Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 419: The true king has returned

Chapter 419: The true king has returned

"Marshal Wu," Councilor Valerius’ voice cut through the air, amplified by the hall’s acoustics, "you have held this declaration for far too long. The Republic has chosen its path. Relinquish your claim and hand it over to the current Marshal. It is the will of the people."

Marshal Wu’s jaw tightened. He clenched his fist tighter determination etched across his face. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, surrender it. Not until Han Xin returned. Not until the rightful heir claimed his birthright.

"Speak, Marshal," another Councilor urged, the word echoed by several others. The pressure mounted. The Republic watched, their hopes and fears hanging in the balance. To refuse was to invite chaos, to be branded a traitor.

Marshal Wu met their gazes, his own unwavering. "I cannot," he said, his voice resonating with conviction. "I cannot hand over this declaration until the true heir to the crown, the son of the stars, ascends to his rightful place."

A wave of murmurs swept through the hall. The holographic screens reflected a mix of anger and support. Some condemned Marshal Wu’s defiance, while others championed his loyalty. The court erupted into chaos, voices rising in heated debate.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd near the main doors. The whispers died down, replaced by an unnerving silence. An oppressive aura, thick and suffocating, seeped into the hall, silencing even the most ardent debaters. All eyes turned towards the entrance.

A group of figures, cloaked and imposing, strode into the chamber. At their head walked a man whose presence commanded attention. He moved with an effortless grace, his face partially obscured by the shadows of his hood. But even in the dim light, the fire in his eyes burned with an undeniable intensity.

As the man drew closer, the murmurs ceased entirely. Recognition dawned on the faces of the councillors. A collective gasp rippled through the hall. The air crackled with a palpable energy.

The man stopped before them, throwing back his hood. Han Xin’s face, etched with determination and strength, was finally revealed. He stood tall, his gaze sweeping across the assembled court. Then, he released it.

The true pressure of the Imperial Lord, the weight of his birthright, the power that had lain dormant for so long, surged outwards. It was a force that compelled submission, a wave of pure authority that crashed over the court. Councillors trembled, some sinking to their knees.

The holographic displays flickered and died, unable to contain the raw power emanating from Han Xin. The silence in the hall was absolute, broken only by the heavy breathing of those struggling to withstand the force of his presence.

Han Xin’s dark eyes shone with a fierce blue light that was terrifying to look at. Feeling a throbbing headache, Han Xin restrained himself but the expression on his face remained fierce. The people present felt a great sense of relief wash over them as they returned to their seats.

As he continued towards, beside him was Han Zhan, a sneer playing on his lips, and behind them were figures clad in red gear with their faces concealed. The Councillors who had just recovered immediately recognised them as the Crimson Sentinels, the elite guards who had once served Imperial Lord Han and had vanished after his death.

Han Xin’s expression was icy, his steps slow and deliberate, exuding an air of intimidation. His very presence seemed to drain the room of warmth, leaving only the cold, hard reality of his authority.

Han Xin’s eyes locked onto Marshal Wu, who stood at the centre of the hall, his fist still clenched in frustration. The former Marshal met Han Xin’s gaze with a mixture of relief and trepidation.

The Crimson Sentinels moved in perfect unison, their presence a stark reminder of the true heir’s power. The room was filled with a palpable tension, the nobles and Councillors alike waiting for the next move.

Han Xin’s arrival detonated across the Republic like a supernova. Every citizen glued to their Star Net feeds experienced a collective jolt of disbelief. The man who had been Xiang Yu’s constant companion, the one they had seen enduring petty humiliations and casual slights, was the true heir?

It was inconceivable. The Republic’s collective jaw hung open. They had watched Xiang Yu treat Han Xin like a servant and witnessed nobles sneer and belittle him. And all this time... he was the rightful ruler?

The digital forums exploded. "He was right there!" one message screamed. "Xiang Yu made him fetch his things like a loyal dog!" another exclaimed, the digital equivalent of a facepalm echoing across the network.

The question on everyone’s mind was: did Han Xin know? Had he known all along, enduring this charade for some unknown purpose? Why would he suffer so much if he held the key to the throne?

Theories flew. Some argued that Han Xin had been playing a long game, a master strategist waiting for the opportune moment. Others vehemently disagreed. "If he knew, would he let Xiang Yu take credit for his victories or take punishment for Xiang Yu" someone posted, referencing a past battle where Han Xin’s tactical brilliance had been attributed to Xiang Yu.

The debate raged, fueled by shock and a healthy dose of schadenfreude at Xiang Yu’s expense. "Drag him and his father through the streets!" one comment demanded. "Hand them over to us. We will tear them both limb from limb!" Other comments were defending Peng Xiu saying she was sweet and innocent and didn’t deserve to be clamped up with this father and son duo. Others hoped that Han Xin would marry her as she was always nice to him.

Oblivious to the digital storm on Star Net, Han Xin addressed the stunned court. "That won’t be necessary," he said, his voice calm and measured. "The Marshal doesn’t have to relinquish anything."

Councilor Elara, one of the most vocal proponents of Wu’s removal, stammered, "But... your Majes—your Excellency, this..."

Han Xin’s gaze, sharp and penetrating, silenced her mid-sentence. Elara clamped her mouth shut, her face flushed.

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