In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: The Scheming Jiang Zixuan Returns

Translation by: Weebsread👹

Jiang Qian raised his Flood Dragon Bone Sword, and with a swift, practiced swing, sliced the incoming arrow clean in two.

No sooner had its halves hit the ground than a cloud of toxic gas erupted from the broken shaft, spreading like a sinister mist.

Without hesitation, Bai Piaoxue conjured several walls of ice, trapping the poison within layers of shimmering frost.

In a single breath, the venomous miasma leeched life from the grass it touched, leaving only withered stalks and scorched earth in its wake.

Chen Changfeng stood, his gaze lingering on the fractured arrow before turning to Jiang Qian. “Seems I owe you another debt.”

Jiang Qian waved it off, voice casual. “No need to mention it.”

After the beast tide finally passed, the party remained in Ercheng for a few more days.

Outside the city gates—

Jiang Qian and his companions boarded their Spirit boat, offering Chen Changfeng a final farewell.

With Jiang Qian at the helm, the Spirit boat soared skyward, vanishing into the clouds above Ercheng.

…

…

Jiang Zixuan looked back at Duan Yuqing, rendered immobile by his wounds. She let out a sigh and turned to Jiang Qian. “Did Senior Brother Duan actually defeat that Sixth-rank demonic beast all on his own?”

“Mostly,” Jiang Qian replied, a trace of mischief in his eyes as he glanced at Duan Yuqing. “But I’d wager he’ll be stuck in bed for at least half a month.”

Duan Yuqing, catching the glee in Jiang Qian’s expression, bristled. He tried to sit up—only to pull open his bandages once again.

Jiang Qian, you bastard. Just you wait until I recover. I’ll make sure you regret this.

…

Azure Mountain Sect.

The group finally returned to the heart of Azure Mountain Sect.

Duan Yuqing was immediately carried off by disciples to continue his healing.

Jiang Qian, Bai Piaoxue, and Jiang Zixuan made their way to the main hall.

Bai Qianfeng surveyed the three, a rare note of approval in his voice. “Not bad. Huang Pan from Ercheng has already reported—your performance was excellent.”

“But Jiang Qian, your contribution was exceptional. You slew two sixth-rank demonic beasts by yourself!”

“So, what kind of reward do you want?”

As soon as the words left his mouth—

Jiang Qian’s eyes gleamed, a sly grin forming. “Anything at all?”

Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Bai Qianfeng thought, already regretting his open-ended offer.

“Yes, anything—so long as it isn’t too outrageous.”

“Completely reasonable,” Jiang Qian replied with a laugh. “Extend my rest from twenty days to three months!”

Bai Qianfeng opened his mouth to protest, but in the end could only nod. “Fine. Three months it is.”

“Thank you, Sect Master! If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

“Go ahead.”

With that settled, Jiang Qian turned and strode from the hall.

He packed his travel bag, boarded the Spirit boat, and set course for Tianze City.

It wasn’t until the ship had flown far from Azure Mountain Sect that Jiang Qian, arms folded, regarded the three girls before him—Hu Murui, Jiang Zixuan, and Bai Piaoxue—and went silent, deep in thought.

At last, he spoke. “Why are all of you following me?”

Hu Murui was the first to answer, flashing a cheeky grin. “Hehe, wherever you go, Brother Jiang, I’ll go too!”

“I’m coming as well! I even convinced my father to give me a three-month holiday,” Bai Piaoxue chimed in, beaming.

Jiang Zixuan shrugged. “As for me? Well, Tianze is my hometown. Isn’t it natural to pay a visit? I’ve also arranged for a three-month leave.”

For a moment, Jiang Qian was left utterly speechless. He pressed his hand to his forehead, exasperated. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come back at all. This is giving me a headache.”

“Let’s play Monopoly together!” Hu Murui suddenly suggested, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“I’m in! Last time I didn’t even manage to buy a decent property,” Bai Piaoxue said at once.

“Doesn’t matter to me,” Jiang Zixuan murmured, a faint smile on her lips.

As the three girls chatted, Hu Murui sidled up to Jiang Qian, clinging to his arm and pouting adorably. “Come on, Brother Jiang, let’s play Monopoly!”

“Fine, fine… I get it…” Jiang Qian relented, helpless before their enthusiasm. In the end, he surrendered to fate, and joined their Monopoly game.

A few days later.

Tianze City.

The moment Jiang Qian led the three girls through the city gates, every eye on the street seemed to follow their progress.

“Isn’t that the young heir of the Jiang Clan? Talk about luck—three gorgeous girls all sticking by his side!”

“I hear he’s not only the Chief Disciple of Azure Mountain Sect but also favored by King of Qin himself.”

“No wonder King of Qin visited the Jiang Clan and delivered all those treasures. Turns out, it was all for Jiang Qian!”

“If my son were even a tenth as accomplished as Young Master Jiang, I’d count my blessings.”

…

Jiang Zixuan leaned in, giggling as she whispered in Jiang Qian’s ear, “Look at you—Tianze City’s golden boy.”

“Come on, Cousin, stop teasing me.” Jiang Qian waved her off with a laugh.

Then, suddenly—

Jiang Zixuan deliberately raised her voice. “What’s that? Cousin, you want to visit Chunxiang Pavilion?”

What the—?

Jiang Qian’s heart nearly stopped at the words. He spun toward Hu Murui and Bai Piaoxue, rushing to explain, “It’s not like that! I never said anything about going there!”

“Oh? Is that what’s on your mind, Brother Jiang?” Hu Murui’s tone was honey-sweet, but her hand crept around to pinch Jiang Qian’s waist with surprising force.

Bai Piaoxue joined in, her smile serene as she pinched his other side. “Go ahead, Jiang Qian. I don’t mind at all.”

Hiss—! Don’t mind? Then why are you both pinching so hard?!

Jiang Qian’s lips twitched. “Murui, Piaoxue, you have to believe me! I really didn’t say anything like that!”

“Pfft—” Jiang Zixuan could barely hold in her laughter, covering her mouth as she watched the show.

You little schemer, always looking for trouble. What did I ever do to you?

Jiang Qian shot Jiang Zixuan a glare, but she just enjoyed the spectacle, eyes dancing with mischief. With both Hu Murui and Bai Piaoxue “attacking” him, all he could do was grit his teeth and endure.

After that exhausting gauntlet of teasing, Jiang Qian finally managed to bring everyone home to the Jiang Estate.

At the gates, Jiang Chenghai was already waiting, a broad grin on his face.

The moment he saw his son, Jiang Chenghai laughed heartily. “Hahaha! Son, you’re finally home!”

Hu Murui and Bai Piaoxue exchanged a glance, then released Jiang Qian and stepped forward with perfect manners. “Greetings, Uncle! Please accept this small token of our respect.”

Hu Murui presented a bottle of second-grade pills and the carcass of a Fourth Rank demonic beast. “Uncle, these are just a little something from me. I hope you’ll accept them.”

Second-grade pills and a Fourth Rank demonic beast?! Who is this girl, anyway?

Before Jiang Chenghai could recover, Bai Piaoxue stepped forward as well, offering a low-grade Profound-tier defensive artifact and a low-grade Profound-tier cultivation manual.

Jiang Chenghai was left utterly speechless. He turned to Jiang Qian in a low voice, “I recognize that one—she’s the Young Sect Mistress of Azure Mountain Sect. But the other…?”

Jiang Qian, rubbing his still-sore waist, replied, “That’s Hu Murui, Young Sect Mistress of the Beast Taming Sect.”

“Beast Taming Sect?!” Jiang Chenghai’s eyes widened in disbelief.

This son of mine… Even the Beast Taming Sect is within his reach. I was never this impressive in my youth.

Before Jiang Chenghai could collect his thoughts, a boisterous voice rang out from the courtyard.

“Hahaha! Clan Leader Jiang, I heard Young Master Jiang has returned. Our young miss has admired him for a long time.”

“I’ve come to propose a marriage alliance—what do you think?” A portly steward, followed by several Zhou Clan disciples, stepped forward with a wide grin.