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

”Young Master Fang always manages to surprise Yanran.”

Reflecting on the earlier scene after leaving the banquet hall, Ji Yanran couldn’t help but marvel. Xao Weimou was a renowned swordsman in the Qi State, yet in front of Fang Zheng, he fainted without even drawing his sword—truly shocking to all present.

”Well, it’s alright, though I find it quite troublesome. To be honest, I haven’t encountered such jealousy and rivalry in a long time.”

”Really?”

”Naturally, as anyone with a smidge of self-awareness usually chooses to steer clear when they see me, avoiding pointless trouble. I haven’t seen someone as oblivious as Xao Weimou for quite a while.”

”Young Master Fang, your self-assessment is quite...”

At this, Ji Yanran was left speechless and unsure of what to say, so she switched topics.

”By the way, Young Master Fang, do you really know swordsmanship?”

”Of course, my swordsmanship is unparalleled and unmatched in the world.”

Anyway, boasting was easy for Fang Zheng, who never needed to prepare.

”I once apprenticed under the Sword Saint, learning a set of Holy Spirit Swordsmanship. The strongest move, ’Sword Twenty-Three,’ destroys everything in its path. Even more impressive is the move ’Ten Thousand Swords Returning,’ which represents the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Once executed, it calls upon swords as if servants to a master, coming and going at will...”

We’re all boasting, so whether it’s wuxia or records of Qin, it doesn’t matter.

As long as it’s grand enough.

”Ten Thousand Swords Returning... Just the name is truly captivating...”

Ji Yanran was thoroughly charmed by the bluff.

”Does such miraculous swordsmanship truly exist? Yanran wishes to see it with her own eyes.”

”If there’s a chance, you’ll see it.”

Fang Zheng chuckled.

After the incident with Xao Weimou, no one dared to trouble Fang Zheng again. For the next few days, he continued staying at the Cottage by the Elegant Lake, which secretly frustrated others. Although Ji Yanran hadn’t officially announced it, anyone with eyes could see that this talented woman was clearly claimed. What’s worse is that the claimant is hard to deal with...

Meanwhile, the inexplicable power Fang Zheng had displayed at the previous banquet once again caught the attention of various powerful factions. Lord Xinling and King Wei respectively invited him to banquets, but Fang Zheng declined them all. As for Ji Yanran, she had dismissed her servants and focused on preparing for her journey to the Carefree Palace.

Thus, three days passed in a flash, and the once lively Cottage by the Elegant Lake gradually became emptier.

That night, when Fang Zheng walked into the room at the cottage, he saw Ji Yanran sitting by the window, looking at the scenery outside while sipping her drink.

”I feel quite reluctant at the thought of leaving here.”

Seeing Fang Zheng enter, Ji Yanran smiled faintly at him, but Fang Zheng wasn’t too concerned.

”People are like that; it’s normal to be nostalgic. If possible, everyone would like to stay put for a million years without moving.”

Such as a certain Goddess of Order.

Hearing Fang Zheng’s answer, Ji Yanran smiled again, fell silent for a moment, then spoke again.

”Young Master Fang, do you know why Ji Yanran invited talented young men from various nations here to discuss literature and martial arts? One reason is to find a husband, and the other is the aspiration to assist a new Saint in unifying the land, so people no longer suffer from war. Yet, after hearing Young Master Fang’s words, I feel my previous thoughts were rather naive, which led me to accept your invitation to the Carefree Palace. But now, I’m beginning to doubt whether my decision was right...”

”Oh, you don’t need to worry.”

Upon hearing Ji Yanran’s thoughts, Fang Zheng unhesitatingly revealed a spoiler.

”In twenty years, someone will unify the Six Kingdoms, ending the current chaos.”

”Is this true?”

Ji Yanran’s body trembled, surprised as she looked at Fang Zheng, who nodded.

”More or less, the probability is high. But of course, it’s not certain.”

”If Young Master Fang were to lend a hand, unifying the world would be only a matter of time. Could it be that Young Master Fang already has a monarch you wish to assist?”

Ji Yanran stood up and walked to Fang Zheng’s side, curiously asking. Faced with her inquiry, Fang Zheng chuckled.

”Master Ji seems not to have considered that I might become an Emperor?”

”If Young Master Fang had such intentions, then Yanran wouldn’t be so troubled.”

Ji Yanran shook her head, obviously not particularly concerned by Fang Zheng’s teasing.

”Young Master Fang is quick-witted, able to accomplish what others cannot, adept at socializing, and there are talks of celestial reincarnation. If you were to rise, you’d certainly be met with widespread support.”

”Hmm... Truth be told, your words are getting me a bit interested in being Emperor now.”

If Ji Yanran hadn’t mentioned it, Fang Zheng wouldn’t have minded. But her words stirred his thoughts. Initially, upon learning he was in the world of Record of Seeking Qin, he planned to be just a passerby. Yet Ji Yanran’s challenge sparked his interest. Indeed, according to Record of Seeking Qin, even after Qin Shi Huang unified the Six Kingdoms, there were few good years; so, what if it were him instead? After all, he possesses thousands of years more knowledge and insight than the ancients, and he knows how to systematically enhance national strength.

If he were to unify the Warring States and become Emperor, there’d be no concern over the collapse of Qin the Second Generation, nor would he need to worry about Xiang Yu or Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Bang. Considering he’ll be in this world for a thousand years—a thousand years, that according to historical records would encompass the entire Sui and Tang transitions, the era of Two Han, Jin, Wei, Southern and Northern Dynasties...

If I were in power, then the Three Kingdoms era would be gone, and the chaos of the Five Barbarians would be impossible... hmm...

You know, thinking this way, Fang Zheng really finds this proposal quite tempting.

”I shouldn’t have come to chat with you, Master Ji.”

Coming back to his senses, Fang Zheng shook his head with a bitter smile.

”Who would’ve thought I’d almost talk myself into it.”

Speaking of which, Fang Zheng felt conflicted; it’s like planning to build a guild to play Sword Network III, only for someone to recommend you play Civilization instead...

More importantly, Civilization can really be a time sink!

A thousand years’ time, is it enough for a technological or cultural victory?

Fang Zheng is confident that this thousand years is enough to lay a good foundation for the technological and productive development of the entire Huaxia.

But playing Civilization clearly isn’t as thrilling as Sword Network III...

Hmm?

No, isn’t there still Kangxi’s disguised visits?

”Let’s discuss this later.”

Fang Zheng patted his head, tossing aside the wild thoughts in his mind.

”In fact, I’m here to invite you, Master Ji, to watch a great show.”

”A great show?”

”That’s right.”

Facing Ji Yanran’s curious gaze, Fang Zheng smiled slightly.

”A wonderful hero rescuing a beauty.”

When Fang Zheng brought Ji Yanran to the rooftop of Daliang’s capital, they quickly saw the shadows in chaos fighting in the dark alley below.

”Is that... Officer Xiang and the Third Princess?”

Ji Yanran stared carefully at the two sides of the chaotic fight for a moment before speaking in surprise, and Fang Zheng nodded his head.

”That’s right, the plot of Prince Charming saving the princess is unfolding.”

Fang Zheng came here because he remembered very clearly that this was the most miserable time for Xiang Shaolong in the original work. He tried to escape Daliang with Zhao Qian, but was caught by Xao Weimou, who led people to ambush him. After all, as the protagonist, Xiang Shaolong is still just a mortal; the phrase ’two fists cannot defeat four hands’ holds true, not to mention that Xao Weimou brought dozens of guards to besiege him. Xiang Shaolong, having to protect a princess who cannot retaliate, was basically sent to his death.

In the original, it was Ji Yanran who helped Xiang Shaolong during his crisis; however, it was unfortunate that Ji Yanran seemed not to care much about Xiang Shaolong this time, so she naturally would not follow his whereabouts to save him like in the original work.

So Fang Zheng came to help out. No matter what, it’s a time travel story for the old ancestor, so some extra service is needed.

”Master Ji, do you remember I once told you, I have a move called Ten Thousand Swords Returning?”

Looking at the chaotic fight in the alley not far away, Fang Zheng chuckled and asked, while Ji Yanran’s eyes lit up.

”Of course I remember.”

”Then please, Master Ji, watch closely.”

Saying this, Fang Zheng slowly raised his right hand.

The next moment, everyone, including Xao Weimou, saw their longswords suddenly start to shake violently. This unexpected scene scared everyone. Xao Weimou and his men scattered in uncertainty, and the heavily injured Xiang Shaolong was also surprised at this strange phenomenon, not knowing what to do.

Soon, the amplitudes of the swords’ movements grew larger and larger, as if they had self-awareness and no longer obeyed the commands of their owners. Some people even tried to grip their swords with both hands, only to feel a powerful suction force coming; in the next moment, the longswords were pulled from their grip, soaring into the air and hovering before Fang Zheng, circling him like guards around their monarch.

Fang Zheng gently lowered his hand and swung it forward.

”Shoooo—!”

With Fang Zheng’s motion, dozens of longswords shot out, instantly piercing through Xao Weimou and his men, pinning them to the walls and ground. In just a moment, Xao Weimou and the elite warriors he brought to besiege Xiang Shaolong were all dead.

Witnessing this, Xiang Shaolong was also dumbfounded, but he still remembered what he needed to do, gritting his teeth as he carried Zhao Qian and hurriedly left the alley, following their planned escape route. At this moment, a voice reached Xiang Shaolong’s ears.

”Officer Xiang, you owe me one.”

Hearing this voice, Xiang Shaolong was shocked and turned his head, but saw no one around him.

”What’s wrong?”

Zhao Qian was now looking curiously at her beloved man. Hearing her voice snapped Xiang Shaolong back to reality, and he took a deep breath.

”It’s nothing, let’s go.”

He then turned around, carrying Zhao Qian and disappeared into the night.