When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 45

At Ji Ruo’s bold declaration, everyone suddenly recalls that their side also has a young master from the Demon Palace. However, it is unclear whether he is in cahoots with Ji Wuwang, who stands opposite them. Lu Qi’s sword is already drawn and pressed firmly against Ji Ruo’s neck.

Ji Ruo’s arrogance evaporates instantly. Frozen in place, he dares not move a muscle.

Across the field, Ji Wuwang stares at Ji Ruo for a long moment before asking, “And who are you supposed to be?”

Ji Ruo is stunned. Gritting his teeth, he replies, “Ji Wuwang, you don’t even recognize this young master?”

The revelation of Ji Wuwang’s identity startles the righteous cultivators, while the demon cultivators exchange uneasy glances. Ji Wuwang, however, remains calm and composed, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Don’t try to fool me. My young master doesn’t look like that.”

Even if Ji Ruo wears a mask year-round—whether eating, bathing, or even using the toilet—he is still the young master of the Demon Palace. Ji Wuwang, his cousin, would never fail to recognize him. The truth is clear: Ji Wuwang has no intention of acknowledging him.

This deliberate denial only proves one thing: Ji Wuwang is toying with Ji Ruo.

It seems Ji Ruo’s temper is so bad that even his own kin doesn’t want to acknowledge him. Yun Zhuoran guesses the truth. Seeing Ji Ruo anxiously looking around, seemingly trying to prove his identity, Yun Zhuoran gives him a hint: “Put on your mask.”

Ji Ruo, suspecting that Ji Wuwang is intentionally refusing to acknowledge him, snorts at Yun Zhuoran. He mutters inwardly, You don’t have to remind me! Begrudgingly, he grabs his mask and covers his face. “Ji Wuwang, can’t you recognize me now?”

During their earlier fight, Shen Lingshu had left several thin cracks across Ji Ruo’s mask, but thankfully, it still serves its purpose. The moment Ji Ruo dons the mask, one of the demon cultivators blurts out, “It really is the young master!”

The realization comes too late—he clamps his hand over his mouth, clearly regretting his outburst.

Ji Ruo lowers the mask and tilts his chin upward, glaring at Ji Wuwang with clear displeasure.

“See? What are you standing there for? Hurry up and take down your embarrassing formation!”

Ji Wuwang’s smile fades slightly. His cold gaze sweeps over the talkative demon cultivator, who shrinks back in fear.

Without a word, Ji Wuwang waves his hand, and the formation dissolves.

“It really is the young master,” Ji Wuwang confirms.

However, Shen Lingshu and the others immediately form a barrier in front of Ji Ruo. Lu Qi presses his sword against Ji Ruo’s neck again, forcing Ji Wuwang to halt his advance.

From across the crowd, Ji Wuwang calls out helplessly, “I wanted to capture Shen Lingshu to make the young master happy, but I didn’t expect to find you, the young master, captured instead! What’s going on? Don’t you have anyone protecting you?”

Ji Ruo glares at Ji Wuwang. If not for the smug, gloating expression on his cousin’s face, Ji Ruo might’ve believed he genuinely cared.

Grinding his teeth, Ji Ruo snaps, “Why do you care so much? Stop talking nonsense and come save me already!”

Ji Wuwang sighs theatrically. “But if I rescue you, I can’t take Fellow Daoist Shen with me tonight.”

Ji Ruo fumes. “This young master isn’t as important as him?!”

Holding Ji Ruo as a bargaining chip, Shen Lingshu grows more confident.

“If you want Young Master Ji to live, take your people and leave now. Once we’re safe, your young master will also be safe. I imagine the Demon Palace Master won’t be happy if his young master is lost.”

Now that they have the upper hand, Shen Lingshu attempts to negotiate. But whether this will work against Ji Wuwang remains uncertain.

Ji Wuwang’s smirk returns, unbothered by Shen Lingshu’s threat. “If the young master dies by your hands, the palace master will, of course, be furious. And yes, I would face punishment. However, the palace master dotes on his young master. If anything happens to him, no one here will be spared.” Ji Wuwang’s sharp gaze sweeps over the group as he adds, “Including your sects.”

Shen Lingshu’s face darkens. “In that case, we’ll take Young Master Ji with us… on the road to hell.”

“Wait! Why don’t you chat for a while?” Ji Wuwang hadn’t expected the negotiation to stall so quickly. Startled for a moment, he then chuckles softly and shakes his head at Shen Lingshu. “You won’t harm the young master, and you believe I wouldn’t dare let this situation slide either. All your words are just to provoke me, aren’t they?”

Meanwhile, Lu Qi’s natal sword—far from an ordinary spiritual blade—emanates an aura of sharp, solemn sword intent. Its edge is piercingly cold.

Ji Ruo, barely able to withstand its oppressive presence, feels his legs trembling. Finally, he wobbles and nearly collapses. Glaring at Ji Wuwang, he shouts, “Have you talked enough? If you keep dawdling, I’ll just kill myself!”

As soon as the words leave his mouth, Ji Ruo freezes, realizing something. His eyes light up with a spark of cunning. Wait. That actually makes sense. Neither Shen Lingshu nor Ji Wuwang can afford to let me die. If I…

Just as Ji Ruo prepares to lunge toward the sword, Lu Qi withdraws it at the last second, catching Ji Ruo’s arm instead.

Ji Ruo winces in pain, tears welling up in his eyes. “It hurts! Ji Wuwang, come save me already!”

Ji Wuwang raises an eyebrow, his expression slightly amused. “You treat my young master like this?” he asks Shen Lingshu.

Shen Lingshu merely smiles. “Have you made up your mind yet? Are you agreeing to my terms or not?”

Ji Wuwang sighs dramatically. “Fine. You can leave, but my young master must stay. I promise not to trouble you again. I only have one small request, Fellow Daoist Shen. I hope you’ll grant it.”

Shen Lingshu, knowing that Ji Ruo is their only leverage, is unwilling to comply. “If we can’t guarantee our safety, we won’t hand over Young Master Ji.”

Ji Wuwang’s gaze flickers toward Ji Ruo, who looks pale and shaken. “Taking him with you won’t do you any good.”

Lowering his voice, Ji Wuwang leans closer to Shen Lingshu and murmurs, “I just want to know one thing—does anyone among you have a cultivation level above the Integration stage? Tell me the truth, and in exchange, I’ll share some information about the sudden closure of the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest. You know as well as I do that the forest is incredibly dangerous now. We demon cultivators can’t handle it alone. I truly don’t wish to offend you any further. I hope you can forgive me for earlier.”

The righteous cultivators nearly laugh at his words. Didn’t wish to offend us? Wasn’t he the one who just threatened to activate the formation and kill us all?

Ji Wuwang’s insincerity is obvious, and his attempt to gain their trust fails.

With a look of exasperation, he raises three fingers and declares solemnly, “By the heavens, I swear that as long as Fellow Daoist Shen returns my young master to me, I, Ji Wuwang, will let you go peacefully.”

The oath causes a faint trace of spiritual energy to drift into Ji Wuwang’s forehead.

Shen Lingshu notices it and hesitates, glancing back at his companions.

No one objects, not even Lu Qi, who gives a slight nod of approval. Shen Lingshu looks at Yun Zhuoran, uncertain, since Ji Ruo has been brought back by him. Yun Zhuoran hesitates briefly before nodding as well. It is clear—if he refuses, he will come across as unreasonable.

Shen Lingshu finally makes his decision. “Alright.”

Still cautious, he asks, “Does the person you’re looking for have any distinguishing features besides their cultivation level?

For a fleeting moment, Ji Wuwang’s eyes glimmer with interest.

Yun Zhuoran, observing from a distance, feels a chill run down his spine. That look—it is the same intense gleam Ji Wuwang had in his eyes when challenging him before.

Ji Wuwang replies casually, “I can’t say for certain. I only know his strength is unfathomable. There can’t be too many in the righteous path with cultivation levels above the Integration stage, can there?”

Hearing this, Gu Jinping and the other cultivators exchange whispers.

Ji Wuwang has a point—there aren’t many Integration-stage cultivators in the righteous path. However, the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest has strict restrictions on cultivation levels. Only those below the out-of-body stage are allowed entry, and the Integration stage is just one step below the Great Ascension stage. If someone with such a high level of cultivation isn’t focused on ascending, what reason would they have to enter the forest?

Yun Zhuoran’s heart sinks. He has known all along that Ji Wuwang is looking for him. Yet hearing Ji Wuwang’s persistence brings a surge of indescribable emotions. Why can’t Ji Wuwang just give up? It doesn’t matter who he fights—why does it always have to be him?

Could he really be after total annihilation?

Ji Wuwang considers Shen Lingshu’s position in the four major sects, knowing his status is far from ordinary. Not only is Shen Lingshu highly regarded among his peers, but he likely has significant knowledge about the cultivation world as a whole. He is the most reliable person to seek out for information.

Shen Lingshu thinks carefully for a moment before saying, “The senior you mentioned might be the Penglai Immortal from Penglai Immortal City. A few days ago, I sent a message to the outside world, requesting senior cultivators to send someone to escort the young master out of the forest. I’m guessing that it was during that time that the Penglai Immortal Senior entered.”

He adds, “As for members of other sects, none of the seniors who came this time are in the Integration Stage—except for Penglai Immortal, who is in the Great Ascension Stage. He has long surpassed the four major sects in cultivation, so naturally, everyone reveres him.”

Yun Zhuoran is taken aback. Shen Lingshu has actually guessed the Penglai Immortal? If Ji Wuwang really believes it, then the Penglai Immortal will surely face trouble.

Yun Zhuoran inwardly disapproves. Shen Lingshu could have simply said nothing.

Ji Wuwang is also skeptical. “Are you sure he’s the Penglai Immortal?”

Shen Lingshu, in contrast to his earlier hesitation, suddenly cups his hands toward the night sky with a solemn expression. “The Penglai Immortal Senior is the foremost cultivator of our time. He reached the later stages of the Great Ascension stage a century ago. Among the seniors who entered the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest this time, none are above the Integration stage. Therefore, apart from the Penglai Immortal Senior, I can think of no one else.”

Ji Wuwang hesitates at Shen Lingshu’s confident tone and the mention of “later stages of the Great Ascension stage,” a hint of doubt flickering across his face. Meanwhile, the others nod in agreement after hearing Shen Lingshu’s explanation—it all makes sense.

Yun Zhuoran, however, doesn’t want them to mistakenly attribute this to the Penglai Immortal. But how can he refute it?

At this moment, Li Jianming, a loyal follower of Penglai Immortal, stands up and speaks. “I don’t think it’s Penglai Immortal! The Penglai Immortal has his own island, is immensely powerful, and has an awe-inspiring appearance. Why would he hide in the shadows? And do you really think the Penglai Immortal would engage in something as deranged as collecting demonic cores on a large scale? That’s simply beneath him!”

Yun Zhuoran has been about to agree with him, but he doesn’t expect the latter half of the statement to feel like an inadvertent insult. Shameful and crazy? Are they talking about me?
He chooses to stay silent.

Li Jianming’s argument causes the group to second-guess Shen Lingshu’s claim. It doesn’t seem like something Penglai Immortal would do.

But if it isn’t Penglai Immortal, who else could it be?

Still, Shen Lingshu stands firm. “It might just be one of Senior Penglai Immortal’s peculiarities. If it isn’t him, there really couldn’t be anyone else in this Ten Thousand Beasts Forest.”

After a pause, Ji Wuwang finally nods. “Alright, I’ll explain. I entered the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest this time on orders to find the mirage dragon that escaped from the Demon Palace’s forbidden area a few months ago. The dragon fled to the Tiandao Sect, but by the time I tracked it, it had already entered the forest. So, I snuck in along with the rest of you.”

He continues, “A few days ago, I finally found the mirage dragon, only to discover that it had already recognized a master. That person is extremely powerful. I didn’t confront him directly, but I could tell he’s stronger than my palace master.”

Yun Zhuoran’s heart skips a beat. The person Ji Wuwang mentions can only be Gu Shenshu! So, Ji Wuwang has seen him too…

Ji Ruo suddenly shouts in defiance, “Nonsense! No one is stronger than my father!”

Ji Wuwang chuckles and ignores Ji Ruo’s outburst. “I value my life. The moment I saw him, I knew I couldn’t win, so I decided to leave the forest. Unfortunately, I was delayed and am now trapped here. Everything that’s happened—including the strange phenomena—may all be connected to that man.” He points to the sky.

Shen Lingshu listens intently but remains skeptical.

Seeing Ji Wuwang’s caution, he says simply, “I hope Fellow Daoist Shen can open the barrier as soon as possible so everyone can leave safely.”

Shen Lingshu’s expression shows a hint of wariness. “Your Excellency overestimates me.”

Ji Wuwang’s response is brief: “What about my young master?”

Hearing this, Yun Zhuoran knows the negotiation has reached its conclusion. However, the truth behind Ji Wuwang’s information remains uncertain. Shen Lingshu mulls over it for a moment before signaling Lu Qi to release Ji Ruo.

Ji Ruo dashes over, and upon reaching the “safe zone” behind Ji Wuwang, he turns to point at Yun Zhuoran. “I want to take him away!”

Ji Wuwang raises an eyebrow and asks nonchalantly, “Who?”

Ji Ruo sneers maliciously. “Him! Yun Zhuoran, a disciple of Gu Shenshu from the Tiandao Sect! Catch him and make him my slave!”

Lu Qi instinctively draws his natal sword, and Shen Lingshu’s expression grows colder.

Yun Zhuoran merely fixes Ji Ruo with a frosty stare, a silent warning that sends a shiver down the young master’s spine. Over the past few days, the shadow Yun Zhuoran has cast on Ji Ruo is too much for him to bear.

Ji Ruo flinches instinctively but quickly recovers and pouts.

“Young master, don’t cause trouble,” Ji Wuwang says dismissively, clearly unwilling to help. After brushing Ji Ruo off, he turns back to speak with Shen Lingshu.

Ji Ruo, infuriated and humiliated, shouts, “I will take him! Ji Wuwang, go capture him for me!”

“No.” Ji Wuwang’s refusal is swift and decisive. He doesn’t take the young master’s command seriously at all. Concerned that Ji Ruo will escalate the situation, he motions to the demon cultivators. Several of them step forward and surround Ji Ruo, effectively restraining him.

With that settled, Ji Wuwang turns back to Shen Lingshu and smiles. “Fellow Daoist Shen, you’re free to go now. If you happen to meet Penglai Immortal, do pass on my regards.”

Ji Ruo, meanwhile, is livid. Trapped behind a wall of thirty-four towering demon cultivators, he curses and struggles futilely, unable to escape.

When the cultivators first enter this trap, no one predicts that Ji Wuwang will eventually let them leave so courteously. But this is now the reality.

Despite the many doubts swirling in his mind, Shen Lingshu understands they have gained the upper hand for now. To avoid further complications, he seizes the opportunity to bid farewell.

Lu Qi, however, stays close to Yun Zhuoran, a gesture that brings the latter some comfort. Yun Zhuoran is on edge, worried that Ji Wuwang might see through him.

Ignoring Ji Ruo entirely, he hurries off, his heart demons swirling in his chest.

If I don’t leave now, am I supposed to jump out and announce to everyone that I’m the mysterious Integration Stage cultivator who’s both shameful and crazy?

The truth is, Yun Zhuoran has only just reached the threshold of the Integration Stage. Ji Wuwang has overestimated his strength.

Regardless, his deal with Ji Ruo is complete. He has successfully brought Ji Ruo to Ji Wuwang. Whatever happens next is no longer his concern. As the saying goes: Not my circus, not my monkeys.

That said, with Ji Ruo’s vengeful temperament, it’s easy to imagine his reaction once he realizes he has been double-crossed—not just by one person, but by many.

Sure enough, as Yun Zhuoran walks away, Ji Ruo’s furious roar echoes behind him:

“Yun Zhuoran! Wait for me! I swear I’ll take revenge on you!”