Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 422: Why would he leave?

Chapter 422: Why would he leave?

Han Zhan, his gaze fixed on Han Xin’s rapidly ascending figure, sighed. "You would think so," he murmured, his voice laced with a weariness that went beyond the immediate situation.

He watched as Han Xin disappeared up the stairs, the dread in his heart intensifying. He had a feeling that without Xiang Yu in his life, his cousin would spiral out of control.

Han Xin stood before the door to Xiang Yu’s bed chambers, his heart pounding in his chest. His hand trembled as he reached for the security panel, but it froze in midair. He wiped his dry lips, a futile attempt to steady himself.

He couldn’t bear the thought of shattering the illusion that Xiang Yu was inside, hugging the body pillow with his face buried in its softness. Han Xin bit his lower lip, trying to restrain himself, but he failed. With a heavy heart, he tapped the panel, and the door slid open.

He stepped into the dark foyer, the only light coming through the windows. Shadows danced on the walls, creating an eerie atmosphere. He walked to the bedroom, his footsteps echoing in the silence.

But the bed was empty, neatly made with no signs of being slept in for days. Han Xin’s illusions were shattered. He stood there, staring at the bed as if willing Xiang Yu to materialize if he stared hard enough.

Behind him, Han Zhan entered the room. He hesitated at the door before softly calling out, "Ah-Xin."

Han Xin stood motionless, a grey cloud hanging over his head. Suddenly, a bright crack of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a loud clap of thunder that startled Han Zhan.

He jumped, like a pup frightened by the thunderclap, instinctively wanting to hide under the bed. He couldn’t help but wonder why the weather in the imperial capital had been so erratic lately.

Han Xin suddenly turned his head, his eyes fierce like a resentful ghost. Han Zhan took a step back, wondering if he should run. "Where is his communicator?" Han Xin demanded, his voice cold and sharp.

Han Zhan, still shaken from the fright, let out a high-pitched "Huh?" Han Xin’s intense gaze bore into him, and he didn’t need to say another word.

"Oh, um, let me track it," Han Zhan stammered. For the first time, he felt like he was facing his uncle. His uncle was just as frightening when angry, a rare but unforgettable sight.

Han Zhan swiped the floating screen, enlarging it with a flick of his wrist. Han Xin’s eyes locked onto the display, seeing that the communicator was in his room. Without a moment’s hesitation, he walked out in large strides, crossing the hallway in a few determined steps. He entered his room, his voice commanding, "Zeus, lights on."

The room illuminated instantly, but there was no sign of the communicator. Normally meticulous, Han Xin didn’t like things out of place, but today he was throwing things around in a frantic search. Han Zhan, seeing his cousin’s struggle, decided to call the communicator. It immediately began to ring.

Han Xin’s head snapped in the direction of the sound. The communicator was nestled next to the potato plant. He rushed over and picked it up, staring at it with a lost expression.

Han Zhan, not wanting to intrude on his cousin’s moment, stepped out into the hallway, wishing he could smoke. It pained him to see Han Xin like this. He was a man who could carry the weight of the world on his shoulders yet now he seemed to be falling apart.

Han Xin’s gaze wandered, and he suddenly spotted a picture next to the potted plant. He had seen it before, but what was it doing here? Han Xin picked it up, his fingers tracing the edges, worn and softened with handling. The photograph depicted a mansion, grand yet inviting. Stone steps, polished smooth by time and countless feet, swept up to a wide, oak door.

Tall, arched windows were framed by climbing ivy, hinting at the warmth and light within. The roof was a rich, dark slate that seemed to gleam even in the photograph. A manicured lawn stretched out before the house, dotted with carefully placed flowerbeds bursting with colour.

A gentle wisp of smoke curled from one of the chimneys, an unusual sight in the Republic, where no one ever needed to light a fire. The overall impression was one of comfortable luxury, a haven of peace.

Han Xin’s fingers traced the lines of the mansion in the photograph. Wondering where he could find this place, and if Xiang Yu was hiding out there. He carefully turned the photograph over. On the back was a drawing of a heart.

The lines were strong and deliberate, yet somehow vulnerable. Han Xin’s brow furrowed as he got lost in thought. A few minutes later, he came out of the room and found his cousin standing at the window, puffing out a cloud of smoke.

Han Xin stood beside him, and the two of them were silent for a while with the sound of heavy rain surrounding them. After some time, Han Zhan asked, "Did he leave you a message?"

Han Xin looked into the distance, staring at the garden in a daze. "He just left me this," Han Xin said, showing him the photo of the house. Han Zhan took the photo and leaned against the wall, with half his body slightly leaning outside the window. He studied the photo, flipping it this way and that. He raised the picture toward the light, but there was nothing.

"Do you think there is a house like this in the Republic?" Han Zhan asked.

"I don’t know," Han Xin replied, rubbing his forehead. He looked so defeated as he stood there, leaning forward. Han Zhan wanted to encourage him, but he didn’t know what to say.

After some time, Han Xin asked, "Why would he leave... why didn’t he come with me?"

"I heard they were asking for his head on Star Net, so he probably left because of that. It was for his safety," Han Zhan replied.

"Which is why he should have gone with me. Why didn’t he?" Han Xin questioned, his voice heavy with frustration.

Han Zhan knew why. Xiang Yu had unfinished business and couldn’t just up and leave. "He probably had his own reasons. He just wanted to get you to safety first."

Han Xin knew Xiang Yu had a good reason for not going with him, but he wished he had done so. Just then, Han Zhan’s communicator buzzed. Han Zhan checked it and saw that it was the Marshal telling them to get ready.

"We have to go," Han Zhan said as he handed Han Xin back the photo.

"Did you scan it?" Han Xin asked.

"No, let me do that," Han Zhan replied. Han Xin said, "Have someone analyse the photo and search the entire Republic." Han Zhan finished scanning the photo and said, "Alright, I will have someone on it," as he gave it back.

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