Xie Shishi, however, looked unconvinced.
"I asked, but Grandpa just refused to say."
"Doctor Zhou, is the Shi family preparing to make a move? My father was saying yesterday that he wanted to send us two to Yunhai City!"
Zhou Yu smiled wryly and remained silent.
Zhu Ling'er, standing beside him, added, "Even though we two are girls and lack combat power, the matters concerning the Shi family are our collective responsibility!"
"Your actions will only cut off our sources of information, leaving us in the dark. It serves no other purpose!"
In reality, Zhu Ling'er and Xie Shishi were not foolish.
With the Zhu and Xie families being so cautious, they could certainly guess that the Shi family was likely preparing to act.
They just didn't have specific intelligence.
Therefore, Zhou Yu knew that trying to hide it was futile, so he admitted it directly.
"Indeed, the Shi family is preparing to make a move and has already assembled martial artists."
"You two lack combat effectiveness, and staying here would only be a burden. It's better to go to a safe place and wait."
"This way, even if we win the fight against the Shi family, you won't be harmed!"
Zhu Ling'er and Xie Shishi exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious.
Because they knew.
Zhou Yu was telling the truth!
If the Shi family were to attack, they, one a pampered daughter of the Zhu family and the other a young lady of the Xie family.
Would very likely be captured by the Shi family as hostages.
This would, in turn, severely restrict the actions of the Zhu and Xie families!
However…
"If I cannot share the fate of my family, what is the point of my existence?"
"If I am captured by the Shi family, don't concern yourselves with me; let me die!"
Zhu Ling'er clenched her fists, her voice filled with anger.
Xie Shishi held the same attitude.
As members of their families, even if they couldn't fight.
They could at least help pass things or assist in setting up defenses.
They were not entirely useless!
Zhou Yu rubbed his temples with a headache and said to the two women, "If you truly wish to stay, you should not be telling me this. You should tell Patriarch Zhu and your grandfather."
After all, these were not his daughters or granddaughters.
Zhou Yu could not decide their fate!
Upon hearing this.
Zhu Ling'er nodded and pulled Xie Shishi along, saying, "Doctor Zhou has agreed. If my father and the others agree, you cannot object."
Zhou Yu nodded and accepted.
However, he inwardly felt.
That Old Master Xie would absolutely not agree to let them take such risks.
And Patriarch Zhu, even less so.
He cherished his only daughter like his own eyes.
It was highly unlikely he would let Zhu Ling'er face danger!
However.
Zhou Yu miscalculated.
Less than half a day after Zhu Ling'er pulled Xie Shishi away.
They returned jubilantly, announcing that Patriarch Zhu and Old Master Xie had agreed to let them stay!
Zhou Yu was dumbfounded: "How did you convince them?"
Patriarch Zhu and Old Master Xie didn't seem like people who would easily soften their hearts!
Zhu Ling'er said proudly, "I am a part of the Zhu family. If the Zhu family truly fails in this struggle, the Shi family will eventually find me anyway."
"Rather than being in an unfamiliar place, it's better to stay in Jiangnan City. If we have to retreat, we can be together as a family!"
There was a certain logic to her words.
Yet, as Zhou Yu listened, his brow furrowed deeper.
Such a specious argument could only fool others.
But it couldn't fool Patriarch Zhu.
The only reason he agreed to let Zhu Ling'er stay could only mean that the number of martial artists on the Shi family's side exceeded their imagination!
The situation was already dire.
To consider the consequences of failure, Patriarch Zhu had decided to keep Zhu Ling'er by his side.
With that thought, Zhou Yu stood up and said, "Since Patriarch Zhu and the others have agreed, then you can stay."
"I have some business to attend to outside, and you should not follow."
Zhu Ling'er and Xie Shishi actually wanted to follow.
But hearing Zhou Yu's words, they knew they couldn't push their luck.
So they obediently nodded.
After Zhou Yu exited the main gate of the Xie family's old residence.
He immediately contacted Da Xiong and the others.
They met at the same downtown location as before.
Da Xiong and the others, hearing the seriousness in Zhou Yu's tone, arrived quickly.
Upon meeting, Da Xiong asked.
"Doctor Zhou, what exactly has happened? It sounds so serious."
Zhou Yu glanced at Jin Shenghuo and then roughly explained the situation between the Shi family and the Zhu and Xie families.
Following that, Zhou Yu presented his speculation.
"On the Shi family's side, there are no overt signs of alliances with any other families in their investigations, yet they have suddenly acquired over fifty Dark Strength martial artists."
"Coupled with the recent increase in the Shadow Organization's activity in Jiangnan City."
"I suspect the Shi family has very likely allied with the Shadow Organization!"
Da Xiong gasped in shock.
Since their encounter in Yunhai City, with the Dragon Group tightening its grip.
The Shadow Organization had clearly been driven to a corner.
Families that had previously dealt with the Shadow Organization were now hesitant to act.
Who would have thought.
That the Shadow Organization would find an opportunity!
"No wonder Commander Leng has had such a grim expression lately!"
"With the influx of funds, the Shadow Organization is even harder to apprehend."
Da Xiong said immediately.
The matter had now escalated to Zhou Yu's doorstep, so secrecy was no longer a concern.
Moreover.
Zhou Yu was here to provide intelligence!
"Relay this information to Leng Xue and see how she plans to handle it."
"If your Dragon Group requires anything, I will cooperate as much as possible."
Zhou Yu said urgently.
With the Shi family suddenly possessing so many martial artists, even the Dragon Group would likely find it difficult to resolve.
This was why Zhou Yu offered his assistance.
Da Xiong and the others nodded gravely.
Within minutes of their meeting, after exchanging words, they dispersed immediately.
Zhou Yu, on the other hand, returned directly to the Xie family's old residence.
As evening approached.
It was time for dinner.
The Zhu and Xie families gathered together for a meal.
Old Master Xie sat at the head of the table and inquired with concern.
"Doctor Zhou, have you gathered any news about the Shi family?"
Zhou Yu nodded, then shook his head.
Before anyone else could ask, Zhou Yu quickly explained, "I have contacted the Dragon Group, but they haven't responded yet."
"We now have two plans. If the Dragon Group is willing to intervene, we will cooperate from the sidelines."
"If not, we will have to fight to the death."
There were no other options left!
After all, for most families, possessing over a dozen Dark Strength martial artists would already place them among the top-tier families.
And a family like the Zhu family, with nearly fifty Dark Strength martial artists, was already considered deeply rooted.
For a family like the Shi family.
To suddenly produce fifty Dark Strength martial artists.
If given more time to develop, it wouldn't be impossible for them to rise to the ranks of a super-tier family!
With such martial strength, as soon as the Shi family made a declaration.
Who else would dare to associate with the Zhu and Xie families?
Forget cooperation, they would be eager to flee as far as possible!
"Alas, I hope the Dragon Group will lend a hand," Old Master Xie sighed deeply upon hearing this.
Patriarch Zhu's brow was even more tightly furrowed.
Their two families were now in the same boat.
There was no way for the Zhu family to withdraw even if they wanted to.