"Why aren't Jie Shishi and the others being informed about the Shi family's affairs this time?" Zhou Yu inquired.
From Zhou Yu's understanding, the Zhu and Jie families were not patriarchal. In the past, whatever Jie Yu could do, Jie Shishi could also do. However, this time, both Zhu Ling'er and Jie Shishi, the two young ladies, were kept in the dark.
Old Master Jie sighed slightly upon hearing this. "It's for their protection."
The two young ladies were not martial artists. If they were to hear about this news, they would undoubtedly become fearful. With the Shi family's overwhelming martial prowess over the Zhu and Jie families, if there was no progress for a prolonged period, the Zhu and Jie families would be at a significant disadvantage in the final battle. Annihilation was a real possibility.
Old Master Jie had already discussed with the Zhu family head. If they couldn't come up with a solution, they would hide Zhu Ling'er and Jie Shishi, keeping them far away from the battlefield. If they knew about the situation, they would certainly refuse to leave and might even choose to die with the family. Therefore, this was a way to protect them.
Zhou Yu couldn't help but sigh, "You've really thought of everything."
"However, Old Master Jie, you don't need to worry excessively. If the Shi family truly has a hidden collaborator, they won't last long!"
The Shi family's sudden appearance of a large number of Dark Energy martial artists was too suspicious to be a coincidence. Zhou Yu believed that either the Shi family had purchased some kind of drug from the Shadow Organization and modified their own martial artists into Qi Wu Zhe, or they had already collaborated with the Shadow Organization, just like the Zhang family before.
Old Master Jie tilted his head and looked at Zhou Yu for a moment, then surprisingly asked, "Divine Doctor Zhou, are you suspecting that the Shi family has collaborated with the Shadow Organization?"
Zhou Yu was startled. He then chuckled wryly, "Old Master, how do you know about the Shadow Organization?"
Old Master Jie smiled. He reminded Zhou Yu that the Jie family's in-laws were the Jin family of Yunhai City. Whatever the Jin family knew, the Jie family would also be privy to. Therefore, they were aware that the Shadow Organization, which had been previously eliminated, was now undergoing a resurgence.
"Only the Shadow Organization possesses the capability to create such a large number of Qi Wu Zhe," Old Master Jie analyzed, following Zhou Yu's line of thought. "If this is indeed the case, the Shi family is not to be feared."
Once it was confirmed that the Shi family had collaborated with the Shadow Organization, the Zhu and Jie families wouldn't even need to act. The Dragon Group would certainly not tolerate it.
Zhou Yu nodded slightly. "Alright, Old Master. You should rest more. Don't dwell on these matters."
"I see that Jie Yu is already capable of carrying the responsibilities!"
Old Master Jie smiled without comment. Honestly, in the past, Old Master Jie felt his grandson was quite good. Compared to the spoiled heirs of other families, Jie Yu was far superior. However, after meeting Zhou Yu, Old Master Jie suddenly felt that his once obedient and capable grandson was inadequate. If they had a descendant like Zhou Yu, the Jie family wouldn't just rise to be a top-tier family, but could even advance further.
After chatting for a while, Zhou Yu quietly left Old Master Jie's room. Jie Shishi and Zhu Ling'er had already been waiting outside. The moment they saw Zhou Yu, they rushed forward and surrounded him.
"Divine Doctor Zhou, how did it go? What were my father and the others discussing?"
"Hmph, they wouldn't let us listen and kept us out. What were they doing?"
Both young ladies wore expressions of slight indignation. This was the first time they had ever been treated differently since childhood.
Zhou Yu looked at their angry faces and gave a wry smile. Then, he spread his hands, "No comment."
Zhu Ling'er became anxious and grabbed Zhou Yu's arm, her clear eyes widening. "Divine Doctor Zhou, that's not fair!"
"We're all young people, why are you listening to those old men!"
Zhou Yu was instantly speechless. If the Zhu family head heard this, he would likely grab a whip and start hitting.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you, but both family heads told me not to," Zhou Yu said, trying to deflect. "Don't make it difficult for someone who's just doing their job."
However, Jie Shishi and Zhu Ling'er were not foolish. They eyed Zhou Yu suspiciously. Their subsequent words made Zhou Yu even more speechless.
"Give it a rest. Everyone knows that everyone in both families listens to you. Even my father is completely subservient to you. How is that 'just doing your job'?"
Zhou Yu was completely flustered. How could these two be so cunning?
Just as Zhou Yu was contemplating how to escape, Jie Yu emerged from the room. The moment he saw Jie Yu, Zhou Yu felt like he had seen a savior. He quickly blurted out, "Look, Jie Yu is out. You can ask him whatever you want." With that, Zhou Yu slipped away.
He left Jie Shishi and Zhu Ling'er stamping their feet in anger. Zhou Yu's current status within the Zhu and Jie families was undeniable. It was possible he might reveal something. But asking Jie Yu? Forget it. Jie Yu was the one who truly followed orders and got things done. Even with coercion or temptation, Jie Yu wouldn't dare reveal anything.
"What do you think they were discussing that they had to exclude us?" Jie Shishi asked with a worried expression. She knew her grandfather's character well. If it wasn't a matter of life and death, he would never treat them differently. Moreover, Zhu Ling'er was the heir of the Zhu family.
"I don't know. They're all tight-lipped. For now, we can only stick close to Divine Doctor Zhou and see what happens." Even the clever Zhu Ling'er had no leads. This was their only option. After all, Zhou Yu was the lynchpin of the cooperation between the Zhu and Jie families. If the two families made any major moves, they could do without the family heads, but Zhou Yu would definitely be involved. By sticking close to Zhou Yu, they wouldn't miss a thing.
Jie Shishi nodded in agreement.
And so, for the next few days, Zhou Yu was plunged into misery and suspicion. Zhu Ling'er and Jie Shishi were like bandits. When Zhou Yu slept, they would camp on the floor in his room. When Zhou Yu went to the restroom, they would wait outside the door, occasionally knocking to ensure he didn't escape secretly. They were driving him to the brink of madness!
Finally, Zhou Yu could bear it no longer. He pulled up his pants and rushed out of the restroom. Facing the two waiting at the door, Zhou Yu said sternly, "This idea, it was Zhu Ling'er's, wasn't it?" Although Jie Shishi was brave, she didn't have the audacity to follow Zhou Yu around like this. It was clear this was Zhu Ling'er's harebrained scheme!
Zhu Ling'er's eyes flickered. Then, she puffed out her chest and declared righteously, "Yes, that's right. It was my idea."
Zhou Yu's head began to ache immensely! He took a deep breath and said kindly, "If you want to know something, you can ask Old Master. It's useless to follow me." No matter how much they pestered them, Zhou Yu would not reveal a single thing. At least, Zhou Yu wouldn't be the one to play the villain.