In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Junior Brother Jiang, How About Showing Me Around for a Few Days?

Translation by: Weebsread👹

“Are you hurt?” Duan Yuqing’s voice was gentle, concern lacing every syllable as he looked at Jiang Zixuan.

Jiang Zixuan shook her head. “I’m fine. Didn’t I say I’d make my own way to the sect?”

“Then what brings you here, Senior Brother?” she asked, surprise flickering in her eyes.

“Master ordered me to bring you back to the sect early,” Duan Yuqing replied. “Although, it looks like you’ve run into some trouble.”

As he spoke, his gaze grew cold, drifting to Jiang Chenghai and his son, Jiang Qian.

Jiang Chenghai’s eyes widened when he saw the jade pendant at Duan Yuqing’s waist.

Azure Mountain Sect!

The Azure Mountain Sect—one of the four great sects of the Longyan Kingdom, its roots deep and unshakeable. Even the royal family counted themselves among its disciples. For a small clan like the Jiangs, offending such a power was unthinkable.

He’d never dreamed Jiang Zixuan would be connected to someone from the Azure Mountain Sect.

...

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“My apologies! We didn’t realize a disciple of Azure Mountain Sect was visiting. Please forgive our lack of hospitality!” Jiang Chenghai said, plastering a fawning smile on his face as he hurried forward.

He couldn’t afford to offend Duan Yuqing. If something went wrong here, the Jiang clan would be finished.

Duan Yuqing moved in a flash, standing before Jiang Chenghai, gaze chilling. “So you’re the one who wanted to marry off my Junior Sister to a cripple?”

“I… I…” Jiang Chenghai stammered, at a complete loss for words.

Everything Duan Yuqing said was unfortunately true; there was nothing he could say to justify himself. Desperately, he looked toward Jiang Zixuan.

But her face was clouded with disgust and disappointment.

Jiang Chenghai could only sigh in defeat, thinking, The Jiang clan… may not survive this after all.

“This is a misunderstanding.” Jiang Qian stepped forward, wearing a relaxed smile. “Truly, it’s a misunderstanding—if there’s anything I can’t stand, it’s arranged marriages.”

“My father and the elders… well, they’re getting on in years and didn’t think things through.”

“That’s why I rushed here—to try and talk them out of arranging this marriage. Personally, I firmly believe everyone should love freely!”

Jiang Qian’s impassioned declaration left everyone present stunned.

For a moment, everyone thought the same thing: Is this really the same arrogant, overbearing clan leader’s son we know?

He went on.

Walking right up to Duan Yuqing, Jiang Qian continued, “Young Master Duan, if you don’t believe me, you can ask my cousin. Just now, I was nearly beaten to death by my own father for standing up for her.”

Duan Yuqing glanced at Jiang Zixuan.

She huffed, obviously annoyed, but she couldn’t refute Jiang Qian’s words. Left with no choice, she gave a curt nod.

Seeing her agreement, Jiang Qian finally let out a silent sigh of relief.

Thank goodness—I didn’t take that beating for nothing.

“In that case, I’ll let you off the hook,” Duan Yuqing said. “But your father—he dared to endanger my Junior Sister’s life. That’s not something I can overlook.”

As his words fell, a crushing aura erupted—a late-stage Golden Core cultivator’s might flooding the Jiang clan’s compound.

Nearly everyone collapsed to their knees, cold sweat beading down their backs.

Only Jiang Chenghai and Jiang Qian remained standing.

Jiang Chenghai, himself a cultivator at the early Golden Core realm, could resist such pressure. And Jiang Qian—Duan Yuqing had deliberately held his power back from him.

Looks like my life is safe for now, Jiang Qian thought bitterly. But my father is in real danger.

Even if I’m not truly Jiang Qian, this body belongs to him. He gave me this life. I can’t just watch him die. I have to think of something—fast.

As my mind whirled, a woman appeared before me—ethereal, almost as if she’d stepped out of a painting.

“Duan Yuqing, your cultivation is remarkable,” she said, her voice tinged with jealousy as she shot Jiang Zixuan a resentful look. “But losing your composure over a girl? I’ll have to report this to the Sect Master.”

Duan Yuqing stepped protectively in front of Jiang Zixuan. “She is my Junior Sister—not ‘just a girl.’ Bai Piaoxue, mind your words.”

Bai Piaoxue?

If memory served, she was the infamous villainess of the original story—the beloved daughter of the Azure Mountain Sect Master. Her beauty and cultivation ranked among the best in Longyan Kingdom.

Yet this proud beauty had a hopeless crush on Duan Yuqing.

A classic story device—a brilliant supporting character fated to be overshadowed by the protagonist’s light.

Jiang Qian could only sigh inwardly as he looked at Bai Piaoxue.

What a shame. Such a dazzling woman, doomed to die tragically at the hands of the man she secretly loved.

And Duan Yuqing? The ultimate simp. He had someone like Bai Piaoxue at his side, yet devoted himself relentlessly to Jiang Zixuan.

Simps always lose in the end.

Bai Piaoxue’s gaze grew stormy as she watched Duan Yuqing care for Jiang Zixuan. She battled the urge to tear Jiang Zixuan apart but forced herself to remain composed.

Collecting herself, she turned to Jiang Qian, announcing, “Jiang Qian, congratulations. You’ve caught the eye of Azure Mountain Sect. By special order, you’re promoted to Inner Sect Disciple!”

She held out a sect medallion. “Take it—your proof of identity.”

Jiang Qian stared at the token resting in her delicate palm. His heart sank.

Damn, what kind of pit have I fallen into now?

I didn’t even get the chance to accept my sect token the usual way—now Bai Piaoxue herself is handing it to me? This is practically a death sentence!

I’m doomed. Not only have I failed to settle my score with Jiang Zixuan, now I’ve gotten myself tangled with the infamous villainess!

My life is over!

A few long seconds passed before Jiang Qian forced himself to accept the token. Offending the Sect Master’s daughter was out of the question.

“Thank you for the Azure Mountain Sect’s trust. I will serve loyally, never shirking danger or toil.”

Yeah, right. First chance I get, I’m running for my life. Who wants to linger in a sect fated for destruction? I’m not in any rush to join them in the afterlife.

Jiang Qian knew the story far too well. Azure Mountain Sect was nothing but a stepping stone for the protagonist.

And as for who would one day destroy Azure Mountain Sect? There were only two possibilities. One was Duan Yuqing—the golden child the sect placed all its hopes in.

The other was Jiang Zixuan.

No wonder Duan Yuqing’s devotion only brought ruin!

Watching from the sidelines, Duan Yuqing could only clench his jaw and turn away in frustration. In a low voice, he said to Jiang Zixuan, “Junior Sister, let’s go.”

He knew that, with Jiang Qian’s new status as an Inner Sect Disciple and Bai Piaoxue watching over him, there was nothing he could do for Jiang Zixuan now.

Jiang Zixuan understood as well. She nodded, then followed her senior brother out, silent and composed.

Bai Piaoxue watched them leave—her eyes flickering between jealousy and longing. She glared at Jiang Zixuan, then gazed at Duan Yuqing with undisguised affection.

Despite years spent growing up together, she had never shared such intimacy with Duan Yuqing. Why should this girl, who came out of nowhere, win his heart?

Jiang Qian tucked the medallion safely into his sleeve, catching Bai Piaoxue’s conflicted expression. He could only sigh in regret.

A girl so devoted, yet doomed—what a pity.

Wait—if memory serves, Jiang Zixuan won’t actually leave Tianze City just yet. She’s planning to attend the auction in a few days.

I’d better set off for Azure Mountain Sect soon, thought Jiang Qian. Best keep a low profile.

After all, it’s the perfect excuse to strengthen myself and maybe stay alive a little longer in this world.

Just as he opened his mouth to ask Bai Piaoxue about their departure, she beat him to it.

“Junior Brother Jiang,” she said, her smile both bright and expectant, “how about showing me around Tianze City for a few days?”

TL Note:

- Simp/Licking Dog: A slang term for someone who fawns over another to the point of self-degradation.