"Ling Quan, shut up!"
Standing beside Xiao Yan, Xun'er heard Ling Quan insult him, and a flicker of anger crossed her face.
More importantly, she feared Xiao Yan would fight Ling Quan over this and get hurt.
"The Xiao Clan has an alliance with our clan. How dare you insult them!"
Noticing Xiao Yan's increasingly dark expression, Xun'er snapped at Ling Quan.
"Hehe, please don't be angry, miss. I merely let the truth slip by accident!" Ling Quan smiled and made an apologetic gesture, but it was utterly perfunctory.
Then Ling Quan turned to Xiao Yan, changing the subject.
"However, before I came, the Clan Leader instructed me to ask Young Master Xiao Yan about the whereabouts of the Xiao Clan's portion of the key, should I happen to see him."
At this, Ling Quan narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Xiao Yan, a hint of urgency entering his voice. "Might Young Master Xiao Yan tell me?"
Hearing Ling Quan's words, Xun'er's heart leaped into her throat. Terrified that Xiao Yan might give something away, she was about to speak when she heard him ask in confusion.
"The key?"
Ling Quan frowned at Xiao Yan's expression and pondered for a moment. He merely gave Xiao Yan a complicated look, then turned to Xun'er beside him without offering any explanation.
"Miss, the main purpose of my trip is simply to escort you back to the clan. Everything else is incidental."
Ling Quan then stepped back half a pace and cupped his hands toward Xun'er. "Miss, the Clan Leader misses you dearly. Please!"
Xun'er's delicate brows creased, and she bit her teeth together. Just as she was about to move, Xiao Yan caught her arm and asked in a low voice, "You're leaving?"
"Brother Xiao Yan, I've been away from