Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 420: Where is he?

Chapter 420: Where is he?

Undeterred, a noble named Lord Gao, a man who had long coveted the Imperial throne for himself and whose faction still refused to believe the truth, rose to his feet. "How can we be certain you are truly the child of Imperial Lord Han?" he challenged, his voice laced with scepticism.

Gao and his cronies, desperate to cling to their fading ambitions, clung to the hope that this was some elaborate ruse, a puppet being placed on the throne by Marshal Wu.

They couldn’t deny, however, the unsettling feeling that had washed over them when Han Xin entered the court. They had felt the undeniable weight of his presence, the primal urge to kneel, the chilling certainty that defiance would be met with swift and decisive retribution.

Even under Imperial Lord Xiang, they had never felt such an oppressive force. But pride and ambition blinded them to the obvious truth. They would not, could not, admit the truth of what they felt in their bones.

Han Zhan, who had been silently observing the proceedings, finally snapped. He’d endured years of watching his cousin endure slights and humiliations. Now, these self-serving councillors dared to question Han Xin’s birthright. Enough was enough.

A sneer twisted his lips. "Didn’t you match his genetics in the system?" he demanded, his voice ringing with disdain. "That must have been the very first thing you did when you heard you could put whoever you wanted on the throne."

His words dropped like a bombshell, igniting a firestorm in the court. Accusations of manipulation and backroom deals filled the air. The holographic displays flickered with the outraged faces of other leaders who could make it, their murmurs echoing through the hall.

Han Xin raised a hand, a simple gesture that instantly silenced the chaos. All eyes turned to him. His gaze, cold and piercing, fixed on the middle-aged noble who had dared to question his lineage. "Would you like to do a genetic match right now, in front of the entire Republic?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with steel. "So we can settle this once and for all?"

He didn’t wait for a response. "The Republic is at war," he continued, his gaze sweeping across the assembled councillors. "We need a leader now. Let’s not waste any more time on this charade. Let’s get this done."

The noble’s beard trembled. He hmphed, a weak show of defiance, but he couldn’t meet Han Xin’s eyes. The weight of the accusation, the potential consequences of being proven wrong, hung heavy in the air.

Marshal Wu, sensing the shift in the room, stepped forward. "I agree with His Majesty," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "In order to move on to other, equally important matters, let us settle this here."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the court, this time in agreement. The councillors, sensing the will of the people and the undeniable aura of authority radiating from Han Xin, began to nod. The challenge to his legitimacy was losing ground, crumbling under the weight of his presence and the sheer absurdity of the situation.

Thirty minutes later...

Palpable tension hung in the air as they anticipated the results. In the centre of the room, a state-of-the-art DNA tester machine stood ready, flanked by three physicians.

Han Xin, with his imposing presence, was asked to sit in the chair before the court. His aura was so oppressive that the very air seemed to thicken, making it difficult for those around him to breathe.

The physicians approached him with great trepidation, their hands trembling slightly as they prepared to take the necessary samples. Their apologies were almost whispers, reverent and fearful, as they touched him.

Drawing blood from his arm, pulling out a few hairs, and swabbing inside his mouth, the physicians worked quickly yet meticulously. They were acutely aware that this was their future Imperial Lord, and any misstep could have severe consequences. Han Xin remained still, his cold expression unchanging, his intimidating aura never wavering.

Once the samples were collected, the physicians moved to the DNA tester machine, their movements a blend of precision and anxiety. They began running the tests in full view of the assembled court. The silence was deafening as everyone watched the process unfold.

The first test results appeared on the screen, confirming a DNA match. A collective murmur ran through the crowd. The physicians, ensuring absolute certainty, conducted the second and third tests, each time yielding the same result. The DNA matched perfectly.

When the results were cross-referenced with the database, the match was undeniable. Han Xin’s DNA aligned with all seven generations of Imperial Lords in the history of the Republic. The entire court fell into a stunned silence. The weight of the revelation settled over them like a shroud.

Marshal Wu, standing tall and resolute, seized the moment. He turned to the assembled Councilors and noble families, his voice carrying the authority of his position. "Are there any more objections?" he asked, the question hanging in the air like a challenge.

The Councilors, who had previously been so vocal in their opposition, now found themselves at a loss for words. The evidence was irrefutable, staring them in the face. One by one, they shook their heads, unable to contest the results.

Han Xin’s icy gaze swept over the room, his aura still oppressive, but now tinged with a sense of triumph. The future of the Republic had been confirmed and the true Imperial Lord would be conferred the title. Because of the Republic’s current situation they coildnt have a large ceremony. They only had four hours to prepare for a rushed ceremony.

Since a decision had been made Han Xin exited the court with Han Zhan and Marshal Wu, the hushed whispers of the crowd behind them. Stepping into the waiting hovercar, he turned to Marshal Wu, his voice low and urgent. "Where is he?"

Marshal Wu’s face tightened, a grim acknowledgement of the unspoken question. He already knew who this ’he’ Han Xin was asking about was. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice heavy with regret, "he escaped with my two granddaughters." He wrung his hands, the weight of his failure evident. "I have searched everywhere. My men have combed the city and the surrounding territories..., but nothing. There’s no trace of them."

As Marshal Wu spoke his gaze fell on the gold ring on Han Xin’s finger. It was a simple ring, yet it resonated with a strange familiarity. He felt like he seen it before though he couldn’t quite place where.

Han Xin’s brow furrowed, his chest tightening with a dull ache. Since awakening two days ago, Xiang Yu had consumed his every thought. He had tried to contact him, but the communicator, which should have been answered immediately, had rung unanswered, an unnerving silence echoing in his ear.

Han Zhan’s attempts to track the device revealed it was still within the Imperial Palace. Han Xin had initially assumed Xiang Yu was being detained, but then he learned that the palace had been inexplicably cut off from the Star Net. Despite his still-fragile state, he had insisted on returning to the capital, a gruelling three-day journey.

AN: Happy Valentine’s my loves. Spoil yourselves with some gifts. Happy reading :)

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