[ He's not at all surprised that Lan Wangji thinks he might have something to do with this. But he still pouts, working not to bristle. Really, he just has to keep Xiao Xingchen in mind. It's easier that way. ]

Just that they were here. I came down to do something about it.

[ Which could mean a variety of things and Xue Yang is sure the righteous cultivator is well aware of it. But it sounded like...he wasn't being outright, automatically blamed for it? He has to poke at that a bit more before nodding to the one that had tried to sneak up on him only to get cut down instead. ]

I didn't want Daozhang Xingchen to have to deal with them so I came instead.

[ Which is true. ]