I can see experience bars after being transported to another world.

The accompanying photo is of a fish market at a dock, where piles of sea fish are stacked on the ground like small mountains, fishmongers are all smiles, and workers are crowding around to buy them.

Lu Yuan fell silent.

No wonder the entire Night's Watch was mobilized.

It turns out that pollution is spreading rapidly through these cheap fish.

How could such an important matter go unnoticed beforehand?

Lu Yuan's eyes were deep and unfathomable as a terrifying thought entered his mind.

"I understand. Brent, hurry back. Remember not to open the door to anyone tonight."

"Yes, I know."

Brent carefully protected the medicine in his arms, as if clutching his only hope.

He bowed deeply to Lu Yuan, then turned and rushed into the thick rain.

Watching the boy's departing figure, Lu Yuan's face was terribly gloomy.

This rain couldn't have come at the worst possible time.

Just as Lu Yuan was about to close and lock the door.

"Da da da—"

A rapid sound of horses' hooves pierced the rain and stopped in front of the clinic.

A messenger dressed in a dark red uniform with thorns embroidered on his chest jumped off the carriage.

He walked slowly towards us, holding an umbrella, a stiff smile on his face.

"Excuse me, are you Dr. Lu Yuan?"

The messenger bowed slightly and handed over a black invitation card with gold lettering.

"My master, the Baron of Thorn Manor, has long admired your medical skills."

"His nephew has recently contracted a strange illness, and despite seeing many doctors, his condition has not improved. He specifically sent me here to ask you to make sure to visit the manor tonight."

Lu Yuan looked at the invitation.

The seemingly elegant gold-embossed invitation card was actually emanating a faint, almost imperceptible, black aura.

Lu Yuan raised his head, glanced at the messenger with a fake smile on his face, and then glanced at the dark, rainy night in the distance.

The base is empty, and all the main forces have been deployed.

On this rainy night when everyone is preoccupied with their own problems, is someone really going to take the opportunity to get rid of this "bug" of mine?

"What if we don't go?" Lu Yuan asked casually.

"The Baron said you can refuse, but that would cause him great distress, and might be seen as disrespectful to the nobility, or even..."

The messenger's smile deepened, revealing a few rather sharp teeth.

"You might be suspected of having a connection to this strange illness."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan's eyes flashed with disdain. Did he not even bother to pretend?

That makes sense. Calling Lu Yuan directly instead of "friend of Leisen" makes sense. Mo Shui is right; it seems the files have indeed been thoroughly searched.

He reached out and took the invitation, which smelled of fish.

"Since you think so highly of me, Baron, I shall accept your offer. However, I need to make some preparations beforehand, so please wait a moment."

Lu Yuan turned and walked into the clinic, clipping the newly bought revolver to his waist.

He then reached into his pocket, making sure the black ball was still inside.

Lu Yuan then picked up the medicine box and went out in a proper manner, before getting into the carriage with the help of the messenger.

It was at the very moment the carriage drove into the darkness.

A faint rustling sound of leather came from the surrounding darkness.

A few clear, bird-like whistles rang out, and darkness returned to the surroundings.

Upon hearing the letter from the sentry inside the base, old Morgan turned around and spread out a map of the inner city of Grim Harbor.

A shadowy glint flashed in those eyes hidden beneath the rest of his gaze.

"The fish has taken the bait, but I wonder if it has anything to do with you... Viscount..."

The black carriage drove through the heavy rain and over the muddy cobblestone road, finally stopping in front of a manor on the edge of the inner city.

"Thorn Manor," as its name suggests, is covered with thorny rose vines climbing its towering iron fences.

In the pitch-black rainy night, these vines resembled tangled black snakes, tightly coiling around the ancient mansion.

"Dr. Lu, please."

The messenger, who was in charge of driving, jumped out of the car, opened a black umbrella, and his smile remained stiff and standard.

Lu Yuan tightened his trench coat and stepped down from the carriage.

As soon as you step into the manor gate, a scent of damp earth and strong rose fragrance wafts over you.

The fragrance was so strong it was almost pungent, as if it were trying to mask something.

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

From the perspective of [Specialist], this seemingly luxurious manor is shrouded in an imperceptible layer of gray-black mist.

The color of the fog looked familiar; Lu Yuan thought of the traces he had seen in the sewers of the Black Pine Forest Water Plant.

It seems they've come with ill intentions.

As you continue forward, amidst the intense fragrance of roses in the Thorn Manor, a barely perceptible stench occasionally emerges.

"This taste..."

Lu Yuan frowned.

The messenger seemed to sense something, slowed his pace slightly, and began to explain:

"After the young master fell ill, the house did become somewhat...damp."

"This way, please."

Upon entering the hall, one finds it brightly lit.

The enormous crystal chandelier cast a golden glow, and the carpet was made of soft Persian red velvet; everything looked luxurious and dignified, exuding aristocratic elegance.

But Lu Yuan keenly noticed that something was amiss with the servants in the manor.

Whether it was a maid carrying a silver tray or a male servant standing in the corner.

They were all wearing uniforms with very high collars, thick white gloves, and some even wore scarves indoors.

They walked with their heads down, their posture stiff and sluggish, like dolls with rusty joints.

[Observation Target: Deep-sea pollutants (Primary)]

[Status: A human race contaminated by a strange substance originating from the deep sea is gradually sliding into its embrace.]

[Weakness: Any object tainted by holiness, blunt instruments]

"What a wolf's den..."

Lu Yuan's eyes darkened slightly as he saw the notifications appearing on everyone in front of him.

"Dr. Lu, I've long admired your name."

At the end of the long table in the restaurant, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark red velvet tuxedo stood up.

He held up a wine glass, the scarlet liquid inside shimmering under the light.

The owner of Thorn Manor, Baron Thorn.

"You're too kind, Baron." Lu Yuan didn't step forward to kiss his hand; he simply stood there and nodded slightly.

This already demonstrates Lu Yuan's attitude.

"sit."

The baron waved his hand casually, as if he didn't care at all, the gesture carrying an innate arrogance.

In his eyes, the young doctor in front of him was nothing more than a "dessert" delivered to his door.

Now that the prey is in the cage, he doesn't mind showing off his noble generosity and elegance before eating.

Lu Yuan pulled out a chair and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the plate in front of him.

There is a piece of fresh meat on the plate.

The meat, still bloody and raw, was cooked without any cooking and had a salty, fishy smell from the sea.

"This is a deep-sea rainbow trout that was just caught in the nearshore waters; it is extremely rare."

The baron cut off a piece of bloody flesh, put it in his mouth, and slid it down his throat without even chewing it.

He closed his eyes, a sickly look of ecstasy on his face, as if he were savoring some unparalleled delicacy.

"Such vibrant life force... Dr. Lu, wouldn't you like to try some?"