Shen Ruojing had initially thought that not many people in the organization would remember her after she faked her death. They probably would fawn over Dugu Xiao and submit to him, becoming his loyal subordinate.

Previously, when she saw the replies made by Leng Ling on the dark web, she knew that Leng Ling hadn’t forgotten her. However, she didn’t expect Leng Ling to be so attached to her.

Shen Ruojing’s peach blossom eyes frowned slightly as an indescribable and complex emotion surfaced in her heart.

She was clearly smiling, but tears filled her eyes.

Such an appearance was akin to a sour feeling in the heart when someone saw an old friend after a long time.

Leng Ling started slightly.

Such a gaze caused her to feel a few hints of familiarity. Yet, she also felt a little strange.

She venomously spoke, “Don’t think I will spare you just because you use such a gaze to look at me!”

All these years, only a few people could make Shen Ruojing soften her heart.

She suddenly sighed and said, “Little Leng…”

Leng Ling’s hand, which was holding onto the dagger, trembled.

Back then, Sister 518 always addressed her as ‘Little Leng Ling’. Her voice was lazy and filled with doting. This caused Leng Ling to always feel awkward but also fond of it.

Could it be that this woman also wanted to call her ‘Little Leng Ling’?

Just when she was startled, a malevolent voice suddenly drifted from behind.

“Little Leng Ling, what are you doing to the divine doctor?”

Leng Ling’s body stiffened.

She abruptly turned her head and saw Dugu Xiao standing behind them.

The man was dressed in a black western suit. He wore it unbuttoned and there was a crimson silk shirt underneath.

His dressing sense was different from Chu Cichen who would always button up. The top two buttons of Dugu Xiao’s silk shirt weren’t buttoned, which revealed his collar bones and adam’s apple.

If Chu Cichen was considered abstinent and cold, Dugu Xiao would be considered evil and charming.

While leaning against a wall, Dugu Xiao wasn’t smiling. His head was slightly cocked, and he was crossing his arms. Also, his eyes were staring ruthlessly at Leng Ling. Despite having deep eye bags, he exuded an extreme sense of tyranny, causing Leng Ling to feel an unprecedented sense of threat.

Leng Ling gulped down a mouthful of saliva.

Dugu Xiao slowly spoke, “Did I dote on you too much and cause you to forget all the rules when you act? Immediately apologize to the divine doctor.”

His tone didn’t contain any emotional fluctuations, yet it brimmed with a sense of command that couldn’t be defied.

Leng Ling looked at him and froze for a time out of fear.

Just when she slowly began to quail under the pressure, an icy hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

It was unknown when Shen Ruojing, who was originally being threatened, had broken free of Leng Ling’s restraint. She casually grabbed Leng Ling’s wrist and forced the dagger down.

Shen Ruojing then took a step forward and blocked the area between Dugu Xiao and Leng Ling. She coldly spoke, “Mr. Dugu, please manage your people well.”

After speaking, she released Leng Ling’s wrist and directly walked out.

Leng Ling stood there, feeling stunned.

Shen Ruojing’s earlier sentence sounded angry on the surface but was actually spoken to protect her. This was especially so when she stood between her and Dugu Xiao. That action broke the sense of pressure from Dugu Xiao and finally allowed Leng Ling to have time to breathe.

She then stared at Shen Ruojing’s back in puzzlement.

She clearly wanted to kill Shen Ruojing, but why did Shen Ruojing want to save her?

She lowered her eyelids in bewilderment as she pondered over the words that Shen Ruojing had wanted to say before they were interrupted by Dugu Xiao. Did Shen Ruojing want to address her as… ‘Little Leng Ling?’

As she contemplated, the area before her suddenly darkened.

Dugu Xiao moved closer to her.

After that, the man suddenly stretched his hand out and grabbed her chin tightly, forcing her chin up so her eyes could meet his.

As a result, Leng Ling’s gaze turned fierce and her elbow directly slammed toward his stomach.

Dugu Xiao merely used a hand to grab her arm.

Leng Ling then used her leg.

She was the strongest person in terms of martial arts in the organization!

However, she neglected the wall behind Dugu Xiao. Before she could exert force, Dugu Xiao already slammed her into the wall.

The physical differences between males and females were innate, so a female had to depend on techniques to gain victory over a male. However, now that Leng Ling was pressed against such a narrow space, she couldn’t use her techniques even if she was skilled.

She could only be at Dugu Xiao’s mercy.

Dugu Xiao lowered his head to look at her with eyes as cold as ice. “Little Leng Ling, are you disobedient again?”

“Pui!” Leng Ling angrily snapped. “Don’t address me like that. Disgusting! You are not worthy!”

A look of self-mockery flashed in Dugu Xiao’s eyes. “Let me warn you. Do not act against the divine doctor. She isn’t someone you can afford to offend!”

Leng Ling sneered. “Dugu Xiao, let me make it clear to you. Don’t even dream of curing your headaches! I will definitely kill her!”

Even if he underwent acupuncture for three days continuously, the effects would only persist for half a year.

Half a year later, Dugu Xiao would still suffer from headaches.

Dugu Xiao suspected that this was Shen Ruojing’s way of warning him not to tear down the bridge after crossing it.

Only by needing her forever would he guarantee her safety.

Dugu Xiao’s expression was gloomy. “This is my command!”

Hearing this, Leng Ling raised her head. “The rules of the organization state that those who break the rules are either to be killed or punished. I don’t care what you will do.”

Dugu Xiao was badly angered by her attitude. “Do you think I don’t dare to kill you just because you are the previous head’s daughter? Little Leng Ling, don’t overestimate your status.”

Leng Ling looked at him. “Kill me then.”

“You…” Dugu Xiao narrowed his eyes. He then took a step back and released her. “Fine, since you want to disobey orders, you shall be punished by being whipped thirty times and you are to run 30 miles cross-country. Go.”

Leng Ling didn’t say anything and immediately turned to leave.

Not long later, the sounds of whipping rang out from the punishment hall. From the start until the end, Leng Ling didn’t utter a single sound.

The butler walked over and couldn’t help but state, “Master, all the members of the organization now are from the younger generation, almost none of them remember the previous leader. Why don’t you kill her? She is so skilled in martial arts and can be considered a hidden danger if she stays by your side.”

Dugu Xiao coldly looked at him. “Do I need you to teach me how to do things?”

The butler was so scared that his body was covered in a cold sweat.

Not everyone was Leng Ling. No matter how much trouble she caused, his master would only punish her and never kill her. But for the others, if they made a mistake, they would have no second chance.

During these few years, more than a few people had died in Dugu Xiao’s hands.

On that very night…

Leng Ling forcefully bore the discomfort and pain she felt as she crawled up to her bed.

The wounds on her back were a ghastly sight, but she ignored that and only used gauze to wrap around them. After that, she took out her tights and wore them.

After running for thirty miles, her legs were a little soft, but she didn’t give a damn.

She pushed the door open and wanted to go out.

However, she discovered two bodyguards standing there. “Master said that you are not permitted to head out casually.”

Leng Ling closed the door and climbed her window before leaping out of it. But when she stood up, she saw Dugu Xiao already standing before her. His tone was sinister. “Are you going to disobey my orders again? 30 lashes of the whip and run another 30 miles cross-country.”

Leng Ling’s body trembled.

Dugu Xiao pointed to the door behind him. “Naturally, if you give up on killing her, you can go back and nurse your injuries.”

However, Leng Ling turned and headed straight for the punishment hall.