The man on the rack was barely alive.
He hung his filthy head low, letting out a series of hoarse, low laughter.
"Kill me! I can’t wait to have a swift death!"
The man raised his head, the chains piercing his collarbone clinking with the movement.
His eyes were bloodshot, his tortured body reduced to skin and bones.
Now, he stared intently at Zheng Jin, his face full of mocking ridicule.
"The Bodhi Pearl can bring endless wealth and longevity, but you, Zheng Jin, will never find its whereabouts in this lifetime!"
The man spat a mouthful of blood: "You eunuch are not worthy!"
"You!" Zheng Jin’s eyes were on the verge of tearing apart.
He turned around and drew a treasure sword from the guard’s waist.
He was about to swing it at the man’s head!
A guard burst into the dark chamber: "Master, something’s wrong!"
Zheng Jin’s eyes were already bloodshot with anger: "What is it? Tell me after I kill him!"
But the guard couldn’t wait: "Someone from the palace is here, the Emperor summons you to the palace!"
Zheng Jin’s sword-wielding movement came to an abrupt halt.
He had no choice but to throw away the sword and hurriedly change his clothes.
Half an hour later, Zheng Jin was led by Eunuch Quan Xi into the grand and oppressive main hall.
Inside the spacious hall, high up above the throne, Bai Xilie was dressed in a dark red and black Dragon Robe.
His expression was unpredictable, his deep star-like eyes fixed on the newcomer.
Once inside, Zheng Jin hurriedly knelt down and bowed to pay his respects.
Then he noticed the hall doors closing slowly behind him.
Now, only the Emperor and he were left in the hall, along with four Xiu Luo Envoys wearing evil ghost masks, their eyes cold.
Zheng Jin had a bad premonition.
He forced himself to remain calm: "Your Majesty, I am not aware of why you have summoned this humble servant?"
Bai Xilie chuckled: "I’ve seen the memorial submitted by Marquis Wan. The Chief of the Secretariat, Yu Zhun, attempted assassination at the plum banquet. Minister Zheng, this matter has much to do with you. Were you the one directing it from behind the scenes?"
Zheng Jin cupped his hands, pleading innocence: "Your Majesty, please discern clearly, that Marquis Wan is slandering me. We had only a minor disagreement, and he concocted such a great crime!"
"How could it have been my instructions for Yu Zhun to attempt assassination, especially since I don’t even know Yu Zhun!"
Bai Xilie’s sword-like brows and starry eyes boded an ominous presence.
He suddenly smiled: "You’re so convincing; I almost believed it."
"You bribed Yu Zhun, and the target was not Marquis Wan, but..."
Bai Xilie leaned forward, raising his brows, his eyes unfathomable.
"You wanted to kill me, didn’t you?"
Zheng Jin’s face turned pale with shock, repeatedly kowtowing: "Your Majesty, I don’t know what treacherous person whispered slanders into your ear, but I harbor no such malice!"
"No?" Bai Xilie seemed to hear a funny thing: "I remember three years ago, before I ascended the throne, you coveted the beauty of my dear wife, which led me to cripple you."
"After the dynasty was established, you endured humiliation to serve the court. Zheng Jin, have you truly never resented me?"
The shame and disgrace of the past came surging like a tide!
Zheng Jin forced his face to remain calm, but his fists in his sleeves were clenched tightly!
Back then, Bai Xilie stormed into the Capital with the pregnant Jing Jia.
At that time, Bai Xilie had already commanded the most powerful army in Great Chu.
He was on the verge of toppling the old imperial power and establishing a new court and the public.
The emperor of the former dynasty dispatched a Minister to negotiate.
That Minister was Zheng Jin.
Back then, Zheng Jin’s mother had remarried to a Commandery Prince, which gave him some standing in the former court and the public.
Thus, Zheng Jin came with conditions for peace to meet Bai Xilie.
But when he saw the beautiful woman beside Bai Xilie, he was instantly captivated by Jing Jia’s beauty!