Make Way

“Where is the Demon Lord heading?” The Left Envoy asked with a smile, his tone laced with curiosity.

“Just taking a walk.”

“I don’t believe the Demon Lord should leave at this moment.”

“That is not your concern.”

“Please reconsider carefully.”

The Left Envoy’s smile faded, replaced by sternness as he remained planted in Jiang Ningshu’s path.

Only three people were present—one without cultivation, one with a hollow title of a Heavenly Demon, and himself, the strongest among them. Why shouldn’t he stand his ground?

Soon, he might even become the next Demon Lord, overthrowing the current one and stepping over her to claim the position.

The thought made him smirk involuntarily.

“Move aside.”

The Demon Lord’s aura erupted in an instant.

Her pressure was amplified by the remnants of heavenly tribulation, and now, fully unleashed, its terrifying weight shook the entire Shattered Bone Abyss.

Some disciples of the Heavenly Demon Sect had already fainted, while those with the rank of Heavenly Demon struggled to endure—some kneeling on one knee, barely holding on.

The Left Envoy, bearing the brunt of the pressure, staggered back a step, then another.

Yet he gritted his teeth, convincing himself—It’s all an act. Don’t be fooled. The Demon Lord has nothing left but this intimidation.

Don’t let her aura cow you.

But the next moment, he retreated gracefully, bowing with forced deference. “As you command.”

He stepped aside, clearing the path.

Jiang Ningshu didn’t spare him a glance as she walked past, her oppressive aura gradually dissipating with each step.

But the impact lingered. Once again, the Heavenly Demon Sect was reminded—the Demon Lord is formidable.

Su Luo clicked her tongue inwardly.

As expected of the Demon Lord. No matter how many times I witness it, her presence is still awe-inspiring.

Then she followed Jiang Ningshu out without hesitation.

The Left Envoy watched them leave, his eyes darkening further.

He had considered “accidentally” striking the Demon Lord to force her to abandon this excursion, but he held back—it wasn’t yet time for open confrontation.

He was genuinely surprised. He had assumed a mere obstruction would make her relent and retreat to her chambers, as she had done so often before—always cautious, fearful of exposing weakness before him or the Four Heavenly Demons.

For so long, she had never resisted him or anyone else.

Yet this time, she stood firm.

Her performance had even improved dramatically—so much that the Left Envoy almost believed the once-powerful Demon Lord had truly returned.

But it was all a facade. He forced himself to calm down, pushing away the memory of his involuntary retreat.

Left Envoy, you are destined to become the Demon Lord. How could you be frightened into submission?

Regaining his composure, he returned to plotting, refining his schemes for the throne.

---

Jiang Ningshu didn’t wander far before disguising herself—her familiar black robes, a large hood, and a few minor concealment spells. Perfect.

She had never intended to make a grand exit.

So when she and Su Luo departed the Shattered Bone Abyss, no one noticed.

“Wait,” Su Luo spoke up.

“What is it?”

“Do you even know where we’re going?”

“No.”

“Then why are you leading?”

Jiang Ningshu blinked. Wasn’t this just a casual stroll? “Do you have a destination?”

“Well, no, I don’t either.”

Su Luo had only assumed Jiang Ningshu’s confident stride meant she had a goal in mind.

“Then let’s just walk,” Jiang Ningshu said.

“Fine by me.” Su Luo had no particular destination—she’d already seen everything worth seeing.

They wandered aimlessly, mostly in silence.

A painfully dull scene.

“Su Luo, I just remembered a place,” Jiang Ningshu suddenly said.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Su Luo didn’t even ask where—it didn’t matter.

Jiang Ningshu led her to a field—an expanse of flowers, vibrant and fragrant, soothing to the soul.

Su Luo recognized it—a true sea of blossoms that never withered, regrowing swiftly even if burned. No dangers like man-eating flora or toxic pollen lurked here, though stumbling upon a demon beast would be sheer misfortune.

A beautiful place indeed.

Jiang Ningshu stood amidst the flowers, lost in thought, as if reliving memories.

“What, do you have a story about this place?” Su Luo asked.

Even if she had interacted with the Demon Lord before, she couldn’t possibly know every detail of her past.

Su Luo wasn’t particularly nosy—ignorance was natural.

“Xin Lan and I came here once, back when I wasn’t yet the Demon Lord.”

Jiang Ningshu began recounting the tale. Su Luo listened without comment—none of this mattered to her. Someone like Luo Xinlan wasn’t worth mourning.

But she wouldn’t voice that. The Demon Lord’s past was her own.

Jiang Ningshu spoke at length.

“Thank you for listening.”

“It’s fine. I was just admiring the flowers.” By now, Su Luo had sprawled on the ground.

The scenery really was pleasant.

“Su Luo, I think… it’s time to let go of the past.”

“Oh?”

“I need to move on from Xin Lan.”

“Sure.”

Su Luo had no objections. Whatever makes you happy.

Jiang Ningshu rose, closed her eyes, then opened them again. “Goodbye.”

After a pause, Su Luo asked, “That’s it?”

Was it really so easy to move on?

“Yes. I’ve thought about it for a long time. It’s time to accept it. Thank you, Su Luo.”

“For what? I didn’t do anything.”

Not even a word of comfort.

“Just listening was help enough.”

“If you say so. Glad you’ve made peace with it.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Ningshu did feel lighter. It wasn’t as if the flower field alone had resolved everything—she had long been working through her grief.

Most of it had already faded.

Only now had she fully released it.

After a long silence, Jiang Ningshu turned to Su Luo. “What do you think I should do next?”

“Be the Demon Lord, I suppose.”

“Is that what you want me to do?”

“That’s not my decision to make. Do what you wish.” Su Luo wouldn’t casually offer guidance on such matters.

Jiang Ningshu shook her head. “There’s nothing I truly want.”

Restoring her strength was the only goal, but that was merely a matter of time—and whether Su Luo would write about it in her diary again.

The current Demon Lord was indifferent about cultivation. Reaching the second stage of recovery was enough; the rest could wait.

As for the title of Demon Lord itself… seeing how the Heavenly Demon Sect’s higher-ups schemed behind her back, she no longer cared to rule.

During her time without power, the position had become a source of dread—every day spent in fear.