On the open floor of the room, A-Yuan practiced thrusting, parrying, and blocking with her short dagger over and over again. Her movements were no longer as light and agile as usual, but carried an almost ruthless decisiveness. Sweat soaked the stray hairs on her forehead, her breathing was rapid, but her eyes were unusually bright and firm. Each swing of the dagger seemed to be cutting off yesterday's weakness and hesitation.

The air was filled with the pungent smell of medicinal powder, the fishy smell of minerals, and the warm scent emanating from A-Yuan after exercise, creating a strange, tense atmosphere reminiscent of preparing for battle.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Chengkang finally stopped what he was doing. In front of him were a dozen or so small porcelain bottles and paper packets of different sizes and colors.

He stood up, walked to the door, and called out in a deep voice, "Chief, please bring the brothers in."

Soon, the Shadow Guard leader and the remaining nine Shadow Guards filed in. Each of them had bandaged wounds and stood silently in the small room, like nine unsheathed blades.

Xiao Chengkang's gaze swept over each tired yet resolute face, landing on their wounds, some deep, some shallow. He picked up a small celadon bottle: "This is 'Rejuvenation Powder,' taken internally to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and accelerate wound healing. Take one spoonful each morning and evening." He then picked up a small black pottery jar: "This is 'Jade Skin Ointment,' applied externally to promote tissue regeneration, heal sores, remove necrotic tissue, and promote new tissue growth. Use it when changing dressings."

He approached a shadow guard whose arm was wrapped in thick bandages (it was Xiao Liu, whose arm had been slashed by a knife during the day). He carefully unwrapped the bandages to examine the wound, his movements gentle and practiced. Although the wound was deep, it had been treated promptly, showing no signs of redness or pus. He nodded, personally cleaned the wound again, sprinkled on a special pale yellow anti-inflammatory powder, applied a thin layer of Jade Skin Ointment, and finally carefully bandaged it with clean new bandages.

"The recovery is going well. Take your medication on time and avoid getting it wet," he instructed.

Xiao Liu watched as Xiao Chengkang focused on treating his wounds, his eyes welled up with tears, and he whispered, "Thank you, Young Master!"

Xiao Chengkang examined the wounds of each injured shadow guard in turn, changing their dressings and bandaging them. His movements were steady and professional, carrying the calmness and soothing power unique to a doctor. The atmosphere in the room, amidst the scent of medicine and his silent care, quietly shifted from tense and oppressive to a resilient spirit of shared destiny.

After the inspection was completed, Xiao Chengkang picked up the various colored small bottles and packets on the table and solemnly distributed them to each of the shadow guards.

"The white paper packet is a 'three-step puzzle.' When scattered, anything that touches it will fall over, which can temporarily hinder the enemy."

"The blue porcelain bottle contains 'Bone-Corroding Sand.' It is extremely poisonous, causing death upon contact with blood. Never use it unless it is a matter of life and death!"

"The red jade bottle contains the 'Heart-Protecting Pill.' When taken in the mouth during a serious injury, it can prolong life for a short while and buy time for treatment."

"The brass bottle contains 'Clearing Miasma Pills'. When encountering toxic smoke or miasma, you can take it in advance by holding it in your mouth or inserting it into your nose."

...

...

He explained the purpose of each item, his tone serious: "The journey to Xiling is fraught with even greater peril. These are medicine, and poison. I give them to you not to commit violence, but to save your lives! Remember! Your lives are of utmost importance! Only by living can you fulfill your mission, only by living can you return home!" His gaze swept over each person, finally settling on the leader, "Including you, Chief."

The shadow guard leader looked at the heavy vials of life-giving poison in his hands, then at the slender young man before him, who seemed to possess boundless strength and wisdom. His heart swelled with emotion. He clasped his hands in a deep fist salute, and together with all the shadow guards behind him, they shouted in unison, their voices echoing silently in the small room:

"We swear to protect the young master and lady with our lives! We will definitely return home alive!"

A-Yuan stood to the side, watching Xiao Chengkang's slender yet upright figure under the lamplight, watching the solemn look in his eyes as he distributed medicine bottles, watching his focused profile as he carefully treated the wounds of each shadow guard, and feeling the silent yet surging loyalty and determination of the shadow guards around her. The fear and bloodshed along the way seemed to be quietly dispelled by this small oil lamp, by the fragrance of medicine filling the room, and by this heavy entrustment and promise.

She gripped the short dagger tucked in her sleeve, her eyes filled with an even deeper resolve. The road ahead was uncertain, but at least for this moment, they were not fighting alone. The lamplight flickered softly, casting their two figures, standing side by side, onto the mottled earthen wall, crystal clear.