A Demon's Path Chapter 91

The mocking smile quickly disappeared from Ling Xiao's face. He said in a serious tone, "When we return to the Sunken Wind Valley, you'll feign ignorance. Don't say a word. I'll say it once more. Shen Xuan's life is mine. Leave everything to me."

Yue Mingming was silent, and so was Yang Chao. They understood that even if they wanted to seek revenge, they couldn't. They were too weak, and Shen Xuan was a mountain too high for them to climb. Only Ling Xiao had any hope of avenging the dead in their eyes. Besides, he swore on his soul he would.

If Yue Mingming, Yang Chao, and all the departed Celestial Soul Masters knew these oaths Ling Xiao swore on his soul would soon become ineffective irrespective of how many he took, would they be so angry they'd hover between life and death? In any case, there was the oath he swore to Ancestor Qi Mo that he couldn't fulfil anytime soon.

Li Yuanchong said in his ever cold voice, "I want to return to Heavenly River City after we report back to the Sunken Wind Valley."

Ling Xiao pondered for a moment. He more or less understood what Li Yuanchong wanted to do. "You want to search for the Soul Returning Grass in Heavenly River City?"

"That's right. I don't want to see Hao stay an idiot any longer," Li Yuanchong said. "Don't tell me you're not confident in waking Hao up after you have the Soul Returning Grass in your possession."

"It's because you don't know the function of Soul Returning Grass. Even if someone's soul is about to depart from their body, they can rise back up after ingesting a single blade of Soul Returning Grass," Ling Xiao explained in earnest.

Li Yuanchong shot Ling Xiao a few suspicious glances. "No. I can't trust you. I want to bring Hao and you along with me to Heavenly River City. Mingming and Yang Chao, you guys come along too. I'll leave Hao in your care along the way."

Ling Xiao chuckled mischievously. "If your face isn't always so sour, I believe you're a very cute little brother."

Li Yuanchong wore a cold and detached suit. But underneath was a warm man, one who cared deeply for those dear to him. He wanted to save Zheng Hao as fast as he could, yet he also didn't want Yue Mingming and Yang Chao to be tempted into doing something stupid while staying in the Sunken Wind Valley. So, he came up with this tactic. It was like killing two birds with one stone.

Li Yuanchong treated Ling Xiao as though he was nothing but a fart. He turned around and left, not sparing him another glance. "Let's go. We can't help with anything here anymore."

As they walked on ahead, Ling Xiao turned around and took a final glance at Myriad Demon Island. "Yingying, I know you're there. Big Brother Xiao will come and find you. Be patient and wait for me…"

…

There was an island called Demon Lord Island in the Demon Archipelago. The Demon Lord who was still dressed in red looked toward Seadragon City with an indistinctly derisive smile hanging on her lips. "Young Ling Xiao boy, you actually have the guts to make a big fuss in front of me. Humph, humph! I want to see how you'll flee next time when you don't have a Teleportation Talisman on you!"

Somewhere along a mountain road, Liu Yue also looked back at Seadragon City as he carried his older sister who had somewhat regained her consciousness on his shoulder. His eyes were filled with grief. "Father, your child brought this upon you… Relax. Once your child returns to the clan, I'll definitely take good care of Elder Sister. I'll work hard in cultivating and avenge you!"

The war earlier on the day would go down in the history books. It became the end of Seadragon City as it forever disappeared from the face of the earth. All that was left of it was to be found in books and maps.

…

"Father, your child is useless! Your child is useless!" Shen Xuan bawled and knelt down in front of the Elders in the Sunken Wind Valley's main hall. "It's all your child's fault! I couldn't stop him! I couldn't stop Elder Ling. He took all the newcomers with him, and together they left the protection of the Celestial Soul Ward. There, there he got everyone killed!" Shen Xuan threw bucket loads of dirty water over Ling Xiao as he wailed.

The Elders weren't stupid. They understood what was going on from the bottom of their hearts. Based on Ling Xiao's personality, it wasn't in his nature to act like this. Something was fishy. The only problem was that Shen Xuan had returned alone. Liu Xintang's fate remained uncertain too. Dead men told no tales. What could they say? Besides, it was not like they didn't know Shen Nanfeng was a master who shielded his own shortcomings. Even if he felt sorry for the 100 newcomers and his gold mine, Ling Xiao, he still wouldn't do anything to his son.

However, an unbearable anger flitted across Shen Nanfeng's face. He screamed, "You black sheep! What kind of leader are you? Even if Elder Ling brought the Celestial Soul Masters out, you have your responsibilities. You can't blame others for that! Get lost! You're to go to Confinement Valley and ponder about your misdeeds for the next six months!"

The Elders' hearts were as clear as a mirror. Look how well you word it, Valley Master! Elder Ling's crime is that of killing off an entire army, yet the crime of your son is something as insignificant as a lapse in judgement of his leadership! Tsk, tsk! Facing the wall and pondering about his mistakes? Aren't you just hiding him from the inquiries each sect will bring when they find out what happened? You're not punishing him, you're protecting him!

"Father, your child is willing to receive any form of punishment!" Shen Xuan knew his father's mind like no other. So, he joined the farce and showed his sincerity.

"Scram!" Shen Nanfeng kicked Shen Xuan away. "You're to go to Confinement Valley right now!"

"Aiyah! Valley Master, it's so lively here! What's going on?" Without anyone reporting their arrival, four youngsters walked into the hall.

When Shen Xuan saw them, his expression fell. "How are you four still alive?" After pausing for a moment, he screeched, "They must've defeated the Demonic Clan! They must've!"

The Elders were in an uproar. Yue Mingming and Yang Chao's seniors were amongst them too. Their juniors' resurrection really gave them a pleasant surprise. They felt the urge to start crying on each other's shoulders in relief. What did it mean for these four youngsters to stand before them? It meant there was going to be a good show in store for them!

Ling Xiao spoke with a smile on his face, "Young Master Shen, we hurried over riding on my broom the whole journey through. We didn't even have time to change out of our bloody clothes. I thought you'd welcome your comrade-in-arms who went through fire and water with you. I never expected you to throw dirty water all over us. How can we, your brothers who were so anxious to come back and see you, endure such vilification?!"

Shen Nanfeng's anger quickly morphed into an amiable smile. "Elder Ling and Noble Nephew Yuanchong escaped from the calamity! This calls for a celebration!"

Ling Xiao cupped his fists at Shen Nanfeng with a deeply gratuitous look on his face. "Oh Valley Master, without the Teleportation Talisman you gave me, even if I, Ling Xiao had three heads and six limbs, I wouldn't be able to come back alive."

Shen Nanfeng and Shen Xuan were both stunned. Ling Xiao's words blocked the sewage water Shen Xuan threw over his head. He perfectly explained the reason he was still alive, the Valley Master himself the witness. No one could refute it, nor could they nitpick about the details.

Shen Xuan never thought his biological father was the one who saved this brat. How hateful! However, Shen Xuan couldn't muster any hatred, for an intense sense of fear overtook him. He watched as Ling Xiao took out a soul stone, a stone dropping in his stomach.

"Ling Xiao, are you sure you want to do this?" Li Yuanchong asked in an indifferent manner.

Ling Xiao said with a small smile that didn't quite reach the eyes, "I promised I'd avenge our fallen brothers. So, I will."

Shen Nanfeng raised his thick eyebrows. A thick killing intent flitted across his eyes. "What is the meaning behind your words?"

Without wasting his breath, Ling Xiao pinched the Image Soul Stone to pieces.

After the scenes played out, everyone was rendered speechless. Silence washed over the crowd. There was no need for words to explain what happened. They had just watched the classic dialogue between Ling Xiao and his future mother-in-law.

Krrk! Snap! Shen Nanfeng abruptly broke Shen Xuan's limbs.

"Aaahhhhhh!" Shen Xuan only noticed the heart wrenching, lunch piercing pain after a moment. He started howling like a pig being slaughtered.

"Guards, banish this unfilial son! He is not to set half a foot into the Sunken Wind Valley ever again!" Shen Nanfeng's chest was heaving up and down, his voice hoarse.

Two people wearing grey masks immediately came forth and hauled Shen Xuan away as though he was a dead dog. All that was left of him were his incessant wails sounding from afar, "Father, please forgive me! I'll never dare do such a thing again…"

Ling Xiao smiled. You believe there'll be a next time?

"Valley Master is wise." Ling Xiao kissed Shen Nanfeng's arse in a very timely manner. The Elders played dumb too as they followed after him and cupped their fists at Shen Nanfeng. "Valley Master is wise."

Shen Nanfeng was so mad his lungs were about to explode, but he had to forcibly suppress the filthy air in his heart and accept the sincere worshipping his subordinates were giving him.

Li Yuanchong sighed. Even though he was young and his heart was solely focused on cultivating, he could also see through any sharade someone put up and understand their true character.

Ling Xiao didn't let the other three testify. He did it all himself because he was afraid one of them would offend Shen Nanfeng. This way, with the elders adding fuel to the flames, he was pushed atop the pedestal. Even if Shen Nanfeng wanted to take his anger out on someone, he could only settle his score with Ling Xiao. It had nothing to do with the Elders, after all.

One shouldn't stick their heads out too much lest they be an easy target for trouble. What's more for a bird like Ling Xiao who was only all too willing to stick his neck out.

"Elder Ling, Xuan'er's matter is resolved. But there's something Valley Master doesn't quite understand. Can Elder Ling shed some light on it, please?" Shen Nanfeng did say please, but the tone he used was an interrogative one. Even an idiot could hear it.

Ling Xiao wore his signature smile. "Do you want to ask about the female demonic beast, Tang Yingying?"

Chapter end