Jiang Zhao Yuan felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He shot to his feet. "Your Majesty, have mercy! They are your—"
"There is no need to beg."
Emperor Muwu seemed to have aged years in an instant.
"I gave him more than one chance. It was he who failed to live up to my expectations."
Jiang Zhao Yuan scrambled forward on his knees, utterly panicked. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty—"
"Guards."
As soon as he spoke, guards from outside rushed in. With a CLANG, a sword was pressed against Jiang Zhao Yuan's neck and shoulder!
The cold, sharp steel stopped Jiang Zhao Yuan from daring to move.
Emperor Muwu closed his eyes.
"Take him out and beat him to death."
...
「Anhua Palace.」
Another evening fell, the setting sun as red as blood.
Xiao Chengxuan had been lying on his bed when a bloodcurdling scream from outside sent a shiver down his spine, and he shot upright.
He looked outside, alarmed and uncertain, and strained his ears to listen.
But then, there was only silence.
