Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 585: What services?

Chapter 585: What services?

Han Xin’s eyes were intense, like a predator sizing up its prey. Xiang Yu felt a rush of heat wash over him as he let Han Xin draw nearer, their closeness charging the air with electricity.

The world around them faded away as Han Xin leaned in, his breath hot and tantalising against Xiang Yu’s skin. Each heartbeat pulsed with anticipation. Just as their lips were about to touch, Han Xin stiffened.

Something flickered in his gaze, and he turned his head sharply to the side. Xiang Yu’s frown deepened, irritation bubbling up inside him. Who dared disturb his good thing?

When he saw the figure standing there, his expression shifted from annoyance to something darker. The older gentleman was dressed in pure white from head to toe, his bald head gleaming in the dim light, and a long, white beard flowed down to his chest.

Xiang Yu’s lips curled into a sinister smile. He knew that face all too well. It belonged to the leader of the Sanguine Wardens, Warden Udrich. The warden surveyed them with a calm demeanour that belied the danger in his presence.

Xiang Yu wasn’t surprised that they had found him here despite changing his appearance. At this time, the rest of the world thought he was dead. They thought he had been killed by Han Xin. It was only the Overseer and her minions who knew he was still alive and were hunting him down.

He knew the entrances into the city were equipped to collect biometric data of everyone that walked through their gates hence even if he altered his appearance, the warden could still identify him. Unfortunately for the old man, he didn’t have the same advantage over Han Xin so he had no idea who he was.

He stood there, as upright as a priest, with a veneer of polished courtesy masking the truth within. Warden Udrich projected an air of authority, but Xiang Yu could see the rot hidden just beneath the surface.

"Warden Udrich," Xiang Yu said, his voice smooth and deliberate, "it’s a pleasure to see you."

"It’s a pleasure to see that you are still in good health," Udrich replied, his smile wide but lacking warmth. "From what I heard, you had been killed."

Xiang Yu noted the slight twitch in the warden’s lips as the words left his mouth. The alliance had been well aware of the Overseer’s plan to send Xiang Yu to marry Han Xin instead of her daughter.

That wedding was meant to be a bloody spectacle. Everyone had expected the mission to end in Xiang Yu’s death. After all it was a suicide mission cloaked in the guise of diplomacy. Yet here he was, alive and standing before Udrich.

Udrich crossed his arms, adopting a posture that was both commanding and condescending. "If you had told me you were coming around, I would have made sure to host you well."

Xiang Yu smiled, a slight, knowing curve of his lips. "I would have informed you, but as you can see, I am being hunted by my enemies. It’s very... inconvenient."

Udrich’s smile widened, revealing just enough of his teeth to hint at the predator beneath. "I understand. But you are welcome here anytime. Your home is mine to do with as you please."

Xiang Yu let the sincerity in his voice shine through. "I appreciate it."

Warden Udrich’s smile remained, polite yet calculating. "If there is anything you need to make your stay comfortable, please don’t hesitate to speak."

Xiang Yu raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Then I won’t be polite, Warden."

The warden’s gaze flickered to the average-looking man standing behind Xiang Yu. "We have plenty of young handsome men readily available for you... should you desire companionship," he said, the words smooth as silk.

The moment his suggestion sank in, Han Xin’s expression turned icy. A low growl built in his throat as he stepped forward, ready to confront the warden. This old fart had the gall to offer his man play things. He would have to kill him first before he allowed that.

But Xiang Yu sensed the tension and squeezed Han Xin’s hand, pulling him back gently. "That’s okay. I have my hands full for now."

Udrich nodded, a hint of disapproval glinting in his eye. "I understand. I will not disturb you anymore."

"Much appreciated, Warden," Xiang Yu replied, keeping his tone steady even as he felt Han Xin’s jealousy simmering beside him. Soon they upright figure disappeared around the corner.

Without warning, Han Xin wrapped his arms around Xiang Yu from behind, pulling him close. The warmth of his body ignited the air between them, but his expression remained dark. He rested his chin on Xiang Yu’s shoulder and murmured, "If I weren’t here, you might have taken him up on his offer."

Xiang Yu chuckled softly, turning his head slightly to meet Han Xin’s gaze, their eyes locking in a moment of shared understanding. "I would only take that offer if it was you they were offering on a silver platter."

A smirk tugged at Han Xin’s lips, momentarily shattering the ice in his eyes. "Then I will offer my services to you."

Xiang Yu’s smile grew wider at Han Xin’s playful tone, but before he could respond, Mei’s voice cut through the atmosphere. "What offer?"

Lian chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "What services?"

Han Xin and Xiang Yu exchanged a quick look, and Han Xin felt his cheeks flush. He pursed his lips, trying to find a way to explain what "services" he was offering without sounding ridiculous. Finally, he blurted out, "I am going to massage his shoulders."

Mei’s eyes lit up with approval. "That’s good! Master has muscle aches sometimes. You’re so considerate, brother."

Lian chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious, "Then you will need some massage oil for the job. We should stop by and buy it."

Xiang Yu turned to Han Xin, a teasing glimmer in his eyes. "Did you hear that? You will need to buy some oil."

"Not a problem," Han Xin replied, his tone brightening, the flush in his cheeks deepening. "I will get it."

Xiang Yu turned his attention to the girls, keen to soothe the sudden tension in Han Xin. "Did you like your dessert?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Both Lian and Mei exploded with excitement, eager to share their choices. Lian leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. "The custard tart was so amazing! It was so creamy and sweet!"

Mei couldn’t hold back. "I had a candy cane layered dessert! It was like a peppermint dream in a dish! I am high on sugarrrrrr!"

As they spoke, Lian took Xiang Yu’s hand, squeezing it warmly. "How about you, Master? Aren’t you going to have dessert?"

Mei shook her head with a hint of annoyance. "Yeah, that Su Jing has terrible timing. She made our master not eat any dessert."