Su Yu swept over the mountain pass and down the rocky gully.
On the other side of the ridge, the dense roars of beasts could no longer be heard. Chaotic footprints marked the mud, and blades had cut footholds into several steep stretches. Steward Chen and the others had clearly left them during their retreat.
Following the tracks for a while, Su Yu finally spotted figures ahead.
Xu An carried an injured man on his back, his right leg moving stiffly. Beside him, a herb worker kept a hand against the injured man's back. Steward Chen brought up the rear, glancing toward the pass from time to time. His long blade remained drawn.
Sensing someone approach, he spun around.
When he saw the white-robed figure clearly, Steward Chen stopped dead.
"Young Master Su!"
At his shout, the others turned as well. Xu An opened his mouth, then looked Su Yu over. Only after confirming he had truly returned did Xu An let out a long breath.
Steward Chen hurried forward.
“Those Demon Beasts...”
"They've scattered. They won't come after us for now."
Su Yu glanced over the group.
"Everyone here?"
"Everyone. Not one missing."
Steward Chen answered at once, but a fresh wave of fear rose in him as soon as the words left his mouth.
While carrying the injured over the pass, he had scarcely dared think about how much longer Su Yu could hold out alone behind them. Only when that figure reappeared did the stone pressing on his heart finally fall away.
Xu An looked down at his leg and gave a rueful smile. "I wanted to stay and help, but I couldn't even keep up on the road."
"Your injury hasn't healed. Don't push yourself."
Su Yu walked over and took the injured man from his