```
Fang Zhen was staring intently at the secret method and paused. He turned to Kou Wei, "You all..."
Kou Wei turned back, nodding at him, "Apologies, Junior Brother Fang, it wasn't intentional deception. We're just pawns following orders."
By now, how could Fang Zhen not understand? He looked at Kou Wei and then at Lu Mingshu, his tone complicated, "Was this all your setup?"
Kou Wei chuckled, "Without this, how would the Great Ancestral Uncle come out?"
...
That day, on the island's pavilion.
Kou Wei said, "Junior Lu, you're exceptionally clever. You must realize this situation is beyond our strength to resolve. Even my ancestor has no choice."
How could Lu Mingshu not understand? With things at this point, Heavenly Sea Pavilion was compelled to act. If they did nothing, they would gradually weaken and eventually fade into Beiming's history.
When she brought out the secret method, deciding to let others follow it, she anticipated this outcome.
