Ji Li leaned back to the wall with his hands crossed on his knees, sitting crossed-legs like a sage would. “Etch into your memory that your life has been saved by me and Ji Huan. Without us, you would not be here today.”
“Then, should I thank you?” he asked dully.
“What do you think?”
He tightly frowned while the hands on the armrest tightly clenched it. “You’re my father’s murderer. Have you forgotten about it? Your sword had cut short his life.”
Ji Li pondered a bit. “It turns out that the defeated general who I finished off was your father.” There was pride on his face.
Su Ziluo came closer, his sight fixated on Ji Li. “I’ll give you two choices. One, suicide. Or two, die in my hands. Now, choose.”
“What? Do you think you can escape from here after killing me?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I have can handle that part without a problem. Besides, your Emperor already announced your execution. So, it’s justified if you commit suicide…”
‘Justify?’
“Hahaha…” Ji Li shook his head in disdain.
It seemed as if he was waiting for something, thus he didn’t show any fear.
Seeing his reaction, a shallow smile crept on his mouth. “Are you waiting for people to come save you?” he asked.
‘Ah?’ A realization hit Ji Li.
“Secretary Ji, you are a smart man, so you realized by now that a homicide case which involved the welfare of two countries will leave you with no ally. Therefore, you already put into place a self-rescue plan. If the Emperor convicted you for the murder, you will find a person similar in appearance, smuggle him into the prison to take your place at the moment of execution.”
He had no qualms in revealing Ji Li’s goal and plan as if he took part in it himself. Ji Li’s expression sank as soon as he heard Su Ziluo, and his mind quaked in shock.
Su Ziluo continued, “If you are still hoping for your plan of stealing the dragon to switch for a phoenix to succeed, kill that thought for the one you’re waiting for is no longer of this world.”
“What did you say?”
“Your plan won’t work, Ji Li. A criminal must bear the consequences of his wrongdoings. Be it you or me, this applies to everyone.”
Right after, Ji Li opened his mouth to say something, but Su Ziluo promptly used his thumb to press a button on his wheelchair, activating a contraption. A white string shot out and swiftly coiled around Ji Li’s neck.
“You-”
Ji Li lifted his head and bent it back while his hands grabbed the string, attempting to pull it off without much success. His face took on a redder shade as the feeling of asphyxiation grew stronger. No words could be uttered, not even the ones to ask for forgiveness.
Su Ziluo coldly watched Ji Li glaring at him with bulging eyes, with fear and disbelief across his face. This was the expression he wanted to see on Ji Li.
Ji Li’s hurried gasp reverberated within the gloomy prison cell. He felt as if he was a bird trapped in a cage, waiting to be slaughtered.
1.Hour of the horse = 11am – 1pm