Chapter 1765: Would You Spit Out the Meat Already in Your Mouth?
Chapter 1765: Chapter 1765: Would You Spit Out the Meat Already in Your Mouth?
Wen Gaoren’s few follower priests were dumbfounded, unable to utter a single word.
"How is this possible? How did she achieve this?" Wen Gaoren himself was full of disbelief.
No matter if it was Han Yan’s earlier awkward hand gestures or the mnemonic used at the end, it was evident she had learned them by stealth from him. However, the subtle variations in her hand gestures were far beyond his own skills, something he never imagined his array hand gestures could achieve.
Recalling the hand gestures Han Yan used before, he even felt that his eighty-some years of studying arrays had been in vain.
"Master Wen, it’s time to eat." Ling Baobao’s words interrupted Wen Gaoren’s thoughts.
"What, what to eat?" Wen Gaoren looked at Ling Baobao in confusion.
"You said earlier, if our Master Priest successfully repaired this Star Thunder God Array, you would eat all these Meteorite Gold." Ling Baobao mischievously smiled and said.
Wen Gaoren’s face turned red, and the few follower priests lowered their heads in shame, regretting the mockery they directed at Han Yan earlier, wishing they could find a hole to hide in.
"Master Wen, eat slowly, drink some tea, don’t choke." Ling Baobao handed over a cup of hot tea and added, "By the way, these Meteorite Gold now belong to our Master Priest, remember to compensate after you eat."
Wen Gaoren regretted; he should have refused when Ling Baobao pulled him earlier, rather than find himself so humiliated.
The priests of the Huayu Temple couldn’t help but burst into laughter, even An Xiaxin and Sikong Qinglan not being exceptions. After laughing, they all coincidentally turned their eyes to Han Yan, with an added sense of awe.
Clearly, Wen Gaoren was also deceived by Han Yan, much like Long Wudang, inexplicably losing so much Meteorite Gold.
This Master Priest is indeed sly and devious, yet, they liked her.
If Han Yan knew what they were thinking, she’d certainly cry out in protest. Heaven could attest she had no intention of tricking Wen Gaoren; it was all Ling Baobao’s doing, deliberately provoking Wen Gaoren to prevent him from calmly comprehending the array, causing him to fail repeatedly, and then aggravating him into making a wager.
Truly sneaky and shameless, it was Ling Baobao who was culpable. Yet, this kind of Ling Baobao was quite liked by Lady Mu.
"Ling Baobao, don’t be rude to Master." However, seeing Wen Gaoren’s face turning as red as pork liver, Han Yan found it a bit unsettling.
Show mercy when possible; although Wen Gaoren is somewhat arrogant and greedy, he possesses true talent and learning. Han Yan didn’t want to damage his dignity too much.
Ling Baobao didn’t genuinely intend to feud with Wen Gaoren, scratching his head and retreating.
"Let Master Wen see as a joke; I’ve been poring over ancient books, the notes left by past Master Priests, countless times these days, yet still failed to find a way to repair the array. Just now, upon seeing Master Wen’s strange techniques, I took a daring attempt, unexpectedly succeeding. Many thanks to the Master’s guidance!" Han Yan bowed to Wen Gaoren.
Her words were heartfelt; without Wen Gaoren’s input, if she had relied solely on herself, she wouldn’t know how long it would take to comprehend the Star Thunder God Array. Hence, her gaze was full of sincerity, without a hint of humor.
"Master Priest is too modest; this courtesy I cannot accept." With Wen Gaoren’s experience, he could naturally discern Han Yan’s genuine words and quickly returned the courtesy.
He wasn’t foolish, he knew Han Yan was saving his face by saying such words, or rather, putting a gold sheen on his face, making him both ashamed and grateful.
"It’s getting late; Master Wen, please stay at our Huayu Temple today. Lord Sikong, could you prepare a banquet?" Han Yan said to Sikong Qinglan.
"No need, no need." Wen Gaoren, having lost so much face, was too embarrassed to stay at the Huayu Temple, declining.
Han Yan didn’t insist, merely preserving Wen Gaoren’s dignity without truly intending a banquet. It wasn’t stinginess or resentment towards Wen Gaoren but rather because Huayu Temple’s supplies were direly low. With months to go before the farmland harvest, frugality was essential.
Ah, being a Master Priest to this extent, Han Yan herself felt it disheartening.
"Let’s go," Wen Gaoren said to the follower priests.
The pile of Meteorite Gold, resembling a small hill, he didn’t mention, nor did Han Yan. Saving face was one thing, a bet was another. Give away the meat right in her mouth? She wasn’t foolish.
"Wen Gaoren, come out here!" Just then, a roar came from outside the hall.
Wen Gaoren’s expression changed slightly, hastening his steps outside.
Han Yan and An Xiaxin exchanged curious glances, put away the pile of Meteorite Gold, and quickly followed outside.
Once outside the hall, Han Yan and her companions’ faces darkened.
They saw two young guards lying at the hall door, spitting blood, their expressions filled with both anger and shame; they were Sikong Qinglan’s followers, Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming. Earlier, all priests and numerous commoners followed into the hall, attracted by the commotion; Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming dutifully remained outside, yet unexpectedly were assaulted right at the hall door, seemingly suffering serious injuries.
A dozen young men dressed in black priest robes stood outside, watching the people exiting the hall with complacent smiles, their demeanor extremely cocky. Evidently, Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming were injured by them.