So ruthless!
How could he actually do it? Did he not feel any pity?
What an extremely strict father. No wonder Dugu Ling had escaped from the Dugu family.
Ye Cangtian was stunned. He had initially thought that Dugu Changfeng was just trying to scare Dugu Ling.
But he never expected him to actually strike. The saying about teaching one's children was not just for show.
However, it was not over yet.
Although Dugu Ling cried out in pain, Dugu Changfeng had no intention of stopping. The second whip followed swiftly.
*Slap! Slap!*
The long whip moved like a spirit snake towards Dugu Ling, but before it could land, it was caught by two hands.
One of the hands belonged to Dugu Lianyu, and the other to Ye Cangtian.
"Big Brother, that's enough!"
"Ling'er has already realized her mistake. Please stop. If you don't feel pity, I do!"
Dugu Lianyu said anxiously to Dugu Changfeng.
His face was visibly flushed, and he seemed very agitated, as if the whip was striking him.
"Lianyu, get back here at once!"
"Do you think you're not implicated in her current predicament?"
Dugu Changfeng said in a low growl.
Dugu Lianyu's expression shifted slightly. His elder brother was truly angered, and he dared not continue to intervene. He could only cast a look of helplessness towards Dugu Ling.
On the other side, Dugu Changfeng's gaze fell upon Ye Cangtian. He said, "Mr. Ye, I am educating my daughter. Please do not interfere!"
Facing Ye Cangtian, Dugu Changfeng's gaze held a hint of displeasure.
The Dugu family's affairs were not for outsiders to meddle in.
Even if this person came from the Hidden Group!
"Senior, please do not be angry."
"I did not intend to interfere in the Dugu family's matters. I merely wished to remind you that Miss Ling'er was ambushed on the road and severely injured. She has not yet recovered."
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian released the long whip he was holding.
"What? Ling'er was seriously injured?"
Upon hearing this, it was not Dugu Changfeng who reacted first, but Dugu Lianyu beside him.
He quickly took Dugu Ling's wrist and channeled a thread of spiritual energy to check. His expression immediately changed.
"Big Brother, he's telling the truth. Stop hitting her! If you're still angry, hit me!"
"Forget it. The remaining two lashes will be recorded. Come back and collect them yourself after you've recovered!"
Dugu Changfeng was silent for a long time after hearing this, then spoke slowly and waved his hand.
"Ling'er understands."
Dugu Ling quickly nodded in agreement, then stood up with bated breath and left the main hall.
Looking at the seated Dugu Changfeng and the anxious Dugu Lianyu, Ye Cangtian could not help but smile wryly.
If he didn't know their identities, he would have thought Dugu Lianyu was Dugu Ling's father!
The difference in their attitudes was truly significant!
After this small interlude, Dugu Changfeng's expression returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
"Mr. Ye, you've seen a spectacle."
His gaze swept over Ye Cangtian again and he continued, "Could you tell me about your experiences during this period?"
"Mm!"
Ye Cangtian nodded and recounted everything he knew.
Dugu Changfeng listened intently.
When he heard that Dugu Ling was going to lead others on a mission, he trembled with anger.
His gaze was filled with intense fury, wishing he could call Dugu Ling back and discipline her again.
He knew exactly how capable his daughter was.
With her meager cultivation, it was already a miracle she survived the mission. Leading a team? That would be leading everyone to their deaths!
Furthermore, her flamboyant and high-profile demeanor was completely contrary to the Dugu family's principles!
On the other side, seeing Dugu Changfeng on the verge of exploding, Dugu Lianyu's heart tightened, and he repeatedly signaled Ye Cangtian with his eyes.
Sensing the other's gaze, Ye Cangtian shifted his narrative and began to speak of Dugu Ling's transformation after this mission.
Only then did Dugu Changfeng's expression improve considerably. His daughter had, to some extent, matured.
But soon, his expression turned cold again. Shifting the topic, Ye Cangtian had already mentioned the Black Wind Sect's assassination attempt on Dugu Ling.
"These damned insects, using such despicable means."
Ye Cangtian was stunned by Dugu Changfeng's words. There was clearly a hidden meaning.
He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Senior, have you had any dealings with people from the Black Wind Sect?"
"Mm!"
Dugu Changfeng did not deny it.
"Alas, let me explain," Dugu Lianyu said after a sigh.
The Black Wind Sect had previously visited Dugu Changfeng, hoping to gain the strong support of the Dugu family.
In other words, they invited Dugu Changfeng to lead the family to join the Black Wind Sect.
However, Dugu Changfeng had flatly refused.
The reasons were simple. Firstly, the Black Wind Sect's reputation was extremely poor.
Secondly, the Black Wind Sect's strength was simply not worthy of Dugu Changfeng's attention. They were not even as strong as the Dugu family, so how could they be worthy of the Dugu family joining them!
The last point was that Dugu Changfeng saw the Black Wind Sect's ambition, an ambition that would inevitably bring disaster.
The Dugu family, who sought to remain aloof from worldly affairs, naturally would not cooperate with them and stir up a bloody storm.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian's brows furrowed deeply.
The Dugu family, as a reclusive family, was very powerful. If they were already being harassed by the Black Wind Sect, how would other families fare?
The answer was obvious.
This also indicated that the Black Wind Sect was expanding rapidly!
This was not good news and must be taken seriously, otherwise, it could very well trigger a disaster.
With this thought, he asked, "Senior, the Black Wind Sect has become a tumor in the Huaxia Ruins. Do you have any information about the Black Wind Sect..."
Dugu Changfeng slowly nodded upon hearing this, agreeing.
He then said, "The Black Wind Sect is very mysterious. I truly don't know their hiding place, but I suspect there are their strongholds near Wucheng. I can try to investigate."
Dugu Changfeng would not let the matter of the Black Wind Sect targeting Dugu Ling slide.
"Alright, I'll trouble you then, Senior."
"However, you must proceed with caution. The Black Wind Sect is no longer weak. They have obtained methods like the Bloodthirsty Mist Formation, which can greatly enhance their combat power in a short period..."
With the Black Wind Sect's rapid increase in strength, it was likely that this information had not yet spread. To prevent heavy losses, Ye Cangtian still offered a reminder.
"Understood."
Dugu Changfeng readily agreed. He harbored suspicions about this as well.
Logically speaking, it should not have been easy for the Black Wind Sect to target Dugu Ling, given their generally low strength.
Yet now, with just one or two squads, they had repeatedly injured Dugu Ling. This forced him to take it seriously.
With that in mind, Dugu Changfeng chatted briefly with Ye Cangtian, then arranged for someone to escort Ye Cangtian to rest and prepare a thank-you banquet to properly express his gratitude.
...
*Dong! Dong! Dong!*
Just as Ye Cangtian lay down to rest in his room, a knock on the door sounded, forcing him to get up.
The visitor was none other than Dugu Ling.
Dugu Ling had changed into different clothes. She looked a little less mischievous and a little more dignified.
"Brother Ye, I was afraid you might be bored. Let's go! I'll show you around the Dugu family!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at Dugu Ling and said in annoyance, "You were just dealt with, and you're still in the mood to take me sightseeing? You have quite a nerve! Have your injuries healed?"
"I only got hit by one whip. Applying some medicine and bandaging it is enough. It's no big deal!"
"Besides, I'm just fulfilling my duty as a host, showing you around. It's not for anything else."
Dugu Ling waved her hand and said with a smile.
Heh, she didn't seem to take it seriously at all. It seemed like she was a repeat offender!
Seeing Dugu Ling's nonchalant expression, Ye Cangtian muttered to himself helplessly, and then agreed.
The two of them left the room like this and began to wander through the various courtyards of the Dugu family.