Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Am I ugly?

With a malicious expression, Xiang Yu clutched his wounded chest. His eyes burned with a mix of pain and fury as his grip tightened on the serrated whip. His heart brimming with hatred, he raised the whip. Each strike he delivered carried the weight of his tormented past. It carried the weight of rejection, the flesh torn from his back at his father’s hands, the thousand stairs he was kicked down, and the agony of bleeding out on that cart while demons discussed taking his demon core.

The whip cracked through the air, tearing into the Demon King’s flesh. The first strike drew a howl of pain, the second a guttural growl. With each lash, the Demon King tried to get up to his feet but Xiang Yu’s relentless assault kept him down. Blood sprayed, and the crowd’s cheers turned to silence.

Each strike tore deep, exposing the Demon King’s bones. Covered in blood the Demon King struggled to his knees. Xiang Yu’s eyes gleamed with a sinister satisfaction. He raised the whip for the fifth strike, but his father caught it, his grip ironclad.

With a roar, he yanked it its sharp blades sinking into his skin. He dragged Xiang Yu with it. Xiang Yu stumbled forward but soon he steadied his feet fighting against the pulling force. He gripped the blades on his end and they pierced his palm blood dripping onto the sand. The tug of war continued for a while but Xiang Yu knew this couldn’t continue. His mind-raced, looking for an opening.

He suddenly stopped struggling and allowed himself to be pulled forward. His fingers fumbled on the ground before grabbing a fistful of sand. With a swift motion, he flung it into the Demon King’s eyes. The coarse grains accurately struck the target. His father roared in pain his vision obscured.

Seizing the moment, Xiang Yu let go of the whip his body aching with every movement. He dove for his sword just as his father blindly staggered over while swinging his blade.

Xiang Yu didn’t hesitate. With a fierce cry, he drove the blade into his father’s throat. The sword pierced through, emerging from the back of his neck. Blood sprayed, and his father’s roar turned into a gurgle.

Xiang Yu crawled away before collapsing on the ground his chest heaving. His vacant gaze stared into the sky his ears ringing. He had done it. He had finally done what he had dreamt of doing ever since his father heartlessly slit his throat. He was now the new Demon King.

He sat up with a jolt and got up, his robes covered in sand mingled with blood. He staggered to his feet and with his hand covering his chest wound he stood over his father. His lifeless body knelt on the ground using the sword as a crutch.

Xiang Yu knelt beside the Demon King’s body his emotions complicated. He placed his hand on his father’s shoulder and whispered, "Don’t worry father... I will make you proud."

In the immortals sects , the disciples paused, sensing the shift. Even the divine realm which was usually calm and serene, felt the tremor. High above in the celestial palace, the Heavenly King was sitting on his throne his eyes closed in meditation. The shift however small was sensed by him. It was a distant echo that carried with it something sinister. His eyes snapped open his brows furrowing slightly. He felt the disturbance, the shift in the balance of power.

***

Han Xin lounged on a chaise, his feet propped up comfortably. In his hand he held a jade pendant with a delicate flower carved into it, the smooth surface cool against his skin. He let it dangle on his fingers the sun reflecting on its smooth surface.

Across the room Han Zhan was sitting on a low stool meticulously polishing his sword. The blade gleamed under the soft light, each stroke of the cloth revealing the weapon’s deadly beauty. His actions were careful, like it was his most prized possession. The atmosphere was harmonious with two cousins doing their own thing.

Han Xin suddenly thought of something. His gaze locked on the pendant slowly swaying from side to side, he broke the silence. His voice tinged with curiosity he asked, "Ah-Zhan, do you think I am ugly?"