"Forget it! Consider this a lesson learned."
"I have already provided a sum of consolation money in your name to the families of those who suffered, and have also sought their forgiveness."
Seeing that Dugu Ling remained silent, Dongfang Mingyue sighed and spoke calmly.
Her team members' information was all registered, and Ye Cangtian had previously provided a list of casualties. Therefore, she directly handled the matter.
After all, Dugu Ling was still young and lacked the confidence to face them. Dongfang Mingyue couldn't bear to have her deliver the consolation money and request forgiveness from each family.
"Sister Dongfang, thank you so much."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Ling bowed deeply. She didn't know how to express her gratitude to Dongfang Mingyue.
Given her noble status, the fact that she would disregard her own reputation to handle these trivial matters for her deeply touched Dugu Ling.
The next moment, Dugu Ling's expression turned serious as she quickly said, "Sister Dongfang, I am immensely grateful for your help in this matter. However, this incident happened because of me, and the Hidden Group should not bear the consolation money. I will definitely return the funds later..."
"Let the consolation money go. Contributing more to the China Ruins is equivalent to supporting the Hidden Group."
Dongfang Mingyue waved her hand.
Ye Cangtian, who had just completed his mission handover and arrived at the office door, overheard fragments of their conversation.
Ye Cangtian couldn't help but give Dongfang Mingyue a mental thumbs-up.
It was no wonder that despite being a woman and so young, she could temporarily manage the Hidden Group. Dongfang Mingyue's handling of affairs was truly impeccable.
With just a little bit of face and consolation money, she had firmly tied the future Dugu family to the Hidden Group's side. It was an incredibly profitable exchange.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian cleared his throat and walked into the office, "Sister Mingyue, I'm back."
"Sister Ling'er, this brat is back. Did he bully you on the way?"
"Tell me, sister will help you get revenge!"
Glancing at Ye Cangtian, Dongfang Mingyue ignored him and instead took Dugu Ling's hand, acting like true sisters as she inquired.
Dugu Ling secretly glanced at Ye Cangtian, immediately recalling the scene in the quicksand. The fact that he had disdained her truly ignited her anger.
Thinking about it, she pondered for a moment and said softly, "No... probably not..."
Uh...
What was with the "probably not"? What was with the "should not"!
She even put on a pitiful look, as if he had truly bullied her.
With those words, Ye Cangtian was almost angered to death. He widened his eyes and said indignantly, "Miss Ling, you should speak with a clear conscience!"
"Sister Dongfang, look at him!"
"In front of you, he's glaring at me. Just imagine what he's like when you're not here."
Seeing Ye Cangtian's demeanor, Dugu Ling felt a laugh bubbling up inside her, but she maintained a facade of being frightened.
This scoundrel, for looking down on me!
"Alright! Kid, you dare to bully Sister Ling'er now!"
"Then you won't get the contribution points for this mission; they'll all go to Sister Ling'er as compensation!"
"Don't think this matter is over. Once I investigate thoroughly, you'll be in trouble!"
How could Dongfang Mingyue not see through Dugu Ling's little trick? After all, these were tactics she had long mastered.
However, she didn't want to expose Dugu Ling and decided to go along with it. To bind the Dugu family, Ye Cangtian would have to make a small sacrifice.
"I..."
Ye Cangtian was instantly speechless, like a deflated balloon, and stopped making a sound.
Even if he had truly bullied Dugu Ling, this punishment was too severe. It was clear that Dongfang Mingyue was doing this intentionally.
Since that was the case, arguing further would be meaningless.
"Heh heh, Brother Ye, now I finally understand why you're so powerful and experienced, yet have zero contribution points."
"So you're a repeat offender! While achieving merits, you also made many mistakes, which is why your record was cleared!"
"Since that's the case, I won't be polite. Anyway, even if you kept the contribution points, they would be deducted..."
Seeing Ye Cangtian fall silent, Dugu Ling chuckled, finally understanding why Ye Cangtian's contribution points had been zero before.
With that remark, Ye Cangtian felt like dying. Truly, it is difficult to deal with both villains and women!
He had worked hard to protect her throughout their journey, only to receive no good in return. His heart felt incredibly heavy.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."
Dongfang Mingyue smiled slightly, interrupting Dugu Ling, and then her expression turned serious. "Sister Ling, let's talk about business. You've been out for a long time. What do you plan to do?"
"Sister Dongfang, are you trying to send me away?"
Dugu Ling instantly understood Dongfang Mingyue's meaning and her expression tightened.
Although she recognized her shortcomings, she genuinely hadn't had enough experience adventuring. The China Ruins were vast, and she hadn't even explored a fraction of them. Her heart was truly unwilling to leave.
"It's not that I want to send you away."
"It's that you've been out for so long, and so conspicuously. The Dugu family must have received the news by now. If you don't go back, they will come to demand your return immediately!"
"And to add a personal note, as the future heir of the Dugu family, you must shoulder the responsibilities of the Dugu family and also possess the strength to protect it..."
Dongfang Mingyue spoke slowly.
She specifically mentioned strength. Dugu Ling's strength in the ruins was average, not outstanding but better than many.
However, if she wanted to bear the weight of the Dugu family, this level of strength was insufficient.
If she were an ordinary person, Dongfang Mingyue wouldn't have interfered.
But Dugu Ling had some potential and a good chance of reaching the Earthly realm. If she didn't work hard, it would be a waste of her talent.
"I... I understand, Sister Dongfang."
"I will go home now and enter secluded cultivation. Without the ability to protect myself, I will never sneak out again."
"However, I have one condition: let Brother Ye escort me back..."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Ling immediately understood what Dongfang Mingyue meant.
If this were before, she would have dismissed these words completely.
But now, having witnessed the treachery of people and the methods of the Black Wind Gate, she truly understood Dongfang Mingyue's good intentions.
Pfft!
Ye Cangtian almost spat blood, thinking: Is there any humanity left!
Just a moment ago, she had deducted a significant amount of his contribution points, and now she was asking him to escort her as a bodyguard. It was as if she thought he had no backbone.
"Brat, what do you say?"
While Ye Cangtian was still muttering, Dongfang Mingyue tossed the ball back to him.
Ye Cangtian glanced at Dongfang Mingyue. He knew very well that Dongfang Mingyue was eager to get rid of this hot potato.
Although she was asking for his opinion, there was no real choice. Otherwise, Dongfang Mingyue might find some excuse to trouble him.
Thinking this, he said helplessly, "Of course, I am willing to serve. However, about the contribution points..."
Ye Cangtian trailed off. He could escort her back, but he should at least get something in return, right? Otherwise, he wouldn't feel balanced.
"Hmph!"
"One matter at a time. We'll discuss the contribution points when you return!"
"If you perform well, I might consider it, but if you perform poorly, don't blame me for disciplining you!"
Dongfang Mingyue snorted and symbolically waved her fist in front of Ye Cangtian.
The matter of contribution points was just for show, to get closer to Dugu Ling. She wouldn't really mess with it.
Seeing this, Dugu Ling instantly found it amusing. This idiot couldn't even tell when someone was joking.
However, she also hadn't expected Dongfang Mingyue to not treat her as an outsider and to be so open in front of her. Her heart felt even more affectionate towards Dongfang Mingyue.
Besides that, seeing Ye Cangtian's dejected look was quite funny.
"Alright, whatever Sister Mingyue says goes."
Ye Cangtian said helplessly, then found an excuse and left the office.
He had to leave, as he didn't know if Dongfang Mingyue would dig another hole for him.