In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Brother Jiang, I Want to Go With You!

Translation by: Weebsread👹

“What?! That brat dares to show his face here again?” Hu Mo’s fury rekindled the instant he recalled how Jiang Qian had made off with his precious Profound-grade Spirit Boat. His face contorted, and he barreled toward the door, each heavy step echoing his anger—only to halt abruptly at the sound of Zheng Daiman’s voice.

“Husband, just where do you think you’re going?” Zheng Daiman’s smile was all honey, but her eyes left no room for argument.

Hu Mo swallowed hard. The bravado drained from his posture and he scratched his head, forcing a sheepish grin. “N-nothing at all! I’m just going to—uh—open the door. Honest, just opening the door!”

“Hahaha…”

Muttering under his breath, Hu Mo shuffled to the entrance and pulled open the grand doors—

And found himself face-to-face with Feng Xiu’neng, standing beside none other than Jiang Qian.

“Sect Master? What brings you to the Young Sect Mistress’s residence?” Feng Xiu’neng’s brows knit in puzzlement.

...

...

Hu Mo fixed them with an icy glare. “Am I not allowed to be in my own daughter’s quarters?” he shot back, voice frosty.

“Husband, why are you loitering at the door? Aren’t you coming in?” Zheng Daiman’s voice floated from inside. Her tone was casual, but with an edge sharp as a blade.

“N-no, coming right away!” Tears of frustration nearly welled in Hu Mo’s eyes, but his expression morphed to fawning docility as he hurried back to Zheng Daiman’s side.

Jiang Qian and Feng Xiu’neng entered, following the couple.

Zheng Daiman turned her attention to Jiang Qian. She sized him up, a gentle smile blooming on her lips. “Well, aren’t you quite the good-looking young man. You must be Jiang Qian—come, have a seat!”

“Ah? Oh, thank you.” Jiang Qian quickly picked a spot across from her, trying his best to remain composed.

After a moment’s scrutiny, Zheng Daiman nodded approvingly. “Murui has good taste. I heard you’re the author of ‘Phoenix Hairpin’?”

“Yes, ma’am, I wrote it,” Jiang Qian replied with a respectful nod.

“A remarkable talent! I doubt anyone in the entire Longyan Kingdom could compose a poem to rival ‘Phoenix Hairpin,’” Zheng Daiman praised, her certainty unwavering. Then, as if an idea occurred to her, she asked, “By the way, any sisters at home?”

Jiang Qian shook his head. “No, it’s just me and my father.”

What’s with this line of questioning? Is this… what it feels like meeting a future mother-in-law?

“Not bad, not bad,” Zheng Daiman teased, a playful glimmer in her eyes. “If I were a few years younger, I might start fancying you myself!”

Meanwhile, Hu Mo regarded Jiang Qian with naked suspicion, utterly unconvinced.

Jiang Qian, however, stayed focused. He fished out the token Hu Murui had given him not long before.

“I’m actually here to borrow the demonic beast Blood Pool,” he explained.

“That token—where did you…” Hu Mo began, but his words trailed off as his gaze shot to his daughter. Realization dawned; no need to spell it out.

Zheng Daiman took the token, then looked to Feng Xiu’neng. “Xiuneng, take Jiang Qian to the demonic beast Blood Pool.”

“Yes, Madam!” Feng Xiu’neng bowed, then turned to Jiang Qian. “Brother Jiang, this way.”

“Alright.” Jiang Qian got up and followed.

As they left, Zheng Daiman glanced at her silent daughter, a gentle smile on her lips. “Murui, are you really not going to make a move?”

“If you hesitate too long, you might regret it when it’s too late!”

Hu Murui heard the words, her gaze dropping, deep in thought. But she remained silent.

*

Feng Xiu’neng led Jiang Qian through winding corridors toward the demonic beast Blood Pool.

“We’re nearly there,” Feng Xiu’neng said. “Your beasts can soak for at most two days—any longer, and the benefits may turn to harm.”

Jiang Qian nodded, memorizing the warning. “Understood.”

With a grunt, Feng Xiu’neng pushed open the massive stone doors.

Jiang Qian stepped inside. The further he walked, the heavier the air became—coppery and thick with spirit energy. At last, he saw it: a vast crimson pool, its surface dimly aglow.

So this is the demonic beast Blood Pool… Just how much will my companions strengthen after two days?

Without hesitation, Jiang Qian swept his right hand.

In a swirl of spirit light, the Thunderflame Skywing Eagle, Rainbow Antlered Deer, and Windblade Flamewing Horse appeared. The younger Thunderflame Eagles and Windblade Flamewing Horses followed, tumbling out one after the other.

The Northwind Ice Wolf, still cocooned in its evolution, remained safely in Jiang Qian’s Beastmaster’s Ring.

“Alright, all of you—enjoy the soak!”

The demonic beasts didn’t wait for a second invitation. With excited cries, they bounded into the blood pool, splashing crimson waves high.

Immediately, Jiang Qian could sense their elation. The demonic beast Blood Pool truly lived up to its reputation—a rare treasure that could temper and empower demonic beasts.

Content, Jiang Qian found a spot to sit by the pool, pulling out a Flying Chess set. He idly played against himself, munching on a sesame flatbread, eyes drifting between his game and the beasts.

Suddenly, a familiar system chime echoed in his mind.

【Ding~ Beast Taming Sect special location detected: demonic beast Blood Pool. Would you like to check-in?】

“Check in!”

【Check-in successful!】

【Congratulations, Host, you have received: Sticky Bomb x20】

【Congratulations, Host, you have received: demonic beast Blood Pool Formula (Improved Edition) x1】

【Congratulations, Host, you have received: Go stones (black) x3】

Sticky bombs? An improved demonic beast Blood Pool formula? Not bad, I guess. The system’s really gotten generous lately.

But… sticky bombs? Why is the check-in reward suddenly a modern weapon?

He eyed the twenty sticky bombs floating before him and, after a moment’s hesitation, tossed them all into his storage ring.

Let’s not dwell on it.

Shifting focus, Jiang Qian examined the demonic beast Blood Pool formula.

An hour slipped by as he poured over the details.

By the time he finished, he dropped onto the ground with a weary sigh. “These materials are insane… Third Rank Bloodthirsty Lingzhi, Second Rank Baleful Spirit Flower, Fifth Rank Heartfire Turtle blood…”

Finding some of these ingredients would be harder than finding a dragon’s whisker!

Not to mention the sheer manpower needed, or the countless rare treasures required. No wonder the Beast Taming Sect guarded the blood pool so jealously.

“Alright, that’s enough reading for today.”

He tucked the formula into his storage ring and stretched lazily, gaze turning back to his demonic beasts.

Just like that, two days passed.

When the beasts emerged, their sixth-rank cultivation hadn’t climbed by much, but their bodies were clearly more robust, their strength and vitality elevated.

The greatest change was in the younger Thunderflame Skywing Eagles and Windblade Flamewing Horses—they’d broken through to half-step second rank. Just a bit more tempering, and they’d enter the full second rank.

“Hah, not a wasted trip after all,” Jiang Qian remarked, satisfied.

With a gesture, all his demonic beasts vanished into his Beastmaster’s Ring. He rose, stretched, and walked out of the blood pool chamber.

“Brother Jiang, you’re finished?” Feng Xiu’neng greeted him, quickly sealing the stone doors behind.

Jiang Qian nodded and offered a grateful smile. “Thanks for all your help, Brother Feng.”

“No need, no need!” Feng Xiu’neng grinned widely, waving a dismissive hand. “So, what’s next for you? If you’re free, care to join me for a few drinks?”

Jiang Qian shook his head, regretful. “Not this time. I’m due at Heavenly Fragrance Academy—the Bamboo Grove Poetry Gathering starts soon.”

“Ah, work before pleasure, I understand! Next time then—we’ll drink until dawn, agreed?” Feng Xiu’neng clapped him on the back with a hearty laugh.

“Absolutely!”

Jiang Qian retrieved his Spirit boat, readying to depart.

Just then, a clear, determined voice called out—

“Brother Jiang, I want to go with you too!”