Deep in the mountain forest, the sounds of pursuit were swept away by the evening breeze, and the chilling sense of danger finally faded completely.
No one dared pause. They hurried back along the familiar mountain trail upstream.
Cold wind swept through the woods, making their battered clothes flap.
Li Xiang waited with Kohaku, Chrome, and Ginro at the agreed rendezvous point upstream, her gaze fixed firmly on the forest path behind them.
Everyone had returned safely except Maguma, who was still nowhere to be seen.
Just as their anxiety mounted and they kept looking toward the far end of the woods, a burly figure emerged slowly along the forest trail, his steps slightly unsteady.
Maguma's left arm hung limply, his sleeve dark with blood. Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, he had shaken off everyone pursuing him and forced himself along the route to catch up.
At the sight of him returning safely, everyone's taut nerves finally relaxed.
Li Xiang hurried forward to meet him. Her eyes immediately fell on his bleeding arm, and her brows drew together sharply, concern filling her gaze.
"Don't move the wound. Whatever you do, don't strain that arm."
Li Xiang immediately cautioned him, "Hang in there a little longer. Once we're back at the village, I'll clean and treat it right away."
With that, she raised a hand and gently checked his overall condition, carefully examining his torso and limbs before asking softly.
"Besides the arrow wound on your arm, do you have any other scrapes?"
Maguma shook his head slightly.
Once she confirmed that he had no other injuries, Li Xiang breathed a small sigh of relief, her expression easing.
"That's good. Getting everyone back safely is the best outcome we could ask for. Let's head back to the village."
Looking