In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 72

Chapter 72: A Startling Encounter with the “Black Bear Demon”

Translation by: Weebsread👹

Jiang Qian’s eyes narrowed sharply as he recognized the technique unfolding before him.

The Blood of Ten Thousand Demons!

Before he could react, the man in black wrenched free from Chen Changfeng’s grip and disappeared into the shadows.

“He still got away. Begin a full search of the city—check every house, understood?” Chen Changfeng barked, sheathing his spear.

“Yes, sir!” the soldiers shouted in unison.

Without wasting a heartbeat, they fanned out through Ercheng, forming search squads and combing through every home.

Chen Changfeng turned to Jiang Qian, striding over purposefully. “Not bad. If you hadn’t mentioned today you were with the King of Qin, I doubt I’d ever have figured it out.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way,” Jiang Qian replied coolly.

Without waiting for a response, he left.

...

Jiang Qian took his leave of the camp.

As his silhouette faded into the distance, Chen Changfeng murmured to himself, “Why do I get the feeling he already knew exactly what would happen tonight? Am I just imagining it?”

He shook his head, then returned to his tent. Sleep seemed an impossibility after what had transpired, so he grabbed a military treatise, hoping the act of reading might calm his turbulent mind.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qian didn’t return to his own quarters. Instead, he walked quietly to Duan Yuqing’s room and knocked.

Knock, knock, knock—

Before long, Duan Yuqing answered the door, his face shadowed with irritation. “What is it? If it’s not important, don’t bother me.”

“I do have something important,” Jiang Qian replied, wearing his usual lazy smile. “You’re not even going to invite me in for tea?”

He hesitated for a second, then silently stepped aside. Jiang Qian made himself comfortable, settling into a chair and pouring a cup of hot tea as though he owned the place.

“If you have something to say, spit it out. I need to get back to my cultivation,” Duan Yuqing said, his tone ice-cold.

Jiang Qian took a leisurely sip before finally answering. “So, did you hear about the assassination attempt on Chen Changfeng tonight?”

Duan Yuqing’s heartbeat skipped, but his expression stayed calm. “No. What does that have to do with me?”

“If you’re done, you can leave now. I need to concentrate,” he added, practically shoving Jiang Qian out the door.

Jiang Qian shot a last glance at the closed door before heading away down the corridor.

Inside the room, once he confirmed Jiang Qian was gone, Duan Yuqing finally let down his guard. He peeled off his outer robe, revealing a blood-soaked undershirt.

“Hiss—If that bastard Jiang Qian hadn’t stuck his nose in, Chen Changfeng would be dead already!”

“Just wait. Someday, I’ll kill you myself!” he hissed, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

***

The next day, at dawn.

Jiang Qian and the others stood atop the city walls. Below them, the soldiers of Ercheng had assembled, and Chen Changfeng’s voice rang out, full of iron determination:

“Everyone, listen up! A massive beast tide is coming!”

“This one will be fiercer than any before—and it could well be the last!”

“No matter how terrifying those monsters seem, fight them with everything you’ve got! Hold your ground!”

“Not a single step backward! The innocents of Ercheng are counting on you! Hold those beasts outside our walls!”

The soldiers, their spirits surging, bellowed as one: “Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Hu Murui, swept up by the momentum, turned anxiously to Jiang Qian. “Brother Jiang, is this beast tide really that terrible?”

“I don’t know for sure,” Jiang Qian admitted. He’d only heard the rumors from Huang Pan—the true scale of the beast tide was something he hadn’t yet witnessed. “If things get dangerous, stay in the city. Don’t come out for anything.”

“I understand!” Hu Murui nodded, obedient and earnest. She knew Jiang Qian was only thinking of her safety and offered no complaint.

Rumble—

Suddenly, the sky—which had been clear and bright—darkened as thunderclouds gathered, growling overhead.

A fierce wind swept through, bringing with it a downpour that drenched the once-parched earth.

Then, beneath their feet, the ground began to tremble. The vibrations swelled, growing stronger with every second.

“Roar—!”

A terrible chorus of beastly howls split the air.

A vast, churning tide of ferocious monsters surged toward Ercheng, blackening the ground as far as the eye could see.

But what made every heart on the battlements truly quail were the four sixth-rank demonic beasts leading the charge!

“Four at once… Chen Changfeng can handle one, I can take two, but that leaves just one…” Jiang Qian’s eyes darted to Duan Yuqing as he calculated aloud.

Duan Yuqing, sensing his gaze, instinctively touched his abdomen. He looked like he was about to refuse, but Jiang Qian cut in, his tone sharp and goading:

“What’s the matter, Holy Son Duan? Scared of facing a Sixth-rank demonic beast on your own? How disappointing. I bet my cousin would be ashamed.”

Duan Yuqing shot a glare at Jiang Zixuan, snorted coldly, and said, “Hmph. Just a Sixth-rank demonic beast. Are you doubting me?”

With that, he vaulted from the wall, charging headlong at one of the airborne demonic beasts.

At Jiang Qian’s side, Jiang Zixuan whispered, “You’re terrible, Jiang Qian!”

“Takes one to know one,” Jiang Qian retorted, grinning with a shrug.

Compared to you, the queen of schemers, I’m barely an amateur.

“Kill—!” Chen Changfeng bellowed, spear raised high.

He led the soldiers in a thunderous charge straight into the oncoming beast tide.

Jiang Qian didn’t hesitate, summoning his Thunderflame Skywing Eagle and Northwind Ice Wolf with a wave. Both demonic beasts shot forward, charging at the other sixth-rank demonic beasts.

The three women joined the fray as well, throwing themselves into the chaos of battle.

Only Jiang Qian remained atop the walls, eyes fixed intently on Duan Yuqing as he fought a desperate battle with the Sixth-rank demonic beast.

Battered and bleeding, Duan Yuqing was steadily forced back under the demonic beast’s relentless onslaught.

Still not using the Blood of Ten Thousand Demons?

Jiang Qian had already deduced that Duan Yuqing was the assassin from the night before.

In fact—

By the time Duan Yuqing returned last night, Jiang Qian had already pieced most of the truth together.

But all he had were suspicions, and no proof—unless he could force Duan Yuqing’s hand in public. Now, that opportunity was drawing near.

Bang!

With a thunderous crash, Duan Yuqing was smashed into the city wall by the flying demonic beast, the stone splintering as his body was driven deep into it.

Jiang Qian watched with a relaxed air, a mocking smile playing at his lips. “Holy Son Duan, do you need my help?”

“Just say the word and I’ll step in!”

“No need!” Duan Yuqing spat, wiping blood from his cheek as he launched himself back at the demonic beast.

Jiang Qian just shook his head, then let his gaze drift back over the raging battlefield.

Suddenly, amid the frenzy, a swirling black whirlwind burst forth from the chaos. In an instant, it snatched up Jiang Zixuan and Hu Murui, whisking both girls away!

What the—? Is that the Black Bear Demon?!

Wasn’t the legendary Black Bear Demon supposed to steal monks’ robes, not abduct beautiful women?

If anything happens to Hu Murui, the entire Beast Taming Sect will be after my head—especially Hu Mo!

With that sobering thought, Jiang Qian didn’t hesitate. He vaulted off the city wall, plunging straight into the monster horde, carving a path through the chaos as he raced to pursue the so-called “Black Bear Demon!”