NOVEL WEB Chapter 613: Mouse-in-law
An hour later, the four of them joined the others outside, where the air felt heavy with concern and uncertainty. The remnants of chaos lay strewn around, evidence of the battle they had faced. Groups huddled together, trying to piece together who was still alive and who needed help.
Xiang Yu scanned the faces around him. Their entire team was mostly unscathed, but there were some injuries that needed attending to. Bandages were wrapped hastily around arms and legs, and murmurs of pain broke through the tension-filled air.
Most of the citizens had fled, terrified by the attack. Many had been caught off guard by the zombies, some turned into grotesque creatures, while others lay torn to shreds on the ground. The sight was haunting.
It was a good thing Xiang Yu's army of the undead had took over and fought fiercely otherwise they would have been outnumbered and suffered more casualties.
When the chaos settled down, the remaining zombies under Xiang Yu's command stood eerily still, dormant, as if awaiting his orders. Although their presence was unnerving, Xiang Yu felt detached from the situation. He didn't particularly care about this city. His mind was elsewhere. He was focused on finding that bitch, Peng Xiu.
"Where's Peng Xiu?" he asked, his voice firm and terrifying. But amidst the disorder, they had lost track of her.
Lian and Mei exchanged worried glances, guilt washing over their features. "Master, we are so sorry," Lian murmured. "We didn't think she would disappear like that while we were… away. She was lying on the ground, unable to move."
Mei added, "We should have restrained her. It's our fault."
Xiang Yu shook his head. How could he blame them? Despite taking revenge on Peng Xiu, their past was like a shadow still lingering too heavily in their minds. He would rather they stay away from her in his absence. Besides, he could always ask the Divine Emperor.
As the meeting wrapped up, the atmosphere shifted from tense discussions to a flurry of activity. The others moved to clean up the aftermath while some set out to search for survivors. Han Xin stepped closer, taking Xiang Yu's hand in his. "Don't you want me to go hunt her down? She couldn't have gone far," he asked, concern etched on his face.
Xiang Yu shook his head, giving Han Xin's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry about it. I will find her," he replied his voice steady. The restoration of this city didn't concern them, and he decided it was best for them to leave soon.
With a nod, Han Xin and the twins moved off to find breakfast, leaving Xiang Yu alone. He walked over to the couch and sank into its cushions, closing his eyes for just a moment. The world around him faded, but before he could even summon the presence of the Divine Emperor in his mind, a cacophony erupted in his head.
The Divine Emperor was screaming at him, a nonsensical stream of words crashing together. Xiang Yu winced, his head throbbing in response to the booming voice. Deciding that enough was enough, he entered his spiritual space and transformed the Divine Emperor into a tiny mouse.
For a few moments, the tiny mouse jumped up and down, waving a paw in the air, blissfully unaware of the change. The sight was so amusing that Xiang Yu burst out laughing.
When the Divine Emperor finally noticed his new form, the mouse let out a squeaky yelp, exploding with indignation.
"You brat! Do you think it's funny?!" the tiny voice squeaked, filled with outrage.
Xiang Yu crossed his arms, leaning back against the couch. " Relax old man. You take things too seriously."
The tiny black eyes almost burst in flames. It was obvious that he was extremely enraged. Xiang Yu sighed before mumbling, "You never let me have fun. So stingy."
The Divine Emperor, "..."
If he weren't an immortal and his son powerless, he might have asked on a forum how to get rid of your son-in-law without your son finding out?
"Are you ready to talk properly?" he asked, trying to suppress a smile at the absurdity of the situation.
The tiny mouse glared up at him, its whiskers twitching furiously. Xiang Yu could almost see the spirit's frustration rising in little puffs.
Xiang Yu felt an unshakeable calm as he faced the tiny mouse that housed the all-powerful Divine Emperor. Han Xin had his back and even if Han Xin hadn't been by his side, the Divine Emperor owed him a debt that could not be ignored.
"Will you be able to speak properly now?" Xiang Yu asked, his voice low and steady.
The Divine Emperor, still in mouse form, gritted his tiny teeth and nodded his small head, a gesture filled with reluctant acceptance.
Xiang Yu smiled, the corners of his lips lifting as he returned him to his human form. As the old man materialised before him, it was clear he was restraining himself with great effort, a storm of emotions brewing just beneath the surface. Xiang Yu fought the urge to tease; it was a rare sight to see the Divine Emperor so visibly contained.
"What seems to be the problem, old man?" he asked, amused. Just then, a chill crept through the air, and Xiang Yu felt a lingering sensation, like eyes watching him from the shadows. He turned his head, scanning the empty space around him, yet he knew this was his realm. There was no one here.
Before he could question the sensation, the old man spoke, his tone sharp. "Han Xin took you into his spiritual domain."
Xiang Yu, preoccupied with the inexplicable feeling, responded distractedly, "Huh?"
The Divine Emperor gritted his teeth, frustration evident. "I said, did Han Xin take you to his spiritual domain?" The words were measured, as if he were trying to maintain control of his own rising agitation.
Xiang Yu didn't think much of the inquiry. "Yes," he replied nonchalantly, dismissing the importance of the question. The Divine Emperor already knew the answer but he wanted to hear it out of his own mouth.
Xiang Yu glanced at him, a flicker of confusion crossing his features. What's wrong?" he asked, his tone shifting to something sharper, more urgent.
The Divine Emperor regarded Xiang Yu with a keen gaze. "Tell me exactly what happened," he demanded, his tone steady but edged with urgency.
Xiang Yu took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He recounted the details of the chaotic battle, from the moment the zombies attacked to when Han Xin had taken him escape into his spiritual domain. He spoke of how Han Xin's eyes looked and his state at the time.
When he finished, the Divine Emperor's scrutiny remained unwavering. "What did you two do in there?" he asked, his tone shifting into something more suspicious.
Xiang Yu felt a tightness in his chest. How was he supposed to tell him what they really did? How they went at it like rabbits and he almost had his waist broken? Instead, he outright lied, saying, "We just hung out and enjoyed the peace and quiet."
The knowing look in the Divine Emperor's eyes told Xiang Yu that he wasn't convinced. He pressed further. "Really? Nothing happened? You two didn't do anything at all?"
Xiang Yu recalled the heat of the moment when Han Xin had pressed him against the bed, twisting his butt in the hair and thrusting fiercely like he wanted to tear him in half. He quickly brushed the thought away, forcing a nonchalant expression. "No no, nothing at all. Han Xin was in a trance."
The Divine Emperor sighed, a sound filled with exasperation. "Good. At least I won't be a grandfather," he murmured under his breath.
"What?" Xiang Yu didn't hear him clearly, the words fading into the background.
"Nothing, nothing," the Divine Emperor replied quickly, waving a hand as if to dismiss the thought.
Xiang Yu leaned forward, his voice more urgent now. "Okay, where is Peng Xiu? When I came back, she was gone."
The expression on the Divine Emperor's face shifted, and for a moment, the stern old man seemed to falter. "She is dead," he said quietly. "Dragged away by a zombie."