Only two days had passed before Lu Zhenghao contacted Lu Yunze and the others again, saying that the investigation into that little thief had yielded a major clue.
Same as last time, Dong Youer acted as the bridge of communication between the two sides and came to Luo Qiaoying’s residence to discuss the details of the plan with them.
“We have already gathered the target’s personal information and address, and we’ve sent people to conduct reconnaissance.” Dong Youer adjusted her glasses and said, “We mustn’t delay. Let’s set off immediately, before he escapes.”
Lu Yunze was still carefully studying the intelligence when he saw Dong Youer come up to him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Minister Lu places great importance on this operation. I hope you can perform as well as last time.”
“Uh, okay.”
“After all, I’m the one leading this cooperation. If things really go wrong, I’m worried about losing my job.”
“Alright, got it.”
As soon as Dong Youer left, Luo Heng hooked his arm around Lu Yunze’s shoulders.
“You punk, you’ve even managed to hook up with the Minister of the Execution Division. Are you planning to leave the Luo family and join the Execution Division?”
“I don’t mean that at all. He came to me himself.”
“Yeah, right, he came to you himself. Isn’t it because he fancies your ability?”
Luo Heng patted his chest.
“That’s just how you are.”
How baffling.
Even after Luo Heng left, Lu Yunze still didn’t understand what he was thinking.
After the Second Young Master of the Luo family left, Luo Yao appeared before him.
“Brother Lu, are you going to leave the Luo family?”
“You believed his words too?”
“Do you have such intentions?” Luo Yao narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression serious.
“Well… not for now.”
As soon as he said that, the tense atmosphere was immediately alleviated by Luo Yao’s smile.
“That’s good.” Luo Yao said with a smile. “Brother Lu, you must remember the kindness our family has shown you. I hope you won’t do anything to disappoint the family.”
“Mm, okay.”
“After all, Father thinks highly of you. He won’t just let you go to another faction.”
When Luo Yao said this, she no longer met his gaze, and a strange glint flickered in her eyes.
“What I mean is, Brother Lu, as the child of Father’s friend, he certainly won’t stand by and watch you fall into danger.”
“Mm, I understand everything you said.”
Everything was ready. Everyone set off together for the little thief’s residence.
When they got into the car, everyone was surprised to find that there was already a guest waiting in the back seat.
“Minister Lu?” Lu Yunze’s eyes widened.
“Ah, don’t mind me. I’m just here to see how you perform. It’s not like I came to settle scores with that little thief who made me suffer so much.”
Lu Yunze was sweating profusely. He could only force a smile and sit in, not daring to initiate conversation with Lu Zhenghao the entire way.
That little thief lived in an old apartment building. According to intelligence from the scouts, after he returned home, no one had seen him come out.
As for this little thief, they had also looked into the impressions of the neighbors:
“He’s a very odd-tempered person. He rarely talks to us.”
“Ever since he moved in, we can always hear sounds like a fox barking.”
“We can also smell a strong fox odor. It’s fine to keep any pet, but at least he should take care of the hygiene.”
In short, the reviews were not good. No wonder he had the audacity to sneak into Luo Qiaoying’s residence.
After arriving at the destination, Lu Zhenghao and Dong Youer parked the car nearby, while the others split up.
Lu Yunze climbed the stairs and arrived at the little thief’s door. First, he pressed his ear against the door to check for any sounds inside.
He waited for a while, but heard no major sounds from inside. He wondered if the thief might be sleeping.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
Lu Yunze took a small box from his pocket, removed a gray clay ball from inside, then pinched it into a long, thin shape and slowly inserted it into the keyhole.
It was a clever gadget provided by the Execution Division that could take the shape of the corresponding key. Once exposed to air, it would harden quickly, making it a one-time master key.
After counting a few seconds, Lu Yunze stared at the lock and slowly applied force with his hand.
Click.
It opened!
Lu Yunze silently pushed the door open, then closed it behind him.
“So stinky, what’s that smell?”
As soon as he entered, a pungent stench hit him. Was this the fox odor the neighbors mentioned? It felt like walking into a doghouse that hadn’t been cleaned for a year.
It’s one thing for a pet to smell, but this is too strong?
Lu Yunze had to hold his breath to avoid feeling sick, otherwise he would have vomited.
Could anyone actually live in a place like this?
Since entering, Lu Yunze hadn’t heard any sound.
There was no one in the living room, so he went to the bedroom. The door was not closed.
Still no one.
Lu Yunze frowned, then searched the bathroom and other places, but still found no trace of anyone.
Had he run away?
Impossible. With someone monitoring him around the clock, how could he escape?
Lu Yunze tried to locate the source of the fox odor. The strongest spot was actually the bedroom, especially the bed.
But here he found no signs of keeping a pet—no pet bed, no pet food.
Instead, on the bed, he saw many strange hairs.
He picked one up, brought it to his nose, and sniffed.
“So stinky!”
The stench that entered his nostrils almost made Lu Yunze throw up his breakfast.
Was that guy sleeping with a fox?
Lu Yunze began searching the rest of the bedroom. When he opened the wardrobe, he was startled.
There was a statue inside the wardrobe, facing Lu Yunze.
He was all too familiar with this design.
A figure in a black robe, holding a book in one hand, with tentacles extending from under the robe.
On the base was carved a pattern of a cross entwined with thorns.
The Black Star Cult?!
Meanwhile, outside the apartment.
“You’er, a cigarette.”
“Sure, Minister.”
Dong Youer smiled and handed a cigarette to Lu Zhenghao.
“We’re parked this close, won’t something happen?” Lu Zhenghao asked after lighting the cigarette.
“Don’t worry, Minister. If you don’t trust others, you can trust me, right?”
Dong Youer’s laughter came from behind.
“Hmm…”
Although Dong Youer had only recently been promoted to Commissioner, her efficiency was unquestionable, and she was deeply trusted by Lu Zhenghao.
If she said it was fine, then it was probably…
Bang!
Suddenly, something slammed against the window next to him, startling Lu Zhenghao so much that his cigarette fell from his mouth.
The glass on the car door was cracked all over. If it had flown directly into the car, it would have hit his head.
“What’s going on?”
“I’ll get out and check.”
As soon as Dong Youer got out of the car, a scream came from her.
Before Lu Zhenghao could understand what was happening, the car door opened by itself.
Standing outside the door was a stubbly man with a very familiar face.
No one else but the very thief they were tasked to capture.
“I didn’t expect the Minister himself to take action. Then I have no choice but to welcome you.”
The man grinned and reached out toward Lu Zhenghao.
Lu Zhenghao’s face instantly turned pale. To avoid alerting the enemy, he hadn’t brought many people with him.
Just as the thief was about to succeed, he heard footsteps in the distance. Looking up, he saw Lu Yunze rushing toward them.
“Got you!”
Lu Yunze struck with his sword, but missed the agile thief, instead cutting off the car door.
The thief snorted coldly, faced off with Lu Yunze for a moment, then turned and ran.
Taking advantage of the thief’s turn, Lu Yunze chased after him and swung his sword.
The thief’s form suddenly changed. He transformed into a long, slender four-legged creature, dodging Lu Yunze’s strike.
“Heh.”
The thief chuckled and quickly ran toward a side path.
So the source of the fox odor was himself?
Lu Yunze took a deep breath, confirmed Minister Lu was fine, then gave chase.
The thief kept running while complaining:
“Damn it, I can’t stay here anymore.”
But he was also glad that no one here could match his speed, otherwise it would be a bit…
“Wah!”
The thief suddenly stepped on something, causing him not only to fall but also to slide forward uncontrollably.
He didn’t stop until he hit the wall. Before he could recover, a scythe was placed against his neck.
“Don’t move, you clumsy fox.”
Jiang Sui smiled.
“Is Donghai City some kind of zoo? First a cat, then a fox, what’s next?”
Seeing this, the thief quickly returned to human form and let out an awkward laugh.
“Then… how should I throw you in front of Lu Yunze?”
While Jiang Sui was thinking, the thief’s hand behind his back was already stirring.
Snap.
He quietly released the safety on his handgun.
The sound was very soft, but Jiang Sui still heard it, and the moment he raised the gun, she swung her scythe.
A flash of cold light.
No matter how the thief pulled the trigger, there was no response. Upon closer inspection, he saw that most of the barrel was gone.
“A fox may be fast, but don’t underestimate my feline senses.”
Jiang Sui took off her cloak, revealing a pair of cute cat ears hidden underneath.
Already sharp in senses, with the addition of a new secret art, she could now detect even more dangers.
“I’ve decided.”
Jiang Sui raised her scythe, then held it backward.
“Knocking him out directly is the most efficient.”
Bang!
When Lu Yunze chased into the alley, he saw the unconscious thief and was completely stunned.
He thought there was someone else around, so he remained alert for a while, but no danger came.
Just as he was puzzled, the main force led by Lu Zhenghao himself caught up.
Everyone saw Lu Yunze and the unconscious thief, and they were speechless.
“This is…”
“Don’t say anything.”
Lu Zhenghao strode forward, his expression excited, and grasped Lu Yunze’s hand.
“Saved by you twice. You’ve worked hard. As expected, my judgment is correct.”
As if inspired by Lu Zhenghao, everyone began to cheer, treating Lu Yunze like a big star.
Only Lu Yunze, surrounded, looked completely bewildered.
On the building rooftop that none of them noticed, a girl swung her long legs, seemingly satisfied with her masterpiece.