Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 470: Getting drunk

Han Xin tightened his grip on the hilt of Bloodreaver, the blade glinting ominously. "Xiang Lin," he called out, his voice resonating in the cold air.

"For your treasonous acts against the late imperial Lord of the Republic and his imperial empress, I hereby sentence you to death. Your body will be incinerated, and your ashes will be scattered in the lower city junkyard. There will be no grave, no mound for you to be remembered by. You will forever be forgotten."

He didn’t care to ask if Xiang Lin had any last words. The air felt heavy with anticipation, tension crackling like a live wire. Xiang Lin sat slumped against the wall, his eyes vacant, as a tear traced its way down his weathered face.

In those final moments, when one ought to reflect on a life lived, Xiang Lin saw only the face of his beloved Xing Xing. Her laughter echoed in his mind like a sweet melody, so far removed from the horror of the present. If there was another life, he thought, if he were granted a second chance, he would cherish her. He would never hurt her. He would never repeat the same mistakes.

Without hesitation, Han Xin swung the blade. The execution was swift and merciless. Xiang Lin’s body fell limp, his head rolling grotesquely before finally settling on the ground.

Standing tall, Han Xin straightened up, the weight of the deed hanging heavy in the silence. He pulled out a handkerchief, meticulously wiping the blade clean as an icy calm enveloped him.

"Let it be known that any betrayal in the future will not be tolerated," he declared, his voice icy. "As the imperial Lord, I will personally deal with traitors."

Behind the screens across the Republic, men and women felt their blood run cold, fear gripping them like a vice. The reality of Han Xin’s unforgiving nature was laid bare for all to see.

He tossed the bloody handkerchief to the ground and turned away, his back to the horror behind. Moments later, Maurice and another man entered to clean up the aftermath, a gory ritual that marked the end of Xiang Lin.

In less than an hour, as the sun ambled toward the horizon, his ashes would be scattered in the barren junkyard of the lower city, a finality that silenced his once-vibrant essence.

In that cold, merciless way, the legacy of betrayal was erased, but the reverberations of it would linger, echoing through the corridors of power in the Republic.

Han Xin stepped out of the execution chamber, Bloodreaver clasped tightly in his hand. The weight of the sword felt both empowering and burdensome. He handed it to his cousin, Han Zhan, whose brow furrowed slightly as he accepted the blade.

"What now?" Han Zhan asked, taking a moment to register the gravity of the situation.

"Acquire the services of the imperial officiator for a funeral and a wedding," Han Xin replied, his voice steady.

Han Zhan wasn’t surprised by the request. "What will come first?"

"The funeral, but it will be small."

"Okay." Han Zhan nodded, understanding the silent grief that hung between them. Han Xin turned, about to walk away, when Han Zhan called out to him, "Are you okay?"

Han Xin halted for a moment but didn’t respond. He had just executed the man who had killed his parents in cold blood. He should have felt relief, a sense of justice served. Yet the ache in his heart remained.

Seeing the turmoil in his cousin’s eyes, Han Zhan placed a supportive hand on Han Xin’s shoulder. "Let’s have a drink and reminisce," he suggested, his voice warm and inviting.

Han Xin agreed with a soft hum. Soon, the two cousins were deep in their cups, laughter mingling with stories of Han Zhan’s childhood and tales of Han Xin’s parents. Each story was a thread, weaving a tapestry of memories that brightened the dark corners of Han Xin’s hearts.

Three hours later, Han Xin staggered into the lounge where Xiang Yu sat. The room was cosy and inviting. Xiang Yu was engrossed in something with the twins, Lian and Mei, who laughed and squealed at the screen. They were so absorbed that they didn’t immediately notice the figure standing in the doorway with Han Zhan’s support.

"Lian, call Little Bai and tell him to come pick up his menace of a husband," Xiang Yu said, glancing at Han Xin.

Han Zhan, barely able to stand upright, lifted a finger in protest. "No, no. Bai Bai will be mad at... let me sleep here tonight," he slurred, his speech thick with alcohol.

Mei laughed a bright sound that cut through the air. "Brother, why are you so afraid of Brother Bai? He seems sweet!"

Indeed, Lian and Mei had often tested Little Bai’s patience in the last world, and he had never lost his temper. But Han Zhan still wore an apprehensive expression, his resolve waning under the effects of the drink.

Xiang Yu stood and moved to support Han Xin, who swayed slightly as he steadied himself. "I I I am not afraid of him!" Han Zhan protested, though his words came out in a jumble.

Just then, the main door slid open, and Little Bai rushed in, concern etched on his face. "Oh no," Han Zhan blurted, "Baby, I only had one drink... I swear."

Little Bai scanned the room, his gaze landing on Han Zhan’s dishevelled appearance. "Lies," he said with a hint of exasperation. "You are going to sleep on the couch tonight."

Han Xin leaned into Xiang Yu’s ear and said, "Yu Yu will you make me sleep on the couch too."

Xiang Yu replied, "It depends if you behave well." Han Xin smiled happily as he hugged him even tighter. He said, "My husband is not so cruel." freёwebnoѵel.com

While one was happy that he wouldn’t sleep on the couch, the other was crying. Han Zhan wailed, clutching Little Bai tightly, his pleas muffled against the fabric of the man’s shirt.

"I am so so so very sorry... don’t be mad at me." he cried, his voice thick with emotion. The sight was so amusing that Lian and Mei burst into laughter, the sound of their joy filling the dimly lit room.

Little Bai glanced apologetically at Xiang Yu. "I am taking him away now."

"Go ahead," Xiang Yu replied, shaking his head with a fond smile. "Just don’t stay up too late."

As they exited, Mei knelt on the couch, resting her face on the back cushion. "Master," she asked, her voice almost muffled, "is brother going to be okay?"

Xiang Yu turned to look at her. "He just drank a little. He will be fine." As he spoke, he led Han Xin to the large bedroom down the hall.