Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 270: Does it hurt.

Chapter 270: Does it hurt.

Xiang Yu, oblivious to the tempest brewing within Han Jia, dragged him roughly toward the conference room. He levelled the gun at Han Jia’s temple, the cold metal pressing against his skin, an unspoken threat that sent shivers down his spine. Han Jia trembled, turning his head away, the terror palpable in his body language. Would Xiang Yu truly pull the trigger?

With a smug smile, Xiang Yu turned to the butler, his voice dripping with menace. "Where is he?"

The butler, recalling the earlier threats, was paralysed by fear, his composure shattered. He pointed a trembling finger down the long passageway, hoping against hope that of he complied it would ensure his survival. "At the end of the hall," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Xiang Yu’s eyes narrowed, and with a commanding tone, he ordered, "Lead the way." The butler’s legs quaked beneath him, but the instinct for self-preservation propelled him forward, each step dragging him deeper into the lion’s den.

As they moved, bodyguards emerged from the dust, guns drawn, but halted in their tracks at the sight of Han Jia held hostage. Fear gripped their hearts. Xiang Yu’s sneer was a flash of predatory delight as he entered the conference room.

A mix of older men filled the room. Some were seated, exuding an air of calm, while others were embroiled in heated arguments over security measures. They were seasoned in the ways of violence, their lives steeped in gunfights and bloodshed. But the moment they laid eyes on Xiang Yu, an oppressive aura enveloped the room, stealing their breath.

The air grew thick with intimidation, yet beneath their hardened exteriors, they simmered with defiance. They would never accept Xiang Yu’s dominance.

With a swift, practised motion, tossed Han Jia over the table. The younger man’s scream pierced the air, raw and filled with terror, as he slid across the polished surface, the sound of his body skidding against the leather tablecloth echoing through the silence. Panic surged in Han Jing’s chest as he yelled, "Han Jia!" He hadn’t anticipated that his precious son would be caught in the crosshairs of Xiang Yu’s wrath.

With a heart pounding against his ribcage, Han Jia raised his head, his eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears, searching desperately for his father. "Dad!" he cried, scrambling on all fours like a desperate child trying to escape a nightmare, his heart racing as he fought against the urge to break down.

Seeing that Xiang Yu had stupidly let go of his only leverage, Clan Leader Di who was still harbouring a long-standing grudge against Xiang Yu took the opportunity. He reached for his gun, movements swift and lethal. Yet, Xiang Yu was quicker. The crack of gunfire rang out, a violent punctuation in the tense atmosphere. Clan Leader Die’s lifeless body leaned back in his chair, his eyes wide with disbelief, as blood pooled and dripped onto the carpet, staining the elegant fibres a dark crimson.

Gasps of shock reverberated through the room, the gruesome sight leaving splatters of blood across the faces of those seated beside him. The air hung thick with disbelief as some clan leaders instinctively drew their weapons, glancing nervously at each other while Xiang Yu’s gun remained steady. He slid his hands down Han Xin’s trembling shoulders, then his chest, a chilling contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.

Han Xin felt his heart race, a thrill of excitement and anticipation coursing through him as Xiang Yu leaned closer. "Before you act irrationally," Xiang Yu warned, his voice smooth yet edged with steel, "you should think about it. My issue was with Clan Leader Die, and now that we’re even, we can discuss this civilly."

A clan leader with a braided beard shot a finger at Xiang Yu, indignation flaring in his eyes. "You talk about civility when you just did that?" His voice trembled with rage, echoed by the others, their voices rising in a cacophony of outrage.

"Exactly," another chimed in. "If you did it to him, what’s stopping you from killing indiscriminately?"

"Do you think you can just do what you want, unchallenged?" a third added, his tone laced with contempt. "Dragon Head, address this!"

Han Jing, protective and furious, hid Han Jia behind him like a protective mother hen, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Hurry up and take him down! Make sure he suffers for his sins!" The command rolled off his tongue like a curse, but Han Xin, unable to bear the escalating tension, burst forth.

"Shut up and sit down!" The words came out with a surprising force, startling everyone into silence. Han Jing’s brows furrowed in disbelief, while Han Jia’s mouth fell agape, astonished at his half-brother’s audacity. The clan leaders exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend the unfolding drama.

In a moment that felt suspended in time, Xiang Yu leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Han Xin’s cheek, an act of defiance that sent shockwaves through the room. His eyes darkened as he noticed the bruise at the corner of Han Xin’s lip. That bruise ignited a raging storm within him.

Turning sharply, Xiang Yu focused his fury on the butler standing frozen behind him. The butler’s heart raced, recalling the threat that had been issued over the phone. "What did I say on the phone, huh?" Xiang Yu hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

The sound of his boot connecting with the butler’s side was unnerving, a brutal cadence that echoed in the stunned silence. "You—you said if as much as Young Master Han has a hair missing, you would return it tenfold!" the butler stammered, clutching his abdomen in pain, desperation etched on his face.

Xiang Yu stepped back, his chest heaving as he wrestled with the tempest of emotions swirling inside him. He approached Han Xin, his fingers brushing softly against the bruise. "Does it hurt?" he asked with concern in his voice.

To everyone’s surprise, Han Xin, who had always been cold and indifferent, nodded slightly, "Yes." The admission hung in air leaving everyone stupified.