The upgrade of the truth serum was far more complex than a simple addition.
After meeting An Ying in person today, Zhou Yu suspected that the hallucinogenic component of the truth serum was insufficient. After all, most people would have been unable to endure the torture that An Ying had undergone. However, An Ying possessed superior physical fitness and resilience, which allowed him to persevere until now. Similarly, An Ying had likely undergone rigorous training, rendering ordinary truth serums ineffective against him.
To be able to report back tomorrow, Zhou Yu spent the entire night researching the truth serum. Fortunately, he had ample medicinal herbs. Zhou Yu also took the opportunity to refine some blood-replenishing pills. He noticed Leng Xue's pale complexion today, likely due to her recent hardships and slight anemia. He decided to refine more blood-replenishing pills to help her feel better.
As dawn began to break, Leng Xue awoke. A graceful figure slid down from the vines and saw Zhou Yu still by the medicinal furnace. Leng Xue's expression became somewhat complicated.
"Didn't sleep all night?"
Zhou Yu nodded, glancing at Leng Xue. "Up so early?"
Leng Xue turned her face away shyly. As the captain of the special forces, Leng Xue held herself to a high standard. She trained before dawn every day. She was not a martial artist, and if her physical fitness lagged behind others, how could she lead her team in the future?
Zhou Yu, not receiving Leng Xue's reply for a long time, turned to look at her. This gaze made Zhou Yu feel a little embarrassed. Perhaps it was her preparation for training. Leng Xue was wearing a black, form-fitting outfit. Her body showed no signs of training, yet her curves were accentuated where they should be. Beneath the tight clothing, one could sense a vibrant energy.
Zhou Yu coughed awkwardly and returned his attention to the medicinal furnace. "Hurry up and train. The truth serum is almost ready."
Leng Xue and Zhou Yu had always been at odds. Zhou Yu had expected her to leave immediately. To his surprise, Leng Xue actually approached him! A delicate fragrance assailed his senses, causing Zhou Yu's mind to waver.
"You've worked hard," Leng Xue finally managed to say after observing him for a while. This statement left Zhou Yu even more speechless!
"It's not hard," Zhou Yu replied, steadying his mind and refocusing all his attention on the medicinal furnace. Women were like tigers! Leng Xue was no easy person to deal with. Her sudden concern was more unnerving than her indifference.
Seeing that Zhou Yu's attitude was not very receptive, Leng Xue knew she was unwelcome. She took another look and then left for her training. Once Leng Xue was gone, Zhou Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. After trying ten different combinations, Zhou Yu finally managed to research a satisfactory truth serum. Holding the medicinal liquid in his hand, Zhou Yu shook it with satisfaction. This improved truth serum would force anyone, even the highest authority, to tell the truth.
"Does anyone have time? Please deliver the truth serum to Leng Xue." Zhou Yu looked up and found that Lin Weidong and Leng Xue were nowhere to be seen. So, he casually called someone to deliver the medicine.
To his surprise, the special forces member scratched his head and said, "It seems some guests have arrived. Commander Leng and Elder Lin are entertaining them."
Guests? Zhou Yu found it strange. This was not a banquet hall, but a wilderness. It was the temporary encampment of the special forces. Who could be visiting?
"Do you know who it is?" Zhou Yu asked curiously. The special forces member shook his head. "How would we know? We just saw someone approaching from a distance."
Zhou Yu immediately walked towards the direction the team member had pointed. A large green tent had been set up on the open ground. As he got closer, he saw Hei Mei Gui standing guard outside the tent, her face tense. Her eyes were like a hawk's, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.
"Stop!" Hei Mei Gui held out her hand, blocking Zhou Yu.
"The truth serum is ready. Could you please take it to Leng Xue for me?" Zhou Yu said, stopping his steps and handing the medicinal liquid to Hei Mei Gui. He had intended for Hei Mei Gui to deliver the medicine, but Hei Mei Gui did not take it. Zhou Yu's hand remained suspended in mid-air.
Zhou Yu frowned. "What's wrong?"
"None of us know how to use the truth serum. Besides, if it's not effective, we'll have to wait for Doctor Zhou to improve it. It's too much trouble to go back and forth. Doctor Zhou should stay here until the matter is resolved." Hei Mei Gui's attitude seemed much better, but she still insisted that Zhou Yu stay.
Zhou Yu twitched his lips, saying helplessly, "I'm only here to help your special forces develop medicine, not to be your hostage! What does it mean to keep me here?"
Hei Mei Gui knew she was in the wrong, but this was a direct order from Leng Xue. She couldn't disobey. So, she explained, "Doctor Zhou, there's no need to rush. It won't take long to test the truth serum. If it's effective, we'll send Doctor Zhou home."
Hearing Hei Mei Gui's words, Zhou Yu asked casually, "When will we test it?"
A hint of difficulty appeared on Hei Mei Gui's face. She glanced into the tent. "Let's wait a little longer. People from the Martial Arts Association have arrived. Once Commander Leng finishes entertaining the guests, she'll go with you to test it."
The Martial Arts Association? Zhou Yu looked at the tent with curiosity. Through a gap, he could see Leng Xue and Lin Weidong sitting on the same side. Their expressions seemed grim. Opposite them sat a man with a full beard, accompanied by six or seven martial artists standing with their hands behind their backs. This made Leng Xue appear outnumbered.
"What are they doing here?" Zhou Yu asked curiously.
Hei Mei Gui's face darkened, and she replied coldly, "Don't ask about things you shouldn't."
This made Zhou Yu even more bewildered. He was already at the special forces' encampment, and it seemed he would be detained there for some time. What couldn't he ask about?
"If you don't tell me, I'll go in and ask Leng Xue myself," Zhou Yu threatened. Hei Mei Gui began to panic. In her eyes, Zhou Yu was a man of his word and always acted on impulse. If she didn't give him an answer, he might actually barge in!
After much deliberation, Hei Mei Gui finally spoke. "The people from the Martial Arts Association claim that matters concerning the An Ying organization should fall under their jurisdiction. They are here today to demand the handover of prisoners." It was obvious they were referring to An Ying.
Zhou Yu couldn't help but open his mouth in surprise. "Is that even allowed?" Leng Xue's special forces had been conducting the "Shadow Hunt" operation for days, with special approval from the Dragon Group. Now that there were results, the Martial Arts Association was suddenly interfering. It was hard to say whether this so-called Martial Arts Association was colluding with the An Ying organization or just trying to steal the credit.