Chapter 280: I’m Telling Master You’re Bullying Me!

“So, why has the Dragon Dynasty sent you to the Fox Clan now?”

In the main hall of the Cherrywood Palace, the silver-haired fox saintess sat high on her throne, her icy blue eyes devoid of warmth as she regarded the black-robed fairy before her.

Once, she might have greeted Qin Shiyan with enthusiasm—but no longer.

On the table in front of Qin Shiyan, a fine wine had been poured. She lifted the cup and drank it in one gulp, her expression melancholic.

Strictly speaking, Qin Shiyan had no reason to feel guilty toward Xia Zhiyue.

But from Xia Zhiyue’s perspective, she had every right to despise her.

“Zhiyue, I only wanted to—” Qin Shiyan tried to explain.

Xia Zhiyue cut her off.

“If you truly feel regret, Teacher, you shouldn’t be talking to me.”

“……?”

The fairy’s phoenix eyes widened in confusion.

Across from her, the nine-tailed fox also downed her cup, then lowered her gaze, her delicate fingers brushing her abdomen—where the faint glow of a Phoenix Mark pulsed beneath her robes.

“The Fox Clan’s revival is all thanks to He Ange. If you truly feel guilty, Teacher, the one you should be apologizing to—or thanking—is him.”

Xia Zhiyue spoke bluntly.

She had no patience for veiled words with a high-ranking Dragon Dynasty official like Qin Shiyan.

Why bother dancing around the truth when she could just send Qin Shiyan straight to the source of all answers?

Besides… those painful memories weren’t something Xia Zhiyue wanted to revisit.

Especially not with someone who had abandoned her in her darkest hour.

If not for He Ange, Xia Zhiyue would have been ruined by Ye Qingchuan. The Fox Clan would have fallen under the Dragon Dynasty’s control.

And where had Qin Shiyan been then?

Nowhere.

Even if Xia Zhiyue knew Qin Shiyan had been occupied in the Upper Realm—

Even if she knew none of this was Qin Shiyan’s fault—

It didn’t change the fact that when she’d needed someone most, it was He Ange who had appeared—not the teacher she’d once revered.

How could she not feel cold toward Qin Shiyan?

And now, to make matters worse—

Qin Shiyan had snubbed He Ange at their reunion, refusing to acknowledge him as her disciple.

“You won’t even treat my man with respect—why should I treat you kindly?”

That was Xia Zhiyue’s stance now.

Between He Ange and Qin Shiyan, her loyalty was unshakable.

If Qin Shiyan hadn’t been her former teacher, Xia Zhiyue would have kicked her out the moment she arrived.

“He Ange… He saved the Fox Clan?”

Qin Shiyan furrowed her brows.

She had been in the Central Plains for too long—there was so much about the Fox Clan’s internal affairs that she didn’t know.

She didn’t understand how Xia Zhiyue had regained her cultivation and even broken through to the Void Refining Realm.

She didn’t understand why the Fox Clan people worshipped He Ange like a saint.

She didn’t understand what had truly happened to Ye Qingchuan—or the current status of the Dragon Dynasty princess, Chen Sheng, who had been sent here by the Empress.

All these were things she would need to investigate slowly.

But Qin Shiyan wasn’t a fool.

She could tell—Xia Zhiyue’s attitude was clear.

The Fox Saintess didn’t want to offend her, but she refused to let He Ange be slighted.

In short—

Xia Zhiyue wanted to avenge him.

“…Very well. I will seek out He Ange tonight.”

With a sigh, Qin Shiyan finally conceded.

She had made a mistake this morning.

He Ange had approached her with good intentions, wanting to reconcile—

And she had coldly rejected him.

Because of that, her progress in the Fox Clan had been effectively halted.

But she had only distanced herself from him because—

She was afraid of what might happen if Xu Xin and He Ange clashed.

She was afraid that getting too close to him would draw the Empress’s attention—and put him in danger.

That was why she had pushed him away.

That was why she had refused to be called “Master.”

But in truth—

Even if He Ange had betrayed the sect, she didn’t hate him.

If possible, she wanted to sit down with him properly, share a drink, and hear his side of the story.

She wanted to understand why her once-loyal disciple had made such a choice.

“Then… I shall take my leave.”

With a weary expression, Qin Shiyan stood and turned to depart.

But as she reached the door—

“Teacher.”

The fox saintess’ voice stopped her.

When Qin Shiyan turned, she saw Xia Zhiyue smiling—no longer cold, but with the same warmth she’d once reserved for her mentor.

Xia Zhiyue’s cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her gaze.

“Despite everything… I still respect you, Teacher.”

“…I see.”

Qin Shiyan smiled softly, her phoenix eyes filled with warmth—as if looking at a beloved child.

But then Xia Zhiyue bit her lip, hesitating before adding—

“But He Ange… he truly respects and cherishes you. The way you treated him today… it made me sad for him.”

“…I understand.”

With a final nod, Qin Shiyan turned and vanished into the moonlight.

—

Meanwhile—

While Qin Shiyan and Xia Zhiyue spoke privately, He Ange was in the palace gardens, reviewing recent Fox Clan affairs.

But since he wasn’t the actual ruler of the Fox Clan, his workload was far lighter than Xia Zhiyue’s.

Which meant he had free time to spare.

And tonight, he had invited two girls to join him.

One was a red-fox maid in a frilly dress, her nine fluffy tails draped over He Ange’s lap like a living blanket. She leaned against his shoulder, quiet and content, simply enjoying his presence.

The other, however, was having a much worse time.

On the training grounds, Xu Xin was locked in combat against three bridal puppets—and losing miserably.

She swung her sword with all her might, but against three Void Refining Realm puppets, she never stood a chance.

Before long, she collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

Seeing this, He Ange finally set aside his documents and stood, stretching lazily.

One hand still stroking the fox girl’s tails, he raised a teacup to his lips—

“Well, Junior Sister? Ready to call me ‘Senior Brother’ yet?”

He smirked, his tone teasing.

Beside him, Xia Ran Yue giggled, leaning closer to whisper—

“Master~ Does Ran Yue’s tea taste good?”

Her voice was like a siren’s, sweet enough to make his heart tremble.

He Ange sighed.

“You didn’t put anything weird in this, did you?”

“Of course not~”

The fox girl licked her lips, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Xia Ran Yue’s natural charm was like an addictive drug—once He Ange started indulging, he couldn’t stop.

He had been sitting here for hours, absentmindedly petting her tails while she fed him snacks and tea.

It was dangerous.

Too comfortable.

With a reluctant sigh, He Ange set the fox aside and approached the defeated Xu Xin.

Hearing his footsteps, the green-robed girl lifted her head, her eyes brimming with anger and frustration.

She hated losing—but she couldn’t deny reality.

If three puppets could thrash her this badly…

How strong was He Ange himself now?

The thought made her burn with humiliation.

But Xu Xin wasn’t a sore loser.

If she was beaten, she would admit it.

Still…

“Stop glaring at me. Still not convinced?”

“F-Fine! I admit it! You’re stronger than me! Happy now?!”

“Extremely. Now, call me ‘Senior Brother’ like we agreed~”

“An… Ange S-Senior Brother…”

“Good girl~ Now, let Senior Brother pat your head—”

“HE ANGE, YOU’RE PUSHING IT!!!”

When Qin Shiyan arrived to speak with He Ange, she was met with a scene of absolute chaos.

A certain green-robed girl was clinging to He Ange, crying and shouting—

“Waaahhh!!”

“He Ange, you’re the worst! I’m telling Master you’re bullying me!”

“Hey—stop laughing!!!”

—