The inn door was suddenly kicked open, shattered wooden fragments splashing into the hall like shrapnel. Qing Zhu grabbed the trembling silver needle and swiftly pulled it out, her index and middle fingers clamping the long needle. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the flying wood shards scattering.
A thick scent of blood was whipped in by the wind as several people, covered in wounds, stumbled into the inn.
The innkeeper: "..."
Had he not consulted the almanac today? Was it inauspicious to open for business?
In all his years, this was the first time he had witnessed such a scene. Every person who came to Yaowang Valley seeking medical advice was always respectful and cautious. Daring to draw swords and fight in the vicinity of Yaowang Valley, apart from the misunderstanding earlier, this was truly a one-of-a-kind occurrence, like a scorpion’s backside.
Nan Shiying turned her head slightly, her expression nonchalant at first. But as her gaze swept over the first person to rush into the inn, her pupils contracted.
Luan Wencheng?
He and the people beside him were dressed in coarse homespun cloth, their bodies covered in injuries of varying degrees. The one most severely wounded had his right chest pierced directly by a sharp weapon, and the broken blade still remained lodged in his chest.
They were the constables from Dali Temple.
"Who are you people? How dare you cause trouble in the territory of Yaowang Valley?"
The innkeeper's face turned ashen with anger. The guards, brandishing their weapons, rushed towards them from all directions. However, before they could get close, someone outside the inn flung out hidden weapons. The projectiles pierced the air, raining down on the inn like pear blossoms in a storm.
"Xuan Yi!"
Before Nan Shiying's voice had even finished, Xuan Yi had already charged out. Hearing the commotion, Zhuge Qingfeng saw Xuan Yi rushing towards the outside of the inn. Without a second thought, he drew his long saber, his internal energy shattering the cloth wrapped around it, and leaped from the second floor, following Xuan Yi out the door.
Nan Shiying stood up and walked towards Luan Wencheng and his companions.
Qing Zhu and Qing Yuan exchanged a look and quickly rose, dutifully following behind her.
Poison Elder clicked his teeth.
What was all this?
He pressed his temples, then finally put down his teacup and walked over.
Xuan Yi drew his long sword, deflecting the incoming hidden weapons. Without even glancing at Luan Wencheng and the others behind him, he charged outwards.
Zhuge Qingfeng followed closely behind.
Luan Wencheng dragged his severely injured comrade to the side and crouched beside him. Sensing someone approaching, he turned, his eyes bloodshot and ferocious, like a wild beast ready to pounce at any moment.
Nan Shiying stopped, ignoring his fierce gaze, and said calmly, "I won't ask why you are here in Yaowang Valley, but... if you continue to block me, your companion might truly die."
Luan Wencheng was stunned by her words. The ferocity in his eyes gradually receded, and he moved aside, clearing a path.
Nan Shiying walked closer and knelt down. She looked at the man whose breath was as fine as a thread and who seemed on the verge of death. She reached out to Qing Zhu.
Her needle case was still spread on the table. The long needle Qing Zhu held could not be used now. Qing Zhu handed the needle to Qing Yuan and took out her own silver needles from her waist, passing them over.
As the silver needles entered her hand, Nan Shiying raised an eyebrow slightly.
Her own set of silver needles was better to use, but with the urgency of the situation, it was not the time to be picky.
She used a silver needle to stop the man's bleeding, then pulled out the broken weapon from his chest. It was a saber, its blade riddled with grooves and densely packed with sharp spikes.
Nan Shiying tutted.
She examined the spikes and found that a few had broken off.
Nan Shiying looked down at the man's chest. Without suitable tools at hand, if the person were to be saved, the embedded thorns would have to be removed within a short time. Otherwise, if they remained inside and festered, even the King of Heaven himself descending would be powerless to help.
Nan Shiying put a pill into his mouth and then looked up at Luan Wencheng, saying, "The thorns of this saber have broken off inside him and need surgery. I'm using medicine to sustain his life, so he won't die anytime soon."
Luan Wencheng moved his lips. He changed his crouching posture to kneeling and knelt before Nan Shiying, "I beg the divine doctor to save my brother."
"Of course, I will save him. The Prince is still waiting for you to report back to the capital."
Luan Wencheng's expression changed instantly, but then he suppressed it tightly. Something seemed to roll in his throat, and after a long pause, he spat out a few words through gritted teeth, "This subordinate understands."