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

”How dare you consider yourself worthy?”

Fang Zheng looked disdainfully at the white-robed warrior in front of him, whose face turned a deep red with anger and was about to step forward. At that moment, an older martial artist next to him noticed Fang Zheng’s fan and was immediately shocked, grabbing his fellow disciple.

”Senior Brother! Do not act rashly; our opponent is the Young Lord Jade Face!”

”What?”

Upon hearing this, most people in the tavern immediately changed their expressions and turned their gaze towards Fang Zheng.

It was no surprise that these people turned pale at the mention of his name. As previously mentioned, in a short time, Fang Zheng had made a huge name for himself in the Southern Martial World, but it was mostly an infamous reputation. Of course, this infamy was mainly due to his ruthless means while tracking down those fierce criminals.

For instance, the flower thief Night Demon Zhang San, who had wreaked havoc in Lingnan, using his unique talent and miraculous martial arts to commit numerous crimes, ruining countless innocent young women. Yet this ghostly and elusive figure was easily captured by Fang Zheng, who not only destroyed his martial arts but also paralyzed him completely, rendering him a cripple.

Then there was the notorious Thirteen Riders of the Desert, each a ruthless killer, who ended up with limbs torn off by Fang Zheng, reduced to mere human stumps. He used special methods to keep them alive, rendering them unable to live or die.

Basically, criminals who encountered Fang Zheng didn’t even get the chance to die. This led many criminals to voluntarily surrender; after all, except for the utterly vicious ones, most would receive life imprisonment, which was far better than the torment of being unable to live or die.

As for those utterly vicious ones... they fled as fast as they could.

Running offered a slim chance of survival, while not running was a dead end.

Moreover, Fang Zheng confronted people without reservations, easily dealing with infamous black-market bosses and even bandits blocking roads and robbing. The people from the underworld both hated and feared him. Naturally, among those dining there, it was uncertain if any trembled due to hearing Fang Zheng’s name.

”So it’s you...”

The white-robed warrior’s face turned blue, then white, then blue again, before finally clasping his fists.

”I was unaware that the Young Lord Jade Face was here; I apologize for my disrespect.”

These words indicated that the white-robed warrior had backed down; he had no choice. Facing an opponent who could easily turn black-market bosses into stumps was daunting. Although Fang Zheng had no sinister fame in the white-world, his ruthless demeanor suggested he was far from virtuous.

Even if you don’t end up crippled, losing an arm or a finger due to a conflict with him would be discomforting enough.

”Hmm, not bad, a bit sensible.”

Seeing the opponent lower his head, Fang Zheng snorted lightly.

”Compensate me for this table’s worth of food and drink, and you can leave.”

”Yes, I understand.”

The opponent was a disciple of a respectable Sect, but at this moment, intervening would only worsen things. Besides, he was the one at fault for smashing Fang Zheng’s table in the first place. If Fang Zheng insisted on a resolution, even bringing his master wouldn’t help. At this point, Fang Zheng merely demanded compensation for the meal, which was seen as a relief by the white-robed warrior.

Thus, the white-robed warrior immediately found the shopkeeper, specifically paid for another meal for Fang Zheng, and then quickly left the tavern with his fellow disciples.

”Senior Brother, is it necessary to fear him so much?”

After leaving the tavern, another younger martial artist showed dissatisfaction.

”No matter how formidable he is, he’s just one man. If we announce our Green Sword Sect name...”

”Shut your mouth!”

Hearing this, the white-robed warrior wished he could slap his junior brother.

”Do you want to embarrass us even more?! Today’s trouble was caused by you!”

”But, but... that man insulted Master...”

”The Jianghu is filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. If he knows we are from the Green Sword Sect yet dares to speak boldly, either he holds a grudge against us or possesses unparalleled strength. We are not those local ruffians who resort to violence at any disagreement... Seriously, you’ve forgotten all of Master’s teachings!”

Looking at this junior brother, the white-robed warrior felt a surge of frustration; despite being the youngest, his talent was exceptional, earning him Master’s favor. Yet young people tend to act impulsively; it was he who threw the flask earlier, causing the white-robed warrior to take the blame. Fortunately, his fellow disciples were knowledgeable enough to recognize Fang Zheng’s identity; otherwise, he might have foolishly confronted the Young Lord Jade Face and ended up dead without knowing how.

MMP, if it weren’t for Master asking him to take care of this junior, he would have left long ago!

Upon returning, he would definitely report this matter to Master and ask for proper discipline for the disobedient junior!

With this in mind, the white-robed warrior returned to the Sect and immediately reported the incident to his Master. As expected, upon hearing the report, the Master was speechless with anger, ordering the troublemaking junior to reflect behind closed doors.

”You’ve worked hard.”

Watching the dejected junior head off for reflection, the white-robed warrior’s Master sighed, looking at his eldest disciple.

”Yi-er is still young, unaware of the dangers of the Jianghu, let alone encountering the legendary Young Lord Jade Face... Hmm, you’ve done well.”

”Reporting to Master.”

The white-robed warrior hurriedly bowed his head, in fact, his master was none other than the Alliance Hierarch of the Southern Martial World—Li Tianming.

”Initially, this disciple also didn’t know who that person was, later it was the second senior brother who reminded me, that I realized it was the Young Lord Jade Face who recently became famous in the Southern Martial World... disciple...”

”Hmm, a real man must know when to advance and when to retreat. The Young Lord Jade Face is indeed as reputed, even the likes of the Old Demon of Black Mountain have fallen at his hands. It can be said that his martial prowess has reached a level unimaginable to ordinary people. Not choosing to provoke him out of impulsiveness was definitely a wise choice.”

”But Master...”

The white-robed warrior’s mind was also filled with doubts.

”From his appearance, the Young Lord Jade Face looks just a little over twenty. Is he really as skilled as the rumors say? Even if he started training in the womb, he shouldn’t have achieved such feats, right? Could it be we have mistaken him for someone else?”

”You’ll know once you’ve experienced more of the Jianghu.”

Hearing his disciple’s question, the old man chuckled.

”Many things in this world cannot be reasoned with common sense. Indeed, the Young Lord Jade Face seems unbelievably young, but since he has truly defeated a group of black-hearted demons, the evidence is conclusive. Besides, such people are not unheard of. It’s best not to clash with such unpredictable individuals.”

At this, the old man patted the white-robed warrior’s shoulder.

”When you traverse the Jianghu in the future, remember not to rely on common reasoning. Sometimes, the more abnormal something seems, the more dangerous it is. Traveling the Jianghu, keep these things in mind, otherwise, you might not survive long. Now, go and rest.”

”Yes, Master.”

After listening to his master’s teachings, the white-robed warrior relaxed significantly. He paid his respects and intended to leave but just then, a delicate figure walked in from outside.

”Miss Fan, is there something you need?”

Seeing the beautiful young lady appear before him, the old man smiled slightly and softly inquired. The other party also politely bowed in return.

”Please forgive Kiyoe’s rudeness. Just now, as I was passing outside, I inadvertently overheard Hero Li discussing the Young Lord Jade Face?”

”Yes, my unworthy disciple had a minor incident with him earlier, but fortunately it wasn’t serious.”

Facing the beautiful young lady’s inquiry, the old man nodded. Hearing the old man’s response, the young lady’s eyes twinkled.

”In fact, Kiyoe has long been renowned for the Young Lord Jade Face. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I also invite the Young Lord Jade Face to attend the Bamboo Forest Lake Association three days from now?”

”This...”

Hearing this, the old man furrowed his brows slightly.

”What do you intend, Miss Fan...?”

”Kiyoe wishes to have a conversation with the Young Lord Jade Face. It is said that the young lord acts unpredictably, helping the weak and punishing evil, but his methods are quite ruthless, offending the heavenly principles. Kiyoe also hopes to use her strength to make him turn back before it’s too late.”

”I see.”

Hearing the young lady’s answer, the old man stroked his beard. This beautiful young lady had been at the Green Sword Sect for some time, and some of her words did indeed make sense to Li Tianming, enlightening him. Not killing, not doing evil, all are matters of cause and effect... hmm, these interesting things also intrigued Li Tianming, which is why he invited her to stay for the Southern Martial World Tournament.

Of course, Li Tianming also understood that the young lady before him obviously didn’t approve of the Young Lord Jade Face’s ways. After all, sometimes the Young Lord Jade Face’s punishment on those in the dark path seemed a bit excessive to the eyes of these martial world seniors. And after chatting so long with the young lady, Li Tianming also hoped it could somewhat curb the Young Lord Jade Face’s murderous aura.

Otherwise, it would be hard to determine what kind of outcome would result if he continued like this.

”I understand, so tomorrow morning, I’ll send a disciple to find the Young Lord Jade Face and invite him to attend the Bamboo Forest Lake Association.”

Saying this, the old man looked at the white-robed warrior.

”Did you hear that?”

”...Ah?”

Facing the old man’s question, the white-robed warrior was momentarily taken aback, then snapped back to reality, staring at his master in shock.

Master, are you selling me out?!

We are master and disciple, you can’t abandon the disciple for beauty!

And the opposite is that emotionally unpredictable Young Lord Jade Face, I barely escaped last time, do I have to go seek him out myself now?!

I refuse, even if it kills me!

”...... Your disciple obeys.”

Though inwardly disgruntled, in his master’s presence, the white-robed warrior resignedly lowered his head.