Sima Fang was placed inside a steel cage reinforced by words of power. These cages were prepared for prisoners of war. The Echos soldiers didn't expect the first one to inhabit the cage would be one of their superior officers.
Sima Fang didn't make a fuss. She complied with everything and remained quiet inside the cage. She sat cross-legged, passing the time by cultivating. A guard was posted outside her cage to keep watch.
At night, it was time for the guard to switch with another soldier. After checking the assignment paper that the soldier brought to confirm he was indeed the night shift guard, the day shift guard left.
Once no one was in the vicinity, the night shift guard whispered without turning. "Mistress, should I free you now?"
"Wait an hour after midnight," Sima Fang whispered back. "Fewer soldiers will remain awake then. It will better ease our escape."
