The sun hasn't set yet, and although it's raining, it's not completely dark outside; it's still barely possible to see the road.
Since the oil in the lamp is about to be exhausted and can't provide illumination, Chen Zhou has no choice but to use the last bit of fuel to make a "relay baton" to take home—
Although the burning time of a torch can't compare to the dwindling oil lamp, its brightness is much higher.
When walking on a mountain path at night, the brightness of the light source is far more important than its duration.
...
Continuing the journey, slowing down to see the uneven path clearly, Chen Zhou had made his plans.
He thought, if the live trap catches a goat, he would lead the goat to the meadow below the cave, just like he had tamed the pair of mother goats, and settle the goat there, slowly feeding it salt to build a relationship.
If the live trap yields nothing, and the drizzle stops, he would light this torch on his way home.
