The deeper Yi Yang ventured into the cave, the stronger the medicinal fragrance grew.
To guard against any further surprises, Yi Yang gripped Tiger Roar and continued forward by the blue glow of the phosphorescent stones in the walls.
The cavern widened as he went deeper, and the dirt beneath his feet gave way to a floor of loose stones.
At last, Yi Yang reached the deepest part of the cave. This must have been where the Red Boar family nested.
There were three grass nests at the back of the cave. Beside the largest was a piglet's nest that looked considerably softer, lined with dry grass and animal fur. Its edges were firmly packed down, and piglet droppings still remained inside.
After surveying the surroundings and finding no danger, he approached the Red Boar piglet's nest. The medicinal fragrance was coming from there.
Only when he drew close did he discover a coarse cloth sack beneath the dry grass. It plainly did not belong here and must have been left by Zhao Hu, who had disguised himself as "Steward Huang."
The sack was bulging, its surface coated with a faint layer of animal fur and traces of saliva.
Beside it sat three finely carved boxes in a row. The medicinal fragrance seeped through the gaps in their improperly closed lids; they must have been its source.
Yi Yang did not rush to open the boxes. Instead, he picked up the cloth sack first.
Heavy.
Yi Yang untied the tightly fastened mouth of the sack and reached inside. His fingers brushed several slippery objects. He took one out, and sure enough, it was a smooth, round pill. He held it beneath the phosphorescent glow.
The pill's surface was orange, with extremely fine markings. On closer inspection, those markings turned out