The Demon Lord Wants a Vacation - Chapter 18: New Mission

Luo Xianyun had only been awake for two days, yet he had already unearthed many alarming truths. In the two centuries since his retreat into seclusion, the cultivation world had undergone dramatic upheaval, spurred by the vanishing of heavenly tribulations. It had evolved into a realm far removed from the one he had once known.

Strangely, all of these changes seemed to circle back to one ominous proclamation from the Savior System—”Duanmu Wuqiu will destroy the world.”

To forestall that grim fate and slow the world’s descent into chaos, he had no choice but to confront these problems one by one.

There were too many. He had to prioritize, and the most urgent matter now was concealing Duanmu Wuqiu’s valley.

Luo Xianyun began instructing Duanmu Wuqiu in the intricacies of two arrays.

To Duanmu Wuqiu, this was not merely a lesson but confirmation—his place in the Beichen Sect was secure. Every time he addressed Luo Xianyun as shixiong, he did so with increasing zeal, causing Song Gui’s brow to twitch involuntarily each time.

Duanmu Wuqiu was extraordinarily gifted. After only one explanation, he grasped the principles with ease. He retrieved spiritual stones and a few magical artifacts from his storage pouch, then began arranging them to serve as conduits for natural spiritual energy. Chanting incantations and channeling his true essence as Luo Xianyun had instructed, he activated the formation.

At the moment the concealment array was completed, the sky dimmed as mist descended upon the valley. A tranquil refuge was instantly transformed into a dense, shadowed forest. The sound of wind through the trees carried a ghostly wail, and thick resentment and malevolent qi coalesced above, forming a curtain of ominous clouds that shrouded the area in perpetual night.

What was once a serene valley now resembled a cursed woodland steeped in death.

Any outsider who entered would be trapped within illusions, wandering aimlessly until they found themselves back at the forest’s edge. No matter the direction taken, they would never reach the valley proper.

Unless someone attempted to forcefully dismantle the array, the valley would remain forever out of reach. And if anyone did attempt it, Duanmu Wuqiu would sense it at once and arrive before they succeeded.

This place would never again fall to ruin.

Duanmu Wuqiu regarded the twisted, foreboding trees with a pleased nod. “Shixiong,” he said proudly, “this Elder mastered it after a single lesson. Is that not the mark of a rare genius in the cultivation world?”

Luo Xianyun found himself momentarily speechless, unsure how best to evaluate the result of Duanmu Wuqiu’s efforts.

After being struck by Duanmu Wuqiu, Song Gui had come to a pivotal realization: he was the man’s designated punching bag.

It didn’t matter whether he stayed quiet and inconspicuous or tried to flatter his Sovereign at every turn—Duanmu Wuqiu’s foul moods would always land on him.

Once this truth settled, Song Gui felt oddly liberated.

There was no longer any point in treading lightly or acting servile.

Why suppress himself any longer? After surviving in the demonic path for so many years, he was ready to speak his mind.

If his shishu refused to say it, then he would.

“My Lord,” Song Gui said, “Luo-shishu clearly instructed you in a righteous-path array. Upon completion, the valley should’ve been cloaked in ethereal mist, resembling a hidden celestial paradise. Visitors would be soothed by its beauty and leave feeling spiritually unburdened.

“But what you’ve produced… is a demonic forest. If a commoner stumbles in by accident, they’ll likely leave traumatized, plagued by nightmares and illness.

“You’ve turned an immortal realm into a hellscape. Tell me, where do you think you went wrong in constructing the array?”

Duanmu Wuqiu cast him a dark, unreadable glance.

Song Gui quickly ducked behind Luo Xianyun, peering out with only half his head visible. Now, if Duanmu Wuqiu wanted to glare, he’d have to glare at Luo Xianyun as well.

With a huff, Duanmu Wuqiu diverted his glare. “It must be the Blood Hell Elder’s influence!” he declared. “Most of the materials I used came from that old devil. They were steeped in demonic energy. That’s what tainted the array!”

“But shishu examined those materials beforehand and said they were clean,” Song Gui murmured.

“So, you’re saying it’s my fault now?” Duanmu Wuqiu’s voice bristled with indignation.

Luo Xianyun, hearing him refer to himself as this Lord, knew his temper had flared and quickly intervened. “I actually believe this is better,” he said calmly. “The forest’s sinister aura will deter intruders. No one would suspect that a place so fearsome hides a peaceful valley. In that way, this valley mirrors you, Daoist Duanmu—outwardly intimidating, but inwardly gentle.”

The praise pacified Duanmu Wuqiu instantly. “Then we’ll name it the Carefree Valley.”

Carefree Demon Lord, Carefree Elder, Carefree Valley… Wangcai…

Thinking of all the names Duanmu Wuqiu had coined, Song Gui sent a voice transmission to Luo Xianyun: Shishu, has he only ever read one book—Carefree Wanderings?

Luo Xianyun gave him a gentle look and replied: Daoist Duanmu came from hardship, yet rose to power by his own hand and still retains some goodwill toward the world. That is rare. It’s unnecessary to judge him so harshly. He can study the classics anytime. There’s no need to mock him for it.

Rebuked, Song Gui fell silent.

He eyed Luo Xianyun uncertainly. How could someone as upright and serene as his shishu regard a fiend like Duanmu Wuqiu with such warmth?

Duanmu Wuqiu was aware they were transmitting privately, but he trusted Luo Xianyun implicitly and never believed he’d speak ill of him. As for Song Gui, he paid him no mind.

Had it been any other demonic cultivator whispering nearby, he would’ve assumed slander and retaliated immediately.

Although Duanmu Wuqiu had been displeased with Song Gui’s earlier criticism, Luo Xianyun’s praise had rekindled his confidence. He was now brimming with excitement to attempt the next formation—the array that would link his pond to a distant lake.

Seeing him readying his hands, Luo Xianyun quickly stopped him. “Shidi, why not allow Song Gui to handle this one?”

“Why?” Duanmu Wuqiu frowned. “I’m stronger, wouldn’t my array be more effective?”

Luo Xianyun gave a long sigh. If Duanmu Wuqiu crafted another array teeming with malice, even the fish in the lake might die of fright.

“You’re an elder of Lingdu Peak,” Luo Xianyun said patiently. “Minor matters should be left to disciples. The concealment array required vast power, so Song Gui couldn’t help. But linking the pond to a lake is a delicate task, not a demanding one. He should have a chance to learn.”

“Is that allowed?” Duanmu Wuqiu looked at him with childlike wonder.

No wonder the Beichen Sect allowed Luo Xianyun to rest for two centuries—it was truly a virtuous sect!

Why hadn’t he joined sooner?

Well, it wasn’t too late now. He was a Beichen Sect elder at last.

His horizons newly broadened, Duanmu Wuqiu nodded at Song Gui. “Then Song-shizhi can handle it.”

Song Gui’s eyebrows twitched like two restless caterpillars.

Shizhi? What shishu, what shizhi? He hadn’t even been officially inducted as a disciple, hadn’t paid respects at the ancestral shrine, nor had he been entered into the sect registry! A few words had been exchanged and this guy already wanted to be family?

Song Gui seethed inwardly, but kept his face composed. “This disciple will begin at once, Duanmu-shishu.”

Hearing himself addressed as shishu, Duanmu Wuqiu was thoroughly delighted. He even began viewing Song Gui a bit more favorably.

As Song Gui went to work, Duanmu Wuqiu reclined on a lounge chair at the pond’s edge, Wangcai nestled in his arms.

Luo Xianyun set up a small wooden table, sitting gracefully as he drank tea and exchanged soft laughter with Duanmu Wuqiu.

To Duanmu Wuqiu, this was the perfect life.

If not for the task that still hung over him, he would’ve been content to stay here forever.

If only the Destruction System could learn to stay silent.

And, as if summoned by his very thoughts, its voice echoed within his mind:

[Task complete. Reward: one immortal artifact—‘Fate-Exchanging Mirror.’ Claim it personally at Skyfall Gorge.]

Duanmu Wuqiu straightened abruptly.

He had completed a task? But which one?

The Destruction System had issued three missions: Cultivate a golden body in the Skyfall Gorge, Assassinate Luo Xianyun, and Eradicate Beichen Sect. He hadn’t accomplished any of them.

Puzzled, Duanmu Wuqiu took the initiative to address his “malicious inner demon.” Destruction System, which mission has this Lord fulfilled?

A dialog box materialized. To his surprise, the task Eradicate Beichen Sect had been struck through and replaced with Dominate Beichen Sect, marked as completed.

When did this Lord dominate Beichen Sect? he wondered in confusion.

Just then, Song Gui emerged from the pond, water cascading from his clothes. “Shishus, the array is complete. Please review it.”

Seeing him drenched, Luo Xianyun asked, “Why didn’t you use a water-repelling spell?”

“The fish seemed frightened by the spell,” Song Gui explained. “They avoided me completely, and I couldn’t verify if the array was working. But once I dispelled it, they swam right up to me. I watched them pass through the array and recorded the process in a jade slip.”

After stepping ashore, he dried himself with a wind incantation, then handed the wiped-off jade slip to Duanmu Wuqiu.

Duanmu Wuqiu shattered the slip, and a projection appeared in midair, displaying the depths of the pond.

Several newborn fish could be seen swimming through the array and into the vast lake beyond, never once looking back.

At the same time, tiny shrimp and drifting water creatures flowed into the pond, only to be devoured by the fish Duanmu Wuqiu had raised.

The pond water now mingled with the lake’s currents, creating a continuous exchange that infused the once stagnant pond with vitality and movement.

Duanmu Wuqiu nodded in approval. “You did well,” he told Song Gui. “This Elder surely has a few defensive artifacts lying around. Find one that can replace the Hidden Wind.”

If he destroyed something that belonged to an enemy, he owed nothing. But if he damaged property belonging to someone under his command, he could at least offer compensation.

“It was just a minor formation, my Lor— shishu. As your disciple, it’s my duty,” Song Gui said.

Duanmu Wuqiu was even more pleased.

Glancing again at the Destruction System’s dialog box, he pondered whether making Song Gui run errands for him counted as dominating Beichen Sect.

“In the future, will Song Gui become Sect Master of Beichen Sect?” he asked.

Unwilling to answer directly, Song Gui remained silent. Luo Xianyun responded thoughtfully, “Song Gui is the Sect Master’s personal disciple and spent years undercover in the demonic path. Even if he hasn’t accomplished anything notable yet, his dedication will be acknowledged. He has a real chance.”

“Accomplishments…” Duanmu Wuqiu mused. “What kind of achievement would secure him the Sect Master’s position?”

“There are no rigid criteria,” Luo Xianyun said. “As long as his actions benefit the cultivation realm, the mortal world, or the sect itself, they will be recognized.”

“This Lord gathered all the deserters from the major sects and stationed them at a single altar in Taoyuan Sect,” Duanmu Wuqiu said. “Song Gui can visit each sect and ask which traitors they want returned. Then he can go and capture them. Would that count as a meritorious deed? Would that earn him the position?”

Song Gui hesitated before replying, “Taoyuan Sect does harbor several deeply malevolent renegades from the righteous sects—some have murdered their masters, others have stolen powerful artifacts. If I were to return them to their respective sects, it would certainly be a commendable feat. But since they now belong to Taoyuan Sect, and if my Lord treats members of the demonic path this way, it could provoke rebellion.”

“They shouldn’t be handed over outright,” Duanmu Wuqiu said. “If you claim they were righteous sect spies embedded in Taoyuan Sect, and argue that removing them neutralizes threats to the sect, wouldn’t that dispel suspicion?”

Song Gui—himself a genuine righteous sect spy—fell silent.

“Would that suffice to make you Sect Master?” Duanmu Wuqiu pressed.

“It should,” Luo Xianyun responded on his behalf.

Duanmu Wuqiu continued, “Once Song Gui becomes Sect Master, will he still follow this Elder’s directives?”

“So long as it doesn’t compromise morality, this disciple would gladly aid shishu with tasks such as maintaining the arrays of Carefree Valley,” Song Gui replied.

Duanmu Wuqiu nodded in comprehension.

Since Beichen Sect’s future Sect Master was willing to obey him, it seemed the Destruction System now deemed the sect dominated.

Destroying Beichen Sect would demand considerable effort and risk injury.

But exerting control through Song Gui required no action on his part and provided a reliable laborer to handle tedious work. Clearly, the benefits of control outweighed mere destruction.

Duanmu Wuqiu concluded that the Destruction System had finally grown wise, choosing a path that conserved his energy.

He couldn’t help but wonder how the Assassinate Luo Xianyun task had evolved.

As the thought arose, the dialog box shifted once more.

The mission had been amended: Assassinate Luo Xianyun was struck out, replaced by Subjugate Luo Xianyun. Progress was currently marked at 20%.

—

Author’s Note:

Song Gui: In Duanmu Wuqiu’s version of paradise, I’m just the one laying the bricks.