Hu Xiaotian sent everyone else to rest and stood alone atop the massive rock, keeping watch. The bright moon slowly climbed high into the sky, and with his keen eyesight, he could see a great distance by its light. The first half of the night remained peaceful, but the wind began to rise in the second half. Xia Changming got up to relieve him. Hu Xiaotian jumped down from the rock and saw Long Xiyue emerging from her tent. He smiled. "What is it? Did I wake you?"
Long Xiyue smiled gently. "I couldn't sleep. The mountain wind is so loud!"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Would you like me to sleep beside you?"
Long Xiyue's lovely face grew hot. She neither agreed nor wanted to refuse, instead whispering, "Aren't you afraid people will gossip?"
Hu Xiaotian chuckled. Long Xiyue raised her index finger to her cherry-red lips, motioning for silence. An unbroken chorus of snores came from nearby, courtesy of the sleeping warriors. Though they were robust men, they could hardly compare with Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming, and their strength had been severely depleted.
Long Xiyue said with concern, "You've been awake for a day and two nights. You ought to rest too. Why don't you sleep while I watch over you?" Since Hu Xiaotian had carried her on his back, her strength had largely recovered.
Hu Xiaotian nodded. He was just about to enter the tent with Long Xiyue when he felt the night suddenly darken. Clouds had veiled the moon, and the night wind had died away without his noticing. Something cool touched his face-a raindrop had landed on his cheek.
Long Xiyue also felt the scattered drops falling. She whispered, "It's raining."
Hu Xiaotian looked up. Xia Changming, still atop the massive rock, waved to him. "My