Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT) novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139: "You are still so slow, brother,”

Xiang Yu woke before dawn. He sat up, the thin quilt slipping from his shoulders, and peered out the small window. The sky was a deep indigo, stars still twinkling faintly as the first hints of dawn began to creep over the horizon.

They were near the last town before they reached the capital. The divine emperor, who had been giving him the silent treatment for the past few days, had finally relented and informed him that Xiang Wei had arrived in that town and he was resting in the cellar of a medicinal shop, waiting for his word. Xiang Yu knew he had to meet up with him before things went down in the capital.

He gently shook Lian and Mei awake. "It’s time," he whispered. They nodded; their eyes heavy with sleep but alert. Together, they slipped into the night, their cloaks wrapped tightly around them to ward off the chill.

By the time they reached the town, the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the small, bustling settlement. Fishermen were already hard at work at the docks, their nets glistening with morning dew, while market vendors set up their stalls, arranging fresh produce and colourful fabrics with practised ease. The three of them, hoods drawn low over their faces, blended seamlessly into the early morning crowd.

Xiang Yu led the way to the medicinal shop, its wooden sign creaking softly in the breeze. The shop was closed, its windows dark. They circled around to the back, where he knocked softly on the door. A young man answered, his eyes wide with fear.

"I am here to see your guest," Xiang Yu whispered. "Tell him it’s Yu-ge."

The young man nodded quickly and shut the door. Moments later, he returned, opening the door wider to let them in. Lian smiled warmly. "Hi," she said softly. Mei waved, her eyes scanning the room as she followed behind Xiang Yu. The young man was a little confused but he knew to keep his head low and nothing would happen to him.

They descended into the cellar, the air growing cooler and more damp with each step. The flickering light of a single lantern cast long shadows on the stone walls. When the door to the cellar opened, Xiang Wei stood up, his face lighting up with excitement. "Yu-ge!" he called out.

But when Xiang Yu pulled back his hood, it was not his face that he saw. Instead, it was the face of that vile woman, Princess Xiu. His expression twisted with rage and disbelief. He drew his dagger, his hand trembling. "You witch," he spat. "Why aren’t you dead?"

Xiang Yu could have easily told him who he was, but where was the fun in that? He narrowed his eyes, his voice calm and steady. "Because, little Wei, I have come to haunt you from the dead."

Xiang Wei’s eyes blazed with fury as he lunged at him, his dagger aimed straight at his heart. But Xiang Yu merely smirked. With a swift, fluid motion, he stepped aside, letting Xiang Wei’s momentum carry him forward.

Xiang Yu’s palm struck the back of his head with a resounding thud, and he crumpled to the ground. Xiang Yu placed his foot on his brother’s back, pinning him down.

"You are still so slow, brother," Xiang Yu laughed, his voice dripping with mockery. "Not only physically but mentally too."