Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 412: Getting revenge

Chapter 412: Getting revenge

He pressed on, his voice regaining its strength. "I understand that the timing of this declaration makes things even more difficult, given the current conflict with the Federation. But I trust that, as an interplanetary nation, you understand why this has to be done.

Effective immediately, I, Wu Zhi Chen, in my capacity as the former head of the military forces, do hereby assume control of the governance and administration of the territories previously under the jurisdiction of Imperial Lord Xiang. This action is taken to restore order, uphold justice, and ensure the security of our people. The following mandates are hereby enacted..."

While Marshal Wu continued his declaration, the Imperial Lord sat in his private study, a cigarette trembling between his fingers. He was in the midst of a frantic call with one of his remaining allies when the connection to StarNet was abruptly severed. It wasn’t just his connection, the entire palace was cut off. No messages could go in or out.

He had already tried to contact the military for support, but the declaration had stripped him of that power. He exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, raking his hand through his hair in frustration. He hadn’t anticipated such a swift and decisive move. He had no idea anyone had witnessed him that day, the day he killed the late Imperial Lord.

A twisted smile, more grotesque than tears, contorted his lips. He rose from his chair. Since things had come to this, he might as well spend some time with his wife. He grabbed a bottle of potent liquor from his safe and walked to the secret elevator hidden behind the wall. He stepped inside, the elevator descending to the secret laboratory deep beneath the palace.

"Honey," he called out as he entered the lab, his voice echoing in the sterile space. "I brought that bottle we bought when Little Yu was born."

He pulled back the lace curtain, revealing a chilling sight. His late wife lay lifeless in a preservation tank, suspended in the shimmering fluid. She looked eerily beautiful, like an angel trapped in a glass display case. The Imperial Lord sat down beside the tank, watching the machinery circulate the preservative. This was the reason she wasn’t in his bedchambers, the reason she was in the lab rather than in his quarters.

He gently caressed the cold glass, his touch lingering on her face. "We said we would open it when Little Yu got married," he murmured, his voice thick with a mixture of regret and bitterness. "But it seems we won’t be able to see that day."

He uncorked the bottle, the pungent aroma of the strong liquor stinging his nostrils. He took a large gulp, the liquid burning a fiery path down his throat. "Xing Xing," he whispered, his eyes welling up with tears.

"You were right... I got greedy. And it finally came crashing down on me. I should have listened to you... you always had the best advice." He took another swig, his hand shaking. The liquor blurred his vision, the image of his wife shimmering through the tears.

The Imperial Lord’s mind drifted back to his childhood, to the grim reality of the orphanage where he and Xing Xing grew up. Every day was a struggle for survival, a relentless cycle of beatings, abuse, and forced labour. They were made to work and beg on the streets, handing over every meagre earning to the cruel orphanage director.

The only respite came during the rare inspections by social workers. Then, and only then, were they given decent food and clean clothes. But even then, they couldn’t risk complaining about their treatment.

Any hint of dissent was met with brutal punishment, often being locked out of the orphanage to endure the harsh cold of the night. As soon as the social workers left, the charade ended. They were forced to return the clothes, and their meals reverted back to the tasteless, cheap nutrient supplements.

Xing Xing had been his constant companion, his solace in that bleak existence. She comforted him when he cried, bandaged his wounds, and even shared her meagre rations with him. He would often boast, promising her that one day he would take her to the palace, shower her with riches, and give her everything she ever desired.

But Xing Xing, with her simple heart and gentle spirit, would always reply, "I don’t care where we are, as long as I am with you, gege." She didn’t yearn for lavish things; all she wanted was a simple life by his side.

He, on the other hand, was consumed by ambition, obsessed with the idea of rising above his lowly origins. He had spent his entire life being told he was worthless and that he would never amount to anything.

He wanted to prove them all wrong. He wanted to sit on the throne, to wield power, and to exact revenge on those who had scorned him. And he had achieved his goal, but at what cost?

He took another gulp of the burning liquor, his gaze fixed on his wife’s serene face. "I am sorry, Xing Xing," he mumbled, his voice thick with remorse. "I am sorry I neglected you and-"

Suddenly, a noise from his bedchamber interrupted his thoughts. He paused, listening intently. He took another swig of the liquor and walked back to the elevator. As he stepped out into his opulent imperial study, he froze. His son, Xiang Yu, was sitting in his chair, his expression relaxed, almost casual, as if he owned the place.

Xiang Yu sat in the Imperial Lord’s own chair, casually twisting the ring on his finger, his expression nonchalant, almost mocking. The Imperial Lord, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, regarded his son with a mixture of anger and wariness.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

Xiang Yu flashed a sly smile. "Father," he said, his voice dripping with false concern, "can’t a son visit his father?"

The Imperial Lord didn’t believe it for a second. He remained vigilant, his gaze fixed on Xiang Yu as he moved casually around the room, never letting his guard down. "Should I be touched that you actually care?" he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Xiang Yu chuckled. "That question is rather amusing, coming from you."

The Imperial Lord’s patience wore thin. "Why are you here?" he growled, his anger evident.

"I just wanted to know," Xiang Yu said, his voice low and dangerous, "why you did it. Why did you kill his parents?"

Imperial Lord Xiang’s eyes widened slightly. "Ah," he said, a cruel smile spreading across his lips. "So you knew who he really was... all this time."

Xiang Yu didn’t reply. He simply glared at his father, his eyes burning with a cold fury.

The Imperial Lord rubbed his lower lip, his smile widening. "Is that why you sided with him?" he sneered. "Did you really think he would marry you? Absolve you of all the mistreatment you subjected him to? How pathetic."

"Answer the question," Xiang Yu demanded, his voice like ice.