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

These young girls clearly held no small status in Xianyang, dragging Fang Zheng away from the city gate without any of the guards daring to ask a question. The girls were all giggling and laughing as they brought Fang Zheng to the wild overgrowth outside the city. The lead girl gracefully dismounted and drew a longsword from her waist.

Fang Zheng followed suit, getting off his White Deer, and gave it a gentle pat. The deer leisurely went to a nearby creek to drink, attracting the attention of several girls who hurried over to watch it. It seems that sometimes, a deer is more popular than people.

”Someone, give him a sword.”

Waving her longsword, the girl immediately gave the order, and someone quickly handed their own longsword to Fang Zheng, but he merely waved his hand.

”There’s no need for that, you m’lady can attack directly.”

”Attack directly?”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, the girl was momentarily stunned and then furrowed her brow.

”The blades and swords don’t have eyes; aren’t you afraid I’ll hurt you? Heh, you’re quite good-looking. Wouldn’t it be a pity if I turned you into a cripple with a slash?”

”That depends on whether m’lady has the skill to do so.”

Fang Zheng knew that most Qin State women were straightforward in nature, and he laughed, raised his right hand, and slowly extended it forward.

”What kind of pose is that?”

Seeing Fang Zheng standing there with his palm facing up, right hand extended, and left hand behind his back, the feisty girl was taken aback. The era was not without close-combat martial arts, like boxing and wrestling were familiar close-combat skills, but Fang Zheng’s movement was bizarre, unlike any combative techniques she was familiar with.

”It’s something I came up with in my spare time. M’lady, please.”

Fang Zheng motioned with his hand and said once more to the feisty girl, whose lips curled up.

”Since you’re so confident, don’t blame me for not warning you!”

With Fang Zheng’s response, the girl shouted lightly, then swiftly swung her sword and slashed at Fang Zheng.

But as the girl’s attack approached, Fang Zheng did not dodge or evade, simply standing there. This caused everyone else to gasp in surprise, and the feisty girl was herself dumbfounded. However, Qin people were inherently fierce, and she wasn’t one to hesitate; naturally, she wouldn’t retract her hand because of this. Yet what she hadn’t expected was that just as the longsword was about to strike, Fang Zheng suddenly stepped forward, and unbelievably, raised his right hand to slap towards the sword’s edge!

This move startled everyone because Fang Zheng didn’t have any weapon in hand—facing a sharp longsword barehanded was not something a normal person would do.

The feisty girl was instinctively scared and wanted to retract her hand, but unexpectedly felt a force, seemingly soft yet firm, emanating from the sword’s body. Her vision blurred, and in the next moment, she found herself losing balance, falling forward into Fang Zheng’s embrace, while her own sword ended up in Fang Zheng’s hand.

The sight was so peculiar that everyone saw only a blur, and the feisty girl ended up in Fang Zheng’s arms, her longsword seemingly belonging to him all along.

”What kind of trick is this?”

The feisty girl, falling into Fang Zheng’s arms, widened her eyes with surprise and quickly jumped up, while Fang Zheng chuckled, turned the hilt, and returned the longsword to her.

”It seems m’lady might not have the skill to force me to draw my sword.”

”You haven’t answered my question, how did you do that?”

The feisty girl, though playful by nature, was as martial-minded as all Qin State individuals. The feeling of a pull-push from earlier was beyond her expectations, leaving her puzzled as to how Fang Zheng achieved it.

”This is a martial art called Taiji, a little trick I devised in idle times.”

Fang Zheng chuckled again; with his current power, any technique from a martial arts novel could be easily imitated. Most martial arts novel techniques rely heavily on Inner Strength, and once Fang Zheng could mimic the effects seen in novels or TV dramas, the rest was naturally no longer difficult.

Moreover, since the Carefree Palace also taught martial arts, Fang Zheng imparted these skills widely. At one time, all martial skills in the world were said to come from Shaolin, but now Fang Zheng intended to declare that all would come from the Carefree Palace, dismissing notions like the Shaolin 72 Arts completely!

Fang Zheng, considering situations from a secular standpoint, held a particular contempt for America in modern times, always taking the opportunity to undermine it whenever visiting a modern world. If he could obliterate it, all the better; if not, a strike would suffice.

In ancient times, Fang Zheng’s biggest disdain was Buddhism, particularly after his experiences in the World of the Immortal Sword, harboring a deep-seated dislike. Ever since, his reputation towards Buddhism was utterly negative, intending to give no quarter. Luckily, Buddhism wasn’t yet widespread in this era; otherwise, he’d mimic the historical persecutions, smothering these bald-headed monks.

Thus, Fang Zheng’s initial arrangements in this world were to suppress Buddhism comprehensively, spreading materialist philosophy to counteract concepts like reincarnation. Politically, he would deny these monks any chance to meddle, and even in the Martial Arts World, these monks shouldn’t expect to achieve anything.

If there was any audacity to establish a Shaolin Temple, Fang Zheng would promptly demolish it, drafting all monks into labor camps and all nuns to government institutes.

Never mind the absence of Tathagata Buddha in this world, but even if he existed, what difference would it make? Fang Zheng burned down the entire Western Paradise in the World of the Immortal Sword, so who would challenge him?

Forget it, with beauties in front of him, there was no need to think about those bald-headed monks.

”Taiji, never heard of it, but it sure is fun.”

The feisty girl accepted her longsword back, glanced at Fang Zheng with a grin, and boldly puffed out her chest. Fang Zheng cleared his throat, looking at her.

”Is m’lady satisfied now?”

”Not satisfied.”

The feisty girl shook her head, playfully pointing at Fang Zheng.

”Just now, it was me attacking and you only defending. Now, come attack and let me witness your skills.”

Indeed, she shared the same manner as Shana, ever obstinate verbally despite the agreements.

”So, what kind of skill does m’lady wish to witness?”

Fang Zheng shook his head, smiling at the feisty girl, who pondered for a moment.

”Of course, your swordsmanship. I must see how exquisite your sword skills are that make you dare to claim no one can force you to draw your sword.”

This young girl surely knew how to play clever tricks.

Upon hearing the spirited young lady’s reply, Fang Zheng shook his head slightly. He had said this to her before, and now she was using it to feign ignorance, but...

”In that case, let me humbly demonstrate.”

While speaking, Fang Zheng stretched out his hand, and the surrounding white snow seemed to be swept up by a fierce wind, whirling upward, landing in his hand, and in the blink of an eye, transforming into an Ice Crystal Longsword.

Seeing this dream-like scene, the young ladies widened their eyes in amazement, speechless, while the spirited young lady across from him was utterly stunned, then excitedly prepared her posture.

”Quick, quick, come and let me have a look.”

”Please watch closely, young lady.”

Facing the young lady’s words, Fang Zheng smiled slightly, then gripped the longsword and stepped forward.

”Swish!!”

Accompanied by the swing of his sword, the surrounding falling snowflakes instantly condensed, spinning, roaring, and erupting. The ice crystals, like petals, soared with the wind, making the entire wasteland seem to transform into a sea of ice crystal flowers. When the spirited young lady came back to her senses, she saw a flash of sword light before her eyes, and then the cold Ice Crystal Longsword landed by her neck. Immediately after, the longsword, initially formed from ice crystals, broke into pieces, turning into a crystal-clear, transparent flower.

”How about that? Are you satisfied now, young lady?”

Fang Zheng handed the ice flower to the spirited young lady, who stared at the scene in wide-eyed amazement. Only after instinctively taking the ice flower and feeling the cold touch did she exclaim, her face flushed. She turned and ran off, mounting a horse and galloping into the depths of the wilderness, while Fang Zheng glanced at the young ladies still enchanted by the beautiful spectacle, chuckled, and then disappeared in a flash.

In the icy wasteland, the howling wind concealed everything.

But inside the dilapidated hunter’s cabin, the scorching heat was enough to shield against the outside’s bitter cold. The wind howled past the window, drowning out the sounds of breaths and quiet moans within, until finally, after a moment, everything came to a halt.

”I never imagined that male-female intimacy would be so enticing.”

Lying on Fang Zheng’s chest, the previously spirited young lady had completely transformed into something else, curled up in his embrace like a gentle lamb.

”Now do you realize the power of my swordsmanship, young lady?”

Fang Zheng also reached out and gently brushed the young lady’s nose. Among the Seven Warring States, Qin, Zhao, and Qi were the most open-minded. Qin was due to its yet incomplete departure from primitive savage culture; Zhao, due to a dwindling population, had to encourage childbirth; and Qi women were naturally romantic.

If it were modern society... don’t even mention it; even in a Martial Hero novel, you’d rarely find a maiden agreeing to intimacy based merely on a favorable impression.

Even more interesting is that until now neither party knows each other’s name, adding to the thrill.

Hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, the spirited young lady turned crimson and lowered her head.

”Your move ’Straight Charge’ is truly powerful, it felt like I was going to die; such a sensation I’ve never experienced in all these years.”

”Young lady, you are the one with a winding path that leads to a hidden realm, making people obsessed.”

Fang Zheng reached out, gently caressing the young lady’s skin, and feeling his touch, the young lady squinted her eyes.

”How long will you stay in Xianyang?”

”Depends on the circumstances. Probably not for long; I’m used to wandering around, and should leave after a while.”

”Ah, if only you’d be willing to stay longer.”

Hearing this, the young lady was somewhat disappointed but didn’t react dramatically. This was due to the Period of Warring States’ mentality, different from later times; in another era, such a thing would be unlikely.

However, at this moment, the young lady abruptly remembered something, and lifted her head.

”By the way, have you ever been to Qi State?”

”No, why?”

”Your swordsmanship is so impressive, why not challenge Cao Qiudao of Qi State?”

At this moment, the young lady’s eyes shone, clearly intent on stirring things up.

”That man is rumored to be an arrogant and rude Sword Saint. Many renowned Qin swordsmen have gone to challenge him, but none have returned alive. Your swordsmanship is so formidable, can you defeat Cao Qiudao?”

”Cao Qiudao? Oh... I think I’ve heard of him.”

Fang Zheng enjoyed the softness in his grip, squinting his eyes. Indeed, Carefree Palace also needs to establish a reputation. Although this period lacks a Martial Arts World, if it existed, Fang Zheng would have dismantled Shaolin Temple or the Five Peaks Sword Sect during Carefree Palace’s founding. Cao Qiudao is a representative of Jixia Academy, which shares similar functions with Carefree Palace; they are rivals in the same trade. Defeating Cao Qiudao would be nothing but beneficial for Fang Zheng.

Qi State might resent him, but Fang Zheng dismisses Qin State, let alone small Qi State.

”No problem, since the young lady requests, I’ll defeat Cao Qiudao as a small gift for you.”

”Pffft.”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, the young lady chuckled softly.

”If you can truly do that, I’d do anything for you.”

”Then it’s settled.”

In response to the young lady’s words, Fang Zheng chuckled lightly, then turned over.

”Before I challenge Cao Qiudao, let’s try my move that directly targets the Yellow Dragon...”

”Mmm...Hmm...”

The young lady wanted to say something, but soon fell into disarray under Fang Zheng’s assault, succumbing once again to an irresistible offensive.