"Pah—You—glurk glurk glurk—"
The man hadn't finished his threat before he was forced to choke down several mouthfuls of creek water.
Just as he thought he was sure to die this time, a force seized his topknot and hauled him out of the water. He coughed miserably, greedily gulping down the precious air. The next instant, two fingers clamped precisely around his throat. "One last chance!"
The man was forced to meet those eyes, filled with utter stillness.
They were calm and unruffled, as if he were looking at a dead man.
The man's teeth chattered uncontrollably. Feeling the fingers tighten and the breath of death draw closer, he finally broke down and shouted, "I'll tell you—I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything!"
Shen Tang patted his wet face. "That's more like it."
Then she signaled to her people. The wandering knight nearest to her understood at once, and before long, they had dug up the token hidden at the location the man had given them. It was called a token, but in truth, it was an official appointment credential.
Proof of an official's appointment to a post.
She turned the token over in her hands, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Not bad. This is the real thing."
"You got what you wanted. Can I..." He could only place his hope of survival in the conscience of this band of ruthless outlaws.
But did he think outlaws had consciences?
"What are you standing around for? Drag him farther away and kill him."
The last glimmer of hope in the man's eyes died out, replaced by an overwhelming fury. He cursed, "You bandits! You broke your word!"
"Since when could you trust a bandit's word?"
She raised her hand and cast [Silencing Voice], bringing peace to the world.
No matter