Chapter 35: Saving Duan Qi

“Then I’ll go outside and find some water. You treat his wounds first.” With that, Zhang Tiezhu turned and headed toward the mouth of the cave.

Jiang Bai said nothing more and immediately began examining Duan Qi’s injuries. Most of his wounds were concentrated around his abdomen and legs. The stretch of road during which Zhang Tiezhu had carried him had torn them open again, and fresh blood was already seeping out. Jiang Bai had discarded her basket while fleeing, and now had only a small amount of medicine for wounds. There was no helping it—she had to begin cleaning Duan Qi’s injuries with what little she had.

Just then, a hurried series of footsteps suddenly came from outside the cave. Jiang Bai instantly grew alert, sprang to her feet, and placed herself in front of Duan Qi.

“It’s me. Don’t be nervous.” Zhang Tiezhu’s voice came from the entrance. A moment later, he walked in carrying a bucket of water.

“You’re back already?” Jiang Bai turned around again.

“There’s a stream just outside the cave. We’ve used its water before, and it’s very clean. It should be safe.” Zhang Tiezhu set the bucket down and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Go on and treat his wounds. I’ll see if I can find some medicinal herbs.”

Jiang Bai nodded and sat down beside Duan Qi once more, continuing to tend to his injuries. Zhang Tiezhu went to the cave entrance and began searching through the surrounding grass for herbs that could stop bleeding and reduce inflammation.

Jiang Bai tore open the clothing around Duan Qi’s wounds with her bare hands. Neither she nor Zhang Tiezhu had any spare clothes, so Duan Qi would have to keep wearing this garment. The less damage she did to it, the better.

At a time like this, Jiang Bai could no longer worry about sterilization. She simply dampened a handkerchief and wiped the wounds. Fortunately, she still had a small knife and some medicine with her, which was enough to provide basic treatment.

At last, she finished dressing Duan Qi’s injuries. Though his wounds were still serious, at least he was no longer in immediate danger.

“I found some medicinal herbs. They should be useful.” Zhang Tiezhu came in holding several sprigs of herbs and handed them to Jiang Bai.

Jiang Bai accepted them and examined them carefully. They were indeed common herbs used to stop bleeding and reduce inflammation. She immediately crushed them and applied them to Duan Qi’s wounds, covering them with clean gauze. Then she tore strips of cloth from the hem of his garment and began bandaging him.

“Captain Duan’s condition is stable for now.” After finishing, Jiang Bai turned her attention to their surroundings. “Is this place really safe? It doesn’t seem all that concealed to me.”

“It is. This is deep in the jungle, and people usually don’t come this way. Besides, the route I took you along was rugged and difficult. Most people couldn’t make it here, and they’d never think to look for us along that path.” Zhang Tiezhu was extremely confident in his abilities.

“Zhang Tiezhu, your injuries need treatment too.” Jiang Bai nodded, then looked up at him with a frown.

“It’s nothing. Just minor wounds.”

“Treat them anyway. The two of us need you to protect us.” Jiang Bai had no way to look after two wounded men. She was strong enough to carry one, but carrying both would be a serious problem.

“You’re right.” Zhang Tiezhu thought it over and agreed. They did not know whether anyone was still pursuing them, so it was best to preserve their fighting strength. If someone really did find this place, he could at least stay behind and hold them off while Jiang Bai and the others escaped.

“The sun is about to set.” Jiang Bai looked at the sunlight outside. “The herb-gathering team is still on the hillside. Perhaps I should go tell them to come down first. Captain Duan’s injuries are too severe; it would be best for him to rest here for a night before we move him. Can you stay here and watch him?”

“I’m faster on my feet. Why don’t I go notify them?” Zhang Tiezhu looked at Jiang Bai, who was disheveled from head to toe, and worried that she might not have the strength to make the journey.

Jiang Bai shook her head. “If I stay here and encounter danger, I may not be able to withstand it. It’s better for you to remain here. Even if I run into trouble on the way, at least you and Captain Duan will still be safe.”

In the end, Zhang Tiezhu gave in. With Duan Qi in his current condition, someone truly could not leave his side. It was indeed safer to have someone with some fighting ability remain there, though it meant making Doctor Jiang bear the burden.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Doctor Jiang. Be careful.” Zhang Tiezhu drew a short blade from his clothing, roughly the length of a forearm, and handed it to her. “Doctor Jiang, keep this with you.”

Jiang Bai did not refuse. She took the blade and headed back. She could not help feeling relieved that they had left markers along the way. With her memory, she might not have been able to find her way back otherwise. A memory as good as Zhang Tiezhu’s was truly enviable.

The afterglow of sunset spilled through the jungle, gilding everything in a layer of golden light. Jiang Bai moved cautiously along the trail, following the markers they had left behind.

After walking for roughly half an hour, she suddenly heard faint footsteps ahead. She stopped at once and held her breath, using her ability to wrap herself in the surrounding vegetation and conceal herself in the darkness. The footsteps drew closer. There seemed to be more than one person. Jiang Bai slowed her breathing and tightened her grip on the blade.

“Are you certain they came this way?” asked a deep male voice.

“Yes. I saw them enter this stretch of jungle with my own eyes,” another voice replied.

Jiang Bai’s heart sank. These people were clearly pursuers. She did not dare act rashly. There were quite a few of them, and she had already used her ability several times while escaping. Not much remained, and she might not be able to deal with all of them. For now, she could only wait in silence and hope they would not discover her.

“Keep searching. They couldn’t have gone far,” the deep voice ordered.

The footsteps gradually faded into the distance. Jiang Bai breathed a sigh of relief, but she still did not reveal herself immediately. She waited for about ten minutes, and only after confirming that the men had gone far did she step out from behind the tree and continue onward.

Anxiety began to gnaw at her. Without realizing it, she quickened her pace, hoping to reach the gathering site as quickly as possible.

At last, she saw the herb-gathering team. Several members were sorting medicinal plants. When they saw Jiang Bai return, they hurried over to meet her.

“Doctor Jiang, why are you back alone? Where’s Tiezhu?” one of the soldiers asked.

“We came across Captain Duan. He was badly wounded, so we’ve settled him in a cave to rest. He can’t be moved for the time being, and Zhang Tiezhu is staying there to protect him.” Jiang Bai spoke between breaths. “There are pursuers searching the area for Captain Duan. The mountain is dangerous now. Everyone must come down immediately.”

“Pursuers? Doctor Jiang, you encountered them?” The team members exchanged uneasy glances.

“Yes. I ran into them on the way here. I managed to shake them off for the moment, but they must still be nearby.” Jiang Bai explained quickly. “Pack everything up, and be quick! Also, notify Deputy General Yang and have him send people to meet us.”

“No. We have to leave several people behind. Since there are already enemies in the mountains, I’m not comfortable leaving you alone.” Pan Rui objected. “Three men should escort the remaining military doctors down the mountain. Everyone else will go with you.”

Jiang Bai agreed. All the team members immediately got to work, swiftly packing the medicinal plants and tools. One man who knew the way led the others down the mountain, while the rest set off with Jiang Bai toward the cave.

“This path is difficult, but it’s relatively safe. As long as we’re careful, we should be able to avoid the pursuers.” Jiang Bai warned them as they walked. She was leading the soldiers along the narrow trail Zhang Tiezhu had taken earlier. It was best not to run into the pursuers if they could avoid it.

However, after they had walked for roughly fifteen minutes, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from ahead. Pan Rui’s heart leapt into his throat. He signaled for the team to stop, quietly pushed Jiang Bai behind the others, and crept forward to investigate.

“Stop! Don’t move!” a cold voice called from ahead.

Pan Rui stopped and looked up. Several men in black stood before them, swords in hand and icy expressions on their faces.

Damn it. They had been discovered.

Pan Rui’s heart sank, but he quickly regained his composure. Turning back, he whispered to the others, “Don’t panic. Follow my orders.”

He swiftly surveyed the surrounding terrain, secretly calculating how they might escape. They were in a dense forest, where the trees were thick and the ground uneven. Though the terrain was unfavorable for flight, it could also provide them with some cover. He lowered his voice and told the team behind him, “Spread out. Look for a chance to break through. Don’t engage them head-on.”

Jiang Bai was shielded in the center of the group. She gripped the blade tightly, her heart racing as she forced herself to remain calm. She knew this was no time to panic. She had to restore her ability as quickly as possible—it was everyone’s last means of survival.

“Who are you? Why are you pursuing us?” Pan Rui called out loudly, trying to stall for time.

“Enough nonsense. Hand over Duan Qi, and we’ll let you live.” The leader of the men in black spoke coldly, as though he was certain they knew Duan Qi.

Pan Rui’s heart jolted. Sure enough, their target was Duan Qi. He gave a cold laugh. “What are you talking about? Who is Duan Qi?”

“Enough talk. Attack!” The black-clad leader waved his hand, and the men behind him immediately charged forward.

“Move!” Pan Rui shouted. The team members scattered at once and engaged the men in black.

Two soldiers shielded Jiang Bai from behind. She watched the battle before her in mounting anxiety. Damn it! The two stretches of mountain road she had crossed earlier had drained her strength completely. Now she could do little more than keep herself from becoming a burden. She could not help them in any meaningful way.

“Doctor Jiang, we have to find a way through!” one of the soldiers whispered.

Jiang Bai nodded and quickly glanced around. On the right, she spotted a narrow path that seemed to lead down the mountain. She lowered her voice. “There’s a small trail over there. Let’s try going that way.”

“Good. We’ll cover you.” The soldier nodded.

The two men guarded Jiang Bai as they edged toward the trail. Their movements, however, did not escape the notice of the black-clad attackers. One of them realized what they were attempting and shouted, “They’re trying to escape! Stop them!”

Seeing this, Pan Rui immediately rushed forward and blocked the attacker’s path.

“Go!” he shouted.

Jiang Bai and the two soldiers darted into the narrow trail and ran for their lives. Fierce fighting erupted behind them. Jiang Bai was frantic, but she knew she could not turn back. They had to find a safe place as quickly as possible.

“Doctor Jiang, we have to move faster! They may catch up with us!” one of the soldiers gasped.

Jiang Bai nodded and quickened her pace. Yet before they had gone far, several more men in black suddenly appeared ahead, blocking the path.

“We’re surrounded!” another soldier cried out.

Jiang Bai’s heart sank. She tightened her grip on the blade. There was only one choice left now: fight to the death.

“Doctor Jiang, we’ll cover you. Find a chance to break through!” one of the soldiers whispered.

Jiang Bai shook her head. Some people simply had no intention of letting anyone escape. “No. We’ll break through together!”

The two soldiers exchanged a glance and nodded. The three of them charged simultaneously toward the men in black.

Although Jiang Bai had already exhausted more than half her strength, she had survived countless battles during the apocalypse. Her blade flashed through a succession of deadly strikes, forcing one of the black-clad men to retreat again and again. The two soldiers also fought with all their might, engaging the attackers in a fierce struggle.

However, the enemy had the advantage in numbers, and they soon fell into a disadvantageous position. One soldier was knocked to the ground, while the other was forced back step by step.

Jiang Bai was frantic, but she knew she could not give up. Gritting her teeth, she prepared to unleash her ability in one desperate gamble.

At that critical moment, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.

“Doctor Jiang, we’re here!”

Jiang Bai turned her head and saw Lin Qing charging over with several soldiers, joining the battle.

She looked up sharply. Lin Qing and the others had emerged from the woods on the side, and their sudden appearance caused the black-clad attackers to falter for a moment.

“Lin Qing!” Jiang Bai cried out in delighted surprise, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart.

Lin Qing quickly rushed to her side and guarded her back. In a low voice, he said, “We’re here. Don’t be afraid.”

“How did you find us?” Jiang Bai asked between breaths. She assumed Lin Qing had been sent to reinforce them.

“We came up the mountain to hunt. When we heard fighting over here, we came to take a look. We didn’t expect to run into you.” Lin Qing gave a brief explanation, then fixed his sharp gaze on the men in black. “This isn’t the time to talk. Let’s deal with them first!”

“Good!” Jiang Bai nodded, struggling to steady herself as she tightened her grip on the blade.

With the soldiers Lin Qing had brought joining the fight, the situation changed in an instant. The men in black were well trained, but they had lost the advantage in both numbers and momentum. Seeing this, Pan Rui seized the opportunity and ordered his men to counterattack.

“Don’t let a single one of them escape!” Pan Rui shouted, his sword flashing with even greater ferocity.

The men in black had clearly not expected reinforcements. The leader’s expression darkened as he spoke to his subordinates in a low voice. “Fall back! The mission has failed. Withdraw for now!”

“Trying to run? Not so fast!” Lin Qing sneered and quickly pursued them with several soldiers.

Though the black-clad men retreated in haste, they had clearly prepared for this possibility and were extremely familiar with the terrain. They split up and fled in different directions, attempting to shake off their pursuers.

“Don’t let them escape!” Lin Qing shouted, waving for the soldiers to pursue them separately. He himself kept his eyes fixed on the leader, driving forward and rapidly closing the distance.