Chapter 19: Liu Chengyuan Recovered in a Mountain Cave

　　Before Liu Chengyuan could finish speaking, the two burly men who had earlier stolen Qian Yu’s silver pouch were already blocking the inn’s entrance, now joined by two additional accomplices.　　One of the men bellowed, “You meddling brat! Thought you could interfere and get away with it, did you? Where will you run now? You two thought you were clever, didn’t you? But no matter how fast you run, you’ll never outrun us on horseback!”　　Qian Yu scolded, “Despicable! Couldn’t beat us in a fair fight, so you resorted to poisoning the wine!”　　The four burly men wasted no time, drawing their blades and charging forward. Qian Yu unsheathed her sword in haste, scrambling to parry their attacks.　　Liu Chengyuan, having been expelled from his sect and left weaponless, could only overturn a table to fend off the attackers. However, weakened by the poison, he was no match for the four burly men. In the chaos, one of them struck him across the waist with a blade, and blood poured freely from the wound.　　Seeing Liu Chengyuan gravely injured, Qian Yu’s face flushed with urgency. Seizing the moment, she unleashed a hidden sleeve arrow from within her garment. Caught off guard, the four men had no time to react; one arrow struck a burly man squarely in the left shoulder.　　Qian Yu supported Liu Chengyuan as they made a desperate dash out the door, spotting four sturdy horses tied nearby. With a swift swing of her sword, she severed the reins of all four. Using the scabbard, she drove away three of the horses, then helped Liu onto the remaining steed. Together, they mounted the horse and fled toward the desolate wilderness.　　In their panic, they galloped blindly through the night. By midnight, they came upon a hidden cave nestled in the mountains. Judging it a secure refuge, they dismounted and led Liu inside. To throw off their pursuers, Qian Yu drove the horse away into the darkness, leaving no trace of their whereabouts.　　Liu Chengyuan was bleeding profusely, his body trembling with cold. Qian Yu