Chapter 278: Lord He Yuan, What Are You Doing Here?!

He Ange’s frank apology not only moved Qin Shiyan deeply but also left Xu Xin stunned. For a moment, it was as if she had glimpsed the gentle and considerate junior brother from the past once more.

But…

He Ange had already defected. He was an enemy of the righteous sects now, a great villain wreaking havoc upon the world.

Xu Xin hesitated.

She had thought that her harsh accusations would provoke He Ange’s anger, but instead of fighting back when she called him a traitor and an ungrateful wretch, he had actually apologized voluntarily.

The moment He Ange yielded, Xu Xin couldn’t help but soften. Perhaps he had his reasons…?

She turned to Qin Shiyan, only to find that the usually cold and aloof fairy in black robes was also gazing at He Ange with unexpected gentleness.

The fairy pursed her lips, lowering her lashes before finally letting out a faint sigh.

“Ange, stand up first.”

“Master…”

The young man frowned, wanting to say more, but Qin Shiyan cut him off.

“Ange, I am no longer your master.”

“……”

He Ange looked up, meeting the fairy’s gaze. Her phoenix eyes were still sharp yet dim when looking at him—as if staring at a child who had once brought her pride but now only disappointment.

Clearly, Qin Shiyan had been genuinely hurt.

She was an official of the Dragon Dynasty and an elder of the righteous sects. The fact that she hadn’t immediately attacked He Ange, a traitor, was already the greatest mercy she could offer out of respect for their past bond.

She had no intention of reopening old wounds, but neither would she simply forget the pain he had caused. She wasn’t so cheap—her sect wasn’t some place He Ange could stroll in and out of as he pleased.

Wouldn’t that make a mockery of her dignity as a master?

She would never forgive him—unless He Ange willingly returned to the Dragon Dynasty with her to face judgment, purge his demonic veins, repent, and start anew.

But obviously, that was impossible.

So, Qin Shiyan had no plans to maintain any connection with He Ange anymore. Perhaps it was best to simply part ways here.

However…

Her icy attitude toward He Ange left Xu Xin feeling conflicted.

Though Xu Xin had been stern with He Ange, seeing the relationship between her master and junior brother truly shatter tore at her heart.

She could argue with He Ange for her master’s sake, but she didn’t want Qin Shiyan to do the same…

Deep down, Xu Xin still wished they could reconcile.

“Alright.”

Looking at the fairy who now kept her distance, He Ange accepted his fault and didn’t press further.

If Qin Shiyan refused to engage with him, so be it. He would respect her choice.

With that in mind, He Ange stood up, brushed off his sleeves, and stepped aside to make way for the Dragon Dynasty carriages carrying supplies.

“Master, if you’ve come to aid the Fox Clan, then as a representative of the Fox Clan, I welcome you and the other Dragon Dynasty cultivators to enter.”

He Ange smiled warmly, extending his hospitality as if nothing had happened.

Qin Shiyan looked at him, her brows slightly furrowed, lips pressed together as if struggling to speak.

In the end, she merely signaled to her subordinates with a glance, leading the Dragon Dynasty carriages into the Fox Clan’s territory.

As they walked, however, Qin Shiyan couldn’t help but steal occasional glances at the sacred-robed young man trailing quietly beside her, her phoenix eyes reflecting confusion and concern.

I already treated him coldly—why is he still following me?

He Ange is a demonic cultivator. Shouldn’t he be wary of the Dragon Dynasty’s forces? Yet here he is, welcoming us with open arms?

Doesn’t he realize the Empress has a bounty on his head?

Earlier, I gave him a chance to leave by deliberately acting cold—why didn’t he seize the opportunity and flee?

To be honest, rather than resentment, what Qin Shiyan felt most now was worry for him.

And it troubled her greatly!

Currently, the Empress was hunting He Ange across the land, and Qin Shiyan was one of her closest aides. Logically, if Qin Shiyan sent word right now, the Empress could instantly descend using the Imperial Artifact Qin Shiyan carried and personally execute He Ange in the Fox Clan’s territory…

He Ange should know this.

If he had any sense, he should have taken Qin Shiyan’s coldness as a cue to escape, never to cross paths with her again—that would have been the safest choice for him.

But…

Was this rebellious disciple taking advantage of Qin Shiyan’s unwillingness to betray him, pushing his luck further?!

At this thought, the black-robed fairy felt torn.

She would never actually report He Ange to the Empress, but just because she wouldn’t betray him didn’t mean other Dragon Dynasty spies wouldn’t.

If He Ange were caught by the Empress in the Fox Clan’s territory, even Qin Shiyan wouldn’t be able to save him then.

Conflict at the Border

“Halt! You are not allowed to proceed any further—!”

Just as Qin Shiyan was wrestling with these thoughts, several well-armed Fox Clan cultivators blocked the path of the Dragon Dynasty caravan ahead.

The Dragon Dynasty’s procession was unmistakable, its carriages adorned with imperial banners. Normally, people recognized its authority from afar.

Yet, the Fox Clan’s guards showed no deference whatsoever, outright refusing entry.

This naturally displeased the Dragon Dynasty’s Immortal Attendants escorting the supplies.

“What is the meaning of this? Since when does the Fox Clan dare to obstruct the Dragon Dynasty’s convoy?!”

“We traveled thousands of miles from the Central Plains under Her Majesty’s decree to bring aid to your devastated lands—and this is how you treat your benefactors?”

The Dragon Dynasty’s attendants were, after all, still prideful.

In their eyes, the Fox Clan was nothing more than a minor demonic faction that had barely survived annihilation by the demonic sects—a weak race that had only endured thanks to the Dragon Dynasty’s military presence.

For such a small, struggling clan to draw weapons against their rescuers instead of welcoming them with gratitude was utterly unacceptable!

“Our Fox Clan is doing just fine! We don’t need the Dragon Dynasty’s so-called help!”

“Turn your carriages around and leave!”

The Fox Clan guards stood firm, refusing to yield.

Qin Shiyan, observing from the rear of the convoy, realized the gravity of the situation.

She knew about the atrocities Ye Qingchuan had committed in the Fox Clan, but her understanding had been limited to written reports. Though she had expected resentment toward the Dragon Dynasty, she hadn’t anticipated that even the lowliest Fox Clan guards would openly reject them—even when they bore aid.

She had thought that, despite their hatred, the Fox Clan people—reeling from war and ruin—would soften toward the Dragon Dynasty over time, especially with sincere assistance.

But instead…

The Fox Clan wouldn’t even let them in.

“Let me handle this.”

Sighing, Qin Shiyan stepped forward to mediate.

But before she could speak, she noticed something strange—

The Fox Clan guards, who had initially regarded her with hostility, suddenly switched to surprise and respect…

Wait—respect?

For her?

But no.

Their eyes weren’t fixed on Qin Shiyan.

Instead, they bowed deeply—

Toward someone behind her.

“Lord He Yuan! What are you doing here?!”

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