They ran for an unknown distance until they were sure there were no more pursuers, then stopped at the ruins of an abandoned post station. The setting sun, like blood, dyed the broken walls a mournful orange-red. Soon, the leader of the Shadow Guards, along with the remaining eleven Shadow Guards, caught up, all covered in blood and breathing heavily.

"Young master, young lady, we're safe for now." The leader gasped for breath, his face covered in blood, his voice hoarse. "Four brothers have been lost... and two more..." His voice choked as he looked at the two men being supported by their companions.

The two men were severely injured. One had a pierced waist and abdomen; although it was tightly bound with wound medicine and cloth strips, blood continued to seep out, his face was ashen, and his breath was weak. The other man's shoulder blade was almost split open; his arm hung limply at his sides, the wound was deep enough to expose the bone, the flesh was torn open, and he had lost too much blood and was in a semi-conscious state.

Xiao Chengkang immediately stepped forward, squatted down, and carefully examined the wound. He untied the bandage to check the penetrating wound in the waist and abdomen, then checked the injured man's wrist pulse, his brow furrowed. Looking at the severely wounded man in the shoulder blade, the wound was gruesome, indicating significant blood loss and severe damage to the arm's meridians. He quickly took out silver needles, inserted them into several acupoints to stop the bleeding, and then took out his treasured life-saving pills and stuffed them into the injured man's mouth, but the grave look on his face did not disappear.

"The injury pierced through the waist and abdomen, damaging the internal organs. He needs to lie still immediately and receive treatment, otherwise his life will be in danger." Xiao Chengkang's voice was deep and carried an unquestionable authority. "The shoulder blade injury has damaged the tendons and bones, and caused excessive blood loss. It cannot be healed here. He must be sent back to Jiangnan immediately. I will write a letter right away and ask my master to take action. Perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope to save his arm."

Under the dilapidated eaves of the post station, all was deathly silent. Only the painful groans and heavy breathing of the wounded could be heard.

“Young Master…” A Yuan looked at the two critically injured shadow guards, then at Xiao Chengkang’s tired yet resolute profile, her heart aching. These people were all injured because of her.

“Chief,” Xiao Chengkang stood up and looked at the Shadow Guard leader, his eyes blazing, “send two brothers with the lightest injuries and the fastest pace to immediately escort them back to the Prince Jing’s Mansion in Jiangnan! Make sure they travel at top speed, day and night! I will write a letter detailing the injuries and key points of treatment and give it to my master!”

"Yes!" the Shadow Guard leader replied without hesitation, immediately pointing out two people.

Xiao Chengkang quickly tore off a corner of his clothes, bit his fingertip, and, using the faint light of the setting sun, wrote down the prescription and key points of treatment in his blood. The handwriting was messy but powerful. He handed the blood-written letter to one of the guards.

“Tell them,” Xiao Chengkang’s gaze swept over the two seriously injured shadow guards, his voice carrying a heavy promise, “as long as they have a breath left, the Jingwang Mansion will spare no effort to heal them! We will be waiting for you to return to your unit at the forward post station!”

The two guards solemnly accepted the blood-written letter, carefully helped their seriously wounded comrade onto the horse and secured him, clasped their hands in a deep fist salute to Xiao Chengkang and A Yuan, and to the remaining brothers, then mounted their horses and rode away into the blood-red sunset.

A brief silence fell over the inn. A-Yuan walked to Xiao Chengkang's side, looking at the lingering blood on his fingertips and the weariness between his brows, and whispered, "Kang Kang...we..."

Xiao Chengkang raised his hand and gently brushed away a speck of blood from her temple, his eyes resolute: "Wait. All we have to do is wait, wait for them to settle the wounded and return. Then, we'll continue on our way." He looked westward, where twilight was deepening. "We must finish this journey."