When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 125

Yun Zhuoran ponders for a moment, then turns the question back to Yun Peiran. “What do you want to do?”

Yun Peiran pauses, then smiles faintly. “I can’t just watch so many people die. I’ve discussed with Tianqing that we’ll find a chance to leave Yun City, but before that, I want to do my best.”

Yun Zhuoran knows Yun Peiran’s heart is already shaken when he asks this question. But the Yun Peiran in his memory is not a bad person. After going through so many storms, he is still able to keep his original heart, and Yun Zhuoran believes it is the same now.

Yun Zhuoran suddenly falls silent.

Yun Peiran thinks he is a little dissatisfied, so he explains, “If you just say we should leave, I’ll listen and not meddle. I also know I’m no match for Yun Tianfeng or the High Priest. If there’s really no other way, I will send you and Yun Duo out of Yun City as soon as possible. But Yun Duo is now under the High Priest’s control; it may be difficult to take her away.”

Hearing the name Yun Duo, Yun Zhuoran’s eyebrows tighten slightly. He is about to say something but stops.

As they walk, they return to the courtyard. Yun Peiran pushes open the door without noticing and says, “Okay, don’t think too much. I’ll handle these things. You go back to your room first. If you’re bored, practice calligraphy by yourself. I’ll boil medicine and send it to you.”

Yun Zhuoran can’t help but think of the strange-tasting medicine he’s been drinking for days. A trace of disgust flashes across his eyes, and he returns to his room with the moonstone.

As for practicing calligraphy, it’s impossible—Yun Zhuoran is not a real child.

While Yun Peiran boils medicine, the heart demon appears and talks with Yun Zhuoran for a while. Like Yun Zhuoran, it also feels the time to leave is coming soon.

From that day on, Yun Peiran began going out frequently. Yun Zhuoran is left at Yun Fushuang’s house and won’t be picked up until late at night.

Yun Peiran doesn’t say much, and Yun Zhuoran doesn’t know what exactly he’s doing—only that he’s looking for an opportunity to leave Yun City, or perhaps to save it.

After three days, Yun Tianqing returns very early, but Yun Peiran does not come back.

Yun Tianqing tells Yun Fushuang and Yun Zhuoran to pack up and prepare to leave Yun City immediately.

At this time, Yun Tianqing is just a teenager. His emotions are clearly expressed on his face, and he isn’t as composed as he would be later. His superficial anxiety quickly betrays him.

Yun Zhuoran asks, “Where is Yun Peiran?”

Yun Tianqing says, “He’s waiting for us. Time is running out. Let’s go!”

Yun Zhuoran feels something is wrong. He looks at the shadow at his feet and stands up, holding the moonstone. “Where is he?”

Yun Tianqing grows anxious. “Didn’t I say he’s waiting for us at the city gate?”

Yun Fushuang rushes out after hearing their argument. Seeing this, she also realizes something is wrong. “Brother, is Brother Peiran really waiting for us at the city gate?”

Yun Tianqing looks solemn and pulls Yun Fushuang into a room. The brother and sister whisper a few words inside.

Yun Zhuoran watches from a distance. Yun Fushuang looks complicated when she hears it. Suddenly, she turns to look at him with a sad expression, frowning as if troubled.

From their lip movements, they seem to be talking about Yun Peiran and the City Lord’s Mansion. Soon, Yun Tianqing and his sister come out. Yun Fushuang forces a smile, squats in front of Yun Zhuoran, and coaxes, “Your brother can’t come back because of something. Little Weiran, come with us first. Is there anything else you need to pack? We’ll go check it out. Sister will help bring your medicine.”

Yun Zhuoran looks at Yun Tianqing again and sees the guilt on his face as he goes inside. Yun Zhuoran thinks of something and nods slowly.

Yun Fushuang secretly breathes a sigh of relief and immediately leaves with Yun Zhuoran. Other things don’t matter—the key is the medicine Yun Zhuoran has been taking.

While she’s sorting Yun Peiran’s medicine box, Yun Zhuoran quietly slips out of the yard with his shadow. As soon as he leaves, the heart demon’s voice sounds in his ear.

“Brother, where are we going?”

The streets are bustling, and Yun Zhuoran no longer hides his intention. He speaks directly, “Yun Peiran’s whereabouts are unknown. Yun Tianqing said nothing and just urged us to leave. Something must have happened. According to Yun Tianqing, Tong Ye, and Yun Duo, if everything follows the facts, Yun Peiran is most likely invited to the City Lord’s Mansion this time.”

The heart demon hesitates almost not at all. “Brother, if you want to save Brother Peiran, go ahead. As long as there is light, I can protect you.”

Yun Zhuoran can’t help but smile. “This time I really will need Weiran’s help. I still can’t use my spiritual power.”

Only the wound on his hand heals a little. Perhaps because the heart demon stops eating, his recovery slows. But one thing is certain—the heart demon, now a shadow, can still devour other shadows, whether from the living or the dead.

The damage to a living thing whose shadow is devoured is about the same as a soul being devoured.

The heart demon hurriedly says, “As long as we leave here, my brother’s spiritual power will come back!”

Yun Zhuoran smiles but says nothing.

The main gate of the City Lord’s Mansion is guarded by many all year round, with guards watching the back door as well.

Yun Zhuoran walks around outside and finally comes to a small blocked side door that Yun Peiran once showed him.

A big copper lock hangs on the door. A large forest lies in front, with no guards nearby. It’s the most hidden entrance, rarely noticed.

The copper lock doesn’t bother Yun Zhuoran. He takes out a stack of talismans he’s drawn over the past few days from his sleeve. These talismans are drawn with all his heart and energy, then infused with spiritual power by Yun Peiran. Fortunately, Yun Peiran never asks how he knows how to draw talismans, so he never has to explain.

Even without spiritual power, it’s not difficult to reactivate a talisman already charged.

While drawing talismans preparing for a rainy day, Yun Zhuoran is grateful to have learned so many techniques from the disciples of Penglai Palace during his time on Penglai Immortal Island.

He can’t say he’s proficient, but he’s decent.

The City Lord’s Mansion has a barrier. Yun Peiran can open it because he’s grown up here. Yun Zhuoran, who left the mansion very young, has to rely on external objects.

Yun Zhuoran takes out a cinnabar pen, focuses on modifying a talisman, and sticks it on the copper lock. A faint barrier appears on the door, followed by a light click as the lock opens by itself.

The barrier then opens a small hole. Yun Zhuoran draws a few strokes behind his ear with the cinnabar pen. Now with no spiritual power, his talisman ability is much weaker, but at least his hearing sensitivity increases.

No sound comes from the door. It is already dusk.

Yun Zhuoran puts away his things and pushes the door open with his shadow. Behind it is a bamboo forest. It seems few live here, and there are no lights. Not knowing where Yun Peiran might be held, he heads for the High Priest’s yard.

Fortunately, Yun Zhuoran has been to the High Priest’s yard with Ji Wuwang before. He not only knows its location in the City Lord’s Mansion but also knows there is a secret room there.

After leaving this area, there are more people outside, so Yun Zhuoran has to switch to another hidden talisman and conceal his figure before leaving the backyard.

After suffering a loss last time, Yun Zhuoran is fully prepared this time.

As they approach the High Priest’s place, they meet fewer servants, and no one is near the yard. Yun Zhuoran checks his talisman and finds he can still use it for another hour. The High Priest’s subordinates are skilled, and he shouldn’t be underestimated.

Yun Zhuoran carefully hides the moonstone in his sleeve, takes a deep breath, and steps cautiously toward the yard.

There is a stronger barrier in the yard, capable of blocking all outside surveillance.

This barrier is too powerful for Yun Zhuoran to get through. If he still has the strength of the fusion stage, it wouldn’t stop him. Yun Zhuoran frowns, about to give up here temporarily and look elsewhere.

The shadow at his feet climbs up and sends a voice directly to his ears. “Brother, let me go in and take a look.”

Yun Zhuoran then remembers that the heart demon seems able to bypass many formations and barriers.

“Be careful,” he warns.

The shadow trembles, then presses against the ground, drilling through the door and disappearing in an instant.

As it leaves, Yun Zhuoran suddenly feels a bit empty inside and begins to worry.

Fortunately, the heart demon quickly emerges from beneath the door, floating before Yun Zhuoran with excitement, pointing to a corner not far away. “Brother, come quickly!”

Yun Zhuoran follows, wondering why the shadow looks so happy and anxious.

Just as they hide in the corner, the gate of the High Priest’s courtyard opens from inside. A girl in a plain dress with a white background and purple flowers steps out. Her face is pale, and her eyes slightly red, as if she’s just cried.

Yun Zhuoran recognizes her immediately.

It was Yun Duo from years ago.

Yun Duo leaves the yard and walks in one direction.

The heart demon whispers, “The high priest asked Yun Duo to meet Brother Yun Peiran, persuade him to join them, and find out your whereabouts.”

Yun Zhuoran follows without hesitation. As he walks, the shadow floats behind him, saying, “I arrived late, only heard Yun Duo talking but didn’t see the high priest. The high priest has been hiding in the house, and Yun Duo is still very afraid of him.”

Yun Zhuoran nods. Yun Duo walks far ahead, and he pushes himself to catch up despite his short arms and legs.

When Yun Duo arrives at the City Lord’s Mansion dungeon, Yun Zhuoran finally catches up.

With her identity as a disciple under the high priest, Yun Duo enters the dungeon easily. Yun Zhuoran follows closely and soon sees Yun Peiran locked inside a cell.

Yun Zhuoran quickly passes Yun Duo and approaches the iron bars with his shadow. Grasping the fence with both hands, he takes a deep breath and fixes his eyes on the figure inside.

The cell is relatively clean; only Yun Peiran sits there meditating with his eyes closed.

Thanks to the invisibility talisman, Yun Duo does not see Yun Zhuoran. She waves to the guards to leave, a movement that disturbs Yun Peiran.

He opens his eyes and is surprised to see her. “Why are you here?”

Yun Duo’s eyes are red. “Brother Peiran is locked up. How could I not come?”

Yun Peiran smiles. “I didn’t expect Yun Tianfeng to imprison me. I only told some elders in the clan who dislike him some truths.”

Yun Duo says, “But Brother Peiran leaked information, and now the High Priest suspects me as well. Did you not consider that I might suffer because of this?”

Yun Peiran looks at her swollen, red eyes and stands up ashamed. He feels sorry for Yun Duo but has no regrets.

For the lives of so many in Yun City, Yun Peiran does not regret it. He only doesn’t expect those elders to be useless, letting the City Lord’s Mansion suppress things before they act.

Yun Duo shakes her head. “Forget it. I knew you were like this. Let’s forget it. Brother Peiran, I’ll ask the high priest to release you.”

Yun Peiran says seriously, “No need. What you should do now is leave Yun City as soon as possible. Yun Tianfeng is holding me. He might not listen to the high priest.”

Yun Zhuoran finally recovers his breath, a faint red smudge silently appearing in the corners of his eyes unseen by anyone.

He listens quietly to their conversation. Only the heart demon knows his expression is grim.

The moonstone in his sleeve emits a few faint rays, but the prison’s fire suppresses the light, so no one notices.

Yun Duo tries to persuade him, but Yun Peiran still refuses to be released. Yun Duo asks again, “What about Brother Weiran? Doesn’t Brother Peiran care about him anymore?”

Yun Zhuoran looks at Yun Peiran.

Yun Peiran says indifferently, “I arranged for someone to send the little guy out of Yun City. Don’t worry about him. Just escape yourself.”

Yun Duo’s face changes slightly. “Brother Peiran sent Brother Weiran away? I waited so long in the City Lord’s residence but never saw you come for me.”

Yun Peiran patiently explains, “You’re in the City Lord’s Mansion. It’s not safe for me to come in. If I took you out rashly, it would put you in danger.”

Yun Zhuoran watches Yun Duo’s cold face quietly, knowing she probably doesn’t believe Yun Peiran and is starting to hate him again.

Yun Peiran’s explanation leaves no room for further questions. Yun Duo, unwilling to give up, asks a few more questions in roundabout ways but gets no response. She then finds an excuse and leaves the dungeon.

Yun Peiran sighs and sits back down.

Yun Zhuoran stares deeply at him before quickly heading toward the dungeon door as it begins to close.

Yun Peiran is actually quite safe here, which means Yun Tianqing doesn’t want to kill him—for now. The high priest’s true target is Yun Zhuoran, so Yun Peiran is not the priority.

Yun Peiran is not foolish enough to betray his brother, and Yun Zhuoran feels an inexplicable satisfaction.

Perhaps because of this mood, the dull pain in his hand seems to ease considerably.