After the Fairy Maidens Fell to Darkness, They Captured Me to Ruthlessly 'Repay' Their Gratitude-Chapter 84 - "But They All Say You’re the Mastermind!"

He Ange knew he was in trouble.

When he returned, he had wanted to tell Xia Ranyue that walking around Yong’an City with her clinging to him was inappropriate, given how many immortal cultivators were present.

But for some reason, Xia Ranyue had been adamant about holding onto him, as if afraid he would collapse without her support. She was like a stubborn adhesive plaster, and He Ange had no choice but to let her cling to him.

Even now, under An Luo Yi’s scrutinizing gaze, Xia Ranyue continued to hold onto He Ange, her demeanor fearless.

When did she become so bold?

Abyss Orb, look at what you’ve done!

He Ange prided himself on being a loyal and pure-hearted man, devoted to his senior sister An Luo Yi. But now, with An Luo Yi’s cold eyes fixed on the close contact between him and Xia Ranyue, he felt a chill run down his spine.

“Senior Sister Luo Yi, He Ange suffered serious internal injuries while saving me. He can barely walk, so I’m just supporting him,” Xia Ranyue explained, stepping in before He Ange could speak.

Standing at 1.67 meters, she looked up at the 1.77-meter-tall An Luo Yi without a hint of fear.

An Luo Yi was taken aback by her confidence, staring at He Ange in silence for a moment.

She raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “You’re saying He Ange saved you?”

An Luo Yi wasn’t present during the events, so she could only rely on He Ange’s account. Xia Ranyue, who seemed to know more, was clearly more informed. Even if An Luo Yi was unhappy with their closeness, she couldn’t criticize without understanding the situation.

“Yes, I was captured by the Demon Sect while on a reconnaissance mission in Yong’an City. He Ange could have left me behind after defeating the guards, but he chose to stay and fight off the reinforcements. We both got injured but managed to escape. Tonight, He Ange is my hero,” Xia Ranyue said, her voice filled with pride.

She emphasized the words “hero” and “savior,” her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Her genuine performance left He Ange feeling a bit bashful.

But Xia Ranyue wasn’t acting.

She believed every word she said. She had merely replaced Bai Zihua with the Demon Sect in her story. Everything else was true.

He Ange could have sided with Bai Zihua, captured her, and shared the spoils. But he didn’t.

He saved her from a demon, and she felt he deserved to be called a hero.

These were titles she was too shy to say directly, but in the guise of a story, she could express her true feelings.

“...”

An Luo Yi was speechless, turning her gaze to He Ange.

After a moment of silence, he nodded, confirming Xia Ranyue’s story.

Now, An Luo Yi couldn’t say anything.

In fact, she felt a pang of jealousy.

Tonight, she had been busy and nearly lost her life. Meanwhile, Xia Ranyue had been captured by the Demon Sect and had He Ange risk everything to save her.

Their story sounded like something out of a novel, with them as the main characters.

In contrast, An Luo Yi, despite being hailed as a “savior” and “destined prodigy,” felt unworthy of such titles.

She had no memory of the Abyss Spirit Orb. She remembered arriving at the underground labyrinth of the Abyss Spirit Hall only to find the orb missing.

Nightfall’s self-detonation had exposed her negligence.

By all rights, she should have died tonight. Her reckless actions had endangered her colleague Liu Moqing and led to the fall of the Abyss Spirit Hall. She felt utterly unqualified to be called a hero.

Everyone praised her, but An Luo Yi couldn’t find any joy in it.

She had a nagging feeling that He Ange had been the one cleaning up her mess, the true savior of Yong’an City.

But that seemed too idealistic.

The timeline didn’t add up, and she couldn’t be sure based on her fragmented memories.

An Luo Yi’s thoughts were in turmoil again.

“Senior Sister Luo Yi, you don’t look well. I heard from the cultivators that you protected the Abyss Spirit Orb. Congratulations,” He Ange said, approaching her with concern.

He was always a beacon of positivity around her. Seeing her so downcast, he couldn’t help but feel sympathetic.

“I... actually, I’m sorry,” An Luo Yi said, turning away from his concerned gaze.

She knew He Ange wouldn’t blame her for being captured by the Demon Sect, but she couldn’t shake her guilt. She felt foolish for her actions tonight, failing to protect both He Ange and the Abyss Spirit Hall.

He Ange’s praise only deepened her guilt. She had always lectured him like a senior, thinking he didn’t understand the dangers of the Demon Sect.

But in reality?

He Ange had no mission tonight, yet he had successfully escaped and saved Xia Ranyue.

An Luo Yi had a crucial mission but failed in her duties, yet she was hailed as a hero.

It was absurd.

A thousand people calling her a savior meant nothing compared to Xia Ranyue’s heartfelt gratitude towards He Ange.

“Senior Sister, why are you apologizing? I should be the one apologizing for getting captured and worrying you,” He Ange said, his forehead beading with sweat.

Of course, he felt guilty.

He had orchestrated the letter that led to An Luo Yi’s anxiety and rash actions. He was the mastermind behind it all.

He knew he was a sinner, and An Luo Yi’s apology only made his conscience ache more.

It was painfully ironic.

“Senior Sister, did something else happen tonight?” He Ange asked, noticing her troubled expression.

He wasn’t omniscient. Who knew what else might have happened in Yong’an City after he left?

“I’m fine... You two should return to the sect. The chaos in Yong’an City isn’t over yet. It’s not safe here,” An Luo Yi said, rubbing her forehead with a sigh.

She felt guilty and, after hearing He Ange and Xia Ranyue’s story, realized she had no right to question their closeness. They had done their part well and deserved a break.

In contrast, she had failed her mission and felt unworthy of sharing her story with He Ange.

The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. She lost her earlier confidence and quietly left, not wanting to intrude on He Ange and Xia Ranyue’s moment.

Under the setting sun, An Luo Yi’s silhouette looked forlorn.

He Ange watched her leave, feeling a pang of emotion.

“Senior Sister is upset. I should go comfort her,” he said to Xia Ranyue.

She hesitated but then reluctantly let go of his arm.

“I’ll wait here for you. Come back soon,” she said, her voice soft.

“The sun’s almost up. You should head back,” he suggested.

“I... I’m afraid of running into Bai Zihua alone,” she admitted, her eyes darkening at the memory.

But she quickly regained her composure, patting He Ange’s shoulder with a smile.

“Don’t worry! I won’t cry anymore. I just want to walk back with you, that’s all,” she said.

“You’ve changed a lot tonight,” he remarked, puzzled.

She looked away, her hands behind her back, her voice small.

“You saved me... I should be nice to you,” she said.

He Ange raised an eyebrow, smiling awkwardly.

“Xia Ranyue, you’re really different tonight... not like before,” he said.

“Of course I’m different. I’m trying to be the way you like. Do you prefer the old me, who was always unreasonable?” she asked, looking into his eyes.

“...” He Ange didn’t answer.

She continued, “From the way you treated me before, it’s clear you prefer someone who’s understanding and listens to you, right?”

She smiled sweetly, the wind blowing through her hair. She cupped his face with her hands, standing on tiptoe, her lips inches from his.

“Am I right, my hero?” she whispered.

…

Northern Ice City, Blood Moon Hall

At the end of the hall, a white bone throne carved from blood jade stood. The tall, graceful witch lounged on it, one leg crossed over the other, one hand draped lazily over the armrest, the other supporting her chin. Her long, black-to-red gradient hair was tied into several tails, cascading down the throne. She wore a sheer black dress with a plunging neckline, revealing her flat chest.

The witch’s dress was thin, with high slits exposing her long, pale legs, crossed like two white serpents. The stark contrast between her black dress and white legs exuded an air of temptation.

She sat on the blood jade throne, her stunning face and violet eyes coldly observing the young girl reporting to her.

“Disturbing me at this hour, it better be urgent,” the witch said coldly, her tone lazy yet authoritative.

The girl below the throne spoke urgently, “Sister Yanli, there’s shocking news from Yong’an City! Last night, there was a massive battle between immortals and demons. Ice sword energy pierced the sky, and demonic flames exploded everywhere. And it’s said that the Holy Son of the Demon Sect, Nightfall, has been killed!”

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“Oh, so what?” the witch replied, her eyes dark and indifferent.

But then the girl’s body began to tremble, her voice filled with fear as she continued, “But... but they all say it was you, Sister Yanli, who betrayed the Holy Son!”

“—?”