When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 139

Yun Zhuoran looks at Weiran in surprise. He doesn’t hesitate to answer, “Don’t you look the same? When I say you’re good-looking, isn’t that just praising myself?”

Weiran is stunned. It seems to be true…

Just then, Wen Jianxian and the Law Enforcement Elder come out of the back hall with Li Jianming, who is hanging his head.

Yun Zhuoran presses his lips to hold back a smile and pulls Weiran close.

Wen Jianxian nods to the group and says, “The sect has many affairs. Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Whether it is Lu Yu, who is clearly an old acquaintance of Wen Jianxian and might be the Little Kunpeng of Shanhai City, Yun Zhuoran and Weiran, the two Penglai Island masters, or Ji Ruo and Yun Shaowei, none are ordinary guests. Wen Jianxian treats them all with courtesy.

After inviting everyone to take a seat, Wen Jianxian sighs and says, “I already know about Su Pengpeng framing Young Master Ji. It’s because of our Sword Sect’s poor discipline. I will give you a reasonable explanation. Young Island Master, I just heard Ming’er say you’re also looking for Fengtian Temple and mentioned Demonic Star Sect. Could you tell me in detail about the connection between the Demonic Star Sect and Fengtian Temple?”

Regardless of whether he can cooperate with Wen Jianxian to deal with Fengtian Temple, Yun Zhuoran naturally doesn’t mind sharing information.

He briefly explains what they encounter in Yun City, then asks, “Kunwu Sword Sect must know more about Fengtian Temple than us. I heard the Sword Sect is worried about them as well. We want to explore the Wu Clan’s hinterland. Sect Master, can you tell us where Fengtian Temple is?”

Though Yun Zhuoran is the one who asks, Wen Jianxian first turns his gaze toward Lu Yu. Seeing that Lu Yu is absentmindedly toying with a white jade teacup, seemingly not listening at all, Wen Jianxian’s expression grows much more solemn when he looks back at Yun Zhuoran.

“Young Island Master, dealing with Fengtian Temple is definitely not easy. Demonic Star Sect is stationed far off, and the Wu Clan nearby protects them. I believe you’ve heard about the Wu Clan in the past two days.”

Yun Zhuoran nods solemnly. “I know the Wu Clan is difficult to deal with, but I must go. This so-called divine palace, its saintess, its so-called god—I will kill them.”

Wen Jianxian seems a bit stunned. After a moment’s thought, he nods. “Fengtian Temple has done many evil deeds. No matter what your reasons are, Young Island Master, I will not stop you. However, this matter is serious. If you’re not in a hurry, why not wait a little longer? After I deal with the Wu Clan, I will definitely pay a visit to that so-called deity.”

…Is this a proposal to cooperate?

Since the other party proposes it, there is no reason for Yun Zhuoran to refuse. He doesn’t know much about the depths of Fengtian Temple, but the Wu Clan standing before them has to be eliminated first. As an outsider, it is more convenient and quicker for Kunwu Sword Sect to handle this.

Yun Zhuoran quickly agrees. “If the Sect Master needs help, just ask.”

Hearing Yun Zhuoran’s promise, Wen Jianxian seems relieved. His eyes unconsciously glance at Lu Yu again, then quickly look away.

“The reason this seat infiltrates the Wu Clan, Ming’er should already have explained to you. That child we bring back when meeting the two sect masters is indeed the son of the Witch chieftain Yan Changtian. I personally take him right from under Yan Changtian’s nose. On the way, many Witch experts pursue us, which delays our return. The two sect masters are injured, and the child’s strange illness relapses. Helpless, we have to hide him away. Earlier, in the cave where you were ambushed, that is Yan Que, one of Yan Changtian’s men. I suspect he learns of us through Su Pengpeng.”

Except for Lu Yu, who vaguely knows about the Wu Clan, Yun Zhuoran and the others are unfamiliar.

“Yan Changtian?”

Wen Jianxian must have noticed the confusion in Yun Zhuoran’s tone and quickly adds, “Let’s talk about the Wu Clan situation later. Bring Su Pengpeng up first. I want to ask her something.”

Yun Zhuoran asks, “Should we step aside?”

Wen Jianxian smiles. “That’s not necessary. Su Pengpeng wants to harm not only my Sword Sect, but also Young Island Master and Young Master Ji. If you are not pressed for time, let us at least give you an explanation.”

Ji Ruo, who has stood up, wraps himself tightly in fox fur and sits back down. Rather than returning to the warm building, he wants to see how the Sword Sect will help him vent his anger.

“Okay, let me see how you deal with her.”

Wen Jianxian smiles silently, giving enough face to the ignorant young master of the Demon Palace.

The Law Enforcement Elder soon returns with Su Pengpeng. She has immortal chains on her wrists, and her life-defining spirit sword and magical tools are removed. Her face is pale, but her spirit is good, showing that the Sword Sect does not embarrass her.

Upon seeing Wen Jianxian, Su Pengpeng kneels in the hall without prompting. When she looks up, the obvious respect on her face seems mocking after her betrayal of the Sword Sect.

“Master, you’re back.”

Wen Jianxian’s sword intent is very cold, colder than a glacier, but his usual demeanor is easygoing and indifferent, rarely showing anger. Even with a traitor kneeling before him, his face remains expressionless.

He nods and says, “Junior Niece Su, I remember you’ve been in the Sword Sect for 25 years. You were only 15 when you first entered.”

Su Pengpeng is stunned. “…Yes.”

Wen Jianxian continues, “The Wu Clan have a special physique due to an evil curse passed down generation to generation. You must have suffered the pain of shattered bones countless times from Qi Refinement until the mid-Foundation Establishment stage across those twenty-five years.”

Su Pengpeng’s eyes glaze over. “I am ordered by the clan leader to sneak into the Sword Sect. I must survive.”

“You lied to everyone. Your master, Ling Xuefeng, recommended you to take over as the elder in charge of trivial affairs. Fortunately, your master is now a guest in Lingshan Sect. Junior sister should not have thought you were a member of the Wu Clan.” Wen Jianxian’s tone is calm. “Junior Niece Su, after 25 years, what is the Sword Sect like in your eyes?”

Su Pengpeng’s face grows paler, and she lowers her head, remaining silent for a long moment.

Li Jianming watches, unable to suppress both pity and fury. He presses on with Wen Jianxian’s words, “Is the Wu Clan really that important? More important than your master and my senior brother?”

Perhaps moved, Su Pengpeng’s back trembles slightly before she speaks in a hoarse voice, “… Sect Master, do you know how hard life is for the Wu Clan?” She raises her head, looking at Wen Jianxian with red eyes. “The pain of broken bones every full moon, the agony of molting once every ten years… The Wu Clan lives like ghosts, barely surviving on that barren land. Outsiders reject us, so we can only save ourselves! To survive, we must save ourselves!”

Wen Jianxian asks, “Can Fengtian Temple save the Wu Clan? Can the many foreign children who are blood-drained and brutally killed by the Wu Clan save the Wu Clan?”

Su Pengpeng replies, “All I know is—it’s for the future of the Wu Clan. Perhaps those deeds are done by some faction within, for the Wu Clan is not wholly united. Are there not still tribes outside Wu City?”

“Do you believe these things have nothing to do with the Wu Clan?” Wen Jianxian’s tone remains calm, but Su Pengpeng’s back collapses.

She drops to her hands on the floor and lowers her head, silent for a long time.

In truth, even she doesn’t fully understand what Fengtian Temple is doing. She knows those deeds are connected to the Wu Clan, but… she clenches her fists and grits her teeth, finally saying, “…The Witch tribe’s future can only depend on the Fengtian Temple.”

Clearly, she still stands by her choice.

“What a mess,” Ji Ruo says irritably.

Yun Zhuoran glances at him quietly. Ji Ruo immediately calms down, pouts, and turns away, sulking again. As long as he doesn’t disturb the Sword Sect’s affairs, Yun Zhuoran doesn’t care.

Just then, the heart demon sitting beside him tugs his sleeve and points toward the corner of the hall.

Yun Zhuoran looks up and sees Pei Heng and Xu Zhichun standing there.

When Pei Heng realizes Yun Zhuoran and the Heart Demon have noticed him, he seems to awaken from a daze. With a self-deprecating smile, he gently pushes Xu Zhichun’s supporting hand away and steps out of the corner. “So, for the future of the Wu Clan, you’re willing to abandon everything—the Sword Sect, your master, years of fellow discipleship… and me as well?”

Pei Heng’s sudden appearance surprises most people in the hall, especially Li Jianming. Perhaps because he has just woken up, Pei Heng’s steps are unsteady.

Li Jianming quickly recovers and runs over to help him.

Pei Heng waves him off and continues toward Su Pengpeng with heavy, slow steps, looking at her with unfamiliar, searching eyes.

Wen Jianxian and the Law Enforcement Elders remain calm, showing no surprise. It is clear they know Pei Heng is coming. They also know Pei Heng and Su Pengpeng were once a beloved couple, envied by many disciples of Kunwu Sword Sect.

“Big Brother?” Li Jianming says worriedly.

Pei Heng shakes his head and looks at Su Pengpeng. “You betray me and Master?”

Su Pengpeng turns away in embarrassment, then faces him again with a bitter smile. “Yes, I tell the tribesmen where you are.”

Pei Heng asks again, “Did we ever treat you badly?”

Su Pengpeng murmurs dazedly, “…No.”

Pei Heng nods and suddenly draws the sword from Li Jianming’s hand behind him. Although it isn’t Li Jianming’s natal spirit sword, it is still sharp.

The bright sword light reflects in Su Pengpeng’s reddened eyes and shocks everyone in the hall.

“Big Brother!” Li Jianming cries out.

Pei Heng only holds the sword and asks, “Do you regret it?”

Su Pengpeng’s face shows surprise at first, but relief soon replaces it. She takes a deep breath and smiles sincerely, “For the Wu Clan, I will never regret dying.”

This is not the answer Pei Heng wants. His expression instantly darkens, but Su Pengpeng raises her head resolutely, closes her eyes, and bares her neck. “Do it.”

These are internal affairs of the Sword Sect, and Yun Zhuoran shouldn’t interfere. But seeing this scene, he frowns and glances at Wen Jianxian with some displeasure.

Wen Jianxian remains calm, seated as before, but the Law Enforcement Elder behind him can no longer stay calm and rises from his seat.

It isn’t difficult to kill Su Pengpeng, but the Sword Sect’s people might not be able—or willing—to do it.

Li Jianming is one of them. He instinctively steps forward, then quickly restrains himself from stopping. But seeing the cold gleam on Pei Heng’s sword, he can’t help speaking, “Big Brother, she is from the Wu Clan and knows a lot about them…”

Before Li Jianming finishes, Pei Heng raises his sword. The cold sword light slices through the air and then neatly returns to the scabbard in Li Jianming’s hand.

Li Jianming’s palm tingles, and he nearly drops the sword.

But Su Pengpeng is unharmed. Not a single wound.

When she opens her eyes, she stares in shock, then looks down in a panic. Her sword tassel, once hanging at her waist, is gone—scattered into a pile of azure silk threads spread across the floor at her skirt’s edge.

Pei Heng stares at her deeply but asks no more questions. He turns and walks to Wen Jianxian. Without a word, he kneels and kowtows deeply. “It is this disciple who trusts too easily. Without that keepsake, she would never have found our whereabouts. Master, the fault lies with me.”

Su Pengpeng turns back in realization. “You—”

Pei Heng stays kneeling. Su Pengpeng watches his back, her eyes glistening with moisture, then finally says nothing. She must understand—Pei Heng destroying the token means he is breaking ties with her.

Wen Jianxian sighs and says, “What does this have to do with you?” He waves his hand gently, and Li Jianming immediately understands, stepping forward to help Pei Heng up.

Wen Jianxian continues, “No matter what, Su Pengpeng does offend the young island master and young master Ji. How to deal with her must be decided by the young island master. Why not hand her over to him?”

Yun Zhuoran is caught off guard, but soon understands—Wen Jinxian truly knows how to handle matters. Still, noting the dazed but intent gaze of his chief disciple upon him, Yun Zhuoran remains composed. “My view is that Kunwu Sword Sect should handle this as it sees fit. What about young master Ji?”

Ji Ruo naturally wants to kill her. Can he let the one who offends him live? But before he can say anything, Yun Shaowei grabs his arm and says first, “We’ll follow Ninth Uncle’s decision. Xiao Ruo has no objections.”

Ji Ruo gasps in pain, glaring at Yun Shaowei with grievance and dissatisfaction.

Yun Shaowei motions for him to keep quiet with a serious look. He vaguely sees the exchange between Wen Jianxian and Yun Zhuoran, but also knows Wen Jianxian has no intention of killing Su Pengpeng. At least, to avoid alienating his eldest disciple, he will never do it himself—and Yun Zhuoran does not want to be the executioner either.

Of course, Ji Ruo cannot do it either.

No matter why Wen Jianxian doesn’t want to kill Su Pengpeng, now that they are in the Sword Sect, it is more reasonable to hand her over to the sect for disposition.

Wen Jianxian says nothing more, “From now on, Su Pengpeng is expelled from the Sword Sect. This is your choice, and considering your contributions to the sect over the years, I will honor your wishes.”

Su Pengpeng looks around the hall in disbelief, “You won’t kill me?”

“Your fate with the Sword Sect ends here. Leave.”

As soon as Wen Jianxian finishes, a disciple outside the door comes in to take her away.

At this moment, Su Pengpeng, who has always been determined, begins to waver. She looks at Wen Jianxian, then at Pei Heng, catching his eyes briefly. She sees a trace of nostalgia, but before she can focus, Pei Heng quickly turns his face away.

Su Pengpeng kneels there in a daze, lost in thought, and smiles bitterly. She carefully picks up the tiny silk threads on the ground, holds them in her palms, and follows the Sword Sect disciples out of the hall without looking back.

When the group is about to leave the gate, Yun Zhuoran suddenly says, “Go back and tell your Saintess that I will personally visit Fengtian Temple soon.”

Su Pengpeng pauses, then steps out of the hall’s threshold under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Outside, the wind and snow remain vast and cold as before.

The hall falls into silence. Yun Zhuoran and the others linger, watching the turmoil inside Kunwu Sword Sect. No one speaks in the awkward atmosphere.

Ji Ruo is dissatisfied, muttering, “And that’s supposed to be a satisfactory explanation?”

Only Lu Yu watches the scene with relish. After Su Pengpeng leaves, he still seems unsatisfied and mutters under his breath, “Why didn’t anyone say a word? No one even shed a tear at the breakup?”

Everyone else is speechless.

Fortunately, Wen Jianxian breaks the silence. He stands and says, “The Wu Clan’s situation isn’t urgent. Pei Heng will inform the young island master later. Since Master Xu is here, let’s go see the Wu clan child first.”

Guests should follow the host’s wishes. Yun Zhuoran and the others have no objections and stand up. Xu Zhichun looks surprised, “The child of the Wu clan?”

Wen Jianxian does not avoid the question, replying frankly, “It’s the child of the Wu clan leader. I would like to trouble Master Xu to examine him.”

Xu Zhichun is aghast. “Sect Master Wen, how can you bring back the Wu chieftain’s child? The Wu clansmen treasure their offspring above all else—stealing one of their children is the same as taking their lives!”

Hearing this, Yun Zhuoran gives Xu Zhichun a longer look. Wen Jinxian’s unusually gentle tone toward him makes clear that he trusts Xu Zhichun deeply—and so does the entire sect.

Li Jianming mutters, “But the Wu clan also kidnapped many children of foreigners.”

Xu Zhichun is silent for a moment, then says while looking at Wen Jianxian, “But this is…” He hesitates, “The journey back must be very dangerous.”

“Thank you for your concern, Master Xu. I’m fine,” Wen Jianxian replies, leading the way to the back hall. “Let’s see the child first. He’s very weak.”

“Okay!” Xu Zhichun frowns and hurries after them, unaware of Yun Zhuoran quietly watching him from behind.

Yun Zhuoran finds Xu Zhichun strange, but to avoid his heart demon overthinking, he only observes discreetly and looks away. Earlier, just glancing at Lu Yu already upset his Heart Demon; it took some confusing words to soothe him. Another fit of jealousy would only mean more trouble.

Following Wen Jianxian, the group enters the back hall.

Perhaps because he is a kindhearted doctor, Xu Zhichun quickly goes to the bedside of the Wu clan’s child, closes his eyes, and carefully checks the pulse.

After a moment, Wen Jianxian asks, “How is he?”

Xu Zhichun looks solemn. “There is a small amount of poison in his body, but it’s not serious. The Wu Clan live in a place shrouded by miasma, so their resistance to poison is stronger than ordinary people’s. Still, his body is very weak.”

Wen Jianxian says, “Look at his eyes.”

Xu Zhichun hesitates but obeys, gently lifting the child’s eyelids. His palms tremble violently as he clearly sees the color of the child’s pupils.

“They’re… black.”

“The entire Wu tribe is cursed, no one is exempt. Before their first molting, Wu clan’s children’s eyes are always light blue.” Wen Jianxian briefly explains to everyone, “But this child is different. His pupils have turned black. I asked him, and he said the curse in his body was removed by the Saintess of Fengtian Temple.”

Yun Zhuoran understands the implication and says, “So the master means that Fengtian Temple controls the Wu Clan by helping remove the curse?”

“Yes.” Wen Jianxian nods firmly without hesitation, then says, “Based on the clues we have, the Wu Clan abduct foreign children mainly to take their blood. I suspect they use the clean blood of foreigners to replace the cursed blood in their own children to alleviate the curse.” He turns to Xu Zhichun and asks, “But I’m not a medical expert, so I can’t be certain. Master Xu, do you think blood exchange could remove the curse?”

Yun Zhuoran agrees with Wen Jianxian’s theory and looks at Xu Zhichun.

Xu Zhichun is distracted, and Wen Jianxian calls him again before he comes back to focus.

“Transfusing blood to remove a curse… I…” Xu Zhichun hesitates for a long time, then shakes his head with a bitter smile. “That’s too far-fetched. With my current cultivation, I can’t see through this. Let’s ask the child when he wakes up.”

Wen Jianxian replies, “Okay, then I’ll have to trouble Master Xu to take care of the child.”

Xu Zhichun nods silently.

The child has not yet awakened, so no one knows if a blood transfusion has actually taken place. If they want answers, they can only wait.

Seeing Wen Jianxian looks tired, probably because his spiritual power hasn’t fully recovered, Yun Zhuoran and the others say their goodbyes and leave the back hall. Rather than waiting for uncertain information from the child, Yun Zhuoran hopes Pei Heng arrives soon to share the Wu clan’s details.

Meanwhile, at Fengtian Temple, after learning that Su Pengpeng fails and Wen Jianxian successfully returns to Kunwu Sword Sect with the Wu Clan leader’s child, Yun Duo flies into a rage. She throws things and drives her subordinates out.

Yun Zhuoran and Wen Jianxian are safe, and will most likely join forces against Fengtian Temple in the future. This terrifies Yun Duo, but she seems powerless to change the situation…

No!

Yun Duo turns around.

It is late at night. In the temple that Fengtian Temple always designates as forbidden, one person sits quietly under a towering statue dozens of feet tall. He wears a black robe as dark as ink and sits silently on a futon.

Yun Duo lifts the corners of her lips beneath her veil and walks toward him in a black and purple gauze dress that trails on the ground.

“You’re so calm.”

Shen Lingshu doesn’t even raise his eyelids.

Yun Duo looks up at the tall statue and says softly, “I don’t understand why the gods value you. You don’t have the power of the Demonic Star Sect, and you’re not as troublesome as the Wu Clan. Your cultivation is so low. Even Yun Zhuoran is stronger. You can’t even beat Wen Jiuchuan’s apprentice. Yet, such a useless person is taken seriously by the gods.”

Shen Lingshu focuses on his spiritual power, ignoring Yun Duo’s mockery entirely.

Yun Duo sneers, “Well, here’s your chance to make yourself useful. You’ve been in the Palace of Gods for so long without having achieved anything.”

Shen Lingshu withdraws his spiritual power and finally opens his eyes.

“Good, you hear me,” Yun Duo says. “The Wu clansmen are inept and worthless, not one of them reliable. You’ll go to Kunwu Sword Sect and entangle Yun Zhuoran. He must not be allowed to ally with Wen Jiuchuan.”

Shen Lingshu says, “I can’t defeat him.”

Yun Duo looks at his lowered, quiet eyes, feeling both satisfaction and frustration. “If I tell you to go, you’ll go. You have Gu Shenshu’s immortal bone inside you. Yun Zhuoran can’t kill you! Among all of Fengtian Temple, only you can mess with Yun Zhuoran. Don’t disappoint the gods. Otherwise… the temple has no place for the useless.”

Shen Lingshu frowns slightly. “Only me?”

Yun Duo is too annoyed to argue. She says coldly, “I’m telling you, you have to go whether you want to or not! Don’t think that just because the gods favor you a bit, you can disobey me in the temple!”

Shen Lingshu looks up at Yun Duo with unusually calm eyes. She can’t read him, but she stares back stubbornly.

Then Shen Lingshu silently grabs the long sword next to the futon and stands up. He passes by her without a word, as if he doesn’t take her seriously at all.

Yun Duo’s dissatisfaction grows, and she shouts angrily, “What do you mean by that?!”

“I’ll go.” Shen Lingshu pauses, replies calmly, and walks out of the temple.