Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 498: Looking for his wife

With the overseer out of the way, Han Xin turned his attention to someone else. He was drawn to a hidden safe room within the palace. There, he found Peng Xiu, the bride promised to him before. She huddled in the corner, fear etched on her face.

"I am here to take what was promised to me," he murmured, a gentleness breaking through the darkness. He dragged her from the confines of the room, the chaos of the city swirling around them, the flames consuming what was left of their world.

As the territories burned, the power of the undead swept like wildfire, more formidable than ever. Han Xin became a haunting ruler in this newly forged darkness, leading the savage horde that feasted upon the remnants of the old world.

In a quiet ceremony amidst the chaos, Peng Xiu wed Han Xin. With the sky dark and the city a smouldering ruin, they stood united, their fates intertwined.

***

Xiang Yu awoke with a start, the remnants of the memories vivid in his mind. The rage inside him roared back to life, like a wildfire eager to consume everything in its path. As he shifted, he felt the bandages wrapped around his wounds.

They had been dressed with care, and the pain that used to throb was now more bearable. He took a deep breath, feeling more energetic than before. What he didn’t realise was that he had survived a calamity.

What he didn’t know was that while he was sleeping, others had schemed against him. Su Jing had wanted him gone. She intended to take him far from the city and leave him to the merciless hands of nature.

But her plans were thwarted. Lian and Mei had taken it upon themselves to protect him, standing guard outside the door as fierce as lionesses ready to defend their cub. They wouldn’t allow any harm to come to him, even after all he had done.

Su Jing couldn’t understand their loyalty. Her anger simmered below the surface. Xiang Yu had attacked them unprovoked, leading to the deaths of some of their people. Yet Lian and Mei remained steadfast in their vigil, refusing to abandon him. Su Jing swore she would wait until nightfall. Surely, the twins would not keep watch all night long, right? But she underestimated their resolve.

Night turned to day, and when morning broke, the news delivered a jolt of excitement through her. Han Xin had returned. She rushed to the rundown vehicles parked inside the city gates, her heart racing with renewed hope. With him back, she could finally see her chance to rid herself of Xiang Yu.

Han Xin emerged from the passenger side, his presence commanding even in the dappled light. He handed a backpack filled with medicinal herbs to Han Zhan, who grinned through a teasing remark. "You know those two are so demanding, right?" he said, laughter in his voice.

But Han Xin merely nodded, his expression serious as he walked toward the large water tank. A fresh cut marred his cheek, the scab a sign of the fight he had with Xiang Yu. "Be careful," he instructed the young man who was connecting the pipes, his tone firm.

"Yes, sir," the young man replied, eagerness in his movements. Just then, Su Jing approached, her heart pounding as she gathered her thoughts. "How did it go?" she asked, feigning nonchalance.

Han Xin glanced at the tank. "It cost twice as much. Use it sparingly," he said, the weight of the situation lingering between them.

"Those greedy bastards," Su Jing spat, glaring at nothing in particular. "They are just taking advantage of us. They know we need it."

Han Xin’s gaze shifted back to her. "I know." His calmness unnerved her. Taking a breath, she studied him, her eyes lingering on the scar that raked across his cheek. The words clawed at her throat, desperate to spill out, but she hesitated.

Noticing her struggle, Han Xin tilted his head. "What is it?"

"It’s that bastard Xiang Yu," she finally blurted out, her anger and fear intertwining. "He’s back."

Han Xin stormed across the city, a storm brewing in his chest. His expression was a mask of fury, and his grip tightened around the weapon at his side. He reached the house that housed the two shamans, his heart pounding with purpose.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Han Xin kicked in the door, the sound echoing through the small house. The sudden intrusion startled Lian, who sat cross-legged on the floor, a book sprawled open in her lap. She gasped, her eyes wide and fearful. "Mei!" she shouted, attempting to spring up and rush toward her twin.

But Su Jing was there, grabbing Lian’s arm with a firm grip. "Stay back!" she ordered, her voice sharp. Lian glared at her, fury mingled with confusion, but she did not fight back.

Han Xin scanned the dim interior, searching each corner for the man who had disrupted everything. Frustration gnawed at him as he moved from room to room, nothing but shadows and scattered belongings greeting him.

He stepped into the last room, and there was Mei, standing stiffly, her eyes darting around like a trapped bird. "Where is he?" Han Xin demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

"He... he’s gone," she stammered, her nervousness palpable. "Yeah, we woke up and he left already."

Han Xin studied her face intently for a long moment, searching for any hint of deceit. The way she shifted on her feet, the flicker in her eyes... something was off. He began to circle the room, his instincts honed to a fine point.

Then, he spotted scratch marks on the floor, evidence that something had been moved. Judging by Mei’s reaction, he knew he had found something. He pushed the cupboard aside, and panic flickered in Mei’s eyes. "What are you doing?" she yelled, her voice rising in pitch.

With a thud, the cupboard toppled over, revealing a hidden door behind it. The sound caught Lian’s attention. She hastily stepped on Su Jing’s foot, the action swift and painful. Su Jing yelped but felt Lian slip away from her grasp before she could react.