When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 61

Shen Lingshu voluntarily enters the Ice Prison for a hundred years to atone for his sins, a decision that is the worst-case scenario the peak masters of Tiandao Sect had anticipated. If this can quell the anger of his fellow cultivators, then both Tiandao Sect and Shen Lingshu have to accept it. However, they don’t expect that their greatest gesture of sincerity will be overshadowed by the news of the two island masters of Penglai making an appearance.

The next day, the people of Shengjing are all talking about the two island masters of Penglai. Who still remembers Shen Lingshu?

This outcome leaves the people of Tiandao Sect feeling deflated. Fortunately, the matter of Shen Lingshu seems to be resolved. After the banquet, Jue Fei of Tianqing Sect does send a generous amount of spiritual medicines to repair the spirit veins, offering compensation. The Shen family is very concerned about their son, and with their support and that of several peak masters from the Tiandao Sect, it isn’t difficult to repair Shen Lingshu’s spirit veins.

This is a delicate matter, so Tiandao Sect only dares to handle it quietly.

Meanwhile, the once-mighty Tiandao Sect, once known as the No. 1 Immortal Sect, is now eerily quiet. On the other hand, the inn where the people of Penglai are staying is bustling with activity. At dawn, Song Shao politely turns away many of his fellow disciples who come to visit.

His reason is straightforward: “The young island master will be going to the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference in three days. Surely you’ll see him then? Why rush to meet him today? Besides, the two island masters aren’t really familiar with you.”

Of course, Song Shao’s last remark is more of a mental complaint. He is the smoothest and most capable disciple selected by the Penglai Immortal Palace, responsible for handling all external affairs. He is highly skilled in superficial etiquette. After politely accepting visiting cards from various families, he rubs his face, which is twitching with the urge to laugh, and makes his way to the courtyard of the young island master.

Upon entering the yard, Song Shao immediately spots a figure in red, almost calling out to the young island master. But upon seeing that the figure is sitting in the corridor, he realizes something is off. Upon closer inspection, it is actually the little island master.

Today, the heart demon has changed into a new set of clothes, which perfectly match the red outfit Yun Zhuoran wore the day before. Both are dressed in the same red garments, with delicate snow-colored jade branches adorning the corners of their robes. No wonder Song Shao has mistaken them for each other. However, the difference is clear. Yun Zhuoran, in the same red dress, exudes an air of quiet solitude that subdues the brightness of the color, giving him a cold and beautiful aura. In contrast, the heart demon’s demonic energy, amplified by the magic pattern between his brows, gives off an unmistakable sinister air.

Song Shao walks over with the visiting cards in hand and overhears the heart demon muttering to himself.

“Who does brother like the most?”

The heart demon holds a puppet in each hand, raising one of them and speaking in a tone eerily similar to Yun Zhuoran’s. “Of course, it’s little Weiran. Little Weiran is the cutest! Brother likes little Weiran the most!”

Song Shao blinks, clearly taken aback. “…”

The heart demon then laughs, raising the other puppet. “But brother scolded me last night.”

Without missing a beat, he turns to the puppet in his right hand. “I won’t do that again in the future.”

The heart demon smiles. “Okay, then Weiran forgives brother. Hehe.”

For a moment, Song Shao really doesn’t know how to react. Is the little island master losing his mind after sneaking out yesterday and being punished by the young island master?

The heart demon looks up and sees Song Shao standing there, momentarily putting down the two puppets in his hands. “What are you standing there for? Are you looking for your brother?”

Song Shao clears his throat and smiles. “Yes, little island master, aren’t you going to practice calligraphy today?”

The heart demon bares his teeth in a bright smile, looking almost proud as he answers, “My brother said I was tired yesterday, so I can rest for the day and don’t need to practice calligraphy!”

Song Shao is puzzled. Tired? He can’t understand why the heart demon would be tired after a day like yesterday. Was he exhausted from arguing with people?

Recalling what happened at the Tiandao Sect’s banquet the night before, Song Shao still feels some lingering fear. If the people the little island master argued with at the banquet had no shame, the little island master might not have left so easily. Fortunately, in the end, the young island master and the Penglai Immortal had arrived to take the little island master away, or else Song Shao wouldn’t have known how to leave the banquet.

The heart demon thinks for a moment, then stands up with the two puppets in his arms. He straightens his back, his expression becoming serious. “Brother is helping Penglai Immortal heal his wounds. If you have something to say, tell me.”

Song Shao blurts out, “Is that appropriate?”

The heart demon’s brows darken, glowing with a faint crimson hue. “Brother’s affairs are my affairs. What do you think?”

Song Shao isn’t convinced that the heart demon can handle Penglai’s matters. He simply wants to hand over the visiting card to Penglai Immortal or the young island master for their review. These two probably wouldn’t care much.

Knowing that Penglai Immortal is busy healing, he tucks the visiting card away neatly. His gaze falls on the puppet doll in the heart demon’s hands, and he smiles. “Little island master, do you want to learn puppetry? I could teach you.”

The heart demon sneers. “Of course I know!”

After all, why else would his brother give him these two puppets to play with?

It isn’t clear who will be teaching whom.

The heart demon’s eyes gleam mischievously as he raises his chin. “Alright, take out your puppet and let me see.”

Song Shao sighs and summons his puppet immediately. At this point, he just wants to divert the little island master’s attention. He doesn’t expect that the little island master might have meant, Your puppet will be mine in the future.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Yun Zhuoran, who is both healing Penglai Immortal and acting as a guard, is split in his attention. From time to time, he glances at the Heart Demon, his worry clear on his face. The Heart Demon has sneaked out the previous day, and after saying a few words, has suddenly burst into tears. Yun Zhuoran knows that it will take some time to help Penglai Immortal recover, and he fears the Heart Demon might cause trouble or sneak out again. To keep the Heart Demon occupied, Yun Zhuoran has asked Penglai Immortal to provide two puppets to help drain some of the Heart Demon’s energy.

When Song Shao arrives to play with the Heart Demon, Yun Zhuoran feels somewhat relieved.

Two days later, when Yun Zhuoran and Penglai Immortal go out, they find Song Shao standing near the Heart Demon with an expression as though he wants to cry. The Heart Demon is surrounded by several puppets and a group of delicate-looking boys, all of them playing dice together.

Penglai Immortal, whose pale face has improved significantly, stands easily by the door. He looks at Song Shao, then at the young boy in red who has thrown himself into Yun Zhuoran’s arms, eyes shining brightly. His curiosity piqued, Penglai Immortal asks, “Why are you crying?”

Song Shao wipes away the non-existent tears and shakes his head, trying to appear strong. He has just lost half of the puppets he has raised to the little island master. Those little puppets, which he has carefully maintained for many years, have now become the little island master’s followers, their new purpose to play with him. The only consolation is that a few puppets, which the little island master dislikes but which Song Shao has grown fond of, can still be transformed into beautiful girls.

Penglai Immortal ignores him and asks what has happened in Shengjing over the past few days.

Meanwhile, the heart demon is clinging to Yun Zhuoran, affectionately whining about how much he misses his brother. The puppet-like boys obediently stand in the courtyard, quickly tidying up the area.

Yun Zhuoran frowns slightly, looking at Song Shao with some disapproval. He has trusted Song Shao to look after the heart demon and not allow him to run off again, yet here he is, teaching the heart demon to gamble.

Song Shao shivers under Yun Zhuoran’s gaze and quickly says, “The Ten Thousand Immortals Conference officially opens tomorrow. The venue is the old site of Yunshan College. The Gu family and the Bai family, who are hosting the event, have sent invitations for the two island masters and Penglai Immortal. Also, after the news of the floating city is leaked a few days ago, it’s now known by everyone in Shengjing. Someone will definitely bring it up during the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference.”

Yun Zhuoran’s cold eyes remain fixed on Song Shao, making Song Shao feel like he can’t breathe. With guilt and fear, he adds, “Also, the four major sects and several families have sent visiting cards in the past few days. The Tianqing Sect, in particular, has been getting close to Tiandao Sect recently. It’s said that Tianqing Sect is willing to invite Buddhist disciples to repair Shen Lingshu’s spiritual roots.”

At this, Yun Zhuoran looks away.

Song Shao secretly sighs in relief, but then hears the heart demon mutter, “The Tianqing Sect is really eager to help Shen Lingshu.”

Penglai Immortal raises an eyebrow in surprise. “I thought the Tianqing Sect and the Tiandao Sect weren’t on good terms.”

“Gu Shenshu’s influence is still present. His death is tied to the Tianqing Sect. They can’t afford to destroy Gu Shenshu’s only true disciple.”

Yun Zhuoran speaks in a light tone, “I will go to the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference tomorrow. They want to seal the Demon Well and Floating City. This coincides with my plans. Only by staying close to them can we gather more useful information.”

Penglai Immortal nods in agreement. “I will go as well. Though I’ve never met Gu Shenshu, I’ve heard my brother mention him many times. My brother considered him a friend he could confide in and would never have killed him.”

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t stop Penglai Immortal, but instead lowers his head, gently rubbing the hair on the Heart Demon’s head.

“Are you going, Weiran?”

“Yes! I want to be with my brother!”

The Heart Demon, afraid of being left behind, agrees without hesitation, his face flushed with excitement.

Yun Zhuoran smiles softly, his lips curving. “Okay.”

Seeing Yun Zhuoran’s genuine smile, Penglai Immortal mutters something about a flatterer under his breath. Song Shao is taken aback—it turns out the young island master can smile. Honestly, he looks so handsome when he does!

Weiran is also stunned. His face turns even redder, and his ears flush as well. He shyly hugs Yun Zhuoran’s arm but is soon pulled back toward the room by Yun Zhuoran. “Then, write 100 large characters today.”

At the sound of those words, Weiran nearly freezes in place.

No!

It is a pity that Yun Zhuoran, in his serious manner of teaching, has always insisted on making Weiran learn proper discipline. Weiran ends up making up for the lessons he has missed over the past two days, allowing him to finally go out with Yun Zhuoran on the day the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference begins.

Yunshan Academy has a history stretching back thousands of years. During a time of spiritual desolation, it was the foremost cultivation academy in the entire cultivation world. It attracted people from all walks of life and was full of talent, but now it is a mere shadow of its former self.

While Shengjing has at least managed to stay among the top in the current cultivation world, Yunshan Academy has long since declined, leaving only an empty shell behind.

Despite its decline, Yunshan Academy’s former glory cannot be ignored. The academy is still home to the largest martial arts arena in Shengjing and a school that can accommodate thousands of students, remaining one of the symbols of the city.

This Ten Thousand Immortals Conference is initially called after the Tiandao Sect is attacked by the magic dragon, aimed at addressing the growing demonic movements across the cultivation world. The cause of these disturbances is the mysterious disappearance of the Little Ghost King from Pojun Mountain. However, by the time the conference begins, the focus has shifted. The escaping demons, the incident in the Ten Thousand Beast Forest, the breaking of the Sealed Demon Well’s barrier, and the sudden appearance of the Floating City have become the main topics of concern.

The event is organized by the Bai Family and the Gu Family, who are now tasked with guarding the Sealed Demon Well.

The Gu family has been unlucky in the past as well. More than 20 years ago, an accident occurred with the Sealed Demon Well when the Gu family was on guard duty. At the time, they were guarding it on behalf of their in-laws, the Baili family. Not long after, a major incident happened, and the Baili family had to take responsibility for it. Now, with another mishap occurring under the Gu family’s watch, rumors of their bad luck have spread widely.

Because of all these accumulated events, the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference has gained unprecedented attention. Nearly every major orthodox sect has sent representatives to attend, making it clear that this will be a conference of significant scale.

The arrival of the two Penglai Island Masters and Penglai Immortal becomes the talk of the conference. Many have rushed to Yunshan Academy early to catch a glimpse of these renowned figures. But as the conference is about to begin, no one has seen any representatives from Penglai.

It turns out that the Penglai group has arrived early. They have gone to their guest rooms to rest before the event officially starts.

Yun Zhuoran and Weiran both carefully put on their masks. On the way, Weiran complains about his wrist hurting. Now, sitting next to Yun Zhuoran, he lazily leans against him, asking his brother to rub his wrist.

Yun Zhuoran knows Weiran is pretending to be in pain, but he doesn’t call him out on it. Gently, he pinches Weiran’s slender wrist. Weiran’s hands are almost identical to his, just a little thinner, both delicate and graceful, like jade.

Penglai Immortal feels a twinge of jealousy in his heart. “Flatterer.”

Weiran simply snorts, nestling more comfortably into Yun Zhuoran’s arms, and in Penglai Immortal’s eyes, looks like a seductive fairy, deliberately teasing. “Brother likes me the most.”

Penglai Immortal doesn’t engage in the playful back-and-forth, but turns to Yun Zhuoran and asks, “Does my brother like Xian’er?”

When Yun Zhuoran was younger, Penglai Immortal used to call him ‘little brother’ along with Yun Peiran, but Yun Zhuoran never really responded. Now, he also remains silent, his expression unreadable.

Penglai Immortal’s ears flush, and he covers his face. “I know he must like me!”

Yun Zhuoran sighs inwardly. “…” Well, fine.

Yun Zhuoran chooses not to get involved in the playful banter between Penglai Immortal and Weiran.

After a while, Weiran, exhausted from staying up all night writing those 100 large characters, falls asleep on the table before their quarrel can go on much longer.

Just then, the heads of the Gu and Shen families arrive, asking to invite Yun Zhuoran and Penglai Immortal to speak next door. Invitations like these are common during the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference, so it isn’t unusual. With little time left before the conference begins, Yun Zhuoran and Penglai Immortal go to the next room, leaving Song Shao and Song Yun to watch over Weiran.

Weiran doesn’t sleep for long. He wakes up as soon as Yun Zhuoran leaves. Rubbing his eyes, he notices that no one is around. He climbs up from the low couch, approaches Song Shao, and asks where Yun Zhuoran has gone. Only then does he learn that Yun Zhuoran has gone next door.

The Heart Demon pouts, ready to go find someone when, just then, someone comes in with spiritual tea. Initially, the Heart Demon doesn’t pay much attention, but then he notices the boy making a shape with his mouth, as though trying to convey something.

The Heart Demon pauses for a moment before realizing what is happening. The servant boy is silently mouthing to him—The island master is waiting for you. Follow me.

But the boy disappears as quickly as he has come.

The Heart Demon blinks, staring at Song Shao and Song Yun, a look of confusion in his eyes.

Song Shao asks, “What’s wrong?”

Realizing they haven’t noticed the boy’s strange behavior, the Heart Demon suddenly grins. “Go tell my brother to come back.”

Song Shao sighs inwardly, knowing just how clingy the little island master can be! He pretends to be helpless and turns to Song Yun, asking him to pass on the message.

Song Yun shoots him a glare, muttering under his breath about Song Shao being a “flatterer,” but obediently goes to do as he is told.

However, seeing that the Heart Demon is also leaving, Song Shao quickly follows. “Where are you going…?”

Before he can finish his sentence, the Heart Demon pats him on the shoulder, freezing Song Shao in place. The only thing he can do is stare at him in disbelief. The Heart Demon flashes a playful smile, clearly amused.

“Someone asked me out. Don’t follow me.”

Song Shao: “…” Not again!

Song Shao feels like he is doomed this time. The little island master keeps running off right under his nose!

The Heart Demon, oblivious to Song Shao’s torment and frustration, tilts his head with a mischievous smile before hopping out the door. Just then, he has just caught a whiff of something delicious—the same scent from the Shen family’s ancestral hall.

Song Shao, left behind miserably, silently sheds tears in his heart. What’s the use of being cute?! The little island master is such a troublemaker! The young island master will definitely be very angry!

As soon as the heart demon runs out of the courtyard, he sees the green-clothed boy, who has just come to deliver tea, standing under the willow tree in front of the courtyard. The boy nods at him, turns around, and leaves. The heart demon licks his lips and follows with a smile.

Not far behind, Gu Jinping is secretly trailing with her servants.

The heart demon follows the green-clothed boy for a while, eventually entering a secluded courtyard. It is eerily quiet inside, with no one else but him and the boy.

As the heart demon takes in the empty surroundings, the green-clothed boy begins observing him in return.

“Don’t bother looking,” the boy says, his tone suddenly turning sinister. “There’s no one else here.”

The heart demon studies him and notices black mist beginning to spread around the boy, slowly forming into a tall figure—a man in a black robe, wrapped tightly, but the heart demon recognizes him as merely an avatar created from demonic energy.

Although the demonic energy isn’t pure, the heart demon’s eyes gleam slightly.

“I didn’t expect you to fall for it so easily,” the black-robed man says, his voice dripping with mockery. “But I’m afraid you won’t be leaving today.” He looks at the heart demon with bloodshot eyes from beneath his hood. “Anything else you’d like to say, little friend?”

The heart demon swallows, asking softly, “No one can leave today?”

The figure in black feels an uneasy shiver run down his spine, but he quickly regains his composure, his blood-red eyes coldly gazing at the red-clad youth before him. He smiles maliciously. “Since you’ve asked, then I won’t hold back!”

The black-robed man is eager to see the fearful expression on the red-clothed boy’s face, but as he prepares to unleash his magic, the heart demon only smiles brightly in return. Then, without warning, he opens his mouth slightly and begins humming.

Moments later, the heart demon calmly pushes the door open and steps out. He wipes his mouth carefully, turns his eyes warily toward the outside, and then rubs his stomach as he walks away happily. From the back, he appears in an exceptionally good mood.

As he leaves, Shen Lingshu turns his wheelchair and enters the room. But there is no one there.

A servant from the Shen family behind him speaks up, “The young master did enter this room just now.”

Shen Lingshu’s expression sours with disappointment. He has been relaxing by the lake when he spots the figure of the little island master from afar. Knowing the boy’s connection to the owner of Penglai Island, Shen Lingshu had hoped to make friends with him. After all, he is still just a child. Shen Lingshu had hoped that by befriending the little island master, he might gain some favor and perhaps even be introduced to the island’s owner.

But now, it seems, he has arrived a step too late.

Outside the courtyard, Gu Jinping has just brought her people over. Seeing the heart demon’s figure swaying inside the room, she smiles coldly. “It’s your fault Brother Shen has to be locked away for a hundred years. Don’t blame me for what happens next.”

Gu Jinping raises her hand and signals two of her Golden Core stage servants, whispering to them, “After all, he’s the little island master of Penglai. When you go in, cover his eyes so he can’t see, and just beat him up.”

The Gu family siblings often ask these two servants to handle such matters, and they are very experienced.

The two servants exchange knowing smiles and quietly enter the courtyard.

However, Gu Jinping has no idea that the person she intends to teach a lesson to has already left. Now, in the room, there is only Brother Shen, the one she has been thinking about.

Just as Shen Lingshu is about to leave, the entire room suddenly darkens.

It is almost noon, and the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference is about to begin. Everyone is heading towards the Mingde Hall of the academy.

Yun Zhuoran and Penglai Immortal have been invited by the two family heads, but it is just a meaningless formality. Neither of them is particularly interested. 

When Song Yun happens to arrive, they decide to leave. However, upon returning to the yard, they are surprised to find that the heart demon is nowhere to be seen. Only Song Shao remains, frozen in place.

Yun Zhuoran quickly breaks the spell that has fixed Song Shao’s mind with a snap of his fingers. He can immediately tell that the heart demon has snuck away again.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

The bells of Mingde Hall ring slowly, signaling that the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference is about to begin.

A cold chill spreads over Yun Zhuoran, and Penglai Immortal speaks up, “I’ll go look for him.”

“I’ll go,” Yun Zhuoran replies firmly. “You go ahead to Mingde Hall first. I’ll join you soon.”

Song Shao mentions that the heart demon has been asked out by someone, but Yun Zhuoran knows the heart demon’s temper all too well. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn’t have left. Yun Zhuoran suspects that the person who took him might have ill intentions.

Without further words, Yun Zhuoran instructs Penglai Immortal to go on ahead and leaves in a hurry. Having a blood contract with the heart demon, he can sense if the demon is nearby.

Luckily, the heart demon hasn’t gone far this time. After determining his direction, Yun Zhuoran rushes toward him. If the one who has called the heart demon has bad intentions, Yun Zhuoran won’t hesitate to make them pay.

Meanwhile, the bells continue to ring, signaling the start of the conference. The heads of the Gu and Shen families have sent the two Penglai representatives off and are now heading back.

However, as Shen Fu turns a corner, he veers into a secluded courtyard. He opens the door and quickly speaks, “The Ten Thousand Immortals Conference is about to begin. You asked me to come…” He pauses, his voice laced with surprise. “You’re injured? That little island owner is so powerful!”

The black-robed man in front of him is sitting cross-legged on a low couch, blood pooling around him. He looks gravely wounded, and his voice is hoarse as he says, “Find a chance to eliminate him as soon as possible. That little thing is no simple foe… Shen Fu, he saw me. You know what to do.”

Shen Fu’s expression shifts between alarm and anger, his eyes filled with urgency.

The distant sound of the bell continues to toll, signaling that he can’t stay. Shen Fu hurriedly leaves, but halfway there, he runs into his daughters, Shen Xi and Shen Man, who are frantically searching for Shen Lingshu.

Shen Fu’s eyes widen in shock and anger. “Isn’t he at Tiandao Sect? How could he have gone missing?”

“How should I know?” Shen Xi snaps, equally anxious. “Shen Lingshu came to see me just a short while ago, then left something behind. But when I went to Tiandao Sect, no one had seen him.”

Shen Fu, irritated by his daughter’s response, is about to scold her when a loud shout echoes from nearby—”Something happened!”

At the same moment, Yun Zhuoran, guided by the blood contract, hears the shout. His eyes narrow, and he quickly flashes to the source of the disturbance.

In front of a secluded courtyard, a crowd has gathered, and a woman’s cries echo from within.

The voice sounds oddly familiar.

Just as Yun Zhuoran is about to approach, he hears a familiar voice call from behind—

“Brother!”

Yun Zhuoran freezes. He turns around slowly, only to be enveloped in a red blur as the heart demon throws himself into Yun Zhuoran’s arms. If Yun Zhuoran hadn’t stabilized himself, he would have been knocked back.

The heart demon looks up at him with a sweet smile. “Brother, are you looking for me?”

Yun Zhuoran feels the familiar warmth of the heart demon in his arms, but mixed with it is a faint trace of demonic energy, one that doesn’t belong to the heart demon.

Yun Zhuoran’s gaze hardens as he stares at the smiling face of the heart demon. His cold eyes narrow. There is definitely something off about the little demon. He can smell other demons on him.

But if the Heart Demon is here, then what about inside…?

Before Yun Zhuoran can make sense of his thoughts, Shen Fu’s exclamation pierces the air from the courtyard:

“Yu’er! Who did this?!”