Elder Qiu's brows furrowed slightly upon seeing Ye Susu's reaction, and she took a step forward to say something.
In her eyes, their young mistress was too naive and had placed too much trust in this human Senior Han. Seeing as she was unable to bring herself to say anything, she wanted to ask Han Li and Senior Han to leave on her behalf.
"Mistress Ye, seeing as the Immortal Palace has already issued a warrant to Golden Rhino City, it's only a matter of time before the Green Fox Tribe is found. If I continue to stay in Qing Hu City, I'll only bring trouble to you.
I'll leave right away after I pack up. "Before Elder Qiu had a chance to respond, Han Li spoke with a serious expression.
When Elder Qiu heard this, his expression changed slightly and he forcibly swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth. He clearly hadn't expected that Han Li would take the initiative to say such a thing.
"Senior Han, I know that you're not a bad person, but …" Ye Susu spoke with a guilty expression.
"There's no need for you to feel guilty. I've disturbed your Qing Hu City for a long time, and it is indeed time for me to leave.
Weeping Soul Beast, go pack up in your room, and we'll be leaving soon. "Han Li waved a hand with a smile before turning to the Weeping Soul Beast.
The Weeping Soul Beast nodded in response before returning to the central room.
There weren't many things in the manor that needed to be packed up, but the restriction formation that Han Li had set up still needed to be dismantled and recycled.
"Senior Han, the Green Fox Tribe is truly a small tribe, and we are powerless to oppose the Immortal Palace. Please forgive us for our rudeness.
Rest assured, our Green Fox Tribe won't divulge any information that you've been here. "Ye Susu extended a respectful salute toward Han Li.
"No, after we leave, go to Golden Rhino City tomorrow morning to find the scouts from the Immortal Palace and report to them that we've been staying at the Green Fox Tribe.
The timing must be accurate, and there can't be the slightest mistake, "Han Li said in a shocking manner.
"What … What did you just say, Senior?" Ye Susu hurriedly asked in disbelief.
Hearing this, Elder Qiu's expression also changed. After pondering for a moment, he finally figured out the crux of the matter, and his gaze toward Han Li involuntarily changed.
"You don't have to be surprised, Miss Ye. What I meant was for you to report my whereabouts to the Immortal Palace," Han Li said with a smile.
"So you want us to point out the wrong direction for them and lead them to another direction?" Ye Susu paused for a second and then asked.
"After we leave Qing Hu City, we'll continue to the north of the Golden Origin Mountain Ranges.
When the time comes, you have to tell them where we're going, and you can't change our directions on your own. Otherwise, it'll bring disaster to the Green Fox Race.
Han Li shook his head and said, "You must remember this."
"Senior, why do I not understand what you are saying?" Ye Susu was confused.
"Young Master, regardless of whether we report this matter or not, the Immortal Palace will find out that Senior Han has been to our Qing Hu City. Instead of waiting for them to come and threaten us, why don't we report this matter to them?
Senior Han is doing this to protect our Green Fox Race, "Elder Qiu replied after a long silence.
"After you report this matter to them, the Immortal Palace will definitely investigate this matter. Only by providing them with some useful information will they not make things difficult for your Green Fox Race," Han Li said with a nod.
Ye Susu came to a sudden realization upon hearing this, and she was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Senior Han is so righteous. Not only did he save our family leader, but he's also doing this for our race.
I'm truly ashamed of myself for judging him as a petty person. "Elder Qiu rose to his feet and bowed respectfully toward Han Li.
"There's no need for that, Elder Qiu. Han should be the one thanking you for the peace and quiet we've enjoyed during our time in Qing Hu City," Han Li said as he helped him to his feet.
Just as they were speaking, the Weeping Soul Beast returned to the courtyard and nodded at Han Li.
Ye Susu was a little reluctant to see Han Li leave, and she asked, "Will we have a chance to meet again in the future, Senior?"
"Han is in a lot of trouble, so it's better not to see him," Han Li replied with an unchanged expression.
He and the Weeping Soul Beast arrived at the courtyard together, and after bidding farewell, the two of them flew up into the air as a streak of light, instantly disappearing from sight.
Ye Susu looked around at the empty courtyard, and she was feeling a little lost.
"Young Master, we'll meet again if fate allows it," Elder Qiu said as he made his way over to her.
The latter nodded upon hearing this, and a smile appeared on his face.
… …
The streak of light that tore through the sky flew towards the north. It didn't fly too far, only landing on a mountain peak several thousand miles away.
Han Li and the Weeping Soul Beast emerged from within the streak of light, standing on the edge of a cliff and casting their gaze into the distance.
"Master, isn't it a little too close for us to stop here?" the Weeping Soul Beast asked.
"No," Han Li replied with a shake of his head. "Once the Green Fox Tribe reports our whereabouts, the Immortal Palace will definitely send someone to investigate. If they don't arrive due to the distance, then they'll report back to the Green Fox Tribe that they didn't see us, and that'll still bring trouble to the Green Fox Tribe."
The Weeping Soul Beast chuckled. "You're very thoughtful, Master."
"Although the Green Fox Tribe is weak, they're simple and honest, and they stand aloof from worldly affairs. They're completely different from the Fox Tribe I've seen in the past …" Han Li suddenly stopped here, and a reminiscent look flashed through his eyes.
He wondered how the "little fox" who had once gone through thick and thin with him was doing in the primordial realms.
The Weeping Soul Beast glanced at Han Li, and said, "Seeing as you're so fond of the Green Fox Tribe, why don't you help them out a little so that they won't be subjected to the likes of the Golden Horse Sect?"
"We're currently embroiled in a lot of trouble, so we can't get too deeply involved with the Green Fox Tribe. No matter what we leave behind, it's very likely that they'll be destroyed, so we have to be cautious.
There's still a long way to go, so let's come back to the Green Fox Tribe when we're free of all these taboos and concerns, "Han Li sighed.
The two of them stayed here until midday, and only then did Han Li bring out a green jade flying carriage before rising into the air with the Weeping Soul Beast and continuing toward the north.
… …
Two days later.
Several dozen massive golden spirit ships hovered in the air above Qing Hu City, all of which were enshrouded in spiritual light and riddled with runes.
From afar, one could see flags fluttering in the wind on the deck of the ships, and there were thousands of armored warriors wielding spears and halberds.
Close to half of Qing Hu City was obscured by the shadows cast by the ships, and all of the Green Fox Tribe cultivators in the city looked up at the sky with trembling expressions on their faces.
At this moment, there were eight or nine figures standing in a remote courtyard within the city.
One of them was a middle-aged man in a white brocade robe with greying sideburns, and he was sitting beside a stone table in the courtyard. He was looking at the vibrant flowers in a nearby garden with a contemplative expression on his face.
Behind him stood a young man in a colorful robe, as well as a black-robed man with a large saber strapped to his back. They were none other than Tao Ji and Black Saber.
Tao Ji's brows furrowed tightly as he asked, "Did that thief live in this courtyard?"
The Green Fox Tribe cultivators standing behind him all nodded in response.
"Yes, he lived in this courtyard and went into seclusion until two days ago, when he suddenly left in a hurry for some reason.
We only received the news from Jinxi City yesterday and immediately went to report it, "Ye Luo, who was wearing a fitted cyan dress, stepped forward and bowed slightly to them as she spoke.
Ye Susu pursed her lips tightly and stood beside Elder Qiu in silence.
Tao Ji turned toward Ye Susu as he asked in a cold voice, "Were you the one who brought that thief back to Qing Hu City?"
Hearing this, Ye Susu's heart trembled slightly, but her expression did not change much. She replied calmly,
"That's right. After that person saved me, I invited him to stay with us to repay his kindness.
I just did not expect him to be … to be a wanted criminal by the Immortal Palace … "
"Since that person left two days ago, why did you only report this yesterday? Are you trying to cover for him?" Tao Ji suddenly sneered and asked.
"Don't joke with us, Immortal Messenger. We, the Green Fox Tribe, cannot afford such a heinous crime.
We did receive the news that he was a wanted criminal from Jinxi City yesterday and immediately reported it. We didn't dare to delay at all. "Ye Luo hurriedly bowed and said in a terrified voice.
"Immortal Messenger, please understand!" Elder Qiu and the others' expressions changed drastically as they bowed.
Although Ye Susu also bowed, she was secretly cursing in her heart. She only felt that these people from the Immortal Palace were too sanctimonious. Unlike Senior Han, who seemed cold and distant, he was actually quite warm.
"Humph!
Whether this is a joke or not, Elder Lu will know when he comes back. If he doesn't find any traces of that person going north, then you are lying. When that happens, don't blame the Immortal Palace for being an accomplice. "Tao Ji sneered and said indifferently.
Hearing this, Elder Qiu and the others' hearts tightened.
After all, not everyone in the Green Fox Tribe trusted Han Li as much as Ye Susu did. They were worried that if Han Li didn't go north as he said, or if he didn't leave any traces, then the Green Fox Tribe would be in danger today.
"Since he is a benefactor to the Green Fox Tribe, why did you report this?
Isn't this the same as biting the hand that feeds you? "At this moment, Dongfang Bai suddenly turned around and looked directly at Ye Susu.
Being stared at by him, Ye Susu's heart skipped a beat. An indescribable feeling of fear crept into her heart.
"Immortal, Immortal Messenger … we, we …" Her lips trembled slightly and she couldn't finish a complete sentence.
At this moment, a slender white hand suddenly reached over and held Ye Susu's slightly cold hand tightly.
Ye Susu didn't need to look to know that it was her mother. She calmed down a little.
"Immortal Messenger, that person is indeed a benefactor to the Green Fox Tribe. However, he has been hiding in our tribe for more than a hundred years. Not only have we repaid the debt, but we have also unknowingly violated the laws of the Immortal Realm. We have done our best.
We didn't know about him in the past, but now that we know he's a fugitive, how could our Green Fox Tribe not report this to the higher-ups?
Wouldn't that be disloyal and unjust?
The Green Fox Tribe wouldn't dare to do that. "Ye Susu calmed herself down and replied according to the excuse she had prepared.
Dongfang Bai's expression didn't change. He didn't look away either. He was still staring at Ye Susu, trying to find some clues from her expression.