip in her hand, nearly jumping up to storm into the palace and demand her brother issue the decree immediately.

“Wait… what?”

What the hell?

Wasn’t she here to file a complaint?

She didn’t want to get married! Especially not to that scammer Wang Bokao!

Panicked, she abandoned all pretense of crying and lunged forward, tightly wrapping herself around the Eldest Princess’ leg.

“Mother! You misunderstood! It’s not that kind of bullying!”

“He tricked me!”

“He said he’d take me to the abandoned graveyard, but then he planned to sneak off by himself without me!”

“Mother, come back! I’m not marrying him!”

The Eldest Princess: … You should’ve said that sooner. I already had the dowry planned out.

She pried Yun Yang off her leg and sulked as she sat back down.

“If it’s not that kind of bullying, then it’s none of my concern.”

“An abandoned graveyard? Hah, maybe I should go first—you can carry me over in a coffin. That way, your wish will be fulfilled.”

Hearing this, Yun Yang immediately dropped the act and obediently stood to the side.

Even Gu Qing set aside his Tao Te Ching and silently joined his sister.

The Eldest Princess sighed dramatically. “Half my life has passed. My old friends already have grandchildren, yet I haven’t even caught sight of a daughter-in-law or son-in-law.” Ugh, not a single promising candidate.

“What use are you two to me? My whip is practically rusting!”

“Gu Qing, I’m telling you—you may not care, but as the eldest, you need to set an example for your younger siblings!”

“If I don’t see a wife by the end of this year, I’m sending people to demolish your Daoist temple!”

Hiss—now that was unacceptable.

Gu Qing shook his head like a rattling drum. “Mother, you’re making things difficult for me!”

“Exactly, exactly,” Yun Yang echoed quietly.

“I built that temple with my own hands, brick by brick! You can’t destroy it!”

“Exactly, exactly!”

“As for marriage, who would even want to marry me?”

“Exactly, exac—”

Gu Qing: … Stop agreeing with everything! I was just being humble!

“I don’t care, I only want results!” The Eldest Princess slammed the table. “Now get out, both of you!”

“And Yun Yang! If your brother doesn’t find a wife soon, I’ll donate all the books in your library!”

“Mother, that’s collective punishment!”

“Hah! I only care about results.”

The three of them bickered well into the night, but in the end, the younger two were forced to retreat in frustration.

Gu Ming, upon overhearing the news: Amitabha… serves them right.

The next day, at noon—West Tower Script Store.

A group of players loitered in the lobby, refusing to leave.

They had all seen it—the first floor of West Tower had been expanded again, but a massive iron gate had been welded shut, blocking any view inside.

All they could see were the large, old-style characters carved onto the plaque above:

Shan Shi Village.