Special Forces Medic

Lao Jiu finally relaxed but the Assassin’s counterattack speed was astonishing. Without waiting for Yelv Shou to take a moment’s rest, his right fist attacked from top to bottom at a cunning angle, aiming for a part unimaginable to ordinary people. It was even more unbelievable that his left-hand fingers, after issuing a bizarre clicking sound, quickly returned to their original shape as if they had never been broken. Meanwhile, the thirty-centimeter-long Serpent Sword followed the right fist’s attack directly toward Yelv Shou’s neck.

Left claw raised up in defense while the right claw formed into a palm meeting the Assassin. Bang! Bang! After a series of intense exchanges, the two parted ways in mid-air, sparks flying, and as Yelv Shou landed, a gust of wind attacked him from behind.

"What?" He had always thought they acted alone; he never anticipated a situation where they’d team up. Sharp steel spikes pierced from behind into his shoulder, with one claw grasping the end emerging from the front. His eyes widened, unable to ponder over the piercing pain, his right claw reached backwards.

With a "puff" sound, the Steel Claw deeply embedded into the opponent’s flesh, while the previous Assassin, seeing this, held the Serpent Sword horizontally before his chest, striding forward toward Yelv Shou.

Lao Jiu shouted furiously at the sight, landing behind the Assassin, he executed a technique to swoop towards the Assassin, drawing out the fan from his back, spinning the mechanism in the fan handle, shooting several silver glints aiming at the Assassin’s back.

The Serpent Sword blocked in a fierce motion behind him, the fired Silver Needles were struck down onto the ground, while the rushing figure slowed down for this. Lao Jiu seized the moment, leapt forward swinging the steel fan towards the face of the Assassin behind Yelv Shou, the airflow carried by the fan’s head directly struck the Assassin’s head. Yelv Shou was startled; this guy was truly reckless, had he been off by a moment, wouldn’t it have shaved off his own head too?

"Scatter!" Lao Jiu roared, already arriving overhead, and the pursuing Assassin with the Serpent Sword also arrived in front of him. "You idiot, why are you looking at me, watch your front."

A large vacant space appeared behind Lao Jiu, while Yelv Shou stood there like a fool with his mouth agape, it was infuriating. The fan head finally struck the Assassin, with the opponent’s steel spike still within Yelv Shou’s body, he quickly devised a plan, slapping his palm against the steel spike, bouncing out, while the steel fan brushed past his scalp overhead, Lao Jiu’s body skewed through between the two, in mid-air he forcibly twisted his body striking at the Assassin behind him once again.

And over here, having just escaped the Assassin, Yelv Shou could not dodge the direct strike of the Serpent Sword, he backed up against Lao Jiu, if he easily stepped aside self-preservation was ensured but Lao Jiu would suffer heavy blows. He shouted having glimpsed the direction of the Serpent Sword’s stab, unwavering, he didn’t even flinch, instead firmly gripped the Serpent Sword with both hands. The opponent’s speed and strength exploded at that moment, although holding the Serpent Sword, the vibration from the grasp nearly broke through Yelv Shou’s wrists.

"Are you alright?" Lao Jiu asked without turning around, the previous metal clash was too loud, he couldn’t help starting to worry.

"Take care of yourself, I’ll remember this later."

"Such a small matter."

With Lao Jiu restraining another Assassin, Yelv Shou faced this guy again, left claw gripping the blade and right claw snatching the back of the opponent’s hand, his right foot stepped back deeply into the sandy beach, forcibly halting the opponent’s impact, the Assassin, seeing his left hand caught, lifted his right foot to kick at Yelv Shou’s lower abdomen.

"Damn it!" Abandoning the left hand, Yelv Shou spun 180 degrees to the left, lifting his right leg to kick at the opponent’s calf, but his opponent hadn’t truly intended to kick his abdomen, realizing this too late, his right foot missed and the Assassin’s sidestepped body came over Yelv Shou.

A chill spread across his neck, the Serpent Sword had already landed on his shoulder. Yelv Shou gasped, feeling that every move he made was anticipated by his opponent, how to strike, how to kick, how to counter, all was clear, facing him was like encountering an insoluble knot, unable to exert greater force.

A person who had been standing to the side suddenly walked towards Yelv Shou. With each step forward, Yelv Shou felt as if the footfall echoed on his heart. This person was distinct from the others, he was sure of it.

"Who are you?" Despite having the same face, Yelv Shou asked aloud.

The Assassin smirked, extending a finger to press against his brow. "Curious? I know you inside and out."

"You..." not even finishing a word, Yelv Shou slumped as if boneless. Lao Jiu stared dumbfounded at the person intending to rush forward yet being entangled by the Assassin behind.

"Move away!" Lao Jiu drew the steel fan creating an arc forward, sending out a gust of wind, falling backward, expecting someone to block him, but the Assassin retreated aside. "Hey, what’s the matter with you?" Shaking Yelv Shou, seeing him unresponsive, without any lethal wounds either, he lifted his head looking towards the Assassin. "What have you done to him?" Ready to strike with the steel fan while the Assassin merely retreated, dodging at every turn.

"You’re not my match."

"No matter, what have you done to him?" Lao Jiu hardly loses his temper like this, the steel fan’s power unleashed couldn’t be underestimated.

"Entangled without clarity!" the Assassin snapped coldly, raising his left hand, fingers pointing directly at Lao Jiu, smiling icily at the corner of his mouth.

Lao Jiu had no idea what this guy planned to do, just as he was momentarily lost, a gray shadow flashed, the roar of a beast echoed. "Crow?" The Assassin lowered his arm; the beast before him resembled a creature full of power, its bristling hair stood like needles.

This fellow appeared, and his master wouldn’t be far away. Sure enough, two meters behind the crow appeared a figure entirely in black — Xiao Lin. He looked at Yelu Shou on the ground, then at the fully armed Lao Jiu, and finally, the three assassins still standing there. This battle was much gentler than he imagined. At least, there were no gruesome scenes.

"Liu Yi! I told you I’ll handle this debt."

Liu Yi turned his head to stare at Xiao Lin, pointing at Yelu Shou on the ground. "Someone wants him dead. If he doesn’t die, our Dan Clan will."

Is this considered an explanation? Xiao Lin frowned, slowly walking between them. "Take him away!"

Lao Jiu didn’t say anything more, quickly scooping up the limp Yelu Shou and retreating to a safe place in the distance. Yelu Shou’s injuries weren’t severe, but a steel thorn still remained in his left shoulder. The wound was a bloody mess, and the surrounding areas were starting to turn black. "Boss, the steel thorn is poisoned!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lin’s frown deepened. Ignoring Liu Yi’s presence, he swiftly headed towards Lao Jiu, tore open Yelu Shou’s clothes, revealing a large patch of black on his shoulder. "Hold him for me." As he spoke, the sharp thorn in his hand swiftly cut out a piece of flesh around the wound. "When the Black Doctor handles the steel thorn, be careful. I’ll seal his acupuncture points now so the poison doesn’t immediately reach his vital organs. I’ll have the crow accompany you back. If necessary, use his blood. At least it’ll hold until I return. Understand?"

Lao Jiu nodded, still worriedly glancing at the three people behind him. "They won’t do anything to me, hurry up."

Just as Lao Jiu was moving with Yelu Shou, someone charged at them. The sharp thorn between Xiao Lin’s palms spun, blocking their path. "Liu Yi, don’t waste more lives."

"If I don’t kill him today, it will continue in the future. Do you intend to guard him for a lifetime?"

"Why are you so persistent? The Darkside has no conflict with your Assassin Group. If it’s for those killed before, I’ve already said I’ll bear it alone. Didn’t you agree to that? Are you someone who goes back on their word?"

"I’ve already said, someone wants him dead in exchange for the stability of the Dan Clan." Liu Yi waved his hand, and the people who charged forward stepped back.

"Let’s make an end today! Or will you tell me who he is?"

"You’re no match for me. Today ends here. We’ll meet again; next time, you won’t be so lucky." With that, Liu Yi swiftly passed by Xiao Lin, and the two people following him left without turning back.

Lao Jiu took Yelu Shou back to Black Street, where the Black Doctor was in a small house dressing the wounds of an injured person. Seeing Lao Jiu rush in, he frowned, then pointed at an empty operating bed upon seeing Yelu Shou in Jiu’s arms. "I’ll owe you for human compassion; I’ll come for it next time when I need it."

"Thank you, always ready." The patient walked out without wasteful talk. The Black Doctor inspected Yelu Shou’s wounds, marks where the steel thorn pierced had signs of necrotic flesh removal, but in haste, the shape wasn’t pretty.

"Encountered Xiao Lin?" The Black Doctor used a scalpel to cut away Yelu Shou’s clothing while asking.

"Yes, the boss said he’ll come soon. If needed, we can first use the crow’s blood. This guy seems to be poisoned."

"It’s not just poisoning; the wound can be treated, waking him is another matter."

"What do you mean?" Lao Jiu didn’t understand, looking dazed not knowing what to do.

"Leave, you’re too obstructive here."

"He won’t be in trouble, right?" Though knowing the Black Doctor’s temperament, Lao Jiu still asked while holding the doorframe.

"Do you care about him that much? When you see Xiao Lin, tell him I’m looking for him."

"Alright!" (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)