When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 13

Shen Lingshu’s expression changes dramatically. Whether it is Jiang Zhibai’s illusion or not, he feels an unusual chill in Shen Lingshu’s gaze, which vaguely reveals a murderous intent. 

Only then does Jiang Zhibai realize that what he just said seems to question Shen Lingshu’s explanation. To be honest, he doesn’t really believe it, but Shen Lingshu’s look makes him a little suspicious….

When Jiang Zhibai takes a closer look, he sees that Shen Lingshu’s face has already returned to its gentle and calm demeanor. Shen Lingshu turns to everyone, stating, “I can clearly tell everyone that Master has intended to take Junior Brother Yun as his disciple since the first time Junior Brother Yun came to Tiandao Sect. It’s absolutely not the case that Junior Brother Yun has taken someone else’s position. Junior Brother Yun possesses extraordinary talent; otherwise, he wouldn’t have successfully built his foundation right after entering the Dao.”

This is meant to address Jiang Zhibai’s doubts while also clarifying things for Yun Zhuoran. 

However, neither of the two speaks again. Yun Zhuoran simply looks at everyone quietly, as if he is an outsider. Meanwhile, Jiang Zhibai, unwilling to doubt Shen Lingshu yet sensing the strange reason for Yun Zhuoran’s years of exclusion, doesn’t dare to speak further, fearing he might provoke Shen Lingshu’s displeasure again.

It is also due to the silence of these two that Shen Lingshu feels extremely awkward. His tall, lean back tenses up as he stares straight at Yun Zhuoran. 

The several peak masters have never seen Shen Lingshu this nervous, especially over such a trivial matter, and they can’t help but look at Yun Zhuoran with complex expressions.

Yun Zhuoran quietly meets his gaze for a moment, then sighs lightly, “I understand.”

Shen Lingshu visibly relaxes but is about to explain further when Yun Zhuoran speaks first—

“Everyone present should mostly know why I entered the Tiandao Sect at the age of seven. I won’t elaborate further. I only want to clarify one thing—during the years I was a registered disciple under Master Gu Shenshu, it has all just been a name. Gu Shenshu never taught me anything; he only provided a place for quiet cultivation and the protection of the Tiandao Sect.”

No one expects Yun Zhuoran to explain this matter so seriously. Everyone expresses disbelief; with Yun Zhuoran’s strength, having successfully built his foundation right after entering the Dao, it is hard to believe that Gu Shenshu taught him nothing. Moreover, after Gu Shenshu’s fall, Yun Zhuoran’s cultivation does not see significant growth.

Yun Zhuoran states bluntly, “It was my brother Yun Peiran who asked Gu Shenshu to do this.”

As soon as this name is mentioned, everyone’s expressions change. For many years, no one has publicly mentioned this name. He is the enemy of Tiandao Sect, the one everyone despises for killing their sect leader! 

The audience finally understands Yun Zhuoran’s implication. As Yun Peiran’s biological brother, he already possesses foundation-building skills upon entering Taoism. Even if Gu Shenshu did not help him, there seems to be no issue.

After all, Yun Peiran is never a good person. Although most of the cultivation world looks down on him as the villain who killed the number one person in the immortal realm, no one ever denies that his strength is indeed terrifying. He is a genius with qualifications that far exceed those of an ordinary disciple.

“Senior Brother Shen should know this best.” Yun Zhuoran glances at Shen Lingshu coolly, his eyes as cold as ever, seeming a bit disappointed. He then looks at the varied expressions on everyone’s faces and bows, “Since this is none of my business, I will take my leave now.”

No one in the hall tries to keep him.

Yun Zhuoran takes two steps back, the white hem of his robe gently swaying, then turns and walks out.

But after thinking for a moment, he turns back, his gaze passing over the crowd to the Peak Master of Qingyang Peak, whose expression stiffens, pretending to be majestic.

Yun Zhuoran asks without changing his expression, “Did someone just say they could apologize?”

Qin Zheng, the Peak Master of Qinghe Peak’ smile freezes as he watches the unfolding scene. 

The Qingyang Peak Master blushes. 

The hall falls silent, and Yun Zhuoran leaves. Jiang Zhibai glances at Shen Lingshu before suddenly chasing after him.

Shen Lingshu follows for a few steps but ultimately stays behind. As he lowers his head and sighs, he inadvertently glances at Ji Chen, who is being restrained by two junior brothers to prevent him from making any more ridiculous comments. A chill flashes through Shen Lingshu’s gentle black eyes.

“Junior Brother Yun, I’ll see you off!”

When Yun Zhuoran turns back, it is indeed Jiang Zhibai. He has pressed Jiang Zhibai for the debt, and rather than stay here listening to Ji Chen’s nonsense, it is better to hurry back and keep an eye on his heart demon, lest that little thing tear the place apart while he is away.

The two walk side by side, and Jiang Zhibai is surprisingly quiet. He even misses a step on the way down.

Yun Zhuoran catches him just in time and reminds him, “Senior Brother Jiang, you need to pay attention.” 

Jiang Zhibai nods absentmindedly.

Yun Zhuoran asks, “Since everything has been resolved, what’s wrong with you, Senior Brother Jiang?”

While the issue of Yun Zhuoran being summoned to Qingyang Peak for questioning is over, Jiang Zhibai isn’t thinking about that. He senses something is wrong with Shen Lingshu’s explanation and feels that something is off. Now, he still can’t figure it out, and a heavy weight settles in his heart. He suddenly realizes that he seems to understand neither Shen Lingshu nor the relationship between him and Yun Zhuoran at all.

Over the years, it seems Shen Lingshu has rarely stopped Ji Chen from provoking Yun Zhuoran, and since Ji Chen has always followed Shen Lingshu, why does he target Yun Zhuoran? Does Senior Brother Shen really not know anything about it?

But Yun Zhuoran is far too calm, as if he truly doesn’t care at all… Jiang Zhibai doesn’t know what to ask, so he says, “It’s nothing, let’s go.”

After saying this, Jiang Zhibai leaves but pauses to think for a moment. Suddenly, he turns back and grabs Yun Zhuoran’s arm, causing Yun Zhuoran to look at him with curiosity. Jiang Zhibai hesitates before finally sighing and asking, “Junior Brother Yun, what kind of person do you think Senior Brother Shen is?”

Yun Zhuoran looks surprised. “What?”

Jiang Zhibai urges anxiously, “Speak honestly!”

Yun Zhuoran’s dark eyes flash, and he suddenly raises his lips in a chuckle, pressing the back of Jiang Zhibai’s hand gently.

“What I think of him isn’t important; if you want to know, then pay attention and see for yourself.”

On the way to send Yun Zhuoran back to Baiyun Pavilion, Jiang Zhibai remains silent, as if he has taken Yun Zhuoran’s words to heart and is deeply worried. 

Yun Zhuoran hesitates, finally sighs softly, turns, and enters the building. As expected, upon entering, he bumps into a small heart demon that looks quite aggrieved. After rubbing it a couple of times, he completely forgets the unpleasantness at Qingyang Peak.

As Jiang Zhibai goes to the main peak to see someone off and then returns to Qingjing Peak, Peak Master Jiang Zhuo and his Dao Companion Lian Yue have also returned. They sit by the pure pool at the back of the palace, playing chess and drinking tea. Jiang Zhibai absentmindedly approaches them, greets them, and sits down for a while. His gaze gradually empties as he follows a small golden koi carp swimming in the pond.

Lian Yue asks, “Why are you in a daze?”

Jiang Zhibai shakes his head and turns back to watch his parents play chess, but he realizes he has never been this leisurely or elegant. He thinks it might be better to go back and practice swordplay instead.

Having raised him for decades, the two Peak Masters can tell what Jiang Zhibai is thinking. Jiang Zhuo waves him off, telling him to leave if there is nothing going on, so he won’t be in the way. As soon as Jiang Zhibai hears that, he feels much more relaxed, brushes off his robe, stands up briskly, but after walking a couple of steps, he scratches his head and returns, “Mother, what do you think of Senior Brother Shen?”

Jiang Zhuo asks calmly, “What do you mean by ‘what do you think’?”

Noticing the death stare from his father, Jiang Zhibai hurriedly explains, “I meant to ask, what kind of person do you think Senior Brother Shen is? Ji Chen has been following him for years and has always targeted Junior Brother Yun. Though it has never escalated, does Senior Brother Shen really not know anything, as he claims?”

Jiang Zhuo and Lian Yue exchange glances at his words.

“You actually thought of this.” Lian Yue pauses her white piece mid-air, smiling with satisfaction. “It seems the child has finally grown up.”

Jiang Zhuo sighs helplessly. “You were born in Tiandao Sect, sheltered from the sufferings of the world, living far too comfortably. You rely on intuition and don’t use your brain when it comes to people and things. I thought you were going to be useless.”

Jiang Zhibai feels stung and replies angrily, “I am asking you seriously!”

Lian Yue chuckles. “If you truly want to know, just observe carefully.”

Jiang Zhuo raises his sleeves and adds, “As a father, I can only tell you that Shen Lingshu is very smart.”

Jiang Zhibai grows even more confused. No matter how he asks, no one seems willing to tell the truth. “Junior Brother Yun said the same thing. Is there some hidden meaning in that?”

A soft click resounds on the chessboard as Lian Yue drops a white piece, sighing as she offers her son more hints. “Shen Lingshu is smart, and Yun Zhuoran is not stupid either.”

Jiang Zhibai lowers his head to look at the crisscrossed black and white chess pieces, his handsome eyebrows furrowing in thought.

Jiang Zhibai is not the only one who suspects that Shen Lingshu is deliberately misleading Ji Chen; many people present at that time, including the Peak Masters, probably have a deeper understanding of Shen Lingshu’s character. However, they wouldn’t take it too seriously; first, Ji Chen’s words, while in a mad state, can’t be taken literally. Second, if it were true, it would only highlight Shen Lingshu’s cleverness.

As one of the four major sects, the future leader of Tiandao Sect cannot be stupid.

The most important point is that Shen Lingshu has shown excessive favoritism toward Yun Zhuoran over the years, which has already bothered many people. If Shen Lingshu truly is secretly targeting Yun Zhuoran, it would be a good thing for many—many believe that as long as Yun Zhuoran stays a little further from Shen Lingshu, Shen Lingshu will surely achieve great success.

Meanwhile, Yun Zhuoran, who is rumored to be nothing more than a vase and secretly called a disaster by many, is completely unconcerned with the possibility that Shen Lingshu might harm him.

As soon as night falls, he goes out with his heart demons looking for food.

When Yun Zhuoran sneaks into Qingyang Peak, he learns that Ji Chen has actually woken up due to being violently awakened by his master. He doesn’t know whether to consider it a blessing or a disaster.

As soon as Ji Chen wakes up, he is sent back to his residence halfway up the mountain without a single junior brother left to take care of him. He hears that the Peak Master of Qingyang has been so angry that he has gone into seclusion.

Yun Zhuoran successfully finds Ji Chen and, from a distance, uses his peculiar new skill to take a look. Ji Chen is sitting cross-legged and healing, but the deathly aura on his forehead is still thick, and he looks as unfortunate as ever. So, Yun Zhuoran patiently waits from a distance.

An hour later, his heart demon makes a weak, hungry sound, nuzzling against Yun Zhuoran’s palm, but there is still no movement from Ji Chen’s side. 

Could it be that a monster has come to Qingyang Peak last night, and other demons are afraid to act so soon?

It is almost midnight, and if he waits any longer, dawn will arrive. Yun Zhuoran runs out of patience. He thinks about cradling the heart demon in his arms and lowers the wide brim of his hat.

A breath later, a ghostly white shadow passes through the barrier and appears in front of the door…

A wisp of black fog floats in from the crack of the door, and Ji Chen, alert for once, says, “Who…”

Before he can make any further moves, the black fog, which originally drifts into the house like a trickle, suddenly turns ferocious, surging in like a tidal wave and pouncing directly at Ji Chen. Ji Chen once again feels the pain of being unable to move as his vision is obscured.

A great fear grips Ji Chen’s heart, and at the same time, a low, familiar laughter echoes in his ears, “Hello, we meet again.”

Ji Chen grits his teeth in hatred, “…It’s you again!” This is completely expected!

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t want this to happen, but he states, “If you don’t go out, my pet will be hungry.”

That night, Ji Chen is enveloped by the strange black mist for the third time. Already in a weakened state, he is unexpectedly swept away to the most remote and thin spiritual mountain in Tiandao Sect.

A man in white stands on the top of the cliff, looking down. Ji Chen curses loudly, and in the distance, many evil spirits are drawn to his deathly aura.

Under the moonlight, gold and red light flickers in Yun Zhuoran’s eyes as he rubs the little heart demon in his arms. 

“This way of fishing is quite interesting.” The heart demon, pleased and supportive, watches the group of low-level but numerous evil spirits swirling around Ji Chen, saying, “Not only does brother look the best, but he’s also the smartest!”