When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 65

In just two months, Shengjing goes from being prosperous and bustling to extremely desolate. Only a few people remain on the once-crowded streets. No matter how brightly the sun shines, it seems unable to dispel the gloom lingering in every corner.

The appearance of the floating order makes countless cultivators in Shengjing restless. The intervention and ruthless plundering by the Zhuyin Sect and other demon cultivators heighten the sense of crisis for everyone in the city.

Whether righteous or demonic cultivators, most who know the name of Penglai Immortal feel some degree of fear. As a result, Yun Zhuoran and the heart demon don’t encounter any robbers on their return journey, unlike when they first set out. Perhaps this is also due to the righteous sects’ recent efforts to clean up Shengjing. Since the second batch of floating orders appears, demon cultivators have become more restrained, and many righteous sects have joined forces to push back.

Upon returning to the inn, Yun Zhuoran learns about these developments. Although Shengjing appears peaceful on the surface, most cultivators still choose to stay indoors — as do most ordinary citizens who cannot practice cultivation.

During the half-month that Yun Zhuoran has been away, the righteous sects accomplish quite a bit. Although the Ten Thousand Immortals Conference has been suspended, investigations into the Sealed Demon Well are still ongoing. Unfortunately, there are still no leads. Concerned about the possibility of demons escaping from the Sealed Demon Well, the major sects once again seek help from Penglai.

As soon as Yun Zhuoran returns, Penglai Immortal hands him a list provided by the four major sects.

“This is a record of those imprisoned in the Sealed Demon Well over the past few centuries. It should be complete, but some were imprisoned so long ago that no one knows if they’re still alive.”

Yun Zhuoran is surprised at first. He doesn’t expect such a list to fall into his hands. But upon reflection, it makes sense — he’s now the young island master of Penglai. His status has changed, and the information accessible to him is naturally different.

The list, compiled by several righteous sects, is detailed, including the origins and crimes of each prisoner in the Sealed Demon Well. Since Yun Zhuoran is investigating the Sealed Demon Well incident from 20 years ago, Penglai Immortal has paid special attention and kept the list aside.

While Yun Zhuoran reads through the list, Penglai Immortal sits opposite him, quietly observing the heart demon clinging to Yun Zhuoran’s back.

This trip has drawn the heart demon and the young master noticeably closer.

Even Penglai Immortal feels somewhat redundant just sitting there.

The four major sects wouldn’t dare falsify information that’s intended for Penglai Immortal.

As Yun Zhuoran flips through the records, he quickly finds details on several demon cultivators whose names had come up during the Sealed Demon Well incident 20 years ago. These individuals have been highlighted by Penglai Immortal.

Penglai Immortal notices Yun Zhuoran’s expression turning grim and says, “As far as I know, the most powerful individual ever imprisoned in the Sealed Demon Well was the Blood Demon Patriarch, confined there two hundred years ago. He was the former patriarch of the Yin Puppet Sect and was sent to the well by Gu Shenshu.”

That was over two hundred years ago, back when Gu Shenshu was not yet the leader of the Tiandao Sect.

The Blood Demon Patriarch’s name appears on the bamboo slips Yun Zhuoran is holding.

Gu Shenshu rose to fame long before founding the Tiandao Sect because of his victory over the Blood Demon Patriarch. Gu Shenshu destroyed the Yin Puppet Sect and personally sent the Blood Demon Patriarch to the Sealed Demon Well. At the time, Gu Shenshu’s cultivation was in the late Nascent Soul stage, while the Blood Demon Patriarch was already half a step into the Ascension stage.

Gu Shenshu became renowned throughout the world for defeating the Blood Demon Patriarch.

Twenty years ago, the Sealed Demon Well Rebellion was triggered when five demons within the well joined forces to break the formation’s seal and attempted to escape. The Shen and Gu families, who were stationed at the Sealed Demon Well at the time, didn’t request Gu Shenshu’s help until the situation became dire. They claimed Yun Peiran had betrayed them, assisting the demons in breaking the formation. The situation had become critical.

As a result, Gu Shenshu was the first to rush there — and ultimately died in the Sealed Demon Well.

At the same time, several demons led by the Blood Demon Patriarch perished as well.

However, rumors claimed that Gu Shenshu’s death was largely due to Yun Peiran’s betrayal.

When members of the four major sects arrived, they saw Yun Peiran fleeing the scene.

No one witnessed Yun Peiran commit murder directly, but many fought him to prevent his escape, confirming that the fleeing man was indeed Yun Peiran.

Yun Zhuoran knows with absolute certainty that Yun Peiran would never kill Gu Shenshu. Yet with so many witnesses, the world believes what they saw with their own eyes. Yun Peiran hasn’t been seen since.

Yun Zhuoran wasn’t present at the time, nor is he Yun Peiran himself. No matter what he says, it’s meaningless. All he can do is watch Yun Peiran bear the blame and flee in fear of punishment. In the past, tracking him down was nearly impossible. But now, all Yun Zhuoran needs to do is find Gu Shenshu. After all, no one would know better than Gu Shenshu himself who killed him.

The Blood Demon Patriarch’s name is listed first, followed by his disciple, who has reached the Soul Formation stage, and two old acquaintances who have also been imprisoned.

The final name on the list catches Yun Zhuoran’s eye, sparking a memory of Ji Wuwang.

“Blood Demon Patriarch, Cui Shen, and… Ji Yan?”

Even though Yun Zhuoran is deeply involved in the matter, he only learns the names of these people today.

The truth about Gu Shenshu’s death in the Sealed Demon Well 20 years ago has long been uncovered, but few people have ever mentioned the demons who caused the chaos. People seem to have forgotten about these demons, rumored to have been wiped out by Gu Shenshu. Perhaps because they are dead, they are not as hated?

Looking at the name Ji Yan, Yun Zhuoran can’t help but think of Ji Wuwang’s cooperation with him. Ji Wuwang says that his father disappeared mysteriously in the Sealed Demon Well, which also happened when Gu Shenshu died 20 years ago.

Penglai Immortal says, “It is said that he was the former Palace Master of the Demon Palace and was sent in by his brother.”

Yun Zhuoran knows without thinking that the brother Penglai Immortal mentions is his elder brother, Yun Peiran. Slightly surprised, he says, “I have never heard of this.”

Speaking of this, Penglai Immortal looks resentful, curling his lips. “I never heard of this either. However, Ji Yan entered the Sealed Demon Well ten years before Gu Shenshu’s death. At that time, I hadn’t found brother yet. But according to the records kept by the Tiandao Sect elder who was on duty at the Sealed Demon Well back then, it was indeed brother and Gu Shenshu who brought him there.”

Ji Wuwang says that his father was imprisoned in the Sealed Demon Well by Gu Shenshu 30 years ago, and the records obtained by Penglai Immortal clearly state that Ji Yan was sent to the Sealed Demon Well by Gu Shenshu and Yun Peiran.

It seems there is no conflict.

Yun Zhuoran thinks about it seriously.

The timeline in the records matches the period shortly after Yun Peiran had emerged from the Buddhist pagoda at Tianqing Sect and brought Yun Zhuoran away to Tiandao Sect. During that period, they had rented a small courtyard in Qingzhou for quite some time. Yun Peiran would occasionally leave for stretches of time, never telling Yun Zhuoran where he had gone. However, he always returned before nightfall.

Perhaps that was when it happened. Yun Peiran and Gu Shenshu had indeed been friends.

Penglai Immortal recalls what Pei Heng of Kunwu Sword Sect says when delivering the list and adds, “By the way, Wen Jianxian of Kunwu Sword Sect said that when the people arrived at the scene that year, they only saw that the Blood Demon Patriarch and several other demon cultivators were destroyed, but Ji Yan from the Demon Palace seemed to have escaped in the chaos.”

Yun Zhuoran pauses. “Did Wen Jianxian personally send this?”

Penglai Immortal nods, looking at Yun Zhuoran with sparkling eyes, his face full of curiosity. “Wen Jianxian also said, ‘Thanks to the young island master for reminding him that day.’ What did he mean? What did you remind him of?”

“Probably about the floating order.”

In truth, the possibility that the Floating Order could bring disaster is something Wen Jianxian would have realized on his own once the initial excitement wore off. Most likely, it’s simply because the reminder came from Penglai’s Young Island Master that Wen Jianxian takes it more seriously.

So when Wen Jianxian asks Penglai Immortal for help, he provides a little extra hint. However, it seems that Wen Jianxian merely suspects that Ji Yan is still alive and has no solid evidence to confirm it.

If Ji Yan is indeed alive, then there’s one more person who knows the truth from back then.

Of course, Yun Zhuoran doesn’t place his hopes on someone whose survival is still uncertain. He knows that keeping an eye on Gu Shenshu is more important.

Most of the three months have passed, and he must obtain the floating order as soon as possible.

And tomorrow is the seventh day of the first lunar month.

The heart demon raises his hand and volunteers, “Brother! I can keep an eye on Shen Lingshu!”

Song Shao reminds him in a low voice, “The little island master doesn’t know that Shen Lingshu is currently in seclusion at a critical moment of repairing the spirit veins. Several peak masters of the Tiandao Sect are guarding him personally, and it’s probably difficult to get close to him.”

The heart demon doesn’t care. “What’s the difficulty? I’ll just watch from nearby.”

Waiting like that is still a gamble. Song Shao happened to obtain a floating order near the Shen family. If they keep an eye on Shen Lingshu, will they really get the floating order this time? What if they miss it again?

Instead of waiting, Yun Zhuoran has a better idea. “Song Shao, do you know where the demon cultivators who sneaked into Shengjing are hiding?”

Song Shao quickly replies, “I know.”

Yun Zhuoran nods. “Okay, tomorrow you ask Song Yun to keep an eye on those demon cultivators.”

Song Shao suddenly realizes what Yun Zhuoran is thinking and is full of admiration.

“Yes, I understand.”

Penglai Immortal and the Heart Demon both look thoroughly confused.

Yun Zhuoran glances at their identical puzzled expressions and sighs softly.

“We don’t need to wait — just grab it.”

Rather than waiting for uncertain outcomes, it’s better to strike first — the floating orders in the hands of those demon cultivators are mostly stained with human blood. Yun Zhuoran has no intention of showing mercy when taking them back.

Penglai Immortal and Weiran finally understand. The former opens his mouth slightly in shock and nods slowly, while the latter stares at Yun Zhuoran with bright eyes, his fair and delicate face turning serious.

“Brother, you’ve become bad!”

Yun Zhuoran raises an eyebrow in confusion.

Weiran immediately claps his hands and flashes a bright smile. “But I like it!” Clearly thrilled, he throws himself onto Yun Zhuoran’s back, wrapping his arms around his neck. His blood-tinted eyes narrow slightly. “Brother, I want to go too! It’s my first time stealing something — what should I do?”

Seeing the murderous intent brimming in Heart Demon’s eyes, Penglai Immortal and Song Shao both feel a chill down their spines.

Yun Zhuoran is slightly stunned, suddenly feeling a bit frustrated. He realizes he may have made a mistake by suggesting such a ruthless approach in front of the heart demon — someone who appears as innocent as a blank sheet of paper but is, in fact, born with malicious intent. He originally intends to guide Weiran properly, but now he feels like he’s become a bad influence instead.

As a result, Yun Zhuoran assigns Weiran a lesson — copying scriptures.

That night, Weiran’s excitement and anticipation gradually fade as he tirelessly copies the scriptures.

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the streets of Shengjing are noticeably more crowded with cultivators.

After waking from a nap, Weiran forgets about the previous night’s scripture-copying. Different from usual, he gets up early and stays by Yun Zhuoran’s side, watching the sun with his dark eyes darting around curiously until noon.

As many have anticipated, the floating order appears again that day, far off in the northwest corner of Shengjing. By the time word spreads and people rush to the scene, only bloodstains remain — the person who claimed the floating order has already vanished.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of Shengjing, Yun Zhuoran, Weiran, and Song Yun locate a group of demon cultivators.

The most powerful among them is at the Deity Transformation Stage — not weak, but still unable to withstand Yun Zhuoran’s pressure for long. Yun Zhuoran covers Weiran’s eyes and signals Song Yun to finish things quickly.

“Brother?”

Weiran’s face is pressed against Yun Zhuoran’s shoulder, and he squirms slightly in dissatisfaction.

The bodies of several righteous sect disciples lie piled in a corner of the old building. The blood pooling on the straw is still warm.

A layer of frost gradually covers Yun Zhuoran’s eyes, but his voice remains gentle.

“Don’t look.”

Weiran isn’t frightened at all, but since his brother seems to think he would be…

“Okay.”

Weiran obediently hugs his brother’s waist and sighs helplessly.

He isn’t bothered by such a bloody scene, but pleasing his brother is more important.

As Song Yun finishes dealing with the three demon cultivators, Yun Zhuoran frowns slightly. With a flick of his fingers, a gentle breeze sweeps across Song Yun’s cheek, wiping away the blood on his sword. The blood on the demon cultivators’ bodies and the ground disappears as well.

Song Yun stares blankly. He figures the young island master must be a clean freak who can’t stand the sight of blood.

After ensuring everything is tidy, Yun Zhuoran finally releases the boy in red. Weiran eagerly runs over, only to find the area spotless. He instantly has the same thought as Song Yun.

So, brother doesn’t like to see blood. The heart demon remembers.

Yun Zhuoran watches the heart demon’s reaction closely. He reflects on it the previous night. The heart demon is like a blank sheet of paper — easily influenced by others. Born a demon, he’s naturally inclined toward evil, so Yun Zhuoran knows he must be more cautious in guiding him.

For now, the first step is to keep the child from witnessing excessively bloody or cruel scenes.

Yun Zhuoran still hopes the heart demon will remain obedient and not become like the other demons outside.

As the two walk closer, a flash of white light appears from the arms of the demon cultivator lying on the ground. A jade talisman slips out from beneath his clothes and floats in the air.

Yun Zhuoran steps forward, bends his knees into a half-squat, and reaches out to grab the floating order.

But in an instant, the floating order darts away from Yun Zhuoran’s hand. Caught off guard, he can only watch as the white light streaks past him and shoots into Song Yun’s arms.

Song Yun is quite skilled — even better than Song Shao — but he’s still caught off guard by the sudden flash of light. Seeing it shoot toward his face, he instinctively raises his hand to block it.

The next moment, the floating order makes a sharp turn in midair and lands in Song Yun’s palm.

The once violently flickering white light on the jade talisman slowly calms down, no longer in its frantic escape mode as it had been when Yun Zhuoran approached. Now, it rests quietly in Song Yun’s hand.

The heart demon gasps, and like Yun Zhuoran, stares at Song Yun in disbelief.

Song Yun swears he hasn’t intended to steal the floating order. He’s just a humble disciple from Penglai Immortal Palace, hoping to perform well in front of the young island master. It’s the floating order that has chosen him!

When both Yun Zhuoran and the heart demon look at him with slightly cold expressions, Song Yun panics. His hands tremble, and the floating order slips from his grasp.

Yet, instead of falling to the ground, it floats back up and hovers before the three of them. The demon cultivator’s name on the jade talisman slowly fades, replaced with Song Yun’s name.

Song Yun’s heart sinks. It’s over.

This floating order has passed through several hands, yet all previous traces are erased. Now, Song Yun’s name shines brightly with spiritual light — as if mocking the other two.

The heart demon’s expression shifts from surprise to confusion, then to anger. With a dark expression, he helps Yun Zhuoran to his feet.

Yun Zhuoran stands and stares at the jade talisman that seems to be taunting him.

Gu Shenshu, you’re impressive.

The floating order’s reaction makes it clear just how determined the person behind it is to avoid him.

The name on the floating order is now fully rewritten, and the serial number glows with golden light once again.

Song Yun, 80.