Shangguan Hong could no longer keep up the act. His cheeks flushed, and anger and agitation showed in his eyes. He was sure there had to be a scheme behind the Dragon King's inexplicable favor. "Has someone accused me of something again? Just come out and say it, Dragon King."
Once again, Shangguan Hong was caught off guard. The Dragon King didn't deny it. He nodded. "Someone says you're the one who's been slaughtering innocents in Jade City."
"Ha!" Shangguan Hong let out an exaggerated sneer. "What a joke. The assassinations in Jade City have been going on for over a month. I've only been here a few days. If you want to frame me, at least come up with a better excuse."
Gu Shenwei stepped forward and barked, "Shangguan Hong, other people's lies won't fool me, and neither will yours!"
Shangguan Hong shrank back two steps, his body sinking lower as he looked up at the Dragon King. His face, though, was full of defiance. "Believe what you want. I'm not the killer."
"Is that so? How many days have you actually been in Jade City?"
Shangguan Hong's heart gave a jolt. His thoughts raced through several turns. "Five days... roughly... Yes, I arrived more than a month ago." He tucked his hands into his sleeves, his expression wary, like a wild dog that had spotted a stranger. "But I was acting on the Queen's orders..."
"What did the Queen ask you to do?" Gu Shenwei's voice grew sterner.
Shangguan Hong suddenly straightened up and pulled his hands from his sleeves. Still, he had no confidence that he could fight the Dragon King. "If the Dragon King wants to kill me, then do it. I won't betray the Queen."
Gu Shenwei turned and walked to the couch, his back