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

Even when the conflict broke out between both sides, the Bodhisattva Guanyin still didn’t understand what was going on. In his view, it was merely a minor dispute. His own Spirit Deer was acting recklessly and got caught off guard, so it was unsurprising for the other side to react.

However, the Bodhisattva Guanyin didn’t expect the other side to be so aggressive, attacking with the intent to kill from the start!

It’s like two social organizations where a lackey crossed over into another’s territory to stir up trouble, only to be beaten back by the other side. Then the big boss steps in, hoping to end things there. But unexpectedly, the opposing organization presents heavy artillery as if ready to annihilate one’s entire family... that’s peculiar!

At this moment, the Bodhisattva Guanyin is no longer concerned about the Nine-Colored Deer. If this continues, not only will the deer remain, but even he himself might be stuck here!

”Boom———!!”

Fang Zheng halted, watching as the Bodhisattva Guanyin transformed into golden light and shot towards the Western Paradise, a slight smile curling at his lips.

Very well, it succeeded.

Indeed, if Fang Zheng wished, he could easily kill the Bodhisattva Guanyin in an instant, given that he also possesses the Immortal Slayer Gourd and the Extermination Sword Formation. Not to mention Bodhisattva Guanyin, even if Tathagata Buddha came personally, escaping death would be difficult.

However, Fang Zheng’s aims go beyond merely eliminating a few minor figures like Bodhisattvas; he intends to uproot Buddhism completely and obliterate it entirely. If he were to kill Bodhisattva Guanyin here, it might instead alert the other side. Therefore, such moderately intense action is appropriate.

Fang Zheng is certainly aware that this will not cause the Western Paradise to cease its actions. On the contrary, they might intensify their infiltration of the Mortal Realm because of this. This is precisely what Fang Zheng wishes to see. After all, the so-called uprooting of Buddhism entails not merely wiping out the Western Buddhas but also completely eradicating their beliefs.

To achieve this, it naturally requires deploying troops to those regions infiltrated by Buddhism, such as the Western Region and Southern Barbarian lands.

But as a nation that loves peace, the Great Han would certainly not deploy troops without reason.

However... if the other side attempts to overthrow the Great Han and create chaos, isn’t that a different matter?

Fang Zheng understands well that Buddhism is a religion adept at utilizing the structures and forces within human organizations, akin to parasites or vines that cling to robust trees. If their deceitful sorcery methods prove ineffective, they will surely choose to target the Mortal Realm. There is even a possibility they might spark a conflict between humans and yokai because of this.

Of course, in other places, they might actually have a chance of success, but regrettably, Fang Zheng alone rules over the three realms of yin, yang, and yokai here. He can be said to be the supreme sovereign. Buddhism wants to use him against himself, but it also depends on whether Fang Zheng is willing to cooperate.

”Starting now, send people to patrol here, and bring in the Mountain God for questioning about what’s happening. Punishment should be administered if necessary.”

Fang Zheng glanced at the Nine-Colored Deer on the ground, this unlucky creature had already been completely charred in the previous Sealing by the Undead Squad’s Knights, no longer worth caring about.

”Alright, Your Majesty.”

”Then I’ll leave it to you.”

After issuing his orders, Fang Zheng turned and left. At the same time, he was quite curious about how this group of fools would make their next move. After all, it’s impossible not to harbor resentment after such a shameful display. Don’t bother with exaggerated words about Buddha’s compassion to deceive anyone. If they were such saintly figures nonchalant about taking damage from an attack, why practice martial arts at all? Whether you’re eaten by beasts or killed by bandits, it’s all your karma, right? Just accept it without resistance, why fight back?

So on one hand, they talk about making wrongdoers reform and achieve fruition, while on the other hand, they want victims to acknowledge karmic fate and resign to their bad luck.

Such hypocrisy.

Thus Fang Zheng believes the other side will definitely not let things rest.

And indeed, just as expected, barely a month later, Fang Zheng heard an intriguing piece of news from Jianghu.

”Hee’s Bi Jade?”

”Indeed, Young Master Fang.”

Currently sitting before Fang Zheng was a Swordsman. Naturally, he was not very famous, his skills were of third-rate level, but he was a disciple of a prestigious family, a reputable sect, who had recently descended the mountain for training. By chance, he encountered Fang Zheng, and the two had traveled together. It was through this talkative hero’s mouth that Fang Zheng heard an intriguing piece of news.

”You know of Hee’s Bi Jade, don’t you? It’s rumored to be the Imperial Jade Seal of the former Emperor Ying Zheng, representing the supreme Seal of the Son of Heaven. Only the one who holds this Jade Seal is qualified to become the overlord of the world. However, now there are talks in Jianghu that the current emperor has long lost the Imperial Jade Seal. It’s said when the Jade Seal reappears, it will be held by the new world’s master...”

”Oh...”

Hee’s Bi Jade?

Do I have this thing?

Fang Zheng carefully thought about it. Back during Xiang Yu’s battle in Julu, when he entered Xianyang and accepted Qin the Third Generation’s surrender, the other side did seem to offer quite a few things. However, Fang Zheng wasn’t interested in these things at all. He basically looked at them and then kept them in the treasury. As for the Imperial Jade Seal... what use would it be to Fang Zheng?

Can it be eaten or drunk?

”Do you believe it?”

”Hahaha, of course I don’t believe it.”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s question, the other person also laughed heartily.

”If this thing really existed, then the Last Dynasty wouldn’t have perished so quickly. Besides, His Majesty is a reincarnation of a Celestial Being, luminous with the sun and moon. Under his rule, the Great Han is prosperous and strong. Who would be foolish enough to think a piece of jade could get one on the throne to become emperor? It’s too ridiculous. However, there is another reason why this rumor is spreading in the Jianghu.”

”Oh?”

”I’ve heard that...”

Saying this, the gabby swordsman lowered his voice, leaned closer to Fang Zheng and whispered.

”It’s said that the Hee’s Bi Jade hides the unparalleled skill of Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng. If you can obtain the Hee’s Bi Jade, you can inherit the Divine Skill of the First Emperor!”

”Oh......”

Now this makes sense. Generally, people in Jianghu don’t care about court affairs. On one hand, they genuinely have no interest, and on the other hand, there are more interesting things to focus on. If you say that Hee’s Bi Jade can unify the world, perhaps most martial artists would laugh it off. But if you say that the Hee’s Bi Jade hides a kind of divine skill, then they won’t be able to sleep!

”Moreover, it’s said that there are Jade Guardian Fairies with Hee’s Bi Jade, each extraordinarily beautiful! They specifically come down the mountain to find young knights to discuss martial arts and philosophy with them, all to find someone who can inherit the Hee’s Bi Jade...”

”I see...”

Hearing the words of the gabby swordsman, Fang Zheng was smiling on the outside, yet cursing inwardly. It seems this rumor was likely spread by those monks, simply to undermine his political legitimacy. Besides, those women finding people to discuss martial arts and philosophy were probably also instilling Buddhist thoughts in them. Indeed, since these bald monks are having no luck on the extraordinary level, they plan to find a presence in the mortal realm again.

Hmph, once I conquer the Ci Hang Brothel, I’ll turn it into an official brothel!

After gleaning information from the gabby swordsman, Fang Zheng deliberately checked it out and found that just as the gabby swordsman said, it was indeed true. Women were indeed finding famous martial artists to inquire about certain matters and discuss martial arts and philosophy with them. However, these women did not use the promotional phrase ”Do you know the Hee’s Bi Jade?” but instead used various indications to suggest that such a thing indeed existed. Moreover, it did contain divine skills, but only the virtuous could wield it. As for whether you are virtuous — nonsense, no one who isn’t a fool would admit to being untalented or unvirtuous!

Of course, like all scheming ladies, this beauty won’t directly evaluate whether what you say is right or wrong. She just chats with you, then leaves after finishing the conversation, and a few days later, appears at another hero’s house... hehe.

They really know how to play.

Clearly, the advantage of this approach is that although there is no specific requirement, it does attract the attention of most people in the Jianghu. After all, the more people involved, the more people want to understand the situation, and then this content gets spread out.

Compared to the typical court or among the populace, the martial arts world is relatively insensitive to politics. Therefore, they might not think about or care about the harm that assisting in spreading rumors about the Hee’s Bi Jade might entail.

But for the Imperial Court, there’s indeed no way they would make a big deal out of rumors about the Hee’s Bi Jade. In fact, anyone with a normal IQ wouldn’t believe such rumors. And Fang Zheng believes that those officials who have survived the imperial examinations and college entrance exams should at least have a clear head.

If there are any who aren’t so clear-headed... well, that’s another matter.

These rumors are mostly spread on the southern frontier, and the further south Fang Zheng went, the more detailed the intelligence he heard. For example, the gabby swordsman only knew the general idea, but at the frontier, almost eight out of ten patrons in tea houses and taverns were discussing the topic of Hee’s Bi Jade.

Of course, these people aren’t fools. No one would discuss the idea that ”whoever obtains the Hee’s Bi Jade gains the world” in broad daylight. They would only discuss who could acquire the Divine Skill of the First Emperor within the Hee’s Bi Jade, and just how powerful the legendary skill of the First Emperor really was.

One has to admit that the imagination of the people has always been amazingly powerful. Fang Zheng listened and eventually even heard rumors as outlandish as ”He who obtains this Hee’s Bi Jade can open the world within oneself and ascend to immortality...”

Of course, Fang Zheng was not idle during this journey. Rumor has it that the Jade Guardian Fairies are only interested in those both famous and skillful. And on his way south, with nothing else to occupy his time, Fang Zheng defeated many mountain bandits and robbers, and challenged some sect disciples, gaining some fame. By the time he arrived in Guiyang, Fang Zheng was already somewhat famous in the martial arts world.

And his nickname was... Young Lord Jade Face!

Look, just from this nickname, a sense of handsomeness comes right at you!