Chapter 117: Letting Her Down

Ye Xuan ignored his injured arm and frantically rushed Lin Aoxue and Yang Bingyu to the hospital alongside White Snake and a few others.

Yang Bingyu had only suffered a severe fright. After choking on some water, she had passed out, but she had no other physical injuries.

The critical case was Lin Aoxue. She had lost far too much blood and required emergency resuscitation.

"Cyan Dragon Chief, the news that you killed Xiao Ran has already spread like wildfire. Jingcheng will definitely hold you accountable.

"How about I tell the higher-ups that I did it? I’ll take the fall for you..."

White Snake wanted to shoulder the blame on Ye Xuan’s behalf. Xiao Ran’s death was no trivial matter.

The higher-ups would likely use this as a pretext to make a fuss. At best, they would order Ye Xuan back to Jingcheng to stand trial; at worst, they would force him to surrender his position as the Cyan Dragon Chief and strip him of his military rank.

"Nonsense! Xiao Ran’s death has absolutely nothing to do with you. I don’t need you to be my scapegoat!"

Ye Xuan knew exactly what White Snake was thinking and immediately rejected the idea with stern words.

Before killing Xiao Ran, he had already anticipated all the consequences. He never intended to shirk his responsibilities, much less have someone else take the fall for his actions.

Although White Snake was his subordinate, they were also brothers who had gone through life and death together. Even if Ye Xuan himself was punished and dishonorably discharged, he refused to let anything happen to White Snake.

He was already tired of living on the edge of a knife. He had originally planned to step down as the Cyan Dragon Chief once Yang Bingyu’s matter was resolved and the situation in Jingcheng had stabilized. Therefore, he absolutely could not implicate White Snake.

He still had a bright future ahead of him. One day, he would definitely become Huaxia’s most outstanding, top-tier assassin—a sharp sword for the nation.

"But Dragon Chief, the higher-ups are watching you closely, looking for leverage! You absolutely cannot fall into their trap."

Seeing Ye Xuan refuse, White Snake grew anxious.

Ye Xuan had finally returned after so much difficulty. He was the hope of everyone in the Four Palaces. If he was put on trial because of this, the Four Palaces would be finished.

"Don’t worry, the higher-ups wouldn’t dare do anything to me. Although I’ve been away for five years, I still have a say in Jingcheng."

Knowing that White Snake was worried about him, Ye Xuan patted his shoulder, gesturing for him to relax.

Seeing Ye Xuan’s stubborn demeanor, White Snake was helpless. He could only sigh, sit down, and begin bandaging his leader’s wounds.

It wasn’t until five o’clock in the morning that Lin Aoxue’s emergency surgery finally ended.

Although she was temporarily out of danger, she still needed to be monitored in the ICU for a day.

Looking through the glass window at the pale Lin Aoxue lying on the hospital bed, Ye Xuan was filled with immense self-blame.

He hadn’t expected his actions to bring such severe harm to her. He had known full well that the operatives from the Qilin Hall had infiltrated Jianghai City and that countless enemies were watching him from the shadows. Yet, he had still remained entangled with Lin Aoxue, handing his enemies a glaring weakness to exploit.

"White Snake, leave two men behind to protect Aoxue from the shadows. Then, apologize to her on my behalf. Tell her I broke my promise."

Ye Xuan watched Lin Aoxue from outside for nearly half an hour before finally making a decision.

Until he stabilized the situation, he absolutely could not drag Lin Aoxue into this any further. Things would only become increasingly dangerous and unpredictable from now on. The only way to ensure her absolute safety was to cut off contact with her for now. Only then would those people refrain from targeting her. And only then could he focus entirely on dealing with those scumbags.

"Dragon Chief, you... If Lin Aoxue finds out, she will definitely be heartbroken.

"I know you’re worried about her getting hurt. I can arrange more men around her to ensure her safety. You don’t have to sever ties with her."

White Snake froze for a second or two before understanding Ye Xuan’s intentions. Frowning, he tried to persuade him otherwise.

After observing them recently, White Snake could tell that Ye Xuan truly loved Lin Aoxue. Forcing him to leave his beloved woman over these matters was simply too cruel.

"There’s no need to persuade me. Leaving her is the best way to protect her. Just do as I say."

Ye Xuan rubbed his brow wearily, took one last longing look at Lin Aoxue, and finally turned and walked away.

Watching Ye Xuan’s retreating back, White Snake’s expression was conflicted. He looked at Lin Aoxue, let out a heavy sigh, and found himself at a total loss.

After leaving the hospital, Ye Xuan went directly to the Yang family’s villa.

The news of Yang Jie’s death had already spread. When Yang Zhennan saw Yang Jie’s corpse, he had almost fainted from the shock. Fortunately, the family doctor intervened in time, keeping his life out of danger. However, the entire Yang family was shrouded in sorrow. The servants didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly, terrified of incurring their employers’ wrath.

"Ye... Ye Xuan! Y-y-you... why are you..."

The moment the butler saw Ye Xuan, it was as if he had seen a ghost. His eyes bulged like saucers as he pointed a trembling finger at Ye Xuan, stuttering uncontrollably.

Ye Xuan cast a faint glance at him, keeping his lips pressed tightly shut without uttering a single word.

The reason he had come to the Yang family was to give them an explanation. He didn’t feel that he had done anything wrong in this matter; rather, Yang Jie had repeatedly tested the absolute limits of his patience.

"Ye Xuan! I’m going to kill you!"

Sitting in the living room, Yang Kui immediately stood up upon hearing the butler’s voice. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared furiously at Ye Xuan. Grabbing a fruit knife from the coffee table, he roared and charged forward, aiming to stab him.

Ye Xuan watched the maddened Yang Kui without a shred of emotion. Although he had a broken arm, it was more than enough to deal with Yang Kui, who had never practiced martial arts in his life. With a single grab and a sharp twist of his uninjured hand, he snatched the fruit knife away. He then immediately raised his foot and kicked Yang Kui, sending the man flying backward.

"Second Master! Are you alright?"

The butler panicked and quickly rushed over to help Yang Kui up from the floor.

"Don’t touch me! Get lost!"

Yang Kui angrily slapped the butler across the face, ungratefully pushing him away. He then snatched up a heavy vase and charged at Ye Xuan once more.

"You bastard! Stop right there!"

Suddenly, Yang Zhennan’s voice rang out, halting Yang Kui in his tracks. Supported by the family doctor, the elderly man slowly descended the stairs and walked over to Ye Xuan.

Looking at the white-haired, haggard Yang Zhennan, Ye Xuan furrowed his brows slightly. He hadn’t expected the vibrant and energetic Yang Zhennan from just a few months ago to turn into this lifeless shell of a man.

"Dad! I want to kill him! I want to avenge Jie!"

Yang Kui’s muscles bulged, and he had bitten his own lips until they bled. He glared viciously at Ye Xuan, his eyes brimming with pure murderous intent.

"Shut up! Jie brought this upon himself! You can’t blame the Cyan Dragon Chief!"

Yang Zhennan turned his head, glaring at Yang Kui as he issued a stern reprimand. Immediately after saying this, he began to cough violently.

Seeing his pain-filled expression, Ye Xuan felt a fleeting sliver of guilt in his heart.