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

The nickname of Blood Hand Butcher Wang Wu didn’t come from thin air. He earned it due to his mastery of a move called Black Tiger Heart Extraction—yes, the same move that even small-time characters in martial arts novels know.

Normally, this wouldn’t be much, but the issue is that this is a high martial world. Thus, Wang Wu’s Black Tiger Heart Extraction is comparable to Little Li Flying Dagger, always hitting its mark, and he’s trained it to the point of practically subverting causality.

Because this move of his is so terrifying, he earned the nickname Blood Hand Butcher.

At this moment, Wang Wu seized the distraction when Fang Zheng was preoccupied with the monks nearby to strike!

He succeeded!

Seeing Fang Zheng motionless in front of him, a cold smile appeared on Wang Wu’s lips. He could almost feel his fingers piercing through Fang Zheng’s chest and extracting his heart...

”Sorry, I’m not interested in men.”

Fang Zheng’s voice drifted to Wang Wu’s ear, accompanied by a soft ”pop” as a white jade fan suddenly opened, blocking his clawed hand. The fingers, infused with inner strength, capable of easily piercing through iron and stone, trembled as if meeting a diamond wall in front of this seemingly fragile white jade fan. Before Wang Wu could react, Fang Zheng watched him with a playful smile and ”swish,” closed the fan he had just opened.

However, with this action, Wang Wu felt an unstoppable powerful force twisting up his arm, and then........

”Waaaaaa!!”

With a scream, Wang Wu’s outstretched right arm twisted like a wrung towel. The invisible spiraling force traveled up his arm, and in the blink of an eye, what was once a strong arm turned ragged. Screaming Shanzhi—or rather Wang Wu—fell to his knees.

But this was not the end.

After destroying Wang Wu’s arm, the force rippled out like a pond’s wave—his right arm was just the starting point; next, bones throughout his body crackled audibly. You wouldn’t have to see it to know that all his bones were shattering.

It was an unspeakable pain.

”Help... help!!!”

Wang Wu now screamed shrilly. Normally, facing such torment, he would have fainted long ago, but now he couldn’t even lose consciousness. The force not only tore his bones but also stabilized his spirit, forcing him to endure this pain beyond human limits while fully awake.

Moreover, he had no way to escape.

”Master!! Master!! Save me!!”

At this moment, overwhelmed by terror and agony, Wang Wu could no longer hold back and screamed like a child.

”Stop!”

Hearing Wang Wu’s screams, the old monk nearby roared furiously, swinging his Zen staff at Fang Zheng without hesitation.

However, Fang Zheng merely sidestepped gracefully, dodging the attack. Then he tapped the Zen staff with his fan, and the old monk grunted as he was sent flying backward.

”Form the array!!”

Meanwhile, as the angry shout rose, monks from all sides raised their Zen staffs and began to circle Fang Zheng with a mysterious and peculiar movement. While grasping their Zen staffs, they moved in circles and softly chanted some scripture, clearly enacting some sort of formation.

But Fang Zheng didn’t care what they were doing. Seeing these bald-headed monks circling him, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He gripped the jade fan and flicked it forward!

”Swish———!!”

The next moment, the jade fan soared like a swift swallow, arcing through the air around Fang Zheng, instantly sending the surrounding monks flying.

The chaos naturally drew others’ attention. Soon, as sharp whistles sounded, a group of cavalry rode up, surrounding the monks on the ground and Fang Zheng.

”What happened here... uh, Young Master Fang?”

The leading government official shouted but immediately lowered his voice upon seeing Fang Zheng.

”Did you... capture another fugitive?”

”Indeed.”

Watching the official, Fang Zheng chuckled, then kicked the paralyzed Wang Wu over. At this point, Wang Wu finally succumbed to the pain, fainting as the force maintaining his consciousness dissipated.

”While enjoying the Martial Arts Tournament, I inadvertently discovered Blood Hand Butcher Wang Wu. This man must be out of his mind, thinking a shaved head would conceal his identity to sneak into the city. I found him out, and well... you know, I left one alive.”

”Blood Hand Butcher?!”

That exclamation from the officials caused them to hurriedly dismount, rushing to the unconscious Wang Wu. One pulled out a set of wanted portraits from their pocket, meticulously comparing them to the man before them. Another stripped Wang Wu of his clothing for a detailed look. Though without DNA testing, their methods were still quite accurate in identifying suspects.

”Yes, it’s a match. This is indeed Wang Wu... but why did he shave his head?”

Knowing their trade well, the officials quickly verified Wang Wu’s identity, and soon brought a stretcher to carry him away—this pitiful guy’s bones were completely fractured, making him as limp as an octopus. The officials, experienced fighters themselves, immediately recognized Wang Wu’s condition just by touch, sucking in a cold breath as they whisked him away.

”That I wouldn’t know. Oh, and those bald heads—please take them into custody as well.”

Fang Zheng closed his fan and pointed at the bald monks around them, prompting the officials to finally register the situation.

”Young Master Fang, you mean to say...”

”Wang Wu was mingling among them, and when I moved to arrest him, these people tried to obstruct me. They can’t be any good, clearly hiding a fugitive, and I suggest taking them in for interrogation to find out their true intentions.”

”Thank you for the guidance, Young Master Fang.”

The leading official bowed to Fang Zheng, immediately issuing the order.

”Take all of them in!”

This wasn’t because the officials knew Fang Zheng’s identity, but because, during his time in Guiyang City, Fang Zheng had captured many criminals, including several longstanding county fugitives. Naturally, they trusted his testimony over these sudden bald strangers.

Moreover, this was a public space—finding a witness to confirm events would be much simpler.

”Young Master Fang, please come with us to the Yamen to report and make a statement.”

”I understand.”

Hearing the government official’s words, Fang Zheng nodded with a smile.

”Let’s follow the rules, as everyone understands.”

At this, Fang Zheng’s mouth slightly curled up, and there was a hint of disdain in his eyes as he looked toward the monks.

”But those who do not understand the rules are doomed to be unlucky.”

After this, Fang Zheng went with others to the County Office to make a statement. Of course, there wasn’t much to say about the content, just as Fang Zheng had previously told the government official, he unintentionally discovered Blood Hand Butcher Wang Wu, and subdued him, then these bald guys caused trouble and were easily dealt with by Fang Zheng.

By the time the statement was done, the tea Fang Zheng had was still hot.

”Young Master Fang, you are still as... decisive and efficient.”

After finishing the statement, the government official on the other side showed a speechless expression, while Fang Zheng just chuckled.

”It’s nothing, upholding justice is our duty.”

”No, that’s not what I meant... never mind.”

The government official opposite clearly had nothing to say to Fang Zheng, shook his head, and then put away the records. At that moment, the door opened, and two more people walked in. The foremost was an elder who exuded authority without anger. He was dressed in dark blue attire with a saber hanging at his waist. As soon as he entered, he cupped his hands toward Fang Zheng.

”Young Master Fang.”

”Captain Zhang.”

Fang Zheng was not surprised by the appearance of this elder. In fact, he was somewhat familiar with him—after all, most of the people Fang Zheng captured had to pass through his hands.

”I really didn’t expect you could catch Blood Hand Butcher Wang Wu.”

”Lucky, I didn’t expect this fool to be stupid enough to come to Guiyang City on his own.”

To be honest, even Fang Zheng didn’t know what kind of operation this fool Wang Wu was up to. The news about him in Guiyang City was not just a day or two old. Logically, such a serious criminal should have fled far away, yet he still wandered right under his nose. How much does he underestimate me?

”Heh heh heh, I also questioned Wang Wu, and according to his own account, he thought he wouldn’t be recognized, but had not expected to be recognized by Young Master Fang at a glance...”

At this point, Captain Zhang was a bit curious.

”But to be honest, how did Young Master Fang recognize Wang Wu? Even I had to confirm with the portrait for quite some time. And according to Wang Wu, you recognized him after just a glance?”

”Heh heh heh, just some small skills.”

For this, Fang Zheng just shrugged his shoulders. The fact was, he didn’t care about the other’s appearance at all. Fang Zheng only needed to look at someone’s aura to make a judgment. With someone like Wang Wu, whose murderous aura was overwhelming and bloodthirsty, covered in vengeful spirits, it was obvious he had killed many. Fang Zheng didn’t even need to ask; just looking at the vengeful spirits around him, he knew who the person was.

”The moment this Wang Wu saw me, he turned around immediately, which was really suspicious, so I paid a little more attention and felt it was off, and thought I’d try to provoke him. Turns out it was quite successful.”

”Ha ah...”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s answer, Captain Zhang could not help but sigh helplessly.

”By the way, Captain Zhang, how are those bald guys?”

Fang Zheng obviously did not intend to dwell on Wang Wu’s issue; rather, he was more curious how those bald guys were judged. Hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Captain Zhang quickly responded.

”Those people are indeed strange. I originally thought they were deceived by Wang Wu to bring him into the city. But I didn’t expect these people to tell me that they knew Wang Wu and knew what he had done before. But now that Wang Wu has turned over a new leaf and they accepted him as their disciple, they let him join them... are these people out of their minds?”

Captain Zhang genuinely couldn’t understand and couldn’t figure out what these bald guys were doing. Well, they acknowledged it, and even very plainly admitted they knew he was a wanted criminal, yet still sheltered him because he had put down the butcher’s knife and turned over a new leaf—Captain Zhang couldn’t fathom this logic.

”But no matter what, these people have harbored a felon wanted by the Imperial Court. The evidence is conclusive, and once reported, a sentence of five or ten years is unavoidable.”

If it was just an ordinary criminal, it would be one thing, but Blood Hand Butcher is a major criminal wanted by the Imperial Court, and knowingly harboring him only adds to the crime. Who knows whether these bald guys will end up planting potatoes in Siberia, or planting trees in the Western Region desert for the next ten years?

Going to Siberia seems good.

”Bang!!”

At this moment, the door was suddenly pushed open, and a government official rushed in.

”Lord Zhang, Lord Zhang, something is wrong.”

”What’s wrong? Why are you panicking?”

Hearing his subordinate’s shout, Captain Zhang frowned, staring at him.

”This, this... Lord Shangguan, he...”

”Zhang Tingfeng!”

However, before the government official could finish speaking, they saw a young man in luxurious attire rush in.

”What have you done? I order you to release those high monks immediately!”

Oh ho?

Seeing this, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but expand his eyes in curiosity, staring at the young man before him.

This entrance... well, could this be the classic cliché about to unfold?