Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 125: "Aaaaahhhh, who is this man calling average?”

Chapter 125: "Aaaaahhhh, who is this man calling average?”

"Peng Xiu," he called out, his voice trembling as he checked her pulse. He pressed two fingers against her wrist searching for it. It was steady, and she didn’t seem to be in distress. Relief washed over him momentarily before another wave of worry crashed back again. He recalled how much she had slept in the afternoon which wasn’t normal. It was like she was in a state of deep sleep making him wonder if this might be an illness.

Perhaps today had taken its toll on her more heavily than usual? As much as he wanted to dismiss it all and excuse it as her simply needing rest, something deep inside told him this wasn’t just fatigue. There might be an illness lurking beneath those beautiful features that haunted his dreams now more than ever.

Deciding to wait for her to wake up, Han Xin found himself drawn to her face. His gaze trailed down to her lips, lingering there. The way the moonlight caressed her lips drew him in making it difficult to resist.

He pursed his lips, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he remembered the sweet taste of her lips when she had kissed him before. The sweetness of that kiss still lingered on the tip of his tongue.

The tantalising flavour still tugged at his heartstrings making him yearn for another kiss. The desire to taste that sweetness again was so overwhelming and tempting that he just wanted to kiss her, but he knew he would have to wait until she woke up.

As he stared at her, lost in his thoughts, Peng Xiu’s eyes suddenly fluttered open. She was shocked to see him so close, her eyes widening in surprise.

This was what Xiang Yu woke up to. He was so startled that he swore making the situation even more awkward. He had just watched himself suck this man’s soul with that crazed kiss and now he was right before his very eyes.

"Han Xin, what the hell are you doing?" he whispered, his voice filled with confusion. The Divine Emperor had told him not to touch Han Xin but the man was the one invading his space.

Han Xin glanced at the hand pressing down on his chest and held it while trying to compose himself. He was holding his breath hoping she wouldn’t take her hand back. "Are you alright? You were unresponsive... I was worried."

Xiang Yu was about to do just that, but when he felt his hand gently squeeze him, he felt bad; thus, he didn’t take it back. He smiled slightly, trying to reassure him. "I... I must have fallen into a deep sleep. I am sorry if I worried you."

Han Xin didn’t speak for a while. It was as though he was trying to find the right words. Finally, he said, "You weren’t moving no matter how I shook you awake. Is it an illness?" He had decided to throw caution to the wind and speak his true emotions.

"You scared me. I thought... I thought I lost you?" he confessed softly without pretence.

Xiang Yu knew that the twins would worry when he was in such a state. What seemed like minutes to him in the spiritual space was like hours to them. What he didn’t anticipate, though, was Han Xin being this concerned for him. It was both unsettling and comforting.

He quickly composed himself, masking his inner turmoil with a calm facade. "I am fine," he replied, his voice steady. "It’s just an old illness. It’s nothing to worry about."

Han Xin’s gaze lingered on him, filled with an intensity that made Xiang Yu’s heart skip a beat. The complexities of their situation weighed heavily on him, but he knew he had to stay focused on his mission, no matter how complicated his feelings might become.

He stood up and brushed off his robes. "Let’s go back," he said softly, turning to walk away before Han Xin started making trouble. But before he could take a step, something held him back. Han Xin’s hand shot out and a firm grip encircled his arm. Xiang Yu hated to admit it but the man’s touch sent electric shivers through his body.

He pulled him back and Xiang Yu was forced to face him. The demon king looked into those dark eyes filled with an intensity that seemed to make time freeze and immediately looked away as though scorched by something.

Han Xin looked down at her. With a gentle but commanding motion, he pinched her chin between his fingers and lifted it forcing her to look up.

Xiang Yu’s brows furrowed instinctively. He felt exposed under Han Xin’s scrutiny and wanted nothing more than to break free from this momentary hold. But before he could pull away, Han Xin spoke softly yet firmly.

"I thought I could wait... but it’s harder than I thought." As he spoke these words, his thumb rubbed against her wrist tenderly sending shivers down Xiang Yu’s spine.

Xiang Yu swallowed hard as a lump formed in his throat while screaming internally at the Divine Emperor. "It’s not my fault, old man!" he yelled silently into the void of his mind as if hoping for divine intervention while also grappling with the emotions stirring with him. "You can’t blame me. This immortal bastard touched me first!"

If the Divine Emperor was there, he would have yelled back saying, "You little fox demon! You seduced my son first," but he was currently offline stewing in anger.

Noticing how distracted she was, Han Xin leaned closer until their breaths mingled like wisps of smoke on a cool evening breeze. "Who are you thinking about?" His voice was low and smooth, like honey dripping over warm bread.

His voice sent shivers racing along Xiang Yu’s skin. He felt like prey caught by a relentless predator. Han Xin’s intensity gave him goosebumps, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He decided then to play with fire, to flirt dangerously close to disaster. A sly smile graced his lips as mischief sparkled in his eyes.

"I am thinking of Crown Prince Xiang Yu," he teased lightly, letting each word drip seduction from its edges. "His handsome face is to die for."

A flicker of jealousy ignited within Han Xin’s gaze. Maybe it was just Xiang Yu’s illusion, but he thought he saw darkening storm clouds brewing on an otherwise clear horizon. Don’t tell me this man was so mad that he summoned a storm.

A murderous intent flashed briefly across Han Xin’s normally composed features. How could he forget about Crown Prince Xiang Yu? In that momentary lapse into madness fuelled by envy, Han Xin clenched his fist tight enough for his knuckles to turn white. The thought of him lusting over his woman made his blood boil.

He closed those smouldering eyes tightly as if sealing away thoughts too dangerous for her to see before finally asking through gritted teeth, "Is he better looking than me? I saw his portrait...he looks average with horrible scars on his face."

Xiang Yu blinked rapidly at those words. Disbelief coursed through him like icy water poured upon flames fanned high by passion. The audacity of this ugly bastard to call this venerable one average! "Aaaaahhhh, who is this man calling average?" he thought, incredulous.