Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 402: More like a one-sided beating

Chapter 402: More like a one-sided beating

"Your Highness, aren’t you coming with me?" the steward pressed, the unease in his voice evident.

Xiang Yu attached the communicator to his belt, his tone firm. "I will join you as soon as I can. If anyone asks, you know what to say."

The steward felt a twinge of discomfort, but he understood Xian Yu had his reasons. He coated the wounds on his forehead with healing ointment, a gentle touch in contrast to the chaos of earlier. "Just be safe, Your Highness."

"I will," Xiang Yu assured him, though the weight of uncertainty lingered.

Once the steward left, Xiang Yu turned his gaze to the mirror. The reflection exposed his body. It was like a canvas marked by unsightly bruises that where dark and swollen. Each bruise felt like a reminder of how cruel that man could be. He beat him like he wasn’t beating his son but as a rag doll in a brutal game.

His fingers brushed the back of his neck, where his gland lay. Instead of the expected bite marks, the skin was smooth and untouched. A memory of Han Xin’s fingers gliding softly against his skin, igniting a warmth deep within him, flickered in his mind.

Xiang Yu bit his lower lip, the hollow ache in his chest stirring as Han Xin’s words swirled in his thoughts. The moment before Han Xin’s teeth sank into him echoed loudly in the silence. The memory quickened his heartbeat, and he felt the familiar surge of pheromones escape him, wafting through the air like a secret.

The scent of his pheromones mingled with Han Xin’s, creating a warm cocoon that settled around him. The fragrance calmed his racing mind, wrapping him in a feeling of ease in the chaos.

After a while he pulled on a loose-fitting t-shirt, the fabric brushing against his skin. He activated his communicator and dialled Han Zhan. After a few rings, the screen blinked to life.

"Your Highness!" Han Zhan’s voice broke through, but his brows furrowed almost immediately. His eyes focused on the marks that peeked out from beneath Xiang Yu’s shirt.

"I saw your note," Xiang Yu said, trying to sound casual, but the weariness crept into his voice.

Han Zhan was confused. Wasn’t Xiang Yu recovering in the healing capsule all this time? If he was then how was he injured already? When he saw Xiang Yu’s face his brows arched.

Han Zhan asked, "Got into a fight?"

"More like a one-sided beating," replied Xiang Yu the corners of his mouth twitching into a grimace.

Han Zhan was taken aback. Xiang Yu was known for his quick temper so how could someone manage to beat him up without him retaliating? It made no sense to him.

"I will send you the details for tomorrow," Xiang Yu continued, not wanting to dwell on the past. "Just be ready."

"Tomorrow?" Han Zhan echoed, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Isn’t it too soon? A week would give us more time to prepare."

Xiang Yu leaned back, his expression firm. "My plan won’t fail. You just need to be prepared."

Han Zhan considered this, the concern evident in his furrowed brow. "I will be ready. If you need my help..."

"I won’t need it," Xiang Yu interrupted, his voice steady. "I will have more than enough help."

Curiosity danced in Han Zhan’s gaze, but he held his questions back. Instead, he leaned forward slightly. "So you’re really going to risk everything for him?"

Xiang Yu glanced up, confusion flickering in his eyes. He had almost forgotten how Han Zhan viewed him as someone at odds with Han Xin. The thought of sacrificing everything seemed impossible from that perspective. "I will give everything up for him... even my life," he said, the words heavy with conviction.

Han Zhan hesitated, his mouth opening as if to question Xiang Yu’s words. But just as he was about to speak, Xiang Yu cut the call, swiping the screen upward. The display flickered, and he found Lian’s contact. With a quick tap, he dialled her number.

Lian answered, rollers perched atop her head and a green face mask covering her features. "Master! You’re awake!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

Mei, who was nearby, dashed into the room. "Master! Master is awake!" she echoed, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Just woke up. Are you two okay?" Xiang Yu asked, a small smile breaking through his earlier tension.

"We are okay!" Mei chirped, holding up a nail polish brush like a trophy in her hand.

"What are you up to?" he suddenly asked suspecting that they were up to something bad. The smile on Lian’s face was all telling.

Lian leaned closer, her mask sliding slightly askew. "Um, we were giving Grandpa a makeover," she said sheepishly.

Mei added, "Master don’t be jealous? We were just bored and needed to pass time."

Xiang Yu paused, his brow arching in disbelief. Not jealous, but genuinely wondering how they convinced that old man to sit still for this. "Take me to him. Let me see your handiwork," he said, amusement tugging at his lips.

The twins exchanged glances, their excitement bubbling over. "Okay!" they replied in unison before scampering out of the room, giggles trailing behind them.

Seeing them run happily, Xiang Yu felt a warmth settle in his chest. No matter how hard the world fought against him, in these moments with Lian and Mei, he found a flicker of joy.

Lian and Mei walked into the room, their footsteps light and giggly as they approached Marshal Wu, who sat slumped in a lounge chair. His brow was furrowed, and deep lines of worry marked his face. He was lost in thought, questioning every life choice that led him to this moment.

Why had he agreed to this? The girls had pleaded with him, their eyes glistening with unshed tears, claiming they were bored since he had grounded them. How could he refuse? But now, as he gazed at the scattered supplies feeling quite regretful.

Earlier on....

"Just sit still, Grandpa," Mei instructed, her brow set in a determined frown. She was a mean hairstylist, precise and a bit bossy, scolding him every time he turned his head away. "You can’t move when I am spraying!"

He braced himself as she sprayed an alarming amount of hairspray, an invisible cloud enveloping his head. "Are you trying to choke me?" he complained, gasping for air.

Lian chimed in, her expression earnest. "You want to look nice, right?"