When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 108

Ji Wuwang presses down on the sword Ji Ruo is about to draw and steps forward. “Fighting in front of the two Island Lords—is that not somewhat disrespectful, Steward Yun?”

Ji Ruo keeps his hand tightly on the hilt and glares at him. “Let go. I’m going to save my cousin!”

Ji Wuwang reluctantly releases him and smiles at Yun Feng. “Our young master is here as well. For Steward Yun to harm the nephew of Madam Yun from our Demon Palace right in front of us—don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

Ji Ruo isn’t reckless enough to rush in blindly. He cools down slightly and follows behind Ji Wuwang, shouting, “Let go of my cousin!”

Yun Feng chuckles and, grabbing Yun Shaowei, retreats to the back, pressing him down beside the figure seated at the head of the room. At this point, Yun Shaowei is completely immobilized, while the man beside him—Yun Tianqing—is deathly pale, his eyes vacant, clearly unconscious. Just as Yun Shaowei described earlier, he resembles a puppet being manipulated by strings.

If not for the faint breath still in him, everyone might assume he’s already a corpse.

Yun Tianqing’s life force is so weak that even the stronger cultivators—Yun Zhuoran, Weiran, Ji Wuwang, and the others with higher cultivation—can’t sense him in the banquet hall. Now, even Yun Zhuoran has to look at Yun Feng differently.

The fact that Yun Feng can completely conceal himself under the noses of Yun Zhuoran and Ji Wuwang is enough for Yun Zhuoran to recognize that Yun Feng’s strength is not beneath Yun Shaowei’s. In fact, he may not be much weaker than himself or Ji Wuwang.

And now, Yun Feng has effortlessly captured both father and son. His hands press firmly on Yun Tianqing and Yun Shaowei’s shoulders in a clearly threatening manner.

He smiles slowly. “Why is Master Ji so anxious? And Eldest Young Master, don’t be too quick to accuse. This is a personal grudge between me and the Yun family father and son. I have no intention of involving others, and certainly no wish to become enemies with the Demon Palace or Penglai.”

In the hall, Yun Zhuoran and the Heart Demon stand together, Ji Wuwang and Ji Ruo stand together, while Shen Lingshu is unconsciously excluded, nervously watching Yun Shaowei.

Yun Zhuoran glances around and exchanges a silent look with the Heart Demon.

Ji Ruo can’t hide his anxiety—his uncle and cousin are held hostage by Yun Feng.

Hearing Yun Feng’s words, he sneers, “You don’t want to be an enemy of my Demon Palace, yet you dare touch my relatives. Do you think the Demon Palace will let you go easily?”

By contrast, Ji Wuwang’s tone is much calmer, though it carries an implicit threat. “Manager Yun has been in Yun City for many years. Surely you haven’t forgotten that City Lord Yun Tianqing is the biological brother of Madam Yun from the Demon Palace?”

Yun Feng retorts, “Of course I know who Yun Tianqing is. But I think it’s you, Eldest Young Master, who’s forgotten—your father, Ji Yanhui, was thrown into the Demon Sealing Well, and the Demon Palace’s Lord and Madam Yun both played key roles in that.”

This is exactly the kind of talk Ji Ruo hates hearing. He grows even angrier. “What the hell does that have to do with you?!”

Yun Feng says lightly, “I just can’t help but remind the eldest young master not to forget your roots.”

Ji Ruo opens his mouth to speak but pauses, glancing cautiously at Ji Wuwang.

Ji Wuwang shakes his head and says to Yun Feng, who sits on the dais, “The Demon Palace and Yun City have long-standing ties. Our two Lords are even related by blood, and their friendship runs deep. Even if I can’t stop you, Steward Yun, know this—if you dare take action today, you’re bound to offend both the Lord and the Young Master of the Demon Palace.”

Ji Ruo grits his teeth. “Even if you don’t let go now, you’ve already offended the Demon Palace.”

Yun Feng seems a bit disappointed that Ji Wuwang still sides with Ji Ruo. He shakes his head and sighs. “As Young Master Ji said, there’s no turning back once the bow is shot. Since I’ve acted, there’s no going back. But unexpectedly, the eldest son is also the Demon Palace’s young master. You lost your father at a young age, and perhaps you had no choice but to bow to your enemy. But now your strength is considerable, and coincidentally, the Demonic Palace Master’s old injury has flared up, forcing him into seclusion. The Demonic Palace is leaderless; if you’re willing, the Demonic Palace would be within easy reach. Yet, you’d rather be a slave to your enemy’s son than avenge your father. I imagine the former Demonic Palace Master would be very disappointed.”

“If I can disappoint him,” Ji Wuwang chuckles, “then that’s truly for the best.”

Yun Feng chokes slightly, as if he hadn’t expected Ji Wuwang to be such an unfilial son. His previously benevolent smile cools by three points. “To be frank with you, I originally only intended to deal with the Yun family father and son privately. I didn’t anticipate that you all would suddenly come to Yun City. My original intention was not to offend the Demonic Palace, but if there’s truly no other way, Fengtian Temple has never feared the Demon Palace. I won’t hand over the Yun family father and son to you.”

Ji Ruo watches Ji Wuwang’s reaction and feels somewhat reassured. However, hearing Yun Feng’s words, his heart tightens again.

Ji Wuwang is also puzzled. “If you wanted Yun City, the City Lord and Young City Lord of Yun City have already fallen into your hands, and Yun City is already yours for the taking. There’s no need to go to such lengths to invite the two Island Masters of Penglai to a banquet. Forgive my impertinence, but Steward Yun’s welcome banquet must have a purpose beyond just the Yun City Lord and his son, right?”

Yun Zhuoran glances lightly at Ji Wuwang, clearly displeased.

Anyone simply watching a big show only to be suddenly dragged into it would be uncomfortable.

Yun Feng looks at Ji Wuwang and laughs. “As expected of the Demonic Palace’s Eldest Young Master—you’re clever. You’ve tried to divert trouble and sow discord between me and the Penglai Island Master. Unfortunately, compared to the Demon Palace, I really don’t want to offend Penglai.” He turns to Yun Zhuoran and sighs. “Yun Feng has also heard about the truth behind the demise of Young Island Master Yun’s master, Sect Master Gu. Yun Feng feels that simply taking the lives of Yun Tianqing and his son is far too lenient for them. I am learning from Master Gu’s resentment incarnation to expose the heinous crimes the Yun family has committed.”

The Heart Demon thinks Yun Feng has been talking forever without getting to the point and mutters, “Then why don’t you just say it?”

Yun Feng says, “May I ask, Young Island Master, do you remember the fire in Yun City 28 years ago?”

Yun Zhuoran’s eyes light up.

The Heart Demon grabs his sleeve.

Ji Ruo sneers, “What, are you going to blame my uncle for the fire?”

Ji Wuwang probably knows about this matter too, while Shen Lingshu looks confused.

Yun Feng pays no attention to Ji Ruo; he speaks earnestly to Yun Zhuoran: “I presume Young Island Master hasn’t forgotten. That great fire back then was an evil array set up jointly by the High Priest and the former Yun City Lord, Yun Tianfeng. It was meant to sacrifice the lives of tens of thousands in Yun City to attract divine punishment. Now, the High Priest and Yun Tianfeng are dead, and the direct lineage of the Yun family is almost cut off, which is why the position of City Lord fell to Yun Tianqing. But what Young Island Master doesn’t know is that when your elder brother Yun Peiran took you away from Yun City back then, among the survivors of the old City Lord’s mansion, there was another young master from the direct Yun family lineage still alive. He was the fourth young master of the old City Lord’s mansion—and also Yun Feng’s sworn brother.”

Yun Feng sneers and points at the blankly seated Yun Tianqing. “When the city was burned down, the fourth young master Yun luckily escaped the inner city and was saved by a mysterious Buddhist cultivator. But he never expected that Yun Tianqing, in order to seize the City Lord position, would secretly switch his medicine, causing him to suffer until death. Yun Tianqing also certainly didn’t expect that when he discussed this privately with Yun Fushuang, Yun Feng would overhear it. To avenge him, Yun Feng endured humiliation, became his right-hand man step by step, and finally, more than twenty years later, with the help of Fengtian Temple—I succeeded.”

Ji Ruo doesn’t believe a word. He looks at the dazed Yun Tianqing and challenges, “You’re speaking without evidence; you can say anything you want. If you’re capable, release my uncle and let him confront you face to face.”

Yun Zhuoran remains silent.

In fact, some of what Yun Feng says overlaps with what Tong Ye revealed. The two—one good, one evil—are unrelated and unlikely to collude. The mysterious Buddhist cultivator who saved Young Master Yun, mentioned by Yun Feng, must be Tong Ye. Tong Ye did indeed say that the survivor only gave a vague name before dying, which also matches.

Most importantly, the source of the mysterious fire that nearly destroyed the city 28 years ago, mentioned by Yun Feng, also corresponds with the clues in the High Priest’s handwritten records in front of the statue. That fire is directly linked to the evil array on the altar that affected Yun Zhuoran.

“Even if I release Yun Tianqing, he can’t confront me; this matter concerns Young Island Master Yun,” Yun Feng says, turning to Yun Zhuoran. “Young Island Master, you’ve returned this time to retrieve that thing, haven’t you?”

Ji Ruo and the others look at Yun Zhuoran.

Not only are they confused, but Yun Zhuoran doesn’t understand what Yun Feng means either. Still, he meets Yun Feng’s gaze calmly and asks, “How do you know about that thing?”

Yun Feng stares at him for a moment, then suddenly smiles. “This is the magical power of Fengtian Temple. I want to take the lives of the Yun family father and son and become master of Yun City. What Fengtian Temple wants is the thing Yun Peiran left in Yun City before he disappeared. I tried to get it through Yun Tianqing, but I didn’t expect he would rather close his sea of consciousness than say a word.” Yun Feng’s face darkens. “Yun Tianqing can’t use it, so I have to find the young Island Master Yun.”

Yun Zhuoran’s heart jumps.

Did Yun Peiran really go back to Yun City before he disappeared?

He quickly regains composure. Since he didn’t know Yun Peiran went back to Yun City, how could he know Yun Peiran left something there? But he can’t let Yun Feng know this. He has to find clues from Yun Feng.

Because of this, Yun Zhuoran is somewhat annoyed that he didn’t return sooner. If he had come back before Yun Tianqing sealed his consciousness, he might have gotten the item.

But regret is useless now.

Yun Zhuoran secretly takes a deep breath, his tone calm and unreadable. “Are you threatening me?”

“Threatening Young Island Master with Yun Tianqing and his son?” Yun Feng seems amused. “Young Island Master jests. Yun Tianqing and his son aren’t deeply acquainted with you; Yun Feng wouldn’t do something so foolish as to use their lives to coerce Young Island Master. Of course, not just Yun Feng, but the Fengtian Temple also doesn’t wish to be enemies with Young Island Master Yun. I wonder if the young Island Master is interested in joining my Fengtian Temple?”

Before Yun Zhuoran can speak, the Heart Demon scoffs with a look of disdain, “Your cult? You wish! Brother isn’t interested, and all you followers don’t seem very smart.”

Yun Feng’s face darkens a few shades. “Is that Young Island Master Yun’s meaning?”

The Heart Demon clings to Yun Zhuoran’s arm and says, “For small matters like this, Brother always listens to me.”

Yun Zhuoran looks at the Heart Demon helplessly but doesn’t expose him in front of others. To them, this is Yun Zhuoran’s tacit consent.

Shen Lingshu watches with reddened eyes, and Yun Feng is clearly annoyed.

“Young Island Master has rejected my invitation without even understanding my Fengtian Temple,” Yun Feng states. “It’s a pity for the appreciation our Divine Palace’s Saintess has for you. To show our sincerity, we even specifically promised Young Island Master the position of a Divine Emissary, a rank equal to that of the Priests and Saintess, beneath the True God. It seems my Divine Palace is simply not worthy.”

The sourness in Yun Feng’s words is palpable, and Yun Zhuoran can’t help but be a little curious. “Saintess? Priests?”

“Just ants the young Island Master despises.” Yun Feng refuses to dignify those who slander Fengtian Temple with a reply. He snorts coldly. “Since the young Island Master is unwilling, Fengtian Temple won’t force you. Thus, it seems we will only have this one opportunity for cooperation. I wonder if Young Island Master is willing to cooperate with me: I’ll provide the clues Yun Tianqing gave me, and Young Island Master helps find the item Yun Peiran left behind. How does that sound?”

Yun Zhuoran says, “How did you guess I have no clue about the whereabouts of that object?”

Yun Feng smiles. “If you had found it, why would you still be in Yun City?”

Seeing the certainty in Yun Feng’s eyes, Yun Zhuoran has to admit—he’s clever.

Yun Feng continues, “Young Island Master Yun must be very eager to find Yun Peiran’s whereabouts, right? Coincidentally, my Saintess also wants to know exactly what item Yun Peiran left behind. All you have to do is cooperate with me, and you’ll get clues. As for who ends up with the item… well, that depends on who’s stronger: Young Island Master or my Fengtian Temple.”

Ji Ruo listens to Yun Feng’s nonsense for a long time, clearly not intending to release Yun Tianqing and his son. He laughs coldly. “A rat from the ditch still wants to compete with Yun Zhuoran?”

“I’m a rat? Then what am I, Young Master Ji?” Yun Feng suddenly turns his attention on him. “The son of a traitor and a thief?”

“You…” Ji Ruo grits his teeth and reaches for his sword, but Ji Wuwang stops him.

“Steward Yun is far too interested in the Demon Palace’s family matters,” Ji Wuwang says calmly.

Yun Feng turns back to Yun Zhuoran, his tone cold. “What do you say, Young Island Master Yun? I advise you—Yun City is already under Fengtian Temple’s control. Even if you catch me, you won’t get any information.”

Yun Zhuoran wants to find the item Yun Peiran left behind. But on this land now controlled by Fengtian Temple, every step he takes feels forced and calculated by these hidden rats. Still, if he refuses, he loses the only lead to Yun Peiran.

He turns to the Heart Demon, eyes steady.

The Heart Demon sees the resolve in him and says, “Brother, don’t overthink it. Just do what you want to do.”

Yun Zhuoran nods slowly. He looks at Yun Feng and says plainly, “Clues.”

Yun Feng smiles in satisfaction. His hands press down again on Yun Tianqing and Yun Shaowei’s shoulders. A surge of black mist envelops them, and just as the three vanish, his mocking laughter echoes through the hall—

“Come to the Old City Lord’s Manor, Young Island Master. Yun Feng awaits your arrival.”

Only Yun Zhuoran, the Heart Demon, and five others remain in the banquet hall. Ji Ruo rushes to the chief seat as the black mist fades. Sure enough, the captives are gone. Gritting his teeth, Ji Ruo runs out with his sword.

Ji Wuwang hesitates, then follows once he sees Yun Zhuoran and the Heart Demon heading for the door.

Finally, Shen Lingshu trails behind reluctantly.

The welcoming banquet began at dusk. By the time Yun Zhuoran and his group reach the southern edge of the city near the miasma forest, darkness has fallen. The yin energy inside the forest begins to leak outward.

Yun Zhuoran and Weiran walk into the forest without fear, but Ji Ruo and Shen Lingshu can’t. Ji Wuwang channels spiritual energy into Ji Ruo like before, and Shen Lingshu simply clenches his teeth and follows.

Weiran glances at Shen Lingshu’s pale face and has to admit—the story of The Emotionless Daoist might be true. Shen Lingshu really loves Yun Shaowei.

Yun Zhuoran notices Weiran’s thoughts and can’t help but laugh. In his eyes, Shen Lingshu is glowing faintly with golden light, subtly pushing back the miasma’s yin energy. Even with his low cultivation and weak body, he survives.

This is the power of Gu Shenshu’s immortal bones.

Yun Zhuoran recalls the incarnation of Gu Shenshu’s resentment. Back on the floating city, it had claimed to dislike Shen Lingshu and wanted to reclaim the immortal bones—but never did. It said it lacked the strength. Yun Zhuoran suspects even that incarnation couldn’t touch him.

With the bones’ protection, no one can harm Shen Lingshu.

When Jue Fei crippled Shen Lingshu’s spiritual veins, it had only worked because Shen Lingshu was mentally vulnerable at the time, and Jue Fei used a unique Tianqing Sect technique to redirect his energy into self-destruction. Even then, he only managed to destroy most of the veins, and he himself was injured. Yun Zhuoran saw it happen—he knows it wasn’t easy.

Since then, Shen Lingshu had learned from that experience and was cautious about letting anyone get close again.

Beyond the miasma forest lies the old city lord’s residence. As soon as Yun Zhuoran and the Heart Demon step inside, they see several figures in the plaza before the main gate.

Yun Feng stands on the altar. Behind him, tied to a broken stone pillar about waist-high, are Yun Shaowei and Yun Tianqing.

The moment Yun Zhuoran sees them, he feels a strong sense of déjà vu. A flickering image passes through his mind—someone tied to a similar stone pillar, glowing faintly red—but before he can see it clearly, the image vanishes. That pillar had been intact and inscribed with totem-like runes.

Yun Zhuoran shows no emotion and walks forward with the Heart Demon.

“Uncle, cousin!”

Ji Ruo sees the two captives and bolts toward them. But before he can climb the altar steps, Yun Feng raises his hand—a magic sword appears at Yun Shaowei’s neck.

Ji Ruo freezes on the steps, glaring at Yun Feng. “Shameless!”

“They’re my hostages,” Yun Feng says coolly.

The sword presses into Yun Shaowei’s neck, drawing a thin line of blood. Ji Ruo backs down reluctantly, pulling Ji Wuwang with him. Only then does the sword pull back slightly, and Ji Ruo breathes a little easier.

Ji Wuwang throws Yun Zhuoran a meaningful look.

The Heart Demon glances back, eyes dim.

Yun Zhuoran understands Ji Wuwang’s urging but doesn’t mind. He wants to know what Yun Peiran has left behind in Yun City, so he asks Yun Feng, “Where is it?”

“It’s somewhere around here,” Yun Feng replies.

The heart demon frowns. “This area is huge. How can we find it without clues?”

“Well, since it was left by your own elder brother, I assume the Young Island Master should know,” Yun Feng says shamelessly. “And just before Yun Tianqing sealed his sea of consciousness, I managed to extract one clue: the year Gu Shenshu died, Yun Peiran met Yun Tianqing here, then left in a hurry.”

Seeing the Heart Demon’s expression darken, Yun Feng quickly adds, “Blame Yun Tianqing. All he had to do was hand it over and the Fengtian Temple would have let him live. Why did he have to close his sea of consciousness? He didn’t even leave a clue. I only saw it in his memory before he closed it. From what I gathered before he shut down completely, he said your brother would be able to find it once you came.”

The Heart Demon remains silent, lips tightly pressed.

Yun Zhuoran is stunned. Those words sound like something Yun Peiran would say—always confident, especially in the brother closest to him. But Yun Peiran doesn’t know Yun Zhuoran has no memories of his childhood and isn’t familiar with old Yun City at all.

The Heart Demon sees Yun Zhuoran frown again, worried he’ll get a headache from trying to recall the forgotten past, and comforts him, “Brother, if you can’t remember, don’t force it.”

“I’m fine,” Yun Zhuoran says with a small shake of his head.

He isn’t recalling the past; he’s just thinking—given Yun Peiran’s personality, where would he hide things?

Meanwhile, Yun Feng begins to press again.

“Young Island Master, you don’t have much time. If you don’t find the treasure left by Yun Peiran within one day, I’ll kill Yun Tianqing first. If you don’t find it within two days, I’ll kill Yun Shaowei.”

Ji Ruo is shocked and angry. “Look for the treasure if you want to, but why kill them?”

Hadn’t Yun Feng just said earlier that Yun Zhuoran wasn’t close to Yun Tianqing? That he couldn’t be used as leverage against him?

Even Yun Zhuoran and the others are surprised by Yun Feng’s sudden shift in tone.

The Heart Demon, always rebellious, says on the spot, “Fine, kill whoever you want. My brother and I won’t stay here. Brother, let’s go.”

Seeing the Heart Demon actually pull Yun Zhuoran to leave, Ji Ruo grows increasingly anxious.

Yun Feng doesn’t try to stop them. As the two turn, he says slowly, “If the Young Island Master wants to leave, so be it. But don’t regret it. Yun Tianqing and Yun Peiran were as close as brothers. If Yun Peiran finds out you left his brother to die…”

He doesn’t finish, but Yun Zhuoran stops in his tracks anyway.

Ji Ruo opens his mouth, wanting to say something, but doesn’t know how to begin. He understands Yun Zhuoran doesn’t want to be controlled—but if he leaves now, people he cares about will die.

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t understand why Yun Feng is so confident. He gives the Heart Demon a reassuring look, then slowly turns back to gaze at the unconscious, puppet-like Yun Tianqing.

Before Yun Zhuoran can speak, a soft female voice rings out behind everyone.

“Yun Tianqing won’t die. And whatever happens to Brother Weiran, you might not live to see it. A puny little Fengtian Temple dares to act wild in Yun City.”

Hearing the voice, everyone turns. A masked woman in a purple gauze dress walks toward them with Young Master Yin at her side. The voice clearly comes from her.

Yun Zhuoran’s cool, emotionless eyes flicker with confusion. What did she just call him?

Yun Feng’s expression darkens the moment he sees the pair arrive.

“Who are you?” he barks.

The mysterious woman steps forward, lets out a cold laugh, and slowly removes her veil, revealing a stunningly fair and beautiful face.

No one notices Shen Lingshu, in the corner, frowns with disdain and lowers his head.

The woman in purple looks gently at Yun Zhuoran, her tone softening.

“I am Yun Zhuoran’s elder sister—Yun Duo.”

As she speaks, her gaze turns icy as it falls on Yun Feng.  “And you dare bully my brother?”