[A nonhuman howl suddenly exploded across the lake. The sound waves sent the billows surging wildly, ripping the lotuses from the water roots and all!]
[Amid the raging howl of the yin wind, rolling black mist blanketed the entire lake surface. Beyond three zhang, not even a human silhouette could be made out.]
[The temperature plummeted, and frost flowers formed across the boat's planks at a rate visible to the naked eye.]
[The old boatman's arm hairs stood on end. A hoarse whimper escaped his throat, his face taut with terror, while the oar in his hands shook like a sieve.]
[Xue Huaian secretly clasped three green jade talismans within his sleeve and shielded the two women behind him.]
[Mei Qingsu's gaze pierced the deep, murky lake water like lightning.]
[Luo Susu's Eight-Faced Han Sword had already left its sheath by three inches, its blade reflecting a bone-chilling gleam.]
["How could Xie Manor be hiding such an evil thing?" Xue Huaian's voice tightened. He then shook his head and muttered, "No... If it were targeting the Xue Clan, why choose this place?"]
[Xue Huaian's thoughts raced. Naturally, he immediately suspected that the Xie Clan was targeting him, or the Xue Clan.]
[He was hardly important enough for the Xie Clan to make a move specifically against him.]
[If the Xie Clan meant to commit wrongdoing, they could have set an ambush along his way to Xie Manor. Why choose the Grand View Garden, packed full of guests?]
[Moreover, the Xue Clan elders were also among the guests at Xie Manor today. Attacking a junior like him would only startle the snake in the grass.]
[As he pondered this, Mei Qingsu suddenly said, "It's a Corpse Puppet from the White Bone Temple!"]
[With that, he lightly pinched a bronze dart engraved