In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Hu Murui’s Feelings

Translation by: Weebsread👹

“You two, hold tight to those Thunderflame Skywing Eagle!” Without a hint of hesitation, Jiang Qian hurled himself over the edge.

The Windblade Flamewing Horses, witnessing Jiang Qian’s leap, whinnied in panic and galloped straight after him.

Hu Murui and Feng Xiu’neng watched as Jiang Qian plunged downward, breath caught in their throats.

Both believed Jiang Qian had taken the risk for their sake—for them, he was willing to stake his own life.

Feng Xiu’neng pressed his fists together in a deep salute, voice somber. “Brother Jiang, I haven’t admired many people in my life—but you’re one of them!”

“Jiang Qian…” Hu Murui looked on, her eyes swirling with conflicted emotion.

He hadn’t just saved her once—again and again, Jiang Qian had pulled her back from the brink of death.

Even her Northwind Ice Wolf owed its survival to him.

Thinking back, she realized: had Duan Yuqing ever done so much for her? Had he ever truly stood by her side through danger?

No. Not even once.

…

…

Maybe, what she’d felt for Duan Yuqing was nothing more than a teenage crush—admiration for a dashing figure, infatuation built on illusion.

But that wasn’t true affection, and suddenly she felt lighter, the weight in her chest dissolving.

As she let go, her faint feelings for Jiang Qian took root and flourished, growing stronger with every heartbeat.

In that moment, her mind was filled with image after image—Jiang Qian risking everything for her, time and time again.

Meanwhile—

On the ground below, Jiang Qian set his sights on the Windblade Flamewing Horse foal, still so young it struggled even to stand. With a wicked grin, he called out, “Hey little one, don’t be scared! I’m really, really a nice guy!”

Before the foal could react, Jiang Qian flashed forward, reappearing in front of it and scooping it up gently but firmly.

“Roaaaar—!” 

The two adult Windblade Flamewing Horses touched down with a thunderous crash. When they saw Jiang Qian cradling their foal, their eyes shone with murderous rage.

Jiang Qian only smiled, unfazed, his right hand steady on the foal’s neck. “Don’t try anything reckless. If my hand slips, I can’t guarantee your little one will be unharmed.”

The threat hung thick in the air—it was the kind of move fit for a villain.

But honestly, Jiang Qian thought, who cares? Villain or not, this was the best way forward.

The two adults froze, completely cowed, no longer daring to charge blindly.

“Here’s how this is going to work,” Jiang Qian said easily, “Become my beast companions and I’ll return your foal, safe and sound. There’s no downside—being my contracted beasts will only benefit you in the end!”

The Windblade Flamewing Horses hesitated, glancing at their struggling foal, but in the end, they dared not resist. Each spat out a single drop of heart’s blood, offering it as a pledge.

Jiang Qian channeled spiritual power into the blood. In a flash, a faint pattern glimmered between the brows of both Windblade Flamewing Horses.

“All right—time to come home!” Jiang Qian summoned his Beastmaster’s Ring, collecting both adults and the foal in a single motion.

He stretched, grinning in mild self-mockery. “Not my favorite method, but I can’t deny—it really gets results.”

With that, Jiang Qian turned and headed back.

Meanwhile, high above, Hu Murui and Feng Xiu’neng, still astride the Thunderflame Skywing Eagle, soon returned to where Bai Piaoxue and the others waited anxiously.

The Thunderflame Skywing Eagle landed. Bai Piaoxue searched the small group with a frown. “Where’s Jiang Qian? Why isn’t he here?”

“Yeah, where’s my Senior Brother?” Chen Xiaoxiao’s voice quavered, her worry barely masked.

Jiang Zixuan caught the grim set of Feng Xiu’neng’s jaw and felt dread creep over her.

Feng Xiu’neng’s expression turned even heavier. “Brother Jiang, he… He…”

“What about me?” A familiar voice interrupted, relaxed and as unconcerned as ever. Jiang Qian strolled out from the trees, a lazy grin on his face.

Feng Xiu’neng’s eyes widened in disbelief. He rushed over at once. “Brother Jiang, you actually made it out in one piece!”

Jiang Qian arched one brow mischievously. “What, were you secretly hoping I wouldn’t?”

Feng Xiu’neng hastily shook his head with righteous indignation. “Perish the thought! I’d never wish for such a thing!”

Jiang Qian just laughed. “Relax, I’m messing with you.” With a wave of his hand, he stored the massive Thunderflame Skywing Eagle in his Beastmaster’s Ring.

Suddenly—

The exit to the secret realm began to shimmer, the portal appearing.

Jiang Zixuan blinked in surprise. “Wasn’t the secret realm supposed to last another month? Why is the exit here already?”

Feng Xiu’neng shrugged helplessly. “My guess is: with so many casualties this round, the sect masters decided to end it early.”

He might not know about the other sects, but as for the Beast Taming Sect… When they entered, there’d been more than a dozen. Now only he and Hu Murui remained.

If not for Jiang Qian’s intervention, neither of them would have survived.

Everyone fell silent, acknowledging silently that Feng Xiu’neng had a point—far too many had died this time.

A few minutes later, they reached the exit together.

There, they found the other survivors trickling in.

To their surprise, the Jade Maiden Pavilion still boasted more than half its original numbers—a testament to Situ Yahan’s leadership and strength.

Heavenly Fragrance Academy, by contrast, had only five left. Among them was the same disciple who had tried to snatch Jiang Qian’s treasure, only to be sent flying by a single punch.

Duan Yuqing reappeared with only Wu Jinfeng. The rest of his companions were gone.

Jiang Qian slipped over, patting Wu Jinfeng on the shoulder and drawing him aside. “Hey, where is everyone? Don’t tell me they’re all dead?”

“I remember not many people died in the ruins,” he added.

Wu Jinfeng shook his head with a bitter smile. “No idea. I got separated by accident and only just found Duan Yuqing again.”

Bai Piaoxue stormed up to Duan Yuqing, voice sharp as a blade. “Where’s the rest of your group? Don’t tell me no one survived!”

Duan Yuqing could only nod stiffly, frustration and bitterness etched across his face. Then his gaze fell on Jiang Qian—alive, against all odds.

Still alive? Just how much luck does this guy have? But let’s see how long that fortune lasts.

“I hope you’re ready to answer to my father!” Bai Piaoxue scoffed, turning decisively away.

Moments later, everyone stepped out of the secret realm.

Outside, the four sect masters stood waiting, faces grim as they surveyed the handful of survivors.

Qin Jingtong’s tone was severe. “Can anyone tell me what happened inside the secret realm?”

A disciple from Heavenly Fragrance Academy stepped forward and described everything that had occurred in the ruins, holding nothing back.

The sect masters listened, nodding along, their expressions growing heavier with every word.

Hu Mo could only sigh, casting a melancholy glance at the two surviving disciples—one of whom was his own daughter. “I never imagined things would turn out this way…”

Bai Qianfeng shook his head, then spoke up. “Let’s leave sect matters for later. We can discuss this back at our own headquarters.”

The three other sect masters quickly agreed.

With that, the sect masters began to gather their scattered disciples.

“Sect Master Hu, please wait a moment!”