In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Not Ruler and Subject, But Friends!

Translation by: Weebsread👹

Chen Shimin sat alone in his tent, unable to hold back the booming laughter that burst out as he finished reading the latest report.

"Qian Zhongxian—that old thorn in my side. Who would've thought Senior Brother Jiang would actually help me get rid of him!" he chuckled, amusement clear in his voice.

A young woman stood quietly in the tent. After a long moment of indecision, she finally spoke up. "Your Highness, the destruction of Tianze City’s Manor and the Zhou Clan was the work of a demonic cultivator. Qian Zhongxian has vanished without a trace. Is it possible that Jiang Qian—"

Before she could finish, Chen Shimin raised his right hand, silencing her mid-sentence.

"That’s enough. You and I both know the truth; there’s no need to say it aloud. I suspect Senior Brother Jiang intended for us to see this ourselves." As he spoke, he drew a withered, yellowed map from his robe.

He tossed the map to the young woman. "Take this to Senior Brother Jiang for me."

"But… Jiang Qian is just your subordinate, Your Highness. Helping you eliminate Qian Zhongxian was simply his duty. Isn’t it too generous to reward him with something this valuable?" she protested, gripping the map tightly.

Chen Shimin’s gaze turned icy. His face grew as hard as iron. "Senior Brother Jiang and I are not ruler and subject. We’re partners—friends. Don’t forget that."

"Yes, sir!" The woman dropped to her knees, shaking, not daring to look him in the eye.

Chen Shimin nodded. "Enough, Tong Yue. You may rise."

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Make sure this map reaches Senior Brother Jiang as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir!”

With a flicker of movement, Tong Yue vanished from the tent, map in hand.

Chen Shimin glanced at the message in his hand once more. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Good thing I listened to my little sister—and convinced Senior Brother Jiang to join our camp."

"Now that Qian Zhongxian is dead, Chen Jianzhi will be furious. I doubt he’ll sit tight for long."

“He’s not a man to be underestimated,” Chen Shimin muttered, his expression turning cold and wary.

A few days later, at the Jiang Estate in Tianze City—

Jiang Qian lounged in his courtyard, gently bouncing Jiang Ling in his arms.

Bai Piaoxue, after watching the baby a while, looked up at Jiang Qian. "Could I hold her for a bit?"

Jiang Qian nodded and carefully handed Jiang Ling over.

But the moment Bai Piaoxue took the baby, Jiang Ling’s face scrunched up and she burst into loud, wailing cries.

Bai Piaoxue panicked, looking helplessly at Jiang Qian. "What’s wrong? Why is she crying?"

As soon as Jiang Qian took Jiang Ling back, her tears dried up, replaced by a bright, toothless smile.

Just then, Hu Murui strode in, a rolled-up map in her hand.

“Brother Jiang, a woman just dropped this off. She said it’s from King of Qin,” Hu Murui announced, handing him the map.

Jiang Qian handed Jiang Ling back to her Nanny and accepted the map.

Bai Piaoxue, Jiang Zixuan, and Hu Murui all crowded in, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

As Jiang Qian unrolled the map, he discovered a folded letter tucked inside.

The letter read:

Senior Brother, have you ever heard of the demonic cultivator Zhang Shi? Recently, Zhang Shi perished under mysterious circumstances. The map marks all the hiding places for the treasures he left behind!

Zhang Shi? Who’s that supposed to be?

Was he famous? Jiang Qian racked his brain, but still couldn’t remember ever hearing the name.

He was utterly lost.

The three women, however, fixed their gazes on the map, expressions full of astonishment.

Noticing this, Jiang Qian asked, "You all know this Zhang Shi?"

"Zhang Shi was extremely powerful—at half-step Nascent Soul stage. He was infamous for amassing a collection of cultivation manuals, treasures, rare pills, and powerful weapons," Hu Murui explained.

"I heard he even owned a mid-grade Earth-tier weapon!"

Jiang Qian nodded thoughtfully. Catching the eager looks the three women were tossing his way, he couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth. "Don’t tell me you’re all itching to chase after his treasure…"

"Brother Jiang, come on! We can’t let this chance slip by!" Bai Piaoxue pleaded.

"Exactly! We’re not busy with anything else—why not?" Jiang Zixuan chimed in.

"My dear cousin, please? If we stay here any longer, we’ll die of boredom," Hu Murui added, flashing a playful grin.

With their enthusiastic pleading, Jiang Qian could only let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, alright—we’ll go."

Not much later—

The four of them gathered outside the city gates.

Jiang Chenghai stood waiting, arms folded behind his back, a gentle smile on his face. "Take care on your journey, all of you."

"We will!" Jiang Qian assured him with a nod. Turning around, he summoned his Spirit boat.

They all boarded the Spirit boat, and in short order, it soared into the sky, disappearing from sight.

Sitting on the deck, Jiang Qian traced the route on the map with his finger. Coincidentally, their path would cut straight through Lingshui City—home to Dongfang Xuan.

Since we’ll be passing by, I might as well pay a visit to Dongfang Ke’s father, Jiang Qian thought.

Fortunately, Lingshui City was close—barely a day’s trip from Tianze City.

…

The next day, Lingshui City.

Jiang Qian and his companions landed lightly before the city gates, leaping down from the Spirit boat and walking into the bustling streets.

Bai Piaoxue shot Jiang Qian a teasing look. “Here to see a certain someone, aren’t you?”

“We happen to be passing through, so checking in isn’t a bad idea," Jiang Qian replied, hands laced behind his head, strolling at ease.

The three women left it at that, trailing quietly beside him.

Jiang Qian soon arrived at the place where Dongfang Xuan once lived—only to find it deserted and long abandoned.

Just then, a passerby happened past. Jiang Qian called out, "Excuse me, do you know where the family who lived here has gone?"

"Oh, you mean Master Dongfang? He’s moved to the most prosperous part of the city," the man replied quickly.

"Thanks!"

"No trouble at all.”

Master Dongfang? Looks like the Outer Sect’s Grand Elder kept his promise, Jiang Qian mused with satisfaction.

He turned to leave when a familiar voice sounded behind him.

"Young Master Jiang?"

Jiang Qian turned and found himself face to face with Dongfang Ke.

"Dongfang Ke? Weren’t you at Heavenly Fragrance Academy?"

"My Senior Brother Hu gave me a few days off to visit home. I wasn’t expecting to run into you here, Young Master Jiang," Dongfang Ke said gratefully.

If not for Jiang Qian, Hu Zhuang wouldn’t take his alchemy studies so earnestly, Dongfang Ke thought. And if not for Jiang Qian, he and his father—or even Yu Yueyue—might have perished at the hands of the old City Lord’s son. The more Dongfang Ke considered it, the more indebted he felt—debts he could never repay in this lifetime.

Jiang Qian gave a sincere smile. "I was passing through Lingshui City and thought I’d stop in to see Senior Brother Dongfang."

"Is that so? My father will be delighted to see you, Young Master Jiang!" Dongfang Ke said, eyes bright with joy.

With that, Dongfang Ke led Jiang Qian and his three companions toward Dongfang Xuan’s new residence.

But halfway there, Jiang Qian suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed on a group of men gathering not far ahead. His brows drew tight, eyes growing wary.

Disciples of the Blood Sect!?