Chapter 279: But Your Junior Brother’s Cultivation is Higher Than Yours, Senior Sister!

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

The shift in their attitude was too drastic.

One moment, they were on guard as if facing an enemy invasion—the next, they were brimming with gratitude and reverence.

“He Yuan?”

Qin Shiyan hadn’t yet processed what was happening.

But then, the holy-robed youth stepped past her and began speaking with the Fox Clan guards in her stead:

“They’re here on behalf of the Dragon Dynasty to aid the Fox Clan. They mean no harm—let them pass.”

“But…”

Seeing the guards still hesitant, He Ange could only sigh and gesture to the black-robed fairy beside him with a gentle introduction:

“This fairy was once my master. She is a good person.”

“What?! Lord He Yuan’s master!”

“Our deepest apologies! Our deepest apologies!”

“Fairy, you traveled all this way to aid the Fox Clan—we’ve truly wronged you! Hey! You lot! Hurry up and let Lord He Yuan’s master pass!”

With just one mention of He Ange’s master, the Fox Clan guards immediately sprang into action.

In fact, they looked at the black-robed fairy with the same adoration they had for He Ange—as if she were no longer an outsider.

This scene left Qin Shiyan dumbfounded.

She glanced between the guards and the handsome youth beside her, her phoenix eyes filled with deeper confusion.

When the Dragon Dynasty was mentioned, they grew even more wary.

But when He Ange called her his master, they immediately transferred their love and respect to her?!

Why?

In the hearts of the Fox Clan, the name “Dragon Dynasty” held less weight than He Ange casually mentioning a single teacher!

“Master… Ah, no. Fairy Qin, please, come in.”

As the city gates opened, He Ange turned and welcomed Qin Shiyan and Xu Xin into the territory.

At this moment, Qin Shiyan finally understood.

He Ange had been following her this whole time just to lend her his influence, ensuring her Dragon Dynasty convoy could enter smoothly without trouble.

Without He Ange’s intervention, she might have been stuck at the border, waiting for the Fox Clan Saintess herself to intervene.

—

“Lord He Yuan! Have you brought more aid?”

“Lord He Yuan! It’s autumn—try our Fox Clan’s newly harvested peaches!”

“Lord He Yuan! Let us help unload the supplies!”

The moment He Ange returned to town, countless Fox Clan citizens rushed forward, showering him with warmth and enthusiasm.

Naturally, after Liu Moqing’s previous visit, the Fox Clan people assumed the Dragon Dynasty’s carriages were another wave of aid summoned by Lord He Yuan.

This was fundamentally different from the Empress’ intentions.

The former was gratitude toward He Ange—the latter, gratitude toward the Dragon Dynasty.

And clearly…

Without He Ange even needing to explain, just by standing here, the Fox Clan people assigned all the credit to him.

Watching the misunderstanding grow, He Ange had no choice but to step in and properly introduce the graceful black-robed fairy beside him—

“This is Fairy Qin, a first-rank minister of the Dragon Dynasty. You should all thank her for her kindness—these supplies are all thanks to her generosity.”

With that one declaration, Qin Shiyan instantly became the most beloved fairy in the eyes of the Fox Clan people.

Surrounded by such overwhelming admiration, even a high-ranking minister like Qin Shiyan found herself flustered and unsure how to react.

This was a treatment she had never experienced in the Dragon Dynasty.

Back home, when people heard of an imperial minister’s arrival, they would prostrate on the ground in fear—never daring to even raise their heads, let alone speak freely.

But here in the Fox Clan, it was completely different.

The respect He Ange received wasn’t just fear—it was genuine love and gratitude.

Not far away, watching Qin Shiyan being swarmed by the Fox Clan people, the green-robed girl quietly slipped over to He Ange’s side, pouting as she muttered:

“He Ange… how did you get so famous in the Fox Clan?”

“Who knows? Maybe the Fox Clan just likes heartless ingrates like me.” He Ange replied with a meaningful smile.

Xu Xin knew he was teasing her. She puffed her cheeks in frustration, refusing to humor him further.

But if Xu Xin refused to engage, there was always another girl eager to cling to He Ange…

“Ange~ Why did you take so long to come back?”

A nine-tailed fox girl in black robes and white stockings swiftly latched onto He Ange’s arm, pressing her chest against him with practiced ease.

Her playful charm was enough to make even Xu Xin blush furiously.

“X-Xia Ran Yue…?”

Xu Xin recognized the girl, but her voice came out hesitant.

Xia Ran Yue blinked, mildly surprised to see her, but not particularly excited.

“Ah, Miss Xu…”

“Uh…”

Xu Xin suddenly felt like a third wheel.

Her relationship with Xia Ran Yue was limited to being teammates during the past sect trials.

Compared to a fellow disciple she wasn’t particularly close with, Xia Ran Yue clearly prioritized her beloved master, He Ange.

She was too busy trying to cuddle him!

“Ran Yue, go help organize the supplies from the Dragon Dynasty’s convoy and prepare a report for Liu Moqing.”

“Mmnn…”

Xia Ran Yue didn’t refuse—but she didn’t move either, stubbornly clinging to He Ange’s arm while her nine tails swayed mischievously.

This was a fox’s inherent flaw—low obedience, fond of acting spoiled, endlessly clever, and demanding near-constant attention from their master.

Luckily, He Ange had mastered the art of handling foxes.

“Alright~”

With one hand, he stroked the soft, fluffy tails of the little fox, his technique practiced and mesmerizing.

With the other, he gently patted her head.

Five minutes of simultaneous petting later, Xia Ran Yue was finally reduced to a blushing, giggling mess, her lips curling into a satisfied smile.

“Be good. Go help organize the supplies. I’ll reward you tonight.”

“Then! Ran Yue wants to do it in front of Sister! I want her to see who’s the first to break!”

The fox girl’s smile was sweet and innocent, but her pink eyes gleamed with mischief and scheming, as if imagining the sight of her usually aloof and proud sister—reduced to a panting, blushing mess… and losing to her.

“Deal.”

He Ange chuckled, flicking her fox ear lightly.

Xia Ran Yue shivered, her tail stiffening before she obediently dashed off to complete her task.

Xu Xin, however, was utterly dumbstruck by their entire interaction.

“H-He Ange, you… you two… how could you—”

Xu Xin, a model disciple who had spent her whole life diligently cultivating, had never seen such shameless flirting between a human and a fox girl!

Her face burned red, steam practically rising from her head as she stammered incoherently.

Seeing her reaction, He Ange raised an eyebrow, his smirk turning playfully condescending.

“Junior Sister is still young. It’s fine if you don’t understand—you’ll learn when you’re older.”

“I-I’m still young?!”

Xu Xin’s temper flared.

She had already been furious at He Ange for betraying their sect, and now, instead of explaining himself, he was mocking her?!

So his earlier respect and guilt had only been for Qin Shiyan!

The moment Qin Shiyan left, the moment he was alone with Xu Xin—his true nature emerged, bullying her with subtle jabs!

Her anger flared as she bit her lip and retorted stubbornly:

“He Ange, in terms of seniority, I’m your senior sister! I was already a disciple when you were still getting bullied in the outer sect competitions! And you’re no longer part of the sect—stop calling me junior sister!”

“Oh? Is that so?”

He Ange raised an eyebrow, noting that Xu Xin had indeed grown—she was far more confident in arguing with him now.

Back then, Xu Xin had been a gentle, understanding girl when she was with him.

Now…

Well, He Ange couldn’t blame her.

If he hadn’t betrayed their sect, Xu Xin would probably still be a sweet junior sister like Xia Ran Yue.

If he hadn’t hurt Qin Shiyan so deeply, Xu Xin wouldn’t harbor such resentment toward him—she wouldn’t be picking fights with him to avenge her master.

At this thought, He Ange exhaled softly.

He still had a favorable impression of Xu Xin.

He teased her not because he disliked her, but because she had been the first to lash out at him, and he found her reactions adorable—so he retaliated just to mess with her a little.

Of course, the bigger reason was—

He Ange had wronged Qin Shiyan, not Xu Xin!

So why should he kowtow to her too?

Now, Xu Xin’s face was puffed up in anger, her eyes glaring furiously.

He Ange, however, narrowed his eyes, his lips curling into a darkly amused smirk.

“In the path of cultivation, seniority is determined by strength.”

“But right now, Junior Sister’s cultivation… isn’t as high as mine~”

“You—!”

Xu Xin’s face burned red with rage.

She puffed her cheeks, her eyes blazing as she glared at her insufferable junior brother, who was now looking down at her with utter smugness—

“He Ange, don’t look down on me! I’m a Deity Transformation Realm sword cultivator now!”

“Wow, impressive.”

He Ange faked admiration—just to savor her triumphant expression before crushing it.

Then, he leaned down, whispering in her ear with devilish amusement:

“But Senior Sister, the junior brother you’re scolding… is already at the Void Refining Realm~”

“……?”