Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 7

He Lang thought to himself, if even the unimaginable feat of traveling through worlds could be achieved by this manual, then what else couldn’t happen?

Since it could speak, He Lang decided to ask for its name, though he wasn’t sure if a… spirit beast would have such a concern.

Seeing that He Lang initiated a conversation with it, the rabbit became very excited. “I am the Gua-eating Rabbit, so you can call me Gua Rabbit!”

Initially, He Lang thought it was just a gentle and lovely rabbit, but now he felt his perception was being challenged. Was this rabbit too fond of eating melons? How else could it have such a name? What were its parents thinking?

His gaze swept over its short, chubby body and large front teeth. He turned his eyes away and could only say one word, “Stupid.”

The Gua Rabbit, feeling wronged, burrowed into his arms, sniffling as it retorted, “Master, the Gua Rabbit is actually very powerful! I can give you mission hints and open super powerful cheats for you. You should hold onto my thigh, got it?”

He Lang smiled, though he didn’t quite understand what the rabbit was talking about, he could roughly guess that it was boasting about how strong it was.

“Holding your thigh? Like this?” He grasped the rabbit’s thin little leg and deliberately tickled it, causing it to squirm around in his arms.

Although he outwardly showed disdain for the rabbit, as he stroked its soft fur, feeling its silky texture and the warmth from its body, he couldn’t help but grow fond of it.

Since this rabbit was the divine beast of some kind of manual, He Lang decided to share his situation with it, considering it a companion to confide in. After all, in such a surreal and ambiguous world, it was the only one who knew the truth.

“What do you think? How can I help His Highness excel in the civil examination and gain the Emperor’s attention?”

The Gua Rabbit lazily yawned, showing no concern. “The Emperor dotes on him so much. As long as he takes it seriously, of course he’ll be favored.”

He Lang thought about it and decided to do what the people around other princes did—spend money to find out the questions from the scholars who set the exam and then reminded Zhen Puyang to take it seriously.

The atmosphere during the civil exam was relaxed. The siblings of appropriate age gathered together, while the tutors and scholars stood on one side, waiting.

In the past, Zhen Puyang was always one of the last to arrive, but this time, He Lang brought him to the hall early.

“If His Highness performs well this time and proves his ability, I won’t make you write out passages from memory anymore,” He Lang said as he sat down beside him, tapping the table lightly as he spoke.

In truth, He Lang hesitated when he said this, feeling that using the lack of study as a reward for studying was not the most proper way to educate someone.

But evidently, it had a motivating effect on Zhen Puyang. A spark of light flashed in his eyes as he lazily nodded, downing the tea in his cup in one gulp and placing the cup upside down on the table.

“Just watch how I outshine them all.”

He Lang raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. He did have some expectations, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but laugh at Zhen Puyang’s naivety and arrogance.

Did His Highness really think his brothers were as unlearned as he was? Well, it was worth seeing how he would perform.

Since they arrived early, most of the other princes, who usually liked to arrive fashionably late, were not yet there.

The Fourth Prince, Zhen Puqi, was among the first to arrive, causing a small stir as soon as he stepped over the threshold. A few people couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

“Will Fourth Brother amaze everyone again this time?” someone speculated.

“What’s the use of literary talent? Can it win Father’s attention? Look at his background—born of a lowly maid. Who knows if he’s even a legitimate child—huh.”

He Lang glanced sideways.

Zhen Puqi was the Emperor’s fourth son, having just passed his coming-of-age ceremony. Tall and elegant, he didn’t seem like a member of the royal family but rather a refined gentleman. Every move he made was as graceful as flowing water, exuding charm.

However, his mother was the lowest-ranking of the Emperor’s concubines, of humble birth, and could not compare to the mothers of the other princes.

The other princes’ mothers came from prominent families, supported by generals, ministers, and nobility. Even the least among them hailed from wealthy households.

In contrast, Zhen Puqi’s mother was merely a lowly woman who happened to be favored by the Emperor. Among these self-proclaimed noble royals, it was no wonder Zhen Puqi was often excluded and ridiculed.

These remarks were made loudly enough to be heard. One could only wonder how the person involved would react.

He Lang curiously observed Zhen Puqi, but the prince acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing, maintaining his graceful demeanor without a hint of concern. Perhaps he was used to it, or maybe his composure was truly exceptional.

The princes varied in age, and in the past, the eldest often took the prize. However, the competition was meant to be a brotherly contest of literary skills, and there wasn’t too much emphasis on the outcome—just the selection of the one who performed the best.

After everyone was seated, the room gradually filled, and speculation about this year’s winner began.

Last year’s victor was Zhen Puqi. Though slightly older, his literary talent was unmatched among both his older and younger brothers.

This made him a subject of much discussion among his siblings, as well as a target for envy and jealousy.

The harsh remarks were not spoken softly, so anyone paying attention could hear them clearly.

He Lang couldn’t help but glance over, not missing the shadow that crossed Zhen Puqi’s eyes.

But in the blink of an eye, Zhen Puqi’s expression reverted to its usual gentle and amiable demeanor, the transition so swift that it was faster than flipping a page. It showed just how skilled he was at controlling his emotions.

Zhen Puyang coldly interrupted He Lang’s gaze towards Zhen Puqi. “What’s this? Is Sir also placing high hopes on Fourth Brother?”

It was said that Fourth Brother had prepared for this civil exam for months, coming with full confidence and preparation.

In contrast, Zhen Puyang’s sudden enthusiasm for the exam likely had others secretly laughing at his overestimation of his abilities, even though they pretended to wish him well on the surface.

Zhen Puyang slumped back in his chair, playing with the teacup in his hand, banging it on the table in irritation, his bad mood causing him to forget all manners.

He Lang gently grasped the hand that was clutching the teacup and smiled. “Your Highness is the one everyone expects to win.”

“Ha.” Zhen Puyang let out a short, mocking laugh. What a load of nonsense about being the people’s favorite—everyone was clearly hoping that the Crown Prince and his brothers would be the ones to stand out. No one was pinning their hopes on him.

However, when the Grand Tutor’s gaze fell on him, an unending stream of hope and strength surged into his body.

The emperor soon arrived as well, and the literary examination officially began.

The topic was indeed something Helang had taught him, but evidently, none of the other princes seemed surprised by it either. They had all more or less received the exam questions from other sources.

Helang started to worry, but Zhen Puyang quickly proved that his worries were unnecessary by securing the top spot.

Even the emperor, who hadn’t expected his youngest son to perform so brilliantly, couldn’t hide the flash of delight in his otherwise calm eyes and praised him with a click of his tongue.

Under everyone’s gaze, Zhen Puyang remained calm and composed. He walked back steadily, sat down, and then looked at Helang, raising an eyebrow with a touch of pride, as if waiting for praise, basking in his success.

Helang poured him a cup of tea and indulgently smiled at him.

But suddenly, he felt uneasy, like sitting on pins and needles. Following the source of this discomfort, he saw a glint in Zhen Puqi’s eyes, like a hunter on the prowl, completely different from the carefree and gentle prince he had been moments ago.

Helang thought he was seeing things, but when he looked again, Zhen Puqi’s eyes were as gentle as ever. When their eyes met, Zhen Puqi even nodded slightly with a smile, unhurried and composed.

That gentleness vanished entirely when the emperor announced that Zhen Puyang was the winner.

A wave of sighs and praise rippled through the crowd as all eyes turned to the two of them.

Perhaps there was a hint of favoritism involved, but everyone seemed used to this slight unfairness, and under the emperor’s watchful eye, no one dared to voice any objections.

Helang understood now that as long as the usually unmotivated Zhen Puyang showed even a little ambition, it would be magnified a thousand times, earning unanimous favor.

But if someone like the consistently outstanding Fourth Prince made even a small mistake, it would lead to great disappointment.

However, Zhen Puqi reacted quickly. Even though he had lost, he immediately regained his composure, stepping forward with surprised joy. After the crowd dispersed, he offered his congratulations with cupped hands.

Zhen Puyang responded politely enough, refraining from showing any impatience.

Zhen Puqi curled his lips into a smile and chatted with him for a while, thinking that the change in his younger brother was due to Helang’s influence. He couldn’t help but speak to Helang as well.

“The Grand Tutor is truly a man of vast learning and extraordinary bearing, like an immortal.”

Helang, unaccustomed to the sudden compliment, lifted his eyelids slightly and, without thinking much, returned the praise.

“Not at all. It is the Fourth Prince who is as graceful as a jade tree, gentle as jade and immensely talented. The poem you just composed was profound in its meaning, and your calligraphy flowed like a stream.”

Zhen Puqi modestly downplayed the praise and then smiled bitterly, hinting that he still couldn’t compare to his younger brother.

Realizing his emotions were slipping, Zhen Puqi paused, waved his hand, and said they shouldn’t dwell on it. He then cheerfully said his farewells and walked away, seemingly at ease.

Helang watched him leave, and after Zhen Puyang received the key to the stables as his reward, he too turned to leave, mocking as he went, “Teacher really knows how to flatter. The Fourth Prince is that great, graceful as a jade tree, gentle as jade, and immensely talented… Ha.”

“In that case, haven’t I always flattered Your Highness?” Helang replied with a smile.

Zhen Puyang replied matter-of-factly, “It’s only right that you flatter me.”

But when he heard the words his teacher had never used to praise him being applied to someone else, he grew unhappy. That sour feeling gnawed at his heart, souring his mood entirely.

He didn’t wait for Helang and left in haste.

Not understanding why, his teacher hurried after him, calling his name repeatedly, which finally made him feel a little better.

Author’s note:

See the meme… the melon-eating rabbit. hh, did the girls in the reader group see it? Do you know who it is?

A big thanks to everyone in the back row: 3Q for the melon-eating rabbit, “痴嗔本真,” “黑色的白兔子,” “千魇邪,” “二货云花花,” and “晏晏清欢” for throwing landmines. Hugging the thighs of the golden sponsors.