The Demon Lord Wants a Vacation - Chapter 11: Right and Wrong

As the flying boat descended, a sliver of clarity returned to Duanmu Wuqiu’s mind, drawing him momentarily from the grip of illusion.

Perhaps it was because he had never experienced such peaceful rest in his life—no fear of enemies chasing him through his dreams, nor the threat of being jolted awake by a lash. Even under the influence of his inner demons, memories of reclining on that flying boat, wrapped in clouds, lulled to sleep, flickered across his consciousness.

His gaze fell upon Luo Xianyun, seated quietly upon the deck. Slowly, he said, “Since you’ve granted this Lord a ride aboard your flying vessel and offered him your sweets, this Lord shall spare your life. You have five minutes—depart from Beichen Sect, and do not look back.”

For Luo Xianyun, he was willing to postpone the massacre for a little while.

Indeed, it was Luo Xianyun’s arrival that bought Song Gui—who would have otherwise been struck dead with a single blow—a moment’s reprieve.

The Sect Master urgently transmitted a message to Luo Xianyun. Shidi, this demon’s murderous intent is beyond doubt. Fortunately, I’ve already dispatched someone to prepare the World-Waking Bell. If anything happens, it will be rung. This place is too dangerous, and you are wounded—leave at once!

The World-Waking Bell could subdue Duanmu Wuqiu, but only after some time.

And in that interval, should Duanmu Wuqiu go berserk, the sect’s senior cultivators might survive, but ordinary disciples—and an injured Luo Xianyun—would stand no chance.

From opposing sides of the hall, both Duanmu Wuqiu and the Sect Master urged Luo Xianyun to retreat.

But Luo Xianyun refused.

He shook his head toward the Sect Master and replied, Shixiong, don’t use the bell yet. Just give me a little time—I want to see if I can ease Duanmu Wuqiu’s inner demons.

Shidi! Showing mercy to this fiend will only lead to greater tragedy! the Sect Master responded bitterly.

This isn’t mercy, Luo Xianyun said. *If he cannot be calmed, I’ll hold him off long enough for the bell to be activated. But we can’t condemn him before we even try.

*Besides, Song Gui is in his hands. Even if we managed to activate the bell in time, Song Gui would be the first to die.

Shixiong, he has suffered much during his years undercover in the demonic path. We can’t just abandon him without even attempting a rescue.

The Sect Master’s anger softened. He, too, was concerned for Song Gui’s life.

Watching the two silently communicate, Duanmu Wuqiu laughed. Though the corners of his mouth curled upward, his eyes remained void of warmth.

It was a chilling, inhuman smile.

“You plot against this Lord in whispers,” he said coldly. “From the moment you laid eyes on me, I sensed your silent exchange. Out of respect for Luo Xianyun, this Lord tolerated it—after all, idle chatter is human nature. But even now, you persist? Do you truly hold this Lord in such contempt?”

Duanmu Wuqiu was acutely sensitive to the fluctuations of spiritual energy.

He didn’t need to understand their exact words. The faint ripples from their transmissions were more than enough.

He pointed to the Sect Master. “You’ve been communicating with someone afar. Are you preparing to deploy some ancient artifact to strike this Lord down?

“Beichen Sect has stood for millennia—it’s only natural that you’d conceal trump cards.

“But no matter how powerful the artifact, someone still needs to wield it.”

As he spoke, a suffocating aura surged from his form.

Darkness unfurled, rectangular and vast, sealing the entire hall of Beichen Sect. The sun’s warmth was extinguished, replaced by a shroud of shadow.

The Sect Master discovered he could no longer transmit messages.

Duanmu Wuqiu had severed the main hall from the outside world—no spiritual energy could be gathered, no true essence wielded.

The Sect Master and Song Gui were frozen where they stood, unable to move or cast spells.

Outside, the guards by the World-Waking Bell still awaited the signal—but the Sect Master could no longer reach them.

Demonic cultivators were not few, and their brutality often lent them greater combat strength than righteous cultivators of equal rank.

To subjugate the entirety of the demonic path, Duanmu Wuqiu’s strength had to be beyond comprehension.

Only now did the Sect Master realize: Duanmu Wuqiu had come alone because he had nothing to fear.

Only Luo Xianyun remained free to act.

Duanmu Wuqiu looked at him, a flicker of emotion surfacing in his frigid eyes.

A single shaft of sunlight pierced the darkness, illuminating Luo Xianyun.

It was a silent declaration—only he would be allowed to leave.

“This Lord keeps his word. You have three minutes left,” Duanmu Wuqiu said. “When the time is up, this Lord will act. He won’t strike you on purpose—but nor will he restrain himself on your account. If you die, it will not be his responsibility.”

We’re doomed, we’re doomed, the Savior System panicked in Luo Xianyun’s mind. Even kissing might not save us now—but it’s still worth a shot!

Luo Xianyun ignored the system’s hysteria. “I won’t leave,” he said firmly. “I will stand with Beichen Sect, no matter the cost.”

“A pity,” Duanmu Wuqiu replied.

But the light on Luo Xianyun did not vanish.

Despite the looming crisis, Luo Xianyun remained calm. “Daoist Duanmu, our acquaintance may be short, but since we first met, we’ve trusted one another. I believe you are not the kind to kill without cause. Please, tell me—what did Song Gui or Beichen Sect do to provoke such wrath?”

“Surely,” he added, “a man deserves to know the reason for his death.”

Duanmu Wuqiu closed his eyes. The devastation of his valley rose before him once more, haunting and vivid. He did not wish to revisit those images.

Yet Luo Xianyun’s words pulled him back.

Song Gui had destroyed his valley, casually, thoughtlessly. Likely, he never once considered it important.

But before Song Gui died, Duanmu Wuqiu needed him to understand.

To understand that he had trampled something he never should have touched.

“Song Gui destroyed this Lord’s future,” he said at last.

The Sect Master couldn’t contain himself. “Such senseless accusations! How can Song Gui defend against words so vague?”

What did it even mean to “destroy someone’s future”? It was a preposterous charge!

Luo Xianyun remained composed. “Daoist Duanmu, what future do you speak of?”

Duanmu Wuqiu said nothing.

It was a fragile, private hope—perhaps he might share it with Luo Xianyun alone, but not with these others present.

Undeterred, Luo Xianyun pressed on gently. “Was it something to happen now? Or a future not yet come?”

This question caused Duanmu Wuqiu’s thoughts to shift.

The Destruction System had told him: this was the price of “foreknowledge.” He would glimpse scenes of the future when looking upon things connected to it.

He remembered: he had just finished preparing the valley.

The Destruction System had first spoken after he placed his new fishing rod into the pond.

Soon after, he had brought Song Gui to Beichen Sect. There had been no time for Song Gui to set the fire.

The valley was still there.

It could still be saved.

He could go back, reinforce the wards—ensure no one intruded while he was gone.

As this realization dawned, the storm within him began to still.

Luo Xianyun noticed the subtle change and hurried to continue. “Then the destruction has not yet occurred. If Song Gui has not committed the crime, is it right to punish him for a future that has yet to unfold?”

Duanmu Wuqiu was not a man prone to logic.

He had allowed Luo Xianyun to speak only because of the debt owed to that flying boat.

Had Luo Xianyun not flown directly into the hall, Duanmu Wuqiu wouldn’t even have seen him.

“If he will commit the act in the future, then he deserves death now,” Duanmu Wuqiu said.

The Sect Master’s beard trembled in fury.

Fortunately, Duanmu Wuqiu had regained his composure. He cast a glance at the Sect Master and said coolly, “Since Song Gui defected from Beichen Sect, his crimes are his alone. They need not implicate you. He alone shall die.” In his mind, he was being entirely fair.

As soon as the words left his mouth, the oppressive aura that had filled the main hall dissipated. The Sect Master was freed from his restraints.

He immediately moved to send a signal, preparing to activate the World-Waking Bell.

“Shixiong, don’t be impulsive!” Luo Xianyun called out. “Don’t provoke Daoist Duanmu or act in haste! He’s a reasonable man—one we can talk to. There’s no need to escalate matters and spark conflict with the previously so compassionate Daoist Duanmu.”

The “compassionate” Duanmu Wuqiu’s ears twitched at her words, the tips flushing faintly red.

Releasing his grip on Song Gui’s neck, he gave the man’s head a light pat, his voice softening. “This Lord is gentle by nature. He won’t let you suffer unduly.”

The Sect Master could hardly suppress an eye roll.

“Indeed,” Luo Xianyun pressed on, “Daoist Duanmu is magnanimous and clear-headed. After only a single meeting, he spared my life—surely he can grant Song Gui a few parting words.”

Duanmu Wuqiu lifted a finger and tapped Song Gui’s forehead, dissolving the seal on his speech.

“This Lord is benevolent,” he declared. “Speak your last words.”

Luo Xianyun exhaled lightly and frantically signaled to Song Gui with her eyes—say whatever you must to survive.

He had only a few words to change his fate.

Earlier, when Duanmu Wuqiu had tried to kill him, Song Gui had attempted to explain himself. Now that he had the chance, he blurted out, “My Lord, I would never set fire to your valley!”

Even Luo Xianyun was momentarily stunned.

She hadn’t the faintest idea what valley Duanmu Wuqiu was referring to, but she hadn’t expected Song Gui to know of it.

“So you do know about this Lord’s valley?” Duanmu Wuqiu said sharply. “You really planned to go there?”

“It’s not just me,” Song Gui rushed to explain. “Many people know.”

“Who?” Duanmu Wuqiu roared.

Since when had the vermin of the demonic sects set their sights on his sanctuary?

“After Xiao Hongzhou was sealed in Azure Flame Mountain, the entire Taoyuan Sect grew paranoid, fearing that even loyal subjects might be slain at your whim.

“Discontent began to spread.

“They lacked the courage to oppose you outright, but they traced the places you’d recently visited. You’ve caught a great many river fish in the past few days, and they located the kin of those fish, used blood-tracing spells to find them—and from there, they discovered the valley.

“Some believe your cultivation has advanced too quickly, and that you’ve sustained internal injuries. They think the valley is a place of seclusion and recovery. They plan to ambush you there.”

After Xiao Hongzhou’s death, Song Gui had long suspected Duanmu Wuqiu’s true identity. Concerned for his safety, he had paid particular attention to these rumors, intending to warn him when the time was right.

“Have you been there?” Luo Xianyun asked quickly.

Song Gui shook his head. “I know the location, but I’ve never set foot in it.”

“If someone attempted something underhanded there while Daoist Duanmu was away,” she continued, “would you follow them?”

Song Gui hesitated, then, under Luo Xianyun’s urging gaze, nodded. “I would investigate. If I discovered anything that threatened his life, and if my suspicions were correct, I would make sure to warn him.”

When he finished, Luo Xianyun heard the Savior System chime:

[Task one is 60% complete. Please continue your efforts to protect Duanmu Wuqiu’s home.]

Task one had three conditions: save Song Gui, save Beichen Sect, and protect Duanmu Wuqiu’s home.

With sixty percent complete, Duanmu Wuqiu must have already dropped most of his hostility toward both Song Gui and Beichen Sect.

Luo Xianyun exhaled softly and turned to Duanmu Wuqiu. “Daoist Duanmu, your foresight surpasses that of any ordinary cultivator. Such divine insight commands reverence. Clearly, someone with malicious intent has manipulated this gift, attempting to sow discord between you and Beichen Sect. This is a most insidious scheme.

“We cannot let such villains succeed.”

With every flattering word, Duanmu Wuqiu straightened further, his chin tilting upward.

“Hmph. This Lord has already seen through their schemes. He will not be outwitted.”

Song Gui: …

Beichen Sect Master: …

That’s exactly what nearly happened, though.

The two of them were barely holding back the urge to curse. It was obvious to them that it was the Myrtle Elder’s keen perception and quick action that had saved the sect.

Yet Luo Xianyun kept praising Duanmu Wuqiu as if he were blind. “Exactly. We’re fortunate Daoist Duanmu has such unmatched discernment.”

He was praised so much that even Duanmu Wuqiu—never one to doubt himself—began to feel a bit awkward.

“This Lord still owes you for assisting him through his inner demons,” he said at last.

Luo Xianyun truly was the bane of the Destruction System.

In just a few well-placed sentences, she had resolved the crisis threatening Beichen Sect.

She stepped forward. “Daoist Duanmu, we must return to your valley at once, before those with wicked designs strike.”

“That makes sense.” Duanmu Wuqiu nodded.

With a flick of his finger, he released the seal on Song Gui’s cultivation. “Song Gui, return with this Lord to Taoyuan Sect. Point out every person who’s set foot in that valley.”

Song Gui, though terrified, was willing—if it meant getting this dangerous, volatile man far away from Beichen Sect.

Duanmu Wuqiu settled comfortably into Luo Xianyun’s flying boat. “With your injuries, your speed won’t suffice,” he said. “Song Gui will pilot the vessel.”

Having gotten used to obeying the Demonic Sovereign’s orders, Song Gui simply nodded. “Understood.”

The three of them boarded the boat one after the other. Song Gui dared not utter another word to his master, lest Duanmu Wuqiu have a sudden change of heart and decide not to leave.

Before they departed, Duanmu Wuqiu turned to the Beichen Sect Master and said, “Since this Lord presented Song Gui’s life to you, it belongs to you. This Lord never reneges. But as he is not yet dead, you cannot enjoy the gift just yet. Once he is, this Lord shall return him to you.”

Beichen Sect Master: …

The boat soared into the sky with a whoosh, as if even the vessel itself was eager to flee before Duanmu Wuqiu could say anything else inflammatory.

—

Author’s Note:

Sect Master: I’ve known my shidi for decades, but I never realized he was such a master of artful nonsense.

Luo Xianyun: If not for the nonsense, I’d have to kiss him.