Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 521: Undeniable charm

The ground offered him a single clue—a faint trail of tracks leading away. Han Xin’s jaw tightened. His anger surged hotter, fiercer. Without hesitation, he followed the tracks, his pace quickening until he was nearly running.

He was ready to catch up, ready to confront Xiang Yu when his steps faltered. There, just ahead, Xiang Yu crouched low, his attention wholly fixed on a plant nestled in the cracks of the earth.

Han Xin’s anger erupted again, sharper, deeper. His strides were swift as he closed the distance, grabbing Xiang Yu and forcing him upright. The motion didn’t stop there—Han Xin pressed him hard against the rough wall of the crevice, his grip firm, unyielding.

Xiang Yu blinked, startled, but recognition softened his reaction. When he saw it was Han Xin, his tension dissipated, his features relaxing in an instant. His calm only fueled Han Xin’s fury further.

He had seen Han Xin angry before, but this time, a deep-seated fear sliced through him. Han Xin was shaking, a storm brewing just beneath the surface. "You said I should tug the rope twice if I was okay," Xiang Yu began tentatively.

Han Xin narrowed his eyes. "And did you do that... huh?" His voice was low, laced with frustration.

Xiang Yu opened his mouth to explain, but before he could get a word out, the radio crackled to life. Han Xin, still gripping Xiang Yu’s collar, released one hand to click a button on the radio. "I am fine. Come down," he said sharply.

"Okay," came Han Zhan’s voice through the static. "And Xiang Yu?"

Han Xin continued to glare at Xiang Yu, his expression fierce. "I found him," he replied curtly.

"Okay," Han Zhan affirmed.

Han Xin put the radio away, turning his full attention back to Xiang Yu. "You better have a good reason why you didn’t report back."

Xiang Yu held up his hands defensively. "I have a good reason... look." He pointed down at a plant growing at their feet.

Han Xin’s gaze followed his gesture. There was a small plant, vibrant and flourishing amidst the barren land, an anomaly against the desolation of the wastelands. Most plants in this region were shrivelled or dying, but this one stood tall and healthy.

Xiang Yu finally said, "Can you let me go now? Unless... you want to kiss me."

The words hung in the air, teasing and bold. In an instant, Han Xin released him, stepping back with a mix of frustration and disbelief. Xiang Yu laughed lightly while straightening out his clothes, clearly amused.

Han Xin was seething. He wanted to say something more, something sharp and cutting, but just then, the others began to descend into the valley, and he restrained himself. "Let’s go," he ordered tone firm. "Don’t go off on your own. Stay in the group."

Lu Lu was the first to arrive at the bottom. As he passed Xiang Yu, he bumped his shoulder hard, a silent challenge in the action. Xiang Yu watched the movement with amusement, a smile creeping across his face.

He knew Lu Lu was itching for a second round, and the thought made Xiang Yu’s pulse quicken with excitement. He was more than eager to teach the man another lesson.

Han Xin’s hand moved without thought, his fingers brushing Xiang Yu’s chin. A gentle pinch followed, firm but not harsh, forcing Xiang Yu to turn his gaze away from Lu Lu’s retreating silhouette.

"Stay close," Han Xin said, his voice steady but low. He grabbed Xiang Yu’s arm and began to pull him forward. The uneven ground beneath them cracked with each step as they pressed on through the jagged terrain.

The group trudged in silence until Su Jing flushed from the heat and broke it. "It’s so hot," she snapped, dragging out the words like a sigh. "We have been walking forever, and nothing. He’s sending us on a wild goose chase."

Lu Lu glanced over his shoulder and sneered, the edges of his lips curling. "What made you think he was being genuine? Why would he help us find—" His words died as Xiang Yu lunged at him, knocking him off balance.

Weapons flashed in the air, drawn almost instinctively by the rest of the group. Everyone but Han Xin and Han Zhan braced, ready to strike. But the threat was not Xiang Yu.

A screech tore through the dense, dry air. A monstrous bird, its feathers ragged, its flesh decayed, swooped down, talons extended where Lu Lu had just been standing. The ground cracked louder as the creature’s claws raked it. One found its mark, slashing across Xiang Yu’s shoulder. He grunted, his body jerking under the blow.

Lu Lu’s eyes widened, his disbelief palpable, as the beast mercilessly clawed at Xiang Yu. Blood stained the fabric on his shoulder.

"Xiang Yu!" Han Xin’s voice rang out as he sprinted toward the chaos. His gun was out in seconds, trembling hands finding their grip. The shot was precise, ripping into the bird’s grotesque form.

A piercing cry followed, the beast releasing Xiang Yu and stumbling back. Han Xin surged forward to catch him before he hit the ground. His breath was sharp, his face twisted with fury.

"What were you thinking?" he roared, his voice cracking. His hands trembled as they gripped Xiang Yu’s arms, barely steady. His eyes darted, searching for injuries, but his emotions spilt over in uneven waves.

"I am fine," Xiang Yu rasped, his voice strained. He winced, motioning toward the skies. "There’s more coming."

Han Xin froze, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. A chorus of shrill cries echoed above them. The horizon blurred as countless dark shapes circled, their shadows rippling over the cracked earth.

"Be alert," Han Xin barked, pushing his panic aside. His grip tightened on his weapon as the sky thickened with winged monstrosities.

"Yes, sir!" the group shouted, their voices cutting through the chaos as they moved into formation. The air was heavy, vibrating with tension as massive mutant birds began to swoop down, their shrill cries echoing in the distance. The impact of their talons against the pillars sent cracks splintering through the stone, chunks tumbling down like brittle autumn leaves.

Gunfire erupted, sharp and unrelenting. Bullets tore through feathers and flesh as the group defended themselves. Han Xin’s voice rang out over the commotion. "Move out! Find smaller gaps!"

The order carried urgency, but the formation barely held for more than a moment. The chaos swallowed them whole. Pillars shook, debris rained, and in the frenzy, the team scattered.

Han Xin spotted Xiang Yu amidst the turmoil and grabbed his arm, pulling him aside just as a bird’s talon slammed into the space they had vacated. His other hand fired instinctively, rounds shattering the air as mutant birds fell. But for everyone they killed, more seemed to appear.

Among the madness, Xiang Yu’s eyes caught something. It was a sniper rifle abandoned on the ground, its owner nowhere to be seen. He glanced at Han Xin, who was preoccupied with attacking the relentless creatures, before making a swift decision. Xiang Yu dove for the rifle, his fingers curling tightly around it.

Before Han Xin could stop him, Xiang Yu darted to the next pillar, scaling its crumbling edges with determined swiftness. Han Xin’s voice reached him faintly, tinged with frustration, but Han Zhan’s urgent shout drowned it out. "I have run out!"

"Shit!" Han Xin cursed, pivoting to aim his weapon at a bird closing in on his cousin. His fingers squeezed the trigger, driving the mutant beast back.

Meanwhile, Xiang Yu reached the top of the pillar, the height granting him a clearer view of the aerial assault. He sneered, his lips curling into a determined grin as he took position, the sniper rifle pressed firmly into his shoulder. He exhaled slowly, soft and controlled, calming his racing nerves.

Through the scope, he focused on one of the vicious beasts. Its rotted wings flapped unevenly, and its bloodshot eyes locked onto its next prey. Xiang Yu pulled the trigger. The sound was thunderous, followed by a shriek as the creature plummeted into the cracks below.

Below, three team members scrambled away, freed from the attack as they dashed for safety. But the cries of the fallen bird caught the attention of others, who turned their wrath toward Xiang Yu.

The birds surged toward him, talons gleaming in the light. Xiang Yu’s reaction was swift. His grip tightened on the rifle, his movements calculated. Bang. The first bird fell, its twisted form crumpling mid-flight. Bang. Another screech pierced the air as the second fell. Bang. The third dropped, its grotesque silhouette fading into the shadows.

Xiang Yu lowered the rifle, his breathing steady but his gaze sharp, scanning the skies. The cries had softened, but the threat lingered. Below, Han Xin caught sight of him, his expression a mix of anger and reluctant awe.

The last of the mutant birds lay lifeless, their monstrous forms sprawled across the broken ground. Xiang Yu climbed down from the pillar, his movements deliberate and effortless, like a hero descending from a stage. His hair clung to his damp forehead, but his smirk carried an undeniable charm.

AN: Temporary Chapter ahead please wait