When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 95

Blinding blood-red light fills a circle nearly a hundred feet in diameter, almost occupying the entire space of the hall. Within it, cold demonic energy surges and rages like waves. At the center of the main array stand five black pillars forming a tight circle. Black and red demonic energy coils like vines, winding around the bodies of five people suspended from the pillars.

These five look dazed, their eyes half-closed, pupils glowing with an eerie red light. Even under the watchful eyes of those at the entrance, they show no reaction for a long time. It is obvious they are already unconscious.

Across the formation, Yun Zhuoran stands opposite Gu Shenshu, who sits high on the first seat deep in the hall. For a moment, a flicker of distraction passes through Yun Zhuoran’s clear eyes.

The people trapped in the array are none other than Tongye’s senior brother Jue Fei, Shen family patriarch Shen Fu, Gu family patriarch Gu Jiannan, Cui Shen, and the reclusive, long-ill patriarch of the Baili family, Baili Kua.

At first, Yun Zhuoran doesn’t recognize the last pale, beardless man. Only when he sees the young master of the Baili family charge forward alongside Gu Jinping and call out “father” does he realize who it is.

Three renowned family heads of Shengjing, along with Jue Fei, the first disciple of Tianqing Sect, and Cui Shen, disciple of the Blood Demon Patriarch—these five, unfamiliar to Yun Zhuoran, are locked inside an evil formation by Gu Shenshu. Now, Gu Shenshu is asking Yun Zhuoran to decide their life or death. He truly can’t guess Gu Shenshu’s intention.

After Shen Lingshu and Tong Ye arrive, Shen Xi, Gu Jinping, and Young Master Baili, having recognized their fathers, also rush toward the formation. But remembering Shen Lingshu’s earlier experience, they all stop just outside the blood-red light, looking up at their respective fathers, anxiety building in their hearts.

“Father! Father, wake up!” Gu Jinping shouts toward his father inside the formation.

In a panic, Shen Xi and the Baili young master follow his lead. Their voices are even louder than his, but none of them can wake the people trapped within the array.

Seeing his senior brother Jue Fei trapped in the formation as well, the normally aloof Tong Ye’s expression darkens. Though not as visibly anxious as the others, he steps forward and directly questions the perpetrator.

“What does Sect Master Gu mean by this?!”

A golden light spreads out from beneath Tong Ye’s feet, rippling outward in a circle with him at the center. It carries the pressure of a late-stage fusion cultivator. As his voice falls, the blood-red light reflected in everyone’s eyes is scattered by a sudden Sanskrit chant ringing in their ears, restoring their clarity.

The golden light strikes Gu Shenshu, startling the black dragon coiled around him. With a low groan, it turns into black mist and drifts out. Then, it grows in size midair—its tail alone as thick as a barrel—coiling protectively around Gu Shenshu, nearly filling the space outside the formation.

The mirage dragon lowers its head and glares at everyone with blood-red eyes, letting out a deafening roar.

For a moment, it feels as if the entire City Lord’s Hall is shaking. Tong Ye’s golden light shatters, and its residual force spreads outside the hall. The situation is dire, but fortunately, Yun Zhuoran reacts quickly, forming a golden light barrier in front of Penglai and the others. Song Shao and the rest are spared.

Seeing everyone suffer, Tong Ye presses his palms together and silently recites a Buddhist name. A golden light falls upon the crowd like sweet rain, washing away their discomfort. But this is merely a test—not a true attack.

Tong Ye realizes that the strength of the black dragon is on par with his own. And Gu Shenshu is likely even stronger. A solemn expression appears on his face as he silently stares at the black-robed man seated above.

The enraged mirage dragon seems ready to pass through the formation and devour the bald man who dares challenge its master. But just as it moves, the black-robed Gu Shenshu raises a hand.

“No need to rush. You should know, if you touch me, they will all die.”

The dragon growls in frustration but ultimately lies back down.

Everyone lets out a breath of relief. They have all heard Gu Shenshu is powerful, but hadn’t expected even the dragon under his command to be so terrifying—so much so that not even Tong Ye dares provoke it lightly.

Young Master Yin, having just steadied his spiritual power, whispers this to Young Master Yu. Ji Ruo, standing ahead of them, scoffs when he overhears.

“This is the demon dragon that escaped from our Demon Palace’s forbidden land. Of course it’s strong.”

Young Master Yin blinks. “Demon Palace?”

Yun Zhuoran turns his head upon hearing this, only to see Ji Ruo sneer and look away, clearly unwilling to say more.

Ji Wuwang notices Yun Zhuoran’s glance and explains kindly, “This demon dragon escaped from our Demon Palace’s forbidden area. Unfortunately, no one there was capable of subduing it.”

Ji Ruo mutters, “Only because my father was in seclusion. Otherwise, how could it have fallen into someone else’s hands?”

Ji Wuwang, who earlier spoke against the Demon Palace Master to Yun Zhuoran, simply smiles and responds patiently, “Young Master is right. It was our incompetence.”

Ji Ruo hums in satisfaction.

Yun Zhuoran quietly observes the two cousins—whose interactions are more like superior and subordinate—and turns to glance at the demon dragon guarding Gu Shenshu.

Just then, his gaze meets Gu Shenshu’s smiling blood-red eyes.

“Xiao Zhuoran,” Gu Shenshu says with a smile, “you are the only one who can save them. Don’t try to fight me. None of you here are a match for me. Every word I say is true—if I’m attacked, the formation will react, and they’ll truly be lost.”

After hearing this, even Tong Ye dares not move. Shen Lingshu, Shen Xi, and the others all look to Yun Zhuoran.

Gu Jinping is too embarrassed to speak, but Shen Xi is straightforward. He runs straight to Yun Zhuoran and bows before he even reaches him.

“Yun Zhuoran, I beg you, please save my father!”

Shen Lingshu looks on in silence, making no move to stop him.

Young Master Baili’s eyes light up and he follows to plead, his tone filled with urgency. “Please let my father go, Young Island Master. His old injury hasn’t healed yet, and I’m afraid he won’t last much longer!”

Although Shen Lingshu and Gu Jinping say nothing, they both look at Yun Zhuoran with hope in their eyes.

Yun Zhuoran turns to look at Tong Ye, who lowers his gaze and tightly clutches the Buddhist beads in his hand. No one knows what he’s thinking, but it’s clear he wants to save Jue Fei.

At that moment, Gu Shenshu’s devilish laughter echoes through the empty hall.

“If Xiao Zhuoran chooses to save Shen Fu and the others, then the cultivators still attempting to pass through the trials in the floating city will die. Let’s count—how many are still out there trying to break through?”

Everyone’s minds follow his words, quickly doing the math. At least 80 cultivators have entered the floating city. Assuming the gatekeepers at each checkpoint don’t kill, and discounting the 20 or so people who have already entered the City Lord’s Mansion, that means over half are still outside, attempting to break through. Among them are disciples of the four great sects, heirs of prominent Shengjing families, and magic cultivators from various demonic factions.

Exchanging the lives of more than 50 people for the five inside—people completely unrelated to Yun Zhuoran—makes the answer obvious. No one has to say it aloud: the chances of Yun Zhuoran choosing to save these five are close to none.

Shen Xi and the others turn pale and fall silent.

But Yun Zhuoran doesn’t answer right away.

Gu Shenshu smiles and asks, “Xiao Zhuoran, still haven’t decided?”

The Heart Demon rolls his eyes and steps forward. “You said you wouldn’t make things difficult, but aren’t you doing exactly that? Shen Fu and the others have no ties to him—some even looked down on him. If he trades their lives for those outside and the news spreads, the sects behind them will come after my brother. But if he doesn’t save them, their relatives and friends will hold a grudge. Either way, someone’s going to end up resenting him.”

Yun Zhuoran turns his head slightly, raising an eyebrow.

Everyone understands the point. No matter which side he chooses, Yun Zhuoran will offend someone. Even if the victims’ families understand logically, they will still be resentful.

Gu Shenshu nods with a smile. “Exactly. So the question is: should your brother, Xiao Zhuoran, choose to offend Shen Lingshu, the Tianqing Sect, the Shen Family, the Gu Family, and the Baili Family—or should he offend the forces behind those still struggling outside? Fewer enemies or more?”

The Heart Demon claps mockingly. “I knew you were shameless, but I didn’t expect you to be this shameless. You keep saying you care for your brother and want to give him the floating city, but in the blink of an eye, you throw him into this mess. Inside and outside, he’s caught in the middle. You just want to isolate him. Is watching him suffer that fun for you?”

Clearly, the infamous sharp tongue of Penglai’s Little Island Master is making another appearance.

Yun Zhuoran stands silently, watching the two speak. Strangely enough, both of them seem to make sense.

Gu Shenshu smiles, as if satisfied. “Now that you mention it… it is fun.”

The Heart Demon sneers, his bloodshot eyes sweeping across the others. “You all saw that, didn’t you? All his talk about loving my brother was fake. What he really wants is to drive a wedge between him and everyone else. He’s trying to isolate my brother. Use your heads, all of you—he’s the one who wants your fathers and senior brothers dead. And my brother? My brother’s being played just the same as you. And even if he makes a choice, do you really believe someone this shameless will let us go afterward?”

A heavy silence falls over the crowd.

From the moment they entered the City Lord’s Mansion—or rather, from the moment they received the floating tokens—they stepped into Gu Shenshu’s trap. Once inside the floating city, their lives were already in his hands. They can’t even guarantee their own survival.

Yun Zhuoran looks at the Heart Demon in silence, a faint, relieved smile in his eyes.

In truth, everyone understands the stakes. But since they aren’t the ones inside the evil array, the pressure of choice hasn’t fallen on them. Their focus has been drawn to Gu Shenshu’s twisted game. Only after the Heart Demon’s reminder do some of those still watching like bystanders suddenly realize the danger they are in, panic setting in.

Gu Shenshu chuckles. “Little friend, you’re quite clever. You were right: I gave you only two choices—either the five inside survive, or those outside do. But I never said any of you would live.” Watching everyone’s expressions shift, his smile grows brighter. “Very well, let’s begin with the first choice.”

Yun Zhuoran finally speaks. “The first choice?”

Gu Shenshu tilts his head, his wicked smile widening. “This is the first question assigned to you by your teacher. Xiao Zhuoran, give your answer—who do you want to live?”

The Heart Demon is about to mock him again, but someone holds his arm and presses him down.

Turning, he sees Yun Zhuoran’s cold, calm face.

Yun Zhuoran looks at the deathly aura surrounding Gu Shenshu and asks, “Can I know why you want to kill them? If they’ve wronged you, I won’t stop you.” He pauses, frowns slightly, and looks at the demonic cultivator in the corner of the blood formation. “That’s Cui Shen, disciple of the Blood Demon Ancestor. If I remember correctly, all the people you’ve trapped appeared in the Demon Sealing Well when you died twenty years ago.”

Yun Zhuoran lets out a light sigh, then raises his gaze to meet Gu Shenshu’s eyes.

“So your death is connected to them, isn’t it? If that’s the case, whether you kill them or tear them to pieces, it’s none of my business. Why involve me?”

As soon as he finishes speaking, Shen Xi snaps, “Nonsense! Yun Zhuoran, I respect you for saving me, but don’t slander my father! Everyone knows Gu Shenshu is killed by Yun Peiran!”

Yun Zhuoran ignores him, his gaze fixed firmly on Gu Shenshu.

Shen Lingshu suddenly pulls Shen Xi back. His pale face tenses as he whispers, “Don’t speak recklessly. This isn’t your place.”

Shen Xi opens her mouth to argue, but seeing her elder brother’s expression, she swallows her words and turns away in frustration.

Shen Lingshu looks at Yun Zhuoran with an unreadable expression. For some reason, a faint panic creeps into his heart after hearing Yun Zhuoran’s words. Seeing his calm face and steady eyes only deepens that unease.

He looks again toward the black-robed demonic cultivator seated high above in the hall.

He can’t help but wonder—Is this man… really Gu Shenshu?

This is completely different from the gentle and easy-going master Shen Lingshu remembers.

When he sees the smile slowly vanish from Gu Shenshu’s pale face, the ominous feeling in Shen Lingshu’s heart surges once more.

Qin Zheng’s confused gaze shifts between Shen Fu, Jue Fei, and the other three trapped in the formation. After a brief hesitation, his deep-rooted respect for Gu Shenshu still prevails. He follows Yun Zhuoran’s lead and asks, “Master, why do you want to take the lives of Master Jue Fei and the head of the Shen family? The head of the Shen family is your disciple’s father.”

Gu Shenshu turns his blood-red eyes to Yun Zhuoran at the sound of Qin Zheng’s voice.

“You’ve made your choice,” he says.

Yun Zhuoran replies, “Who you let live should depend on your own heart.”

“You’re right.”

Gu Shenshu nods calmly. He looks down at Tong Ye, Qin Zheng, and Shen Lingshu, then lets out a soft laugh. “Are you curious? Why don’t you take a look at what they’re doing now?”

Yun Zhuoran looks puzzled.

Gu Shenshu waves his sleeve, and the blood in the eyes of those trapped in the center of the formation flares bright. The black-and-red demonic energy surges like a wave, and a massive water mirror slowly appears in front of everyone.

“This thing is called the Floating Life Mirror,” Gu Shenshu says. “It lets you see their dreams.”

A pale red light veils the mirror, but it doesn’t stop everyone from seeing the image within. Even before the picture becomes clear,

Shen Fu’s voice comes through—“I don’t want to kill him again…”

Shen Lingshu and Shen Xi’s expressions change dramatically as they stare at the image taking shape in the Floating Life Mirror.

The mirror is dim, revealing what looks like a wide wellhead. Anyone who has visited the Demon Sealing Well would recognize it at a glance. The first face to appear is Jue Fei’s.

Jue Fei looks calm, but his fingers spin his Buddhist beads quickly—his heart clearly not as composed as his face.

Tong Ye sees at once that something is wrong. His brows furrow deeply.

One by one, the faces around the well become clearer. They are exactly the five people currently trapped in the evil formation. Behind Cui Shen, another man sits cross-legged in meditation. But his form is translucent, like a phantom. Beneath the hood of his black-and-gold cloak, only half of a thin, wrinkled face can be seen.

The man has white hair and beard, and his eyes glint with a sinister light.

“That’s the Blood Demon Ancestor from the Yin Puppet Sect.”

The voice comes from outside the Floating Life Mirror—Qin Zheng has recognized him.

“Gu Shenshu is insane… No, he’s no longer Gu Shenshu. He’s become a demon,” mutters Shen Fu. He sits slumped at the wellhead, his robes stained with blood and his face haggard. Clutching his head, he keeps mumbling, “I don’t want to think about the past… We shouldn’t have killed him!”

“What’s the point of regretting now?” Cui Shen sneers. “I shouldn’t have killed him either. If Gu Shenshu hadn’t trapped us here, we wouldn’t have known all the things you kept from us. Maybe it’s because you stole something from him, and now he’s come back for revenge!”

Gu Jiannan suddenly pops out from behind Jue Fei and snaps, “You did it! What does it have to do with me? Why am I locked up here too? I’ve watched you kill Gu Shenshu and frame Yun Peiran over and over again—I’m losing my mind! When will he let us out?!”

Shen Fu suddenly raises his head, bloodshot eyes glaring.

Gu Jiannan backs away in panic.

Shen Fu’s gaze turns dark as he looks around at the others.

Baili Gao is tending to his wounds, his robe soaked in blood, face deathly pale.

Beside Cui Shen, the Blood Demon Ancestor’s figure is also weakened.

Shen Fu wipes his face roughly and turns his exhausted expression to Jue Fei. “Master Jue Fei, please think of something. If we stay trapped in here, we’ll all die. This madman Gu Shenshu wants us to relive the past—to kill him again. If he doesn’t die, we will. Master, are we going to just let this happen?”

Jue Fei suddenly opens his eyes. “He’s coming again.”

Outside the mirror, the scene shifts—under the blood moon, a white-robed monk slowly approaches, stepping lightly across the water. His garments are whiter than snow, his eyes as dark as ink, and his lips carry a gentle smile. He looks like a banished immortal.

In the City Lord’s Mansion, the man who shares his face—Gu Shenshu, lord of the floating city—watches with keen interest. He curves his lips in a cold smile, echoing the man in the mirror. “This formation uses the Floating Life Mirror as its core. I didn’t interfere much—only let them recall the past. They were trapped here just like you, passing through checkpoints. But unless they reenact the past perfectly, they’ll die. Xiao Zhuoran, do you know I’ve watched them kill Gu Shenshu twenty-five times? They’re getting better and faster at it. If I weren’t waiting for you to see this, I would’ve killed them already.”

A chill runs through everyone watching the dream in the Floating Life Mirror. Why does Gu Shenshu want to watch these people kill him—and again and again? No wonder Shen Fu is falling apart. But what exactly do their words mean?

Shen Fu and the others have made it clear enough.

Qin Zheng turns pale and looks sharply at Shen Lingshu. Just from what Shen Fu and the others have said, he’s already guessed the truth from that year—though he still can’t believe it.

Guarded by the demonic dragon, Gu Shenshu narrows his eyes and looks at Shen Lingshu with a malicious smile. “Gu Shenshu has appeared. Soon, they’ll repeat what they did all those years ago.”

In the mirror, the white-clothed sect leader of the Tiandao Sect approaches the well, a shallow smile on his face. His presence is gentle, like moonlight—calm and inviting.

The six people, tired and weary, stand up.

Gu Shenshu draws near without a trace of defense, as if he doesn’t see the murderous intent around him. He smiles gently and asks, “I heard Yun Peiran was here.”

Outside the mirror, Yun Zhuoran’s eyes widen in shock.

Then, the Gu Shenshu within the mirror speaks in that same warm voice Yun Zhuoran remembers—“My little disciple wants to see his brother. I really can’t say no. I had no choice but to come out and look for him. Do you know where he is?”

Cui Shen is already on the verge of breaking down. “Does he even realize I’ve heard that damn line dozens of times? I’m sick of it! Gu bastard, are you done yet?! If you’ve got the guts, just kill me and get it over with!”

Yun Zhuoran’s heart trembles violently. He stares into the Floating Life Mirror, his dark eyes wide.

Meanwhile, the hall echoes with Gu Shenshu’s demonic laughter. “Xiao Zhuoran, look—see how kind your master was to you.”