After the people of the Shadow Organization were apprehended, the Dragon Group was astonished to discover how high the internal information barriers within the organization were. Apart from Shadow himself, no one knew what the code names in the ledgers meant! This was why things were at a stalemate.
"If you can pry Shadow's mouth open this time, it will be a great accomplishment," Lin Weidong said earnestly. "You'll have a place in the Dragon Group from now on!"
A place? Zhou Yu felt that Lin Weidong was just making empty promises. He wasn't a member of the Dragon Group; what was the use of such status? So, Zhou Yu said tactfully, "A place is fine, but if you could give me some more tangible rewards, that would be even better."
Lin Weidong was no greenhorn and immediately understood Zhou Yu's unspoken meaning. He chuckled. "Alright, I'll help you apply for it then!"
As they chatted, they soon arrived at Jiangnan City. The driver skillfully navigated through the small roads. In no time, they reached the location where Leng Xue and others were stationed. The area was surrounded by dense forest. Beneath the low bushes, military green tents were pitched one after another. Leng Xue's tent was set up at the very top of a tree branch, appearing somewhat precarious from below.
"He's really got a plan," Zhou Yu couldn't help but sigh. Who would have thought that the special forces of the Dragon Group would be stationed in such a place? And with the cover of the forest, even if someone stumbled upon it, they wouldn't discover it!
"Heh, it's mainly to prevent the Shadow Organization's lackeys from finding us," Lin Weidong said dismissively. They had to proceed cautiously until Shadow confessed. After all, no one knew which families were collaborating with the Shadow Organization. If those families, in a panic, feared Shadow might reveal something, they might secretly kill him. Then the Dragon Group would have suffered a great loss!
Zhou Yu and Lin Weidong stood under a tree for a while before they saw Leng Xue drop a rope from the tree they were standing under. She then descended along the rope to where the two of them stood.
"Elder Lin, Zhou Yu is not one of our Dragon Group members. It's probably not appropriate for you to bring him here," Leng Xue said, her brows furrowed, her gaze coldly appraising Zhou Yu. It was clear she was very displeased with Lin Weidong bringing someone along without permission!
Lin Weidong, however, didn't mind at all. He simply explained, "Divine Doctor Zhou possesses extraordinary medical skills. It was also Divine Doctor Zhou who developed the truth serum before." "Perhaps Divine Doctor Zhou has a way to make Shadow confess!"
Upon hearing this, Leng Xue's icy demeanor softened slightly. Indeed, her biggest headache recently was Shadow's refusal to confess. Even the truth serum had no effect on him! If Zhou Yu had a way, that would be ideal!
"Follow me." Leng Xue wasted no words and walked ahead. Her neat and decisive demeanor exuded an air of heroism! Zhou Yu immediately followed her.
Shadow was imprisoned inside a tent. As they approached, they saw that Shadow had been tortured to the point of being unrecognizable. Apart from the distinctive black robe, it was almost impossible to recognize the bloody, mangled mass! Zhou Yu gasped as he looked. That woman, Leng Xue... she was too cruel! Thinking this, Zhou Yu's gaze involuntarily fell on Leng Xue. It seemed that from now on, no matter who he angered, he shouldn't anger Leng Xue!
Leng Xue seemed to sense Zhou Yu's gaze. She immediately frowned, feeling inexplicably flustered! But soon, Leng Xue shook her head, forcing herself to calm down. What was there to be flustered about? It was just interrogating a prisoner! She, Leng Xue, was renowned; why should she care about her image! With this thought, Leng Xue had people seize Shadow. Then she said to Zhou Yu, "Divine Doctor Zhou, I'll be counting on you this time." After saying this, she left without looking back.
Zhou Yu examined Shadow. He was so weak now that he couldn't even meet Zhou Yu's gaze. He hung his head listlessly. If not for the faint breathing sound from his throat, Zhou Yu would have thought he was already dead!
"Take him for treatment first. In this state, he probably won't survive," Zhou Yu said with a wave of his hand. Because Leng Xue had given prior instructions, the special forces members were very obedient to Zhou Yu's commands. They immediately lifted Shadow onto a stretcher. Zhou Yu took out paper and a pen, wrote a prescription, and had them fetch the medicine. He himself took out silver needles and began to treat Shadow.
Actually, Shadow's miserable state wasn't entirely due to Leng Xue's torture. After taking Shadow's pulse, Zhou Yu discovered that Shadow had multiple internal injuries. They appeared to be old wounds, not something that would have occurred overnight. It was these internal injuries that prevented Shadow from recovering. Zhou Yu briefly cleaned Shadow's wounds and then began applying the silver needles. Zhou Yu's only requirement for Shadow was to keep him alive, at least until he confessed. Therefore, he didn't care whether the treatment method was gentle or if the patient could withstand it. He went for the most aggressive approach!
In no time, Shadow, who had lost all strength to struggle, let out cries of agony under Zhou Yu's needles! As the needles pierced certain acupoints, Shadow felt pain all over his body. Even his bones ached and itched. Zhou Yu paid no heed. He had people hold down Shadow's limbs to prevent him from moving wildly and continued with the acupuncture.
Soon, the medicinal herbs were brought over. Zhou Yu began to decoct the medicine on the spot. One bowl was given to Shadow to drink, and another bowl was directly applied to Shadow's wounds.
"Ah!" Shadow's screams startled the birds and beasts in the forest. Lin Weidong, quick-witted, took off his sock and quickly stuffed it into Shadow's mouth. Although their hideout seemed hidden, there were farmers living nearby! If anyone heard them, it wouldn't be good.
Now, Shadow couldn't scream. His body felt as if it were burning. He wanted to writhe on the ground, but his limbs were held down. At this moment, Shadow understood what it meant to wish for death but be unable to die!
When Zhou Yu removed the needles, Shadow appeared even weaker. Sweat soaked his hair, making it stick to his forehead. Looking at Shadow's condition, Lin Weidong asked doubtfully, "Divine Doctor Zhou, he's not going to be treated to death, is he?"
Zhou Yu twitched his lips. "What are you talking about, Elder Lin!" Lin Weidong felt a bit embarrassed. But seeing Shadow's state, he was indeed breathing more than he was inhaling, making him very worried!
"Take him into the tent to rest first," Zhou Yu instructed. "I'll go and prepare the truth serum. Tomorrow, once his body has recovered a bit, we can use it." Afterward, he began to process the remaining herbs. Lin Weidong did as instructed.