"Ai!"
With that thought, Yan Biao sighed, grumbling inwardly.
No matter how capable Dongfang Mingyue was, she was still a woman!
As a woman, she couldn't resist taking advantage of small gains and would inevitably make decisions that led to more loss than gain.
"My lord, Miss Mingyue has returned to Wucheng and is currently at the Hidden Group's branch. Should we go and invite her here?"
"After all, the news of Miss Mingyue's arrival has already reached the Liehuo Academy. If she stays away for too long, those superiors might become anxious..."
Just then, a subordinate beside him quickly inquired.
Hearing this, Yan Biao was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "You're right, we can't delay any longer."
Yan Biao didn't want to disturb Dongfang Mingyue, but he had no choice. For such a trivial matter, it was clearly not worth displeasing his superiors.
Therefore, after much thought, he decided to personally go to the Hidden Group's branch.
...
Wucheng Hidden Group Branch.
The branch manager, Fei Xuebin, stood before Dongfang Mingyue, his head bowed, beads of cold sweat constantly trickling down.
If only Ye Cangtian had come, it would have been nothing.
In his opinion, Ye Cangtian was the type to handle matters and then leave without causing trouble.
Even if the Dugu family encountered any issues, Ye Cangtian would resolve them and leave quickly, without any involvement from him.
However, Dongfang Mingyue was different. Dongfang Mingyue was a woman, and her thoughts were more delicate. He was genuinely worried about not being able to fool her.
"Fei Xuebin, do you know your crime!"
Just then, a somber voice echoed throughout the entire hall.
Everyone in the branch office in the room trembled.
Although some matters were not related to them, Fei Xuebin represented the Hidden Group's branch. As his subordinates, how could they escape responsibility!
"This... Your subordinate is unaware. Please enlighten me, Lord Mingyue!"
Fei Xuebin's heart also trembled, but his reason told him that he had to keep his mouth shut. After all, the other party had only been here for a short time.
He couldn't confess everything voluntarily.
"Hmph!"
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Mingyue snorted coldly and said, "The Dugu family is in the bamboo forest outside Wucheng. They have been repeatedly retaliated against by the Five Poisons Sect. Why did you not provide aid!"
This matter was not something Dongfang Mingyue had heard from others. Rather, as she thought about the Dugu family's recent experiences over the past few days, she felt something was wrong.
The reason was simple: the Dugu family was very close to Wucheng.
If the Five Poisons Sect had retaliated occasionally, and the Hidden Group branch was unaware, it might be understandable.
But for the Five Poisons Sect to retaliate repeatedly, even destroying the Dugu family's stronghold, it was inexcusable for the Hidden Group to be unaware of such events!
Therefore, in Dongfang Mingyue's opinion, this was clearly due to the Hidden Group branch's fear of battle, which was why her first act upon arrival was to demand accountability!
"This..."
With that question, Fei Xuebin's expression suddenly changed, and his whole body began to tremble.
Just as he feared, this was precisely what he was most worried about.
And now that he was being questioned, he had no idea how to answer!
If he couldn't clearly explain the Dugu family's situation, it would be pure nonsense. Everyone in the city probably knew about it by now.
But if he admitted to knowing everything, his guilt would be even greater.
The Dugu family was a staunch ally of the Hidden Group. If they were in such a crisis, and the Hidden Group showed no intention of rescuing them, wasn't that equivalent to abandoning an ally?
Furthermore, it would also damage the reputation of the Hidden Group.
Once such a matter was discovered, it would inevitably lead to severe punishment from the Hidden Group.
*Thump.*
Thinking of this, Fei Xuebin weakly knelt on the ground and said meekly, "Lord Mingyue, your subordinate knows he was wrong. Please forgive your subordinate this time!"
Hearing this, Dongfang Mingyue's expression became even colder. She said, "I am asking you, were you aware of this matter!"
"I... I was aware..."
"No, no, no, your subordinate was unaware at first. It was only after the Dugu family's stronghold was destroyed that I learned of this matter!"
"But I didn't know where the Dugu family had fled, so I didn't take action..."
Fei Xuebin quickly explained. He didn't want to be severely punished, so he tried to spin everything in a way that was favorable to him.
"Lies!"
Before Fei Xuebin could finish, Ye Cangtian couldn't help himself.
The lie he told was full of loopholes!
He coldly said, "Fei Xuebin, do you really not know where the Dugu family fled? If they didn't come to Wucheng, where else could they have fled besides the Sword Tomb, perhaps the southern regions?"
"Uh..."
With that remark, Fei Xuebin's face turned red.
South of Wucheng were largely unexplored and extremely dangerous regions.
If the Dugu family had indeed fled towards the southern regions, it would be tantamount to seeking death.
Therefore, it could be said that unless someone was an idiot, they wouldn't choose such a path.
Thinking of this, Fei Xuebin quickly said, "Please, my lord, forgive me. Your subordinate did not want to involve the branch. After all, the Five Poisons Sect is not to be trifled with..."
Under Ye Cangtian's exposure, Fei Xuebin finally told the truth.
He was simply afraid of provoking the Five Poisons Sect.
After all, the Hidden Group branch was not very strong, and in terms of overall combat power, it couldn't compare to the Dugu family.
Now that even the Dugu family had been defeated, if he participated and provoked the Five Poisons Sect, wouldn't that be equivalent to courting his own destruction?
Therefore, after much consideration, Fei Xuebin pretended to be unaware of the matter.
He had originally planned to find an excuse after the Dugu family was annihilated, claiming that the Five Poisons Sect had suddenly launched a fierce attack and destroyed the Dugu family overnight.
This way, he would be free and clear.
However, before the Dugu family could be annihilated, Ye Cangtian and Dongfang Mingyue arrived, shattering all his plans.
"Failing to save an ally in distress is injustice! Fearing the enemy and refusing to fight is disloyalty!"
"Based on these two points alone, you are no longer qualified to manage the Hidden Group branch!"
Saying this, Dongfang Mingyue's expression became serious, and she said, "Given your past contributions to the Hidden Group, you may leave the Hidden Group!"
"Thank you, Miss Mingyue."
Upon hearing this, Fei Xuebin immediately agreed. He had initially thought that for such a mistake, the least severe punishment would be to cripple his cultivation and expel him from the Hidden Group.
However, the other party had allowed him to keep his cultivation, which was great news for him.
With his current Earth-level cultivation, he would have a certain status no matter which faction he joined, so he didn't have to worry about being neglected.
"Wait!"
Seeing Fei Xuebin turn to leave, Ye Cangtian called out and stopped him.
Fei Xuebin's heart trembled. He had some understanding of Ye Cangtian and was afraid that the latter might deliver a more severe blow, thus becoming nervous.
Despite this, he still obediently turned around.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian slowly said, "I give you two warnings. Firstly, do not use the name of the Hidden Group for deception and fraud!"
"Secondly, do not do anything that harms heaven and reason! Otherwise, if I discover it, I will kill you without mercy!"
*Whoosh!*
Hearing that Ye Cangtian was only issuing a warning, Fei Xuebin's heart immediately relaxed.
He quickly said, "Your subordinate will definitely bear this in mind!"
With that, Fei Xuebin cupped his fists and quickly withdrew from the Hidden Group. He was genuinely afraid that the other party might change his mind later.
Watching Fei Xuebin leave, Dongfang Mingyue's gaze fell on the others, and she said, "The branch cannot be without a leader for a single day."
Having said that, Dongfang Mingyue's voice abruptly stopped. He scanned the crowd with his gaze.
As everyone's eyes, which had been incredibly tense moments ago, heard this, they instantly lit up as if they had been injected with chicken blood. They looked as if they were about to volunteer themselves.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, Dongfang Mingyue snorted coldly and said sternly, "I haven't even pursued your responsibilities yet, and you have the audacity to contend for the position of manager?"
"..."
With just a single sentence, everyone's hearts tightened, and they immediately lowered their heads.
They knew in their hearts that it was already a great kindness for her not to pursue their responsibilities.
Now, even if they lost the right to compete, at least they wouldn't lose their current positions.
"I have decided to entrust the management of the Wucheng Hidden Group branch to Elder Dugu Changfeng."
Meanwhile, seeing everyone lower their heads, Dongfang Mingyue directly announced, continuing, "As long as you fully support Elder Dugu, I will overlook past transgressions. If anyone disobeys the management, I will punish them for multiple offenses!"
"Your subordinates dare not! Your subordinates will definitely fully support Elder Dugu..."
Hearing this, everyone quickly expressed their agreement.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian gave Dongfang Mingyue a thumbs-up in his heart, thinking that this move was brilliantly executed.
First, she intimidated everyone, making them tremble with fear, and then announced the appointment. Naturally, everyone would accept it willingly and perform well.