Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 556: You won’t die

Xiang Yu pulled a rifle from the bag, inspecting it briefly before slinging it over his shoulder. The others selected their weapons with quiet precision.

"Use your awakened powers sparingly," Xiang Yu reminded them. "We don’t want anyone draining themselves before it’s necessary."

With that, he climbed into the front passenger seat. Han Zhan moved toward the driver’s side, ready to slide behind the wheel but Han Xin stepped forward, stopping him without a word.

Han Zhan froze, eyes widening in disbelief. Was this really the same cousin? For a beat, he hesitated, then stepped aside, still stunned as Han Xin took the driver’s seat and started the engine.

Xiang Yu studied him, amusement flickering in his eyes. His lips curved into the faintest smile, but Han Xin didn’t return it.

He kept his gaze fixed straight ahead. Still, Xiang Yu could tell he was in a better mood.

The sun hung high in the sky, the scorching heat searing the sandy mountains. Three figures lay still on the ground, their bodies moulded into the rugged terrain.

They were assassins from the Eclipsera faction, waiting patiently for their envoy. Each held a weapon, ready for the task that lay ahead. Their mission was clear. They were to eliminate the Lord of the Eremites and several of their awakened.

Two days ago, they had learned that Han Xin, a key figure among the Eremites, had left the city and was now camping nearby. Information was their lifeline, and they had tracked him down through the whispers of the wasteland.

One of the assassins adjusted the radio strapped to his chest. "What’s our ETA?" he asked, his voice low and tense. Static crackled before a voice replied, "Three minutes."

As the seconds ticked away, dust clouds began to rise in the distance. Four vehicles rumbled through the wasteland, their engines roaring. The leader frowned as he studied the approaching convoy. "Aren’t there supposed to be five?" he asked into the radio. Silence hung in the air. "Hello?" he tried again, but still, no answer came.

From his vantage point, Xiang Yu peered through his scope, his finger poised on the trigger. A cruel smile spread across his lips as he pulled the trigger, the shot echoing across the barren landscape. The body of the man the leader had been searching for fell lifelessly, a grim prize of their ruthless efficiency.

In that moment, Han Xin caught the gaze of Xiang Yu across the distance.He was captivated by how striking Xiang Yu appeared in that harsh light.

Xiang Yu, noticing the stare, turned his head slightly, locking eyes with Han Xin. A knowing smile danced on Xiang Yu’s lips, as if he could read the turmoil in Han Xin’s heart. Having being caught staring a sudden wave of embarrassment washed over him.

"Keep one alive," he said, his voice playful yet tinged with seriousness. "We need to have a chat."

Xiang Yu adjusted the scope of his sniper rifle, the cool weight a comfort against the burgeoning chaos that was about to erupt in the desolate landscape.

He could feel the approaching dread of their enemies, the Eclipsera men, blending into the muted browns and yellows of the wasteland like shadows, little aware of the wrath that lay in wait.

"Ready?" Han Xin whispered into his earpiece, his voice steady, a contrast to the turmoil simmering in their surroundings.

"Always," Xiang Yu replied, his tone flat but filled with determination. He took a deep breath, the hot air prickling his skin. The wind ruffled his short hair, whispering warnings that only he could understand. He could see them now, dark figures moving in the distance, their intentions cloaked in menace.

With steady hands, Xiang Yu peered through the scope, steadied his breath, and squeezed the trigger. The sharp crack of the rifle broke the stillness like thunder; one of the Eclipsera men dropped without a sound, the fatal precision marking the beginning of an ambush.

Han Xin nodded at Xiang Yu’s shot. Then, with a swift movement, he darted towards the sandy mountain that loomed nearby, positioning himself for a better vantage point. The shifting sands gripped his boots as he scrambled higher.

With his own rifle drawn tight against his chest, Han Xin took aim at another silhouette looming in the distance. The cold calculation in his eyes mirrored Xiang Yu’s. As he fired, the bullet found its mark. The second assassin fell to his knees before crumpling to the ground another target down, and still, Han Xin felt the heat of urgency churn in his gut.

"Nice shot," came Xiang Yu’s voice through the earpiece, a spark of camaraderie shone through the chaos around them.

But the triumphant moment was shattered when the air vibrated with an incoming shot. Han Xin flinched, adrenaline surging. "Incoming!" he shouted into the device as he ducked behind the crumbling boulders.

Xiang Yu’s anger blazed. How dare that bastard shoot at his man? He tracked the muzzle flash, narrowed in with laser focus, and fired again with booming resolve. Another assailant fell, a lethal dance of skill and horror unfolding in the wastelands.

Han Xin glanced back at Xiang Yu as another bullet whizzed past. Xiang Yu grinned briefly despite the raging violence, invigorated by the heat of battle. He readjusted his position, seeing the dust rise in the distance.

A few minutes later, Han Zhan dragged one of the assassins by the back of his collar. He dropped the man unceremoniously onto the ground. Han Zhan breathed heavily, his anger palpable.

A thick streak of blood trickled down his cheek where a bullet had grazed him. With a fierce kick, he connected with the man’s side, cursing under his breath.

Xiang Yu fiddled with his rifle at a distance. He was lost in thought when Han Xin approached, concern etched on his face. "Xiang Yu, are you okay?" he asked, eyeing his him closely.

Xiang Yu raised his head, ready to respond, but Han Zhan interrupted. "Wow, Ah-Xin. You don’t even ask your cousin if he is fine."

Han Xin walked over and cupped Han Zhan’s chin. He turned his head slightly to inspect the wound on his cheek. "You won’t die," he said and pat his cheek.

Han Zhan, "..."