In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Prisoners in an Instant

Translation by: Weebsread👹

Another blast struck the underside of the Spirit boat.

This time, something vital shattered within the ship's framework.

With a sickening lurch, the Spirit boat plummeted from the sky.

The four of them wasted no time—they leapt clear just moments before the ship crashed.

No sooner had they landed than a mob of bandits encircled them.

“Well, well—what do we have here? Three pretty little ladies!” The leader was built like an ox, with a long, horse-like face twisted into a greedy grin.

A sharp-chinned, weasel-faced man sidled up. “Boss, looks like another pair of young nobles—with not a guard in sight! We’re going to clean up this time.”

Since they were taking part in a trial, the four were not wearing their Azure Mountain Sect robes. All of them were clad in fine silks and expensive brocade.

No wonder they looked just like pampered children from wealthy families.

...

...

The burly leader licked the edge of his broadsword, eyes glinting with malice. “Been a while since I had fresh meat.”

With that, he swung his blade straight at Jiang Qian.

The sword was milliseconds away from splitting Jiang Qian’s skull when, all at once, the man’s body froze solid.

Bai Piaoxue stepped calmly in front of Jiang Qian, her voice like winter’s edge. “You dare touch Jiang Qian? You deserve to die.”

As her words fell, the burly bandit collapsed—a statue of ice shattering to pieces.

“B-Boss… the boss is dead!” The weasel-faced man stared, slack-jawed, at what remained of his leader.

Their boss had been a formidable cultivator, an expert already at the Fusion Realm—definitely a force not to provoke.

But this woman killed him in an instant. That meant her cultivation was at least at the Golden Core Realm.

No! I need to get out while I still can!

“Retreat!” he screamed. The bandits broke ranks and fled, terror written on their faces.

Bai Piaoxue let out a cold snort. “Think you can run?”

In an instant, frost spread in all directions, rippling across the ground.

The fleeing bandits froze mid-step.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A chain of muffled explosions burst through the frosty silence—one by one, the bandits exploded into icy shards.

Jiang Qian’s eyes caught a gleam amid the frozen rubble.

He stepped forward and crouched, picking up a small token.

Two characters were carved into the surface: Zheng Ning.

Zheng Ning? Zheng Ning City? Why would bandits carry a Zheng Ning City token? Unless—

A suspicion flashed through Jiang Qian’s mind. He straightened up at once.

Just then, a squad of armored soldiers advanced, sabers strapped across their backs and spears in their hands.

They marched toward the group in neat formation.

At the front, a man rode a black horse, gripping a red-tasseled spear and radiating arrogance. He reined in before Jiang Qian and barked, “Peasants! In the presence of your squad captain, why aren’t you kneeling?”

Bai Piaoxue moved protectively in front of Jiang Qian, her gaze frosty. “And who are you to demand we kneel? Quite the performance.”

For a moment, the man’s fierce demeanor faltered; he gaped at Bai Piaoxue, struck by her celestial beauty.

The daze lasted only a breath before arrogance surfaced again. He dismounted, smoothing his expression into a smile. With feigned courtesy, he bowed. “Young lady, may I ask your name and age?”

He introduced himself with flourish: “My surname is Xu, given name Zhiqiang. May I have the honor of befriending you?”

Disgust flickered in Bai Piaoxue’s eyes. “Get lost.”

Just one word, but Xu Zhiqiang’s face flushed beet-red.

Who did she think he was? He was Xu Zhiqiang, Captain of the Zheng Ning City Guard—a man of influence, second only to the city lord. Countless hopefuls had tried to get close to him.

Yet when he’d set aside his pride to speak kindly, she threw just a single insult at him!

Xu Zhiqiang’s eyes narrowed, dark with malice. He swore to himself: I’ll make you regret this.

He turned his fury on Jiang Qian. “Peasant! Did you kill these people?”

“They were just bandits. We saved you the trouble. You should be thanking us!” Chen Xiaoxiao interrupted briskly before Jiang Qian could answer.

It was only then that Xu Zhiqiang noticed two more exceptional beauties among them, and he cursed his luck.

Ignoring Chen Xiaoxiao, he pressed the red-tasseled spear to Jiang Qian’s throat.

“Bandits? Where’s your proof? I’m Xu Zhiqiang—responsible for every inch of this land. Bandits, you say? Ludicrous.”

“It’s clear you murdered innocent people and are now making excuses. Caught in the act, and you dare to claim they’re bandits?”

“You villain—I’ll see you pay for this!”

“Arrest them!” Xu Zhiqiang snapped. His soldiers quickly surrounded the four, weapons gleaming.

You’re digging your own grave—don’t blame me for what happens next.

Jiang Qian looked around the circle of soldiers, utterly unruffled. With a faint smile, he said, “You have no right to arrest me. For your own sake, I suggest you think twice.”

For a moment, Xu Zhiqiang hesitated, thrown off by Jiang Qian’s calmness. Could this young man really have powerful backing?

Before he could think further, Jiang Zixuan spoke with a gentle but pointed tone. “Just so you know: even the imperial family would need a good reason to lay a hand on him. You really don’t have the authority.”

Xu Zhiqiang burst out laughing. “For a second, I almost believed you! But isn’t that a bit much?”

“Even the royal family can’t touch him? I’m not buying it. Let’s find out the truth today.”

“Take him!”

Jiang Qian didn’t resist as the soldiers seized him.

He had two reasons for going along.

First, with them escorting him, he’d be delivered to Zheng Ning City quickly and hassle-free.

Second, he was honestly just too lazy to walk. If they were going to cart him as a prisoner, why not enjoy the free ride?

And so, Jiang Qian was unceremoniously shoved into a prison cart.

The three girls walked alongside the cart, keeping pace quietly.

Riding beside them on horseback, Xu Zhiqiang tried again with Bai Piaoxue, who sat outside the cart. Smiling, he called, “Beautiful lady, won’t you ride with me? It’s far more comfortable than walking.”

“I’d hate to see you tire yourself out.”

Bai Piaoxue ignored the offer—she didn’t turn, didn’t respond, didn’t even acknowledge his existence.

Xu Zhiqiang’s embarrassment burned hot, his grip on the reins tightening until his knuckles whitened. Inwardly, he fumed: If I can’t bend you to my will, then I’m not worthy of the Xu name!

Meanwhile, Chen Xiaoxiao glanced at Jiang Qian, who lounged in the prison cart as if on holiday. “Senior Brother, why let ourselves be taken prisoner? Wouldn’t it be easier to just kill them all?”

Jiang Qian answered serenely, “Is it necessary to resort to violence at every turn? As righteous cultivators, must we always answer force with force? We should have the tolerance to rise above such things.”

He was careful not to mention his real reason: sheer laziness.

Chen Xiaoxiao’s expression lit up with sudden insight. Of course! Constantly reaching for the sword was the way of the demonic path, not the righteous one.

To spare lives and avoid unnecessary killing—that was true virtue! Senior Brother’s forbearance was admirable.

No wonder he was their Chief Disciple.

She gazed at Jiang Qian with fresh respect and gratitude.

After about half an hour, they arrived at the imposing gates of Zheng Ning City.

By chance, the city lord was there at the entrance, just as Xu Zhiqiang arrived with his captives. He strode forward at once.

“City Lord, these people slaughtered innocent citizens. I apprehended them myself and brought them for judgment,” Xu Zhiqiang reported confidently.

But when the city lord saw Jiang Qian and his companions, his pupils shrank with shock. He rushed forward, shouting, “Release them! At once!”