In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: You’re Not Jiang Qian, Are You?

Translation by: Weebsread👹

The sword strike landed squarely on Jiang Qian—only for his body to melt away into billowing shadows of demonic energy.

In an instant, that black mist surged forward, snaking around Duan Yuqing and binding him tight. A sinister chill crept into his meridians, poisoning his Spiritual Essence from within and corroding the very sword he held.

“Hmph, parlor tricks!” Duan Yuqing spat, his eyes cold. With a sharp flick, sword qi exploded from his blade, shredding the demon qi into tatters.

No hesitation—Duan Yuqing locked onto Jiang Qian’s true body and shot forward, a blur of speed. He reappeared inches away, voice dripping with disdain. “Is that all you’ve got?”

Before he could finish, the Northwind Ice Wolf—Jiang Qian’s demonic beast—struck the earth with both paws. Instantly, frost swept in all directions, blanketing the ground in ice as the air turned bitterly cold.

Duan Yuqing anticipated the move, leaping skyward in a flash of white.

...

...

Jiang Qian materialized above him, descending like a hawk. He lashed out without restraint—a vicious whip kick slicing down.

Duan Yuqing’s lips curled in contempt. He raised his spiritual sword, the blade shimmering as he braced for impact.

Yet the moment sword met flesh, he realized something was off.

Fusion Realm? How could someone at Jiang Qian’s level possess such brute force?

What’s going on here?

No—could he have received an inheritance too?

The realization hit him. No wonder Jiang Qian suddenly wielded demonic arts…

Just then, demonic energy seethed along the sword, racing up its length towards Duan Yuqing’s arm.

He had no choice—he threw the sword aside.

Jiang Qian didn’t waste the opening; his foot shot out, blasting Duan Yuqing backward.

The Northwind Ice Wolf struck again. Frost crackled along the earth, and in the next moment, a deadly thicket of ice spikes shot upward.

Duan Yuqing glanced down, unfazed. With a sweep of his right hand, he unleashed a blade of spiritual force, smashing the jagged spikes to glitter.

A haze of ice crystals billowed up, swallowing the battlefield in glimmering mist.

Suddenly, a howl of wind tore through the fog, scattering ice and mists alike.

When the world cleared, Duan Yuqing stood there—expression cold as ancient stone—a spiritual sword circling him, energies coiling along its blade. His robes fluttered soundlessly, the image of an aloof young sword immortal.

Jiang Qian, perched atop the Northwind Ice Wolf, grinned breezily. “Senior Brother Duan, shall we call it a draw? Neither of us can finish the other off.”

Duan Yuqing’s eyes narrowed. He called forth another spiritual sword and advanced, step by measured step. “And why do you think I can’t kill you?”

“Oh?” Jiang Qian cocked his head, raising a hand. With a flash of radiant light, a Tier-Six beast—the Thunderflame Skywing Eagle—appeared at his side.

A devastating aura crashed down, oppressive and fierce.

A Tier-Six beast companion. And didn’t he already have a Tier-Five one too?

Had Jiang Qian inherited the legacy of a Beast Master?

It sure looked that way. Otherwise, how could anyone at his level command such powerful demonic beasts?

“Hmph. Hiding behind borrowed strength, as always,” Duan Yuqing sneered.

With a flick, he dissipated his sword and turned his back on the Thunderflame Skywing Eagle, striding from the battlefield without another word.

Only after Duan Yuqing’s silhouette vanished into the distance did Jiang Qian finally let his breath out long and slow.

“Whew… Thank goodness he left. If that battle had dragged on, it would’ve lasted forever!”

He turned to the Thunderflame Skywing Eagle and examined the wounds marring its back, only half-healed.

“You did well. Go have a rest inside.”

The eagle gave a soft cry, nodded, and vanished into the Beastmaster’s ring in a flicker of light.

Jiang Qian dusted off his hands, muttering to himself, “Duan Yuqing really lives up to his role as the story’s main lead—his luck is ridiculous.”

“I managed to steal one inheritance, yet he still stumbled his way into another.”

“And who’d have thought he was so obsessed with Jiang Zixuan? It’s honestly a bit scary.”

“I’d better keep my distance from Jiang Zixuan going forward, just in case.”

With a sigh, Jiang Qian set off toward Bai Piaoxue’s hiding place.

Half a minute later, he reached the cave—only to find it empty. Bai Piaoxue was nowhere to be seen.

“Huh? Where’d she go?” Jiang Qian stepped outside and searched the surroundings, but there was no sign of her.

Scratching his head, he wondered aloud, “Did she go looking for me?”

“Oh well. As long as she steers clear of any Tier-Six beasts, she should be fine.”

“Oh right—I haven’t checked in with the system yet today.”

He summoned his system interface and tapped the Check-in button.

【Check-in successful!】

【Congratulations, Host! You have received: Explosive Longsword!】

Jiang Qian eyed the longsword glowing red in his palm, the corner of his mouth twitching. “So it explodes the moment you swing it?”

“What am I supposed to do with this? Honestly, everything I’ve gotten lately is so useless.”

“A scythe that kills its wielder in one swing, low-grade herbs that reek of lemons, a demonic beast that runs like the wind but dies in a second…”

“When am I ever going to get something useful?”

Annoyed, he tossed the Explosive Longsword into his storage ring.

Mounting the Northwind Ice Wolf, he rode off and soon vanished into the wilderness.

Several days later—

Atop a wind-swept mountain peak.

Jiang Qian lounged lazily on a sun-warmed boulder. His left hand propped up his head while his right toyed distractedly with a yo-yo.

This wasn’t any ordinary toy, but the system’s latest reward—the finest Profound-rank weapon he’d received in days. The only problem: he didn’t know any tricks. All he could do was let it drop and reel it in again.

Still, it beat dying of boredom.

“The secret realm is about to open up again. I can’t wait to get out—this place is dangerous and dull.”

He yawned, long and weary.

Smack—

A palm landed square on Jiang Qian’s back.

“Damn—!” Jiang Qian yelped, springing upright from the sting. He whirled around and found himself face-to-face with Jiang Zixuan.

His first reflex was to scan the area for Duan Yuqing—somewhat amazed that, for once, the man wasn’t attached to her side.

“No need to look," Jiang Zixuan said, immediately catching on. "Senior Brother Duan isn’t here.”

Jiang Qian's eyes flicked back to her. “How’d you know where to find me?”

If I get the chance, I’m making my escape—no way I’m hanging around this schemer for long.

But Jiang Zixuan just offered a bright, unhurried smile as she sat herself down beside him. She gazed out over the horizon, the mountain wind ruffling her hair.

“The view is stunning up here, isn’t it?” she said softly, her tone wistful and distant.

Jiang Qian took an instinctive step backwards, plastering on a forced smile. “Well, since you’re busy enjoying the scenery, Cousin, I won’t disturb you. I’ll just be—”

“If you leave now, I’ll call Senior Brother Duan here in a heartbeat!” Jiang Zixuan cut in, flashing a sly, threatening grin.

Cunning woman! She knows exactly what I’m afraid of and isn’t above using it as leverage.

Fine, you win!

Jiang Qian froze on the spot. “So, Cousin… was there something you needed?”

With barely a blur, Jiang Zixuan appeared right in front of him, her smile deepening, eyes sharp as blades. “You’re not Jiang Qian, are you?”