I Became Cannon Fodder in a Book-Bundling Novel [Book Transmigration]

My next novel will be Sword Cultivator. The blurb is at the bottom. If you like it, please add it to your favorites!

Teen genius Zhang Lizhen has eaten budget combo meals and watched budget dramas, but he never expected that after working all night until he died, he'd end up inside a bargain-bin book.

And not just anywhere in the book: he became a cannon-fodder character with the exact same name as him.

The System put it this way: "The book may be a bargain-bin book, but your character setting is bargain-bin too."

In short, Zhang Lizhen can't improvise his way through the various plots of this bargain-bin book. He has to act according to the character settings provided by the System.

Which is pretty messed up.

For example:

In a lovesick-cannon-fodder plot, he got a domineering hero character setting with a "thirty years east of the river, thirty years west" attitude.

The original cannon fodder was lazy, greedy, and lustful. He foolishly tried to force himself on the Jiang family's eldest young master, failed, and was beaten, tied up, and thrown into the street.

Then, in full view of everyone, Zhang Lizhen, battered and disheveled, uttered this timeless line: "You dare treat me like this today? Just you wait. One day, you'll be on your knees, groveling before me!"

That day, everyone thought: This guy's got issues!

Later, everyone thought: This guy's a genius!

For example:

In a vicious-cannon-fodder plot, he got a helpless, delicate character setting.

The original cannon fodder was sinister, jealous, and vain. After harming his allies, stealing the fruits of others' labor, repaying kindness with betrayal, and more, he was confronted by his victims in court.

Zhang Lizhen clutched his chest and collapsed with a thud, as if he'd suffered a terrible injustice.

That day, everyone thought: This guy's shameless!

Later, everyone thought: This guy's a saint!

And another example:

In a lunatic-cannon-fodder plot, he got a beacon-of-justice character setting.

While the original cannon fodder, who believed in no code of honor, hated heaven and earth, and did every evil imaginable, was making life miserable for the righteous sect, Zhang Lizhen declared righteously: "Today, I'm here to clean house!"

That day, everyone thought: This guy...

Before they could finish, the righteous sect's leader, Master Xie, clapped and cheered, offering his full support. "This is a virtuous deed, truly a great good! Would you like my help?"

Everyone finished their thought: This man is a celestial immortal! We shall support him with all our might!

Zhang Lizhen: ...?

-

When confronted by his victims, Zhang Lizhen says: "Who says I'm cannon fodder? I never said that."

Fake actor x real actor.

[Blurb saved as a screenshot, 09/01/2025]

Wei Zhen, the greatest sword cultivator in the world, died when his cultivation went awry and his body exploded.

An era-spanning legend came to an end.

Unexpectedly, no one mourned him. Instead, they started gossiping about an oath he'd once made.

"Does anyone remember Xu Zhi, that promising senior disciple?"

"The elders wanted Wei Zhen to take Xu Zhi as his disciple."

"But do you know what Wei Zhen said?"

Wei Zhen, who'd faked his death, changed his appearance, and holed up in a tavern to drink, remembered.

He'd said:

Xu Zhi's talent is mediocre. I'd rather die than take him as my disciple.

"And then he died!"

"As expected, you really shouldn't make vows carelessly. Xu Zhi has the greatest talent anyone's seen in a hundred years."

Wei Zhen couldn't see what one thing had to do with the other. He hadn't taken Xu Zhi as his disciple, after all.

So he said, "What if Xu Zhi really isn't any good?"

Silence fell as soon as the words left his mouth.

Wei Zhen turned around.

At some point, Xu Zhi had appeared in the doorway, his sword emanating murderous intent.

Wei Zhen: "..."

A smooth-talking, many-secret-identities, theatrical bottom x a distant, aloof top

Theme: Pursue justice