The Demon Lord Wants a Vacation - Chapter 19: Seeking Justice

Duanmu Wuqiu stole a glance at Luo Xianyun, who sat composed beside the table—serene and dignified, like the moon casting light across a tranquil sky. Even the humble, hand-carved table before him seemed elevated, transformed into some ethereal treasure in his presence.

Subjugate Luo Xianyun…

A peculiar thought stirred within Duanmu Wuqiu.

By all rights, he ought to inform Luo Xianyun of the task changes issued by the Destruction System. Yet, the moment he saw the revised mission, an inexplicable instinct took hold—an urge to conceal it.

For the first time, he understood what it meant to be plagued by an inner demon.

It was not simply a matter of right and wrong, but the desire to embrace what one knew was forbidden—to obey temptation despite the dictates of conscience, morality, or reason.

Inner demons were born of such desires: thoughts one could never confess, either to others or oneself.

If they could be admitted freely, they would merely be personal wants, not demons.

Duanmu Wuqiu hesitated for a long while before deciding to remain silent—for now, at least. He would hide only the altered tasks: ‘Dominate Beichen Sect’ and ‘Subjugate Luo Xianyun.’ Should any new ones arise, he vowed to tell his Luo-shixiong.

The Destruction System opened a third window, detailing the reward he had earned: the Fate-Exchanging Mirror.

The Fate-Exchanging Mirror allows the user to transfer another’s destiny onto themselves. For example, if the host first uses the mirror to reflect Luo Xianyun, imprinting his image upon its surface, and then reflects himself so that their images overlap, the host will assume Luo Xianyun’s identity—his name, past, and future. Even the Beichen Sect Master would not detect the difference.

Conversely, if the host wishes Luo Xianyun to inherit his own fate, he need only reverse the order—first reflect himself, then Luo Xianyun. Luo Xianyun will shoulder the host’s burdens, sins, and retributions. Should the righteous sects someday unite to annihilate the host, this artifact would become his salvation.

Note: This immortal treasure can be used only once, and its effect is irreversible. The Fate-Exchanging Mirror lies at the bottom of Skyfall Gorge. To retrieve it, the host must first cultivate an indestructible golden body.

Duanmu Wuqiu scowled.

This idiotic inner demon still wanted him to descend into Skyfall Gorge and temper his body?

He didn’t need that mirror. He didn’t need anyone else’s destiny, nor did he need someone to suffer in his place. His fate was his own, and it was already the finest path he could walk.

He closed the window forcefully, irritably.

The Destruction System was shameless—constantly dragging Luo Xianyun into its twisted examples. Just reading the descriptions filled Duanmu Wuqiu with killing intent.

His emotions were always plainly written across his face. As he sulked in his lounge chair, Wangcai sensed his master’s gloom and quietly crept behind Luo Xianyun’s feet, nudging him with its nose in search of refuge.

Luo Xianyun, understanding Wangcai’s plea, approached and asked gently, “Shidi, you seem troubled. Has something happened?”

The sound of ‘shidi’ pulled Duanmu Wuqiu back to himself. He composed his features and replied, “I simply remembered something unpleasant.”

“What sort of memory?” Luo Xianyun sat beside him, cradling Wangcai in his arms. “Wangcai seems frightened. If it lives under such stress for too long, its lifespan might be shortened.”

Duanmu Wuqiu wanted to scoff, to remind them all that Wangcai was alive only by his mercy. But when he looked down, the dog’s eyes—once narrowed in comfort—now stared back at him, wide with terror.

He had seen that expression before.

When his father and elder brother were conscripted and dragged away.

When his mother, clutching her younger children, trembled at the mention of bandits.

When he pulled her lifeless body from the river, and caught his own reflection in the water.

He loathed that look—eyes full of helplessness and fear.

Suppressing his anger, he raised a hand and gently patted Wangcai’s head, softening his tone. “This Lord will never turn his wrath on you. Rest easy.”

Though the dog didn’t understand the words, it responded to the warmth in his voice.

It was the first time Duanmu Wuqiu had spoken so gently to it. Elated, Wangcai wriggled free of Luo Xianyun’s arms and curled up beside Duanmu Wuqiu.

Luo Xianyun shook his head with a quiet smile.

No matter how attached Wangcai was to him, it would always belong to Duanmu Wuqiu.

Just as the world cherished heavenly spiritual roots, but never chose Luo Xianyun in the end.

They would choose their children, their parents, their lovers—even themselves—but never him.

Even the Sect Master, who had always treated him kindly, would ultimately place Song Gui above him.

Everyone loved him.

But no one chose him.

It was something Luo Xianyun had long since accepted.

As Duanmu Wuqiu continued stroking his dog’s head, his irritation slowly ebbed.

No matter what the Destruction System said, he would never harm Luo Xianyun.

And he had no intention of going to Skyfall Gorge in search of that cursed mirror.

The two of them sat together on the lounge chair, Wangcai nestled between them. Though both lost in thought, they shared a look and a quiet smile—close, yet comfortably apart.

Having just finished drying his hair, Song Gui walked in on the scene and, for a fleeting moment, felt abandoned by the world. Even Wangcai seemed to have a better life than he did.

A prickling sense of resentment rose in him.

He stepped forward, voice raised to break the silence. “Shishus, the arrays have been completed. But Carefree Valley remains under threat. While we don’t yet know who plotted the infiltration from the demonic path, we do know that Mu Ge of the Qingtian Sect has cooperated with them. Should we not go demand an explanation?”

Duanmu Wuqiu shot him a look of irritation, though he wasn’t sure why. Song Gui was only raising a valid concern—why did it feel like he had interrupted something?

Luo Xianyun remained composed, but the Savior System was already groaning.

The mood was perfect! You were just about to kiss! Song Gui’s a walking disaster—ban him from Lingdu Peak forever. He’s the kind of person who would knock right in the middle of your romantic moment!

Luo Xianyun sighed and reached down, gently holding Wangcai’s snout.

He couldn’t silence the Savior System, but at least he could silence Wangcai.

Wangcai blinked at him, confused but obliging, inching closer in response.

Song Gui, oblivious, noticed Duanmu Wuqiu’s annoyed gaze but paid it no mind.

He had already addressed him as shishu—surely Duanmu Wuqiu wouldn’t strike down his own shizhi? Beichen Sect had rules, unlike the chaos of the demonic path.

Meeting Duanmu Wuqiu’s eyes, Song Gui offered, “Shishu, shall I pilot the boat for you two?”

Taking into account the comfort of the flying boat—and the acknowledgment of his status—Duanmu Wuqiu finally looked away, replying coolly, “Very well.”

He summoned the boat and, with a nod, indicated that Luo Xianyun should board first.

Once they were seated, Wangcai stared at them longingly.

“Shall we bring Wangcai along?” Luo Xianyun asked.

Duanmu Wuqiu shook his head. “Wangcai, guard Carefree Valley. This Lord shall return soon.”

Wangcai wagged its tail dutifully, pledging its loyalty.

Luo Xianyun composed a letter to Qingtian Sect, informing them of their intent to meet with Mu Qianli.

Once sent, he said, “Song Gui, reduce your speed. We must arrive precisely four hours after the message.”

Song Gui began steering the boat at a leisurely pace. With a flick of his sleeve, Duanmu Wuqiu raised a barrier, isolating the two of them from sound and sight.

Then, sprawling ungracefully against the side of the vessel, he stared out at the drifting landscape below.

Silence hung in the air. The solitude between them grew slightly strained.

Luo Xianyun, after some thought, asked, “Daoist Duanmu, do you plan to lead Wangcai along the path of cultivation?”

“Wangcai lacks the necessary aptitude,” Duanmu Wuqiu replied. “This Lord once attempted to feed it a Qi-Condensing Pill. Merely sniffing it made it nauseous and faint. It’s not suited to the path.”

“The demonic path’s pills and techniques are far too aggressive,” Luo Xianyun said. “Their aim is to eliminate the weak, not to preserve life. Beichen Sect, however, possesses a few cultivation methods tailored for spiritual beasts. I could ask someone to awaken Wangcai’s consciousness and guide him along the path of cultivation. Only…”

“Only what?” Duanmu Wuqiu prompted.

“Yao must undergo heavenly tribulations to assume human form,” Luo Xianyun explained. “But with tribulations no longer descending, no yao can complete their transformation. Wangcai will forever remain a dog.

“Moreover, yao live far longer than humans. It would take him five centuries merely to form a core, and over a thousand years to attain human shape. By then, you and I will have succumbed to the Five Decays of Heaven and Man. No one would remain to protect him.”

Duanmu Wuqiu pondered this, then replied, “Then it’s better he not cultivate at all. Watching those dearest to him perish one by one would be agony. It would be better for him to live a simple life, free of illness or worry, and when his time comes, I will bury him with due honor. He need not taste the bitterness of the mortal world or wrestle with its endless trials.”

Luo Xianyun nodded in agreement. “If he happens to glean insight from our words and show promise, we may then impart some techniques to him. If not, let him live peacefully. Let fate run its course.”

Duanmu Wuqiu found comfort in such mundane discussion with Luo Xianyun. He soon veered into idle talk—about Wangcai, his pond full of fish, the trees in Carefree Valley, and even the moss creeping along the thatched roof of their hut.

Luo Xianyun followed him through each digression, indulging in the leisurely chatter. The flying boat glided gently beneath the sky, as though it might never reach its destination, and they could remain lost in conversation forever.

But nothing lasts forever.

Just as they were debating whether to craft a pair of puppet servants to handle cooking duties, Luo Xianyun sensed his letter being opened.

At that moment, the Savior System issued a new task.

[Task Four: Uncover Mu Qianli’s scheme.]

Duanmu Wuqiu, too, received a new mission from the Destruction System.

[Task Four: Kill Mu Qianli. Destroy Qingtian Sect.]

Both of them straightened in unison, exchanging a look of understanding.

“The Destruction System gave you a new directive?” Luo Xianyun asked with caution.

Duanmu Wuqiu nodded. “The inner demon wants me to kill Mu Qianli and annihilate the Qingtian Sect. Frankly, I think the task is perfectly reasonable.

“Mu Ge conspired with the demonic path and tried to kill me using the Earthly Fiend Soul Devouring Array. The one pulling the strings must be Mu Qianli.

“As he’s an elder of Qingtian Sect, either they knew and are complicit, or they were ignorant and incompetent. In the former case, they must be eliminated. In the latter, they still don’t deserve to exist. If I don’t kill them, someone else will. I’m simply offering them a merciful end.”

He spoke with such solemnity that it sounded righteous rather than brutal. Luo Xianyun felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.

He wanted to urge Duanmu Wuqiu to hold back, to consider that Mu Qianli’s actions might be part of a broader conspiracy worth exposing. But knowing Duanmu Wuqiu’s temperament, he would likely retort: Why bother with the scheme when you can simply kill the schemer?

So instead, he said, “Your reasoning is sound, but it doesn’t align with Beichen Sect’s ways. As a nominal disciple of Beichen Sect, if you continue to act like a demonic cultivator, you’ll no longer be permitted to remain here.”

“Who would expel me?” Duanmu Wuqiu demanded, slamming his hand against the boat’s edge. “That old Sect Master?”

Before he could blurt out something reckless, like ‘Then I’ll just kill him too,’ Luo Xianyun interjected calmly, “The Sect Master does not govern Lingdu Peak. As its administrative elder, that duty would fall to me. I would be the one reluctantly driving you out in my master’s stead.”

Duanmu Wuqiu’s fury faltered when he realized Luo Xianyun would be the one to exile him. He puffed out his cheeks, frustrated but powerless to resist.

Grinding his teeth, he asked, “Then what do you suggest? Let Mu Qianli walk free?”

“Certainly not,” Luo Xianyun replied. “If we can prove his crimes, we can pressure Qingtian Sect into punishing him themselves.”

Duanmu Wuqiu shook his head. “Mu Ge’s involvement with the demonic path can be spun any way they like. He’ll claim it was a necessary evil, part of a larger plan to rid the world of a greater threat—namely, me. You so-called righteous cultivators are always protecting each other. I’ll never be able to refute that kind of excuse. Better to strike first and save the trouble!”

Luo Xianyun blinked in surprise at his reasoning.

“I hadn’t realized you were so familiar with those kinds of excuses,” he said softly.

“Of course I am,” Duanmu Wuqiu replied. “This Lord once tried to reason with others, but quickly discovered they weren’t interested in reason at all. Pain was the only language they understood.”

Luo Xianyun could hear the bitterness beneath his words.

In a world where strength ruled all, there was no room for fairness—not for a lone cultivator with no backer.

Luo Xianyun reached out and clasped Duanmu Wuqiu’s hand, speaking gently. “Now you’re a nominal disciple of Beichen Sect. If Mu Qianli dares to target you, then he’s insulting me.

“You don’t need to argue with anyone. Leave that to your shixiong.”

Duanmu Wuqiu turned his hand to grasp Luo Xianyun’s in return. His voice was muffled. “But I’m the leader of the demonic path. No one but you would ever believe I’m a disciple of Beichen Sect.”

He was aware it was all just pretense, an excuse to stay close to Luo Xianyun.

Luo Xianyun smiled faintly. “Who says you’re not a Beichen Sect disciple? I’ve already acknowledged you as my shidi. That makes you part of Lingdu Peak.

“Your shixiong is the best in the world at arguing with others. Just trust him, and watch how he brings justice to your door.”

—

What Luo Xianyun said: “Since I’ve called you my shidi, you’re now a member of my Lingdu Peak.”

What Duanmu Wuqiu heard: “You’re mine.”