When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 103

No one lives for dozens of miles around the old Yun City’s City Lord’s Mansion. Yun Zhuoran and Weiran see this clearly on their way here.

It is said that Yun Shaowei, who has been imprisoned for many days, is released by Yun Tianqing today. That very night, he comes here alone and plays the xiao beneath the moonlight.

After thinking for a moment, Yun Zhuoran removes the barrier and walks out with Weiran.

Unconcealed footsteps sound in the quiet night, and the faint flute music comes to an abrupt stop. A young man in white, standing alone on a stone among the weeds, suddenly stands up. He grips his jade flute tightly with one hand, guarded. But when he turns around and sees two red-clothed figures with nearly identical, dazzling appearances, the coldness on his face freezes.

“…It’s you.” Yun Shaowei feels a sense of familiarity the moment he sees them.

He should feel familiar—after all, his face shares a 50% resemblance with Yun Zhuoran. And now, seeing two red-clothed figures who look almost exactly alike, his tone becomes firm. At the same time, his handsome face returns to its earlier impassiveness.

“You’re the two island masters of Penglai.” Yun Shaowei doesn’t need much time to recognize Yun Zhuoran, who walks ahead. The cold moonlight casts a glow on Yun Zhuoran’s profile, making his earlobe look pale as jade, with just a hint of red. Yun Shaowei looks at him coldly. “You’re Yun Zhuoran—my uncle.”

The deliberate pause in the last two words is full of dislike.

Yun Zhuoran saw Yun Shaowei once a few months ago. At the time, Yun Shaowei is out searching for medicine on the ice fields, seriously injured and close to death. Yun Zhuoran passes by, recognizes him, provides spiritual support, and takes his identity jade pendant. Yun Shaowei has already lost consciousness by then and likely doesn’t see him clearly. Technically, tonight is their first official meeting.

But Yun Shaowei’s attitude upon waking is clearly unfriendly.

Even the heart demon senses Yun Shaowei’s malice and glares at him unhappily.

At the time Yun Zhuoran helped Yun Shaowei, the heart demon was asleep and unaware. But that doesn’t stop him from disliking anyone who disrespects his brother.

Like with Gu Qiuming and Ji Ruo, Yun Zhuoran doesn’t know much about Yun Shaowei. Most of what he knows comes from The Emotionless Daoist, a book given to him by the heart demon.

In the book, Yun Shaowei is the young city lord of Yun City. He owns several spirit stone mines, is skilled in equipment refinement, and is considered a wealthy, low-key rising star in the cultivation world. The book describes him as extremely cold and taciturn. After suffering in Yun City, he flees to the Demon Palace. On the way, he encounters Shen Lingshu, who has already taken in Gu Qiuming and Ji Ruo. Shen Lingshu rescues him multiple times, and Yun Shaowei agrees to stay by his side in order to repay the debt, eventually entering his inner residence along with his cousin Ji Ruo.

That part comes later in the book. The first third is about Shen Lingshu’s unrequited love for his disciple Gu Qiuming, the middle focuses on his turbulent romance with demonic heirs from different factions, and the final part is about his obsession with Yun Shaowei. Sadly, Yun Shaowei only ever acts out of gratitude. Not until Shen Lingshu is about to ascend does Yun Shaowei give a reply that is both affectionate and indifferent—a vague, half-hearted acceptance that feels more like resignation than sincerity.

The book’s portrayal of Yun Shaowei only covers his identity, personality, and a few specific preferences. Yun Zhuoran can’t tell if it reflects reality. The information he has Song Shao investigate comes up lacking—it isn’t nearly as detailed, nor does it offer any comparison. The one thing that stands out is the disaster in the storybook that destroys Yun City before Yun Shaowei meets Shen Lingshu. In the story, Yun City is gone, leaving only Yun Shaowei…

According to the story’s timeline, that should still be years away. But Yun Zhuoran doesn’t have the luxury to wait and see whether that disaster will actually come to pass.

Meeting Yun Shaowei in person tonight, Yun Zhuoran is even more surprised to feel the hostility in the boy’s gaze. Yun Shaowei clearly dislikes him.

Before Yun Zhuoran can respond, Yun Shaowei narrows his eyes and says coldly, “I’m only calling you uncle for my father’s sake. Lord Yun, you already command Penglai and Floating City. A place like Yun City can’t accommodate a Buddha like you. You shouldn’t have come. Yun City doesn’t welcome you.”

Yun Zhuoran raises his eyebrows. He wants to ask why, but Yun Shaowei turns and flies off. His retreating figure really is cold.

“He doesn’t welcome us, huh?” The heart demon watches the boy’s back and mutters, “Brother, that guy’s so rude.”

Yun Zhuoran withdraws his gaze and says nothing.

Suddenly, his eyes fall on the place where Yun Shaowei had just been standing. He frowns and walks over. The stone Yun Shaowei was sitting on looks like a giant stone lion by the roadside. Weeds have grown thickly around it, leaving only its smoothed-over top exposed to the sun and wind. Not far behind the lion lies a small door, half-hidden under a towering banyan tree. Unlike the row of abandoned courtyards nearby, this spot gives Yun Zhuoran a strange sense of familiarity.

The heart demon follows closely. “Brother, what are you looking at?”

Yun Zhuoran says nothing. He raises his hand and waves. A bright spiritual light appears, illuminating the stone lion and everything within several dozen feet, including the cobblestone path behind the small door.

The heart demon blinks and points at the crumbling plaque above the door.

“City Lord’s Mansion?”

It’s likely the back door of the old mansion.

Yun Zhuoran knows the place is large, but he didn’t notice this door during his earlier investigation with Weiran. Why isn’t this area affected by the yin energy from the miasma forest? Maybe the answer lies inside.

The moment this thought forms, Yun Zhuoran feels a strange sense of unease.

He takes a deep breath, then grasps Weiran’s hand and walks toward the small door.

The bright spiritual light floats ahead of them, lighting the path forward.

Inside the door lies a small courtyard, overgrown with waist-high weeds. To the south, a tall wall separates the area from what must be the main part of the mansion.

The spiritual light shines directly onto the main hall across from the door. Perhaps its last resident didn’t have time to close it—the door hangs open. The floor is thick with dust, and a heavy spiderweb drapes the entrance.

Yun Zhuoran scans the courtyard, then suddenly lets go of his heart demon and strides to the corner. He stops in front of an old well and notices a swing frame buried beneath the overgrowth.

Why does it feel familiar? Because the moment Yun Zhuoran lays eyes on the courtyard, an image flashes in his mind—this very swing. His body moves on its own.

Startled, his gaze trails up along the wall.

Yun Peiran’s voice echoes in his ears—it sounds younger than he remembers, but still warm and soothing, like coaxing a child.

“If those little brats come again, I’ll break their legs.”

As the voice speaks, a blurred yet familiar smiling face appears in his mind’s eye.

He can’t see it clearly. He shakes his head. But before he can collect himself, another voice—this one childish—suddenly rings out.

“Brother! You’re back!”

The darkness before his eyes vanishes, replaced by a foggy daylight. A small figure rushes forward like a cannonball. A boy in black robes quickly sets down what he’s holding and stretches out his arms. He catches the child and lifts him onto his shoulder.

The child laughs brightly, grabbing the boy’s hair and messing it up.

The boy smiles, sets the child down, and crouches to straighten his clothes.

“Were you good today? Did you miss your brother?”

It’s Yun Peiran’s voice.

This realization shocks Yun Zhuoran. But just as he tries to see more, everything in front of him suddenly disappears, and a familiar, urgent voice rings in his ears—

“Brother!”

His arm is tightly grasped by someone. The grip is so strong that Yun Zhuoran feels pain. He abruptly returns to his senses and looks in the direction of the voice—it’s the heart demon standing beside him.

The young man frowns, his expression tense. “Brother, do you have a headache again?”

Hearing this, Yun Zhuoran presses a hand to his forehead. The stabbing pain from deep within his head makes it hard to breathe. He waits a moment, and as he stops thinking about the scenes he accidentally touches just now, the headache quickly eases. He closes his eyes and exhales slowly. “It’s nothing.”

Still worried, Weiran helps him along. “Brother, let’s go back. This place is too strange. It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember—we’re only here to find Big Brother Yun Peiran.”

Their purpose in coming to Yun City is to search for clues about Yun Peiran’s whereabouts.

Yun Zhuoran presses the back of Weiran’s hand. The memories from earlier stir new thoughts in his mind. He wants to remember those forgotten events—perhaps they’ll help him figure out where Yun Peiran went after he disappeared. He suddenly feels that those lost memories might be very important.

“This place… is where we used to live.”

Though he can’t remember much, the moment Yun Zhuoran speaks, he is certain. From the very first glance at the courtyard, he had known—he is emotionally attached to this place.

Just like his home on Penglai Island, this courtyard gives him a sense of belonging.

The heart demon says, “But you always get headaches here.”

“Maybe I suffered a head injury when I was little,” Yun Zhuoran guesses.

Weiran knows he can’t change Yun Zhuoran’s mind. After thinking for a moment, he advises, “There’s no rush. Brother, it’s almost dawn. If we don’t go back soon, someone might notice.”

Reminded by the heart demon, Yun Zhuoran realizes it’s already four in the morning. Though he has set up a barrier at the gate of the new city lord’s mansion that prevents others from seeing or entering, it’s still quite late.

Seeing the heart demon’s worry, Yun Zhuoran hesitates for a moment, then sighs. “Alright, let’s go back.”

Satisfied, the heart demon clutches his arm tightly. “I’ll help you.”

Yun Zhuoran smiles at him, silently indicating that he’s fine.

But Weiran still seems uneasy. They’ve only been here for two or three hours tonight, but his brother has already had two headaches. This place is just too strange—he never wants to come here again.

When they return to the new city lord’s mansion, it’s just past four, and the sky is beginning to lighten.

The Yun City morning is chilly. Weiran takes off his outer robe and drapes it over Yun Zhuoran’s shoulders.

Yun Zhuoran feels both amused and helpless. He has spiritual energy circulating through his body and doesn’t feel cold at all, but under Weiran’s insistent gaze—“I think you’re cold”—he quietly accepts the gesture.

The two slip quietly into the room, avoiding the yard’s patrolling guards.

Weiran presses Yun Zhuoran to sit on the edge of the bed, silently rubs his hands to warm them, then wraps Yun Zhuoran’s cold hands in his own.

Feeling the warmth, Yun Zhuoran is a little surprised, but when he sees the tense expression on Weiran’s face, which hasn’t eased since they returned, he asks, “Weiran, are you unhappy?”

The heart demon looks at him with concern. “Brother, do you really want to know what happened in Yun City back then? What if those forgotten memories only bring you pain? Would you still want to remember them? I think… if something can be forgotten, maybe it wasn’t important.”

Yun Zhuoran smiles. “Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“I want to know what you’re thinking.” Weiran looks serious. “I don’t want you to be upset. I don’t want your head to hurt. I want you to be happy every day—then I’ll be happy too.”

Yun Zhuoran pauses. “I want to find Yun Peiran.”

The heart demon nods earnestly. “I’ll go with you.”

“But I also want to know what happened in Yun City back then.”

The heart demon frowns with concern.

Thinking he’s worried about another headache, Yun Zhuoran says, “I won’t get another one. I just want to figure out where Yun Peiran might be based on what happened back then. Weiran, no matter what those memories hold, I only want to recall them for that purpose. Besides, don’t forget—I am Yun Zhuoran.”

The heart demon seems to understand. “Brother… be careful.”

Yun Zhuoran nods. “You’ve been with me all night. Are you tired? Want to lie down for a bit?”

The heart demon quickly shakes his head, lowers his eyes, and buries his face in Yun Zhuoran’s warm palm.

“Brother, don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”

Yun Zhuoran raises an eyebrow. Why does it feel like he’s not the one who’s afraid, but the heart demon? Has Weiran been unusually cautious ever since they arrived in Yun City? Maybe he’s been neglecting him lately, making him feel anxious.

Yun Zhuoran reflects for a moment, then gently rubs the back of Weiran’s head. The young man rests his head on Yun Zhuoran’s knees and stares at him with dark, unblinking eyes.

Yun Zhuoran chuckles. “Then let’s sleep together?”

Weiran’s eyes brighten. “Okay!”

The two of them squeeze into the bed and sleep for half the day. By then, the welcoming banquet Steward Yun has arranged for Yun Zhuoran is finally ready to begin.

As evening approaches, Yun Zhuoran wakes the heart demon. Soon after, Steward Yun arrives to escort them. To Yun Zhuoran’s surprise, Ji Ruo shows up as well, bringing Ji Wuwang with him.

Ji Ruo claims he’s here to attend the banquet with them, but that’s clearly just an excuse. He watches Yun Zhuoran and Weiran closely, as if afraid they’ll cause trouble in Yun City.

Ji Wuwang asks with a smile, “Did the island master sleep well last night?”

Yun Zhuoran almost suspects Ji Wuwang knows he and Weiran went out last night.

Weiran replies bluntly, “What does it matter to you if my brother slept well or not?”

Ji Wuwang just laughs and replies good-naturedly, “The little island master is still as lively as ever.”

Ji Ruo gives Yun Zhuoran and Weiran a strange look. After a few moments of hesitation, he asks Steward Yun, “My cousin seems to be in a bad mood lately. Why is he being confined?”

Hearing Ji Ruo mention Yun Shaowei, both Yun Zhuoran and Weiran turn to look at him.

Yun Shaowei was openly hostile to Yun Zhuoran last night, which leaves a deep enough impression that Weiran remembers his name—and intends to confront him again.

Steward Yun seems a little surprised by Ji Ruo’s question and responds with a question of his own: “Didn’t Young Master Ji spend the day with the young city lord yesterday?”

“He didn’t tell me.” Ji Ruo adds quietly, And he even snuck out in the middle of the night. His suspicious glance sweeps over Yun Zhuoran and Weiran before he turns away and says to Steward Yun, “You must know something.”

Steward Yun glances at them all and smiles faintly. “I do know. Since the young city lord returned from gathering medicine, he’s been quarreling often with the city lord. Maybe the city lord was worried he’d get hurt again and forbade him from going out. The young lord didn’t seem to understand and insisted on leaving. Seven days ago, he went out to relax and was attacked by a beast—but he also brought back a benefactor. Lately, things have been tense in the city. The city lord ordered that no outsiders may enter, but the young city lord disagreed and wanted to go search for more medicine. That angered the city lord enough to confine him for half a month.”

“I see.” Ji Ruo seems to accept the explanation. He strokes his chin and asks, “Is the cousin’s benefactor still in Yun City?”

“In the mansion,” Steward Yun replies kindly. “The city lord only worried the young lord might leave Yun City. He didn’t trouble the benefactor. But the benefactor’s cultivation isn’t high—he was seriously injured when he saved the young city lord. After resting in the mansion for several days, he’s only just now well enough to walk around…”

Ji Ruo nods. “Then wait until the banquet is over, and take me to see my cousin’s benefactor.”

Steward Yun has no choice but to agree.

He leads everyone to the banquet hall, where the banquet has already been prepared and is waiting for Yun Zhuoran and the others to take their seats. Although Yun Zhuoran is originally a guest, Steward Yun leads him to the host seat.

When Yun Zhuoran comes to Yun City, he doesn’t expect to become one of its hosts, and Steward Yun’s enthusiasm leaves him a little flattered.

Just as Yun Zhuoran and Weiran are about to sit down, someone at the door announces the arrival of the young city lord.

The servant has just finished speaking when Yun Shaowei enters the hall with his people. Before he even approaches, a cold voice rings out across the room: “I heard tonight is Ninth Uncle’s welcome banquet, so I’ve come to greet him.”

Steward Yun quickly steps forward with a smile. “Young City Lord, you’re just in time. The banquet hasn’t started yet.”

“Is that so?”

Yun Shaowei’s cold gaze passes over Steward Yun and lands on Yun Zhuoran and Weiran behind him. He sneers. “My father is still sick, and the manor is hosting a welcome banquet for Ninth Uncle, who’s been gone for years. It’s fine if my father can’t attend. But no one even invited me, the young city lord. I thought Steward Yun simply forgot. Turns out Steward Yun couldn’t wait to seat Ninth Uncle in the host’s chair—seems I was just in the way. After all, I still carry the title of Young City Lord.”

Yun Zhuoran listens quietly and calmly holds back the heart demon, who is about to speak mockingly. The heart demon doesn’t understand but shuts his mouth obediently.

Steward Yun looks stunned and hurriedly says, “What are you saying, Young City Lord? This banquet was ordered by the City Lord himself. Every arrangement has been approved by him. You’ve wrongly accused me! This is New Yun City—it’s not the Old Yun City anymore. The Ninth Lord may be from the old city, but he’s only the City Lord’s brother now.”

Yun Shaowei looks at Yun Zhuoran meaningfully. “Is that so, Steward Yun? Ninth Uncle is right here listening. So the current Yun City is the new Yun City, and those from the old days truly have no say in who leads it?”

Ji Ruo finds this strange. He looks at Yun Zhuoran, thinking that with Penglai Immortal Island and Floating City behind him, Yun Zhuoran has no reason to covet Yun City, which is unremarkable in the cultivation world. But when he looks at Yun Shaowei’s serious expression, Ji Ruo hesitates. “Cousin, could there be a misunderstanding…”

“Xiao Ruo, if you have something to say, we’ll talk later.” Yun Shaowei waves him off coldly and continues to stare at Yun Zhuoran and Weiran seated at the front. “Steward Yun, well? Is it true or not?”

Steward Yun gives Yun Zhuoran and the others an apologetic look, then turns and says helplessly, “Young City Lord, the city lord has long said that Yun City will one day be yours. You’re worrying too much.”

Yun Shaowei turns to Yun Zhuoran and raises his chin slightly. “Ninth Uncle, you heard that, didn’t you?”

Yun Zhuoran remains calm and asks, “So, Young City Lord, you’re saying I’m not welcome?”

Yun Shaowei’s face darkens. “Ninth Uncle knows the answer himself.”

Steward Yun quickly interjects, “Young City Lord, please don’t misunderstand—Ninth Young Master is innocent…”

“I know why he’s here.” Yun Shaowei cuts him off coldly. He turns to someone behind him—dressed in a loose black robe with a hood pulled low, hiding their face and revealing only a few strands of long black hair. Yun Shaowei’s voice turns unusually gentle. “Benefactor, Yun Zhuoran is here. You should reveal yourself now.”

Ji Ruo can’t tell who the black-robed figure is, but he is certain Yun Shaowei has misunderstood something. While Ji Ruo doesn’t particularly like Yun Zhuoran, he also knows Yun Zhuoran wouldn’t make an enemy of Yun Shaowei, much less fight him over Yun City.

He is about to speak up, but Ji Wuwang stops him. “That person looks familiar.”

Ji Ruo frowns. “Who is it?”

Ji Wuwang stares at the black-robed figure but slowly shakes his head.

Yun Zhuoran and Weiran are also watching. The figure is wrapped so tightly they can’t even tell whether it’s a man or woman, but it’s clearly a cultivator—their breathing gives it away. Their cultivation, however, seems weak, probably only at the Foundation Establishment stage.

The black-robed cultivator hesitates for a moment before finally lifting the hood. A pale and handsome face slowly comes into view.

Upon seeing it clearly, Ji Ruo can’t help but cry out—“Shen Lingshu!”

Yun Zhuoran, Weiran, and Ji Wuwang are also startled. No wonder they had felt the face was familiar—it’s Shen Lingshu, the one who escaped from the Shen family. Rumor has it the Tiandao Sect is still looking for him.

Yun Zhuoran secretly shakes his head. Qin Zheng must have underestimated Shen Lingshu. She has only searched the righteous sects near Shengjing, assuming Shen Lingshu would stay close since his cultivation is low and he is a righteous cultivator. If she knew Shen Lingshu has already run to Yun City in the demonic domain in just half a month, she’d probably be furious.

But that is a matter for the Tiandao Sect. The ones who killed Gu Shenshu have already paid the price. To Yun Zhuoran, Shen Lingshu is just a stranger now. He doesn’t even bother looking at the immortal bone in Shen Lingshu’s body, and certainly isn’t bored enough to inform Qin Zheng of his whereabouts.

As everyone reacts with surprise, Yun Shaowei stares coldly at Yun Zhuoran and says, “Yes. Fellow Daoist Shen is my benefactor. Ninth Uncle, your sudden return to Yun City must be for him. If you want to capture my benefactor, you’ll have to go through me first. And if that’s your intent, then Yun City has no place for you.”

Steward Yun is alarmed. “Young City Lord! Why must you oppose the Tiandao Sect and Penglai for someone like him? You must apologize to Ninth Young Master immediately. You’re being misled!”

Yun Shaowei snaps coldly, “Am I the city lord of Yun City, or are you? Don’t forget, Ninth Uncle is from the old Yun City—he’s not welcome here.”

Shen Lingshu quietly watches Yun Shaowei standing before him, speaking in his defense. His lips press into a straight line, uncertain if he is moved or not. He hasn’t said a word since he appeared.

At this point, Yun Zhuoran fully understands Yun Shaowei’s intention. Since last night, Yun Shaowei has been hinting that he should leave. Now, he has made it clear—he wants to ruin the banquet and drive Yun Zhuoran out.

Yun Zhuoran stays calm. He steps down from the platform with the heart demon and doesn’t stop until he stands before Yun Shaowei. Steward Yun looks like he wants to say something, but Yun Zhuoran speaks first.

“No need. I understand what the young city lord means. Since the City Lord’s Manor does not welcome me, I won’t stay.”

Steward Yun’s eyes widen in shock.

Yun Shaowei’s expression turns frosty. He clearly hasn’t expected Yun Zhuoran to give in so easily.

Yun Zhuoran says no more. He takes the heart demon’s hand and brushes past Yun Shaowei.

“Watch out!”

Suddenly, Yun Shaowei reaches out to shield Shen Lingshu, as if afraid Yun Zhuoran would attack him. His hand briefly brushes Yun Zhuoran’s.

Yun Zhuoran pauses but doesn’t react.

“Yun…” Shen Lingshu suddenly calls out, but stops after the first word.

Yun Zhuoran pauses for him and turns to look back.

Shen Lingshu is stunned, then gives a bitter smile. “Sorry. I owe you too much.”

Yun Zhuoran understands. Shen Lingshu isn’t just apologizing for the little trick he played years ago—it’s also an apology for his father’s actions. He’s also reminding Yun Zhuoran: the favor of protecting him in the past is now repaid. Everything has been part of his father’s plan.

Yun Zhuoran has thought Shen Lingshu would explain whether he put Yun Shaowei up to driving them out. But hearing this, he simply lets it go. He turns and leaves the banquet hall with the heart demon.

As they walk out, Yun Zhuoran glances back quietly and sees Yun Shaowei finally unclench his fist—and the tips of his ears are flushed red.

Walking through the bustling streets of Yun City, the heart demon, holding back his anger, pouts and looks at Yun Zhuoran.

“Brother, I’m so mad.”

Yun Zhuoran chuckles. A small slip of paper falls from his palm. He gently unfolds it between two fingers. Two elegant words are written on it—

—Leave now.

The heart demon is startled. “Where did that come from?”

Yun Zhuoran flicks his fingers. The paper crumbles to dust and scatters to the ground.

“Yun Shaowei gave it to me.”