Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 110: Getting an older brother for the twins

Chapter 110: Getting an older brother for the twins

AN: Taking a day off. See you Sunday. Happy reading.

Han Xin’s muscles tensed up at her words with a mix of frustration and something else he couldn’t quite identify. The tension between them was palpable, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.

Earlier on he had been standing in the dimly lit passageway, his eyes fixed on Peng Xiu through the gap of the open door. He was prepared to uncover a major conspiracy but he didn’t expect her to be confronting the madam.

There was something about the way she carried herself, a blend of grace and authority, that made it impossible for him to look away. Her voice, calm yet commanding, filled the room as she spoke, and Han Xin found himself drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

He found himself following the movement of her fingers toying with the blue and white porcelain cat on the table, her movements deliberate and precise.

Her demeanour made the madam visibly nervous. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried a weight that instilled fear in anyone’s heart but for him everything about her was enchanting.

He couldn’t help but feel like she matched his energy and sparked his interest more than he dared admit to. She was beautiful, yes, but it was more than that. There was a fire in her that captivated him, a fire that made him feel both exhilarated and uneasy.

Her words just now had only made the feeling grow stronger. A spark ignited in his chest and he quickly suppressed it. Peng Xiu was so confusing and complicated that it puzzled him that he would be this interested in her.

Realising this matter was getting serious, he stepped back and reached into his lapel taking out a money bag. "Here, no need to pay me back since it’s for a good cause," he said, handing it to her.

Xiang Yu took the small bag and tossed it in the air with a satisfied smile. "The general is so generous. How about you donate some more? I now have three mouths to feed," he said sweetly, clearly messing with him.

He found that Han Xin was fun to tease. He reached into his lapel, pretending to search him for more money. While feeling around he couldn’t help but admire his muscles. They felt firm under his touch. "Wow, you are... quite robust underneath there," he continued to say genuinely praising him. The last time Han Xin was at the hot spring he hadn’t paid much attention.

Han Xin was startled by her shamelessness. What woman would fondle a man like this? Wasn’t she afraid her reputation would be ruined? He stepped back feeling like if this continued, he would lose his self-restraint and embarrass himself. "Shameless," he said in a cold tone before walking out.

Exiting the room, he almost bumped into the madam who had been eavesdropping. His anger simmering underneath the surface was suddenly redirected at her. "It’s a crime punishable by death to eavesdrop on an official."

The madam who had returned a while ago and saw the door closed pressed her ear against the door to hear what was happening inside. She hoped she would hear something malicious attention to the town yamen, but now that she was caught, she felt regretful, especially after seeing the jade token hanging on the man’s belt.

She lowered her head, her body quivering. That jade token recognised his rank. Now she knew she had offended someone she shouldn’t have. As that woman stated Baihe was truly not worth all that trouble.

After Han Xin left, Xiang Yu turned and glanced at the madam, who looked terrified out of her mind. He curled his fingers, beckoning her over. The madam, her hands trembling, handed him the envelope. Xiang Yu opened it and checked the authenticity of the deed with a smile like that of a villainous fiend. He tossed the money bag onto the table, causing some of the coins to scatter.

"I took the liberty of deducting Baihe’s earnings," he said, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. The poor kid needed to be compensated for all his suffering under her cruel hand.

As he walked out, the madam, now on her knees picking up the fallen coins, complained, "Young miss, this servant can’t afford such a loss."

Xiang Yu turned around, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Oh, and the meal, I also deducted it from that as well," he added before striding away with a bounce in his step, clearly proud of himself. He was in an excellent mood.

The madam gritted her teeth but couldn’t say anything. Even if she wanted revenge, she couldn’t because of the jade token the other man had. She was extremely livid but who was she to complain to? She could only swallow this loss and buy more people at a lower price to make up for it.

When he returned to the private room Han Xin and Han Zhan were nowhere in sight. The others stayed behind eating osmanthus cakes. Correction, they had each eaten one and Mei was devouring the rest of the platter. She looked like a competitive eater scoffing down hotdogs. Xiang Yu felt exasperated watching her. This was her favourite food so she would eat it like it was the end of the world whenever she had the chance.

"Are you done?" he asked, and Mei nodded her head, her cheeks stuffed like a hamster. "Okay then, let’s go. Baihe, you will come with us," he continued to say with a smile on his face. Baihe, who had been sitting nervously with the others while taking small bites of the osmanthus cake in his hand, immediately fell to his knees.

His forehead touched the cold floor as tears streamed down his face. He had been stuck in a limber ever since she left the private room. He was worried about his future and if she would succeed.

Now that he knew he could leave this place he was extremely grateful to his benefactor and would serve her for the rest of his life. "Thank you, young miss. This servant owes you his life. Thank you," he choked out, his voice trembling with emotion.

Xiang Yu stepped forward, gently lifting him to his feet. "Get up. There is no need for that," he said softly, his eyes filled with compassion. He not only did it for Baihe but for everyone he couldn’t save when he was powerless. "Mei and Lian, from now on Baihe is your brother," he said and turned to the two girls, "you are not to bully him."