Half a Cup of Changsheng Wine

Another night had passed.

Jason and his group's temporary camp was located in a natural stone cave formed by several piled rocks. It was already deep into the night. Jason and the others had been utterly exhausted today, so shortly after nightfall, they had eaten a simple dinner and begun taking turns keeping watch and resting. At this hour, it was Yin Kuang's turn to relieve Golden Swallow.

Yin Kuang said to Golden Swallow, "Go get some proper rest. Leave the next two hours to me." Golden Swallow was already exhausted with sleepiness. After saying, "Be careful," she curled up in a corner of the cave and lay down, quickly falling asleep. For the next half hour, Yin Kuang leaned against a rock at the cave entrance, sitting silently with his eyes closed, motionless as a stone statue. But after half an hour, Yin Kuang slowly opened his eyes.

Yin Kuang slowly rose to his feet and quietly looked over the people sleeping in the cave. At last, his gaze settled on Jason—or rather, on the Ruyi Jingu Bang in Jason's hand. Then Yin Kuang glanced outside the cave, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips as he walked into the cave.

The cave was not large, but since it had naturally formed from an assortment of rocks, its interior was irregularly shaped. Jason lay in a recessed nook formed by two joined rocks. From that position, anyone outside the cave would be unable to see Jason directly without entering. Yin Kuang had deliberately arranged this spot for him.

Yin Kuang approached Jason. His steps were so light that they made no sound at all. As he crouched beside Jason, his body was likewise concealed by the rocks. Jason was sleeping deeply; the smoothness of his brow