The accompanying picture showed the fish market at the docks, with piles of sea fish stacked like small mountains on the ground.
Fishmongers were grinning ear to ear, surrounded by workers scrambling to buy them.
Lu Yuan fell silent.
It was no wonder the Nightwatchers had been deployed in full force.
As it turned out, contamination was spreading wildly through this cheap fish meat.
How could such a major event occur without any prior notice?
Lu Yuan's gaze grew deep as a terrifying thought occurred to him.
"I understand. Go back quickly, Brent. Remember not to open the door for anyone tonight."
"I will. I know."
Brent carefully protected the medicine in his arms as if he were clutching his only hope.
He bowed deeply to Lu Yuan and then turned to dash into the thick, viscous curtain of rain.
Watching the boy's retreating figure, Lu Yuan's expression became frighteningly dark.
This rain had come at a truly inconvenient time.
Just as Lu Yuan was preparing to close and lock the door...
Clop, clop, clop—
The rapid sound of horse hooves pierced the rain and stopped at the clinic's entrance.
A messenger wearing a dark red uniform with thorn patterns embroidered on his chest jumped down from the carriage.
He approached slowly under an umbrella, a stiff smile fixed on his face.
"Are you Doctor Lu Yuan?"
The messenger bowed slightly and presented a black invitation with gold lettering.
"My master, Baron Thorn of Thorn Manor, has long admired your medical skills."
"His nephew has recently contracted a strange illness that many doctors have failed to treat. He specifically sent me to invite you to the manor tonight."
Lu Yuan looked at the invitation.
On the seemingly noble gold-lettered card, a faint, wispy black aura was emanating.
Lu Yuan looked up, glancing first at the messenger's fake smile and then at the pitch-black rainy night in the distance.
The base was empty; the main force was out.
On this rainy night when everyone was too busy to look after themselves, had someone finally decided to take the opportunity to clear out an 'insect' like him?
"And if I don't go?" Lu Yuan asked calmly.
"The Baron said that while you can refuse, it would cause him great distress. It might even be seen as disrespect toward the nobility, or perhaps..."
The messenger's smile widened, revealing several somewhat pointed teeth.
"It might even lead to suspicions that this strange illness is related to you."
Hearing this, Lu Yuan's eyes flashed with disdain. They didn't even bother to keep up the act anymore?
It made sense. Addressing him directly as Lu Yuan instead of Laisen's friend... Ink was right. It seemed his files had indeed been scrutinized thoroughly.
He reached out and took the invitation, which carried a faint fishy stench.
"Since the Baron thinks so highly of me, I would be honored to accept. However, I need to make some preparations first. Please wait a moment."
Lu Yuan turned and walked into the clinic, tucking his newly purchased revolver into his waistband.
Then, reaching into his pocket to ensure the black orb was still there, he picked up his medical bag and walked out.
He climbed into the carriage with the messenger's assistance.
The moment the carriage drove into the darkness, a faint sound of leather rubbing could be heard from the surrounding shadows.
Accompanied by a few sharp whistles that sounded like birdsong, the area returned to silence.
Inside the base, Old Morgan listened to the report from the hidden sentries and turned to spread out a map of the inner city of Gelimu Port.
A shadow of unease flashed in his eyes.
"The fish has bitten the hook. I just wonder if it has anything to do with you... Viscount..."
...
The black carriage drove through the heavy rain, grinding over the muddy cobblestones before finally stopping in front of a manor on the edge of the inner city.
Thorn Manor was aptly named; the high iron fences were covered in thorny rose vines.
In the pitch-black rainy night, these vines looked like tangled black snakes tightly encircling the ancient mansion.
"Doctor Lu, please."
The messenger who had driven the carriage jumped down and opened a black umbrella, his smile still stiff and practiced.
Lu Yuan tightened his trench coat and stepped out of the carriage.
The moment he entered the manor gates, a scent of damp soil mixed with heavy rose fragrance hit him.
The fragrance was so thick it was almost pungent, as if it were trying to cover something up.
Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
Through the perspective of 【Specialized Research】, a nearly undetectable layer of greyish-black mist shrouded the air above this seemingly luxurious manor.
The color of this mist looked familiar; Lu Yuan recalled the traces he had seen in the sewers of the Black Pine Forest Water Plant.
They certainly didn't come with good intentions.
As he continued forward, a faint stench occasionally emerged beneath the strong rose scent of Thorn Manor.
"This smell..."
Lu Yuan frowned.
The messenger seemed to notice something and slowed his pace to explain.
"Since the young master fell ill, the house has indeed been a bit... damp."
"This way, please."
He entered the main hall, which was brightly lit.
A massive crystal chandelier cast a golden glow, and the carpet was soft Persian red velvet. Everything appeared to be the height of aristocratic luxury and decorum.
But Lu Yuan keenly noticed that the servants in the manor were not quite right.
Whether it was the maids carrying silver trays or the menservants standing in the corners, they all wore uniforms with extremely high collars and heavy white gloves. Some even wore scarves indoors.
They kept their heads down, their walking movements stiff and dragging, like puppets with rusted joints.
【Target: Basic Deep Sea Mutant】
【Status: A human contaminated by a strange substance originating from the deep sea, gradually sliding into its embrace.】
【Weakness: Any item touched by divinity, blunt weapons】
'This really is a wolf's den...'
Lu Yuan's eyes darkened as he saw the prompts appearing over everyone he encountered.
"Doctor Lu, I have heard much about you."
At the end of the long dining table, a middle-aged man in a dark red velvet suit stood up.
He held a crystal glass, the crimson liquid inside shimmering under the lights.
The master of Thorn Manor, Baron Thorn.
"You are too kind, Baron."
Lu Yuan did not step forward to perform a hand-kissing rite; he simply nodded slightly from where he stood.
This already made Lu Yuan's attitude clear.
"Sit."
The Baron waved his hand casually, as if he didn't care at all, his movements carrying a natural arrogance.
In his eyes, the young doctor before him was merely a 'dessert' delivered to his door.
Now that the prey was in the cage, he didn't mind showing some aristocratic generosity and elegance before feeding.
Lu Yuan pulled out a chair and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the plate in front of him.
On the plate lay a piece of fresh meat.
It hadn't been cooked at all; the bright red meat was still streaked with blood, emitting a salty, fishy smell of seawater.
"This is deep sea red trout, caught recently near the coast. It is extremely rare."
The Baron sliced off a piece of bloody meat and put it into his mouth. He didn't even chew; it slid directly down his throat.
He closed his eyes, a sickly look of intoxication appearing on his face, as if he were tasting some peerless delicacy.
"Such vibrant vitality... Won't you try some, Doctor Lu?"
Rate on N.U.
