Jie Ke fell silent for a moment. He really could not open it to prove his innocence.
"When you want to condemn someone, you'll never lack an excuse."
With no other options, that was all he could say.
He also straightened his back, putting on the air of a man who had been wronged.
He tried to make Jiang Yunsheng change his mind this way.
But this approach was utterly naive and laughable.
Anyone who cherished their life would think twice about proceeding once they knew there might be danger ahead. An emperor like Jiang Yunsheng would certainly choose the safest course.
Never mind that Jiang Yunsheng already knew there was a dagger hidden in the map. Even if he had not known, he would have had the guards seize it and inspect it first.
So Jie Ke was destined to be disappointed.
Watching the guards draw closer and closer, Jie Ke could no longer hold back.
"You damned emperor! Give me your life!"
He quickly unfurled the map in his hands, exposing the dagger concealed within. Grabbing it, he hurled it straight toward Jiang Yunsheng like a throwing knife.
Jiang Yunsheng had been on guard against him all along and immediately dodged to one side.
One guard had been watching Jie Ke closely. The moment he saw the movement, his hand moved faster than his mind, and he swung his sword to knock the dagger back the other way.
The dagger reversed direction and flew toward Jie Ke, striking him squarely in the abdomen.
The guard looked at Jie Ke, then at his own hand and sword, his eyes brimming with admiration for his own skill and delight at the imminent promotion he would earn for saving the emperor.
Jie Ke looked down in disbelief at the dagger lodged