When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 118

When Fox Demon is called in early in the morning, he guesses that the fact he gave the treasured storybook to the little island master yesterday has most likely been exposed. Wearing a miserable expression the whole way there, he even prepares his final words.

Especially when he enters the room and sees the noble and cold red-clothed city lord sitting on the throne, lazily flipping through the blue storybook in his hand page by page, Fox Demon’s heart skips a beat and his legs go limp.

He supports himself on the floor with both hands, his trembling voice filled with tears. “City Lord…”

Yun Zhuoran closes the book and says lightly, “This gift of yours is far too generous for me to accept.”

Hearing such obvious ridicule, Fox Demon really starts to cry this time. Tears well up in his eyes, one drop at a time, and fall down. “City Lord, I was wrong!”

Yun Zhuoran’s tone remains calm. “What are you doing? What have you done wrong?”

Fox Demon grows more and more frightened. The calmer the city lord appears, the angrier he might be. He secretly thinks, My life is over!

The fox demon sobs and looks at the young man in red standing behind the city lord. He sees that the little island master catches his desperate eyes begging for help, but the little island master merely curls his lips indifferently, lowers his head, and continues to play with his fingers…

It’s obvious he won’t help…

Fox Demon clutches his chest and takes a deep breath, then suddenly slams his head to the floor with a loud thud.

His resolute attitude makes Yun Zhuoran look at him more closely.

The fox demon hurriedly admits his fault, “It was all this lowly one’s fault! Just yesterday the City Lord rebuked me, and though I agreed not to repeat the mistake, I couldn’t resist in private and still brought this thing to the little island master. I really deserve to die!”

The heart demon also hears the crisp sound when Fox Demon kowtows, so he raises his head, but sees Yun Zhuoran suddenly look back at him. The heart demon lowers his head again and plays with his fingers, sitting ramrod straight, not daring to make a sound.

Yun Zhuoran hides the smile in his eyes, slowly puts the book on the table, and says with feigned confusion, “Weiran really liked the storybook you brought him. If he likes it, how can you call it filth?”

The fox demon cries for a while, then looks at Yun Zhuoran in doubt, glances at the little island master standing behind him, and cautiously asks, “Then, I will give more books to the little island master?”

The heart demon’s eyes light up and he looks up suddenly.

Yun Zhuoran nearly laughs aloud when he sees it. He didn’t expect the heart demon to be so bold—one book isn’t enough, and he wants to see more. Turning to look at Fox Demon, Yun Zhuoran’s eyes suddenly turn cold. “So you’ve still got many hidden away?”

That obvious warning look makes Fox Demon instantly see things clearly, and his heart turns cold.

The instinct to survive drives him to frantically take out a pile of books with various covers from his storage magic tool. Dozens of books fill the floor in front of his knees.

As the heart demon stares in disbelief, Fox Demon bites his lip in pain. “City Lord, spare me, my books are all here. Since yesterday…” He looks at the little island master, sniffs, and corrects himself, “Since I sent the books to the little island master yesterday, I knew I made a mistake again, so I went back to search through the boxes and found all the books. I know these things are not worthy of the Floating City, so I brought them all here today just to destroy them in front of the City Lord!”

Fox Demon takes a deep breath, raises his hand to draw out a wisp of fox fire, looks at the treasures in front of him with tears, and puts on a determined expression.

“City Lord, don’t worry, I will change my ways and never make mistakes again after burning these books!”

The heart demon sees him really holding the fox fire and approaching the pile of books, and can’t help but reach out anxiously. But Yun Zhuoran is watching, and the heart demon hesitates for a while before slowly withdrawing his hand.

As Fox Demon’s hand with the fox fire reaches toward the pile of books in front of him, heartache and sadness flash across his face, but he quickly suppresses them, pretending to be strong and disgusted.

Still, as he slowly draws closer, he doesn’t forget to secretly wink at the little island master for help.

The heart demon turns his face away with regret.

These things are dispensable to him. He really wants to see them, but they’re not important…

Yun Zhuoran clearly sees the silent exchange in their eyes and inwardly chuckles. Just as Fox Demon steels himself, eyes shut and ready to set fire to the books, Yun Zhuoran finally speaks.

“Weiran, go out and play for a while.”

Fox Demon and the heart demon are both stunned.

Fox Demon’s hand freezes above the pile of books, and the fluorescent green fox fire flickers as if he’s hesitating.

The heart demon, seeing Yun Zhuoran looking at him, points to himself in a daze and asks, “Me? Go out?”

Yun Zhuoran raises his hand and waves. A point of spiritual light appears, draws an arc in the air, and lands in front of the heart demon.

The heart demon steps back and sees clearly that it’s a jade talisman glowing with spiritual light. The spiritual energy around it is abundant, and his expression turns confused.

Yun Zhuoran reminds him, “Go ahead. Take the City Lord’s token. If anyone in the city dares offend you, deal with them however you like.”

The heart demon’s initial expression of distaste turns into delight. Then he says, “But it’s too bright.”

Knowing this is the City Lord’s token, Fox Demon snaps back to his senses and looks at the little island master with incredulous eyes. This is the City Lord’s token—and the little island master actually dislikes it for being too bright?

Fox Demon’s eyes turn red with envy. The little island master is truly spoiled and arrogant!

You know, this city lord token represents control over the entire Floating City.

The City Lord doesn’t hesitate to give such a precious thing to the little island master… Fox Demon gazes at the little island master more deeply.

It seems the little island master is more important in the heart of this City Lord.

The City Lord’s token shone brightly when it was in Yun Zhuoran’s sea of consciousness. He doesn’t expect the heart demon to despise it so much.

Yun Zhuoran thinks for a moment and sends out spiritual power. The city lord token hovering in front of the heart demon flashes with spiritual light, transforms into a white ball, and falls into the heart demon’s arms.

The heart demon reflexively catches it. After holding it in his arms, he realizes that it’s soft and furry.

He looks carefully and breaks into joy. “Little rabbit!”

Yun Zhuoran transforms the appearance of the city lord token into a red-eyed little white rabbit with pure white fur. Seeing that the heart demon is finally satisfied, he waves his hand and says, “Go.”

The heart demon rubs the rabbit that has no self-awareness at all, hesitating and not moving. “Brother.”

Yun Zhuoran simply says, “Go play for a while.”

The heart demon glances at the books on the ground, sighs softly, then happily hugs the little white rabbit and leaves—leaving Fox Demon alone to face Yun Zhuoran.

Fox Demon suddenly feels his vision darken, his heart full of despair. He clutches his chest but can’t speak for a long time.

Yun Zhuoran glances at him. “Not crying anymore?”

Fox Demon hesitates for a moment, then continues crying.

Yun Zhuoran looks at his tear-filled fox eyes, his gaze darkening slightly. “It seems you listen to Weiran very well. You even dared to hide things from me for his sake. Have you forgotten who the lord of the Floating City is?”

A chill runs down Fox Demon’s spine. He dares not cry any further and quickly says, “City Lord…”

“The entire Floating City is under my eyes. Did you really think I wouldn’t know what you did?” Yun Zhuoran has no interest in hearing the fox demon’s excuses. After the heart demon leaves, his already cold expression becomes even colder. His jade-like face seems laced with frost. “But you should be glad you didn’t betray Weiran just now.”

Fox Demon’s face turns pale, then flushes red with excitement—he knows he made the right bet!

As Yun Zhuoran says, he’s the new City Lord. With the city lord’s order in hand, he controls everything in the Floating City. He has long known that the heart demon’s copy of the book came from threatening the fox demon, but chose not to point it out.

Fox Demon has deliberately helped the heart demon cover it up. After all, he’s noticed how favored the little island master is in the City Lord’s eyes and gambles on earning some favor himself. In a way, he’s showing Yun Zhuoran: I can be loyal to the little island master too!

After all, even if he had told the truth, he’d still be punished—so he might as well take the risk.

Yun Zhuoran dislikes people hiding things from him, but what he truly cares about is Weiran.

He stares coldly at Fox Demon for a while, then says, “Leave all the books. You can go.”

Just as Fox Demon visibly relaxes, Yun Zhuoran’s expression darkens. “If you want to leave the Floating City one day, you must serve Weiran loyally from now on.”

Not only has he been spared punishment—he’s just been officially appointed as the young island lord’s attendant by the City Lord himself! That means their departure from Floating City might not be far off! Sure, losing those storybooks hurts… but the benefits far outweigh the cost—it’s worth it!

Fox Demon is overjoyed. “Thank you, City Lord!”

Yun Zhuoran says coldly, “It’s a bit early to thank me. Let me warn you: whatever Weiran wants to know, whatever he wants to have, you can tell him, give it to him. But if you so much as touch a single hair on his head—that will cross my bottom line. And you and the tiger demon might never leave Floating City alive.”

Fox Demon’s shifty eyes flick about, then he suddenly understands. “I get it!”

Give him what he wants. Say what he wants to hear. But don’t lay a finger on him. Got it.

After a moment of thought, Fox Demon realizes the deeper meaning—Yun Zhuoran knows the little island master’s naive tendencies and some of his little preferences—and also that he lacks some basic knowledge. The deeper meaning of Yun Zhuoran’s warning… is to guide the little island master and guard against those seductresses trying to cling to him, isn’t it?

He can definitely do that!

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t care whether Fox Demon has truly understood or not. Everything is under his watch. If Fox Demon dares overstep and stain his heart demon, he won’t be spared.

He doesn’t want to see that cunning face again, so he waves a hand. “Get out.”

Fox Demon wipes away his tears as if receiving a pardon and hurries out.

Yun Zhuoran catches the smug smile on Fox Demon’s face as he leaves and thinks of how that little fox pretended to cry in front of him—rage briefly flickers in his chest.

He closes his eyes, calms himself, and decides not to waste time on this daring fox.

With another wave of his hand, the pile of storybooks on the ground floats onto the table in front of him and stacks itself neatly.

Now that no one is around, Yun Zhuoran openly picks one up and begins flipping through it with a blank expression.

—

Meanwhile, after leaving the city lord’s mansion, the heart demon still feels uneasy. He doesn’t understand why Yun Zhuoran tells him to leave, or what he might have said to the fox demon afterward. But he is, after all, a demon, and Yun Zhuoran—his main body—is naturally indifferent. Expecting him to be especially kind is impossible, and it’s hard for him to feel any sympathy for the fox demon’s potentially tragic outcome.

So after wandering the streets outside the estate for a while, the heart demon simply hugs the little white rabbit—transformed from the City Lord’s Token—and goes off to play a game. After completing several levels, dusk is already approaching.

When Yun Zhuoran arrives, the heart demon is in a dyeing workshop in the inner city. He has found a carrot somewhere and is squatting on the ground, feeding it to the little rabbit. Behind him are several crying female demonic cultivators.

Yun Zhuoran is a little confused. “Weiran?”

The heart demon stands up holding the rabbit. When he sees Yun Zhuoran standing beside the racks of drying white cloth, he runs over with a grin.

“Brother, you came to find me?”

He doesn’t even need to ask. Just looking at Yun Zhuoran’s calm face and lack of anger, he knows the storybook incident is over.

Grabbing Yun Zhuoran’s sleeve, he says, “Brother, let’s go back.”

Yun Zhuoran glances at the female demonic cultivators in the hall. They appear to be a group of Tanuki demons. In human form, they look like fragile girls dressed in plain white robes, hair disheveled, faces pale and stained with tears. Their sobbing is pitiful—until he appears. His cold aura sweeps through the room, and the Tanukis immediately fall silent, trembling in fear.

The heart demon immediately understands and curls his lip. “They scared my little rabbit and didn’t guard the gate properly. They couldn’t even pretend to be ghosts—they cried horribly. So I made them practice.”

The Tanukis are terrified and aggrieved. They think their crying is decent, and how could their ghost acting scare that little white rabbit?

In truth, the rabbit has no self-awareness and can’t be frightened at all.

Yun Zhuoran has no idea how the heart demon can even tell the rabbit is scared.

Seeing the wronged expressions of the Tanuki demons, he frowns. “Keep crying.”

Tanuki demons: “…”

The tanuki girls freeze for a second, then resume wailing—eerily like infants crying at night.

Vaguely, it even sounds like meowing.

The heart demon still finds it grating. He quickly drags Yun Zhuoran away, grumbling angrily as he leaves, “I’ll be back tomorrow. If you cheat again and ruin my fun, I’ll eat you!”

The tanuki girls tremble in fear. This is supposed to be a spooky trial scenario, enhanced with an illusion array to cloud the mind. If the little island master isn’t scared, what can they do?

Of course, these thoughts stay only in their hearts; no one dares voice them.

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t speak up for them. These demons, regardless of the severity of their crimes, are not innocent. Compared to the Demon Sealing Well, Floating City offers them far better conditions and a measure of freedom. The heart demon merely nitpicks a little—there’s no reason for Yun Zhuoran to chastise him on behalf of strangers.

By the time they step out of the dyeing workshop, the sun is already setting, and the sky is gradually growing dark.

A palm-sized white rabbit sits on the heart demon’s shoulder, unmoving. Occasionally, it blinks its ruby-like eyes, but it makes no sound.

The heart demon holds onto Yun Zhuoran’s sleeve, walking along in high spirits.

“Brother, are you not mad anymore?” the heart demon asks knowingly, smiling brightly.

Yun Zhuoran grabs the rabbit on his shoulder, rubs it a few times until it turns back into the City Lord’s Token, and puts it away. His expression is calm as he replies indifferently, “You knew I’d be angry, and you still went to peek at that kind of storybook?”

The heart demon pauses and mumbles, “But Weiran doesn’t understand anything… They say you can learn a lot from reading those kinds of things. If I finish reading them, I’ll grow up…”

Yun Zhuoran sees his guilty expression and chuckles. “Aren’t you already grown up? How much more growing up do you want?”

The heart demon scratches his cheek, thinking to himself that only when he learns how to find a Dao companion will he be truly grown up. But that’s not something he can say to Yun Zhuoran, so he turns his eyes away and mumbles, “But brother doesn’t understand either…”

Yun Zhuoran raises an eyebrow. “What don’t I understand?”

The heart demon glances at him, eyes dim. If brother understood, he wouldn’t still be without a Dao companion. But then again, maybe it’s better if brother doesn’t understand—otherwise, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

Yun Zhuoran simply rubs his head and doesn’t press further. Holding the heart demon’s wrist naturally, he says, “It’s not that I won’t let you read storybooks, but some are too vulgar. I’m afraid they’ll pollute your eyes. I’ve picked out a few from what the fox demon sent—those are fine for you to read.” He pauses and sighs, “If you really don’t like practicing calligraphy, then don’t do it anymore. Just play if that makes you happy.”

The heart demon is surprised. “Really?”

Yun Zhuoran nods. He has spent a long time selecting a few love stories suitable for the heart demon. Compared to the crude and spicy tales of the sword immortal and the sword spirit, these gentle romance stories are fresh and simple—at most, they involve holding hands and kissing, with no explicit scenes or language.

The heart demon is still too naïve. Yun Zhuoran fears that if he’s led too quickly into love and desire, it will disturb his innate demonic nature and cause him to lose himself. For now, these innocent love stories are enough.

The heart demon, thrilled at the prospect of storybooks and no more calligraphy, cheers, “Great! Brother, I don’t want to get up early to practice calligraphy tomorrow. I’m going to throw away all my brushes and ink!”

Yun Zhuoran is taken aback, then looks helpless.

“As long as you’re happy.”

Yun Zhuoran thinks to himself that the heart demon is still a child. Thankfully, he has always guided him patiently rather than forcing him. There is still time—he can slowly let the heart demon see through his intentions.

Taking advantage of the heart demon’s joy, Yun Zhuoran says meaningfully, “Weiran, if there’s anything you want, just tell me.” Then he promises, “You are my heart demon. I will never abandon you.”

Over the past few days, Yun Zhuoran has noticed that the heart demon seems uneasy around him. No, in fact, he has always worried about being abandoned. So Yun Zhuoran doesn’t mind giving him more security—just a little more each day.

Hearing this, the heart demon’s eyes flicker. He bites his finger nervously.

“…I know.”

Yun Zhuoran sees this and says no more.

When they return to the city lord’s mansion, the heart demon sees the stack of storybooks Yun Zhuoran has picked for him and instantly lights up with joy. After a while, he remembers to ask where the rest of them are.

Yun Zhuoran casually lies and says he burned them. In truth, they are still tucked away in his storage ring.

In any case, he’s not going to return them to the fox demon.

He figures the fox demon must’ve had a pretty good time in the Demon Sealing Well years ago—protected by the tiger demon, surrounded by storybooks and fire-avoidance maps to kill time.

The heart demon is a little disappointed. He actually wants to finish the story about the little sword spirit. But the ones he has now are good too. Though they lack the eye-catching illustrations, he is still happy reading them.

With new storybooks in hand, the heart demon has no interest in going out on the third day. He stays in the city lord’s mansion all day reading. Even when the fox demon passes by with a fawning look, he pays him no attention.

Meanwhile, the gatekeepers of Floating City—who have been tormented for two days—finally breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The next morning, Yun Zhuoran takes the heart demon and leaves Floating City, returning to the courtyard in Yun City.

Yun Tianqing arrives earlier than expected.

Weiran gets up early and is lying in bed reading a storybook. Just as he’s about to imitate the protagonist and go “warm big brother’s bed,” Yun Tianqing appears in person.

He is still in his finely carved wooden wheelchair, accompanied only by Yun Shaowei.

After several days of rest, Yun Tianqing looks much better—his complexion is rosy, and his spirit lively.

When Yun Zhuoran and Weiran come out, he looks at the tidy courtyard and smiles with a sigh. “I knew you’d end up living here.”

Yun Zhuoran glances inside the house. “Want to come in and sit?”

“No need,” Yun Tianqing replies, his gaze as warm as before. He is actually a full generation older than Yun Zhuoran, so it wouldn’t be wrong to call his expression kindly. “Have you been to Old Yun City?”

The area now covered in Yin energy has long been abandoned by New Yun City and is referred to as “Old Yun City” by the locals. It used to be the inner city and the most prosperous area.

Yun Tianqing has also been taken to the Miasma Forest while unconscious, so he naturally knows Yun Zhuoran and the others have been there. He says, “I’ve been asleep for too long, and I haven’t been back in ages. If you’re free today, would you walk with me?”

Yun Zhuoran immediately thinks of what Yun Feng said about the items Yun Peiran left behind in Old Yun City. Naturally, he has no reason to refuse.

Even though Yun Shaowei is reluctant—worried that the Yin energy inside might harm Yun Tianqing’s already frail body—he can’t disobey his elders. With no choice, he pushes the wheelchair into the miasma forest.

Yun Zhuoran walks beside him with the heart demon and, remembering Yun Tianqing’s weakness, quietly channels a stream of spiritual power into his body for protection.

Yun Shaowei lets out a quiet breath of relief.

After passing through the miasma forest, they enter Old Yun City.

The dense Yin energy that blankets Old Yun City blocks the warmth of the sun above. Only a few faint rays of light manage to pierce through. Here, the sky is perpetually gray or black, casting a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Rows of buildings stand silently in the gloom, half-shrouded in green smoke.

The heart demon frowns the moment they step in—he clearly doesn’t like it here. Yun Zhuoran silently takes his hand to comfort him.

When they arrive at the square, Yun Tianqing suddenly smiles and points toward the altar in the distance. “I heard this is where you saved me last time.”

Yun Shaowei’s expression turns solemn. He clearly remembers being abducted here by Yun Feng not long ago.

Seeing Yun Tianqing still composed, Yun Zhuoran asks, “May I ask the City Lord, do you know a girl named Yun Yan?”

Yun Tianqing looks slightly surprised. “Yun Yan? Why are you asking about that girl?”

“A Buddhist cultivator she took in has spent over twenty years trying to uncover the truth about her death,” Yun Zhuoran replies.

Yun Tianqing asks, “Do I know this Buddhist cultivator?”

Yun Zhuoran lowers his gaze. “He says he’s seen you before, but you and your sister wouldn’t say a word to him.”

Yun Tianqing smiles faintly. “Then I know who he is.” He pats the back of Yun Shaowei’s hand, who stands behind the wheelchair, confused, and gestures in a certain direction.

“Push me over there. I remember that Yun Yan lived nearby.”

Though still puzzled, Yun Shaowei doesn’t ask any questions and simply pushes the wheelchair as instructed.

Yun Zhuoran and Weiran exchange a glance and follow, equally confused.

Yun Yan’s residence isn’t far—just at the end of an alley across from the square. But Old Yun City has been abandoned for nearly thirty years. The inner city, especially, has suffered the worst damage during the magical fire. Bones lie scattered across the area, and the roads are difficult to traverse.

After navigating the narrow, winding alleys, they finally find a neglected courtyard.

Yun Tianqing pauses in front of the rickety wooden gate, and when it creaks open to reveal the overgrown yard, he pauses for a moment.

“This should be the place,” he says.

Yun Zhuoran frowns. “Why bring us here?”

The group remains outside the gate. Weiran peers into the courtyard, where a number of unknown flowers grow among the weeds. Pale white buds have already formed—quiet and full of life.

Yun Tianqing smiles wistfully. “I remember her because, before the disaster in Yun City, she came to ask my sister for advice about growing Udumbara flowers. The seeds were given to her by a Buddhist cultivator from outside the city. I heard her brother worked in the city lord’s mansion, and the Buddhist cultivator was staying at her home, though no one dared talk about it.”

Yun Zhuoran looks at the buds in the yard.

They are Udumbara flowers.

Seeing these quietly blooming flowers, he can’t help but think of Tong Ye’s calm, emotionless face.

“Yun Yan was young but clever, and well-liked by her neighbors. After the disaster, the Buddhist cultivator returned to Yun City to investigate the fire. I later learned he was actually from Tianqing Sect. Luckily, he didn’t stay long and soon left the city.”

Yun Zhuoran knows he’s talking about Tong Ye.

Yun Tianqing lets out a soft sigh and looks at the vibrant Udumbara flowers among the weeds. “My sister once said Udumbara flowers are hard to grow. Yun Yan was never able to make them bloom before her death. I never expected her courtyard to be filled with them after so many years.”

Yun Zhuoran is momentarily silent, then asks calmly, “Yun Feng said you killed the surviving Fourth Young Master of the Yun family in order to seize the city lord’s position?”

Yun Shaowei immediately reacts. He hates Yun Feng deeply and instinctively refutes, “He’s spouting nonsense—”

“What he said is true. I did kill him.” Yun Tianqing interrupts him, confessing plainly.

Yun Shaowei is stunned.

Yun Tianqing merely smiles and shakes his head at him, then looks up at Yun Zhuoran with a trace of amusement in his eyes. “The fourth young master was technically your elder brother. Are you here to avenge him?”

Yun Zhuoran remains calm. “After the catastrophe, Yun City was in ruins. You no longer had a reason to seize power. With your abilities, it would’ve been easier to leave and start anew than to rebuild this broken city.”

Yun Shaowei watches them anxiously.

The heart demon, clearly guessing something, relaxes and gently squeezes Yun Zhuoran’s hand.

Yun Zhuoran takes a moment to return the gesture with a soft look, then turns back to Yun Tianqing and says frankly, “To tell you the truth, I don’t remember what happened back then.”

Yun Tianqing doesn’t seem surprised. He simply smiles. “I figured. Otherwise, why would Peiran tell me long ago that if you ever returned, I should answer any of your questions patiently, no matter what they were?”

Yun Zhuoran already knows Yun Peiran has returned. He’s waited patiently all this time. Now that Yun Tianqing finally brings him up, Yun Zhuoran can’t suppress the stirring in his chest. His eyes grow intense.

“What else did he say?”