In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: How Did Bai Piaoxue’s Character Setting Collapse?

Translation by: Weebsread👹

“Plum Blossom Entwines the Sword!”

A voice rang out, clear as silver bells. In a flash, a figure materialized before Jiang Qian.

With a graceful sweep of her sword, petals exploded outward—countless plum blossoms blooming into existence and engulfing the incoming attack. In the blink of an eye, the deadly strike was unraveled, vanishing as if it had never been.

“Senior Sister Bai!” Jiang Qian cried out, astonished to find Bai Piaoxue standing before him.

She turned, giving him a quick nod, then shifted her sharp gaze to the shadowy assailant. “Demon Sect, are you not?” Her voice was calm yet carrying warning.

The mysterious figure answered only with a cold snort.

At that moment, Jiang Chenghai raced over, worry etched deep into his features. “Son! Are you all right?”

With another Golden Core stage cultivator arriving, the attacker knew it was time to retreat. Silent as mist, the figure melted into the shadows and disappeared.

Bai Piaoxue’s tone softened. “Jiang Qian, you should set out early tomorrow.” She didn’t interrogate him about why someone from the Demon Sect targeted him—just gave a warning, then turned and left, robes trailing behind her.

...

...

Jiang Chenghai, after a few anxious questions and reassurances, took his leave as well.

Jiang Qian stayed perched on the rooftop, gazing up at the deep-black sky. He yawned. “Hmm… When Bai Piaoxue said that person was from the Demon Sect, could it have been Wu Feiyu?”

Wu Feiyu—one of the female lead’s many admirers, a disciple of the Demon Sect, and fated to become the next Demon Emperor. He had once been rescued by the heroine and had fallen for her ever since.

He and Duan Yuqing had one thing in common:

They were both complete simps!

Jiang Qian shook his head, dismissing the thought. “No, that can’t be right. According to the original novel, Wu Feiyu doesn’t make an appearance this early—he doesn’t show up until after the Azure Mountain Sect gets destroyed.”

“Whatever. Sleep first. Tomorrow I’ll be starting my journey to the Azure Mountain Sect. It’s tens of thousands of miles away—better rest while I can!”

After scratching his head, he leapt down from the rooftop, his silhouette quickly swallowed by the darkness.

...

At dawn, when the faintest traces of sunlight kissed the horizon—

Jiang Qian and Bai Piaoxue were already waiting at the city gates.

All the members of the Jiang clan were present—disciples, elders, not one missing—to see them off.

Jiang Chenghai clasped Jiang Qian’s shoulders, his expression earnest, voice heavy with fatherly advice. “Remember this: don’t go looking for trouble in the sect. The world outside is not like our Tianze City.”

Standing atop the city wall, the Lord of Tianze City happened to overhear and quietly twitched his lips.

Wait, so you think it’s fine for him to stir up trouble in Tianze City?

But recalling Jiang Qian’s history, he couldn’t really refute it…

Jiang Qian nodded obediently. “I know, Father.”

“Good. Go on, then. And make sure you cultivate hard, got it?”

“I understand!”

With that, Jiang Qian leapt onto his flying sword. Bai Piaoxue controlled the sword, and together they shot upwards, slicing into the clouds like arrows.

Jiang Chenghai watched their departing figures, a relieved smile tugging at his lips. “If only his mother could see him now. She’d be so proud.”

High above—

Jiang Qian sat cross-legged on the flying sword, drifting among the clouds and laughing out loud. “Who would’ve thought—riding a flying sword is way more exciting than any airplane! This is amazing!”

“Airplane? What’s that? Is it some kind of flying chicken?” Bai Piaoxue asked, brow furrowed in curiosity. “No, that can’t be… Chickens already fly, don’t they?”

Jiang Qian almost choked. “It’s… kind of like a carriage, but it flies through the sky.”

“Is it fun?” Her eyes sparkled, eager for his answer.

“It’s not bad,” Jiang Qian replied, stifling his laughter.

“Really? Then the next time you have a chance, you must take me for a ride!” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

“Deal,” he agreed.

He glanced at Bai Piaoxue—right now, she seemed less like the frosty, domineering senior sister from the novel and more like an ordinary, curious young woman.

According to the original story, Bai Piaoxue had been cold, proud, and fiercely jealous. When they’d met, she’d fit that description perfectly. But the more time he spent with her, the more that façade seemed to slip.

Just as Jiang Qian drifted into thought, Bai Piaoxue suddenly brought the sword to a sharp halt.

“Whoa—!” Jiang Qian lost his balance and tumbled off the sword, plummeting toward the ground below.

“Jiang Qian!” Bai Piaoxue cried, hurriedly diving down on the sword to catch him.

But she was a heartbeat too late—he hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud.

“Ugh… My poor tailbone, feels like it’s split in two!” Jiang Qian groaned, clutching his backside.

A chorus of snarls rumbled around him. He looked up—twenty or more Second Rank demonic beasts stood, circling him, eyes glinting with predatory intent.

Jiang Qian put on a nervous grin. “Uh, hey fellas! Just passing through. No need to get up on my account!”

“Floating Cloud Steps!”

With a silent command, wind whipped up beneath his feet. He shot away in a blur, moving as swiftly and lightly as a drifting cloud—leaving a pack of completely bewildered demonic beasts behind.

By the time they registered his movement, Jiang Qian had already reappeared behind their formation.

“Roooar—!” The beasts bellowed with rage and prepared to give chase.

Yet before they could pounce, a sword flashed from above—swift as lightning and merciless. In a single strike, the entire pack was sliced down, their roars snuffed out like candles in a gale.

Moments later, Bai Piaoxue floated down, wiping her sword clean and sliding it back into its sheath with practiced elegance.

She rushed to Jiang Qian’s side, concern etched into her delicate features. “Are you hurt?”

“Thank you for worrying, Senior Sister Bai.” He forced a grin, rubbing his still-sore backside. “Your junior brother’s tough—just falling from that height won’t kill me!”

Pfft—

Bai Piaoxue covered her mouth, barely suppressing a giggle at his sorry state.

Ugh, laugh all you want! If you hadn’t stopped the sword so suddenly, would I have fallen?

Man, my behind really hurts…

Just then, a gentle warmth spread from the Blue-patterned Jade Pendant at his waist, soothing away the pain in an instant.

This jade pendant really is a lifesaver—my butt’s as good as new.

Instinctively, Jiang Qian touched the pendant and was about to ask why she’d braked so suddenly, when two familiar figures approached: Duan Yuqing and Jiang Zixuan.

Ah. So that’s why Bai Piaoxue stopped so abruptly. She’d spotted Duan Yuqing.

Jiang Qian nodded inwardly, the reason suddenly clear.

Jiang Zixuan strode up to him with a gentle smile. “Jiang Qian, what a coincidence running into you here!”

Big Sis, can you give me some space? Don’t you see your harem member over there glaring at me like he wants to skin me alive?

Jiang Qian met Duan Yuqing’s murderous gaze and ducked behind Bai Piaoxue, forcing an awkward smile. “Yeah, I didn’t expect to bump into you two here, either.”

Bai Piaoxue gave Duan Yuqing a frosty look, her tone dropping ice. “What are you doing in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range? Don’t tell me you’re skipping out on returning to Azure Mountain Sect.”

Jiang Qian blinked in surprise at Bai Piaoxue’s attitude.

Whoa, why is she suddenly giving him the cold shoulder?

Oh—I get it! She’s playing hard to get, just like in the novels. Create some distance, make him pine for her, then reel him back in.

She really knows how the game is played!

Jiang Zixuan eagerly chimed in. “We found an entrance to a secret realm here, but unfortunately, it’s sealed. My senior brother and I are trying to figure out how to open it.”

The Myriad Beasts Mountain Range… a secret realm!

Wait, is it that secret realm?

Jiang Qian’s thoughts raced. According to the original story, by now Jiang Zixuan should’ve already acquired the stone tablet and entered the secret realm with Duan Yuqing; they wouldn’t have bothered searching for him.

But this time… the stone tablet had landed in Bai Piaoxue’s hands.

“What if you joined us?” Jiang Zixuan suggested, turning to the group. “Maybe, working together, we can find a way inside.”