As the sun sank westward, Chen Shi'an led everyone to their designated location, a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides.
He immediately had his subordinates pile camphor wood and camphor leaves across the several passages leading into the valley.
At the same time, he ordered some men to pitch tents and others to fetch water to soak the remaining camphor wood and camphor leaves.
Then, after a simple meal of dry rations, he had everyone rest in the woods, strictly forbidding any fires.
The night deepened.
The valley and Blackwater Ridge grew quieter and quieter.
Although Pi Hou, Du Gang, and the others were already exhausted, sleep continued to elude them.
They gathered outside the tents, chatting on and off.
The Blazing Fire Lizards were somewhere in Blackwater Ridge, quite possibly just outside the valley.
With their lives hanging by a thread, they naturally had no desire to sleep.
"Brother Pi, why has the boss been gone so long just to take a leak?" Du Gang leaned toward Pi Hou and asked quietly.
Pi Hou glanced in the direction Chen Shi'an had gone. "If you want to know, go take a look yourself."
Du Gang shook his head repeatedly. "I wouldn't dare. If the boss got the wrong idea, I'd be in trouble."
Pi Hou curled his lip. "Since you don't dare, shut your mouth and go find something to do."
Du Gang stayed planted where he was and asked another question. "Does this camphor brain the boss made really work?"
Pi Hou cupped a hand around his ear. "I don't know yet whether it can scare off Blazing Fire Lizards, but its insect-repelling effect is certainly obvious.
"Listen carefully. Can you hear even a single insect chirping in these woods?"
Du Gang pricked up his ears. "You're