Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Challenge to the de*th

The Demon King's gaze locked onto him, the smile on his face vanishing, replaced by an ominous light. He clutched his armchair, his fingers digging into the material, leaving deep marks on the wood. The resemblance was uncanny. It was the same crimson eyes, the same cruel mouth. Father and son, bound by blood and betrayal.

The Demon King rose, his steps deliberate. "Now I understand what your mother felt," he murmured before crouching down. "You are really hard to kill." He ran his fingers through Xiang Yu's hair at his nape his eyes like a beast on the prowl.

His father's touch was a paradox. It was a blend of cruelty and intimacy that sent shivers down Xiang Yu's spine. His fingers, sharp as obsidian, traced the curve of Xiang Yu's nape, the pressure teetering on the edge of pain and tenderness.

Xiang Yu's scalp prickled his nerves screaming. His father's breath, tainted with power accumulated for centuries, brushed against his skin.

Xiang Yu smiled evilly before saying, "How do you think a weak and pathetic half-blood like me survived, huh?" A low, unsettling chuckle came out of his throat. "Your loyal servant and his companion didn't do what you told them to do. They wanted my demon core and flesh all to themselves, but the cultivators attacked, so they decided to come back later and have a... what should I call it... an afternoon snack?"

The Shadow Jade Palace quivered with tension as Xiang Yu's revelation hung in the air like a poisoned blade. He glanced at the concubines sitting around the table before saying,

"From their conversation, they have done it multiple times. They feed on your dead children and make themselves more powerful. Interesting, right?" His voice cut through the tense atmosphere and shattered their souls. The women's faces turned ashen, with one even shedding tears.

The Demon King's eyes narrowed, twin flames flickering with disbelief and rage. His fingers tightened, and Xiang Yu's vision blurred. "Shiren?" the Demon King murmured his voice trembling slightly in rage. "He has been loyal to me. He wouldn't."

Xiang Yu's laughter was brittle. "Loyal?" he said. "No father... he wants to be you."

His father's intense gaze caused the numbness to spread from his scalp to his soul but he showed no fear. The Demon King flung his head in anger before he got up. Xiang Yu, still feeling the after-effects of the paralysis spell, was a little slow to react; thus, his head hit the floor directly, and blood trickled down from his temple.

His loyal servant, Shiren and his companion were summoned. They trembled sweat beading on their foreheads.

"Is it true?" The Demon King's voice was a storm gathering. "Explain yourself!"

Xiang Yu held his head his twisted smile widening. "Tsk tsk tsk... Father," he drawled, "your precious servant has been very busy."

The Demon King's knuckles whitened as he clenched his whip. His gaze bore into Shiren making the man quiver in fear in fright. This was unacceptable. If he could take his children's demon cores, what would stop him from digging out his when he was in a compromised position?

The servant's eyes darted, guilt etched across his face. "My lord," Shiren stammered, "I—I did what I thought necessary. To strengthen me so I could be of better service to you."