Creak...

Lu Sheng shut the window before turning around examining the room.

He took off his outer coat hanging it on the clothes rack behind the door.

Then opened the wardrobe. A few ashen women clothes inside belonging to sister Yu. Closing it, he went checking the dresser.

The plain dresser lacked any ornamentation. Just a copper mirror placed dead center.

Some faint pink powder was sprinkled before the mirror. Lu Sheng extended a finger collecting some for a sniff.

"Ordinary floral scents women use."

Lu Sheng suddenly frowned.

"I recall sister Yu disliked using cosmetic powder."

Whoosh...

Abruptly a cold gust blew as the candle flames violently swayed.

Lu Sheng swiftly gripped his saber while scanning the room all around.

Swish.

The not fully latched door gap glimpsed a fleeting swath of white clothing corner.

Lu Sheng hastened over.

"I clearly remember shutting it firm after entering."

He touched the wooden bolt. The padlock was still unclasped atop it.

Opening the door he walked out to the corridor inspecting around.

The long passage was completely empty and chilling.

Constant cold air kept wafting in.

Lu Sheng's frigid gaze swept once finding nothing amiss.

So he returned into the room.

Slamming it shut.

He sat down at the table. Laying the saber flat on its surface while gripping the hilt.

And so he settled there awaiting the so-called female wails.

The lamplight was dim like beans.

Time crawled by at a snail's pace.

Supported by Jade Crane Skill, Lu Sheng didn't feel the slightest drowsiness. Remaining vigorously seated by the table awaiting the weeping.

When nothing occurred eventually, he accelerated circulating his Jade Crane Skill using his mind.

Anyway this nourishing art was extremely steady. Even if he wanted, he couldn't disrupt its flow.

Unknowingly quite some time stealthily slipped by.

Until clear crowing transmitted from outside the window heralding the originally pitch blackness gradually dyeing into faint whiteness.

Only then did Lu Sheng abruptly realize he sat fixated the entire night.

"Where are the female wails? Nothing whatsoever the whole night."

He could glimpse the vaguely brightening external radiance through the window too.

Lifting his saber, Lu Sheng stood up moving his body about.

Stepping out and walking down the corridor also allowed some daylight permeation. Arriving at the lotus room's yard, yesterday's used dinnerware still laid scattered where they were.

Muffled voices were audible from outside the yard.

Lu Sheng strode over forcing the gates wide open.

His father Lu Quan An, niece Lu Ying Ying, sister Lu Yi Yi and other close kin already awaited outside early on.

Seeing the room door swing open, everyone simultaneously recoiled back one step in shock.

Sighting Lu Sheng, Lu Quan An hastily moved forward.

"My son! No mishaps right?!"

Utmost concern filled his face.

The others even lifted fiery torches in hand. Some of the hurried guards who arrived were clutching bared blades too. Puzzlement arose inside Lu Sheng.

"What's going on? Did anything happen?" His voice rang out asking.

Lu Quan An sighed deeply.

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"Another person vanished from home last night."

"Huh???"

Lu Sheng promptly widened his eyes.

Only then did second mother Lady Liu walk up recounting events.

Turned out while Lu Sheng kept night watch, the rest all approached the vicinity. Indeed no more female wails were heard then.

Initially all seemed normal. Guards patrolled their patrols. Many family members claiming to rest inside their rooms actually laid awake mostly awaiting the outcome instead of actual sleep.

But later, trouble occured.

"He... he said heading to the latrine yet never returned after leaving..."

A plump woman cried bitterly while clutching a handkerchief.

This woman was Lu Sheng's birth mother and niece of his grandmother Sun Yan. His young aunt Sun Zi Ning.

The missing individual this time was Lu Sheng's cousin Sun Ba Jun.

Lu Sheng and Sun Ba Jun weren't close. That kid loved gambling money and was rather lazy. Lu Sheng often lectured him harshly over it. So that boy disliked him. Always avoiding or taking detours when they met.

Didn't expect he would be the vanishing one now.

Lu Sheng's brows knitted tight.

"I didn't sleep the entire night. Just sat in the room listening intently. No female wails whatsoever."

Hearing this, everyone's hearts cooled in tandem now.

"What exactly is going on?!"

Young aunt Sun Zi Ning bawled loudly.

"Sister Zi Ning, don't panic first. There must still be solutions." Second mother Lady Liu pulled her aside to console.

"Let's head to the great hall. We'll discuss countermeasures together."

Lu Quan An sighed and said.

Under the circumstances they could only leave this location first.

Lu Quan An summoned his son Lu Sheng over along with the few closest direct kin plus big brother Lu An Ping to the great hall.

Its doors shut. Everyone took their seats. The atmosphere stifling.

Eldest brother Lu An Ping had thick brows and wide eyes. A stern square-faced middle aged man.

He wore prevalent Song dynasty half body silver scale armor. A ceremonial curved blade on his waistband. Expression solemn seated beside Lu Quan An.

"The crux now becomes whether to involve the yamen's authorities or not." Big brother slowly said. "If we still can't determine the root cause, I'm afraid inevitably requiring external intervention later on."

"Easy to invite gods but hard to send them away..." Lu Quan An exhaled having already sighed who knew how many times today.

He aged rapidly these days drained of vigor. His whole being seemed decades older.

Lu Sheng silently occupied the bottom seat.

Lu Quan An glimpsed at his son.

"My son. Any thoughts? You're destined wielding this household. Presently facing such straits, how do you propose resolving it? Are you prepared?"

Lu Sheng shut then opened his eyes about to reply.

"Terrible news, terrible news!"

Suddenly Xiao Qiao's calls sounded from outside.

"Young Master! Big brother! Some manor residents are trying escaping!"

Lu Sheng promptly stood up striding over opening the door. Xiao Qiao awaited there red-faced.

"Young Master, another person disappeared. Guard leader Wang Chong secretly slipped off with many people! I heard maid gossip so rushed over reporting!"

"They escaped?"

Lu Sheng's eyes flashed open.

He predicted mass panic prompting some to flee. Just didn't expect it occurring so soon.

"Where's Wang Chong currently?"

"Unsure. We only discovered after they fled. Lord Zhao Fang Hu and the others seem to be gathered together in the main yard. I fear they want leaving too."

Xiao Qiao hurriedly added.

That Zhao Fang Hu was another leader among the guards.

"How many congregated?"

Lu Quan An swiftly asked.

"Not certain. But a lot!" Xiao Qiao promptly answered.

"I'll take a look!"

Lu Sheng's expression chilled. Striding with large steps toward the main yard.

Lu Quan An and big brother Lu An Ping also followed with darkened faces.

The group rapidly arrived at the main yard.

Already over twenty gathered inside. Mostly guards with a few maids.

Alarm and anxiety shrouded all their faces.

Some already finished packing baggage fully prepared for departure any second.

Seeing Lu Sheng's party show up, the formerly boisterous mood quieted down a bit.

"Who wants leaving?"

Lu Sheng walked before everyone asking indifferently.

"We all do!"

A male guard stood out. Surprisingly the very same Zhao Fang Hu still with lingering terror on his face.

"Young Master, we're also human lives. What the Lu manor faces now absolutely aren't paranormal affairs but female ghosts!"

He widened his eyes. Orbs filled with fright.

"Absurd!"

Lu Sheng fiercely interjected. Voice severe to the extreme.

"Who permitted you spreading absurdities?!"

"But I clearly witnessed it myself! That white shadow! Don't think the Lu household can drag us down together...!"

Spurt!

Blood spattered onto the ground.

That guard's head abruptly went flying before heavily bouncing and knocking into the feet of a maid clutching her luggage.

"Those who dare spread nonsense die!!"

Lu Sheng bellowed furiously. Saber raised as he glowered at these uneasy restless people before him.

Thud.

Only then did that headless guard corpse topple over.

"Ahhhh!!"

The maid shrieked out.

"Silence!"

Ruthlessness exuded from Lu Sheng. His sweeping gaze instantly frightened that shouting maid into muffling herself. Now softly sobbing instead.

Those guards and servants never witnessed such bloody cruel scenes before.

Terrified into trembling all over with terrified faces yet daring not the slightest sound.

"All of you scram back inside. Further disruptions means death!"

Lu Sheng yelled harshly.

Deep dread filled everyone's eyes.

Under his overbearing aura they finally recalled this young master once massacred quite a few fugitives single-handedly!

Hastily scattering away evasively like refugees then.

That fallen guard's corpse also got handled by previously obedient guards who didn't participate earlier.

All these servants, maids and guards signed slave contracts upon recruitment.

Did they truly assume the Lu household were some soft-hearted saints?

After the masses all departed, Lu Sheng turned around seeing the astonishment and complex stares from Lu Quan An and big brother Lu An Ping.

"Meeting violence with violence. Merely expediency." Big brother shook his head and said.

"Temporary deterrence will do. If left unresolved shortly, even us at the Lu family must flee then."

Lu Sheng calmly replied.

"Looks like we've got no choice but beseeching the yamen now... Luckily my son you are present this time." Lu Quan An sighed and said. "Your resolution and tactics showed backbone and strategy. Quite reassuring as a father."

Lu Sheng stated heavily.

"I'll stand night watch again tonight! I insist on witnessing just what is daring enough acting so brazenly inside my household!

Father be at ease. Although lacking discoveries last night, I already grasped some clues."

"Truly?" Lu Quan An's spirits rose.

"Absolutely!"

"Need me mobilizing troops over?"

Big brother earnestly asked.

"Best avoiding drastic actions for now I fear. We remain ignorant on these paranormal things' capabilities. Too many will only hinder instead." Lu Sheng shook his head. "Stationing some outside the manor should do."

"Agreed. Everything depends on you this time my son!" Big brother nodded while patting Lu Sheng's shoulder.

Despite his deputy commander post, he wasn't of the Jianghu. Moreover so many years passed since Song military saw combat.

Frankly, his current position was attained through military strategy and tactics exams instead of actual combat. So right now everyone pinned their hopes onto Lu Sheng.

"Rest assured." Recalling that glimpsed white clothing corner, faint premonition emerged inside Lu Sheng.

If he could capture that white garment's owner, perhaps resolving the endless disappearances.