Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 41: Yu Yu!

"She is dead. Take her out," he said and Lian smiled as she grabbed her by the arm, dragging her out of the room with Mei following closely behind. The assassin was long dead her voice silent but her curses echoed through his mind. He treated it like background noise as he took a sip of his tea a slight quirk at the corner of his lips.

It seemed he should have taken her last words to heart because her curses turned out to be prophetic.

***

The sun had long set as Xiang Yu, Lian, and Mei approached the gates of a small city known as Xiannu City, nestled near the fishing villages. The city earned its name from its breathtaking beauty and the stunning appearances of the women who lived there. It was rumoured that the goddess of virtue and grace had blessed the city, making its women exceptionally beautiful. Xiang Yu was puzzled by the twins’ choice of destination. They usually loved staying in the fishing village with Dan Dan and her family or visiting the small town nearby.

He had no idea that the pair had sought advice from Dan Dan when they visited her. The twins asked her where they could find the most beautiful women around. They knew their master didn’t like the stunning female demons in the demon realm so maybe he preferred human women.

At the time, Dan Dan who had been rocking her baby lowered her eyelashes as she reminisced. She had harboured feelings for Xiang Yu for years, but he had always seen her as he did Lian and Mei. Eventually, she married and found happiness, though a pang of longing still lingered in her heart. When the twins asked her where they should take their master, Dan Dan suggested Xiannu City, especially now, during the lantern festival. This was how they ended up here.

As they walked through the city, the streets were alive with vibrant colours and the soft glow of lanterns hanging from every corner. The air was filled with laughter and the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Xiang Yu couldn’t help but be captivated by the city’s charm. "Are you hungry yet?" he asked, staring at the grilled skewers, their fragrant wafting in the air.

Lian and Mei exchanged a knowing glance before Mei spoke up. "Not yet. Sister Dan Dan’s shrimp noodle soup is still warm in my belly. How about we buy some paper lanterns? I want a pink one." She dashed into the crowd looking for the vendors and Lian ran after her.

"I want a pink one too!" Lian yelled her ponytail swaying like a horse’s tail.

Xiang Yu followed after them a small smile tugging at his lips. He curiously scanned the crowd. The festival was in full swing, with people dancing, singing, and enjoying the festivities. His eyes suddenly narrowed as he watched Lian and Mei darting into the bustling crowd, their laughter mingling with the vibrant sounds of the market. He quickened his pace, his brow furrowing with each step. Ever since they had entered this city, a nagging sense of unease had settled in his gut. The market was alive with conversations and laughter, but something felt off. It was as if the people were in a trance, their movements too synchronised, their smiles too perfect.

He came to a halt, his imposing stature and dark aura creating a bubble of space around him. People instinctively avoided him, their eyes flickering with a mix of fear and curiosity but when they turned away they would resume their unnatural facade. He looked around trying to pinpoint the source of his discomfort. The vibrant lanterns and colourful stalls seemed to blur together, creating a surreal tapestry of light and sound.

Just then, Lian and Mei reappeared, their expressions serious. Lian tugged at his sleeve, her voice low and urgent. "Master, something is wrong. There are no young women here. It’s mostly elderly women, men, and children."

Xiang Yu’s eyes darkened as he processed her words. He didn’t immediately notice this discrepancy before, so how did Lian notice this detail so quickly? He pushed this thought at the back of his mind focusing on the problem at hand. "For a city supposedly blessed by a goddess with beauty it surprisingly lacks the beauties," said Mei curiously looking around.

Xiang Yu thought that he would have a relaxed vacation, but the universe didn’t think he deserved one. He could ignore it but what if they came after the fishing village where Dan Dan stayed? This issue was now his problem. "We need to find out what is going on. I want you both to intentionally get caught. I will track you."

The twins exchanged a malicious smile before nodding their heads and disappearing back into the crowd. "It’s time to play hide and seek," said Lian excitedly. They hadn’t played this game with their Master ever since they turned ten years old. He told them that they were too old to play that game. Who would have thought they would get to play again, all in the name of catching an evildoer? They moved with practised ease, blending in as if they were just two girls enjoying the festival.

Xiang Yu made his way to a nearby tea house, choosing a secluded corner where he could observe the market. The older man rushed to serve him with a sickening beaming smile on his face. The scent of jasmine tea filled the air as he sat down, his eyes never leaving the crowd. He sipped his tea lazily, his senses on high alert, waiting for the moment when the twins would spring the trap.

Minutes turned into an hour, and Xiang Yu’s patience was finally rewarded. He felt a subtle shift in the crowd’s energy, a ripple that signalled something was amiss. He set his cup down and rose to his feet, his divine sense honing in on the faint traces of Lian and Mei’s presence. His honey-coloured pupils turned crimson as he walked with unhurried strides through the bustling crowd.

His hand rested behind his back, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a calm intensity. The twins were not in distress, so he took his time, allowing his demonic senses to guide him. As he reached the outskirts of the city, a thick fog began to envelop the area, its ghostly aura unnatural to the mortal realm. He stepped into the fog, his movements deliberate and unhurried. The eerie mist swirled around him, whispering ominous warnings.

As he walked deeper into the fog, a figure materialised before him. His steps faltered as he recognised the youthful and gorgeous form of his mother as she had been before her death. She smiled at him, a warm and loving smile that he had never seen directed at him before. It was a smile that spoke of acceptance and affection.

"Yu Yu," she called sweetly, her voice carrying a tenderness that tugged at his heart.