As Zhao Changgui stepped onto the stairs leading up to the watchtower, his foot trembled, and he stumbled, collapsing to the ground with a THUD.
He didn't scramble to get up. Instead, he curled up on the ground, cradling his head and whimpering softly.
He was terrified. He knew that if word of what happened in the fort today leaked out, according to Qian State's military law, he would undoubtedly die!
He wasn't a scholar-bureaucrat. Qian State had a tradition that punishments didn't apply to them. But for a bastard like him, they never showed mercy when it came to executions!
"I'll die, I'll die, I'll die..." Zhao Changgui murmured incessantly.
But slowly, he propped himself up with his arms and got to his feet. Then, he resumed his climb up the stairs to the watchtower. Finally, he made it to the top.
He bit his lip until it bled. He sniffled incessantly, tears welling in his eyes.
With trembling hands, he fumbled for the fire starter in his clothes.
