Chapter 12: The Coronation of Emperor Jing
Gu Jingyi rose to his feet, looking down at Wang Ziyi, who was locking eyes with him.
He thought this trainee was really lucky. In his previous life, Gu Jingyi had debuted fifth in an overseas audition, placed deliberately lower by the organizers. The role he most often took was "Rap."
Whether it was the parts with the most vocals or the center position in the dance, the foreign member never got those spots.
He hadn’t made much progress, but now, after countless rehearsals, his skills had improved rapidly.
Gu Jingyi’s rap ability was exploding in growth, and he often followed famous rappers in private.
Back in December 2017, many well-known rap tracks hadn’t even been released yet.
Since Wang Ziyi wanted to take shortcuts, Gu Jingyi, as a senior, would give him a proper lesson.
At the mentor’s table, Cheng Xiao gave Gu Jingyi a deep look.
[It’s strange. He’s the one battling, yet why am I feeling nervous?]
Cheng Xiao didn’t know where this unease came from.
Looking back at the stage, Gu Jingyi and Wang Ziyi stood on opposite sides. Unlike Wang Ziyi’s forced composure, Gu Jingyi stood lazily, wearing a carefree smile as if he were in his own courtyard.
His relaxed demeanor was complete; he seemed utterly unconcerned.
Noticing Cheng Xiao’s gaze, Gu Jingyi smirked teasingly into a camera’s blind spot.
[Ha, I really worried over nothing.]
Cheng Xiao’s chest heaved with frustration. She took a deep breath and turned away, avoiding looking at Gu Jingyi, once again ignoring the immense pressure she bore over those buttons on her blouse.
As a mentor, she had to “keep a stern face while washing her undergarments.”
Gathering her composure, Cheng Xiao cast a glance at Wang Ziyi.
“Which of you two will go first?”
Gu Jingyi shrugged, about to respond, but Wang Ziyi immediately tensed and spoke first.
“I’ll go first! I’ll go first!”
His voice was a little hurried and cracked from nerves.
The lesson from Cai Xukun’s previous mistake was clear: the order of appearance mattered greatly!
Mentor Zhang Yixing gave him a somewhat amused glance. If he was ready to concede before even starting, what point was there in the battle? Victory was already out of Wang Ziyi’s reach.
“Oh? Not bad. Young man, you’ve got guts choosing to challenge the strongest one!”
Wang Jiaer chuckled, clearly in the mood to watch the show.
“Thank you, Teacher Jiaer. I just think if you’re going to challenge, you should challenge the strongest. I really want to know how far my skills lag behind Gu Jingyi, who leads the Korean audition popularity by a landslide.”
Wang Ziyi spoke humbly but with a hint of veiled criticism, implying Gu Jingyi was a “quitter.”
Gu Jingyi scoffed silently and quickly prepared his song.
With the spotlight directly on him, there was no need to show mercy to Wang Ziyi.
Ouyang Jing, a rapper-turned-mentor, was excited. He loved this kind of tension.
“I want to smell more gunpowder!”
Ouyang Jing fanned his nose dramatically. “Before the battle begins, let’s all talk some tough game!”
Wang Ziyi’s teammate Wang Ziyi, looking like a reckless youth, pointed at Gu Jingyi with disdain.
“You’re handsome, but I want to say, being handsome isn’t enough; what matters is being handsome on stage.”
He then pointed to the “Class A” spot atop the pyramid.
The message was clear: I’m taking your spot right now!
The directors behind the cameras were ecstatic—this segment was gold for ratings!
Gu Jingyi’s expression remained calm as he nodded.
“Bring it on then.”
Wang Ziyi wasted no time and launched into his freestyle.
“Music teacher over there, can you drop a beat for me? Thanks!”
Before the battle even started, he was already showing off. Once everything was set, Wang Ziyi confidently began.
“What is up, born in ’96, dreaming to be the rap leader.”
“The crowd’s eyes are my stimulant, I am BOOGIE Wang Ziyi.”
As these lines came out, Ouyang Jing’s mouth twitched downward. So corny—he couldn’t fathom where Wang Ziyi’s confidence came from.
The rap lyrics were probably written by himself, but they were shallow and immature.
Chasing rhyme schemes blindly, the focus was all on end rhymes.
It felt like someone who didn’t fully understand rap was just showing off.
“So pretty, so giggy, nothing too fancy.”
“A dancing boy, creating is his ace.”
Wang Ziyi made various hip-hop hand gestures, looking rather ridiculous.
Even Wang Jiaer lost his composure, standing there with his mouth hanging open.
“Anytime, anywhere, he can perform; life is his stage.”
When Wang Ziyi finished, Zhang Yixing was still in shock.
“That’s it?”
He felt the same way as when he saw EXO’s Tao Tao rap “I will never give up easily.”
So crude.
“Yes, PD Zhang.”
Wang Ziyi nodded, feeling good about himself.
Zhang Yixing, clever and tactful, racked his brain but couldn’t find any polite words to say.
He glanced at Ouyang Jing, who quickly avoided eye contact, acting as if it wasn’t his business.
Zhang Yixing’s head started to hurt; he gave up and said directly to Gu Jingyi, “Then Gu Jingyi, please start your freestyle.”
Wang Ziyi looked disappointed but stepped aside, giving up the stage.
Gu Jingyi walked out slowly from the shadows deep in the stage, never once glancing at Wang Ziyi, as if he were invisible. This irritated the still smug trainee, who scratched his head in frustration.
At center stage, Gu Jingyi was met with cheers and screams from all the trainees.
He picked up the microphone and spoke coldly: “Many want to defeat me, but you lack the strength to win. There are many spots in Class A, but I’ll make you regret aiming for one.”
He pointed to the top “number one” spot on the pyramid.
“This is my throne. You aren’t worthy to touch it.”
The tension was thick as the crowd erupted.
“Jingyi, so handsome!”
Fan Chengcheng lost control of her expression, staring at Gu Jingyi with admiration. She looked less like a trainee and more like a fan who had sneaked in.
“Throne! Throne!”
Wang Linkai, ever the instigator, straightened his posture to hype up the atmosphere.
Wang Linkai had a background in “The Rap of China.” Though not an expert, he had a discerning ear for rap.
He had been openly critical of Wang Ziyi’s performance.
There was no way Wang Ziyi could surpass Gu Jingyi, or even get past the first round of “The Rap of China” auditions.
Gu Jingyi ignored the crowd’s reaction and nodded to signal the start.
No backup, no beat, no rhythm, no melody.
He rapped a cappella, perfectly replicating the audition style of “The Rap of China.”
“Wow, picking up my weapon again, killing all the traitors.”
“The king is a dictator, won’t listen to your opposition, boy.”
Two lines completed with steady voice and strong tone.
Gu Jingyi stood tall center stage; his commanding posture, broad shoulders, and perfect proportions captivated all eyes.
This explosive opening, with just two elongated lines, subtly set the rhythm and instantly overshadowed Wang Ziyi’s earlier performance.
When Gu Jingyi raised his head again, his face was expressionless.
His piercing gaze startled Cheng Xiao, making her heart skip a beat.
“You have three seconds to kneel, or I’ll pardon you no rebellion, boy.”
He made a downward kneeling gesture, coldly glancing at Wang Ziyi offstage.
In just one verse, his momentum kept rising.
His moderate voice seemed ignited, erupting across the venue.
Even without any beat, Gu Jingyi effortlessly captivated everyone’s ears.
And this was just the beginning.
“Post notices all over the city walls.”
“Tell those brats the king is here,” Gu Jingyi pointed to the throne atop the pyramid with a warm smile.
No one overlooked the powerful aura radiating from him.
The king was merciful, but not to be provoked lightly.
Suddenly, Gu Jingyi’s expression turned cold.
He pointed at the camera.
“I’m decreeing to the world.”
“Write down your sincere confessions.”
The theatrical twist in this line elevated the rap’s atmosphere.
“A single move of your butt can bring you to your heaven.”
“I was born the chosen one, because I’m naturally born this way.”
“Whether you have grudges with me or not, you must kneel before me!”
“You’re my food, digested fully into waste.”
“I’m like a priest, my job is to send you to heaven.”
Gu Jingyi used several explosive consonants in succession, concentrating his voice to deliver a more electrifying stage effect.
He extended his breath to keep flowing for two more lines, cleverly changing his flow at just the right moment, leaving the audience room to savor it.
“Murder you, murder you, I’m murdering your whole family.”
“A real, real, real killer.”
In the next two lines, Gu Jingyi showcased lightning-fast delivery.
Without any percussion, he used rhymes to frame the beat.
Listeners only realized afterward that there had been no accompaniment at all.
He pushed his skills to the limit in terms of auditory and rhythmic effect.
“Priest, hear my confession, but I can’t feel better.”
“I’m still gonna win this war; let me hear the praise after my victory.”
He spread his arms wide, striking a triumphant crucifix pose.
His powerful stage presence infected the trainees below.
At that moment, they set aside all jealousy.
Such supreme skill commanded loyalty even from rivals.
Like devoted followers surrounding their king, they shouted Gu Jingyi’s name fervently.
“Gu Jingyi! King!”
“Gu Jingyi! King!”
The energy was overwhelming; even the venue seemed about to erupt.
Cai Xukun sat in his seat, eyes somewhat dazed as he watched Gu Jingyi.
The bitterness of losing to Gu Jingyi on his debut stage vanished in that instant.
Gu Jingyi was never a standard answer—he was the perfect answer!
[If I worked harder, could I become an artist like Gu Jingyi?]
Cai Xukun silently murmured to himself while watching him.
At center stage, Gu Jingyi held his head high, surveying the crowd with disdain.
Then he launched into the next segment:
“Oh oh oh, back to my throne.”
“Settling the sins you’ve committed.”
“Presenting your sincere confessions.”
In sixty seconds, Gu Jingyi’s last line reaffirmed the theme, raising the battle to a climax.
Though still dressed in the same casual schoolboy attire from his debut, no one could ignore his brilliance.
Gu Jingyi resembled a true king receiving inspection from every gaze.
“Jingdi!”
Justin, ever smooth, addressed Gu Jingyi with this nickname.
Such a cheeky title would raise eyebrows for any trainee, but not for Gu Jingyi.
He had once again proven through battle that he was unquestionably a hexagonal warrior, an “All-Rounder” who never bragged.
“ACE” was his true level!
Ouyang Jing, wearing sunglasses and hip-hop attire, grinned like a “crooked-mouth war god” at the mentor table.
He stroked his chin eagerly, eyes shining with anticipation. It seemed this rap mentor was itching to be the first to critique Gu Jingyi.
Wang Jiaer’s reaction was even more genuine; he gave Gu Jingyi a thumbs-up.
Thanks to his overseas experience, Gu Jingyi was quite familiar with half the mentors.
Zhou Jieqiong and Cheng Xiao needed no introduction—the charm of a rapper was self-evident.
Wang Ziyi stood again at center stage, sharing the frame with Gu Jingyi.
Beside Gu Jingyi, he was instantly overshadowed, crushed like a mere pawn.
Having witnessed Gu Jingyi’s performance directly and felt the gap, Wang Ziyi grew timid, shrinking back somewhat.
At the mentor table, Ouyang Jing was the first to speak.
“Let’s set lyrics aside for now. Let’s talk difficulty. Gu Jingyi, you didn’t use any beat, right? Prepared an a cappella rap?”
“Yes.”
Gu Jingyi nodded confidently.
“Damn, no wonder it was so explosive.”
“Gu Jingyi is just too strong.”
The trainees suddenly understood and began praising him.
A cappella rap— even those not focused on rap knew how valuable it was.
What’s challenging about rapping without rhythm?
Rap relies on drumbeats; without them, delivering your verse structure and flow purely with vocals is a true test of skill.
Gu Jingyi remained calm, letting admiring eyes fall on him without flinching.
Ouyang Jing’s subsequent critique was sharper.
“There’s no room for criticism on Gu Jingyi’s stage—it’s a highly polished piece. In terms of tone and beat accompaniment, Wang Ziyi’s performance falls far short. So I vote for Gu Jingyi to win.”
The other mentors all voted for Gu Jingyi; Wang Ziyi received zero votes.
His face turned ashen, standing on stage like a Joker.
Zhang Yixing offered some polite words.
“Wang Ziyi, your courage is commendable. We see your pursuit of excellence. Losing to Gu Jingyi is no shame. With the strength he showed today, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the mentor panel.”
From the moment Wang Ziyi chose Gu Jingyi, the battle’s outcome was sealed.
Gu Jingyi once again used his skill to show that anyone trying to unseat him must be ready to face the king’s wrath!
Defending Class A once more, he strode up the steps and took his seat at the “number one” throne, while the broadcast cut to close-ups.
As Gu Jingyi sat down, the “number one” seat lit up behind him.
Like a sword returning to its master’s hand, it burst forth with dazzling light.
Jingdi, crowned king!