Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Merging into one

Within the faint mist at the edge of the boundary of the demon realm was an isolated shed. The two demons, their eyes glinting with greed, pushed the cart inside before shutting the door. Xiang Yu's lifeless body lay on it with crimson blood seeping from his wounds, pooling on the wooden floor.

The first demon, wiry and cunning, traced his fingers to Xiang Yu's chest feeling the pulsing demon core underneath his skin. "Last time, you had it," he hissed. "Now it's my turn."

The Demon King's servant, bulkier and scarred, snarled. "I pushed the cart," he retorted. "And risked getting caught by his majesty so it's mine."

Their argument echoed in the dim space, the mist from the edge of the realm filtering through the cracks. They despised him for being a half-blood abomination but right now they were fighting for his demon core like it was a prized possession. Fists were raised and curses spat in that small shed making it much more lively than usual.

While they were having an intense heated argument screams and yelling erupted from outside. The shed trembled, its walls quaking like a volcano was about to erupt. The two demons exchanged wide-eyed glances.

"It must be the cultivators," the wiry demon whispered. "They are probably trying to breach the realm."

The scarred demon servant cursed. "They are here for blood," he spat. "It must be for their sect leader. Its the one whose head was gifted to the Demon King today. We have to go. We can continue this later."

They locked the shed and the sounds of their footsteps grew faint as they disappeared into the thick mist. From a distance, one could hear the sound of the cultivators clashing with the demons, blades and flesh colliding.

Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to hours. The conflict between the two sides was still intense but the shed was at peace and undisturbed.

Xiang Yu's hand dangled at the edge of the cart lifeless and his fingertip brushing against the pool of blood. The thickening blood pool suddenly rippled. Xiang Yu's finger had twitched showing signs of life but the movement was faint.

After what seemed like an eternity his eyes suddenly snapped open, and he sat up with a jolt, gasping for air. His hand trembled as he pressed it against the side of his neck, blood flowing freely. The wounds on his back throbbed, torn flesh revealing bone. Yet he stood up his blood-soaked hand leaving crimson prints on the wall.

Xiang Yu turned on his heels about to leave. He didn't even know if he was going to live or die so it was only natural that he avoid trouble. Just as he took a step the whispers in his ear grew stronger, urging him to go there. His body convulsed in agonising pain as he closed his eyes.

Memories of his father striking him with that serrated whip and him slitting his throat with indifference in his cold eyes flooded his mind. His lips contorted into a strange smile thinking his mother had on the same look as she strangled him. Anger and resentment churned within him. It was like a seething inferno stirring in his chest.

He needed an outlet. He desperately needed a way to vent the rage that threatened to consume him. His injuries were severe but they were nothing compared to the wounds etched on his soul. With a resolve that defied reason, he stumbled towards the source of the screams.

They were coming from the rubble of a fallen house. Xiang Yu climbed over the pile of broken bricks his torn body protesting every step. In the darkness, he saw a demon, its claws tearing at a young girl's flesh.

Rage surging within him like a wildfire he grabbed a brick, flinging it at the demon. It turned sharply its tongue flickering like a serpent's. Hatred blazed in its eyes, and it charged with its fangs bared and claws slashing.