Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 64: Master is acting coy and faking injuries

Chapter 64: Master is acting coy and faking injuries

Xiang Yu sneered, a smirk playing on his lips as a cold chill emanated from him, making the general uncomfortable despite his stoic façade. He could clearly sense the hostility coming from this young woman. The other man, clearly unsettled, demanded, "Who are you?"

In an instant, Xiang Yu’s demeanour shifted. He transformed from a menacing figure to one of delicate fragility. He was like a damsel in distress. He attempted to rise, his movements slow and pained. The twins rushed forward to assist him, but the other man commanded, "Stay right where you are. Don’t move."

The twins halted their expressions a mix of defiance and concern. Lian’s glare was sharp enough to cut through steel, while Mei’s voice rang out, reprimanding them. "How dare you treat Her Royal Highness Xiu so terribly! I will report this to the Emperor!" Recalling who her master was disguised as she used that to threaten them.

Xiang Yu winced, feigning a broken foot, his face contorted in pain. The general sheathed his sword. Perhaps feeling a pang of guilt or duty he reached out to help her. But Xiang Yu’s hand shot out, ruthlessly smacking the general’s hand away. "Don’t touch me," he hissed, his voice laced with venom.

The general recoiled, his face a mask of controlled anger and confusion. It was too dark and he couldn’t see her face clearly thus he didn’t recognise her immediately. Earlier on he had heard rustling sounds coming from up the mountain. Thinking it was the people of Zhen approaching he set a trap and hid in the shadows. Who would have thought the person he was ordered to come and rescue would run into his trap? How she managed to escape that ruthless bloodthirsty Xiang Yu was a mystery to him.

He took a step back not wanting to stimulate her again. Thinking of the endless letters she had been writing to him for years he couldn’t believe it was the same person. In her letters she constantly professed her love and praised him yet when they met in person she was hostile to him. Han Xin had been planning to let her down easy and tell her that he wasn’t interested, but seeing how she was acting, it was a good thing. It would make things easier.

Xiang Yu took his role seriously. Step one in ruining Peng Xiu and Han Xin’s relationship was making her appear like a promiscuous young woman who would flirt with anyone with three legs. He beckoned the young man who was named Jun De over. Xiang Yu’s eyes locked onto him with an intensity that couldn’t tolerate no for an answer. Jun De glanced at the general, who gave a curt nod granting him permission. With measured steps, he approached her and gently helped her to her feet.

Xiang Yu leaned heavily against him, his hand resting on Jun De’s chest for support. The twins’ mouths were agape. They couldn’t believe that their master was acting coy with someone and he was so good at it too. Even the night couldn’t conceal the blush creeping up the man’s ears. "I think my foot is broken," Xiang Yu said, his voice kittenish and laced with a hint of vulnerability. "Please help me back."

Han Xin nodded to Jun De, signalling him to take her and the twins to their camp. This wasn’t the right place to ask her how she escaped. He turned to leave but recalled something but before he could open his mouth he saw Princess Xiu whisper something. As though bewitched Jun De crouched down slightly and picked her up carrying her princess style. She wrapped her arm around his neck and said, "Thank you," in a barely audible voice.

Han Xin swallowed back his words and disappeared into the night, his silhouette swallowed by the darkness. Xiang Yu wanted to ask him where he was going but his pride flared. He didn’t want to talk to him. If there was a way to complete the task without speaking to him, that would be great.

The four of them silently made their way down the mountain, the path winding through the dense forest. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, and the only sounds were their footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves. As they approached the clearing where the horses were tied up they saw a group of soldiers. They were resting by the tree in the dark waiting for the general’s command.

"Where is the General," asked a brawny man with a scar running down his face.

Jun De set the princess down on a nearby log, helping her sit down gently without hurting her leg before replying, "He proceeded as planned. Wait for him to return." Lian and Mei sat next to their master, looking at his leg with concern-filled eyes. Xiang Yu smiled at them before mouthing,

"I am faking it."

Lian and Mei, "???" It was then they realised that their master’s acting skills were exceptional. Not only was he a master at acting coy, but he was also great at faking injuries. The soldiers glanced at the young women curiously but they said nothing, their attention quickly returning to their own business.

***

Under the cover of darkness, Han Xin slipped into the Zhen military camp, his movements silent and precise. He made his way to the largest tent in the camp which he assumed belonged to Crown Prince Xiang. He had one goal in mind which was to cut down his enemy. Their armies had faced each other in battle countless times, but they had never confronted each other face to face.

The tent was dimly lit by a few flickering lanterns. Unsheathing his dagger, he carefully checked the closed segment of the tent. There was only a bed and a trunk, but no sign of the crown prince. On the ground were pieces of rope that had been cut. This was most likely where Princess Xiu was kept hostage before she escaped.

His eyes darted to the table in the main part of the tent, but it was conspicuously clear of any maps or important documents. The only item of interest was a folded paper bearing the crown prince’s seal. Using his dagger, he carefully opened it and scanned the contents. The message was vague, but it confirmed his suspicions that Xiang Yu was plotting something.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of someone approaching. Quickly, he resealed the paper and hid in the other segment of the tent, his dagger at the ready. He expected to confront Crown Prince Xiang, but to his surprise, it was Xiang Wei who entered.

He grabbed the letter, barely glancing at the broken seal. He assumed his brother had been in a hurry when he left. Yu Ze had been instructed to wake him after his departure. Xiang Wei seemed unconcerned by the state of the letter as he walked out of the tent.

Han Xin watched from his hiding place his mind racing. He could have captured Xiang Yu’s brother and brought him back to Yige, but it would be quite troublesome, especially when he didn’t know where the crown prince