In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Bai Piaoxue, Something’s Not Right

Translation by: Weebsread👹

"Jiang Qian, that's enou—"

Bai Piaoxue's voice faltered as she watched Duan Yuqing—normally so restrained—go to such lengths for Jiang Zixuan. Suddenly, any lingering feelings she’d had for Duan Yuqing were snuffed out like a candle in the wind.

But—

Jiang Qian, gripped by reckless excitement, didn’t even hear her. He shouted, “Two million Zixuan coins!”

Bai Piaoxue stared in disbelief. Jiang Qian was actually willing to spend two million Zixuan coins for her.

On one side stood Duan Yuqing—years of hope wasted, never a hint that he would return her feelings.

On the other, Jiang Qian—someone she’d only just gotten to know, yet who thought of her at every turn, ready to spend a fortune for her sake, just to bring a smile to her face.

She was, after all, still a young girl at an age when first love blooms.

How could Jiang Qian’s gesture not move her, striking softly at the most vulnerable part of her heart?

Jiang Qian, meanwhile, caught Bai Piaoxue watching him with a complicated look.

...

...

Why is she looking at me like that? Did I bid too much? Does she think I actually want her to pay me back?

Wait—what if she wants to silence me so no one knows what happened? Dammit, that's totally possible. There's no way I’m dying over a couple million coins!

He forced a grin. “Senior Sister Bai, really, it's only two million. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. You don’t have to pay me back!”

Bai Piaoxue’s heart softened further. She offered him a gentle smile. “Thank you.”

That smile—so genuine—told him his concerns (and his life) were safe. Relief washed over Jiang Qian, and he let out a shaky sigh, patting his chest.

Duan Yuqing’s expression darkened, his gaze practically seething as he glared at Jiang Qian.

That bastard. He’s only doing this to spite me!

One million Zixuan coins was already his limit; he couldn’t possibly compete with two.

Jiang Zixuan looked at Jiang Qian as if seeing him for the first time, whispering, “Since when was Jiang Qian this rich? He just spent five million Zixuan coins like it’s nothing... Did he sell off half the Jiang Clan or what?”

“Or maybe... he’s hiding something big?”

“I need to stick close to him and figure it out!”

She muttered softly, but Duan Yuqing heard every word.

Jiang Qian!

Duan Yuqing’s glare only deepened, boiling over with resentment.

Suddenly, Jiang Qian shivered, hair standing on end.

What the—why do I feel so cold all of a sudden? Is someone cursing me right now?

“Two million Zixuan coins, once!”

“Two million Zixuan coins, twice!”

“Two million Zixuan coins, three times!”

“Congratulations once again to Young Master Jiang Qian for winning this auction item!” The auctioneer’s gavel fell with a sharp crack.

“What a spectacle! Who would’ve guessed Young Master Jiang would spend so much, just to win a beauty’s smile?”

“If only Young Master Jiang fancied me instead—wouldn’t that be something!”

“Don’t even dream. Beside that young lady, the rest of us don’t stand a chance.”

“……”

The auction finally ended, and Jiang Qian headed to settle up.

The auctioneer, all smiles and reverence, handed Jiang Qian the Blue-patterned Jade Pendant and the mysterious stone tablet. Jiang Qian paid in full and accepted both.

“Senior Sister Bai, here you go—the item you wanted.” Jiang Qian handed the stone tablet to Bai Piaoxue.

“Thank you.” Bai Piaoxue carefully placed the tablet into her storage ring.

With all matters settled, Jiang Qian and Bai Piaoxue left the auction hall together.

They were barely back at the Jiang estate when Bai Piaoxue’s waist pendant suddenly flickered with light.

“Why is Father using the Calling Jade at this hour? Did something happen?” Bai Piaoxue muttered, plucking the pendant from her sash and tapping it lightly.

A burst of light shimmered above the jade, forming a projection.

“My precious daughter, when are you coming home? You’ve been away from the sect for nearly ten days! Your old man’s been worried sick!” A brawny, middle-aged man with a thick beard appeared onscreen, sniffling and wiping his eyes.

This was none other than Bai Piaoxue’s father, Bai Qianfeng—the current Azure Mountain Sect Master.

Bai Piaoxue’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “Dad, there are other people here! Mind your image, will you?”

“Other people?” Bai Qianfeng blinked, then noticed Jiang Qian.

When he saw Jiang Qian, a reddish tinge crept up his cheeks and he cleared his throat awkwardly. “Ahem, ahem! You, uh, didn’t see anything just now, did you?”

Jiang Qian replied, poker-faced, “Nope, absolutely didn’t see the esteemed Sect Master crying his eyes out.”

Bai Qianfeng’s mouth twitched. “You must be Jiang Qian—the Inner Sect Disciple Grand Elder selected himself. I’ll remember you.”

“My precious daughter, make sure you come home soon!”

With that, his projection blinked out.

Bai Piaoxue put away the Calling Jade and turned to Jiang Qian. “We’ve definitely stayed too long. Let’s set out for the sect first thing tomorrow.”

“Fine by me,” Jiang Qian agreed, no hesitation.

That night, once alone in his room, Jiang Qian took out the Blue-patterned Jade Pendant to study it. Suddenly, a shadow flitted silently past his doorway.

“Who’s there?” Jiang Qian quickly put away the pendant, stood up, and crept toward the door.

He flung it open—no one was there.

“Don’t move. Hand over the pendant!”

Cold metal—sharp as ice—pressed against his heart from behind. An airy, otherworldly voice whispered in his ear.

That mysterious figure again!

The instant Jiang Qian heard the voice, he knew—it was the person from the auction.

“Fine, I’ll sell you the pendant. Just pay me three million, and it’s all yours!” he said, trying to bargain.

“Enough nonsense. This is a robbery, not a trade!” The voice grew impatient.

“Floating Cloud Steps!” Jiang Qian whispered. In an instant, his body flickered away.

The mysterious assailant tracked him with uncanny precision, hurling a dagger sharply upward. The blade sliced through roof tiles and grazed Jiang Qian’s chest, tearing his shirt open.

If he’d moved even a step slower, he’d have been split clean in half.

That was close. Way too close.

Jiang Qian stared at his torn shirt, heart slamming in his chest.

At that moment—

The mysterious figure landed nimbly on the rooftop, eyes cold and deadly. “Hand over the jade pendant now. Or do you want to die right here?”

“No way!” Jiang Qian snapped. This pendant was a real treasure; there was no way he’d just give it up.

“Vajra Overlord Body!”

The instant he spoke, brilliant light erupted from his body.

“A Profound-tier?” The mysterious figure’s eyes narrowed. “Not bad—I didn’t expect that. But with your cultivation only at the Fusion Realm, you’re no match for me.”

With that, an overwhelming aura exploded forth from the mysterious assailant—it was the full might of a Golden Core cultivator!

“Demon-Slaying Thousand Slash!”

With a thunderous cry, the attacker’s dagger swept forward, unleashing a ghostly blue energy arc that tore through the rooftop, racing straight at Jiang Qian.

Shit—he’s actually at the Golden Core Realm!

And that technique—ten times stronger than my old man’s. That’s got to be a Profound-tier too!

Jiang Qian knew instantly he could never withstand an attack like this. He wanted to run, but the energy slash was already almost upon him.

I’m done for!