CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 409 PROVOCATION

Although Xia Mian has been to the Lu Family many times, apart from initially staying for a few days to help Lu Zechuan break the curse, she hasn’t spent much time there.

If someone intends to avoid her, she may not necessarily discover them.

Originally, she thought the curse on Lu Zechuan was caused by Shen Man’s mischief, and after Shen Man’s death, the curse lifted naturally.

This was indeed the case; after Shen Man’s death, Lu Zechuan’s streak of bad luck improved, and he further developed the potential of the Wood Clan, gradually distancing himself from his misfortune.

However, today, the Little Black Cat unexpectedly discovered that someone from the Mystical World was hiding in the Lu Family.

Has this person from the Mystical World been lurking in the Lu Family for a long time, or have they started frequenting the Mystical World and the real world only recently?

"It seems that what I thought was a secure rear is not secure at all," Lu Zechuan chuckled self-deprecatingly, his dark eyes slightly lowered.

Xia Mian’s dark eyes were deep, "Maybe this problem has only appeared recently."

Thinking of the strange incidents with the Ji Family recently, Xia Mian increasingly felt this speculation was more reliable.

Lu Zechuan contemplated for a moment, "Let’s go for a walk."

Xia Mian nodded, but as they reached the door, she paused and turned back to the Little Black Cat, "From today onwards, you shouldn’t appear at the Lu Family Villa anymore."

The Little Black Cat immediately looked a bit panicked, "Master, are you abandoning me?"

Xia Mian’s voice softened slightly, "Go to the Riverfront Villa with me and Lu Zechuan."

Saying this, Xia Mian informed the Little Black Cat of the Riverfront Villa’s location.

The Little Black Cat felt reassured, as long as his master wasn’t abandoning him, leaving the Lu Family Villa was not a big deal.

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan went downstairs; Mrs. Lu had already gone back to her room to rest.

The two of them left the mansion and began strolling around it.

The Lu Family Mansion was brightly lit even at night, with some evergreen plants in the front yard. In the left front of the villa, there was a swing adorned with artificial vines.

Even in winter, the Lu Family Villa didn’t appear desolate at all, but rather exuded an air of delicate elegance everywhere.

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan walked leisurely, the cold wind biting on a winter night, yet neither of them felt cold.

After strolling through the front yard and the backyard, they explored every corner of the Lu Family but found no suspicious spots.

Xia Mian couldn’t help but furrow her brows deeply.

"Could it really be that he was mistaken," Lu Zechuan murmured to himself.

Xia Mian didn’t think so.

After all, the Little Black Cat was a spirit pet from the Mystical World, with senses far keener than ordinary animals. Since it perceived an anomaly, there must indeed be something abnormal.

"Call Uncle Sun over," Xia Mian’s eyes slightly lowered, "and ask if there’s been any recent recruitment into the Lu Family."

Lu Zechuan’s eyes flickered suddenly.

Yes, he nearly forgot; Ling Fei and Wei Wei had infiltrated the Lu Family when they were recruiting.

If Ling Fei and Wei Wei could blend into the Lu Family this way, others probably could too.

Lu Zechuan immediately called Uncle Sun.

As soon as he received Lu Zechuan’s call, Uncle Sun hurried to Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian’s side.

Towards Xia Mian, Uncle Sun harbored deep reverence; nowadays, seeing Xia Mian was even more sacred to him than seeing Lu Zechuan.

"Young Master, Miss Xia, do you need something?" Uncle Sun asked respectfully.

Lu Zechuan cleared his throat, "Uncle Sun, has anyone been recruited into the old house recently?"

Uncle Sun squinted, thinking, "Yes, some have been recruited."

As Xia Mian was expanding the avenues for income, there was a need for manpower everywhere. Those with some skills had been sent out by the young master, so during this period, he recruited some people.

"Bring the newly recruited people for me to see," Lu Zechuan said softly, his thin lips slightly moving.

Uncle Sun nodded, "Young master, please wait!"

After Uncle Sun complied, he went to gather the newly recruited servants.

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan exchanged a glance, vaguely feeling that things might not be as simple as they seemed.

Indeed, Uncle Sun brought in nine people but told Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan with embarrassment, "One bodyguard took a temporary leave and isn’t in the old house."

Xia Mian scanned these bodyguards. Although they looked robust, they didn’t have any spiritual energy gathered around them.

These people were just ordinary strong individuals.

So the one with the problem is the temporary absentee?

Xia Mian raised her eyebrows slightly; the person taking leave at this exact moment was certainly timely!

"Uncle Sun made good choices," Lu Zechuan said some polite words after checking and finding nothing amiss, and then Uncle Sun took the men away.

After dispersing them, Uncle Sun approached Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan again, "Young master, are you dissatisfied with these men?"

Lu Zechuan did not hide his concerns and explained to Uncle Sun about the non-human entity in the Lu Family.

Lately, Uncle Sun, having interacted with Xia Mian, had developed a strong capacity to accept such matters.

"What’s the name of the person who didn’t show up today, and what’s their background?" Lu Zechuan asked softly.

"He’s called Ke Wu. According to his resume, he served in the military and has experience as a bodyguard for senior leaders," Uncle Sun answered earnestly.

"Moreover, Ke Wu’s skills are quite good, comparable to Ling Fei," Uncle Sun’s voice calmly reached Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian’s ears.

The two exchanged a glance, both understanding that Ke Wu was suspicious.

Normally, an ordinary person’s skills shouldn’t match Ling Fei’s.

After all, Ling Fei was enhanced by Spiritual Power.

"Got it. You can rest now," Lu Zechuan waved at Uncle Sun.

Uncle Sun nodded slightly towards Lu Zechuan, "Do you need me to call Ke Wu over now?"

Lu Zechuan waved again; if the other party was determined to avoid them, it would be hard to confront them directly.

"Let me know if you need anything," said Uncle Sun, leaving the foyer of the villa.

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan returned side by side to the Lu Family hall. Mrs. Lu had been frightened, and they decided to stay tonight, uncertain if any other disturbances might occur.

Even though Mrs. Lu verbally expressed indifference, she developed a high fever in the second half of the night due to the fright.

Sister-in-law Zhang, frantic like ants on a hot pan, urgently sought help from Lu Zechuan.

Xia Mian, skilled in medicine, immediately examined Mrs. Lu.

However, her fever was peculiar—as if she was burning up, yet she acted like she didn’t feel it, even clamoring for food!

Xia Mian narrowed her eyes; this fever didn’t seem like an illness but more like she was possessed!

Someone had targeted Mrs. Lu right under her nose!

Xia Mian’s face darkened somewhat.

If the tiger doesn’t show its might, do they think she’s a sick cat?

Excellent.