Unable to bear the torture any longer, one of the assassins cried out for mercy.
The other assassins spat and cursed, "Coward!"
The sounds of fighting on the Dragon Ship on the Wangjing River had drawn a crowd of commoners to both banks, among them no shortage of spies from various influential families.
Seeing one of the assassins break, the Emperor simply raised a hand.
The Imperial Guard immediately pulled the daggers from his ankles.
The assassin caught his breath for several moments before speaking. "We are the trusted men of the Commander of the Mansion Guard, Lan Tai! His Majesty the Emperor's judgment is unfair! He has imprisoned our general and brothers to this day, which is truly disheartening!"
The Emperor, Gu Yuanzhang, paced back and forth. "Lan Tai is merely your superior, but I am your Emperor! To defy me for a mere Assistant General, to rebel against your superiors! Who is the true master of this Empire?"
