"Don't listen to her, Ye Fan!"

Shu Yue's head whipped around toward the source of the voice. It was a woman her own age. When their gazes met, Shu Yue smiled sweetly. The girl flinched.

"B-but she's right," Ye Fan said, and he lowered his sword with shaking hands.

Shu Yue felt herself smile.

"We messed up," Ye Fan admitted. "There's no point in continuing with our plan if we're going to get killed or punished; it's best if we give up on the idea of joining the Scorpio Clan." He didn't once glance at them as he spoke. He had his head lowered.

"What are you talking about, Ye Fan?" Lu Baiyu chided. "You've come this far; you can't back out now!"

"Come this far?" Ye Fan said. "No, master. I haven't. We haven't. We're still in the territory of the Ophiuchus Clan, and we're not yet truly an official disciple of the Scorpion. Besides, with the presence of a high-ranking demihuman here, who turned out to be a practitioner of both magic and martial arts, we're on the losing side. We might end up dead before the Scorpio clan leader can acknowledge our existence."

Lu Baiyu didn't argue with that. The look on his face indicated that he understood what Ye Fan said. They were in a dilemma. If they valued their lives, they had to abandon their plan to join another clan.

"Besides, now that we've been busted," Ye Fan continued, glancing at Shu Yue. "It wouldn't be wise to persist in going against them when it is clear that they have the upper hand, and I also don't like the thought of ruining my family's future just to satisfy my selfish desires."

Much to Shu Yue's relief, Ye Fan was quick-witted enough to understand his situation. He knew he was cornered. If he insisted on opposing Shu Yue, he would have to deal with Xiao Ran, whom he had little chance of defeating. Not submitting to defeat would mean dying at the hands of a demihuman or facing public punishment for the crimes he committed.

It was a gamble he didn't want to take. Having witnessed his companions defeated, not to mention his master, Ye Fan had no choice but to surrender.

"Are you stupid?" said the same woman who spoke earlier, glaring at Ye Fan. "We've already pledged our allegiance to the Scorpio Clan! What would they do if they found out we backed out after learning their martial arts? We're basically scamming them!"

Ye Fan shook his head. "No, we pledged our allegiance to master, not the Scorpio clan leader, which meant we weren't officially recognized as their disciples. Especially now that the swords that were supposed to be proof of your allegiance have been broken. Besides, why would they give us a complete version of their martial arts when we aren't even yet an official member of their clan? Don't you think that's a bit strange?"

And careless, Shu Yue thought. She believed that whoever was behind this wasn't that stupid to trust Lu Baiyu with the complete copy of a powerful sword art.

"He's right," Shu Yue agreed. "Martial arts techniques are the pride of every clan, so it is unlikely that the Scorpio Clan would expose them to an opposing clan just like that. The abridged copy may be the real thing, but for the complete one... Did you really think they want to share such powerful sword art? Don't be a fool."

Maybe they're up to something else.

"She's got a point. I don't think it's wise to trust an opposing clan and risk committing treason. It's best if we surrender now." Ye Fan looked at Lu Baiyu with a regretful expression. "I hope that's okay with you, master. I'm sorry, but I value my life and don't want to bring shame to my family, so I'd like to withdraw and remain an Ophiuchus Clan disciple; I'm sure you'll do the same because we're both in the same situation."

Lu Baiyu remained silent. It was clear he didn't like what Ye Fan said, but he couldn't argue with him.

Ye Fan sheathed his longsword and turned to face Shu Yue. "I'm surrendering now, Chen Hui. I hope you keep your word and spare our lives."

"I hope you keep yours, too," Shu Yue said as they shook hands. And then, before Ye Fan could retrieve his hand, Shu Yue gripped it tightly.

Ye Fan looked at her, his expression bewildered and surprised.

Shu Yue leaned in close and whispered in his ear. "You should know what will happen if you ever go against me behind my back; I don't want to see another betrayal."

Ye Fan stiffened.

"One more thing," Shu Yue added, a smile tugging at her lips. "We may have an agreement, but if any of you try to plot against me, I will not hesitate to return the favor."

A flash of fear crossed Ye Fan's features.

Leaning away from him, Shu Yue gave him an innocent smile and finally released his hand.

"This is ridiculous!" someone exclaimed.

It was one of the men who had earlier tied Shu Yue's hands. He was looking at them in horrified disbelief.

"Why are you complying with that woman, Ye Fan?" the man demanded. "You do realize we're not the only ones who committed a crime here, right?"

Ye Fan shot him a confused look. "What are you talking about?"

The man's eyes darted to Shu Yue, his lips shifting to one side in a smirk. "You have the audacity to accuse us of treachery when you have also committed a crime! Allowing a demihuman under your care to grow stronger and reach a high rank? Not to mention learning both magic and martial arts. We may have betrayed our clan, but you have violated the Emperor's rule. Your crime is heavier!"

Of course, someone would use that against her. She had already anticipated this.

Shu Yue did commit a serious crime by allowing Xiao Ran to advance to a higher rank than a demihuman should have. But, what no one knew was that he was already strong before she found him. Furthermore, Xiao Ran was not originally from the Ophiuchus Clan, and Shu Yue had nothing to do with him becoming this strong or learning both magic and martial arts. In fact, it was Xiao Ran who helped Shu Yue, not the other way around. He taught her some techniques that no one else knew about.

Xiao Ran was the reason Shu Yue was able to cultivate magic and martial arts.

Shu Yue stared at them, a wicked smile coming on to her lips.

Report me? Let's see if you can.