Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Previously, Fang Zheng had always attracted attention, as he was the most handsome among everyone here. And now, upon hearing Bacho mention his name, everyone was greatly surprised, even Ji Yanran widened her eyes, looking at him in astonishment.

”Could this be the ’Saint of the Zither’ Fang Zheng, famous throughout the Six Kingdoms?”

What the hell is this ridiculous title?

Upon hearing this title, Fang Zheng’s expression slightly darkened. What is a Saint of the Zither, you might accidentally hear it as a Love Saint!

Though he was mocking inwardly, Fang Zheng still stood up and saluted the crowd.

”I am indeed Fang Zheng.”

And at this moment, a man on the other side sneered out loud, staring at him.

”I’ve long heard of Young Master Fang’s name, like thunder echoing in the ears. I’ve heard that Young Master Fang, with just a zither, wiped out eight hundred Gray Beard bandits. It’s truly hard to imagine.”

”Oh, thank you for the compliment.”

Fang Zheng chuckled, then sat down directly. This shamelessness left everyone present a bit stunned; they could all hear the sarcasm and disbelief in the man’s words, and were curious about how Fang Zheng would respond, yet unexpectedly, he simply accepted it...

However, these people were clearly united in their antagonism. Soon, another person dressed in a literati style joined in.

”But, Young Master Fang being so bloodthirsty is somewhat against the harmony of the heavens. I’ve heard that Young Master Fang has traveled the Six Kingdoms, killing up to tens of thousands of bandits. Such wanton killing, aren’t you afraid of divine retribution? Moreover, these bandits are just displaced citizens due to the war; although they’re at fault, they’re not born as villains. Young Master Fang’s wanton slaughter is truly chilling.”

”Exactly, not to mention killing with a zither... Such absurd matter is simply unimaginable, only those rural villagers might believe...”

For a moment, the crowd either mocked or ridiculed, leaving Bacho somewhat embarrassed, while Fang Zheng calmly sat beside, eating snacks and fruits, seemingly unconcerned.

Until the crowd’s criticism of Fang Zheng came to an end, Ji Yanran curiously looked at Fang Zheng.

”Young Master Fang, why don’t you refute?”

”There’s nothing to say.”

Fang Zheng grabbed a grape and stuffed it into his mouth.

”Because what they said isn’t what they truly think.”

”What does Young Master Fang mean by this?”

”It’s simple.”

Faced with Ji Yanran’s inquiry, Fang Zheng chuckled.

”They say I’m bloodthirsty, so if they really think that, they shouldn’t say so in front of me. Aren’t they really afraid I’ll turn around and send them to heaven?”

”So, would Young Master Fang do that?”

”Absolutely.”

Fang Zheng nodded again, then squinted his eyes, sweeping his gaze around.

”I’m not the kind of fool who gets scolded without retorting. Since you have opinions about me, I might as well be frank: From now on, anyone who dares to speak recklessly in front of me can forget about seeing the morning sun... Well, of course, out of courtesy, I won’t start anything at the Cottage by the Elegant Lake, Master Ji surely isn’t suited for handling corpses; I stand by my word.”

With Fang Zheng’s words, a cold murderous intent suddenly emerged, like the cold air of deep winter sweeping past everyone, making them involuntarily shiver. They opened their mouths, wanting to say something, yet couldn’t speak due to an instinctive fear, as if facing a natural enemy, from the depths of their hearts. Some even started to chatter their teeth.

”See, Master Ji, the problem is solved.”

Glancing around again, Fang Zheng smiled at Ji Yanran, who shook her head helplessly.

”Young Master Fang’s way of handling things is somewhat domineering.”

”I don’t find it domineering; I presented a choice, they made a choice... Once a choice is made, consequences must be borne.”

Speaking here, Fang Zheng lowered his voice.

”It’s the same for anyone.”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s answer, Ji Yanran slightly furrowed her brows.

”Does this apply to Yanran too?”

”I believe Master Ji will make a wise and smart choice.”

Fang Zheng chuckled, leaning back against the chair.

”Everyone must be responsible for what they do. For instance, you can talk behind my back, it’s okay, it’s your freedom. But if you speak ill of me and I hear about it, then being beaten or directly killed is your own fault... I think that’s quite fair and reasonable.”

”Young Master Fang’s way of speaking is very unique.”

Ji Yanran wasn’t angry about this; instead, she curiously looked at Fang Zheng.

”Young Master Fang’s words are quite straightforward, yet surprisingly reasonable... Truly unexpected.”

”If you want to reason with others, you must speak in a way they understand. Teaching the people is the same; we can’t expect everyone in the world to read and understand poetry and books, so there’s no need for literary pretentiousness. If we want people to understand, know, and abide by reason, we must reach into the masses, and tell them directly in ways they enjoy and understand.”

Upon hearing this, not only Ji Yanran began contemplating, but even Lord Xinling and Lord Longyang showed contemplative expressions. Soon, Lord Xinling looked at Fang Zheng.

”Young Master Fang’s ideas are truly innovative, with such creative thoughts, why not join the Royal Family and accomplish something great?”

”Because I’m not interested.”

Fang Zheng waved his hand, someone of Lord Xinling’s status must have already investigated him and knew he had declined invitations from high-ranking officials of other nations. The Wei Kingdom was evidently no exception.

”Compared to such trivial matters, I have more important things to attend to.”

”Trivial?”

This time, both Lord Xinling and Ji Yanran were surprised.

”Assist the Royal Family and uphold the world—what could be more important than this? Please enlighten us, Young Master Fang.”

”Indeed.”

Fang Zheng’s lips curved slightly.

”That would be the preservation of knowledge.”

”The preservation of......”

”......knowledge?”

”Exactly.”

Seeing the puzzled faces before him, Fang Zheng nodded.

”The great trends of the world—unity follows division, and division follows unity. There is no eternal dynasty, nor eternal kingship. What if the world is unified? A century later, it’s still nothing but dust. Humanity progresses, society develops. The collapse of kingship isn’t unusual, nor is the destruction of nations significant, but the preservation of knowledge is invaluable. Knowledge impacts us in every aspect, not idle discussions from the court, nor the scheming between the nobility.”

At this point, Fang Zheng patted Bacho beside him.

”Just like this Young Master Bacho, the things he studies may seem useless to you all, unable to please the king or win the favor of beauties. Yet what he studies is indispensably crucial to this world. Not to be harsh, but his influence in my heart is far greater than yours, perhaps he might be remembered for centuries.”

”Young Master Fang’s words seem a bit excessive.”

Another literati couldn’t help but speak out.

”What might about Bacho deserves comparison with figures like Lord Xinling? Master Ji is talented and beautiful, surely more deserving of eternal fame?”

”You speak well.”

Fang Zheng shrugged.

”Sadly, history isn’t dictated by you, or me, or even the king.”

”So according to Young Master Fang, who dictates history then?”

At last, Lord Longyang spoke up. His voice was smooth and melodious, like a woman’s, and Fang Zheng glanced at him before continuing.

”It’s the common people.”

”The common people?”

”Indeed.”

Fang Zheng nodded.

”True, as the saying goes, to guard against the people’s tongue is harder than guarding against a flood. Yes, the court historians may be pressured by the king into praising a foolish ruler or into disparaging a wise one. That’s normal; they earn their living from the Royal Family and dare not disobey. But which ordinary people worry about a king thousands of miles away? They simply say their grandmother’s time was better than now, or perhaps worse... And such narratives are the most genuine records—they pass them down from generation to generation, and perhaps a thousand years later they’ll still tell their descendants about the endless wars during this or that era, and how their ancestors managed...”

At this, Fang Zheng spread his hands.

”What can you do about it? This kind of legacy won’t be severed. Ancestral memories and records of the past will continue. You can change history books, erect monuments, but how can you change popular discourse? Are you planning to silence them all or wipe them out?”

”This... This is clever rhetoric!”

The previous literati’s face turned pale.

”What does this have to do with what I said earlier?”

”Alright, maybe I’ve digressed a bit, let’s return to the prior topic. Indeed, Lord Xinling wields significant power now, but what about a few hundred years later? Will Lord Xinling still be so prominent then? Or how many will still remember him? And Young Master Ba?”

Fang Zheng chuckled and patted Bacho’s shoulder.

”He tackled the challenge of the Pythagorean Technique, meaning once Young Master Ba compiles this solution into a book and it gets published, everyone who studies this knowledge will learn Ba’s solution to the Pythagorean Technique, naturally learning Ba’s name... Unless the world ceases to need the Pythagorean Technique, but do you think that’s possible?”

”...............”

This time, no one spoke, even Lord Xinling and Lord Longyang pondered deeply. They’ve always focused on the immediate years or decades, never taking such a long-term view as Fang Zheng had proposed.

Now, with Fang Zheng’s words, they began to reconsider. Indeed, his words might sting at first, but they weren’t without reason. Noble families may flourish, but their downfall might be instantaneous. Yet imagining a world without triangles... seems impossible.

At this realization, everyone felt a sense of melancholy, unsure they could achieve lasting fame as Bacho had silently secured his place.

What kind of world is this?

With this thought, the wine lost its flavor, and the beauties lost their charm, they reluctantly departed, returning with questions about life.

Fang Zheng showed no guilt for disrupting the banquet, cheerfully preparing to take his leave. However, unexpectedly, Master Ji quickly came down and blocked his way.

”Young Master Fang, your words have truly enlightened me. If Yanran’s invitation is not too intrusive, why not stay at the Cottage by the Elegant Lake, and join me for a candlelit discussion?”