When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 98

Gu Shenshu was always different with Yun Zhuoran. Compared to how he treated others, he would even maliciously set traps for Yun Zhuoran, yet it seemed that only in front of Yun Zhuoran was he more relaxed, happier.

Seeing the varied expressions on everyone’s faces, he smiles and says, “Actually, I’m not Gu Shenshu.”

Yun Zhuoran is momentarily stunned and looks up. He has guessed it, but he hasn’t expected that this great demon energy being who resembles Gu Shenshu so closely and possesses power no less than Gu Shenshu himself voluntarily reveals this truth.

Everyone gathered in front of the hall is shocked. Even Shen Fu and the others are surprised.

If this demon is not Gu Shenshu, then why is his power so similar? When does such a strong being appear in the world?

“Because I am Gu Shenshu’s lingering obsession.”

The black-robed demon standing tall tilts his head, his bloodshot eyes smiling mockingly. Through the Floating Life Mirror, all the gatekeepers in the floating city also see the contempt in his gaze.

“Jue Fei is right. Gu Shenshu reached great heights in cultivation. He is only half a step from ascending to heaven—already a semi-immortal. But someone attacked him. Would he not hate them?” The fake Gu Shenshu looked at Shen Fu and Jue Fei. “Gu Shenshu cultivated the Supreme Emotionless Dao, but he was not truly emotionless. He had resentment, but what truly turned this fragment of resentment into a demon was Shen Fu’s final strike. I know everything about Gu Shenshu, because I originated from him.”

Earlier, Cui Shen had cursed Shen Fu, saying that the last thing Shen Fu did was probably the fuse that brought Gu Shenshu’s revenge. Now hearing this resentment-turned-demon Gu Shenshu admit it personally, he hates Shen Fu to death.

Qin Zheng, who believed the sect master had been resurrected, was emotionally unsettled. Stunned, she asked, “Then, where is the real sect master?”

Yun Zhuoran also looks toward the black-robed demon.

“When Gu Shenshu was the head of the Gu family, he took part in two battles between the righteous and demonic, destroyed the Yin Puppet Sect, defeated the Blood Demon Patriarch, and saved countless lives. After founding the Tiandao Sect, , it was he who proposed the alliance of four sects to wipe out the demonic alliance that repeatedly invaded the righteous path. Whenever there was chaos in the cultivation world, he was never absent. How many were sealed in this Demon Well by Gu Shenshu?” The demon claiming to be Gu Shenshu’s lingering resentment sneered. “He did so much for the righteous path—how many still remember?”

Qin Zheng says, “The sect master is upright and awe-inspiring; he is our role model.”

Tongye bows his head in silence.

Jue Fei in the formation is also quiet.

“But the deepest wound was from those who once stood behind him.” the incarnation of resentment says “Originally, I did not intend to waste so much time talking to you. My purpose is to avenge Gu Shenshu. But since my little disciple is here today, I naturally cannot ruin Gu Shenshu’s reputation in front of him.” He looks at Yun Zhuoran with his bloodshot, smiling eyes.  “Xiao Zhuoran, your master Gu Shenshu has not been possessed by a devil. His soul has long since scattered. Although I originated from him, I am not him.”

Yun Zhuoran’s eyes flicker. He opens his mouth and whispers, “I know.”

“So, I cannot hand their lives over to you.” The incarnation of resentment in black robes smiles. “Because their lives belong to me. And I lie to you again, Xiao Zhuoran—are you angry?”

Yun Zhuoran raises his eyes and looks at him, speechless for a long moment.

“Still not angry, huh?” The resentment incarnation sighs regretfully. Looking at everyone in front of the hall and also at all in the floating city through the Floating Life Mirror. “Just now, I trick my little disciple for fun. How could I hand over my enemies to him? Killing them with my own hands is the true pleasure of revenge.”

Tongye’s eyes flicker. He looks straight at Jue Fei in the formation, as if wanting to say something.

The incarnation of resentment sees this and curls his lips into a smile. “I have always been a fair person. You must have seen everything through the levels, so I decide to give you a chance.” He points at Shen Fu and the others. “Except for Xiao Zhuoran, it is up to you whether to spare their lives.”

Everyone is stunned.

Tongye’s eyes are filled with disbelief.

Yun Zhuoran frowns slightly.

What are you thinking? Don’t celebrate too soon.” The incarnation of resentment smiles again. “In this city lord’s mansion, except for Xiao Zhuoran and his brother, each of you has one vote. Their lives or deaths depend on your final decision. But before you vote, I hope you think carefully about what Gu Shenshu has done for the righteous path—and then decide whether these people are worth saving. If not, turn around and leave.” He looks toward the open door. “Outside the city lord’s mansion is the way out of the floating city.”

After the shock, everyone falls silent. Yun Zhuoran and the heart demon are excluded from voting, meaning they have no say this time. The two disciples of Penglai Fairy Island behind them look at each other, then ask the island owner for guidance.

Yun Zhuoran gazes thoughtfully at the incarnation of resentment above, then nods gently, signaling they can choose to leave or stay. The demon born from Gu Shenshu’s last wisp of resentment is not as cruel as imagined. He has set many game levels in the floating city. If he wants everyone dead, they would have perished long ago—but he doesn’t. The road outside the door is real; at this point, there is no reason to lie.

Song Shao and Song Yun exchange nods. Before leaving, they see Gu Qiuming turn and leave without hesitation. When he reaches the door, he suddenly stops, turns back, and looks deeply at the incarnation of resentment in the distance.

The incarnation of resentment smiles, lips curved with eerie malevolence. Yet Gu Qiuming feels the smile tries to appear kind and gentle.

Unexpectedly, Gu Qiuming also smiles. His ear twitches slightly, and then his smile freezes. He widens his eyes and raises his hand to press on his chest. Beneath his robe, the protective talisman he has found in the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest is slightly warm.

The demon quietly whispers one sentence to him.

A trace of reluctance flickers in Gu Qiuming’s suddenly reddened eyes, but under the gaze of the manifestation of resentment, he slowly turns to face the door and walks out step by step.

Following his lead and Yun Zhuoran’s silent signal, Song Shao and Song Yun also turn and leave.

Young Master Yin and Young Master Yu hesitate, then follow. They cannot tell whether staying would implicate them because of Shen Fu and the others, but even Gu Shenshu’s nephew has left—so it has to be safe outside. Moreover, it is already clear that this floating city is a trap set by Gu Shenshu’s resentment, so there is no benefit to staying.

Li Jianming of the Kunwu Sword Sect whispers something to his senior brother Pei Heng, then waves to Yun Zhuoran and Jiang Zhibai before the two of them leave as well.

Elder Ruoshui of Lingshan Sect sighs about the cycle of cause and effect and follows with his disciple Luoying.

Young Master Baili kneels, bows three times to his father’s body in the formation, then turns around with red eyes and leaves.

Qin Zheng hesitates for a moment, subconsciously glances at Yun Zhuoran, then waves her hand for Lu Qi to take Ji Chen, Jiang Zhibai, and several junior brothers away.

At this point, only Qin Zheng remains from the Tiandao Sect—aside from Shen Lingshu.

Ji Ruo withstands the sinister gaze of the incarnation of resentment and steps forward to pull Ji Wuwang. This time, without waiting for Ji Ruo to speak, Ji Wuwang grabs his arm and silently takes Ji Ruo away.

The host clearly wants to clear the place, and Ji Wuwang chooses to leave tactfully.

In the end, those who remain are either Shen Fu’s and Gu Jiannan’s children—who have relatives or friends trapped in the formation—Gu Jinping, Tongye, Qin Zheng, Yun Zhuoran who has no vote, and the heart demon.

Qin Zheng takes the initiative to explain, “I’m staying—not to save them.”

“It seems the matter is settled,” says the incarnation of resentment, sealing the outcome of the vote.

Shen Fu and Gu Jiannan, inside the formation, begin to lose hope. Their children staying behind isn’t enough to save them.

Gu Jiannan is stunned. Shen Fu suddenly lunges and grabs Jue Fei’s sleeve, his face near madness. “Master Jue Fei! If we join forces, there’s still a glimmer of hope!”

The Blood Demon Ancestor hesitates after hearing that.

But Jue Fei remains motionless and smiles, “Master Shen, this is your fate.”

Shen Fu sneers, “So you’re just going to accept it?” He turns to the Blood Demon Ancestor. “Blood Demon Ancestor, you’re not going to just die here, are you?”

A cold laugh rings out from the incarnation of resentment. “Looks like some of you still aren’t obedient.”

The Blood Demon Ancestor clenches his fists in silence. He has tried to escape before. Now living in Cui Shen’s body, severely injured and weakened, he has no chance without Jue Fei’s help.

Shen Fu looks like an ant on a hot pan. He turns to Shen Lingshu outside the formation and shouts, “Yu’er! Are you really going to watch your father die? Haven’t I treated you well all these years? Whatever you wanted, I gave it to you! Now your master’s about to kill me—you should plead with him! This is a private matter between our families, we can talk it out!”

Gu Jinping nods eagerly, his eyes on Shen Lingshu like a drowning man clutching at a straw. “Brother Shen! Please save my father!”

Their shouting draws the attention of the incarnation of resentment, who looks toward them and asks coldly: “Still not leaving?”

Shen Lingshu’s back is soaked in cold sweat. He freezes. “I… I can leave?”

He thinks that when the other man asks him to consider returning the immortal bone earlier, he means Shen Lingshu has to decide on the spot. He hasn’t expected to be allowed to leave now…

An overwhelming urge to escape surges in Shen Lingshu’s heart. This floating city feels like a nightmare. Even though he is disappointed in Shen Fu, it is hard to watch him die. But looking at Shen Fu’s desperate expression, it is just as hard to walk away.

The incarnation of resentment says, “You are Gu Shenshu’s apprentice after all. But don’t forget my earlier warning—what isn’t yours must be returned.”

Shen Lingshu presses his lips together, torn and uncertain.

Suddenly, someone grabs his arm. It is his sister, Shen Xi. Her eyes are filled with tears as she grits her teeth and says, “Brother, let’s go.”

Shen Lingshu’s eyes widen.

Shen Fu looks at her, stunned. “…Xi’er, you won’t save me?!

Shen Xi’s voice is hoarse with sobs. “We can’t save him… Brother, you have to live. If you live, our Shen family still has hope!”

Shen Lingshu is speechless. He knows Shen Xi fears he’ll be implicated—fears that this wisp of Gu Shenshu’s returned resentment will carve the immortal bone from his body. He’s afraid too.

But Shen Lingshu doesn’t want to go.

“Father…”

“He deserves what’s coming to him! Forget him!” Shen Xi grits her teeth, pulls Shen Lingshu with her, and drags him away.

Shen Lingshu stumbles, dazed, looking back at Shen Fu inside the formation. Shen Xi hasn’t forgotten the simple-minded Shen Man, who has been hiding behind the door after they let her go. She grabs one in each hand—three siblings, left together.

Watching them go, Shen Fu suddenly slumps to the ground, as if all his strength has drained away.

Gu Jinping bites his lip, wipes his eyes, kneels and kowtows to Gu Jiannan inside the formation, then follows Shen Xi and the others out.

Qin Zheng watches them, shaking her head slightly. She doesn’t say what she is thinking—only sighs.

Only Tongye remains in place, unmoving.

Jue Fei says, “Go.”

Tongye stubbornly replies, “I want to take my senior brother back to Tianqing Sect. Even if he does something wrong, he’s still the senior brother of our sect. If I leave with you but don’t bring him back, people will worry.”

Jue Fei smiles faintly. “Why bother? In the end, we all return to the earth.”

Tongye just shakes his head without speaking.

Jue Fei’s smile freezes. “If a sinner like me returns, it will only stain the Tianqing Sect.”

Tongye only stares at him, silent.

Jue Fei stares back for a long time. Finally, he turns away, takes a deep breath, and lets out a choked gasp.

He seems to finally begin to regret.

Yun Zhuoran watches him coldly—and suddenly, he smiles. “Ridiculous.”

People like Jue Fei are kind to the world, can sacrifice themselves without hesitation, but can also kill Gu Shenshu and frame Yun Peiran without guilt.

Yet even such a villain has someone willing to take his body home.

“So annoying.” The incarnation of resentment, like Yun Zhuoran, doesn’t sound pleased. He raises his hand and waves. A dazzling blood light covers the formation.

Except for Jue Fei, the other four inside struggle in fear.

“It’s time to end this.”

As soon as the words fall, the blood within the formation surges violently. A hurricane rises, carrying a crushing pressure like a mountain, determined to grind the people inside to death.

Gu Shenshu is powerful, and even a wisp of his resentment retains that strength. He can destroy his enemies with a flick of his finger. Once he acts, it is already too late to reverse the outcome.

Yun Zhuoran stares at the scene inside the formation, wanting to witness with his own eyes how these people atone for Gu Shenshu’s death.

His heart demon stands beside him, tightly holding his hand.

Tongye and Qin Zheng turn their faces away.

With Gu Shenshu’s strength, it would only take an instant to obliterate someone’s soul.

Yet just as the formation activates, the black dragon guarding the incarnation of resentment suddenly shrinks its body and coils around him again. Then, carrying him, it flies straight to Yun Zhuoran and looks out the door.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

Yun Zhuoran is stunned.

The incarnation of resentment—who looks exactly like Gu Shenshu—steps out the door and raises his hand to point at the sky.

Yun Zhuoran holds the heart demon’s hand. “Let’s go.”

The incarnation of resentment doesn’t mind Yun Zhuoran bringing the heart demon along.

When Yun Zhuoran finds him, he is standing atop the main hall roof, gazing at the stars and moon above. Yun Zhuoran isn’t sure if it is just his imagination, but the evil aura around the incarnation seems noticeably weaker.

Yun Zhuoran brings the heart demon up to the roof. Together, they walk over and stand in front of the incarnation of resentment.

“Is the moon outside the floating city always this round?”

The question catches Yun Zhuoran off guard. He turns his head to look at the sky.

The incarnation of resentment has Gu Shenshu’s face. His pale profile is serious and calm.

After a moment of thought, Yun Zhuoran asks, “Is Gu Qiuming’s blood the key to your awakening?”

“Xiao Zhuoran is so clever. After Gu Shenshu’s soul is scattered, this thread of resentment awakens and returns to Cloud Pool, the place where he used to cultivate in seclusion at Tiandao Sect. There is a formation there—originally set up by Gu Shenshu—which I alter slightly into a place where I can reside. I wait twenty years before the opportunity finally comes for me to leave.” He raises a hand, as if trying to grasp the moon above. “Before that, I couldn’t stand the light.”

Sensing the bitterness in his words, the heart demon asks, “Aren’t you very strong?”

“I only have his power, but I can’t kill at will.”

“Because of Gu Shenshu?”

“Half and half.” The incarnation suddenly points to the eaves. “They’re out.”

Sure enough, Tongye and Qin Zheng emerge from beneath the eaves. Tongye’s white monk robe gives him a solemn air. Feeling their gaze, he pauses on the bridge, turns around, and looks back.

Yun Zhuoran thinks he will show resentment, but instead, he simply puts his palms together and bows gently before walking away.

“That one’s strange,” says the incarnation of resentment. “His Buddhist light burns. Luckily he doesn’t come near me.” His tone sounds uneasy, and slightly annoyed.

Yun Zhuoran pauses. “You can tell me Yun Peiran’s whereabouts now.”

The incarnation of resentment asks with a grin, “If I say I don’t know, would you kill me?”

“You’re lying again!” the heart demon snaps.

The incarnation of resentment spreads his hands. “Gu Shenshu never sees Yun Peiran, so he doesn’t know.”

If even Gu Shenshu doesn’t know, how can his resentment?

Yun Zhuoran closes his eyes. His face turns colder.

The incarnation of resentment notices his anger, but instead of reacting, he laughs lightly. Then, he reaches for the black dragon curled on his shoulder and flings it away.

Both Yun Zhuoran and the heart demon stare in disbelief. Is this wisp of resentment going mad?

“Go,” says the incarnation. As the black dragon circles back, he waves it off like a nuisance. “Return to where you come from. Even if you stay in the floating city, I won’t raise you. Don’t get caught again.”

The little black dragon, stout and round, circles him once, sensing the cold glint in his smiling eyes. Finally, it nuzzles his hand, then turns and flies off in a certain direction.

Yun Zhuoran frowns. “You…”

“What a pity,” says the incarnation, his smile fading. “We don’t bring out the real culprit this time.” He looks at Yun Zhuoran. “Xiao Zhuoran, would you capture Ji Yan for your master’s sake?”

The incarnation of resentment loves imitating Gu Shenshu. Yun Zhuoran can tell he means no harm, but something still feels wrong. “You’re not going to take revenge yourself?”

“Shouldn’t a disciple avenge his master?”

Yun Zhuoran falls silent for a moment. “…Alright.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

The heart demon is confused. “What do you mean? Why does that sound like a dying wish?”

“I can’t leave the floating city.” The incarnation of resentment lowers his gaze, watching the moonlight pierce the demonic aura between his fingers. “The game is over. It’s time to end it. I can only kill inside the floating city, and I’ve already used up my strength.” He points to the darkening sky. “They’ve found me. Xiao Zhuoran, I’m leaving.”

Yun Zhuoran half-believes, half-doubts. “Where are you going?”

The black-robed demon cultivator smiles. “I shouldn’t exist. Xiao Zhuoran, you don’t know how much I envy Gu Shenshu. If only I had an apprentice like you. Since I come into being, the happiest time I’ve had is playing this game with you. Only you insist on chasing me down. No matter how many obstacles I set, you still try to find me. No one has ever treated me like that. But it’s a pity. Our game is ending.”

At those words, Yun Zhuoran and the heart demon finally understand—he is serious.

“Why am I just a wisp of resentment, and not Gu Shenshu himself?” the incarnation murmurs with regret. Then he stretches out a hand toward Yun Zhuoran. “Xiao Zhuoran, before I go… can you pull me up?”

The heart demon’s eyes widen. “Why?”

“I see in Gu Shenshu’s memories that Yun Peiran once drinks with him on the rooftop of Yunshan College in Shengjing a long time ago. Last time, when I pretend to be Cheng Ruyi, I make an appointment with Xiao Zhuoran. Unfortunately, I can’t leave the floating city, so I have to settle for the next best thing. I like Xiao Zhuoran very much and want to hold his hand.”

The heart demon looks distrustful, thinking this demon is trying to steal his brother away.

“Since my birth, there have been twenty years of chaos. My only purpose for existing is to avenge Gu Shenshu. I don’t even have a name, but I want to be friends with you.” The incarnation of resentment sounds pitiful. He looks down at his pale fingers, demonic energy curling around them. “Does Xiao Zhuoran think I’m dirty?”

Yun Zhuoran frowns but still stretches out his hand.

The incarnation of resentment’s face lights up with joy as he catches up and holds Yun Zhuoran’s hand tightly.

The heart demon gnashes his teeth in anger.

But before anyone can speak, a cluster of pale golden flames suddenly flares up at Yun Zhuoran’s white fingertips, wrapping the black-robed demon in light in an instant.

“Brother!”

“I’m fine,” Yun Zhuoran quickly replies and tries to pull his hand away from the incarnation of resentment’s icy grip. He is unscathed—the one in trouble is the resentment.

The incarnation of resentment lets go first. Even as the flames surround him, he smiles happily. The pale gold and white fire dances on his face, adding a hint of vitality to his otherwise deathly pale complexion.

“I was born from Gu Shenshu. Avenging him is my only mission. But I have no time, and no strength left. Better to have Xiao Zhuoran send me away than be caught by that person.”

Yun Zhuoran suppresses the shock in his heart. His usually calm voice carries a trace of urgency. “Who is that person?”

Someone Gu Shenshu fears

The pale golden flame isn’t hot, but it emits a cold aura. It burns the incarnation of resentment from the feet upward, gradually turning his body transparent and making it disappear piece by piece.

Yun Zhuoran stares at his right hand in disbelief. He is certain he hasn’t made a move. So where does this strange fire come from?

“He’s coming.” The incarnation of resentment steps back, smiles, and waves at Yun Zhuoran and the heart demon. “I leave you a gift—think of it as a thank-you for playing with me.”

Yun Zhuoran instinctively takes a step forward.

But the flame burns too fast. Before the incarnation of resentment can say goodbye, he has already vanished into the fire.

Or perhaps he never intends to say goodbye—because there is no time left.

There is only ever one Gu Shenshu in the world. And this lone wisp of resentment, born from him, has now vanished.

In just a few breaths, only Yun Zhuoran and Weiran remain on the rooftop. They look at each other and stand still.

Then, footsteps approach from behind—it is Qin Zheng.

She hasn’t left the floating city with Tongye. After watching those in the formation be crushed into powder, she had stayed on the bridge, waiting to ask the incarnation of resentment about their sect leader.

But instead, she sees that wisp of resentment burn away with her own eyes.

Qin Zheng has seen clearly—it is the incarnation of resentment who has grabbed Yun Zhuoran first. It isn’t Yun Zhuoran’s fault. Still in shock, she looks at Yun Zhuoran and stammers, “What… what happens?”

Yun Zhuoran suddenly looks up at the sky.

The moon hangs bright above, the starlight cold. Not even a breeze stirs the quiet night.

But just moments ago, the incarnation of Gu Shenshu’s resentment says he is coming. Who is “he”?

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t know. He hasn’t sensed anyone approaching, besides Qin Zheng. But it cannot be Qin Zheng. The resentment has shown clear fear toward that person, and Qin Zheng has been here the whole time.

Then, beneath the vast moonlight, comes the sound of water.

Yun Zhuoran, Weiran, and Qin Zheng turn toward the sound.

In the pond before the hall, the Qilin statue bearing the stone tablet lights up with spiritual radiance—the jade qilin that once appears in the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest steps out from the stone statue, walking atop the pond as though on solid ground.

A point of spiritual light leaps from the Qilin’s forehead and floats slowly toward the rooftop.

“After all the turns and detours, it’s still you in the end.” The Qilin looks at those on the roof, his aged voice filled with emotion.

Under the gazes of the three, the spiritual light hovers in front of Yun Zhuoran.

It transforms into a familiar jade talisman.

Yun Zhuoran’s cold eyes widen slightly, and the heart demon also cries out in surprise: “Brother, it’s the City Lord’s Token!”

The Qilin sighs. “Yes. Yun Zhuoran, from now on, you are the Lord of the Floating City.”