The instant the person on top of the tower turned their binoculars in another direction—
SWOOSH!
Xiaojiu's hind legs kicked powerfully, its body shooting out like an arrow from a bow. In a few quick movements, it scrambled up a large tree. Then, it moved along a thick branch extending over the wall, light and swift as if walking a tightrope, before making a mighty leap from the branch's end!
The small, black figure traced a nearly invisible arc through the air, precisely clearing the barbed wire. It landed silently in a shadow behind a pile of clutter inside the wall, rolled to absorb the impact, and then froze, blending perfectly into its surroundings.
The person in the watchtower was completely unaware, the binoculars continuing their slow sweep.
"It's in!"
Yue Fangping watched through his own binoculars as Xiaojiu landed safely. A weight was lifted from his chest, and he marveled at the cat's agility and timing.
