Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 532: Lord’s new wife

Han Xin and Han Zhan exchanged glances before heading toward the sound. Others fell in step, their boots echoing in the vast, decrepit mansion.

In the master bedroom, Lu Lu pointed to the floor of a sprawling walk-in closet. "Look at this."

Han Xin crouched, running his fingers along a faint crack in one of the wooden boards.

"Open it," Han Zhan ordered.

Lu Lu pried the board loose, revealing a hidden compartment. A chill swept through the room as the beam of a flashlight landed on what lay beyond. It was a small, reinforced room sealed with a vault-like door.

"There’s a security panel," Su Jing observed, stepping closer. She frowned and gestured to the dim surroundings. "But there’s no power here. We diverted it to the part of the city we are using."

"There should be a manual way to open it," Han Zhan suggested, his eyes scanning the panel.

Han Xin reached out, tapping the security panel lightly. To everyone’s surprise, it flickered to life, its dim glow cutting through the darkness like a spark of hope. Electricity was still flowing, despite the desolation of the place.

Han Xin’s hand hesitated before keying in the passcode. The digits, scribbled by Xiang Yu, felt heavier with every touch. As the final number registered, the vault door hissed, releasing a sound like a whisper of ancient secrets. It slid open, its edges gleaming faintly.

"Stay alert," Han Zhan warned, his voice steady but sharp.

The group drew their weapons as a row of flickering lights illuminated a narrow corridor beyond. Their shadows stretched and danced against the walls. They stepped through cautiously, every breath measured, every step deliberate.

Inside, they reached an elevator, its polished steel mocking the dilapidated surroundings. But it wasn’t large enough to accommodate everyone. A silent exchange of nods left some behind, their weapons still ready, while Han Xin, Han Zhan, Lu Lu,Su Jing and a few others squeezed in.

The elevator had no buttons and no choices. It descended, the hum of its machinery filling the space, carrying them downward without pause or option.

When the doors slid open, they found themselves standing in an unexpected sanctuary. It was a spacious lounge enough to fit fourty people with ample space between them. Plush couches formed a semicircle around an oversized television. A sleek bar stood stocked with unopened bottles. It was surreal, disjointed from the gloom above.

Then came the shuffling. Slow, deliberate. A chill ran through the room as the sound crept closer. The group tightened their grips on their weapons, hearts hammering.

From the shadows emerged a low-level zombie, its decayed features grotesque. It dragged itself forward, its hollow eyes locked on them, thirsting for flesh. This creature hadn’t tasted human meat. It was weaker, slower but its hunger was no less dangerous.

Han Zhan raised his gun but hesitated. "Lu Lu, handle it," he said.

Lu Lu stepped forward, his expression calm, almost detached. His fingers curled, a sharp twist of concentration. The zombie’s head exploded with a wet thud, its body collapsing lifelessly onto the pristine carpet.

"There might be more," Han Xin muttered, scanning the room. "Go in pairs. Stay sharp."

They spread out to search, and what they uncovered was staggering. Stacks of canned food untouched by expiration dates. Rows of bottled water gleamed like liquid gold.

The pharmacy was a fortress of health supplies, each item arranged meticulously. Shelves lined with personal care products enough for the city to use for years. freёwebnoѵel.com

While Su Jing combed through hard drives, her gasp drew Lu Lu’s attention. "It’s like an archive," she said, flipping through rows of data. "There is music, films... from all eras."

***

Han Xin’s curiosity led him further, into a master bedroom that seemed caught between luxury and eccentricity. A large bed sat at the centre, its headboard towering. Above, mirrors adorned the ceiling, reflecting their uneasy forms.

Han Xin raised an eyebrow, glancing up. "What a weird place to put those."

Han Zhan chuckled as he sank onto the bed, his arms spread lazily. "It’s for a better view during... activities."

Han Xin blinked, confused. "What activities?"

Han Zhan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The realization hit Han Xin like a punch to the gut. His stomach clenched, the thought leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

"Who would want to see that?" he said, his voice full of disgust.

Han Zhan laughed, his amusement filling the room. "Don’t judge it till you try it."

Heat crept to the tips of Han Xin’s ears. He fought to suppress the image that had barged into his mind, uninvited. It was a flash of last night, a memory he refused to recall. Brushing past Han Zhan, he strode toward the walk-in closet.

The closet was expansive, lined with racks of designer clothes and glittering jewellery. Everything screamed wealth and indulgence, but Han Xin’s interest bypassed the superficial.

His attention settled on glass-cased treasures displayed like trophies, pieces that exuded history and allure. Some, he recognized. They were items that belonged in museums, not hidden in this bunker.

Then he saw them. Two simple gold rings at the bottom of a case. They were unceremoniously placed, as if forgotten. Yet, something about them pulled at Han Xin’s core, as though they were meant for him. His hand moved almost of its own accord, lifting the rings. He tilted one to read the engraving inside. Familiarity washed over him, a strange warmth mingled with unease.

"Ah-Xin!" Han Zhan’s voice jolted him. Han Zhan came rushing into the closet, his eyes wide. "There is so much down here. There is a whole room full of antiques. Who hoards this much when the world’s falling apart?"

"Leave it all here," Han Xin said quietly, his gaze still on the rings. "It’s better preserved like this."

Han Zhan nodded, though his eyes darted to the rings in Han Xin’s hand. He reached for one. "What about those—?"

Han Xin stepped back, slipping the rings into his pocket. "Let’s go."

Han Zhan hesitated but relented. "Fine."

As they walked out, Han Zhan spoke, his tone light but tinged with frustration. "How is Xiang Yu always right? It’s starting to bother me."

"Didn’t you hear what he said last night?" Han Xin replied, a faint smirk on his lips. "He claims to be a soul from another world."

Han Zhan shuddered. "You believe that? It’s creepy."

Han Xin chuckled softly as they stepped into the kitchen. The scent of aged wood and dust gave way to something livelier. Su Jing was practically bouncing with excitement as she rummaged through the pantry.

"Xin-ge, look!" she exclaimed, holding up a carton of imported goods. "There’s so much stuff... expensive stuff. How did we not know we were sitting on a gold mine?"

Han Zhan grinned. "You should thank your lord’s new wife."

The room froze. Su Jing’s face went pale, her hands clutching a bag of coffee beans. The others exchanged glances, tense and uncertain. Only Lu Lu seemed unfazed, calmly setting down a packet of freeze-dried fruit.