Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 522: I love your cousin

Xiang Yu spotted a man sprawled on the ground nearby and moved to help, but before he could reach him, Han Xin stepped in. Han Xin hauled the man to his feet with a firm grip, his gaze flicking briefly to Xiang Yu. Without a word, Han Xin grabbed the rifle from Xiang Yu’s hands. His expression was tight with anger, though he held it back like a storm restrained by sheer will.

"Stay vigilant," Han Xin instructed as he handed the rifle to the other man. His tone was clipped but commanding.

The man stammered a quick "Ye-yes, sir" before scurrying off as though afraid to linger and bear the brunt of Han Xin’s simmering frustration.

Xiang Yu watched him go, then glanced at Han Xin. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice calm, almost casual.

Han Xin didn’t reply. Instead, he motioned for Xiang Yu to follow, leading him to where the rest of the group had gathered. The air was tense, but a quiet determination hummed among them. Han Xin called for the medical kit, his voice sharp, leaving no room for delay.

He forced Xiang Yu to sit on a fallen piece of rubble and then crouched in front of him. With careful hands, Han Xin peeled away Xiang Yu’s blood-soaked t-shirt, his fingers working with precision.

He didn’t speak, but there was a tenderness in his movements that he seemed unaware of. The gash on Xiang Yu’s shoulder was jagged, the torn flesh a stark red against his skin. It was messy, but not fatal.

Han Xin tore open a packet of disinfectant, the sound crisp in the quiet. "This is going to sting," he muttered, his voice softening just slightly.

"Okay," Xiang Yu replied without protest. Han Xin’s hands paused for the briefest moment, surprised by the obedience, but he masked it well. He began cleaning the wound, the disinfectant biting into the torn flesh. Xiang Yu’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching reflexively.

Han Xin acted as though he didn’t notice. His focus remained on the wound, his movements methodical. After a moment, he broke the silence. "Why did you save him?"

Xiang Yu’s gaze didn’t waver. "Who? Lu Lu?"

Han Xin stayed quiet, his hands still working as he secured the bandage over Xiang Yu’s shoulder. His silence stretched just long enough to become uncomfortable. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "He hates you."

Xiang Yu let out a quiet laugh, bitter and dry. "So does everyone here... including you." freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Han Xin didn’t know how to refute that. The words stuck in his throat, heavy and awkward. Finally, he said, "You are good now. Don’t get your wound wet for a while." His voice was steady, but his gaze faltered.

He turned to leave, but Xiang Yu’s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. Han Xin stopped, glancing back. Xiang Yu’s eyes searched his face, and he asked, "Is that all you wanted to say?"

Han Xin pulled his hand free, his movements sharp but not unkind. "What else is there?" he replied, his tone clipped. He didn’t linger to see the disappointment cloud Xiang Yu’s features.

Xiang Yu sat there, his chest tight with unspoken complaints. The silence pressed against him, heavy and suffocating. He had wanted acknowledgement, a simple word of praise for his efforts. But Han Xin had said nothing, leaving him adrift in his own frustration.

A bottle of water appeared in his line of sight. Xiang Yu blinked, looking up to see Han Zhan standing there, his expression unreadable. Xiang Yu reached for the bottle, but Han Zhan held his grip firmly. Xiang Yu’s brow arched in silent question. Han Zhan smiled faintly, then let go.

He sat beside him, the heat of the wasteland settling between them. He drank from his own bottle, the sound of water sloshing faintly audible. Xiang Yu opened his bottle and took a sip. The cool liquid slid down his throat, refreshing and grounding.

After a while, Han Zhan broke the silence. "What are your intentions?"

Xiang Yu wiped his lips with the back of his hand, his movements deliberate. "Are you that curious?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Han Zhan turned his gaze sharply, his eyes narrowing before he looked away. "Yeah. What do you want with my cousin?"

Xiang Yu leaned closer, his smile playful yet enigmatic. "Let me tell you a secret," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. He beckoned Han Zhan closer, and Han Zhan complied, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

Xiang Yu covered his mouth and whispered, "I love your cousin."

Han Zhan’s eyes widened, disbelief etched across his face. He stared at Xiang Yu, his thoughts racing, but before he could respond, Han Xin’s voice cut through the moment.

"Han Zhan, let’s go."

Han Zhan stiffened, his spine-tingling at the sudden command. He stood, his movements hesitant, and walked toward Han Xin. Han Xin’s gaze flicked to Xiang Yu, a silent urge for him to move faster. Xiang Yu rose, his steps steady, and fell into stride beside Han Xin.

He didn’t say anything. He just kept glancing at Han Xin, his eyes steady and unreadable. Han Xin could feel the weight of that gaze like it was burrowing through his skin.

He tried to ignore it, focusing on his steps, on the crunch of dust beneath his boots. But Xiang Yu’s stare was relentless, an invisible pull that Han Xin couldn’t escape.

Finally, he stopped, turning sharply to face him. "Is there something on my face?" Han Xin’s voice was brisk, his words measured.

Xiang Yu blinked as if startled. "Huh? Oh, no."

"Then why are you staring at me?" Han Xin pressed, his tone edged with frustration.

"It’s because you are so handsome," Xiang Yu replied, his expression completely serious.

Han Xin froze. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. His face remained stern, but his ears betrayed him, burning with the faintest hint of red. He pursed his lips, not willing to dignify the comment with an answer, and strode ahead, his steps brisk and purposeful.

Xiang Yu watched him go, a small smile tugging at his lips. He’d noticed the blush, that little crack in Han Xin’s icy demeanour. It was enough to make him feel warm inside like he was slowly breaking through the cold walls.

The group walked in silence for the next half hour. The barren wasteland stretched endlessly around them, but then something began to change. First, it was a patch of green, a tuft of grass, delicate and alive. Then another. Vegetation began to appear, scattered at first but growing thicker and more vibrant as they pressed on.

Eyes lit up with excitement. In the wastelands, greenery was a rare treasure, a sign of life where none was expected. The group murmured to one another, their exhaustion fading as hope flickered to life.

Xiang Yu moved toward a cave entrance, its dark mouth framed by lush vines and moss. He stepped forward, but Han Xin was suddenly in front of him, a hand on his arm.

"I will go first," Han Xin said firmly.

Xiang Yu raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay."

Han Xin pulled out a flashlight, its beam cutting through the shadows as he stepped inside. Xiang Yu followed close behind, with the others trailing after them. The cave was cool and damp, the darkness thick and cloying until they emerged into a brighter, larger chamber.

It was breathtaking.

Water tumbled from an unseen height, crashing into a pool below and filling the air with a misty haze. Light danced off the spray, casting rainbows that shimmered against the cave walls. Mutated plants thrived here, their flowers vivid with colours that seemed almost unreal. It was a strange, untamed beauty.

The group scattered, some exploring, some simply staring in awe. Xiang Yu stepped closer to the waterfall, his hand outstretched to catch the falling water. Before he could, Han Xin’s fingers wrapped around his wrist, stopping him mid-motion.

"Don’t," Han Xin said, his voice low but firm.

Xiang Yu looked at him, caught off guard by the sudden contact. For a moment, their eyes met, the sound of the waterfall filling the space between them.

Xiang Yu looked at him, his gaze steady and unreadable. Han Xin, realizing what he had done, let go, his fingers trailing away from Xiang Yu’s smooth skin with a slowness that felt reluctant. Han Xin cleared his throat. "Let me check it first to make sure it’s safe."

Xiang Yu smiled, the corner of his lips tilting upward as he stepped closer. "I kept my end of the bargain," he whispered, his breath warm against Han Xin’s ear. "Now you have to keep yours."

Their gazes locked, tension lingering in the air. Han Xin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, thoughts racing. He was definitely in trouble now. How had it come to this? Selling his dignity... and for water, no less. It was beyond belief.

Xiang Yu finally turned and walked away, his steps unhurried but purposeful. Han Xin exhaled sharply, watching him go before shaking his head and muttering to himself.

A little farther ahead, Xiang Yu spotted a plant with purple flowers growing stubbornly in the cracked earth. His eyes lit up with recognition, and he quickened his pace. Dropping to his knees, he began digging carefully around its roots, dirt caking his fingers.