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

When Fang Zheng arrived in Linzi, the capital of Qi State, it was the day of the annual Sword Society at Jixia Academy. Five hundred Jixia Swordsmen were performing the opening Ceremony Sword on the square of Jixia Academy, which appeared to have quite a bit of grandeur. Besides the prominent officials and nobles of Linzi, there were also thousands of samurai and commoners gathered to join the excitement, showing that the human nature of seeking entertainment truly hasn’t changed since ancient times.

After the opening ceremony of the ”Ceremony Sword” concluded, the Prince of Qi came out to give a speech on behalf of the King of Qi. Indeed, this tradition seems to have been passed down seamlessly from ancient times.

Following this was the assessment of the Jixia Swordsmen, but Fang Zheng wasn’t interested in any of it. He quietly took a few glances and then stepped out of the crowd, walking toward the center of the square.

At this moment, everyone noticed this odd figure who was out of place. Someone quickly tried to stop him, but Fang Zheng didn’t even move an inch. Those people immediately retreated to both sides as if it was automatic. It wasn’t until Fang Zheng reached the center of the square of Jixia Academy that he stopped, and by this time, almost everyone had noticed what was happening here and stopped their cheers to look over.

Soon, they saw a person leading several swordsmen come in front of Fang Zheng, glaring at him.

”Who are you, and why are you trespassing into our Jixia Sword Society?”

”I am Fang Zheng from the Carefree Palace.”

Facing the other’s stern question, Fang Zheng slightly smiled.

”I’ve long heard of the name of Sword Saint Cao Qiudao, and I came to visit. I’ve heard that Cao Qiudao’s sword skill is extraordinary, so I want to see if he is worthy of me making a move.”

As soon as Fang Zheng finished speaking, the entire square burst into an uproar, followed by immediate angry curses. You should know that Sword Saint Cao Qiudao is considered a hero in the hearts of the people of Qi, a figure akin to a Sea-stabilizing Needle. But now this young man just directly said something almost like an insult to the other, it’s just like lighting a powder keg.

However, amid the crowd’s angry curses, Fang Zheng still wore a smile, as if he hadn’t heard anything. Then he lifted his head, raising his voice.

”Where is Cao Qiudao? Come out and let me see if you are worthy to challenge me. If you can draw your sword in front of me, then you are qualified to be my opponent.”

Saying this, Fang Zheng chuckled and looked around.

”The same goes for you. If anyone is unhappy and wants to have a match against me, feel free to step forward. As long as you can draw your sword in front of me, you are qualified to fight me.”

Fang Zheng’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear in every ear, which immediately caused the onlookers on the square to boil once more. Those Jixia Swordsmen were especially indignant, each eager to have a try. Soon, a burly man angrily roared, jumped out from the crowd, and stared fiercely at Fang Zheng.

”I am Ma Chengjia, here to learn from your expertise!”

With these words, Ma Chengjia raised his longsword, ready to draw it—then he suddenly froze, standing still as if petrified.

And Fang Zheng didn’t even glance at him, just standing with his hands behind his back, seemingly admiring the scenery of Jixia Academy.

By now, the others also saw Ma Chengjia’s strange action, puzzled as they looked at him. You should know that this person was a well-known swordsman in Jixia, and now, having performed a sword-drawing gesture yet being unable to draw his sword, what was this situation?

Feeling the puzzled gazes of others, Ma Chengjia knew his own difficulty best. He had originally thought that simply drawing the sword shouldn’t be a problem. However, what Ma Chengjia didn’t expect was that the instant he intended to draw the sword aiming at Fang Zheng, his entire body froze there. It wasn’t the effect of some drug but a pure instinctive warning.

Absolutely do not become an enemy of the person in front of you!

This was humanity’s instinctive fear of a terrifying power higher than themselves, and Ma Chengjia was no exception. Although he was extremely angry at Fang Zheng’s insulting words toward Cao Qiudao, he was completely unable to surpass his instinctive fear.

It’s like a human contemplating suicide by jumping off a building. Even though there is a wish for death, when you actually stand at the edge, looking at the ground below, the survival instinct overrides everything, staunchly refusing your will. And currently, Fang Zheng was a threat hundreds or even thousands of times more terrifying than jumping to one’s death, so much that the rationality and anger of ordinary mortals are entirely unable to control the instinctive fear.

Meanwhile, several other Jixia Swordsmen also stepped forward, but their outcome was the same as Ma Chengjia’s, completely unable to draw their swords. To these people, it felt as if they were trapped in a raging torrent, entirely unable to move as they wished, just maintaining balance consumed all their mental strength, let alone thinking of drawing their swords.

By now, others also noticed something was wrong. One person failing could be explained by him having been bribed by the other side, but the possibility of bribing so many Jixia Swordsmen into putting on a show for oneself was non-existent. Seeing their red faces and bulging necks, it clearly wasn’t an act, but what exactly was going on remained unknown to all.

”Coming one by one is too time-consuming, why not come together instead, it makes no difference anyway.”

Fang Zheng cast a casual glance at the surrounding Jixia Swordsmen and said lightly.

As these words came out, everyone immediately became furious and rushed forward... but unfortunately, their outcome was no different from the others.

Seeing this, the previously scolding man finally changed his expression, reaching out to signal the others not to act rashly anymore. Then he walked forward two steps, looked intently at Fang Zheng, and respectfully bowed.

”I am Zongsun Xuanhua, I ask Young Master Fang for guidance.”

After saying this, Zongsun Xuanhua also reached out, grabbing the ornament at his waist, preparing to draw it.

At this moment, Zongsun Xuanhua finally felt the sensation that the other Jixia Swordsmen had experienced, immediately startled. However, being Cao Qiudao’s top disciple, he quickly gathered his spirit, attempting to contend with this unparalleled pressure.

But regrettably, Zongsun Xuanhua was ultimately just a mortal, and what he had to face was a double pressure of Dragon Might and Divine Might. Although Fang Zheng hadn’t fully exerted it, even in the Main World, those who hadn’t reached the Legendary Domain found it difficult to make a move in front of Fang Zheng. Here, these ordinary swordsmen didn’t even need to be mentioned.

Under the gaze of the crowd, they saw Zongsun Xuanhua’s eyes widen, blood vessels bursting at the corners, then his body began to tremble slightly, swaying left and right, and suddenly Zongsun Xuanhua let out a ”Ugh” and spat out blood, collapsing softly to the ground.

Mortals who overestimate themselves and defy Divine Might will face such consequences.

At this moment, everyone was astonished, staring in disbelief. Zongsun Xuanhua was Sword Saint Cao Qiudao’s principal disciple and an instructor at Jixia Academy. Others might be pretending, but he definitely wasn’t. Immediately, someone stepped forward to help him up.

”Brother Zongsun, are you alright?”

”No, I’m fine...”

Zongsun Xuanhua wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, shook his hand, and stared at Fang Zheng with a solemn expression, speaking in a low voice.

”This person is extremely terrifying; we are no match for him. Only our master could possibly face him.”

Although he said this, Zongsun Xuanhua knew the reality well. Indeed, Cao Qiudao was a swordsmanship master, and in his presence, ordinary people dared not challenge him with a sword. This was chiefly due to the formidable reputation and aura that Cao Qiudao had built over time. But the might of the man before them seemed far stronger than that of Cao Qiudao, at least a thousand times more formidable. It was clear that even without wielding a sword, just standing there, he elicited an insurmountable sense of power.

Zongsun Xuanhua pondered internally, fearing that even if his master were to come, nothing favorable would result.

With this realization, Zongsun Xuanhua stood up, straightened his body, and bowed to Fang Zheng.

”Our Jixia Academy has never interacted with Young Master Fang. Why does Young Master Fang strive to oppose our Jixia Academy? If there’s any misunderstanding, please converse privately with Young Master Fang.”

At this point, everyone knew Jixia Academy had conceded. Many were casting displeased glances at Zongsun Xuanhua, but he seemed resigned to the situation. It was better to settle this here — even at the cost of losing face — rather than have Cao Qiudao defeated publicly, which could result in the collapse of the entire Qi State.

It’s well known that the people of Qi excel in empty talk, boasting, and dreaming. Among the Qi people, the emergence of a Sword Saint like Cao Qiudao has raised their pride sky-high. This Jixia Sword Society not only attracted royal nobility from Qi but also delegates from other states. If Cao Qiudao were to be beaten by this young man who looks half his age, like a grandson, then Qi State would surely face ruin.

In comparison, losing his own face doesn’t seem like such a serious matter.

”Oh, there’s no misunderstanding.”

Fang Zheng, with hands behind him, lightly sighed.

”It’s just that during my travels across various states, I once had a night of passion with a woman who mentioned that Cao Qiudao of Qi State, self-proclaiming as a Sword Saint, is arrogant beyond belief, never sparing his opponents. She hoped I could teach him a lesson, so here I am.”

”......”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s response, everyone was stunned. Zongsun Xuanhua looked like he was ready to vomit several hundred milliliters of blood.

”...Just for this?”

”Exactly. It was a matter of one night’s sentiment, and for Fang Zheng, it was merely a casual affair. Besides, I wish to assess what skills Cao Qiudao, self-proclaimed Sword Saint, truly possesses.”

Upon hearing this, everyone displayed expressions of utmost anger, with Qi State’s king and nobility turning ashen-faced. Cao Qiudao was viewed as the supreme Deity in the hearts of Qi people, and Fang Zheng’s explanation of acting nonchalantly due to a night’s affair with a woman was utterly dismissive of Qi State.

This completely disregards Qi State!!

”How dare you!!”

King of Qi furiously slapped his chair and stood up.

”Guards, arrest this audacious troublemaker!!”

With the King of Qi’s wrathful shout, the Imperial Army sprang into action. But like everyone else, before they reached within a hundred steps of Fang Zheng, they instinctively halted and dared not advance further.

”So, is Cao Qiudao coming out or not?”

Fang Zheng remained with hands behind him, slightly furrowing his brow, revealing an impatient look.

”If Cao Qiudao refuses to appear, don’t blame me for directly going in to find him.”

Just then, suddenly, a voice echoed.

”No need to trouble Young Master Fang; Cao is already here!”

Accompanied by this voice, a robust man dressed in grey swordsman attire strode out from Jixia Academy. His hair flowed down his shoulders, and his piercing eyes fixated on Fang Zheng.

This was Sword Saint Cao Qiudao, the renowned swordsman master of the Era of Warring States.