CHAPTER 621: ROBBED BLIND

Xue Wuheng became desperate. He attacked a divine immortal and absorbed their power. He never thought that Han Jun was beyond his reach. He was easily defeated and ended up here.

As to how he could plot seamlessly and leave a realm said to be impossible to escape. The primordial power he had absorbed from the divine immortals during the war meant he had acquired certain special abilities.

Abilities that couldn’t be contained by the seal. After thousands of years of repairing his body, a part of his soul could leave the realm. This was how he had been able to meet the Demon Lord and Peng Xiu. It caused him excruciating pain, but he was more than determined. He finally got his wish. Han Jun came to see him.

He had saved Han Jun, and that debt needed to be repaid. He would take Han Xin’s soul. Together, they could stay in this realm, and that way, Han Jun would always come to see him. That was the plan.

But Xue Wuheng didn’t count on Xiang Yu screwing over his plan.

***

The round table gleamed under the low lantern light, its surface cluttered with poker chips, half-filled wine cups, and the occasional trail of candied fruit. The air was thick with laughter, the scent of plum wine, and the quiet rustle of clothes.

Xiang Yu sat with a regal ease, his leg draped possessively over Han Xin’s beneath the table. Han Xin, on the other hand, had his arm curled around Xiang Yu’s shoulder, fingers idly tracing the curve of his collarbone. He leaned in now and then, whispering in tones too low for the others to hear, though the glint in Xiang Yu’s eyes betrayed the secrets being passed.

"Baby, play the nine," Han Xin murmured, lips brushing the edge of Xiang Yu’s ear. "Trust me."

Across the table, Han Zhan reclined like a warlord in repose, his expression unreadable save for the occasional twitch of amusement. Little Bai was nestled close, feeding him dried persimmons and massaging his shoulders with the devotion of a temple acolyte.

"You are too tense, Zhan-ge," Little Bai teased. "Let the wine do its work."

Han Zhan scoffed before saying, "How can I relax with these two robbing us blind?" These two he was talking about was of course, Xiang Yu and Han Xin.

Little Bai leaned in and whispered, "If you lose, ge... I will comfort you."

Han Zhan, "???"

Next to them, Lian and Mei sat side by side, their matching smirks suggesting a shared conspiracy. Mei sipped her wine slowly, while Lian tapped her fingers against her cards, eyes flicking toward Xiang Yu and Han Xin with suspicion.

"They are up to something," Lian whispered.

Su Jing, poised and sharp-eyed, adjusted her bet with a flick of her wrist. Lu Lu looked less confident, his gaze darting between his cards and his sister, who dealt with the grace of a courtesan and the precision of a blade.

"Raise," Xiang Yu declared, voice smooth as lacquer.

Han Xin coughed once, then twice. Xiang Yu tapped his wine cup, then smiled.

The final cards hit the table. Xiang Yu laid down his hand: a royal flush.

Gasps. Groans. Mei nearly dropped her cup.

"You are cheating," Su Jing said flatly.

"Obviously," Little Bai chimed, giggling into Han Zhan’s shoulder.

Lu Lu’s sister arched a brow. "I saw the signals. I just wanted to see how far you would push it."

Han Xin looked so smug, looking like a highly favoured concubine. He kissed Xiang Yu’s temple, unbothered. "We are just good at reading each other."

Lian crossed her arms. "Next round, no pairs. And no touching."

Xiang Yu raised his cup in mock salute. "You are just jealous of our synergy."

Han Xin whispered, "Let them pout. We already won."

Xiang Yu took all his winnings from the table. There were diamond necklaces, expensive watches, and bottles of whiskey looted from who knows where. Lian and Mei stared at the sparkling pile with longing.

Lian pouted, her arms crossed over her chest as she watched him. "Master, you don’t even wear necklaces," she said, her voice dripping with mock disappointment.

Mei chimed in, her tone sweet but laced with the same petulance. "Yes, you don’t. How about you give the pretty things to us?" She batted her lashes, her lips curling into a coaxing smile.

Xiang Yu chuckled, low and warm, the sound rumbling through the room like distant thunder. "Tough luck," he said, his voice teasing but firm. "You shouldn’t have placed a bet. Besides, I have someone who can wear it."

Lian and Mei groaned in unison, their shoulders slumping. Mei huffed, her hands on her hips. "Master, you have become too stingy."

Lian’s cheeks puffed out as she added, "Soooo stingy. You used to pamper us."

Xiang Yu’s smirk deepened as he picked up one of the necklaces, letting it dangle between his fingers. The diamonds caught the light, scattering prismatic sparks across the room. He stood, the movement fluid and deliberate, and turned to Han Xin, who sat quietly at the edge of the table, his expression unreadable.

"This," Xiang Yu said, his voice softer now, almost intimate, "this is for you."

Han Xin’s eyes widened, a flicker of surprise breaking through his usually stoic facade. His throat worked as he swallowed, his gaze darting from the necklace to Xiang Yu’s face. "Me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. The way he was reacting it was as though this was the first time Xiang Yu ever spoiled him.

Xiang Yu didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped closer, the space between them shrinking until Han Xin could feel the heat radiating off him. The necklace swayed slightly as Xiang Yu unclasped it, his movements slow and deliberate. He leaned in, his chest brushing against Han Xin’s shoulder as he reached around to fasten it.

Han Xin froze, his body tensing under the unexpected proximity. His heart thudded in his chest, the sound loud in his ears. His breath faltered, catching in his throat as Xiang Yu’s fingers brushed the nape of his neck, sending a shiver skittering down his spine.

The moment stretched, thick and charged, as Xiang Yu’s arms lingered around him, the necklace settling cool against Han Xin’s skin. His lips were so close to Xiang Yu’s cheek that he could feel the faint warmth of his breath. Without thinking, Han Xin tilted his head slightly, his lips almost grazing Xiang Yu’s skin.

His hand moved instinctively, resting on Xiang Yu’s waist, his fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. The touch was tentative, almost reverent, but it was enough to make Xiang Yu’s composure falter. He swayed forward, his balance tipping ever so slightly, and Han Xin’s arms tightened around him, pulling him closer.

Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them undeniable. Han Xin’s pulse quickened, his mind racing as he held Xiang Yu in his arms. For a moment, neither of them moved, caught in the gravity of the moment.

Then Xiang Yu laughed softly, the sound warm and rich against Han Xin’s ear. "Careful now," he murmured, his voice teasing but with an undercurrent of something deeper. "I might start thinking you are seducing me."

Han Xin’s cheeks flushed, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, his grip tightened ever so slightly, his fingers pressing into Xiang Yu’s waist.