He Rang looks down on his leg and opens the bandages, there seems to be some bit of blood coming out of the wound but nothing too concerning. He can still survive if he doesn't use it for the time being.
The nurse keeps riding the horse and simply asks how's the situation, the soldiers brushes off his words -I'm fine don't worry too much- the nurse whines -The ground is quite bumpy, you should put some blankets under your leg to avoid it from moving too much... We don't want your injury to reopen while we're out in the wilderness-
-Ok fine... Anything else to recommend doc?- he mocks him while piling some soft fabric under his thigh, he looks at the remaining one and gently places it under ChangLai's head with a smile -Take some herbs from the red bag over there, munch them and make it into a paste... Then add it to your leg and redo the bandages- he says professionally before sighing -I should be the one doing it for you, I'm sorry. To leave a patient to tend to his own injuries, what a failure...- says the young boy starting to open up.
He Rang looks at him with pressed lips -Don't be so hard on yourself, it's a desperate situation. We wouldn't be able to do anything differently- he tries to comfort him while grabbing the red sack, he takes out the herbs and throws them in his mouth -Damn... This tastes awful- he spits it out and applies it in the wound -By the way, do you have some kind of tonic I'm this bag? Something energizing or invigorating? Anything useful to be honest, Lai'Er isn't going much well-
-Oh yes I prepared one for her just in case while I was taking the other herbs... Check that brown bottle-
Once He Rang is finished with his leg, he takes ChangLai's head and rise it just enough to help her drink in her sleep -That should be enough- he murmurs once the bottle is empty -Do you see the others at the horizon?- he asks looking at the back of the nurse and the other shakes his head -Not yet, I'm sorry- they both sighs -We'll eventually meet them... I'll rest a little now, just call me if you need help. I'll try not to fall asleep too deeply-
...
After one heavy shake, He Rang opens his eyes again and immediately looks toward the man on the horse -I guess we didn't get lucky in the meantime, did we?- the question doesn't even need a reply seeing how they are still moving forward alone -They might have taken a turn somewhere or hidden in some cave if we still can't catch them... Hope they haven't fell into the enemy's hands-
He reflexively reaches and hand to his sword "Just to make sure in case we get attacked... Even if I doubt I can do much in my current state" -Ah... If only Lai'Er wasn't in this situation! It's all General Wu's fault-
At those words the nurse speaks up again -How is she?-
He Rang looks down and see her sleeping with frowned eyebrows -She's still out of it... Who even sleep with such an expression?! Honestly I hope she doesn't wake up for the time being haha! She would start yelling at me and hop down the cart to "buy us time"... Ah, such strange behaviors for someone who said they are ready to sacrifice everyone for this war-
-Well it's understandable why she went full on suicidal mode. Even if she sacrificed you all she would have died anyway-
He Rang nods -Yeah, if those men caught up to her it would have been really difficult to make it out alive... That black smoke is a serious threaten to her- while talking his eyes fall down in her curled body, holding her sword right to the body...
-Not only if they reach her, she wouldn't make it nonetheless- murmurs the other but the soldier doesn't really hear him.
-What did you say?- He squint his eyes upon noticing something lingering on her lower half, reaching an hand he cannot touch anything and immediately realizes what that it... Black smoke?
-Stop the cart! They're here- he jumps on his feet and unsheathe the sword but the other man doesn't listen -Can you hear me? Stop now!- the boy turns around and the face that meets him isn't the one he was expecting -Nan? How... You should be dead...-
A green light shines over the boy's eyes and the soldier comes to understand -It's a trap- he mumbles
-Oh and you all fell for it splendidly! Now good luck surviving this hell all alone- laughs the man -That nurse is already long dead, left back into that camp of yours-
-All alone? Lai'Er is with me and...!- -Ah! You seriously think we haven't thought about a solution already? She won't be waking up untill my brothers slash you all to death-
-Damn, that stupid tonic...! You monsters!!- he screams before reaching out to cut off the sand man seating on the horse, not giving him time to talk further.
The cart begins to shakes violently and He Rang throws himself in front of him to grab the reins from the dissolving corpse of sand, he pulls hard with one arm but that's not enough to stop the horse currently on a rampage. The man looks down on his injured leg and gulps down -One last push, then I promise to not walk for the rest of my life if I have to!-
He secures his fees to the cart and pulls on the reins with his full strength -You mad horse, just stop already!!! Did he drug you too?!-
Screaming for the pain he pulls as hard as he can but the animal still doesn't stop, the weak ropes begins to come undone as he pulls and the cart almost turns on itself -Dammit, I'm out of ideas... That's gonna hurt, sorry Miss Ying- he grabs the sowed and cuts the ropes off completely, making the cart come to a sudden stop. He throws himself back and grabs the sleeping woman, to avoid her from flying off the cart.
Once the shaking has subsided he remains lying down, panting heavily -Well... We lost the horse but at least we stopped...- he tries to laugh it off while seating back up -Now let's find somewhere to hide- he grabs his sword back and jumps off the cart, looking at the blood flowing down his leg.