In the darkness, Python Jiao Island lay motionless on the sea like an enormous beast, the lights glittering above it like scales on its hide. Two snow eagles soared high overhead as Xia Changming pointed down and explained the island's terrain to Hu Xiaotian.
Their landing site lay on the western side of Python Jiao Island. The prison had been built atop a high cliff, hewn into the rock using materials found on-site. It was already late at night, and the island's lights were gradually going out, leaving only the watchtower lights, which burned day and night.
The snow eagles had reached the air above the prison grounds. Xia Changming said, "My lord, the prisoners are being held right below us. Are you ready?"
Hu Xiaotian nodded and gave him a thumbs-up, indicating that he was fully prepared and could land at any time. They were currently two hundred zhang above the ground. According to their plan, they needed to descend to around twenty zhang before Hu Xiaotian jumped.
Xia Changming guided the snow eagles slowly downward. Both birds were remarkably intelligent, circling as they descended at a very gentle pace. Hu Xiaotian stroked the feathers on his eagle's neck and whispered, "Little Fly, oh, Little Fly, we're old acquaintances now. You must be good and do as you're told. When I return in triumph, I'll reward you with a feast of fish and meat."
The snow eagle seemed to understand him and gave a cry that rang out with startling clarity in the dark night.
Hu Xiaotian hastily said, "Don't cry out, don't cry out! We don't want to wake the enemy!"
Flying alongside Hu Xiaotian, however, Xia Changming sensed something wrong. He heard an inexplicable terror in the eagle's cry. Turning to look, he saw a huge black