Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Han Xin

Xiang Yu crouched by the calm lake, his reflection shimmering on the surface. He felt something was wrong with his neck hence as soon as he got the opportunity he walked over to see for himself.

Something was indeed different. There were patterns etched into a small part of his neck like a tattoo. Though the gave off that illusion, they weren't just mere tattoos. They were a manifestation of his demonic power and he would find out in the future that they would only spread as he grew stronger.

His head tilted slightly as he traced the intricate lines with his fingertips. His eyes fell into a momentary daze recalling his mother's pale hand slipping into steaming water as she took her last breath.

His finger froze his breath stagnant. Just as his thoughts slowly slipped into the dark abyss a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. "Big brother," called out the young girl as she stood beside him. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the appearance of the patterns on his neck.

"It looks nice," she said, her voice surprisingly steady. "Like mountain flowers."

Xiang Yu glanced at her, surprised by her lack of fear. After what happened last time he swore she would stand ten feet away from him. If it weren't for her mother forcing them to eat together he was sure she would have opted out of it and who could blame her? "You are not afraid of me?"

She shook her head as she crouched beside him. "I was before but... you risked your life to save mine. That counts for something. You are not a bad person."

Xiang Yu's lips quirked into a genuine smile. 'See mother, there are people who don't mind a monster like me,' he said to himself as he stared into the distance.

Seeing his current state the girl hesitated to ask. "Big brother, will you stay here with me and my mother?"

Xiang Yu was a little surprised. He glanced at her and asked, "Why are you asking?"

The young girl lowered her head even further feeling guilty. She drew circles on the wet banks of the lake while saying, "The demons might come back. They might attack again and... I am afraid."

Xiang Yu chuckled softly. "That's what you are worried about? I won't leave any time soon, Dan Dan," he said his gaze lost on the horizon. He had heard her mother call her Dan Dan when trying to coax her. Thus he called her that to make her feel comfortable.