When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 46

After leaving the White Mist Forest, the group quickly returns to the camp, where the two teams reunite. With three additional Nascent Soul stage cultivators, security is significantly heightened. The cultivators in the camp warmly welcome them back.

The injured cultivator is handed over to the Lingshan Sect’s medical cultivator for treatment. Those who have been worried that Ji Wuwang might change his mind and chase them down can finally relax.

Song Shao is the only cultivator from Penglai Immortal Island. Seeing him alone, Li Jianming—who has always longed for Penglai—enthusiastically invites him to join in.

Spotting Yun Zhuoran nearby, Song Shao agrees without hesitation and discreetly hands a puppet doll to Yun Zhuoran. Without changing his expression, Yun Zhuoran takes it and immediately stores it in his storage ring. No one notices their small exchange.

From somewhere deep within the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest, terrifying roars echo through the night. Yet, none of the beasts dare approach this particular area. The campfire burns brightly, casting flickering light on faces that are either weary or filled with renewed vigor.

In the distance, Shen Lingshu is deep in discussion with Luo Ying, the original leader of this place.

Small groups gather throughout the camp—some cultivators sit cross-legged in meditation, while others squat quietly by the fire.

Having returned Li Jianming’s Penglai Jade Branch to Yun Zhuoran, Song Shao now finds himself getting along with Li Jianming. Li Jianming, not one to hold grudges, quickly warms up to him, and the two chat enthusiastically. However, the remaining two companions remain particularly silent.

Yun Zhuoran’s quietness is expected, but Gu Qiuming is unusually reserved tonight.

In the middle of their conversation, Li Jianming suddenly asks, “Is the person Ji Wuwang is looking for really your Penglai Immortal?”

Song Shao replies without hesitation, “No.”

His calm and certain response piques the interest of Yun Zhuoran and Gu Qiuming, who have been listening quietly.

Li Jianming, surprised, presses further, “Really? Then why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

Everyone has assumed Song Shao’s silence means he tacitly agrees that the mysterious figure is the Penglai Immortal. Song Shao, however, simply finds Li Jianming’s question odd. “That fellow Daoist Shen is using my Penglai Immortal’s name to intimidate Ji Wuwang and warn him not to act rashly. I’m not stupid—why would I expose him?”

His matter-of-fact tone leaves Li Jianming speechless.

Li Jianming’s mouth twitches, and whatever goodwill he has just built toward Song Shao instantly drops by half. He wipes his face and sighs. “So, I was the fool.”

After all, he has been the only one who openly refuted Shen Lingshu at the time! Li Jianming now realizes that the others might not have truly believed the mysterious person was the Penglai Immortal either—they have simply gone along with Shen Lingshu. Yet, something about that doesn’t sit well with him. No one knows why Ji Wuwang is searching for that person. What if his intentions are malicious?

Noticing Li Jianming’s sullen expression, Song Shao smirks and adds, “Honestly, Ji Wuwang probably never intends to kill us tonight. With his level of cultivation, he wouldn’t have needed to set up a formation at all. If he wanted to, he could have wiped us out with a flick of his finger.”

His firm tone catches Yun Zhuoran’s attention. “Do you know Ji Wuwang well?”

Song Shao, no longer as nonchalant as he has been with Li Jianming, immediately responds, “I wouldn’t say I know him well. But when I was traveling in the outside world, I saw him from a distance and asked about him out of curiosity. Ji Wuwang is the son of the former palace master of the Demon Palace. He was originally the young master. However, after a change in leadership, he became the ‘Eldest Young Lord’ of the palace, still holding significant influence. The Eldest Young Lord of the Demon Palace wields considerable influence, but Ji Wuwang’s temperament is rather… unusual.”

Li Jianming’s curiosity is instantly piqued. “How unusual?”

“He has no fixed patterns in his actions, but his strength is undeniable—his cultivation is at least at the late-stage Nascent Soul level. He isn’t someone who enjoys mindless slaughter, but he does have a strange habit of challenging those stronger than him. If he loses, he lets it go, but if he wins—he always kills his opponent,” Song Shao muses for a moment before concluding, “In short, Ji Wuwang doesn’t attack the weak. To him, ‘weak’ means anyone with a lower cultivation level than his. He has never killed someone weaker than himself.”

Li Jianming, one of the so-called “weaklings,” feels offended. “What kind of quirk is that?”

Gu Qiuming asks again, “Then what about the formation?”

Song Shao hesitates before answering, “No one who has died at Ji Wuwang’s hands has ever died that way.”

Yun Zhuoran understands immediately. Ji Wuwang’s challenges against stronger opponents are actually a method of using them for his own cultivation—just like how he has entangled Yun Zhuoran before. But Song Shao’s optimism seems unfounded.

No one can say for certain whether Ji Wuwang has ever truly considered killing them, the so-called ‘weaklings,’ tonight. Either way, they have managed to escape safely. Thinking too much about it is pointless—it will only scare them unnecessarily.

“Forget it, let’s drop the subject.” Li Jianming waves his hand dismissively before turning to Yun Zhuoran. Suddenly remembering something, he asks, “By the way, why does Ji Ruo look so much like you? Did he secretly change his face because he thought you were pretty?”

After a brief pause, he suddenly turns to Gu Qiuming, rubbing his chin. “Wait a minute! It’s not just Ji Ruo—Gu Qiuming looks like you too! Look at his eyes—don’t they resemble yours, Yun Zhuoran?”

Gu Qiuming, caught completely off guard, blinks his clear eyes in confusion. “What?”

Song Shao, now curious, studies both Yun Zhuoran and Gu Qiuming. The more he looks, the more it seems true.

Yun Zhuoran’s tone is icy. “So, you suspect that I secretly changed my eyes?”

The way he says it sends a chill down Li Jianming’s spine. “Don’t say things like that—it’s creepy! I was just joking!”

Realizing Yun Zhuoran dislikes discussions about his appearance, Li Jianming tactfully drops the subject. His gaze, however, lingers regretfully on the two pairs of similarly cold eyes. “Alright, let’s talk about something normal…” He points at Yun Zhuoran. “Are you feeding it candy?”

Yun Zhuoran has been quietly slipping a demon core to his heart demon in secret, but Li Jianming has caught him in the act.

Maintaining an utterly calm expression, he simply pushes the core into the heart demon’s mouth. “Don’t get any ideas—there’s none for you.”

The heart demon, hearing this, immediately dives into Yun Zhuoran’s arms, as if afraid someone might steal its treat.

Li Jianming looks wronged. “I don’t want to eat it! What does it even taste like?”

If Li Jianming hadn’t asked, Yun Zhuoran might have actually believed him. He glances at him coolly before tucking his heart demon into his wide sleeves.

Li Jianming smacks his lips in disappointment, making Song Shao and Gu Qiuming chuckle.

The campfire crackles softly, filling the quiet night with the occasional pop and hiss.

Then, two figures approach.

The laughter vanishes from Gu Qiuming’s face. His expression turns cold, and he stands up warily. “What are you doing here?”

The newcomers are the Gu family siblings, Gu Jinping and Gu Qi, who have returned from the White Mist Forest alongside them.

Li Jianming and Song Shao only know them in passing, while Yun Zhuoran—having spent the past twenty years secluded in the Tiandao Sect—has no connection to them at all. It is obvious they are here for Gu Qiuming.

Back in the White Mist Forest, no one exchanges words with the Gu siblings, and it is plain to see that they and Gu Qiuming do not get along.

Sure enough, the extravagantly dressed young man, Gu Qi, sneers down at Gu Qiuming with thinly veiled contempt. “You think you’re something special now? Just because you got into Tiandao Sect, you think we can’t touch you? You little bastard, don’t get cocky. We’ll settle this later. Now move—I’m not here for you.”

“Gu Qi!”

Gu Jinping reprimands him in a low voice, but that is all. Her half-hearted scolding only makes it clearer—she looks down on Gu Qiuming just as much as Gu Qi does.

Gu Qiuming frowns and is about to speak when he suddenly feels a firm grip on his tense shoulders. Turning around, he sees Li Jianming shaking his head at him. Then, with a smile, Li Jianming steps forward and asks, “What brings Miss Gu and Young Master Gu here?”

Everyone knows that Li Jianming is the disciple of the Sword Immortal, so Gu Jinping maintains a respectful demeanor, offering a polite bow. “Daoist Li, I’m here to see Yun Zhuoran.”

Gu Jinping is a young lady raised in a prestigious family of cultivators—dignified, well-educated, and undeniably beautiful. She carries herself with an air of nobility, as if born to stand above others. Yet, the jealousy and disdain in her eyes when she looks at Yun Zhuoran taint that perfect image.

Gu Qiuming has never trusted her. Seeing that the Gu siblings are indeed focused on Yun Zhuoran, he becomes more alert. “What do you want with Senior Brother Yun?”

Gu Jinping doesn’t even spare him a glance. Raising her chin slightly, she says, “Yun Zhuoran, you heard me. Come with me. I have something to say.”

Not just Yun Zhuoran—Li Jianming and the others are also momentarily stunned by her directness.

Seeing that the Gu siblings are preparing to leave, Li Jianming cautiously interjects, “Can’t you say it here? Is it something we’re not allowed to hear?”

Gu Jinping, still maintaining her polite demeanor toward him, turns back and explains, “It’s a private matter.” Then, she looks at Yun Zhuoran again. “I’m just a woman. Surely you’re not so afraid that you don’t dare come?”

She is even trying to provoke him. Who wouldn’t see through her ill intent?

Song Shao finds her words distasteful but holds his tongue, instead glancing at Yun Zhuoran, waiting for his response.

Yun Zhuoran has always treated others as they treat him. He merely casts a cold glance at the Gu siblings before lowering his eyes indifferently. “What is it?”

Gu Jinping’s displeasure deepens when she realizes he has no intention of getting up. “Are you sure you want to discuss it here?”

Yun Zhuoran looks at Song Shao as if silently asking, Why not?

But Gu Jinping doesn’t have that luxury. With both Li Jianming and Song Shao present—two people she can’t afford to offend—it is clear that Yun Zhuoran has no intention of showing her any courtesy. She hasn’t expected him to be this dismissive of her, especially in front of them.

Biting her lip in frustration, she holds back her brother, who seems ready to lash out, and instead lowers her head slightly.

“I apologize for my rudeness,” she says, her tone subdued. “Gu Jinping offers her apologies to Fellow Daoist Yun. But I truly have something important to discuss. May I ask Fellow Daoist Yun to speak with me in private?”

Gu Qi, indignant, immediately speaks up. “Sister, why are you—?”

Gu Jinping shoots him a sharp glare before turning her gaze back to Yun Zhuoran, her expression unreadable.

“This concerns the reputation of Sect Master Gu of Tiandao Sect,” she says. “Are you certain you don’t want to hear it?”

The air grows heavy. Everyone freezes in shock.

How does Gu Jinping know about Sect Master Gu?

Yun Zhuoran, in particular, is taken aback. The moment she mentions Gu Shenshu, his mind flashes to the man’s resurrection. That should have been impossible for her to know.

“I’ll wait for you over there,” Gu Jinping says with confidence, turning on her heel and walking away with her brother.

Yun Zhuoran’s brow furrows.

Watching the Gu siblings disappear into the distance, Li Jianming asks, “Have you ever offended her?”

Yun Zhuoran remains silent, his gaze fixed on the pair waiting for him not far away. After a moment of contemplation, he stands up, gathering his heart demon into his arms.

Li Jianming hurriedly grabs his arm. “You’re actually going? Then I’m coming too. No way I’m letting you get framed for something!”

Song Shao sighs. “Are relationships between righteous cultivators really this terrifying?”

Li Jianming touches his nose and says, “Of course, our Kunwu Sword Sect isn’t like that! But this is the Shengjing Gu family we’re talking about. You might not know, but the leader of the Gu family originally came from the Gu clan. That family… well, let’s just say they aren’t the most honest—” He coughs, realizing he is openly discussing their dark history in front of one of their own.

Not that it is a secret. Most cultivators know the story: Gu Shenshu is born into the Gu family, but he breaks away, establishes a new sect, and founded the world-renowned Tiandao Sect, creating the Supreme Emotionless Dao in the process. The Gu family basks in his reflected glory for a time—until they grow greedy. They scheme against Gu Shenshu, attempting to steal his Supreme Emotionless Dao for themselves.

If it weren’t for Gu Shenshu’s good temperament, things wouldn’t have ended with just a severed relationship. Because of this, for years, the Tiandao Sect maintains a clear stance toward the Gu family: Stay away from us.

That is, until the head of the Gu family manages to send Gu Qi into Tiandao Sect through his connection with Shen Fu, the head of the Shen family. But as the saying goes, like attracts like. Gu Qi carries all the worst traits of the Gu family. He barely lasts any time in the sect before stirring up trouble and is eventually sent back to Shengjing in disgrace.

Of course, Yun Zhuoran is well aware of his own sect’s history. He simply nods to indicate he understands, then turns to leave.

Li Jianming calls after him, “Be careful! If anything happens, call me!”

Meanwhile, Gu Jinping and Gu Qi wait for quite some time. By the time Yun Zhuoran finally approaches, their expressions are dark.

Gu Qi mutters, clearly in a foul mood, “Sister, Yun Zhuoran is nothing but a useless pretty face. How dare he humiliate us? Does he really think Shen Lingshu will protect him forever?”

He deliberately raises his voice, ensuring Yun Zhuoran hears. Yun Zhuoran’s steps slow for a fraction of a second.

Not only does he know who Gu Jinping is, but he also knows about her obsession with Shen Lingshu. That isn’t surprising—Shen Lingshu is famous, and countless female cultivators admire him. Even Luoying from Lingshan Sect has fallen for him.

But compared to Luoying, Gu Jinping’s methods are downright dirty.

Years ago, the Gu family set their sights on marrying into the Shen family. Specifically, they wanted Shen Lingshu—Gu Shenshu’s personal disciple. But Gu Shenshu flatly refused.

As for Gu Jinping, Yun Zhuoran once read about her in the discarded storybook. Her role in the early parts of the story is clear: she relentlessly targets any woman Shen Lingshu shows kindness to. Eventually, her schemes are exposed when she tries to frame Gu Qiuming. Enraged, Shen Lingshu no longer tolerates her even as a childhood acquaintance and personally punishes her.

Back when Yun Zhuoran reads that plot, he suspects the writer must have known Gu Jinping quite well—because that is exactly the kind of person she is.

She once went after a senior sister from Tiandao Sect who was merely assigned a mission with Shen Lingshu. Just because they traveled together, Gu Jinping spread malicious rumors, claiming the senior sister had offered herself to Shen Lingshu. The gossip causes such an uproar that the senior sister is so humiliated she refuses to leave the sect for years.

That senior sister happens to be close with Jiang Zhibai. Outraged, Jiang Zhibai personally investigates and discovers that the rumors originated from none other than Gu Jinping, the eldest daughter of the Gu family. Unfortunately, by then, Gu Jinping has already erased all traces of evidence. The matter is left unresolved, and Jiang Zhibai is so frustrated that he spends an entire month chopping firewood to vent.

When Jiang Zhibai tells Yun Zhuoran about this, he doesn’t care much. He never expects he’d have any reason to cross paths with Gu Jinping.

But here she is now.

Because of Gu Shenshu, Yun Zhuoran has never liked anyone from the Shengjing Gu family. And now, this woman—whom he has never met before—has specifically come looking for him.

What does she want?

She couldn’t possibly know that Gu Shenshu is still alive. If she did, the person she’d be looking for would be Shen Lingshu, not him.

As Yun Zhuoran reaches this conclusion, he continues walking.

By now, Gu Qi has escalated his insults, sneering that Yun Zhuoran is nothing but a pretty face who can’t even form a Golden Core.

Gu Jinping, pretending not to see Yun Zhuoran approaching, lets her brother continue his rant. It isn’t until Yun Zhuoran comes to a stop right behind Gu Qi—calmly admiring the scenery as if completely unbothered—that she finally speaks.

“Enough,” she says, cutting Gu Qi off.

Gu Qi smirks in satisfaction before turning to Yun Zhuoran with a look of disdain.

“Finally decided to show up? I was starting to think we’d be waiting till dawn.”

“Unfortunately for you, there is no dawn here,” Yun Zhuoran replies flatly. The Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts is sealed by a barrier, shrouded in perpetual darkness. He finds his own words quite reasonable and gets straight to the point with Gu Jinping. “What do you want?”

Gu Qi’s face darkens instantly. “What do you mean by that? Are you cursing me?”

Yun Zhuoran suppresses the heart demon stirring inside him and replies calmly, “And what exactly did I curse you with?”

Gu Jinping has been quietly observing him from the start. She understands his meaning right away and realizes he has deliberately baited Gu Qi into losing his temper. Clearly, he doesn’t take them seriously at all.

Her expression hardens as she frowns. “Is this the etiquette of the Tiandao Sect?” she asks coldly.

Yun Zhuoran leisurely glances behind her. “Is this the etiquette of the Shengjing Gu family?”

Gu Jinping instinctively turns around, only to see Gu Qi still glaring at Yun Zhuoran. Just as she is about to say something mocking Yun Zhuoran’s lack of manners, she swallows the words and instead speaks coldly.

“Well. You’ve been locked up in Tiandao Sect for twenty years. No one ever taught you proper conduct, so it’s no surprise you don’t understand. But Yun Zhuoran, there are some things you must understand.”

Yun Zhuoran isn’t here to waste time. “Are you not here to talk about Gu Shenshu?”

A flicker of unease flashes across Gu Jinping’s face. She hesitates before changing the subject.

“Do you have any idea how many enemies Brother Shen has made because of you all these years? If you have any sense, you’ll go to Tianqing Sect yourself once you leave here. Stop dragging Brother Shen down! He’s protected you for long enough—it’s time for you to repay him!”

Yun Zhuoran almost laughs. Gu Jinping is actually trying to guilt-trip me into repaying a favor?

She continues, her voice growing sharper. “Because of you, Brother Shen has already angered Tianqing Sect! Your brother killed Sect Master Gu—how dare you still cling to Sect Master Gu’s disciple?”

At these words, Yun Zhuoran’s expression turns ice-cold.

So this is why she has come—not for Gu Shenshu, but for Shen Lingshu.

But she should never have mentioned Yun Peiran.

His voice is chilling as he speaks, each word distinct.

“Yun Peiran did not kill Gu Shenshu.”

He has said those same words countless times over the past twenty years, but no matter how many times he repeats them, they are drowned out by the voices of millions. Eventually, he stops saying them at all.

Perhaps it is because he has spent too many years in seclusion. Perhaps it is because no one has dared to say to his face, for so long, that Yun Peiran is a murderer. But hearing it again now, Yun Zhuoran feels something shift inside him.

A killing intent stirs.

For the first time in years, he feels an urge not to endure it. But he still has no way to prove Yun Peiran’s innocence.

He wasn’t there when Gu Shenshu was in danger. He has no idea where Yun Peiran was either…

If the situation had been reversed, what would they have done?

He has imagined it countless times. Yun Peiran would probably scoff and say, Why should I care what a bunch of ignorant fools think?

Gu Shenshu, on the other hand, would refuse to stain his hands with blood. He would stay rational and search for a solution instead.

Both Yun Peiran and Gu Shenshu have taught him not to kill recklessly, not to let his heart demon consume him. And so, he has never allowed himself to cross that line.

Gu Jinping isn’t the first to accuse Yun Peiran. She won’t be the last.

But now that Gu Shenshu has reappeared, Yun Zhuoran’s long-buried hope flickers back to life. If Gu Shenshu has returned, perhaps Yun Peiran will too. Perhaps all these years of waiting haven’t been in vain.

When he returns, the truth will come to light.

Yun Zhuoran lowers his gaze, suppressing the killing intent rising within him. When he looks up again, his eyes are like ice.

“Gu Jinping,” he says, his voice flat and emotionless, “Mind your own business.”