Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 494: First kill

"You have been banished from the walls of this city," Su Jing called out, her voice sharp as a drawn sword, echoing against the stone. "That was our lord’s mercy to you as his wife, yet here you are, returned."

A smirk tugged at the corners of Xiang Yu’s mouth. He let out a soft chuckle, carried upward by the howling wind. It was devoid of fear, rich with defiance. "Mercy?" he thought, tasting the bitterness of her words.

He squinted against the harsh sunlight as he stared up at her. He sincerely hoped that this husband of his in this world was Han Xin. If not, he might resort to murdering his current husband before looking for Han Xin.

Su Jing’s expression darkened as she focused on Xiang Yu, the insolent figure below. With a sharp whistle that sliced through the ambient noise, she set her next act into motion. The young man beside her, his armour less refined and his youthful face betraying unease, shifted nervously.

"Sister Jing," he whispered, his voice tight with apprehension. "This—"

She dismissed him with a rude shrug, not sparing him a glance. Her full attention remained fixed on Xiang Yu, a smirk forming at the edges of her lips.

A low, guttural growl rumbled beneath the city walls, drowning out the quiet sounds of desolation. The noise grew louder, an ominous warning that thrummed through the air. The trapdoor at Su Jing’s feet shuddered, metal groaning under unseen weight. With a resounding crash, it slammed open.

From its depths emerged a monstrosity that defied natural order. The creature was a terrifying hybrid, a body rippling with tiger-like strength yet a distorted, sinewy form crawling with barbed protrusions that glistened with a viscous, inky fluid.

Its eyes glowed like molten coals, burning with a primal hunger. The maw, lined with teeth as long as daggers, oozed saliva that sizzled as it dripped onto the stone below.

The beast snarled, its thunderous roar echoing across the desolate landscape. The young man flinched, his hand trembling on the hilt of his sword. He cast a wary glance at Su Jing, uncertainty etched across his face.

But Xiang Yu, standing far below, did not flinch. His gaze remained steady and unflinching, embodying a quiet defiance even in the face of the grotesque creation looming before him. He stood his ground, meeting the hellish eyes of the monster with a calm that spoke volumes about his resolve.

Su Jing watched closely, a mix of disbelief and calculation swirling in her gaze. She had expected fear, perhaps even panic, to grip him. But here he was, defiantly rooted to the spot. She couldn’t kill him. That wasn’t her place. She would have to wait for their lord to return for that.

However, she could do something else. The thought of injuring him, forcing him back into the wild, crackled in her mind like fire.

Xiang Yu wasn’t in the mood for this. His muscles ached a dull throb that pulsed through him like a heartbeat. Just moments ago, he had been lounging in the muddy pool of the spa, the pleasant chatter of the twins filling the air.

Now, the sharp tang of blood and the smell of damp earth surrounded him. He groaned inwardly. How had his relaxation turned into this nightmare?

Judging from Su Jing’s expression she seemed to value this creature. This beast was like her pet she had worked very hard to train.

Xiang Yu’s jaw tightened. He had little patience for games, especially not when his own life was at stake. Since she wanted to toy with him, she shouldn’t be surprised when he struck back. A flicker of determination ignited within him. "If she sent this beast to hurt him, then it was only fair that he retaliated."

He licked his teeth, tasting the bitterness of resolve. The beast paused, sizing him up, its nostrils flaring. Each of its sinewy muscle coiled under its taut skin, ready to spring. Xiang Yu could almost feel the pulse of danger thrumming through the air.

He leaned forward slightly, instincts kicking in. He was ready. If this creature wanted a fight, then he would give it one.

It seemed to wait, tense and alert, eyes fixed on Su Jing, anticipating her command. And with a swift command, she gestured to the creature. "attack," Su Jing ordered, her voice cool and commanding. The monster snarled anew, barbed limbs twitching with anticipation.

The beast lunged forward, a mass of fury and strength. Xiang Yu sneered, pushing through the pain that flared in his abdomen and leg. He could feel the fire within him stir, a pulse of demon blood awakening in his veins. His eyes transformed, turning a bloody crimson, a fierce contrast to the desolation around him.

In a flash, faster than anyone at the wall could anticipate, he dodged to the side. The beast’s claws slashed through the air where he had stood just moments before, kicking up a cloud of dust and gravel behind him. His heart raced; he knew his body was weak, and he didn’t want to waste time battling this creature.

"Run all you want, but you can’t escape forever," Su Jing taunted from the wall, her voice dripping with disdain.

Around her, the reactions varied. Some of the people smiled, relishing the thought of Xiang Yu’s downfall. They hoped for injury, even death. Others shifted uncomfortably, anxiety lingering in their eyes; this matter involved their lord, and his absence left uncertainty to hang in the air.

The beast, now spurred by Su Jing’s command, began to attack with renewed ferocity. Xiang Yu’s senses sharpened, but soon his vision became blurry. He began to see doubles and triples. He knew he had to end this quickly before his body gave in.

As the beast lunged again, Xiang Yu gritted his teeth and focused. He unleashed a swift strike with his blade, cutting through the air with speed and precision. His blade met the beast’s side, tearing through flesh and sinew. The gash opened wide, blood and guts spilling into the dirt, pooling and darkening the ground beneath them.

The creature let out an ear-splitting roar, its body convulsing as it crashed to the earth. It raised a tremendous cloud of dust, obscuring the scene for a heartbeat. Xiang Yu stepped back, his breath heavy, eyes still locked on the fallen beast.

Seeing her beloved beast lying dead on the ground, Su Jing’s lips twitched, rage bubbling to the surface. She couldn’t contain herself any longer.

With a powerful leap, she jumped over the wall, intent on finishing off Xiang Yu herself for killing her beast. Her machete glinted in the harsh light as she unsheathed it, a deadly promise of revenge. But just as she was about to strike, a voice rang out from atop the wall.

"Sister Jing, you cannot lay a hand on the destined one," Lian called down, her tone firm and unwavering.

Mei, standing next to her, shook a stick adorned with colorful shakers, his voice chiming with urgency. "Yes! The stars are aligned perfectly. His destiny is coupled with the Lord’s!"