On the fishing boat back.
Lian Youming suddenly opened his eyes from meditation. Confusion first crossed his face, but when he looked down, the pores on his arms had already tightened of their own accord. An indescribable sense of dread came over him, like thorns against his back, like a sword hanging overhead, about to fall.
Shen San, who was traveling with him, hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? Were you injured earlier?"
Lian Youming shook his head. He merely looked up at the sky, his gaze darting about as though searching for something, but in the end he found no trace.
"I feel unsettled, as though some unseen killing intent has stirred because of me."
At these words, Shen San and Yang Qing exchanged horrified looks, then both looked around as though jolted by electricity, on their guard.
But Lian Youming stopped them. "It isn't nearby. This was just a sudden premonition. It seems opening the Incense Hall this time really did draw some formidable figures. Most likely the Five Elders of the Mountain Guardians, who've remained in hiding."
"White Bone Daoist?"
Yang Qing's expression grew grave. If someone like that was determined to kill a person, there was probably nowhere under heaven to escape unless one cut oneself off from the world entirely. After a brief series of changes, Lian Youming's expression soon returned to normal.
"Once we get back, I'll teach you the Joint Attack Method... if anything happens to me, don't worry about me. Just do everything you can to protect Lingyun."
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
Yang Qing and Shen San spoke in unison.
Shen San said solemnly, "The enemy is hidden while we're exposed. If we pool our efforts, we might still have a chance of winning, but if you fight alone, you really will be cutting off