Chapter 1014: Voluntary Report

Elder Qiu, seeing Ye Susu like this, frowned slightly and couldn't help stepping forward, wanting to say something.

In her view, their young master was inexperienced and trusted this Senior Han, a human, far too much. Seeing that she couldn't speak, Elder Qiu intended to ask Han Li and the others to leave on her behalf.

“Miss Ye, since the Immortal Palace’s wanted notice has reached Golden Rhinoceros City, it’s only a matter of time before they trace it to the Azure Fox Clan. If I stay in Azure Fox City, I’ll only bring trouble upon you. After I pack up, I’ll leave immediately.” Before Elder Qiu could speak, Han Li said with a serious expression.

Hearing this, Elder Qiu’s expression changed slightly. The words on the tip of her tongue were forced back, and the strong arguments she had prepared were rendered useless. She clearly hadn’t expected Han Li to say this voluntarily.

“Senior Han, I believe you are not an evil person, but…” Ye Susu said guiltily.

“You don’t need to feel guilty. I’ve troubled your Azure Fox City long enough; it’s indeed time to leave. Ti Hun, go pack now; we’ll leave shortly.” Han Li waved his hand with a smile and turned to Ti Hun.

Ti Hun acknowledged and went into the main hall.

There wasn’t much to pack in the residence, but the sealing formation Han Li had set up needed to be dismantled and recovered.

“Senior Han, the Azure Fox Clan is truly a tiny clan, powerless against the Immortal Palace. We can only be rude to you, and I hope you understand. But rest assured, we Azure Foxes will never reveal a word of your visit here.” Ye Susu bowed respectfully to Han Li.

“No. After we leave, go to Golden Rhinoceros City tomorrow morning and report to the Immortal Palace investigators that we stayed in the Azure Fox Clan. The timing must be accurate, with no mistakes.” Han Li said, startling everyone.

“What… Senior, what did you say?” Ye Susu couldn’t believe her ears and asked hastily.

Elder Qiu’s expression also changed. After pondering for a moment, she understood the logic and looked at Han Li with a changed gaze.

“Miss Ye, don’t be surprised. I mean for you to report my whereabouts to the Immortal Palace.” Han Li said with a smile.

“Senior means for us to point them in the wrong direction, to lead them elsewhere?” Ye Susu asked, momentarily stunned.

“After leaving Azure Fox City, we will continue north into the Gold Source Mountains. You must tell them our exact direction, without altering it, or it will bring disaster to the Azure Fox Clan. Remember this well.” Han Li shook his head and said.

“Senior, the more you explain, the more confused I become.” Ye Susu said, puzzled.

“Young master, whether we report or not, the Immortal Palace will find out that Senior Han came to Azure Fox City. Rather than wait for them to come and threaten us, it’s better to report voluntarily. Senior Han is doing this to protect our Azure Fox Clan.” Elder Qiu spoke after a long silence.

“After you report, the Immortal Palace will certainly investigate. Only by letting them find some real and useful information will they not trouble your clan.” Han Li nodded and added.

Ye Susu finally understood and didn’t know what to say.

“Senior Han is noble, not only saving the clan leader but also thinking of our clan’s welfare. I previously judged you with a petty mind, and I am truly ashamed.” Elder Qiu rose and bowed respectfully to Han Li.

“Elder Qiu, no need for this. The time I spent in Azure Fox City was rare in its peace and quiet. I should thank you.” Han Li raised his hand to help her up.

As they spoke, Ti Hun had returned to the courtyard and nodded to Han Li.

Seeing that Han Li was about to leave, Ye Susu felt reluctant and asked, “Senior, will we ever meet again?”

“I am beset by troubles; it’s better we don’t meet.” Han Li said with an unchanged expression.

He and Ti Hun went to the courtyard together. After bidding farewell, their遁光 merged and shot into the sky as a streak of light, disappearing instantly.

Ye Susu looked at the empty courtyard, feeling a sense of loss.

“Young master, if fate allows, you will meet again.” Elder Qiu stepped forward and said softly.

Ye Susu nodded, a smile returning to her face.

…

The streak of light that tore across the sky headed north but didn’t go far, landing on a mountain peak several thousand li away.

Han Li and Ti Hun emerged from the light, standing at the edge of a cliff, gazing into the distance.

“Master, isn’t it too close to stop here?” Ti Hun asked.

“No. After the Azure Fox Clan reports, the Immortal Palace will send people to investigate. If the distance is too great and the investigators don’t reach here before returning to report they saw no trace of us, it will also bring trouble to the Azure Fox Clan.” Han Li shook his head and said slowly.

“Master, you think of everything.” Ti Hun laughed.

“The Azure Fox Clan, though weak, has a simple and peaceful nature, quite different from the fox clans I’ve seen before…” Han Li stopped mid-sentence, a trace of nostalgia flashing in his eyes.

He wondered how that “little fox” who had shared hardships with him was faring in the Wildlands now.

“Since Master favors the Azure Fox Clan, why not help them a little, so they won’t be at the mercy of the likes of the Golden Horse Sect?” Ti Hun glanced at Han Li and said.

“We are plagued with troubles now and cannot be too deeply involved with the Azure Fox Clan. Anything we leave behind could bring them destruction; we must be cautious. There will be time in the future. When we no longer have so many taboos and concerns, we can visit the Azure Fox Clan again.” Han Li sighed and said.

They stayed there until noon, then Han Li took out a jade-green flying carriage and flew into the sky with Ti Hun, continuing north.

…

Two days later.

Above Azure Fox City, dozens of huge golden spirit-boat warships hovered, covered in spiritual light and dense talisman inscriptions.

From afar, banners fluttered on the decks, and thousands of armored soldiers stood with weapons, spears and halberds like a forest.

Nearly half of Azure Fox City was shaded by the ships’ shadows. The fox clansmen in the city looked up at the sky, trembling.

At that moment, in a remote courtyard in the city, eight or nine figures stood.

Among them was a middle-aged man in a white brocade robe, his temples slightly frosted, sitting at a stone table in the courtyard, gazing thoughtfully at the blooming flowers in a nearby garden.

Behind him stood a young man in colorful brocade and a black-robed man with a ghost-head broadsword on his back—Tao Ji and Black Blade.

“That villain lived in this courtyard before?” Tao Ji asked with a frown.

The several Azure Fox clansmen behind him nodded.

“Reporting to the Immortal Envoy, that person lived in this courtyard before, always in seclusion. Two days ago, for unknown reasons, he suddenly left in haste. We only learned from Golden Rhinoceros City yesterday that he was wanted and immediately reported it.” Ye Luo, dressed in a fitted green gauze dress, stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said.

Ye Susu stood beside Elder Qiu, lips tightly pressed, silent.

“Was it you who brought that villain back to Azure Fox City?” Tao Ji’s gaze shifted to Ye Susu, asking coldly.

Ye Susu’s heart trembled slightly, but her face showed little change as she replied calmly:

“Yes. That day, after he saved my life, I invited him to stay in our clan out of gratitude. I never expected he would be… a wanted criminal of the Immortal Palace…”

“Since he left two days ago, why did you only report yesterday? Could it be that you intentionally shielded him?” Tao Ji suddenly sneered and asked.

“Immortal Envoy, please don’t joke. Our Azure Fox Clan cannot bear such a grave crime. We indeed only learned yesterday from Golden Rhinoceros City that he was a wanted criminal, and we immediately reported it without any delay.” Ye Luo quickly bowed and said fearfully.

“We beg the Immortal Envoy to see clearly!” Elder Qiu and the others also changed expression and bowed.

Ye Susu bowed as well but inwardly scoffed, feeling that these Immortal Palace people were sanctimonious, far inferior to Senior Han, who seemed distant but was truly warm.

“Hmph! Whether it’s a joke will be known when Elder Lü returns. If he finds no trace of that person heading north, then you are lying. Don’t blame the Immortal Palace for treating you as accomplices.” Tao Ji sneered coldly.

Elder Qiu and the others’ hearts tightened.

Not all Azure Fox clansmen trusted Han Li as completely as Ye Susu. They worried that if Han Li hadn’t gone north as he said, or left no trace, their clan would be in danger today.

“Since he had shown kindness to your clan, why did you report him? Isn’t that ingratitude and returning kindness with enmity?” At that moment, Dongfang Bai suddenly turned around, staring directly at Ye Susu, and asked.

Ye Susu’s mind tightened under his gaze, and an indescribable fear surged in her heart.

“R-reporting to the Immortal Envoy… I, we…” Her lips trembled, unable to form a complete sentence.

At that moment, a jade-white hand reached over and grasped Ye Susu’s cold hand, squeezing gently.

Ye Susu knew without looking that it was her mother, and her mind calmed slightly.

“Reporting to the Immortal Envoy, that person indeed showed kindness to our Azure Fox Clan, but he had hidden in our clan for over a hundred years. We have repaid his kindness and, unknowingly, violated the laws of the Immortal Domain. We have done our duty. Not knowing the past is one thing, but now that we know he is a wanted fugitive, our Azure Fox Clan understands right and wrong. How could we not report? Wouldn’t that be disloyal and unjust? The Azure Fox Clan would never dare to do so.” Ye Susu steadied herself and answered according to the prepared words.

Dongfang Bai listened, his expression unchanged. His gaze did not shift but remained fixed on Ye Susu, trying to discern something from her expression.