When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 58

Shen Lingshu has already regained consciousness when the Chimera is devoured and the barrier sealing the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest collapses. However, his spiritual veins have been completely destroyed. Since then, he has been recuperating at the Shen family estate in Shengjing.

The righteous sects have been preoccupied with the aftermath of the beast tide in the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest, followed by the crises of the Sealed Demon Well and the Floating City. With so many pressing matters, no one has had the time to deal with him—until now.

Today, Qin Zheng personally delivers invitations to each major sect, making it clear that he intends to finally address the issue. This is no welcome banquet but an apology banquet for Shen Lingshu, meant to smooth over tensions among fellow Daoists.

Countless lives have been lost to the beast tide that day, and as an accomplice, Shen Lingshu cannot escape responsibility.

Song Shao has no choice but to bring the heart demon to the Shen estate. Fortunately, as a representative of Penglai Immortal, he is well known among the immortal sects, and his presence is met with politeness rather than resistance. Gaining entry to the Shen estate poses no challenge.

With the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference approaching, disciples from various sects have begun arriving in Shengjing, and many have visited the Shen family as well. Under these circumstances, meeting Shen Lingshu is not difficult.

When the heart demon strides boldly into Shen Lingshu’s courtyard, the disciples of Tiandao Sect are already present.

During this time, the sect has suffered the consequences of Shen Lingshu’s actions, facing ostracization from their peers. However, Qin Zheng is a shrewd leader. Under his guidance, the remaining disciples have worked tirelessly during the beast tide, seeking to atone for their sect’s transgressions. Their efforts have not been in vain—though resentment still lingers, many of the harshest rumors have been temporarily quelled.

Once the crisis in the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest is resolved, Qin Zheng leads his disciples to Shengjing ahead of the others. He has also attempted to negotiate with the other sects, but Shen Lingshu’s fate is not his decision to make.

After all, Shen Lingshu is the one who has unleashed the beast and personally wounded many cultivators. The sects whose disciples have perished hold deep grudges against him.

Yet, as the future leader of Tiandao Sect, Shen Lingshu cannot be killed. Nor can his punishment be too severe. However, if it is too lenient, it will fail to appease those who seek justice.

Left with no alternatives, Qin Zheng has sent Lu Qi back to the sect to report to the other peak masters. The acting leader, the master of Qingyang Peak, has been in seclusion recovering from his injuries. Upon hearing the news, he personally leads the sect’s remaining disciples to Shengjing just the day before.

None of them have expected Shen Lingshu to create such a disaster. Though he has been manipulated by the beast, the damage he has done to their sect’s reputation is nearly irreversible.

Even putting aside the grievances of other sects, the short-tempered Qingyang Peak Master has nearly coughed up blood in rage over the situation.

Yet, for all their anger, they are still members of the same sect. And now, Shen Lingshu is in a pitiful state—his injuries are so severe that he can no longer stand, spending his days relying on medicinal elixirs and immortal herbs to survive.

Ji Chen and Jiang Zhibai, who have arrived later, have come to visit him as well.

The moment Song Shao spots Lu Qi’s tall and imposing figure, his heart skips a beat. He instinctively tugs on the heart demon’s sleeve.

“The Tiandao Sect disciples are here too!” he whispers anxiously.

The heart demon lifts his head.

Over the past three months, many people have come to visit the Shen estate, yet Shen Lingshu has rarely made an appearance. He always claims his injuries are too severe, but everyone knows the truth—he is simply too ashamed to face them.

Yet today, with his fellow sect members present, he has no choice but to show himself.

Now, he sits in a wheelchair, his face pale and tinged with a faint bluish-gray hue, evidence of his frail condition.

Opposite him sits Ji Chen, his expression conflicted, and beside him, Jiang Zhibai, silent and unreadable.

Ji Chen is genuinely worried for him, while Jiang Zhibai seems wholly uninterested in speaking.

Ever since Jiang Zhibai arrived from Tiandao Sect, he has known about Shen Lingshu’s predicament. Yet strangely, it feels almost inevitable, as if things have unfolded exactly as they should have.

At this moment, his greater concern is still Yun Zhuoran—what truly concerns him is Yun Zhuoran, who has been missing for so long and is still being hunted.

The heart demon takes one glance at the scene, nods, and says, “Oh.”

Then, he steps straight into the flower hall.

Song Shao freezes.

The little island master is fearless. Is he really not afraid of being recognized?

Regardless, Song Shao hurries after him, nerves on edge. He is afraid the heart demon will lose his temper and start a fight.

The moment Lu Qi speaks, the people in the flower hall, who have been awkwardly exchanging pleasantries, all turn to look.

Seeing that it is truly Song Shao, Shen Lingshu is surprised, but his expression quickly turns sour.

So many people have come just to see him make a fool of himself!

Song Shao smiles and nods in greeting before instinctively glancing at his little island master—only to be stunned himself. The little island master, who always carries an air of arrogance, is standing beside him with an uncharacteristic restraint. His usual swagger has vanished, and he suddenly seems… well-behaved.

A chill runs down Song Shao’s spine. He hesitates before cupping his hands toward the others. “…Apologies for the intrusion.”

Some of the Tiandao Sect disciples in the hall don’t recognize Song Shao, including Jiang Zhibai, Ji Chen, and the others who have arrived later. But when they see Lu Qi politely returning the greeting, they all stand up as well, straightening their postures.

Shen Lingshu does not get up. His expression remains somewhat cold, and he merely nods slightly. “I wasn’t expecting Daoist Song to visit. Forgive my lack of courtesy.”

Song Shao has no idea why he is here either, so he can only let out an awkward laugh.

At that moment, the little island master beside him suddenly chuckles, points at Shen Lingshu’s wheelchair, and says in a bright, almost cheerful tone, “Can’t stand up anymore? Looks like you’re seriously injured.”

Song Shao freezes.

There is a distinct note of schadenfreude in the heart demon’s voice.

This is like rubbing salt in the wound!

Shen Lingshu’s eyes darken slightly. “Thank you for your concern, little Daoist friend. I’m fine.”

“Oh? Really?” The heart demon’s smile deepens. Without warning, he steps forward and claps Shen Lingshu on the shoulder.

Song Shao has been keeping a close eye on him and immediately catches sight of a wisp of black energy seeping into Shen Lingshu’s clothes. His eyes widen in shock.

Shen Lingshu also freezes, momentarily bewildered. When he looks up at the heart demon, his gaze wavers.

For some reason, in that brief moment, he thinks he sees the shadow of another person in this youth’s figure.

But that’s impossible—Junior Brother Yun has already escaped.

At the thought of this, Shen Lingshu feels a surge of resentment. He has fallen into such a miserable state, yet Junior Brother Yun hasn’t even looked back. Instead, he has taken the opportunity to flee!

The heart demon, looking entirely innocent, says with a smile, “Then I wish you a speedy recovery.”

With that, he turns and walks away.

The disciples of Tiandao Sect exchange puzzled glances. Song Shao also takes a moment to process what has just happened.

“Ah, my little—” Song Shao hesitates, failing to find a proper excuse. In the end, he simply clasps his hands and says hurriedly, “Apologies, Fellow Daoist Shen. I have urgent matters to attend to today. I’ll be sure to visit another time!”

And with that, under the bewildered gazes of Shen Lingshu and the others, Song Shao swiftly makes his escape.

Shen Lingshu lowers his gaze and glances at his shoulder, where the heart demon has touched him. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, yet a flicker of unease passes through his eyes. Then, forcing a faint, somewhat bitter smile, he remarks to his junior brothers, “Fellow Daoist Song is quite busy these days.”

Ever since Shen Lingshu has fallen from grace, those who come to see him are more likely to mock him than offer support. The shift in attitude stings.

Sensing that he is in a foul mood, the junior brothers quickly change the subject.

Meanwhile, the heart demon has strutted into the Shen estate with great momentum, yet as he walks out of Shen Lingshu’s courtyard, his steps are noticeably lighter, even cheerful. It’s as if he has suddenly transformed into an entirely different person.

Song Shao has no doubt that he has done something.

He catches up and lowers his voice. “What did you just do to Shen Lingshu?”

They are still walking along the floating flower corridor in the Shen family’s backyard.

The Shen family, though long past its prime, is still a prestigious clan with centuries of history. Even in decline, the main estate remains lavish, with its intricate architecture and elegant courtyards. Servants bustle about in the distance, tending to their duties.

The heart demon shoots Song Shao a glare, then smirks. “Something that’ll bring him bad luck.”

Song Shao’s curiosity grows. “What exactly?”

“Don’t worry about it.” The heart demon has no intention of explaining. With that, he hops away, full of energy.

He looks lively enough, but unfortunately, he’s a little ancestor who is anything but easy to deal with.

Song Shao sighs and shakes his head before following him reluctantly.

To be honest, Shen Lingshu has quite a few visitors today. Before the heart demon and Song Shao can even leave the Shen family’s backyard, they run into Pei Heng and Li Jianming from the Kunwu Sword Sect. The heart demon has seen these people back when he was still just a ball of black mist, so there’s no need for Song Shao to introduce them. He already knows them well enough.

Song Shao, on the other hand, greets them politely, while the heart demon merely curls his lips and stands aside, waiting impatiently.

A faint floral scent drifts through the corridor, carrying an unusual trace of sweetness.

The heart demon sniffs the air, and his eyes instantly light up.

Before Song Shao can react, he has already dashed off.

Startled, Song Shao turns around just in time to see him disappearing into the distance.

“Hey—wait!” Song Shao hurriedly bids Pei Heng farewell and takes off after him.

But in the blink of an eye, the little island master is gone.

Song Shao is completely dumbfounded.

The little ancestor is lost—how is he supposed to explain this when he gets back?!

—

The heart demon hasn’t actually gone far. He is still within the Shen family’s backyard, following the enticing scent. It carries a hint of demonic energy, and his instincts—especially his greed—kick in.

This sweet, lingering fragrance… he has never smelled anything like it before.

Before long, the heart demon trails the scent to a secluded area within the estate. A remote courtyard lies ahead, and the fragrance is much stronger here. Without a second thought, he steps inside.

As he crosses the threshold, a shimmering, water-colored barrier ripples into existence.

But instead of stopping him, it allows him through with an almost gentle touch, leaving only a cool trace of moisture on his forehead.

“Huh?”

The heart demon pauses, raising a hand to his forehead.

Before he can make sense of the barrier, a creaking sound comes from the main hall opposite the courtyard gate. The door slowly swings open, and a man in luxurious robes steps out.

Shen Fu.

For a brief moment, both men stare at each other in silence.

Shen Fu scrutinizes the intruder carefully. Since the heart demon isn’t wearing the Penglai symbol on his Daoist robes today and has a mask covering his face, Shen Fu can’t immediately recognize him.

His expression darkens. “Who are you?”

The heart demon frowns slightly.

The sweet scent that has drawn him here… vanishes the moment this man appears.

Tilting his head, the heart demon glances past Shen Fu, peering into the half-opened door behind him.

Inside the dimly lit room, a figure stands clad in black robes.

Just as the heart demon catches sight of him, the man turns away and disappears into the shadows.

But in that brief instant, the heart demon catches a glimpse of his eyes—dark, with a faint, almost bloody gleam.

His interest is instantly piqued.

Those eyes… they look a bit like his own!

Shen Fu notices his movement, and his expression turns even colder.

“Who are you?” he demands. “What do you think you’re doing, trespassing in my Shen family’s ancestral hall?”

The heart demon blinks. “Oh? This is the ancestral hall?”

Shen Fu is amused by his feigned innocence.

Trying to act clueless even after barging in?

In truth, the heart demon has no idea what an ancestral hall is—he is simply curious and wants to take a look inside.

Meanwhile, Shen Fu has already begun gathering spiritual energy behind his back, preparing to strike.

Unfortunately for him, at that exact moment, Song Shao arrives, panting from the chase.

He grabs the heart demon by the arm and gasps, “This is the Shen family, not Penglai! You can’t just run around like this—you scared me half to death, little ancestor!”

Shen Fu recognizes Song Shao and immediately withdraws his spiritual power. Song Shao, seeing him as well, forces a bitter smile and braces himself.

“Apologies, Master Shen. My… child ran off. I’ll take him away right now!”

Shen Fu smiles faintly, but before he can say a word, Song Shao, afraid of being held accountable, quickly grabs the heart demon and bolts.

Shen Fu takes a step forward as if to follow, but in the end, he lets them go. Instead, he carefully examines the barrier in front of the door.

—

The Shen family estate is massive, and Song Shao has to run quite a distance before finally making it out with the heart demon in tow.

Once they are outside, Song Shao keeps muttering to himself, It’s over. This time, I’ve really offended the Shen family.

Barging into someone’s ancestral hall—how could that be a small matter?

If the Shen family decides to pursue this, it would be best for the young island master to step in and handle it himself.

The heart demon, however, couldn’t care less.

He yanks his hand out of Song Shao’s grip and scowls. “What are you doing? I haven’t even had the chance to go inside and play yet.”

Song Shao nearly bursts into tears. “That’s the Shen family’s ancestral hall! You can’t just barge in!”

The heart demon doesn’t understand the big deal. “It smelled good inside.”

“…Maybe they use the best incense and candles,” Song Shao mutters. He glances back at the Shen family’s gate in the distance. Seeing that no one is chasing them, he finally lets out a sigh of relief. Coaxing, he says, “Little island master, let’s go back to the inn.”

The heart demon purses his lips but says nothing.

In truth, he has been out for a long time and is starting to miss his brother.

Seeing that he doesn’t protest, Song Shao immediately understands that he is willing to return.

He nearly sheds tears of joy—Finally, he’s being obedient for once!

—

Just then, someone calls out to him from behind.

Turning around, Song Shao sees Li Jianming, Jiang Zhibai, and the others he ran into earlier. They have likely all been driven out by Shen Lingshu, leaving together.

Li Jianming has always been friendly toward the Penglai disciples. After exchanging a few words with his senior brother, he walks over and asks, “The banquet at Tiandao Sect is about to begin. We’re all heading there. Fellow Daoist Song, are you coming with us?”

Song Shao waves his hand dismissively.

The invitation is crushed by the little island master. Why would I go?

Before he can respond, a voice suddenly rings in his ear.

“Is Shen Lingshu going too?”

Song Shao stiffens.

A deep sense of foreboding creeps into his heart.

He turns to look at the heart demon in disbelief.

Didn’t we agree to go back? Why is he changing his mind?!

Clearing his throat, Song Shao tries to gently remind him, “The young island master is waiting for us at the inn.”

The heart demon, however, ignores him and simply looks at Li Jianming.

Li Jianming, catching on, chuckles and replies, “Of course. Tonight’s event is for him—he’ll definitely be there.”

Then, he glances at the heart demon with curiosity. “By the way, little Daoist friend, are you also a disciple of Penglai Island? I didn’t see you at the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest.”

Song Shao sighs inwardly. This guy isn’t from Penglai. You’ve seen him plenty of times before.

But before he can say anything, the heart demon suddenly laughs. “I want to go!”

Song Shao has expected this. He exhales slowly and tries to reason with him. “But—”

“I want to go!” the heart demon repeats firmly.

After all, he has just made something that will bring bad luck to Shen Lingshu—how can he miss the chance to see him make a fool of himself in public?

Song Shao swallows the words of protest that are about to leave his mouth.

Fine. Whatever the little ancestor says, so be it. He isn’t the Young Island Master—how could he possibly stop him?

In his heart, the little Song Shao inside clasps his hands together and silently prays that nothing terrible will happen tonight.