When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 56

A faint evil aura emanates from the boy, matching the unique presence of the little black ball in Yun Zhuoran’s memory. There is no doubt—he is the embodiment of the Heart Demon.

Yun Zhuoran is momentarily stunned. “Weiran?”

The boy gets up excitedly. Having just transformed into a human, he hasn’t had time to adapt to his new body. As soon as he steps out of bed, he stumbles and falls. Yun Zhuoran snaps out of his shock and quickly steps forward to catch him.

The boy throws himself into Yun Zhuoran’s arms, naturally wrapping his arms around his neck. He rubs against Yun Zhuoran’s shoulder, just like when he was a little black ball.

Surrounded by his brother’s familiar scent, he squints his faint red eyes in contentment. “Brother!”

The Heart Demon has been a little black ball for so long that he has forgotten how to walk. He doesn’t find anything odd about being naked as he clings to Yun Zhuoran, acting spoiled.

The unique coldness of his skin seeps through the thin, slightly damp white shirt separating them, making Yun Zhuoran freeze in place. Only then does he realize that he rushed out of the bath and his clothes are in disarray.

Yun Zhuoran stiffens and looks down. The boy in his arms looks up at him obediently.

His dark, moist eyes are incredibly pure, like a sky washed clean by rain. But the lingering murderous aura around him, along with the cold, blood-red magic pattern on his forehead, sets him apart.

For a moment, Yun Zhuoran is dazed.

When he first saw the Heart Demon, it took the form of a child. He assumed that if it ever transformed into a human, it would look the same. He never expected it to grow this much in an instant.

Aside from the demonic aura, his appearance is exactly like Yun Zhuoran at seventeen.

The two stare at each other, their faces identical—almost like looking into a mirror.

He has to admit—he can’t help but feel a little disappointed.

He truly believed that even if the Heart Demon regained human form, it would still be the small child he first met. He already prepared himself to take care of a child. Troubling as it might be, he wouldn’t have minded—because it was the Heart Demon. But now, in its second transformation, the Heart Demon has suddenly become an adult.

Even though its face is strikingly beautiful, almost unnervingly so, Yun Zhuoran is long accustomed to it. He doesn’t feel any particular way about seeing it again. He still struggles to believe that the once tiny Heart Demon has truly grown up.

The Heart Demon waits for a response, but when none comes, the light in his eyes flickers slightly. “Brother?”

That’s it. There’s no going back.

Yun Zhuoran exhales a quiet sigh. Staring at the Heart Demon’s face—so similar to his own—he forces himself to accept this new reality.

In truth, he feels relieved. At least the Heart Demon is safe.

Then his gaze drops lower. Yun Zhuoran’s expression freezes. Without hesitation, he pulls out a set of clothes from his storage ring and quickly dresses the boy.

The Heart Demon tilts his head at the clothes now draped over him. Recalling his earlier excitement, he eagerly grabs Yun Zhuoran’s hands, helping him adjust the fabric.

“Brother! I can become human again!”

Yun Zhuoran’s face remains expressionless as he reminds him, “Humans should wear clothes.”

The last time the Heart Demon appeared, he had been fully dressed. Yun Zhuoran cannot accept seeing a naked version of himself. It’s simply too much.

The Heart Demon looks down at himself, then back at Yun Zhuoran. His brother rushed over in a hurry, wearing only a loose white robe. Now, thanks to him, the fabric is disheveled, exposing a portion of his white chest.

He looks just the same.

The Heart Demon obediently takes the clothes Yun Zhuoran hands him. Just as he ponders how to put them on, he notices Yun Zhuoran’s gaze. Following his line of sight downward, Yun Zhuoran immediately waves a hand, and in an instant, his own clothes are neatly arranged.

The Heart Demon blinks blankly, then looks down at the clothes in his hands, troubled. Yun Zhuoran has no choice but to help him dress step by step. Soon, the Heart Demon, too, is clad in an elegant white robe, exuding an ethereal aura much like Yun Zhuoran himself.

It’s not that Yun Zhuoran only likes white clothes—his storage ring simply contains nothing but pristine Taoist robes. As a result, the Heart Demon ends up wearing an identical robe, only slightly smaller.

Not only does the Heart Demon not mind, but he is thrilled to be dressed the same as his brother!

He glances down at his own robe, then at Yun Zhuoran’s, his eyes curving into two satisfied crescents. “I know how to dress now, Brother! I’ll be a good human!”

“…Good.”

Hearing those words, the last traces of complicated emotions in Yun Zhuoran’s heart melt away, and a faint smile appears in his eyes. He looks at the boy in front of him helplessly. Growing up isn’t so bad after all.

Even though looking at the Heart Demon feels like staring into a mirror, he doesn’t look away.

After all, his face is still a pleasant one to look at.

The Heart Demon lifts his arm to examine his sleeves, then pokes at the dark patterns embroidered on the hem. He touches here and there, curiosity brimming as he explores his new body. Just as he is absorbed in his inspection, his stomach suddenly lets out a loud gurgle.

Startled, he clutches his stomach and looks up at Yun Zhuoran with wide, frightened eyes.

Yun Zhuoran asks, “Are you hungry?”

The Heart Demon smacks his lips, his eyes instantly lighting up. “Yes! I’m starving!”

Yun Zhuoran chuckles. He didn’t even realize his stomach was growling because he was hungry? This little thing has grown up, but somehow, he seems to have gotten a little dumber.

“What do you want to eat?”

The Heart Demon cheers, throws his arms around Yun Zhuoran, and answers brightly, “Demon cores!”

Back when they were in the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest, Yun Zhuoran stored plenty of Demon cores. The Heart Demon remembers this well—most of them are sweet, and just thinking about them makes him salivate.

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t mind giving him the Demon cores, but he hesitates for a moment, wondering if his tastes might have changed after growing up. However, seeing the Heart Demon’s eager, greedy expression, his doubts vanish.

He’s still the same little black ball as before.

Yun Zhuoran places a hand on the boy’s shoulder, realizing that he is now nearly as tall as him. He intends to remind the Heart Demon that he has grown and can’t just jump into his arms like before. But in the end, he simply pinches the back of the Heart Demon’s neck lightly, his gaze softening.

Forget it. Let’s keep him like this and teach him slowly.

By nightfall, Penglai Immortal returns as expected, his expression dark and filled with boredom, as if irritation is written all over his face. The cultivator escorting him back does not insist he stay as a guest and instead tactfully bids him farewell.

Penglai Immortal waves a hand dismissively, not even bothering to reply. His wheelchair floats into the lobby—today’s outing has been anything but pleasant—everyone outside is insufferably annoying.

Fortunately, there is at least one piece of good news.

As soon as he enters the backyard, he leaps from his wheelchair and rushes straight toward Yun Zhuoran’s room. The moment Yun Zhuoran arrives, Song Shao secretly sends him a message, and Penglai Immortal can’t wait any longer—he bolts inside without hesitation.

After an entire day of anxious waiting, Penglai Immortal suddenly becomes reserved upon reaching Yun Zhuoran’s door. He adjusts his clothes and hair several times, turns around to wave at Song Shao, and asks in a low voice, “Is my hair still messy?”

Song Shao chuckles. “You look good no matter what. The young island master doesn’t care about these things.”

Waving Song Shao away, Penglai Immortal steadies his pounding heart and raises his hand to knock on the door.

The young island master has taken the initiative to return to see him. As the spirit of Fairy Island, he naturally can’t afford to be careless in his welcome.

Three knocks sound on the door. A moment later, the barrier inside the room lifts. Then, with a soft creak, the door opens from within, revealing a strikingly beautiful face. A slightly cool voice drifts out—

“Who is it?”

The tone is unexpectedly soft.

Penglai Immortal freezes, momentarily stunned, and even Song Shao, standing behind him, is speechless.

Since when does the young island master speak in such a soft tone?

Everyone knows that Yun Zhuoran is the famous “dull vase” of the Tiandao Sect.

First, because he speaks extremely little and remains coldly indifferent to everyone; second, because he is exceptionally beautiful, yet has delayed forming his Golden Core for far too long.

Even Penglai Immortal, who has watched Yun Zhuoran grow up, has never seen him act so… adorable.

The young man clings to the doorframe, showing only half of his face as he observes them cautiously.

Penglai Immortal’s heart pounds, stops for a moment, and then melts entirely.

But before he can say anything, the owner of that face glances at them, then turns and dashes back inside, leaving behind only a fleeting glimpse and a voice calling out from the room—”Brother, Penglai Immortal is here!”

Penglai Immortal stiffens. “Brother?”

Could it be Yun Peiran?!

Inside the room, Yun Zhuoran, who has been meditating cross-legged, slowly opens his eyes. The Heart Demon’s face is close, his overlong black hair cascading down and nearly covering half of it.

Seeing Yun Zhuoran wake, the Heart Demon smiles sweetly. “Penglai Immortal is here!”

Yun Zhuoran sighs, pinching his cheeks before reaching up, intending to tie his hair.

Just then, the door bursts open, and a streak of red rushes past the Heart Demon—

It’s Penglai Immortal.

Hearing the Heart Demon call someone “brother,” Penglai Immortal assumes Yun Peiran has returned. Overcome with excitement, he dashes inside, only to be met with—

Two Yun Zhuorans standing side by side.

Wait a minute.

There are two Young Masters?!

Penglai Immortal’s eyes widen in shock.

Yun Zhuoran, noticing Penglai Immortal standing frozen in place, finds it strange and steps forward. The Heart Demon follows closely behind, clutching a pale green demon core with a small hole in it.

If one listens carefully, the faint crackling sound in the room is coming from his mouth!

Penglai Immortal snaps out of his daze. “What is this?”

At that moment, Song Shao also steps inside. The sight of two identical Yun Zhuorans leaves him just as stunned. He glances from Yun Zhuoran to the one behind him, utterly bewildered. He is certain he has only escorted one young island master here…

Yun Zhuoran has never intended to hide the Heart Demon’s existence—after all, he wouldn’t have let him open the door otherwise. He just doesn’t expect Penglai Immortal to be so thoroughly shaken.

Glancing at the Heart Demon, Yun Zhuoran signals him to remain silent for now. Then, he calmly sits down and says, “It’s a long story. Sit first.”

Still in a daze, Penglai Immortal slowly sits down.

He can’t help but glance at the Heart Demon and sees that the boy—who looks almost identical to his young master—has sat down beside Yun Zhuoran, leans against his shoulder, and takes a bite of the fist-sized demon core. A loud snap echoes in the room, the action looking almost ferocious. Yet, the young master, who has never liked others getting close to him, neither pushes him away nor shows any displeasure. Instead, there is an unmistakable look of indulgence in his eyes.

But upon closer inspection, although the boy’s facial features, figure, and even clothing are nearly identical to Yun Zhuoran’s, he is half a head shorter. His gaze carries a sharp, murderous glint, and his temperament is entirely different.

Penglai Immortal’s expression grows wary. “He has a demonic aura…”

Still reeling from the shock of seeing two Yun Zhuorans, Song Shao shudders at Penglai Immortal’s words.

Meanwhile, the Heart Demon continues chewing on his demon core without a care in the world. Yun Zhuoran shakes his head helplessly and says, “He’s my Heart Demon. His name is Weiran, and from now on, he’ll always be by my side.”

Penglai Immortal looks at him in disbelief. “Xiao Zhuoran, are you serious?”

Even if he is ignorant, he at least understands what a Heart Demon means—it is the most feared and difficult adversary for cultivators, a presence that countless people struggle to eradicate.

No one wants to develop a Heart Demon, let alone allow it to stay with them as Yun Zhuoran has just declared so nonchalantly.

Penglai Immortal studies Weiran closely. With his level of cultivation, he can only see a faint trace of evil energy coiling around the boy. Other than that, the boy is so clean and composed that he barely seems like a Heart Demon—he looks more like Yun Zhuoran’s doppelgänger.

Yet, despite himself, Penglai Xian can’t bring himself to hate him. The boy shares Yun Zhuoran’s face, and there is something oddly familiar about him…

Suddenly, realization strikes. His eyes widen.

“He’s the black ball from that day!”

Weiran grins. “That’s me.” Then, still in a good mood, he resumes eating his demon core.

Yun Zhuoran nods. “It’s him.”

Penglai Xian can’t help but recall the terrifying sight of that massive black sphere devouring the Chimera alive. His expression turns complicated. “You’re really just going to let him be?”

For cultivators, the only solution to dealing with a Heart Demon is to destroy it.

Yun Zhuoran affirms, “There’s no need.”

Penglai Xian knows there is no changing Yun Zhuoran’s mind once he has decided on something. Observing Weiran again, he notes that the boy seems obedient, without any obvious hostility in his eyes. The young master should be able to control him… at least, for now.

Still, Penglai Xian hesitates, frowning in concern. “Then… should I be calling him ‘young master’ now?”

Song Shao, looking equally lost, asks in confusion, “So… do we have another young island master?”

Yun Zhuoran nearly laughs.

Does it really matter what they call him?

Weiran clings to Yun Zhuoran’s arm, flashing his small white teeth in delight. “I like ‘young island master’!”

Song Shao’s mouth twitches. He turns to Yun Zhuoran and Penglai Xian, silently begging for help.

Yun Zhuoran, still indulgent, simply says, “Then just call him that.”

Since the introductions are done and everyone seems to have reluctantly accepted Weiran, Yun Zhuoran turns to Penglai Xian. “Are you feeling better? Do you want to return to Penglai?”

Penglai Xian quickly shakes his head and sneaks a glance at Weiran—the so-called ‘new young master’—only to be caught by the boy’s sharp gaze. Flustered, he looks away as if scalded and mutters, “If Xiao Zhuoran isn’t going back, then I’m not going back either.”

Yun Zhuoran sighs quietly. “Yun Peiran still hasn’t appeared. I can’t return yet.”

Penglai Xian expects that answer. He doesn’t believe Yun Peiran has simply disappeared, but it has been a long time since he last sensed his presence. Still, he keeps that to himself—if he voices his concerns, the young master will only worry more.

Yun Zhuoran continues, “Gu Shenshu has been resurrected. The treasure the Chimera was after in the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest—the one in the Qilin’s hands—is actually the City Lord’s Order of the Floating City. It’s likely in Gu Shenshu’s possession now. I need to find him.”

After Gu Shenshu’s death, Yun Peiran has completely vanished. If he can locate Gu Shenshu, perhaps he can uncover Yun Peiran’s whereabouts.

This is the only lead Yun Zhuoran has.

He thinks he will have to convince Penglai Xian. Despite being naive and carefree, Penglai Xian is no fool. When it comes to danger, he can be surprisingly cautious and would never sit idly by while his master takes reckless risks.

Yet, when Penglai Xian hears those words, his eyes widen in shock. “The Floating City?”

“You know about it?” Yun Zhuoran asks.

Penglai Xian shakes his head, his expression complicated. “A strange phenomenon appeared over the Dongling Mountains half a month ago. Until last night, black clouds covered the sky, but then they suddenly dispersed, revealing a city floating in the air. When I went to the Demon Sealing Well today, the Sword Immortal told me about it. They all suspect that it’s the Floating City that vanished centuries ago.”