"If you two are interested, I can take you there tomorrow at noon. The new session has just started," Wang Fulai said with a friendly smile.
Amidst the eating and drinking, the three of them finalized their plans for tomorrow noon. Wang Fulai also lived in Cloud Mist Villa, so Da Xiong and the others just needed to go downstairs to meet him.
After they had eaten their fill, the group dispersed. Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng went straight to Zhou Yu's room upon reaching the upper floor. As soon as the door closed, they slumped onto the carpet like deflated balloons.
"Acting is really tiring," Ouyang Feng remarked. If it weren't for Da Xiong consistently drawing Wang Fulai's attention, Ouyang Feng felt he would have surely revealed their true nature. At times, listening to Wang Fulai, Ouyang Feng found himself truly baffled. Could anyone actually fall for Wang Fulai's scam? After all, Wang Fulai painted such an enticing picture of this so-called training class by the Shadow Organization. Anyone would be suspicious.
"Don't underestimate human greed," Zhou Yu reminded them. Today, because they knew the truth beforehand, Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng were clear-headed. But for any ordinary young master from a prominent family, upon hearing about such a training facility, which not only had no responsibilities but offered many benefits, they would have been easily led by the nose by Wang Fulai's smooth talk. People die for wealth, and birds die for food. Wang Fulai was preying on human greed.
Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng nodded, their vigilance heightened.
"Doctor Zhou, are we really going with Wang Fulai tomorrow? I'm afraid we'll be taken to the Shadow Organization's lair, and we won't be able to escape!" Da Xiong expressed his concern. Wang Fulai himself had no cultivation, he wasn't a martial artist. But the Shadow Organization might be different. He feared that going in would be easy, but getting out would be difficult!
Zhou Yu glanced at Da Xiong. "What, the plan is halfway done, and you're having second thoughts?"
Da Xiong shook his head. "No, I'm just worried they'll drug us and use us as test subjects." During a previous mission, Da Xiong had witnessed firsthand how tragic the fate of the Shadow Organization's test subjects was. He didn't want to experience that himself. He didn't want to end up neither human nor ghost!
"Don't worry, even if Wang Fulai has that intention, he won't act so soon. He still needs to maintain appearances," Zhou Yu explained. Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng were posing as young masters from influential families, with Zhou Yu as their family protector, who was at the Houtian Ming Jin stage. Unless Wang Fulai had lost his mind, he wouldn't directly target Da Xiong and the other. According to Zhou Yu's analysis, Wang Fulai would first lure Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng in, then use various means to trick them into cutting ties with their families. Only then would he make his move. Otherwise, the Shadow Organization also feared repercussions from powerful families.
"Understood." Da Xiong's heart settled after hearing Zhou Yu's analysis. The three of them discussed tomorrow's plan for a while before returning to their rooms to rest. Of course, before leaving, Zhou Yu gave them both medicinal bath packs. Although Wang Fulai wouldn't make a move tomorrow, it was best for them to be in peak condition to prevent any unexpected situations that might leave them unable to escape.
After Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng left, Zhou Yu took out his satellite phone and contacted Lin Weidong.
"What? You're taking Da Xiong to infiltrate the Shadow Organization tomorrow?" Lin Weidong immediately refused. "That's too reckless." The main concern was that Da Xiong and the other two were like weaklings. Lin Weidong was less worried about Zhou Yu going deep alone.
"Don't worry, since the Shadow Organization wants to use Da Xiong and the other two, they won't make a move so easily. I'm confident," Zhou Yu explained. Lin Weidong still strongly disagreed. After all, Da Xiong and the other two were currently considered new recruits of the Dragon Group. Lin Weidong was responsible for their safety. As for Zhou Yu's investigation, it was enough to investigate, there was no need for such a dangerous action! However, since Zhou Yu had already decided, Lin Weidong instinctively chose to trust him.
"Alright, tomorrow, all three of you will place a tracker in the most inconspicuous place on your bodies. If there's any danger, immediately sound the alarm," Lin Weidong instructed with lingering unease. "Dragon Group members will arrive as soon as possible!" Zhou Yu agreed and then hung up the phone.
There was a sleepless night. The next day, Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng emerged with dark circles under their eyes. Upon seeing them, Zhou Yu said helplessly, "Did you two go chasing mice in the middle of the night yesterday?"
Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng grinned sheepishly. "We were just too emotionally conflicted, a mix of nervousness and excitement, we couldn't sleep." Zhou Yu waved his hand dismissively, reminding them to keep their spirits up in front of Wang Fulai and not to blow their cover. The three of them put on their trackers, then went downstairs to meet Wang Fulai.
Wang Fulai was already waiting, carrying a suitcase. Seeing the three of them, his eyes lit up, and he waved, "I'm here!"
"Brother Wang, sorry to have kept you waiting," Da Xiong said with a smile as he approached. Wang Fulai immediately waved his hand. "It's nothing, I just arrived not long ago. Besides, we need to pick up two more people before we leave."
"Pick up two more people? Are they martial artists participating in the training like us?" Da Xiong asked subtly. Wang Fulai hesitated, as if contemplating whether to speak. After a moment, he smiled and said, "Oh, not exactly. They are a partner of our organization. The young master of this family recently withdrew from the Dragon Group's new recruit training, so he plans to visit and see if he wants to participate in our training."
Partner... That would be the Zhang family? Da Xiong's heart sank. If they were to meet Zhang Shaohua and his son, their cover would be blown! After all, the two of them were on Zhang Shaohua's list of mortal enemies, the kind he'd recognize even if they were turned to ash. Da Xiong's mind raced. They absolutely couldn't meet the Zhang father and son, but they also couldn't refuse outright, as that would arouse Wang Fulai's suspicion. So, Da Xiong feigned anger. "Fine! Yesterday you said the organization highly valued our talent, and this is how you value us? I think you've been lying all along!"
Da Xiong's sudden outburst caught Wang Fulai off guard, leaving him stunned. Da Xiong, committed to the act, gave Ouyang Feng a look. They spoke one after another, "What do you mean by partner? Why can't we pick them up later? You have to take us along? It's clear you don't value us! I think this training is not worth attending!" With that, Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng pretended to leave.