Chapter 38: Drawing Them into the Trap, My Own Stage

"To ensure the success of my 'Universal Homage,' I must be fully prepared."

On the eve of the Dharma assembly, the moon was dark and the wind was high. In the backyard of the Ye residence, a sneaky figure hunched low, digging small, uneven pits in various locations.

As Ye Qingyan buried magnets and copper powder, she was locked in an intense mental battle with the System.

"I'm telling you, System, are you sure this stuff actually works?"

"The 'Mystic Arts' clearly states that the Simple Qi-Disruption Array is the perfect cure for all kinds of fancy, deceptive tricks," the System’s haughty voice boomed in her mind with the arrogance of a sovereign.

[Disloyal subject! Engaging in such base, behind-the-scenes schemes! When my 'Imperial Might' is unleashed, that charlatan priest will be forced to kneel and beg for mercy on the spot!]

Ye Qingyan’s hand paused, nearly dropping a magnet.

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, you are the greatest. I’m just setting the stage for you, aren't I? Without a little atmosphere, how can your regal majesty shine? Just wait—tomorrow, I’ll ensure your prestige shakes the heavens and you take center stage!"

The System was mollified by her flattery. It couldn't be helped; the System was incredibly vain and loved hearing praise.

[Hmph, you know your place. Remember, tomorrow, just watch my performance!]

Ye Qingyan rolled her eyes. Watch you perform? Watch you get struck by lightning, more like. She grumbled to herself, but her hands didn't stop. She wasn't about to bet her life on an unreliable System. If it failed, she would be truly done for.

After finishing the array, Ye Qingyan brushed the dirt off her hands. "Done. Let’s see how that charlatan makes a fool of himself tomorrow." A playful smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

***

On the day of the assembly, the Ye residence was packed with guests. It was as noisy and bustling as a marketplace. All the prominent figures of the capital had arrived—not just to watch the show, but to witness firsthand how Ye Qingyan, the "source of evil," would be "purified."

As the new mistress of the house, Liu Wushuang was dressed to the nines, dripping in jewels. She moved among the guests, socializing with practiced ease and a triumphant smile. Every time she glanced at Ye Qingyan, who stood alone in a corner, a flash of undisguised malice flickered deep in her eyes.

"Ye Qingyan, oh Ye Qingyan," she thought with dark delight. "Your day of reckoning has finally come."

On the altar, Daoist Qingfeng, draped in robes and holding a peach-wood sword, looked every bit the transcendent master. After burning incense and chanting, he began to dance with his sword in mysterious patterns.

"Evil spirits, be gone! Behold the righteous law of Heaven!" he roared.

With a dramatic shout, he pulled a handful of paper talismans from his robe and flung them into the air. According to the plan, these talismans were supposed to carry his "divine power" and fly unerringly toward Ye Qingyan, sticking firmly to her to prove she was the "source of evil."

However, as soon as the papers left his hand, they scattered like headless flies, spinning wildly in the air. They refused to obey, darting left and right with no rhyme or reason.

"What the hell?" Daoist Qingfeng’s heart skipped a beat. The scene he envisioned didn't happen. Not only did the talismans miss Ye Qingyan, but several drifted directly onto the heads of Master Ye and Liu Wushuang.

*Splat!*

One yellow talisman landed perfectly on Liu Wushuang’s forehead.

Liu Wushuang: "???"

She stiffened, raising a hand to touch the paper on her brow. Her smug smile froze instantly. Master Ye looked equally bewildered, with a talisman stuck to his own head. What kind of bizarre sorcery was this?

The guests stared, stunned for a moment, before someone let out a stifled laugh. Soon, the laughter spread like a plague, accompanied by murmurs.

"Is this priest’s magic actually useless?"
"The talismans are flying everywhere—did he buy them at a street market?"
"Hahaha, it stuck to Lady Liu’s head! This is hilarious."

Daoist Qingfeng broke into a cold sweat, his face cycling between red and white. *What the hell is going on?!* he cursed internally. *This isn't what we agreed upon!* He was so mortified he wished he could crawl into a hole. It was the most embarrassing failure of his career.

The scene was excruciatingly awkward. The guests began to openly mock the priest’s "powers." Trapped in a corner, Qingfeng knew that if he didn't salvage the situation, his reputation would be ruined forever. Gritting his teeth, he decided to play his final trump card.

"Ghost-fire, reveal yourself!"

This was his ultimate trick, one he rarely used. "Evil spirits are crafty, but today, I shall let you all see the truth!" he shouted, feigning composure. He ordered a servant to bring a basin of clear water and began his ritual again, chanting and performing even more complex gestures. He intended to manifest a "ghostly shadow" in the water to terrify the crowd and save his face.

Just as Qingfeng was deep in his ritual, Ye Qingyan seized the opportunity. She stepped forward.

"The Daoist’s powers are profound, I am truly impressed," she said. "However, I have heard that you can not only exorcise spirits but also summon celestial lightning. Could you let me broaden my horizons today?"

The noisy crowd went deathly silent. Every eye turned to Daoist Qingfeng.

The priest was at the critical moment of his ritual. Her interruption nearly caused him to lose his breath. *Summon lightning? I don't know how to summon any damn lightning!* he screamed inside, though he kept his "masterly" expression on his face.

Just as he was struggling to find an excuse, a cold, clear voice rang out from the crowd.

"Indeed, I have also heard of the Daoist’s heaven-reaching abilities. Since Miss Ye has asked, why not show us?"

Chen Huai'an had appeared in the crowd unnoticed. He added his voice calmly—a seemingly casual remark that effectively held Daoist Qingfeng over a fire.

Qingfeng’s face turned ghastly pale. He couldn't summon lightning! This was an impossible demand. Under the scrutiny of the crowd, he was cornered.

"This..." he stammered, sweat pouring down his back.

Ye Qingyan looked at him with an innocent, harmless smile. "Please, Daoist. If you cannot summon it... perhaps I can give you a hand."

A collective gasp went through the crowd. Had Ye Qingyan lost her mind? How dare she provoke the priest!

Daoist Qingfeng was so enraged he nearly vomited blood. This was a naked, brazen threat! He glared at Ye Qingyan, his eyes burning with the desire to tear her apart.

Ye Qingyan simply smiled at him, thinking to herself, *Daoist, your good days have come to an end.*

Nearby, Chen Huai'an watched Ye Qingyan with a faint, amused smile.