The Demon Lord Wants a Vacation - Chapter 20: Chixue Peak

Upon hearing Luo Xianyun’s words, Duanmu Wuqiu was overcome with joy. It felt as though firecrackers burst beside his ears—a sound he’d heard only once in his youth. In that instant, there was no one else in the world but Luo Xianyun; all other voices and sights faded into nothingness.

A deep sense of satisfaction welled within him. Though his bearing remained formidable, the oppressive aura that typically surrounded him had dissipated.

In that moment, he did not seem like the infamous leader of the demonic path, but rather a striking, noble young cultivator—awkward with words, yet genuine.

Then, the Savior System chimed in: [Duanmu Wuqiu’s goodwill toward you has reached 100. I fear that even if the host resists in the future, Duanmu Wuqiu will still attempt to kiss you on his own terms.]

Luo Xianyun chose to ignore its nonsense.

“Stay behind me for now, and don’t act unless necessary,” he instructed Duanmu Wuqiu. “If we encounter danger, I will naturally rely on Duanmu-shidi to assist me.”

Duanmu Wuqiu gave an obedient nod. “Mm.”

In his life, Luo Xianyun had spoken on behalf of many, had watched them weep in gratitude, kowtow in thanks, and utter countless words of admiration—all while quietly resenting him. He had encountered every sort of character, yet never someone like Duanmu Wuqiu.

He looked as if he had no idea how to respond to kindness—as though he had never known what it felt like for someone to take his side without expecting anything in return. For a brief moment, he seemed stunned, his eyes and his goodwill stat revealing nothing but unfiltered joy and affection.

Luo Xianyun was a weakened cultivator, with no cultivation base to speak of, yet he had inexplicably developed the urge to protect this powerful Mahayana cultivator.

It was a bizarre turn of fate.

‘He’s too straightforward and naïve. He wouldn’t even know how to defend himself if someone took advantage of him,’ Luo Xianyun thought.

The Savior System interjected: [Host, your assessment is biased. Duanmu Wuqiu doesn’t defend himself because he simply kills anyone who tries to take advantage of him.]

‘Then he’s cleansing the world of filth,’ Luo Xianyun countered.

[He was originally supposed to kill Song Gui and annihilate Beichen Sect,] the System reminded him.

‘But in the reality I’m living, he hasn’t willingly harmed a single innocent soul,’ Luo Xianyun replied.

The System responded: [The host truly is the best at making excuses. Seeing your partiality, this system is confident that even if Duanmu Wuqiu forces a kiss upon you, you’ll find a reason to justify it. That reassures me. Mutual affection is preferable to a marriage of convenience.]

The Savior System’s quip rendered Luo Xianyun speechless.

It was no small feat to silence Luo Xianyun, the paragon of rationality. Truly, the Savior System was a peerless creation.

For the rest of the journey, Duanmu Wuqiu remained quiet and content, leaning closely against Luo Xianyun. Occasionally, he would tug at Luo Xianyun’s voluminous sleeves to drape them over his legs, claiming it was to shield himself from the wind.

Luo Xianyun let him be, shutting his eyes to rest. His thoughts spun through countless contingencies, imagining how best to navigate their impending visit to Qingtian Sect.

As Song Gui steered the boat, a towering, crimson mountain—sharp as a blade—pierced the clouds and rose before them. This was Chixue Peak, the main peak of Qingtian Sect.

Legend held that ten thousand years ago, this land was a flat plain. Before ascending to immortality, Qingtian Sect’s founder had driven his bonded divine sword, Chixue, into the earth. The sword had transformed into a blood-red mountain, and from then on, it bore the sword’s name—Chixue—and became the sect’s heart.

Because Luo Xianyun had sent word in advance, Qingtian Sect opened a path through the barrier. A flying sword awaited to guide them to an open courtyard in the main hall.

As their boat touched down, the three disembarked.

The moment Duanmu Wuqiu stepped onto Chixue Peak, he felt an overwhelming discomfort.

The celebratory firecrackers that had seemed to echo in his heart fell abruptly silent. He felt as though thousands of invisible swords now surrounded him, their edges slicing endlessly at his skin.

Though the sensation wasn’t truly harmful—no worse than a mosquito bite for someone of his cultivation—it was intensely grating.

Then the Destruction System spoke: [The Chixue Peak is the physical embodiment of the divine sword Chixue. Blood-red in hue, the sword once drank deep from the veins of ancient gods and demons. Though its blade lies hidden within the mountain, its sword intent still radiates outward. The more blood one has shed, the stronger the backlash. That’s the source of your discomfort.]

[The sword remains sealed beneath the peak. Qingtian Sect possesses a forbidden formation capable of awakening it. You cannot control or suppress it. The only way to prevent its revival is to eradicate Qingtian Sect.]

[But fear not. Unless the world teeters on the brink of destruction, Qingtian Sect would never draw the sword—not even if every sect member died.]

Duanmu Wuqiu, who usually disregarded the Destruction System, had come to understand its motivations. It only demanded he destroy threats to his existence.

Last time, it had urged him to kill Song Gui, obliterate Beichen Sect, and even murder Luo Xianyun—because it believed each would eventually strike at him. And indeed, events had unfolded in a way that seemed to confirm those suspicions. But the system only saw surface causality—it lacked insight into deeper truths.

Despite that, it had helped him protect Carefree Valley. And now, it no longer pressured him to harm Luo Xianyun, proving that it was, at the very least, an adaptable demon.

Because of this flexibility—and the lives it had inadvertently helped him save—Duanmu Wuqiu had grown more tolerant of it. He even humored its stranger requests, such as completing the task: “Subjugate Luo Xianyun.”

Duanmu Wuqiu asked mentally, ‘Are you saying someone will one day draw the Chixue sword and turn it against me?’

[That is a possible future, but not a certainty,] the System replied.

‘Why not?’ he asked.

[If the host fully commits to “Subjugate Luo Xianyun,” there will be no need to fear the Chixue sword. Though, destroying Qingtian Sect would still be ideal.]

Duanmu Wuqiu scowled. ‘Are you implying Luo-shixiong will be the one to wield the Chixue sword against me in the future? Utter nonsense!’

He severed his connection with the system.

Previously, Duanmu Wuqiu had wanted to annihilate Qingtian Sect for its role in the attempted destruction of his valley. But now, he abandoned that notion entirely.

He wanted Qingtian Sect and the Chixue sword to survive.

He wanted the Destruction System to see—even if someone handed the sword to Luo Xianyun, his shixiong would never turn it on him.

Yet, though he trusted Luo Xianyun fully, the sword intent of Chixue Peak still grated at his nerves.

The bite of a single mosquito might be insignificant—but tens of thousands?

As Duanmu Wuqiu gritted his teeth and endured, Luo Xianyun gently placed a jade talisman in his hand.

“I forgot that Chixue Peak’s sword intent might torment you,” Luo Xianyun said. “This concealment talisman will temporarily mask your aura. Crush it, and you’ll be shielded.”

A concealment talisman was a relatively uncommon technique in the cultivation world—insufficient to deceive truly capable cultivators—but Chixue Peak possessed no sentience, only instinct. Its sword intent attacked indiscriminately. In the absence of anyone directing the Chixue sword’s will, a concealment talisman was the simplest and most effective countermeasure.

Duanmu Wuqiu, who knew how to craft such talismans himself, understood that Luo Xianyun could have simply advised him to make one. Yet Luo Xianyun had chosen to personally prepare and hand one over.

He saw Song Gui produce a concealment talisman as well, but unlike his, Song Gui’s had clearly been self-made. A trace of satisfaction rose in Duanmu Wuqiu’s heart.

Luo-shixiong favored him the most!

With the talisman shielding him, the discomfort finally faded.

At that moment, a sturdily built, upright-looking middle-aged man approached, leading a group of similarly stalwart disciples. He addressed Luo Xianyun. “Elder Luo, it has been some time. I hope you’ve been well.”

This was Duan Chengying, the Sect Master of Qingtian Sect.

Duanmu Wuqiu scrutinized the man and the disciples at his side. Though they bore traces of wicked qi, they also emanated righteous energy. It puzzled him. With such wicked qi, how had they not succumbed to the sword intent?

Luo Xianyun stepped forward to meet Duan Chengying. Meanwhile, Song Gui, always wary of Duanmu Wuqiu’s tendency to annihilate entire sects over a single offending remark, noticed his expression and hastened to explain via sound transmission.

‘Shishu, Qingtian Sect cultivates the sword. Their disciples enter the mortal world to temper themselves before establishing a foundation, serving as martial artists in the Jianghu. Naturally, they absorb some of the wicked qi of the mundane realm. When they return to Chixue Peak, the sword intent reacts to this wicked qi, allowing them to refine their will. Through daily exposure, they’ve become accustomed to it. Their wicked qi, righteous aura, and sword essence coexist as a result.’

Duanmu Wuqiu nodded. He thought Qingtian Sect lived rather harshly—facing torment even at home. Beichen Sect, by comparison, seemed far more lenient.

Perhaps it was Luo Xianyun’s presence that caused him to view things more charitably. At this moment, he felt Beichen Sect excelled in every regard and was well-deserving of its role as the righteous path’s leader, with Luo Xianyun as its guiding force.

Meanwhile, Luo Xianyun had exchanged a few polite words with Duan Chengying before transitioning to the matter at hand. “Sect Master Duan, I trust you’ve read my letter. What are your thoughts?”

Duan Chengying’s expression remained neutral. “I had intended to write a reply, but I didn’t expect Elder Luo to arrive so swiftly. This saves us the formality. Allow me to offer an explanation face to face.

“The situation is not as dire as you suspect. Mu Ge did not collude with the demonic path in secret—he reported every step to me. His dealings with demonic cultivators were mere subterfuge, a necessary ruse to neutralize the threat posed by Duanmu Wuqiu.”

As expected, Duan Chengying’s response mirrored what Duanmu Wuqiu had anticipated.

At those words, Duanmu Wuqiu’s lips curled into an icy smirk.

Though Luo Xianyun did not look back, he could sense the cold, menacing aura gathering behind him.

He did not turn around. They had come to an agreement: Duanmu Wuqiu would let him handle the diplomacy—and he would ensure Duanmu Wuqiu suffered no injustice.

“I have a few doubts concerning this matter,” Luo Xianyun said. “Since Sect Master Duan is informed, would you be willing to clarify them?”

Duan Chengying’s face betrayed no emotion. “Elder Luo, you’ve already done more than enough for the sake of this world. Your body has paid a heavy toll. You should not push yourself further. The cultivation world does not rest on your shoulders alone. Why not entrust these affairs to us, the righteous sects? You ought to focus on recuperation. Preserving your health now is worth more than chasing fleeting time.”

He might as well have said outright: “Luo Xianyun, you’re dying—kindly stay out of our business.”

Upon hearing Duan Chengying speak of Luo Xianyun’s limited time, Duanmu Wuqiu’s rage ignited anew.

Yet Luo Xianyun remained composed. “Sect Master Duan is correct—I ought not interfere in another sect’s internal matters. However, upon hearing from wandering spirits that Mu Ge had committed vile deeds—such as harvesting the souls of the unjust dead to forge wicked ghosts—I acted on impulse and recorded their testimony in jade slips. These were subsequently distributed to the other sects.”

“The other sects have received them?” Duan Chengying’s composure faltered slightly.

Feigning regret, Luo Xianyun replied, “A lapse on my part. I was unaware of the effort Sect Master Duan had invested, nor did I know that all of Qingtian Sect had a hand in creating wicked ghosts, condemning anguished souls to eternal unrest. Truly, I should not have overstepped.”

Duan Chengying had attempted to shield Mu Ge under the guise of a noble sacrifice. But Luo Xianyun had taken the opportunity to implicate the entire sect. Mu Ge’s crime was now Qingtian Sect’s burden.

These words alone were sufficient justification for rallying the righteous path against Qingtian Sect. By Luo Xianyun’s framing, the sect had already crossed into the demonic.

Duanmu Wuqiu’s fury subsided instantly.

Luo-shixiong was truly peerless in reason and rhetoric.

Faced with Luo Xianyun’s calm intensity, Duan Chengying was forced to respond. “Elder Luo, you were indeed too hasty. I knew Mu Ge had dealings with the Taoyuan Sect to eliminate Duanmu Wuqiu, but I was unaware he had resorted to such methods. The boy is impetuous, yes—but his intentions were sincere. I will ensure he is properly guided, so he does not stray.”

Luo Xianyun’s smile sharpened. “Then Sect Master Duan did not fully grasp the nature of Mu Ge’s actions? It appears even you do not have a complete understanding of the situation?”

In order to preserve Qingtian Sect’s reputation, Duan Chengying followed the thread. “That is correct.”

“In that case, who is to say Mu Ge has not committed other atrocities in secret?” Luo Xianyun said. “Since even you are unsure of the full picture, why protect him so hastily? I must insist—bring Mu Ge forth so I may question him directly. Only then can his, and Qingtian Sect’s, innocence be determined.”

“Even if Mu Ge’s actions were inappropriate, this remains a Qingtian Sect affair,” Duan Chengying replied. “Whether he is punished or exonerated is for us to decide. What right does Elder Luo have to interfere in our internal matters?”

Duanmu Wuqiu scoffed inwardly. He knew the righteous sects would fall back on that tired refrain—‘internal matters’—to shield wrongdoers.

How much simpler it would be to destroy them all.

Duan Chengying might be protective of his people, but Luo Xianyun was no less so.

“If you want to know what right I have,” Luo Xianyun said, his voice resounding like thunder, “I’ll tell you!

“Duanmu Wuqiu is my shidi. In the name of peace, he has sacrificed his body and stepped into the demonic path to bring order to chaos. Under his command, the demonic sects have been unified and subdued, and they no longer dare to threaten mortals. And yet, Mu Ge conspired with fiends to murder him!

“Sect Master Duan—tell me. Do I not have the right to demand justice?”