In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Heaven Never Bars One’s Path

Translation by: Weebsread👹

Young Sect Mistress? He must mean Hu Murui.

What happened to her this time? Judging by his expression, things look dire.

Jiang Qian refocused, turning his attention to stabilizing the injured man before him.

A short time later—

The man’s eyelids fluttered open. Spotting Jiang Qian, he blurted out, “Brother Jiang, please, you have to save our Young Sect Mistress!”

“Whoa, slow down! Start from the top—what exactly happened?”

“Right, of course,” the man replied, nodding frantically.

He proceeded to explain everything in frenetic detail.

“You all tried to steal a Windblade Flamewing Horse foal? A Sixth-rank demonic beast? And you ended up caught by both the adult Flamewing Horses?!”

“You’ve got even more guts than I do!”

. . .

Back then, the only reason I even dared to sneak around a demon beast’s territory was because the Thunderflame Skywing Eagle and the Frostsun White Tiger were locked in a life-or-death struggle. That was the only opening I’d ever take.

But these folks? They tried to snatch a foal the moment the Flamewing Horses left the nest.

I have to admit, that takes real nerve.

No wonder they’re disciples of the Beast Taming Sect.

The man shook his head, regret written all over his face. He shot Jiang Qian a desperate look. “Brother Jiang, as long as you’re willing to help save our Young Sect Mistress—don’t you have a powerful beast companion, too?”

“If you help us, our Beast Taming Sect will offer you a Fourth-grade healing pill. Give it to your beast companion, and any wound will vanish in a heartbeat!”

“We’ll even throw in a mid-grade Profound-tier Spirit boat. How’s that as compensation?”

A Spirit boat? Now they’re pulling out all the stops!

You have to realize, Spirit boats are rare treasures—even with plenty of gold, you might never find one for sale.

Azure Mountain Sect only has a dozen or so, and most are just low-grade Yellow-tier items!

But a mid-grade Profound-tier Spirit boat… that’s almost unheard of.

If I can get my hands on that, this trip to the secret realm will be worth it for that alone.

Jiang Qian’s eyes sparkled. He nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, I’ll save your Young Sect Mistress!”

“Not because of the Spirit boat or the Fourth-grade pill, of course.”

“Oh, by the way, do you really have the authority to promise me a Spirit boat?”

Seeing Jiang Qian agree, the man thumped his chest with glee. “I swear it on my very soul! If you want, I can give you a written pledge right now!”

He whipped out a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from his storage ring, and began writing up a formal contract.

“There’s really no need for that…” Jiang Qian said, though he made no move to stop him.

Soon after, the man handed him the signed and stamped pledge.

Skimming the document, Jiang Qian raised a brow. “I didn’t realize Brother Feng here was the Sect Master’s personal disciple. Forgive me for not recognizing you sooner.”

Feng Xiu’neng gave a wan smile. “It’s nothing. But I hope Brother Jiang can set out immediately. Every moment we delay, the greater the danger to our Young Sect Mistress’s life!”

“Understood. I’m leaving right away!” Jiang Qian summoned his Thunderflame Skywing Eagle, seized Feng Xiu’neng by the wrist, and—with no ceremony at all—hauled him onto the eagle’s back.

Then he glanced back at the three women waiting nearby. “Wait here for me. I’ll return soon!”

No sooner had he spoken—

Jiang Qian rode the Thunderflame Skywing Eagle skyward, vanishing into the clouds.

On a remote mountain peak—

The Thunderflame Skywing Eagle soared overhead on broad wings, its shadow shuddering over the rocks below.

Jiang Qian sat astride the eagle’s head, scanning the wilderness below, but no sign of Hu Murui or the Windblade Flamewing Horses appeared.

Instead, he spotted corpses strewn across the mountainside.

Most were disciples of the Beast Taming Sect—alongside the fallen bodies of their beast companions.

“Are you sure Hu Murui is here? I haven’t seen a trace of her this whole time.”

“Could you have gotten the location wrong?”

Jiang Qian looked over at Feng Xiu’neng.

But Feng Xiu’neng shook his head, unwavering. “Impossible. This is the place—I’m certain of it.”

As he spoke, bloody memories of the Windblade Flamewing Horses’ rampage flashed before his eyes. No matter how much he wanted to forget, that slaughter was seared into his mind.

Seeing how firm Feng Xiu’neng remained, Jiang Qian let it go.

Instead, he kept circling overhead, vigilant and searching.

I thought this would be a simple rescue mission, but it’s turning into a real ordeal.

Still—for a Profound-tier Spirit boat, no matter how tough it gets, I’m not quitting!

Just as Jiang Qian steeled himself, a sudden attack shot upward at the eagle.

The Thunderflame Skywing Eagle twisted hard to the side, barely dodging the strike with a sharp bank.

The move caught Jiang Qian off guard; he tumbled off the eagle’s back.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” he yelled, twisting around midair as the ground rushed up at him.

Thud—

A spray of dust erupted as he landed, gouging out a shallow crater in the earth.

“Stuck the landing!” Jiang Qian grinned, climbing out and brushing dirt from his shoulder.

But the next moment, he froze.

Standing right in front of him were two Windblade Flamewing Horses, their blood-red eyes locked on him.

“Jiang Qian?” a familiar voice called from nearby.

Jiang Qian turned toward the sound—and spotted Hu Murui, battered and bloodied, leaning against a boulder.

“No wonder I couldn’t find you. You’ve been hiding out in a cave this whole time!”

“Jiang Qian, look out!” Hu Murui cried out, mustering the last of her strength.

Seeing panic writ large on her face, Jiang Qian didn’t hesitate a second. He whipped out the Flood Dragon Bone Sword from his back.

Clang—

His blade clashed with a Flamewing Horse’s hoof, barely blocking its savage kick.

Even so, the blow sent Jiang Qian staggering back several paces, his arms tingling from the impact.

A Sixth-rank demonic beast really is a different beast altogether… If I’d known things would get this hairy, I would’ve brought Bai Piaoxue and the others.

With Chen Xiaoxiao here, she’d flatten these things in one blow!

“Fwoosh!” The Thunderflame Skywing Eagle suddenly swooped low, blasting out a barrage of fireballs.

The two Windblade Flamewing Horses batted the flames aside.

Seizing the opening, the eagle dove at breakneck speed toward Jiang Qian.

Right on time!

Jiang Qian darted for Hu Murui. “Sorry, but there’s no other way to save you!”

Without another word, he scooped her into his arms.

“Ah!” Hu Murui gasped, her cheeks blooming red.

Ever since she was a child, not a single man had ever embraced her like this!

While Hu Murui’s mind reeled, Jiang Qian leaped onto the Thunderflame Skywing Eagle’s back, cradling her in his arms.

The eagle responded instantly, hurtling upward toward the sky with the two of them on its back.

Jiang Qian gently set Hu Murui down. “You two can catch up later!”

But before the words had even faded—

Blazing crimson wings burst from the backs of the two Windblade Flamewing Horses, and they shot up into the air after them!

What the—since when could those things just sprout wings and fly?!

Jiang Qian’s mouth twitched as he watched the demonic beasts surge into the sky, hot on their tail.

The distance between them shrank rapidly.

It was then that Feng Xiu’neng stood up tall, steady and resolute. “Brother Jiang, take the Young Sect Mistress and go! I’ll hold them off!”

Jiang Qian glanced at Feng Xiu’neng’s heroic stance—then, without a trace of hesitation, kicked him straight off the eagle’s back!

Fat chance I’m letting you die! If something happens to you, who’ll verify my reward when it comes time to claim that Profound-tier Spirit boat?

What, am I supposed to risk my life for nothing?

“You’d just throw your life away for no reason, and you wouldn’t even buy us a few seconds!” Jiang Qian snapped.

As the Windblade Flamewing Horses closed in, Jiang Qian’s gaze swept the landscape below—and suddenly, a sly grin tugged at his lips.

Heaven never bars one’s path!

TL Note:

- Heaven never bars one’s path: A proverb meaning that there is always hope or a way out, no matter how desperate the situation. Here, Jiang Qian has spotted an unexpected opportunity or escape route.