Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT) novel Chapter 409

Chapter 409: I will be waiting for you, baby.

The soft glow of the healing capsule bathed the medical bay in an ethereal light, casting dancing shadows that swayed across the sterile walls. Inside, nestled in a cocoon of shimmering emerald energy, Han Xin lay in peaceful slumber.

His breathing was slow and even, his features relaxed and serene, completely unaware of the storm brewing just outside the capsule’s protective shell. The rhythmic hum of the healing device filled the air, a steady, comforting pulse that stood in stark contrast to the frantic beat of Xiang Yu’s heart.

He sat beside the capsule, his hand trembling slightly as he reached out. His fingertips brushed against the smooth, unblemished skin of Han Xin’s cheek, tracing the delicate curve of his jawline. For a fleeting moment, the crushing weight of responsibility, the gnawing fear for Han Xin’s safety, eased.

He focused on the tranquillity etched on the sleeping man’s face, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Han Xin looked so peaceful, so... vulnerable.

Xiang Yu knew Han Xin couldn’t stay here. Not with his father still alive. The moment the Imperial Lord discovered Han Xin was missing, all hell would break loose. The palace guards would be mobilized, and the imperial palace turned upside down. Han Xin would be hunted. Xiang Yu couldn’t, wouldn’t, allow that. He had to send him away. It was the only way to protect him.

He leaned closer, his breath ghosting over Han Xin’s forehead. He pressed a gentle kiss to his skin, the warmth of his lips lingering long after he pulled away.

He savoured the moment, the feel of Han Xin’s skin beneath his touch, the scent of his skin filling his senses. It was a memory he would cling to in the lonely days ahead.

"Come find me when you wake up," he whispered, his voice a soft caress against the stillness. "I will be waiting for you, baby."

His eyes, however, betrayed the turmoil in his heart. The thought of separation, however temporary, was a physical ache in Xiang Yu’s chest. Yet, he knew it was the only way. Protecting Han Xin was paramount, a priority that eclipsed even his own desires.

He would endure any sacrifice and bear any burden if it meant Han Xin would be out of harm’s way. With a heavy heart, but a resolute spirit, Xiang Yu brushed a stray lock of hair from Han Xin’s forehead, his touch as light as a feather.

Standing nearby, Han Zhan felt adrift, unsure of where to place his hands and his feet. Witnessing Xiang Yu’s tender actions towards his cousin was...surreal. It felt like a scene from a dream, or perhaps a carefully crafted illusion.

He glanced at Little Bai, his eyes silently asking, Is this real? Are they truly this devoted to each other? Little Bai, equally perplexed, simply shrugged, offering no answers.

Xiang Yu straightened, his gaze sweeping over Han Xin’s peaceful form one last time. "Give him this when he wakes up," he said, his voice low and husky. He reached behind his collar and unclasped a delicate chain from around his neck. He placed it in Han Zhan’s hand.

Han Zhan accepted the chain, his fingers closing around the cool metal. A single gold ring dangled from it. The ring looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t quite place where he’d seen it before.

"And this," Xiang Yu continued, his voice steady despite the tremor in his heart. He drew a sheathed blade from beneath inter spatial storage. Han Zhan’s breath hitched. He recognized the weapon instantly. It was Bloodreaver, the infamous sword of his late uncle. His eyes widened in disbelief.

Little Bai, understanding the unspoken implications, reached into his medical bag and produced a small cylinder filled with auto-injectors. "In case you need it," he said, handing the cylinder to Xiang Yu. "They are stronger than anything on the market."

Xiang Yu examined the cylinder, looking at the potent inhibitors within. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. "This will be incredibly useful."

He watched as Han Zhan and Little Bai carefully manoeuvred the healing capsule towards a seemingly blank section of the wall. With practised movements, they revealed a hidden panel, revealing a dark, narrow passage.

They slipped inside, the capsule floating silently behind them. As soon as they were out of sight, Xiang Yu closed the panel, concealing the secret tunnel once more.

He exhaled deeply, his gaze drifting upwards to the sterile white ceiling. He closed his eyes for a moment, his face a mask of carefully controlled emotions. When he opened them again, the transformation was startling. The warmth and the gentleness that had characterized his earlier demeanor vanished, replaced by an aura of chilling intensity.

His eyes, once filled with concern, now burned with an unfathomable darkness, a terrifying emptiness that seemed to stretch into infinity. He was no longer the worried lover concerned for his sweet heart’s safety. He was something else entirely. A devil awakened, a force of nature unleashed.

He turned and walked out of the medical bay, his strides relaxed yet imbued with a newfound sense of purpose, of power. Hex, who had been silently observing the proceedings appeared. "So," Hex asked, his voice low. "What’s the plan?"

Xiang Yu’s lips curled into a predatory smile. "We wait," he said, his voice a low growl. "We wait for Marshal Wu...to act first."