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

Fang Zheng merely glanced at that Yi Xiaochuan and then withdrew his gaze; he also discovered that the other had a flaw, which was a sharp tongue. Hmm... But it doesn’t matter, when the time comes, he’ll know that this flaw won’t end well for him.

”In any case, let’s leave this place first.”

Fang Zheng waved his hand, leading others away from this troubled place, and Xiang Yu hurriedly ran up to catch him, striking up a conversation. During this process, Fang Zheng also learned about Xiang Yu’s situation.

Originally in history, Xiang Yu was a descendant of the Kingdom of Chu nobility, but in Record of Seeking Qin, it’s naturally different. Xiang Yu is actually the child of Xiang Shaolong’s elder brother and his wife, because Xiang Shaolong lost the ability to reproduce due to time travel, so they adopted this child to Xiang Shaolong, initially named Baor, later renamed Xiang Yu.

The reason why this Xiang Yu left the grasslands and returned to Great Qin, of course, differs from the historical Xiang Yu, but he similarly disliked Qin Shi Huang. Because back then, when Xiang Shaolong and others were forced by Ying Zheng to flee to the borders, Xiang Yu gradually understood, naturally harboring resentment as his ”father” was pressured to flee home by an oppressor.

Although Xiang Shaolong surely knew history could not be changed, Xiang Yu clearly didn’t know his father’s background. To him, Ying Zheng was merely a ruthless tyrant who could heartlessly hunt down a loyal father.

Upon arriving in Great Qin and witnessing Qin Shi Huang’s tyranny, Xiang Yu became greatly dissatisfied, thus leading a rebellion to overthrow the Qin Dynasty.

How to put it... This is also Xiang Shaolong’s fault.

Seeing Xiang Yu so enthusiastic, Fang Zheng shook his head and sighed inwardly. At the time Qin Shi Huang ascended the throne and targeted Xiang Shaolong, Xiang Yu was only five or six years old and then surely wouldn’t understand much. But over the years, growing up on Wu Family Ranch, Xiang Yu surely heard many things from others.

After all, Xiang Shaolong knew Qin Shi Huang would eventually take power, but others didn’t. So to them, Qin Shi Huang clearly seemed like the treacherous tyrant criticized in their speech, so naturally, Xiang Yu made a secret vow to become a benevolent overlord to his subjects... Mm, so he was conned to death by Liu Bang.

Though not quite the same as history, the result isn’t much different from what was originally supposed to happen.

However, Fang Zheng has another plan now.

From their conversation, Fang Zheng realized that Xiang Yu’s nature is suited for being a general, especially a vanguard general, but absolutely not for being a ruler. Perhaps because of being raised by Xiang Shaolong, Xiang Yu is stubborn and acts impulsively, naïvely. If such a person became a ruler... See, wasn’t he ultimately conned to death by Liu Bang?

But on the other hand, if he can be reasoned with, then he could be a powerful ally.

”Since you aspire for the world, allow me to ask, how do you plan to proceed?”

”Naturally to overthrow the tyrant and reclaim my realm.”

Xiang Yu clearly had considered this question long ago.

”I know that half of this country was conquered by my father. Back when the Six Kingdoms allied to attack Qin, had it not been for my father’s scorched earth strategy, enticing the League Army into deep territory and defeating them, Great Qin would have long perished. Yet despite my father’s great contributions, it’s not mentioned at all, not even a temple or memorial built for him, on top of burning books and burying scholars, erasing his achievements. Such a treacherous villain who fails to repay past favors, what qualification does he have to occupy this splendid realm?!”

Mm... That was your father’s intention...

Fang Zheng silently mocked in his heart, looking at the indignant Xiang Yu without expressing any of his thoughts.

After all, this is all Xiang Shaolong’s fault, he’s adamant about ”respecting history,” huh.

So troublesome, he had it coming.

”Hey.”

Just then, Yi Xiaochuan suddenly squeezed through from behind, interrupting their conversation, eagerly staring at Fang Zheng.

”I say, you’re really an immortal, aren’t you?”

”And if I am?”

Fang Zheng silently looked at him, internally categorizing this guy alongside Xiang Shaolong as an uneducated ignoramus. You know, the song he just played to annihilate those Qin soldiers was Spring River, Moonlit Night...

Never mind, just looks like a third-rate photographer who can’t make much money. These kinds of people Fang Zheng has seen a lot of in modern times, generally can’t earn much, mostly working at magazine or newspaper offices doing paparazzi work.

”I say, if you’re really an immortal, can you take me home?”

At this point, Yi Xiaochuan was also excitedly grabbing Fang Zheng’s sleeve, shouting eagerly. He has accepted the reality now and just wants to quickly leave this ghost place to return to the modern world. Seeing Yi Xiaochuan’s actions, Xiang Yu furrowed his brow.

”Brother Yi, show some manners. Young Master Fang is a true immortal, how can you be so disrespectful...”

”Hehe, it’s okay.”

Fang Zheng waved his hand with a smile, interrupting Xiang Yu’s speech. Though he smiled outwardly, internally he was thinking, damn, this paparazzi jerk is really disrespectful, if I don’t mess with you, it’s weird! Yep, that’s what I’ll do...

”This young man’s appearance is quite unique, uninhibited by etiquette, rather interesting. Mm, Fang observes a presence of Spiritual Energy around him, yet he is not a native, but a traveler through time and space, one who comes from Houtu...”

”Exactly!”

Upon hearing this, Yi Xiaochuan excitedly grabbed Fang Zheng.

”Immortal, please help me, I don’t know how I ended up here, and I really want to go home now! I’m begging you, sincerely begging!”

”Really?”

Facing Yi Xiaochuan’s words, Fang Zheng squinted his eyes, chuckling.

”Fang can indeed do it, but... are you sure?”

”Sure about what?”

”Time travel isn’t easy. You might have to pay unimaginable costs.”

Fang Zheng first gave Yi Xiaochuan a heads-up, then continued with a cheeky smile.

”Even so, do you still want to go back?”

”Unimaginable costs...?”

”Of course, I don’t actually know what exactly they are.”

Fang Zheng shook his head.

”So, what do you plan to choose?”

”I.......”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s question, Yi Xiaochuan hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly. Although time travel was indeed novel, he almost got executed as soon as he arrived here, and then got shot with an arrow, nearly dying. At this moment, Yi Xiaochuan had absolutely no desire to stay in this world any longer, even if he had to pay an unimaginable cost. As long as he could return to his own world, it would be worth it for Yi Xiaochuan!!

”I’m willing, I want to go back, please help me!!”

While saying this, Yi Xiaochuan bowed deeply to Fang Zheng, who chuckled in response.

Alright, seeing as you’ve made me laugh until my sides hurt, I’ll give you a ride back.

”Okay then, stand firm.”

No sooner had he spoken, Fang Zheng slapped Yi Xiaochuan on the chest, instantly sending him flying. Then, Fang Zheng waved his right hand, and a blast of Sword Qi shot out, grazing past Yi Xiaochuan. In the next instant, the space behind Yi Xiaochuan suddenly shattered and split into a whirling vortex. Before Yi Xiaochuan could utter a sound, he was swallowed by the vortex, vanishing without a trace.

”Boom!!”

Yi Xiaochuan only regained his senses after he fell heavily from the sky some time later.

”Ugh... ugh...”

At this moment, Yi Xiaochuan lay on the ground, vomiting continuously. Just now, he felt as if he had been tossed into a washing machine; his head spun dizzyingly, as if he were about to die. Yi Xiaochuan lay on the ground for quite a while before he started to feel better. The first thing he did was to take out his phone and turn it on quickly, and then...

”Ha ha ha, I have a signal, I’m back! I’m back!!”

Seeing the signal icon on his phone, Yi Xiaochuan shouted excitedly, but the next moment he suddenly froze.

What’s going on?

Why does my voice sound a bit off? It seems thin, sharp...

Yi Xiaochuan instinctively touched his neck, only to find it smooth, without any stubble or Adam’s apple...

Wait, why does my chest feel wrong?

Yi Xiaochuan reached out and touched his chest, then his face turned pale.

Could it be... could it be...

At this moment, Yi Xiaochuan remembered the ”cost” mentioned by that Immortal earlier and his face turned paper-white. He hurriedly took out his phone, opened selfie mode, and then... Yi Xiaochuan saw on the phone screen a face with long black hair, looking charming and alluring... the face of a woman.

”Why is it like this ahhhhh!!!”

At this moment, Yi Xiaochuan completely lost his composure.

Of course, Fang Zheng couldn’t hear Yi Xiaochuan’s wails right now. Naturally, he was just playing a little prank, giving Yi Xiaochuan a setup he had seen in comics — in the future, Yi Xiaochuan would revert to a man when doused with hot water and turn into a woman when splashed with cold water.

Of course, Fang Zheng wasn’t entirely without mercy.

As long as Yi Xiaochuan collected and consumed the Essence of Origin Sun from ten different men, he could revert back to his original body.

After all, Fang Zheng wasn’t exactly a Devil.

A small punishment was enough to teach a big lesson.

Better to use your mouth to pay for your loose tongue.

As for what kind of life Yi Xiaochuan would have in the future or if he would stir up any new storms in the modern world, Fang Zheng wasn’t interested in considering that. As long as this kid didn’t come back to the ancient world and cause trouble for him, Fang Zheng couldn’t be bothered with anything else.

”Young Master Fang?”

At this moment, Xiang Yu beside him was dumbfounded. He didn’t even see clearly what Fang Zheng did; he just felt a flash in front of his eyes, and then Yi Xiaochuan suddenly vanished.

”Alright, that brother has returned to his hometown.”

Fang Zheng clapped his hands, then looked at Xiang Yu.

”Now then, let’s talk about our business.”