Chapter 1888: Chapter 1887: A Mad Idea

"Priest Ou, have you made up your mind yet, when exactly do we take action?" Long Aoli asked Ou Dechuan with a stern face.

As soon as Han Yan and the others left during the day, he clung to Ou Dechuan, urging him to quickly find a way to repair the array. But Ou Dechuan’s skills in the Array Formation Technique were limited. His greatest asset, Duan Cheng’an, was severely injured and couldn’t think of a viable solution, so he used the excuse of his son’s unhealed injuries affecting his mental state and returned to his residence for some rest.

Originally, Ou Dechuan had planned to stay just one night, then leave Tianyang City at dawn to lay low. Who knew that before darkness fell, Long Aoli would come knocking again, exhibiting a relentless attitude.

"Priest Ou, you also know my skills in array formation are limited, it’s unlikely I can help. Why don’t you think of a solution yourself?" Ou Dechuan, at his wit’s end, could only respond honestly.

"Asking me to find a solution on my own, what can I think of? The array was damaged by your hands; you must give me an explanation!" Long Aoli said forcefully.

Previously, because he borrowed the magic power of the array to exhibit the Wind and Thunder Domain, the array was damaged. The other families of priests in Tianyang City had quite a few criticisms of him. Later, inviting Ou Dechuan’s help only made matters worse. How could he explain this to them? Even though the Long Family wielded great influence, Tianyang City didn’t belong solely to them. If it were other matters, he’d let them make a fuss without concern, but knowing he’s in the wrong, he must quickly repair the array to keep their mouths shut. Otherwise, if the issue escalates to the ears of the Divine Temple’s Chief Priest, his position as the Main Priest might as well be over.

His ability had already reached the level of a Divine Heart Priest, and he could head to the Life God Temple without a care. But before securing his people from the Long Family into the Main Priest position, he dared not leave easily. Otherwise, upon his departure, the Long Family’s prosperity would come to an end, and he’d become the family traitor.

"Han Yan was also involved in earlier matters. Why don’t you go to her for a solution?" Ou Dechuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, saying weakly.

"What, you want me to ask her for a solution? Why don’t you go yourself?" Long Aoli erupted in anger.

His lifelong reputation was destroyed by Han Yan. How could he possibly go to her for help? If he was willing to discard his last shred of dignity, he would’ve attended tonight’s banquet; there would’ve been no need to seek Ou Dechuan.

"Then, how about seeking help from the Life God Temple?" Ou Dechuan suggested again. He also knew Han Yan might reconcile with other Chief Priests, but for their two houses, reconciliation was nearly impossible; asking her for help would only invite humiliation.

"Will you foot the bill?" Long Aoli retorted sardonically.

The Life God Temple was filled with experts, including Array Masters, capable of repairing the Tianyang Temple’s array without issue. However, all those experts were of the Divine Heart Priest level and weren’t easily persuaded to help.

"Then maybe I should return first to discuss with the other priests, see if we can come up with something." Mentioning money, Ou Dechuan felt a pang of distress, mulling over his words.

"Priest Ou, if you go back, will you return?" Long Aoli sneered.

The reason he hurried here before nightfall was to prevent Ou Dechuan from leaving without notice. How could he let him leave Tianyang City? If he returned to Lingyu City, once on the Ou family’s turf, Long Aoli would have no way to compel him. He couldn’t possibly drag him back to Tianyang City, could he?

Ou Dechuan wore an awkward expression. In truth, he had thought just that. He just hadn’t had the chance to act before Long Aoli intercepted him.

The allies once so close now harbored their own agendas, making the atmosphere even more stifling.

"Han Yan, I understand now; it’s all Han Yan’s doing!" At that moment, Ou Mingzhi, lying on the sickbed, suddenly opened his eyes with a startled cry.

"Mingzhi, what happened, did you have a nightmare?" Ou Dechuan, disregarding other concerns, hurried over to him.

"No, not at all. I understand now; it was all Han Yan’s doing from the start." Ou Mingzhi said excitedly.

"Mingzhi, what exactly are you saying?" Ou Dechuan furrowed his brow, questioning.

"Father, I’ve figured it out. With Wen Gaoren’s skills, he couldn’t have performed such an array formation technique. The modifications in his array were actually Han Yan’s handiwork. Duan Cheng’an learned from her as well, but there’s surely another secret that even duped Duan Cheng’an.

She purposely showed a slight hint, intending to lure Duan Cheng’an. The way it all ended with us getting injured was within her expectations," Ou Mingzhi hurriedly explained.

Having constantly been by Duan Cheng’an’s side, he understood many things more clearly than anyone else. After a long rest following severe injury, his mind became clearer, discovering Han Yan’s secret.

"What?" Both Ou Dechuan and Long Aoli were shocked; they hadn’t considered this possibility.

However, both of their skills were good, with the Six Senses being much stronger than ordinary priests, making it easier to discover subtle details that others might miss. When they reflected on it thoroughly, they realized, as Ou Mingzhi said, the minute changes in repairing the array indeed had little to do with Wen Gaoren, and were all Han Yan’s manipulations.

"This Han Yan, how dare she!" Ou Dechuan felt as if he’d been made a fool from beginning to end—played completely by Han Yan, inciting his furious anger.

By now, he finally realized he’d been duped by Han Yan. Her indecision, her anxieties—all were acts. She had anticipated this outcome long ago. Yet, he, thinking himself clever, found even a threefold wager inadequate and pushed for fivefold—Han Yan probably ridiculed him as an idiot in her heart.

It would be one thing if her skills surpassed his, but for Han Yan to toy with him so egregiously—it was insufferable. After all, he was a Chief Priest and the family head of the Ou family; he’d never been humiliated and mocked since youth. This was the greatest humiliation of his life.

Long Aoli’s coercion only added to his resentment!

"Han Yan, since you mock me this way and force Lingyu Divine Hall into a dead end, I won’t be courteous either." In his rage, a mad idea burst into Ou Dechuan’s mind.

If everything was Han Yan’s scheme, then as long as she was around, the array business in each temple would have nothing to do with Lingyu Divine Hall. If they could eliminate Han Yan, and perhaps take out Wen Gaoren along the way, who among the remaining young priests in Huayu Temple could compete with Lingyu Divine Hall?

If he could obtain Han Yan’s secret, the array formation technique of the Lingyu Divine Hall could reach new heights, and he wouldn’t have to distress over Long Aoli’s coercion.

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