Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 501: They are fighting again.

"If you dare lay a hand on them again," he growled, his voice low and steady, "I will kill you and leave you without a body to bury."

Su Jing halted, her confidence faltering as shock crossed her face. Regaining her composure, she attempted to mask her unease. "Are you threatening me? What makes you think you are in a position to threaten me?"

Xiang Yu remained silent, his glare piercing through the morning air, sharp enough to feel like a blade aimed at her soul. Su Jing’s expression remained firm, but beneath her facade, she was shaken.

She couldn’t fathom why Lian and Mei were so protective of Xiang Yu, and now he was defending them with the ferocity of a lioness. His aura exuded an intensity reminiscent of a father fiercely guarding his children.

"Follow me," Su Jing finally commanded, her tone attempting to reclaim authority.

Xiang Yu followed her, the tension between them thick as a fog. As they walked down the busy marketplace, a crowd began to gather, eyes narrowing as they turned their disdainful glares on him. Taunts lingered in the air, laced with scorn, and a few individuals even hurled rocks and sticks in his direction.

Yet Xiang Yu stood resolute, refusing to grant them the satisfaction of flinching or retaliating.

He moved swiftly, dodging the swings from the angry mob, refusing to let any of them land a blow. Each evasion only fueled their anger, but he brushed it off, his focus unbroken. He was led through the winding pathways until they arrived at a grimy space where mutant beasts were kept for food.

The air was thick with a mixture of dampness and decay. Breathing in the scent, Xiang Yu noted the massive setup of mutated plants that seemed to be flourishing.

At the centre of the area lay a steaming pile of manure, its pungent odour rising like a malevolent cloud. Su Jing stood, hands on her hips, a smug smile transforming her face.

"You have to shovel this and spread it in the greenhouses," she said, her tone laced with satisfaction as if this was a punishment she took pleasure in.

Xiang Yu stared at the heap, incredulity washing over him. ’She can’t be serious,’ he thought. He had endured labour that most would consider degrading during his youth, but that was driven by necessity.

Now the thought of shovelling manure felt unbearable. ’How am I supposed to win Han Xin’s favour when I smell like shit?’

The reality of the water scarcity loomed over him like a dark cloud. There was no guarantee he would be able to wash off the stench afterwards.

As soon as Su Jing turned her back, Xiang Yu planned to make his escape. He turned to leave, but a tall, brawny man stood in his way. The man wore a brown leather apron, his muscular frame intimidating as he grasped an axe tightly.

"You are not leaving until that pile is gone," the man warned, voice rough and unwavering. "Otherwise, you won’t eat anything today."

Xiang Yu replied coolly, "Then I won’t eat."

The man smirked, muscles flexing as he stepped closer. "You aren’t leaving regardless."

With a chuckle, Xiang Yu met the man’s gaze, confidence radiating from him. "Who is going to stop me?... You?"

The man scowled, gripping his axe tighter, and without warning, he swung it at Xiang Yu. But Xiang Yu ducked and weaved like a shadow, quick and nimble.

In a swift motion, he exerted pressure against the man, sending him tumbling into the steaming pile of manure. The other people in the area stood frozen, shock binding them in place as they gaped at the scene.

Xiang Yu turned to leave. He had a more important destination in mind. Opting for the back roads to avoid attention, he made his way through the twists and turns of the alleyways. It was quieter here when compared to main roads. In his mind, he called out to the Divine Emperor. "Where can I find Han Xin?"

To his surprise, the Divine Emperor’s voice came through, sounding amused. "Here. You can wait for him at his place."

"Okay," Xiang Yu replied, a sense of relief mingling with his anticipation.

The Divine Emperor continued his tone teasing. "So, you are not going to do the job?"

Xiang Yu chuckled softly, knowing exactly what the Emperor was referring to. "I love your son, but I don’t love him that much."

Han Xin finished his inspections, a sense of satisfaction settling in as he strode back to his room. He planned to change quickly before heading out to the mines, a vital part of their operations.

He opened the door and stepped inside, but something felt off instantly. A familiar, enticing scent wafted through the air, rich and warm, but he struggled to place it.

Puzzled, he entered his bedroom and stopped short. There, at the small table, sat Xiang Yu, casually eating his breakfast as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Han Xin stared, speechless.

Xiang Yu looked up, seemingly unfazed by the intrusion. "Oh, you are here," he said, his voice smooth and calm, completely lacking any shame or guilt.

In an explosion of frustration, Han Xin decided he wouldn’t waste time with words. He grabbed his gun and pulled the trigger, the sharp crack echoing in the room.

Xiang Yu flinched slightly, but the initial shock quickly morphed into rage. "How dare you shoot at your husband!" he yelled, lunging forward like a feral beast.

That sentence ignited a fury in Han Xin, surpassing even his previous anger. He fought back with all his might, each blow a clash of wills. They were both fierce, and neither held back as they grappled for dominance. Han Xin had fought Xiang Yu before on their wedding day, but he was certain Xiang Yu hadn’t been this powerful back then.

Xiang Yu’s strength surged, and he managed to subdue Han Xin, pressing him firmly down onto the floor. As Han Xin lay there, dazed for a brief moment, something else washed over him. It was the scent of Xiang Yu’s body. It was intoxicating and alluring, and for just a heartbeat, it made his heart flutter.

This softness struck a chord deep within him, melting the thick ice encasing his heart. But then it dawned on him. What if the scent was another way to assassinate him?

Xiang Yu had no idea that suspicion clouded Han Xin’s mind. He merely shot a teasing smile at him. "Use your words, not your hands," he said, poking at Han Xin’s chest playfully.