The commander-in-chief, Mo Chu, had made a simple request: as long as they didn't kill him and gave him a little dignity, he was willing to cooperate. But he hadn't expected even that small request to be denied.
One order after another rang out from the commander's tent. Once everything was in place, two guards approached him with their sabers drawn.
Mo Chu's face changed. "I've been cooperating the whole time."
The guards exchanged a look, seeming to hesitate over whether to explain. "His Highness regretted not killing you last time."
Mo Chu did his best to remain calm. "He'll regret killing me this time even more. Go tell Prince Dudun that I have something important to discuss with him. I'm sure he'll be interested."
One of the guards at the entrance was growing impatient. "Get it over with. We're not messengers. Why go looking for a tongue-lashing for no reason? Take his head and let's get out of here."
"I'm the commander-in-chief of this army." Mo Chu spoke with some agitation. "If you kill me, who'll help Dudun win over more than a hundred thousand soldiers?"
"Almost forgot." One guard sheathed his curved saber and drew a Golden Peng Fortress Narrow Saber from behind his waist. He said solemnly, "Mo Chu, your conspiracy with the Unrivaled King has been exposed. Golden Peng Fortress is killing you to silence you. This is the proof."
Mo Chu's heart gave a thump, nearly cracking his gaunt chest. "Listen to me... Let Dudun hear me out. The Unrivaled King isn't an enemy of His Highness. Why not—"
The guard pressed the Narrow Saber against Mo Chu's chest. "You talk too much. I can't remember all that."
As they spoke, eight more guards attacked the generals in the tent. In the blink of an