The Heaven-Blessed, Cultured, Holy, Martial, Wise, Brave, Benevolent, Thrifty, Diligent, and Filial Prince Chosen by Heaven

Afternoon

Social Practice Club

Gu Ruoxue held a book, motionless as she quietly chased the words on the page, occasionally flipping a page or lifting her gaze to glance at Su Cheng across from her.

Meanwhile, Su Cheng was hunched over, engrossed in his phone.

He had been scrolling for nearly an hour. Without any assignments, the days were dull and tedious.

Since he couldn’t leave early, he had no choice but to wait for the bell to ring.

After skimming through a few more news articles, Su Cheng set down his phone—now dead from overuse—and looked up at Gu Ruoxue, who was still absorbed in her book. For some reason, just seeing her made his back ache.

His gaze then drifted to the dark clouds outside the window, a clear sign of impending rain.

Just this morning, the sky had been clear and bright, but by afternoon, it had turned gloomy. The weather was as unpredictable as Gu Ruoxue herself.

“Let’s call it a day.”

Gu Ruoxue closed her book. The heavy clouds cast a dim, shadowy gloom over the room, dulling even her usual ethereal aura. Her expression darkened considerably.

It was unsettling.

Hearing this, Su Cheng said nothing and began packing his things. Without another word, Gu Ruoxue quietly slipped out into the deserted hallway and disappeared.

“Looks like a downpour’s coming.”

After locking the clubroom door, Su Cheng muttered to himself as he eyed the sky.

Then, he headed downstairs.

Just as he reached the middle landing, a girl with long black hair came sprinting toward him from the other end of the hallway, clutching an umbrella. Her bag bulged oddly.

Recognizing her, Su Cheng quickly called out, “Senior Hoshino Mirai!”

The girl paused, blinking in surprise before stopping in her tracks. “Junior, hurry home before the rain starts,” she advised.

“Thanks for the reminder.”

Su Cheng thanked her, and just as he expected, Hoshino Mirai dashed toward the rooftop.

He wondered if she was bringing an umbrella for the "Penguin Prince" statue.

After all, the sculpture had no shelter. If it got soaked, the paint would probably fade.

But this time, he wasn’t going to follow her.

With heavy rain imminent, he had no intention of biking home in a storm. He needed to get back before the downpour.

Yet the moment he stepped out of the special building, dark spots began speckling the asphalt.

“Damn, that was fast.”

He clicked his tongue, scanning the surroundings. Students were already running in all directions—some popping open umbrellas, others huddling under eaves to wait out the rain.

Left with no choice, Su Cheng turned back toward the club building, planning to retrieve his rain gear from the restroom before heading home.

“Yikui, can I borrow your basin?”

Just then, two upperclassmen rushed past him. One of them, trying to catch up to the other, shouted loudly.

Su Cheng turned at the noise—and froze.

Because the person being called was none other than Hoshino Yikui.

At the moment, Yikui was hunched over, cradling his metal basin protectively against his chest as if shielding it from the rain.

But his companion seemed intent on commandeering it—probably to use as makeshift headgear.

Sure enough, the next second, Hoshino Yikui snapped.

He shoved the other boy away.

“Ow! What’s the big deal, Yikui? You’re not using it—just let me borrow it to stay dry!”

The boy protested indignantly.

Ignoring him, Yikui stormed off toward the club building, muttering angrily, “You think I’d let you use my soul as a rain shield?!”

To the untrained eye, the basin was just an ordinary stainless-steel washbasin—functional, unremarkable, and even available online for 9.9 yuan with free shipping.

But this was no mere basin.

It was the product of a soul transaction. How could it be ordinary?

He refused to accept that.

To him, this object—equal in value to his soul—couldn’t possibly be something so mundane. So, for days now, he had carried it everywhere, treasuring it like a sacred relic.

He was convinced that his devotion would eventually move the demon’s heart.

That it would descend once more!

This was the lie he told himself.

………………

“Guess I’ll have to make an appearance today.”

Watching this unfold, Su Cheng decided it was time to intervene. They shouldn’t waste their youth obsessing over something that didn’t exist.

With that thought, he quickened his pace and tailed Hoshino Yikui.

He watched as Yikui shook off the others, ducked into the restroom, then—after confirming no one was around—hurried to the rooftop.

Su Cheng, meanwhile, strode toward a blind spot in the surveillance, then drew his ghost blade and vanished, heading for the rooftop.

“Little sis, spare me some spirit money.”

“Sure, bro.”

The moment he reached the rooftop door, their conversation reached his ears. His lips twitched.

Was Hoshino Yikui seriously about to… worship the basin?!

By burning joss paper for it?!

Truly, like siblings, like madness.

This was beyond ridiculous.

He’d thought idolizing figurines was absurd enough.

But this…

“Last time we burned incense, He appeared. Do you think He’ll show up this time?”

“Of course He will.”

Hoshino Mirai reassured her brother in a gentle voice. “Brother, don’t worry. This basin isn’t ordinary. I think it must be some kind of mystical artifact we don’t understand yet.”

“That’s what I believe too. That’s why I’ve been carrying it around so carefully, hoping for a miracle.”

Hoshino Yikui nodded in satisfaction before adding, “By the way… if we burn the spirit money inside the basin, do you think He’ll sense our prayers?”

“I’m not sure…”

Hoshino Mirai pretended to ponder.

“But…”

“But?”

“You could try.”

“Alright.”

Hoshino Yikui took a deep breath, as if steeling himself for some grave transgression. He lit the joss paper and placed it inside the basin. Soon, the bills fluttered down and began to smolder.

Then, with utmost sincerity, he prayed for the demon’s return!

The once-silver stainless-steel basin gradually darkened under the rising smoke.

“Little sis… if the basin turns completely black, do you think He won’t appear?”

After finishing his prayer, Yikui eyed the basin nervously.

In response, Hoshino Mirai pulled out a thick stack of spirit money from her bag and handed it to him. “As long as there’s a chance, we should try.”

Hoshino Yikui accepted it. “Right.”

…………………………

Outside the rooftop door, Su Cheng knew his moment had come. He tried to slip in quietly—only to find the door locked!

“How am I supposed to make my grand entrance now?”

Su Cheng’s face darkened as he cursed inwardly.

“How do I get onto the rooftop?”

That was the question.

He had one option: activate [Asura Path] and fly up there in plain sight.

But that would be such a waste!

Not to mention the side effects…

In the end, he decided to take another approach—lying in wait!

When the two of them finished their business and left the rooftop, he would sneak in and then create a disturbance to lure them back.

With this plan in mind, he hid in a relatively secluded corner nearby.

About ten minutes later...

Hoshino Yikui, looking utterly dejected, pushed open the rooftop door while holding a washbasin. His younger sister, Hoshino Mirai, followed behind him. Though she was also in low spirits, she tried to comfort her brother: "It didn’t work out today, but we’ll try again next time. I believe that one day, He will appear and return your soul!"

"I hope so."

Hoshino Yikui sighed helplessly and descended the stairs.

Su Cheng observed silently from the side. The moment the siblings finished speaking, he quickly slipped onto the rooftop.

"Oh, I forgot to lock the door."

Hoshino Mirai suddenly remembered and turned back to secure the rooftop door.

BANG!

A loud noise suddenly erupted from the rooftop, startling the gloomy-faced Hoshino Yikui and Hoshino Mirai.

In the next instant, Hoshino Yikui’s expression changed drastically. Without a word, he charged back toward the rooftop.

Hoshino Mirai followed closely behind, hastily locking the door again. But when they reached the rooftop, they found it completely empty—not even a ghostly shadow in sight.

The rain had stopped, but the overcast sky cast an eerie gloom over the rooftop, as if something extraordinary had descended.

"Your Highness?"

Hoshino Mirai called out tentatively, her voice trembling with barely contained anticipation and nervousness.

After all, it might also be the Penguin Prince appearing.

"O... Mighty God, is it You?"

Hoshino Yikui also spoke up, his voice thick with emotion.

Though losing his soul hadn’t caused him any physical discomfort, the knowledge that his soul was in someone else’s grasp tormented him endlessly. It felt as though his soul was being tortured in hell, a pain so unbearable that he hadn’t slept properly in days. He looked as if he had aged a decade.

He desperately wanted his soul back, but he knew it was nearly impossible. After all, once you make a deal with the devil, how can you expect to take it back?

Still, he would seize any glimmer of hope.

"Hmm."

A solemn, ancient voice echoed from the empty space, sending a shiver down the siblings' spines.

Hoshino Mirai took a brave step forward, her voice quivering. "I beg You... please return my brother’s soul. Take mine in its place!"

"Little sister, no!"

Hoshino Yikui paled in horror and tried to stop her.

"No, Brother!"

Hoshino Mirai refused firmly. "You ended up like this because of me. I should make it right. Besides, I still have the Penguin Prince—it will help me. Brother, trust me."

With that, she raised her voice. "Take my soul and give his back!"

Hoshino Yikui’s heart ached, tears glistening in his eyes. "Little sister... why are you so foolish? I don’t need this!"

Just as the siblings were caught in their emotional moment, the solemn voice spoke again from the rooftop:

"With the washbasin I gave you, you may exchange it for one wish."

The two froze, then Hoshino Mirai turned to her brother excitedly. "Brother, hurry!"

"Oh, right! Here, take the washbasin!"

Hoshino Yikui quickly placed the washbasin on the rooftop floor.

In an instant, the washbasin vanished into thin air.

"Speak. What is your desire?"

The voice reverberated from all directions.

Hoshino Mirai and Hoshino Yikui exchanged glances before she bowed deeply toward the rooftop.

"I wish for You to return his soul!"

"Very well. As you wish."

At that moment, Hoshino Yikui felt a light tap on his head.

The touch was gentle, but to him, it felt like an explosion, sending a ringing through his mind.

Yet, amid the sensation, he faintly heard a single phrase:

‘Damn siscon.’

No way.

He shook his head, dismissing it as a hallucination from the impact.

"It is done. What was lost has been returned."

The solemn voice declared.

"Thank you!" Hoshino Mirai cried out in joy, turning to her brother. "Brother, did you hear that? Your soul is back!"

"Yes... I can feel it. It’s really back!"

Hoshino Yikui nodded fervently, his entire demeanor brightening as if life had been breathed back into him.

He looked at Hoshino Mirai, his face alight with excitement and relief. "It’s finally back! Hahaha!"

Hoshino Mirai smiled warmly. "Brother, congratulations!"

"Wait... how do we get another washbasin from You?"

Hoshino Mirai asked nervously, her voice tinged with unease.

She wanted to revive the Penguin Prince.

"Little sister, don’t!"

Hoshino Yikui panicked, realizing her intentions. He quickly covered her mouth and stammered, "We don’t need another washbasin! We’re fine now!"

How to get another washbasin?

Wasn’t it obvious? It had to be souls again!

He was living proof of that.

But the next words from the rooftop left them utterly dumbfounded—so shocked they could have sworn their jaws hit the floor.

"Old phones, old appliances, old computers—exchange for stainless steel washbasins."

The siblings’ eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

This couldn’t be real!

Are You a demon or a scrap collector?!

"I have one! I have one!"

Hoshino Mirai was the first to snap out of it. She frantically pulled an old phone from her bag and held it up with trembling hands, her face alight with indescribable excitement.

Hoshino Yikui, no longer stopping her, quietly fished out his own phone from his pocket. Suppressing his exhilaration, he clutched it tightly.

He’d exchange his right after his sister.

Only a fool would pass up this deal!

A broken phone in exchange for a wish?!

He could hardly believe it!

Right now, he wanted to trade a million of them!

"Only broken or old devices. No intentionally damaged goods!"

The voice intoned sternly.

At this confirmation, the siblings were so overwhelmed they nearly burst into tears.

"Wait for us! We’ll be right back!"

"Five minutes!"

They sprinted off like mad.

Five minutes later...

They returned, arms laden with broken electronics scavenged from various club rooms, and dumped them all on the rooftop floor.

"One exchange per person. Since you’ve already traded once, you may only exchange for half a washbasin."

Hoshino Mirai immediately held up a battered phone.

Hoshino Yikui was momentarily puzzled but quickly accepted it—half was still more than enough. After all, he’d already made one trade.

The phone vanished into thin air.

"Please... revive the Penguin Prince for me!"

Hoshino Mirai pleaded fervently, her voice thick with hope and longing.

"It cannot be revived."

"Why?"

"Because it never died."

Upon hearing this, Hoshino Mirai's face flushed with excitement as she kept murmuring, "That's great, that's great!"

But soon she asked another question: "Then where did it go?"

"It is in slumber, and I cannot wake it. However, it seems to have formed some kind of pact with you. The happier you are, the faster it awakens."

Hoshino Mirai nodded eagerly, "Yes, yes! I understand now!"

"Very well, your wish has been granted."

"Wait—what is its name?"

"In another world, it was posthumously honored as: His Highness the Celestial-Chosen Prince, Vast in Grace, Sagely in Wisdom, Mighty in Valor, Benevolent in Kindness, Thrifty in Labor, and Filial in Devotion."

"Posthumous titles! And all of them laudatory?"

Hoshino Mirai froze for a moment before exclaiming in excitement.

Posthumous titles were meant to encapsulate the life of a historical figure, and this one's titles were all praises!

After all, there were "laudatory," "neutral," and "derogatory" posthumous titles.

Yet the Penguin Prince had only laudatory ones.

One could imagine the magnitude of his achievements during his princely reign!

Hoshino Mirai was overjoyed: "The Celestial-Chosen Prince!!"

"Wait—another world?"

Only then did she grasp the crucial point, suddenly realizing, "So he wasn’t a historical figure from our world! No wonder I couldn’t find him in any records of past princes—he’s from another world."

At that moment, the solemn voice spoke again: "Now, make a choice. Do you want a steed or a weapon?"

Simultaneously, Hoshino Yikui’s phone vanished into thin air. At first, his face lit up with excitement, but then he fell into deep contemplation.

He took a deep breath to calm himself, weighing his options carefully.

"I recommend you choose the weapon."

"Why?"

"Since ancient times, heroes have always acquired weapons before steeds. If you choose a steed but lack a fitting weapon, how will you fend off enemies?"

The solemn voice continued, "Whether in warfare or chivalry, a fine horse is far less useful than a mighty weapon."