The setting sun was as red as blood.
Inside the Law Enforcement Hall, Xiao Wu sat upright, his expression stern as he stared straight ahead.
Three elders sat on either side of the hall. Their expressions varied: some looked regretful, some seemed disappointed that a promising person had gone astray, and some glared furiously.
Between the two rows of seats, Xiao Yang stood stiffly with his hands bound behind his back, looking like a giant dumpling.
"Xiao Yang, do you know your crime?" Xiao Wu, the leader, asked slowly, his voice cold and sharp as an icy blade.
"I'm innocent! I was framed! I've been wronged!" Xiao Yang stuck out his chin, still stubbornly protesting even with death staring him in the face.
Xiao Wu snorted. "I knew you wouldn't confess willingly! Lei Bao, bring in the witnesses!"
"Yes, sir!"
Lei Bao, who had been guarding the entrance, hauled Xiao Hou and Xiao Bei inside, one in each hand.
"Kneel!" Lei Bao barked at the two crooks.
Xiao Bei was on the verge of tears. "You're asking the impossible! I don't even have legs. How am I supposed to kneel?"
His legs had been broken that morning in battle when Xian He, that shameless bastard who played dirty, swept them out from under him with a spear.
Xiao Wu spoke up. "You don't have to kneel. Just lie down over there!"
Lei Bao stood behind the two crooks, keeping watch in case anything unexpected happened.
"Xiao Yang, do you know this man?" Xiao Wu demanded, pointing at Xiao Hou.
"Never seen him! Who is he?" Xiao Yang played dumb.
At this, Xiao Hou immediately protested. "Xiao Yang, you can't throw me under the bus! Just a few days ago, you hired us to assassinate Xian He. Are you trying to