Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 577: First night together

Han Zhan walked over, his movements deliberate as he reached down to pull Little Bai up. With gentle hands, he placed the young man inside the sleeping bag and zipped it up securely. "Sleep," he said, his voice low and calm.

Little Bai peered out from the cosy confines of the sleeping bag, his eyes wide and curious. Han Zhan set the other sleeping bag down beside it, then stripped off his shirt. The fabric felt stifling against his skin, and he preferred the comfort of the cool air.

As he settled into his sleeping bag, Han Zhan felt Little Bai’s gaze lingering on him. He didn’t say anything, allowing him to observe. Suddenly, Little Bai sat up, his little hands fumbling with the hem of his own shirt.

"What are you doing?" Han Zhan exclaimed, stopping him mid-motion.

Little Bai’s eyes shone with innocence, clearly puzzled. He didn’t say a word, but the expression on his face seemed to scream, ’I am taking it off like you.’

"Keep it on," Han Zhan urged, concern creeping into his voice. "You seem cold."

With a resigned sigh, Little Bai let the shirt fall back down over his small frame. Han Zhan turned on the lamp, its dim light filling the tent with a soft glow, and then lay down again.

But Little Bai couldn’t sleep. He lay motionless, staring at the fabric of the tent roof, absorbing the sounds outside. The rustling of leaves and distant murmurs had a strange allure, pulling him to contemplate running away in the night or staying here. He feared people who were nice to him the most as they are the ones who would hurt him more. Before he got hurt wouldn’t it be better to run.

Just as confusion clouded his thoughts, Han Zhan rolled over sharply. He wrapped his arm and leg around Little Bai, pulling him into a warm embrace. Little Bai froze, caught off guard by the sudden closeness. Han Zhan’s body enveloped him enjoying the coolness from this person.

Little Bai didn’t dare move. He could feel Han Zhan’s breath softly spraying across his face, warm and ticklish. It made his skin prickle, a strange sensation that filled him with both comfort and unease.

Little Bai lay there, stiff as an ironing board, trapped in Han Zhan’s embrace. Each time Han Zhan moved, Little Bai instinctively held his breath and tensed his muscles, as if preparing for an escape that never came. Han Zhan, unaware of the turmoil beside him, moved freely, pulling Little Bai closer with each shift.

The warmth of Han Zhan’s body surrounded Little Bai, and the man’s hot breath brushed against his cool skin, sending shivers racing down his spine. It was a strange sensation, both intimate and unsettling. In the stillness of the night, Han Zhan sniffed at Little Bai’s neck and let out a soft chuckle in his sleep, murmuring, "So good."

Little Bai’s heart raced. The entire night was torturous, a different kind of torment compared to what he had endured in the research centre. There, pain was physical and sharp, but here, it was a confusing mix of warmth and anxiety. Somehow, he felt both safe and trapped. He barely slept, managing only an hour at most, all thanks to the man beside him, who seemed completely at ease.

As dawn broke, Han Zhan’s watch suddenly beeped, the sound cutting through the fragile silence. He stirred slowly, the warmth of sleep lingering around him. The air was filled with a cool medicinal fragrance that made him sniff deeper, feeling as if he was hugging an ice cube.

But then he felt it—a ripple beneath him. His brows furrowed as his fingers moved instinctively, searching for the source of the coolness. He felt a soft chest under his hand, and in a heartbeat, his eyes snapped open.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!" Han Zhan shot up, the sudden rush of movement startling both of them.

The two pairs of eyes locked in a moment suspended in time. They stared at each other, wide-eyed in shock. It was an awkward instant where neither spoke. Han Zhan’s expression shifted from confusion to realization as he took in the sight of Little Bai, who looked as startled as he felt.

***

In a sprawling city untouched by the scars of the post-apocalyptic world, a striking building loomed above the rest. Its gothic spires twisted toward the sky, while sleek, futuristic lines brought a jarring contrast to the ancient design. Beneath its shadow, a young woman hurried with her head lowered, her cream uniform brushing against her trembling shoulders. freeweɓnøvel.com

Her heart raced as she approached the massive double doors, dread simmering in her chest. She was about to deliver terrible news to Overseer Kira, and fear gnawed at her insides. Kira’s wrath had become famous throughout the city. Recently, her fury seemed unquenchable.

Since Xiang Yu, her adopted son, had left, she had morphed into a figure of terror, executing anyone who displeased her without a second thought. The council’s advice had fallen upon deaf ears, and the overseer ruled with an iron fist, punishing even the slightest mistakes.

The young woman raised her hand to knock on the heavy double doors, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. The soft rap of her knuckles was timid as if she feared that any louder sound would awaken the beast within. She had hoped to slip a message under the door without alerting Overseer Kira, but fate seemed to conspire against her.

The doors creaked open, revealing a scene that sent a chill through her. Overseer Kira sat poised at her grand desk, a figure draped in elegance and authority. Around her, several young men flitted about, attending to her every whim.

It was a stark contrast to the overseer’s once austere nature. Kira had been an almost otherworldly existence, seemingly above earthly desires, driven by her mission to lead and protect. But that was no longer the case.

Now, she was surrounded by young men who resembled each other in unsettling ways. They had the same sharp jawlines, the same deep-set eyes, and, if not the eyes, then the same height and build. It was as if she had formed a collection, a harem of identical boys who catered to her every need.

One of the men held a plate of fruits, gently offering slices of ripe mango to Kira, while another worked his fingers into her shoulders, easing her tension. A third poured a dark liquor into an ornate glass, the liquid catching the light as it filled. They moved gracefully, as if trained for this purpose, but none acknowledged the young woman standing at the threshold.

The young woman felt her throat tighten. She cleared her voice, but no sound came. The atmosphere in the room was thick with an air of indulgence, and she wondered if anyone would even look her way.

She swallowed hard, her palms clammy against the fabric of her uniform. The slighted move could her death warrant so she had no choice but to wait to be summoned forward.