As the words left her mouth, both Blacksmith and Qingluan were stunned, looking somewhat dazed.
They hadn’t even reacted yet, so why was Commissioner Chu — someone they had just demanded an identity check from and nearly reached a breaking point with — reacting more intensely and urgently than they were?
The two subconsciously exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with a shared sense of complexity and self-reproach.
Even though there had been significant friction just a moment ago, and they had even said some harsh things, the other party’s instinctive reaction upon hearing that a Night Hunt member might be in trouble was genuine concern for their safety…
This display of concern, disregarding their previous animosity, couldn’t help but touch their hearts.
Qingluan even bit her lip involuntarily, the guilt from her earlier “mistress” comment weighing even more heavily on her.
Flower Demon, standing next to Qingluan, was also briefly stunned by Chu You’s overly eager reaction.
However, she quickly adjusted her expression, regaining her habitual, somewhat detached gentleness, leaving only a deeply hidden trace of doubt in her eyes.
“It’s nothing major. There was just a slight accident while tracking the target, which allowed them to escape. One of our members was injured during the interception…”
A moment later, Flower Demon weighed her words carefully and spoke in a steady tone, answering the question while deliberately downplaying the severity of the situation.
“There is no need to worry. Our Night Hunt team doctor was operating with the injured member, and the injury has been stabilized.”
She wasn’t telling the complete truth.
In fact, Mongoose’s injuries were essentially healed.
However, Flower Demon’s personality made her naturally cautious.
She was used to keeping a card up her sleeve and wouldn’t easily reveal her full hand or the true situation, especially when facing an outsider who was still under suspicion and had reacted so excessively.
“As long as they’re okay…”
Chu You seemed to realize her reaction had been abrupt.
She took a deep breath, forcing down the emotions swirling in her eyes.
Her tone returned to calm, though a hint of nearly imperceptible tension remained.
“To escape from the hands of Jade Cicada and Mongoose simultaneously and even manage to injure one… what is the background of the opponent?”
She asked the question naturally, as if out of instinctive caution toward a powerful enemy and curiosity about a target capable of harming Night Hunt elites.
Blacksmith remained silent, seemingly weighing whether or not to disclose the information.
Flower Demon smiled slightly and looked at Chu You.
“We can only be certain after Jade Cicada and the others return to regroup… However, how does Commissioner Chu know about Jade Cicada and Mongoose?”
As soon as the words were spoken, Chu You’s expression visibly stiffened.
‘Oh, no!’ she thought.
At the same time, Blacksmith and Qingluan also looked at Chu You, their eyes filled with suspicion and inquiry.
Seeing this, Gu Qiancheng hurried forward, nudging Chu You’s arm and laughing.
“She’s the Information and Communications Commissioner. When Binhai received the support task list from headquarters, the first person they saw was Commissioner Chu.”
Hearing this, looks of realization appeared on Blacksmith’s and Qingluan’s faces.
Although Flower Demon still felt something was slightly off, she didn’t press further.
The most urgent matter at hand was the specific details of the confrontation between Jade Cicada, Mongoose, and the two mission targets.
Furthermore, once the logistics convoy arrived, they needed to safely transport the survivors of the third rescue team back to Binhai for treatment as quickly as possible.
Just then, the roar of engines echoed from the distance.
Simultaneously, two figures sped toward the riverbed from the direction of the high-rise ruins.
It was Jade Cicada and Mongoose.
“Flower Demon…”
Upon reaching them, Jade Cicada, wearing his signature white lab coat, called out.
At the same time, he used the index finger of one hand to quickly and discreetly poke the space between the thumb and forefinger of his other, clenched hand.
This was a conventional internal signal for the Night Hunt team, meaning: “The situation is complicated; we need to communicate privately.”
Seeing this, Flower Demon’s eyes narrowed slightly, but her face showed nothing.
She merely nodded.
“Understood. We’ll talk when we get back.”
Chu You also noticed Jade Cicada’s small gesture — she naturally knew the meaning of that signal.
In fact, she was the one who had come up with those codes.
But now was not the time to worry about signals.
The top priority was getting the wounded back as soon as possible.
The roar of the engines grew clearer.
“The logistics convoy is here.”
Gu Qiancheng looked at the dust billowing at the end of the distant road and immediately snapped into action, beginning to give orders.
“Everyone, clear the way! Prioritize getting the seriously injured onto the vehicles immediately!”
He turned his head toward Chu You, his tone natural.
“Seni… ahem, Commissioner Chu, we’ll take the last vehicle and handle rear security.”
“Alright,” Chu You nodded in agreement, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over the newly returned Jade Cicada and the pale-looking Mongoose.
On the other side, Flower Demon looked at Gu Qiancheng and proposed their own arrangement.
“The Night Hunt members will split into two groups. Blacksmith, Shadow, and Qingluan will take the lead car to clear the path. Jade Cicada, Mongoose, and I will take the medical transport in the middle so we can look after the wounded and assist with security.”
“Fine, no problem!”
Gu Qiancheng readily agreed to Flower Demon’s proposal.
He then raised his voice.
“Everyone to your positions — prepare to head home.”
Soon, a small logistics rescue convoy — led by an armored vehicle, with three ambulances in the center and an off-road vehicle bringing up the rear — arrived amidst clouds of dust and came to a steady halt on the dry riverbed.
The edge of the Death Realm was full of peril, and no one dared to delay.
Everyone moved quickly and worked in perfect coordination, soon having all the wounded properly settled into the vehicles.
The convoy started up again, turning back along the road they had come from and speeding toward the urban area of Binhai.
About an hour later, the desolate scenery outside the windows was gradually replaced by sparse, then dense, buildings.
After the convoy entered the city, all the intersections along the route had been adjusted to green lights in advance.
The path was unobstructed, leading them straight through the gates of the Binhai First Hospital Emergency Department.
“Quick! Confirm the vital signs of all wounded! Perform another thorough sterilization of the operating rooms and wards…”
In front of the emergency department, the President himself was supervising the operation, his voice loud and urgent.
“Move quickly and steadily! We must ensure the safety of every single wounded person! Do you hear me?!”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
The doctors in white coats and the most experienced nurses in the hospital, who had been waiting there, responded in unison.
They began to function like a precision instrument, quickly stepping forward to receive the wounded from the vehicles.
“Director Ma! This patient’s oxygen saturation is continuing to drop!”
“Vice President Liu, the patient here is suspected of having severe internal injuries! We cannot rule out the risk of massive abdominal bleeding!”
“Teacher Du! Quick! Prepare Operating Room Three! This patient is in critical condition and needs immediate surgery!”
For a time, the area in front of the emergency department was a clamor of voices, busy yet orderly, the air filled with the scent of disinfectant and tension.
As soon as Chu You, Gu Qiancheng, and the six members of the Night Hunt team stepped out of the cars, the Hospital President hurried over to meet them.
He first shook hands firmly with Gu Qiancheng, his expression grave.
“Captain Gu, the situation is urgent, so I won’t waste time with pleasantries… Please rest assured, our entire hospital will do its utmost. We will guarantee the safety of every wounded person no matter what!”
“Yes, I’m counting on you and everyone at the hospital…”
Gu Qiancheng nodded slightly and then said, “The situation has changed. We need to return to the branch immediately to discuss the next plan of action. We won’t disturb you further.”
“Good!”
The President nodded heavily.
“The safety of Binhai is in your hands as well, Captain Gu.”
“It is our duty,” Gu Qiancheng responded solemnly.
He then turned, his gaze sweeping over Chu You and the Night Hunt members.
“Let’s go. We’re heading back to the branch immediately.”
The group did not linger, quickly boarding the vehicles waiting nearby and speeding toward the Binhai branch of the Sword Bearers.
The noise and bustle of the hospital entrance were quickly left behind, but everyone knew in their hearts that the true struggle and an even more complex situation were waiting for them.