When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 134

In fact, Yun Zhuoran and his heart demon are originally one body. He doesn’t understand how their auras can be different, so he simply assumes it is another of this Senior Lu’s eccentric quirks. As long as he isn’t embarrassed, others will be embarrassed. Yun Zhuoran pretends not to hear and sits down, slowly telling Lu Yu about his next plan.

When Lu Yu hears Yun Zhuoran plans to go to Kunwu Sword Sect, his expression becomes hard to describe.

“The Sword Sect is very poor.”

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t expect such an odd comment. “If Senior Lu doesn’t wish to go, you may remain behind.”

Lu Yu frowns. “I promised Penglai Immortal to help you, so I’d better go up the mountain with you and take a look.”

Lu Yu’s face clearly shows reluctance, and Yun Zhuoran doesn’t want to force him. After all, Lu Yu is a helper sent by Penglai Immortal.

Thinking for a moment, Yun Zhuoran asks again, “Senior Lu, have you ever heard of Fengtian Temple?”

To his surprise, Lu Yu doesn’t know anything about it and shakes his head repeatedly. “I don’t know. I don’t live in Xizhou. Penglai Immortal only told me to help you fight, and to find that Yun Peiran.” At this, Lu Yu snorts in displeasure. “If it weren’t for Penglai Immortal, I wouldn’t have come. The person I hate the most is Yun Peiran.”

Yun Zhuoran feels disappointed and confused. “Senior Lu has a grudge against my brother?”

Lu Yu curls his lip. “Don’t want to talk about him.”

Yun Zhuoran falls silent for a moment and doesn’t ask the eccentric senior again.

Lu Yu’s dislike for Yun Peiran aside, Penglai Immortal asking for his help means he believes Lu Yu won’t cause trouble. It is fine to accept help—after all, Yun Zhuoran can’t guarantee that he and his heart demon will successfully enter Fengtian Temple alone.

When Li Jianming returns, he has already settled affairs in Jialan City. He is heading back to the sect and takes everyone to Kunwu Sword Sect.

Kunwu Sword Sect is located on a steep mountain, cold and snowy all year round.

Today the weather is good; no snow falls as they climb. The group passes through the mountain gate, leaving a long trail of footprints behind.

It is freezing cold, as if they have fallen into an ice cave. Everyone’s spiritual power instinctively circulates to keep out the chill. Even so, Ji Ruo, who has weaker cultivation and a less solid foundation, shivers uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Yun Shaowei hurriedly takes out a cold-proof robe and puts it on Ji Ruo.

Yun Zhuoran suddenly catches a flash of red in front of his eyes. In an instant, Lu Yu has also put on a furry, fiery red fox fur coat.

When Yun Zhuoran looks over, Lu Yu deliberately sighs under his gaze. “It feels different in the ice and snow.”

It is clear the gorgeous fox fur is very expensive—one that can’t be bought with just spirit stones. Judging by its quality, it must be nearly a thousand years old.

Nor is it hard to hear the distaste in Lu Yu’s voice.

Li Jianming, long accustomed to the cold, stands firm against the wind with his iron-like body and even teases Ji Ruo, “I’ve long wanted to take Master Ji up the mountain so you can understand how high the sky is and how deep the earth is!”

Ji Ruo shivers but rolls his eyes at him.

Li Jianming gloats over Ji Ruo’s misfortune and laughs. Then he approaches Yun Zhuoran and Weiran, who walk freely in thin Taoist robes. He looks at them admiringly and says enviously, “Your cultivation really has increased. The cold in Kunwu Sword Sect is no ordinary chill. There’s no constant temperature array here, so the first lesson for new disciples is to strengthen their bodies against the cold. I’ve spent decades in these mountains before I got used to it. An ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator would find it hard to endure.”

Seeing his arrogance, Yun Zhuoran suspects he just wants to trick everyone into suffering the cold together.

The heart demon doesn’t feel cold at all. He even holds a handful of snow pressed on the branches, rubbing it in his hands for fun, expression unchanged. Yun Zhuoran then remembers his heart demon hasn’t seen snow since he turned human.

Li Jianming reports to the mountain brothers the previous night. Soon after entering the mountain gate, the elders of the Sword Sect come out to greet them.

Since Yun Zhuoran’s status is different now, the elders treat them politely. After apologizing for the sect master’s temporary absence, they lead everyone to the guest rooms prepared earlier.

Passing through the square, they see many disciples wearing thin clothes, trembling but still practicing their sword forms. Countless outstanding figures pass by without a glance, all swinging their swords with trembling hands.

The Sword Sect has few rules but a very high entry threshold. Their disciples are known for persistence and strong character, forged by years of physical and mental training.

After arriving at the guest room, the elder tells Li Jianming to treat the guests well and leaves in a hurry.

Li Jianming sighs in relief. “The law enforcement elder usually frowns, but he was very polite when meeting you. I worried all night for nothing, fearing he’d look down on you and drive you out.”

Only upon entering the guest room does Yun Zhuoran believe Li Jianming’s words.

Kunwu Sword Sect has a mountain protection array but no constant temperature array. Although a fire burns in the room, it feels colder inside than outside in the snow.

Lu Yu sighs again, looking at the minimalist room layout, implying the Sword Sect really is poor.

Ji Ruo, wrapped in robes, complains, “Little… Uncle, I still think it’s better down the mountain…”

Imagine that—the proud Young Master Ji has been frozen into submission on this mountain.

But before Ji Ruo finishes hinting he wants to go back down, Li Jianming interrupts him.

“Master Ji, you’re wrong. How can the mountain be inferior to Jialan City? Our mountain is full of spiritual energy. Although it’s a bit cold, there’s a saying: those who endure hardship become the best. The harsh environment helps forge your body and temper your will. I guarantee your cultivation progress here will be several times faster than down the mountain. Master Ji, if you don’t believe me, why don’t you come with me to the mountain where my master stayed during his tribulation and gain some insights?” He doesn’t forget to greet Yun Zhuoran, who is clearly his friend. “Are you coming? You need spirit stones to enter and leave our mountain, but since we’re friends, we won’t charge you. You can watch for free!”

Ji Ruo isn’t interested. “Why should I make myself suffer for no reason?”

Yun Zhuoran subconsciously looks at Lu Yu. Seeing him sigh quietly, he no longer doubts that what Lu Yu says is true. The Sword Sect really is poor—even visiting a tribulation site requires payment.

In the end, Yun Zhuoran declines Li Jianming’s kindness, but he isn’t sure what he might gain from visiting the place where the Sword Immortal passed the tribulation. So as an elder, he lets Yun Shaowei and Ji Ruo go.

It isn’t him who needs to hone his will, but the delicate young master of the Demon Palace. Yun Shaowei has good comprehension, so he thinks it will be beneficial to go and have a look.

After the reluctant Ji Ruo and the eager Yun Shaowei leave with Li Jianming, only Yun Zhuoran, the heart demon, and Lu Yu remain in the small guest building. The place finally grows quiet.

Yun Zhuoran sits silently and notices an exceptionally warm aura around Lu Yu. He looks up to see that Lu Yu has already set up his exquisite tea set.

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t bring the heart demon back to the room because Lu Yu’s curious gaze makes it uncomfortable.

Without much to say to Lu Yu, Yun Zhuoran begins meditating on the spot.

After circulating his spiritual power for two small cycles, Yun Zhuoran senses that the atmosphere is unusual. He opens his eyes and looks around, stunned to find Lu Yu and the heart demon quietly playing chess.

The chessboard is carved from green jade, and the black and white pieces are warm jade, shining brightly.

Yun Zhuoran glances at the curly-haired boy wrapped in fiery red fox fur sitting opposite him, then at the red-clothed boy holding a white piece, his face tense and focused. For a moment, he is genuinely surprised.

It turns out his heart demon can play chess. The quiet, serious expression is strangely captivating.

After watching a while, Yun Zhuoran realizes the small building is warm. He looks carefully and finds a small constant temperature magic array has been set up in the house.

It can only be Lu Yu’s doing.

At the center of the array in the corner is a high-level magic weapon, refined nearly to heavenly grade. Yun Zhuoran has to admit Lu Yu is truly wealthy.

After a moment, the white piece is placed gently on the board, and the heart demon’s expression relaxes.

“I won.”

Lu Yu casually tosses the black piece and smiles meaningfully at the heart demon. “You learn fast.”

The heart demon pays no mind and turns to look at Yun Zhuoran. Unexpectedly, their eyes meet. He laughs, his tone less impatient than before. “Brother, don’t you want to practice?”

Yun Zhuoran tilts his head and sees Lu Yu holding up his chin, watching them with interest. Under this strange gaze, Yun Zhuoran always feels their actions seem wrong to Lu Yu, so he asks, “Since you have nothing to do, how about going for a walk?”

Weiran naturally agrees. He never refuses anything Yun Zhuoran suggests.

The interest in Lu Yu’s eyes vanishes immediately, and he says gloomily, “You guys go ahead. The Sword Sect is so poor, there’s nothing fun here.”

Yun Zhuoran secretly sighs with relief, stands up, and takes Weiran out. Only after they are far from Lu Yu’s gaze does Yun Zhuoran reach out his hand.

Weiran’s eyes glow immediately, and he jumps to hold it.

Unknown when the sky begins to snow, and just as flakes are about to fall on his shoulders, Yun Zhuoran’s body glows faintly, blocking the snowflakes.

Unfamiliar with Kunwu Sword Sect, they walk wherever they please. Holding hands under their long sleeves, they pass a platform in front of a hall with closed doors and windows.
On the square below, many young swordsmen practice swordsmanship in the snow.

Perhaps the elders have warned them beforehand, as no one approaches to disturb them.

Yun Zhuoran asks, “Why is Weiran playing chess with Senior Lu? When did you learn to play?”

“He said he was bored and wanted me to play with him.” Weiran says disdainfully, “I can play now after he taught me.”

Yun Zhuoran recalls teaching Weiran calligraphy; he was lazy all day, so he thought Weiran disliked such things. But Weiran learns quickly.

Curious, he asks, “Besides chess, what else can you do?”

Weiran is stunned. “Ah, whatever my brother teaches me, I can do.”

Yun Zhuoran smiles. “So you’ve been able to read for a long time—you were just lying to me.”

Weiran grows nervous. “Brother, no, there are still many words I don’t know…”

“I don’t blame you.” Yun Zhuoran chuckles warmly. “I just think you’re smarter than I expected. That surprised me.”

The heart demon blinks and looks steadily at Yun Zhuoran’s lips. “Are you praising me, brother?”

Seeing his expectant look, Yun Zhuoran deliberately changes the subject. “Kunwu Sword Sect is so big, I wonder where Li Jianming took the others.”

The heart demon frowns in slight displeasure, when Li Jianming’s voice calls out from a distance, “You came out too! I’m over here!”

The voice comes from the opposite side of the ice lake, where Li Jianming waves happily under the eaves.

Yun Zhuoran secretly wonders when his mouth became so accurate.

Seeing Yun Shaowei and Ji Ruo staying with Li Jianming, he releases the heart demon’s hand and walks onto the wooden bridge.

The heart demon looks down at their hands, pouts, and follows with little interest.

As they near the eaves, Yun Zhuoran feels warm breath from the house and smells a faint medicinal fragrance. Through the half-open door, he sees people gasping and screaming in pain inside.

“This is our sect’s Hundred Herbs Lodge—the warmest place in the entire sect.” Catching on, Li Jianming explains with a smile, “But only disciples who are so injured they can’t stand can stay there for a short time. Yun Zhuoran, Little Island Master, why did you come out? Where’s that rich-looking Senior Lu?”

The heart demon is in a bad mood and sneers, “All you notice is how rich Senior Lu looks?”

“When you lack something, of course that’s the first thing you notice.” Li Jianming looks envious and resentful, waving it off. “Forget it. The more I say, the more bitter I feel. Anyway, you came at just the right time. A child who’d been captured by the Wu clan was just brought up the mountain. He actually escaped on his own and just woke up. Do you want to come take a look?”

Escaped from the Wu Clan? Yun Zhuoran naturally wants to see.

The two lift the door curtain and enter Hundred Herbs Lodge. The others follow behind.

They pass a group of sword-cultivating disciples, frozen purple and red, and come to a small couch by the window in the corner.

A little boy about nine or ten lies there, his face pale as gold paper, one eye bandaged, his body wrapped in gauze.

The boy’s eyelids droop and he looks dazed. Someone is feeding him medicine.

Li Jianming grows serious and whispers to Yun Zhuoran, “This child is the son of a Golden Core elder from a neighboring sect. That’s why he escaped after being captured by the Wu Clan. His parents have been notified and should come soon. Before he fainted, he told his fellow disciples that where he was captured there was a large pool of blood and a mountain of white bones. When he escaped, he saw many Wu Clan children with light blue eyes there.”

Yun Shaowei murmurs sympathetically, “This child must be badly frightened. He still hasn’t recovered.”

Yun Zhuoran nods.

As if disturbed by their whispers, the young man in green, who is patiently feeding the boy medicine, turns and smiles, “Didn’t you say you were going to send a message to your master? Why are you back again…”

The young man in green with gentle eyebrows stops talking and stares at Yun Zhuoran in surprise. Yun Zhuoran is also a little shocked.

His heart demon senses something wrong, and when he turns and sees the man’s face, he suddenly realizes.

“It’s you.”

The man in green is the one who took the bloody child off the street last night. Yun Zhuoran said he had purple energy then.

Li Jianming looks at the three suspiciously, “Do you know them?” He asks, then explains honestly, “I just met two friends on the street and brought them here to see this child.”

The man in green nods slightly, “I met you two on the street before. Who are you?”

Seeing no hostility on Yun Zhuoran and Weiran’s faces, Li Jianming confidently introduces, “This is my adoptive father who picked me up and raised me since I was a child. Like my master, he has watched me grow up. He owns Changchun Pavilion at the foot of the mountain—the largest medical clinic in Jialan City. If you’ve asked around, you’d know he’s the most powerful medical practitioner in the city. This is the young island master of Penglai. I’ve told Godfather about him many times.”

It is clear Li Jianming values and protects his adoptive father.

Since he is a senior friend, Yun Zhuoran nods politely. “Yun Zhuoran.”

“So you are Young Island Master Yun. I am Xu Zhichun.” Master Changchun sets down the medicine bowl and stands, smiling. “Then the person next to Young Island Master must be the little island master. I heard from Ming’er that you two helped him a lot in the floating city. Xu wants to thank you.”

As Xu Zhichun speaks, he is about to bow, but Yun Zhuoran turns slightly to avoid it. “Master Xu, no need to be so formal.”

Li Jianming helps him up, “Godfather, they’re all our own people. He doesn’t like formalities.”

Xu Zhichun glances at him helplessly, a somewhat apologetic smile on his face. “This child has always been careless since young, making the island master laugh.” He looks at the little boy and asks softly, “Young Island Master, are you here to see this child too? He’s frightened; it might take a few days to recover.”

Li Jianming says, “It’s all the fault of those brutal witches. They even killed children so cruelly.”

Xu Zhichun pauses, “I heard the Wu people have lived in barren lands for years and cherish their offspring because it’s hard for children to survive there. Why, then, would they strike at other children?”

Li Jianming doesn’t hesitate, “They don’t care about others’ children. Especially with Fengtian Temple stirring up trouble behind the scenes. Godfather, you’re too soft-hearted. Most of the children we found recently were sent here to Changchun Pavilion. You’ve seen how ruthless these believers can be.”

Yun Zhuoran listens and glances at Xu Zhichun again. If he hears right, Xu Zhichun doesn’t seem to believe the Wu people are responsible.

“Master Xu seems to know the Wu Clan well.”

Xu Zhichun shakes his head, “Not well. I went to the Wu Clan heartland years ago. I know they live hard lives and have welcomed foreign guests peacefully. I even learned some witch doctor skills from them. I don’t want to believe they’d do this.”

Li Jianming spreads his hands toward everyone, “My adoptive father is too kind. Otherwise, he wouldn’t follow us every day looking for kidnapped children, nor would he have taken me from the mountains to raise me. But these Wu Clan people who capture others for blood are truly detestable.”

Xu Zhichun frowns, struggling, then sighs and lowers his eyes. “Maybe I really am too soft-hearted.”

Yun Zhuoran watches silently and says no more.

Li Jianming questions the child a few more times, but he keeps crying, curled in fear. Fortunately, Xu Zhichun gently coaxes him to sleep skillfully.

Helpless, the group leaves Hundred Herbs Lodge first.

Outside, Li Jianming says, “My master took senior brother out this time. He should have returned today, but it’s almost dark and I haven’t seen him.”

After leaving, Ji Ruo begins trembling again.

Yun Zhuoran pretends not to notice. If Master Ji can’t endure this little hardship, he will struggle to make progress. He says casually, “Maybe he was delayed on the way.”

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to wait.”

Li Jianming’s words make Yun Zhuoran laugh. As they walk, Li Jianming sees a few female disciples, tells them to wait, and runs over.

They see him take something out and hand it to them from a distance. He speaks quickly, then runs back, sweat piling on his forehead.

Ji Ruo sneers, “You make us suffer here while you go to flatter your junior sister, haha.”

“You’re still young and don’t understand,” Li Jianming says calmly with his hands behind his back, confident. “The female disciples of our Sword Sect are all the best—like a red dot among thousands of leaves. Although they can’t help the senior or junior sisters with cultivation, the brothers usually take care of them more on ordinary days. Besides, the junior sister asked me to bring some small items down the mountain. How could I refuse?”

Ji Ruo scolds, “You abandon loyalty for beauty.”

Yun Zhuoran says lightly, “Go back.”

Ji Ruo immediately falls silent.

Li Jianming gives Yun Zhuoran a thumbs up and says as they walk, “Our Sword Sect junior sisters are all excellent in martial arts and have very high standards. They usually don’t talk to anyone besides practicing swordsmanship, but just now when I went to deliver something, they enthusiastically surrounded me to ask about you. Yun Zhuoran, how do you manage to have so many admirers wherever you go?”

Yun Zhuoran recognizes the sourness in his tone and doesn’t feel like responding.

But beside him, the heart demon suddenly raises his head and stares at Li Jianming with a dim gaze. “What did you tell them?”

Li Jianming is stunned. “What?”

The heart demon says expressionlessly, “What did you tell them about my brother? Tell them to give up. My brother won’t like them.”

Li Jianming has been joking casually but doesn’t expect the little island master to take it seriously and answer like that. He can’t help laughing. “All I told them was that he’s the Young Island Master of Penglai, then I came right back. What else could I have said? But, Little Island Master, your words don’t quite add up. How do you know Yun Zhuoran won’t like my beautiful junior sisters? If not them, then who does he like?”

Yun Zhuoran looks at the heart demon thoughtfully.

The heart demon glares coldly at Li Jianming, comes over, hugs Yun Zhuoran’s waist tightly, clasps his hand with five fingers, raises his chin slightly, and says, “Brother only likes me.”

Li Jianming can’t help laughing. “Alright, alright, I get it. The Little Island Master is your brother’s sole treasure.”

The heart demon immediately senses the insincerity in Li Jianming’s tone, frowns, looks back at Yun Zhuoran, and his slightly pursed lips reveal strong displeasure.

Yun Zhuoran understands the heart demon’s meaning at once, so he holds the heart demon’s hand tightly, raises it in front of Li Jianming, and says helplessly but seriously, “It’s true, Weiran isn’t lying.”