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

After dealing with these bandits, the delegation from Zhao Kingdom moved forward once more, and this time the soldiers were no longer as anxious as before. From there on, the group encountered no further trouble and proceeded smoothly to Daliang, where they were welcomed by Wei Wuji, one of the four noble sons of the Warring States, also known as Lord Xinling.

Originally, Ji Yanran and Fang Zheng planned to take their leave. However, during the journey, the Third Princess of Zhao Kingdom and Ji Yanran had developed feelings. Now in Daliang, she felt tense and uneasy, hoping Ji Yanran would stay to accompany her. Ji Yanran, unable to abandon the Third Princess, agreed to stay. Fang Zheng, with nothing else to do, also accepted Lord Xinling’s invitation to attend the reception banquet.

Normally, when a princess is sent to marry, the banquet should be grand. But instead, King Anri, the nominal husband, used the excuse of illness to avoid attending, and nearly half of Wei Kingdom’s nobility and ministers also did not show up. In the end, Lord Xinling had to join forces with Ji Yanran to extend invitations, which finally gave enough face to gather people for the banquet.

Otherwise, Lord Xinling would have been left in an awkward position.

Although the banquet was lively, the Third Princess seemed displeased, and Fang Zheng occasionally caught a glimpse of sorrow and anxiety in her eyes. From this banquet alone, it was clear that this princess would not have a favorable future in Wei Kingdom.

"This is the sorrow of a daughter born into the royal family."

Noticing Fang Zheng’s gaze, Yanran sighed softly.

"I wonder what will become of the Third Princess in the days to come..."

"What happens in the future depends on their choices, and besides, I don’t see it as sorrowful."

Fang Zheng shrugged and took a sip of wine.

"As the saying goes, you gain some, you lose some. The Third Princess, born into nobility, having grown up in luxury, is prepared for this. If she were born into a common family, given her beauty, she might be sold into prostitution by her family or claimed by some wealthy landlord. Compared to their lives, the Third Princess fares relatively well."

"I can’t agree with that," Yanran replied.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yanran frowned.

"Indeed, those in noble houses often have no choice, but it’s too sad that they don’t even have the right to be pitied."

"The world is never fair; if you wish for happiness, you must work for it."

Fang Zheng raised his glass, squinting at the fine wine.

"It applies to commoners, nobility, princesses alike. If you want change, you need courage; otherwise, you can only accept your lot. The world can’t give you everything; that’s not reasonable, is it?"

Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Ji Yanran shook her head helplessly. However, before she could say more, a voice suddenly sounded.

"Young Master Fang, you are mistaken!"

"Hmm?"

Fang Zheng turned his head to see a burly man with a fierce expression glaring at him from a nearby table. Ji Yanran also frowned slightly as she looked toward the man.

"This gentleman is..."

At Ji Yanran’s inquiry, the man puffed up his chest like a rooster and loudly responded.

"I am Xao Weimou of Qi State, has the lady heard of me?"

"Ah, the Mr. Wei who advocates learning from beasts..."

Upon hearing Xao Weimou’s name, Ji Yanran had a moment of realization.

"But if humans are no different from beasts, won’t the world be in chaos?"

"Hahaha."

Facing Ji Yanran’s question, Xao Weimou laughed heartily.

"Living inside the city, of course, Miss wouldn’t understand the world of beasts. I take nature as my teacher, observing the lives of birds. Only by following one’s nature can one avoid contradicting the laws of heaven, for forced suppression only leads to harm, turning people into hypocrites."

Upon hearing Xao Weimou’s reply, Ji Yanran was intrigued. However, Fang Zheng recalled a famous joke from his rebirth and couldn’t help but let out a "pfft" of laughter. Noticing Fang Zheng’s laughter, Xao Weimou glanced at him in dissatisfaction and asked.

"Why is Young Master Fang laughing? Do you have any opinions on my views?"

"Sorry, no objections, it’s just your words reminded me of an amusing story."

"Story?"

Upon hearing Fang Zheng mention a story, Ji Yanran’s interest was immediately piqued again.

"What kind of interesting story does Young Master Fang have? Why not share it with everyone?"

"Alright, it’s not a story worthy of elegant halls, but since Master Ji asked..."

Considering Ji Yanran’s request, Fang Zheng thought for a moment before speaking.

"The story goes like this: On a day of heavy rain, a Confucian Scholar and a young woman sought refuge in a temple. The woman was young and beautiful, the scholar handsome, and they fell for one another at first sight. The woman invited the scholar to indulge in pleasure, but the scholar flatly refused, saying that since they were strangers, engaging in such activities would be beast-like. The woman, upon hearing the scholar’s words, giggled and asked in return— Would you rather be a beast, or worse than a beast?"

After Fang Zheng finished the joke, the surrounding guests were stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha, this question is one that no man under the heavens can answer!"

Even Lord Xinling laughed so hard he couldn’t straighten his back, and everyone else was nearly laughing to the point of breathlessness. This era, despite its open-mindedness, has never heard such a joke before. Listening to Fang Zheng, as everyone thought it over, they all felt that no choice seemed right at all!

Either a beast or worse than a beast...

Even Ji Yanran was caught between laughter and tears, yet she couldn’t say much. After all, she was the one who voluntarily asked, and Fang Zheng did mention it wasn’t a story fit for noble settings... Little did Ji Yanran expect that the person would tell such a rascally tale.

Only Xao Weimou looked displeased, staring fiercely at Fang Zheng. Initially, he intended to use his speech to attract the beauty’s attention. Unexpectedly, Fang Zheng, leveraging his words, stole the limelight, even catching the attention of the renowned Talented Lady Ji. This sparked an unwarranted anger within Xao Weimou. As the crowd settled, he immediately stood tall and walked up to Fang Zheng.

"Xao has long heard of Young Master Fang’s great name. Traveling across states and sweeping away bandits, your swordsmanship must be quite superb. I, Xao, unworthily, wish to seek Young Master Fang’s instruction."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding crowd fell silent, revealing expressions of anticipation for a spectacle. Almost everyone present was astute and could see that Xao Weimou was challenging Fang Zheng. At this moment, someone should have spoken up, but Fang Zheng was not affiliated with any party present. Strictly speaking, he was even on Ji Yanran’s side. Right now, all in Daliang knew that Fang Zheng had been traveling with the Talented Lady, so naturally, they harbored resentment and would not speak up for him.

Xiang Shaolong and others wanted to speak, but it was Lord Xinling and Ji Yanran’s banquet, and as guests, it wasn’t appropriate for them to say much.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yanran wanted to say something, but at that moment, Fang Zheng had already stood up.

"No problem."

"Young Master Fang?"

Ji Yanran was somewhat surprised by Fang Zheng’s reply. Although she knew Fang Zheng’s Sound Killing Technique was unparalleled and almost invincible, this was a sword duel. Ji Yanran had never seen Fang Zheng wield a sword. Though martial arts of this era also competed in skill, strength remained paramount. Xao Weimou, appearing rugged and robust, exuded a murderous aura, evidently a difficult swordsman to contend with. In contrast, Fang Zheng seemed more like a scholar unfit for battle.

"Would Master Ji mind lending me a sword?"

"Of course not."

Faced with Fang Zheng’s request, Ji Yanran nodded, promptly handing over a sword.

"This is Yanran’s sword; consider it a gift to you, Young Master Fang."

"Such a precious sword... Well, I’ll not, as a gentleman, take what is cherished by another."

Fang Zheng drew out the longsword from its scabbard, examined it carefully, then sheathed it back.

"How could...?"

"Hahaha, Master Ji, please don’t worry. Should I accept your sword, someone might be displeased."

Upon saying this, Fang Zheng stepped away from the seats. By then, the others had already returned to theirs, leaving space for Fang Zheng and Xao Weimou. Xao Weimou, seeing Ji Yanran offer her own sword to Fang Zheng, who then refused it, was furious. Watching coldly, he seized the moment.

"Blades have no eyes; please be cautious, Young Master Fang."

"Oh."

Yet, facing Xao Weimou’s words, Fang Zheng merely stood with his hands behind his back, looking at him.

"Whether you have the courage to draw your sword in front of me is yet to be seen."

These words startled everyone around. Xao Weimou, a renowned swordsman of Qi State, was openly humiliated by Fang Zheng in front of such a large audience, much to the surprise. Xao Weimou’s face turned ashen, snorting coldly.

"Then, let Xao learn of Young Master Fang’s prowess!"

With that said, Xao Weimou sidestepped, reached out to grasp the sword hilt, intent on drawing...!

However, at that instant of drawing the sword, his movement suddenly halted.

".........."

Fang Zheng just stood there, calmly staring at him, unmoving. Yet Xao Weimou felt an incredibly terrifying and nearly paralyzing pressure bearing down on him, stifling his breath. The invisible force was like a monstrous ancient beast, ready to swallow him whole.

Xao Weimou even felt an illusion that if he drew his sword an inch, he’d be torn apart with no remains left.

For a moment, he was fixed to the spot.

"......?"

The others also realized something was off, watching the posed Xao Weimou in bewilderment, uncertain of what to say. In their eyes, Xao Weimou looked like a frightened lamb before a tiger, curled up, sweating profusely, even shivering slightly.

Fang Zheng, meanwhile, stood with hands behind his back, casually holding Ji Yanran’s longsword, gazing at Xao Weimou like a monarch surveying an insignificant being.

"Hmph———!!"

Noticing others’ astonished glances, Xao Weimou, driven by rage, grunted, aiming to draw his sword. Yet at that moment, Fang Zheng’s gaze, as if corporeal, fell upon him. In that instant, Xao Weimou felt not just a gust but a collapsing mountain bearing down. Though he struggled to suppress the terror from within, his body refused to obey.

Before everyone’s eyes, Xao Weimou suddenly "thud," knelt to the ground, then slumped forward, losing consciousness entirely.

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