Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 164: "What did you break?"

The black Maybach glided silently through the Han clan estate, its sleek form cutting through the night like a shadow. Garden lights cast a soft glow over meticulously manicured lawns, illuminating the path lined with cherry blossom trees. The estate was like a fortress, guarded by men in black gear, their eyes sharp and hands steady on their weapons.

As the car approached the grand entrance near the fountain, the butler stepped forward, his posture impeccable. "Young master, you have returned," he said with a respectful bow. "The master is waiting for you in his office."

Han Xin nodded curtly, stepping out of the car. The moment he entered the house, the scent of expensive wine and the faint hum of classical music greeted him. His stepmother, Jin Tao, lounged on the couch, a glass of wine in her hand. The table before her was cluttered with bottles—some opened, some not, and some empty. She sneered at him, her eyes glassy with intoxication.

"What are you looking at?" she slurred, her voice dripping with disdain.

Han Xin ignored her, his expression cold and unyielding, and headed upstairs. His presence was a stark contrast to the opulence around him, a reminder of his origins.

Han Xin was born from one of his father’s many mistresses, his existence was a secret until Jin Tao’s injury rendered her unable to bear more children. Her own son, a hedonistic youth addicted to substances and the party lifestyle, was deemed unfit to inherit the family legacy, thrusting Han Xin into the spotlight.

He knocked on the heavy wooden door of the home office and stepped inside. The room was vast, lined with bookshelves, rare paintings and adorned with antique furniture. His father stood by the window, a cigar in hand, the smoke curling lazily towards the ceiling. Han Xin approached, standing silently by his side.

Through the window, he saw a group of Die clan foot soldiers kneeling by the pool, their heads bowed in submission while one of them was being beaten to a pulp by one of his father’s elite bodyguards. His face remained impassive as he greeted his father. "Father."

His father exhaled a plume of smoke, his gaze never leaving the scene outside. "Did you find the man who did this?"

"I am currently working on it," Han Xin replied, his tone devoid of warmth or familiarity.

"When you find him, bring me his head," his father commanded, his voice as cold as the night air.

Han Xin hesitated for a moment. "Yes, father... What about the head of the Die clan?"

"I will handle that. He is drawing too much attention to us with his actions. He must be punished."

The conversation shifted to business matters, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension. After a while, Han Xin turned to leave, but his father stopped him. "Stay for the night."

Han Xin’s jaw tightened. He despised staying in the Han family home. Calling it home was an overstatement. It was a place filled with memories of rejection and resentment. Each time he had to endure verbal abuse from Jin Tao and his old man never said anything. But he had no choice. With a reluctant nod, he exited the office.

***

The red Mustang roared through the quiet streets, its engine a low growl that echoed off the buildings. Xiang Yu gripped the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead. The twins sat in the back, their chatter a distant hum in his ears. He had driven to the warehouse early morning and swapped cars before going to the only open store to buy some things for Lian and Mei.

Xiang Yu pulled into the garage, the car coming to a smooth stop. The Jade House was the original owner’s tattoo parlour. It occupied the first two floors, while the third and fourth floors were his home. He stepped out of the car, the cool air of the garage a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning sun. The twins followed behind him seeming even more bubbly than last night.

The garage door closed behind them with a heavy thud, sealing them in the dimly lit space. Xiang Yu’s mind drifted back to the day the original owner’s father died. It was a day that changed everything. His father had been so loyal to the Dragon Head, so loyal in fact, that he took a bullet for him.

At the time Xiang Yu had been in the Marines. As a kid, he had long known that the Dragon Head had wanted him to become one of his elite bodyguards since he wasn’t as smart as his father.

His father had agreed and he was trained to be just that as a kid. His father suggested to the Dragon Head that he join the Marines to polish his skills. But his father’s true intention had been to keep him away from the triads, to buy him time.

When the news of his father’s death reached him, Xiang Yu returned in a panic. The funeral was a blur of grief and anger. He had confronted the Dragon Head, declaring his desire to stay in the Marines and live his own life. The Dragon Head’s response was cold and unforgiving.

"Once you enter the Triads, you can’t leave," he had said, his voice as sharp as the sword he drew from the wall. The blade shimmered under the light, a deadly promise. Without warning, he stabbed Xiang Yu, the pain searing through his body. His eyes widened in shock, his veins throbbing with the sudden rush of adrenaline. Blood dripped from the wound as the Dragon Head withdrew the blade.

"If you survive this, you can leave the Triads. All the businesses under your father’s name will be taken back," the Dragon Head had said, wiping the blood from the blade with a cloth before tossing it at him. A group of men had carried him away, leaving him to die in a muddy ditch. But Xiang Yu had crawled out, his will to live stronger than the pain.

He had never associated with the triads again, his resentment festering like an open wound. The Dragon Head had exposed his ties to the Triads, leading to his dishonourable discharge from the Marines. But what the Dragon Head didn’t know was that Xiang Yu’s father had left him several warehouses under Doctor Song’s name, a lifeline that had allowed him to start anew.

Xiang Yu shook off the memories with a soft sigh. Lian, her eyes wide with curiosity, tugged at his sleeve. "Master, why can’t I drive?"

He walked to the trunk, opening it with a smooth motion. "You are still too young. In this world, kids can’t drive," he explained, his tone gentle but firm.

Mei burst into laughter, her mirth echoing through the quiet morning. Lian’s face fell, her disappointment palpable. "Why are you laughing?" she demanded, her voice tinged with frustration.

Xiang Yu lifted the shopping bags from the trunk, the weight a minor inconvenience. He hadn’t managed to get everything the twins needed, only the basics. "Be good, and I will buy you phones if you behave," he promised, his eyes softening as he looked at them.

The twins followed him to the elevator, their steps light and eager. As they reached the elevator, Mei quickly pressed the up button, a triumphant smile on her face. "I wanted to press it," Lian complained, her pout deepening.

Mei stuck out her tongue at her, and Xiang Yu chuckled. "Lian, you can press it next time," he assured her. Though dissatisfied, Lian remained silent, her eyes fixed on the elevator doors.

As the elevator began to move, Lian and Mei clung to him, their small bodies trembling with fear. It was, after all, their first time in an elevator. "You aren’t going to die," Xiang Yu said to them, his voice calm. "Let go."

But the twins shook their heads, their grip tightening. When the elevator doors finally opened revealing a large living area, they released him and dashed out, their fear replaced by excitement. They explored each room with wide-eyed wonder, their laughter filling the space.

Xiang Yu sank into the couch, his head resting on the backrest. He closed his eyes, savouring the brief moment of peace. The noise of the twins running around was like a comforting background hum, but when it suddenly stopped, his eyes snapped open.

He found the twins standing before him, their faces innocent and expectant. Because of the way his head was leaning downwards, they appeared upside down in his view.

"What did you break?" he asked, his voice a mix of suspicion and amusement.

They shook their heads vigorously with Lian hiding her wet sleeve. A minute later, Xiang Yu was in the bathroom, giving them a tutorial. It turned out Lian had needed to use the bathroom but couldn’t figure it out, so the two of them had tried to solve the problem together before coming to him for help. As he explained, he couldn’t help but smile at their earnestness.