After a night of heavy drinking, Ye Cangtian arrived at Shi Wenkang's office the next morning.
Since the crisis in Tingfeng City had been resolved, he should have returned to report.
After a simple farewell, Ye Cangtian and Bai Ying embarked on their journey back.
Along the way, Bai Ying's face was so grim it looked like it could drip blood.
His mission to Tingfeng City was outwardly to resolve the crisis, but in reality, he had another mission, given by Bai Zhenshan of the Bai family.
This mission was to win over the Tingfeng City branch for the Bai family's use.
However, the first mission had not only resulted in the loss of Chen Wu, but the subsequent resolution was entirely handled by Ye Cangtian, making it impossible for him to get any credit.
As for the second mission, Shi Wenkang and Song Xinghe treated Ye Cangtian like a deity, making it impossible to win them over.
It could be said that he had failed both missions, and he truly didn't know how he would explain himself to Bai Zhenshan upon his return.
In contrast, Ye Cangtian not only completed his mission but also inadvertently enhanced his prestige within the Hidden Group.
He might even have brought Shi Wenkang and Song Xinghe under Dongfang Mingyue's command.
Comparing the two, he truly felt like crying without tears.
...
Dragon City Hidden Group.
Ye Cangtian returned from his travels, dusty and weary, and went directly to the Hidden Group headquarters to report.
"Brat, you're finally back, well done!"
Upon seeing Ye Cangtian, Dongfang Mingyue put down the documents she was holding, a smile of relief appearing on her face.
She had already received intelligence reports via express horse and was fully aware of the entire mission process.
In fact, she hadn't expected the mission to be completed so quickly, and she was overjoyed.
"You received the intelligence?"
"Then it's simple, hand it over!"
Ye Cangtian looked at Dongfang Mingyue's smiling, pretty face, immediately understood everything, and without pretense, extended his hand.
"What?"
Dongfang Mingyue was slightly stunned and asked in confusion.
"Don't play coy, the reward!"
"Don't tell me you've forgotten about this again!"
Seeing Dongfang Mingyue feigning ignorance, Ye Cangtian's eyes widened instantly.
The last time he cooperated with her to get into prison, she hadn't fulfilled her promise afterward, even saying things like "time waits for no one."
So, upon his return this time, Ye Cangtian had resolved to demand his reward in person, lest she renege on her word again.
"Brat, is that how you see your sister?"
Dongfang Mingyue shot Ye Cangtian a glare, then took out a key and casually tossed it over.
"This is?"
Looking at the key in his hand, Ye Cangtian was puzzled.
"This is a house I purchased privately, located in the central area of Dragon City, not too far from the Hidden Group. I originally planned to live in it myself, but now it's yours. I'm not treating you poorly, am I?"
Dongfang Mingyue said irritably.
In fact, Dongfang Mingyue had already thought of a reward, but it wasn't this house.
However, after receiving the news, Ye Cangtian's performance exceeded her expectations, and the previously prepared rewards were no longer suitable.
After much thought, Dongfang Mingyue decided to give him the villa she had acquired earlier.
Since Ye Cangtian didn't have a place to stay in Dragon City, this reward was most fitting.
"Uh..."
"Sister Mingyue, isn't this inappropriate?"
"How can I accept your private property?"
Ye Cangtian was slightly taken aback and quickly handed the key back.
In his opinion, official matters were official, and private matters were private. He could accept rewards given by the Hidden Group with a clear conscience, but Dongfang Mingyue's private property was different.
"What's with the formality between siblings!"
"Besides, with such a great contribution, it's not appropriate for you to still be living in a guesthouse. How many people would ridicule the Hidden Group because of this!"
Dongfang Mingyue said with a smile. Seeing that Ye Cangtian was still hesitant, she added, "Don't worry, I won't lose out. At worst, this villa can be converted into crystal stones, and the Hidden Group's finance department will reimburse me."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian slowly nodded and accepted the key.
Seeing Ye Cangtian accept it, Dongfang Mingyue showed a satisfied smile. "By the way, I've done some simple renovations in the room. If you don't like it, just let me know anytime, and I'll send someone to redecorate it for you."
"Mmm."
Ye Cangtian responded. He didn't have any particular requirements for the room's decoration.
Simply put, as long as it was habitable, it was fine. After all, the ruins were fraught with danger, and life and death were uncertain, so he had no desire for a luxurious life.
"Sister Mingyue, I have one more request."
After a moment of hesitation, Ye Cangtian finally spoke, mustering his courage.
"Hmm?" Dongfang Mingyue looked at Ye Cangtian curiously.
"I have a fiancée named Tang Xinwan, and her parents are the Tang Qingshan couple, who are part of the Hidden Group..."
Ye Cangtian proceeded to tell her about the Tang Qingshan couple.
He had no other choice. If he had to rely on contribution points to obtain information about the Tang Qingshan couple, he didn't know how long it would take, and whether he would even live that long was unknown.
After all, it required 1 million contribution points, and Ye Cangtian, despite risking his life several times, had only accumulated a little over ten thousand points. The gap was not small.
Therefore, it was better to use connections. Besides, Dongfang Mingyue treated him well.
On the other side, as soon as Dongfang Mingyue heard this, her brow furrowed.
She had the authority to handle all matters, big and small, within the Hidden Group, with only a few exceptional cases requiring Dongfang Hongwu's personal decision.
This included the case of the Tang Qingshan couple.
"Brat, I'm not lying to you. Honestly, this is beyond my capabilities."
"Regarding the Tang Qingshan couple, even I don't know the details, and Grandpa repeatedly warned me to keep this matter confidential, and to act as if I knew nothing..."
Dongfang Mingyue said slowly after a moment of silence.
When Dongfang Hongwu handed over the overall authority of the Hidden Group to Dongfang Mingyue, he had repeatedly instructed her on several special cases.
These matters were far-reaching. Those who knew about them at the time, as well as those who investigated later, had all mysteriously disappeared.
This indicated that there must be powerful opponents involved behind the scenes.
To prevent Dongfang Mingyue from being in danger and to avoid further harm to others, Dongfang Hongwu had classified this matter as top secret.
"What?"
Even Dongfang Mingyue didn't know the specific situation, and there was even danger involved?
Ye Cangtian was stunned upon hearing this.
He had thought that upon arriving in Dragon City and accumulating enough contribution points, he would be able to uncover some truths, but now it seemed he had been too naive.
It appeared that in the end, he would still have to approach Dongfang Hongwu.
With this thought, Ye Cangtian quickly asked, "Sister Mingyue, when can Senior Dongfang return?"
"I don't know. He's been gone for a very, very long time."
Dongfang Mingyue slowly shook her head and said, "Grandpa took people to explore the western region. The environment there is harsh and dangerous, and no news has come back at all."
"..."
Her words rendered Ye Cangtian speechless. It was better not to continue this topic, lest he upset Dongfang Mingyue.
"Alright, brat, you can go back if there's nothing else."
"Go take a look at the house first, and then go see Old Man Long by the river. Don't say I didn't tell you, Old Man Long has been missing you lately. He's even inquired about you privately..."
Seeing Ye Cangtian remain silent, Dongfang Mingyue smiled slightly and waved her hand.
"Heh, it seems the old man wants to eat fish again."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled helplessly, then waved goodbye to Dongfang Mingyue and left the office.
...