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

"You must be the expert who helped us earlier."

The girl who looked like an ageless old woman stared at Fang Zheng and asked. Fang Zheng responded with a soft laugh.

"That is not important. What matters is what you mentioned earlier... If you don’t mind, could you tell me more in detail?"

"Is it about the Great Han being targeted by yokai?"

"Indeed, it is quite an interesting matter to me as well. If you don’t mind, please tell me about it."

"Very well."

Perhaps realizing that there was no one stronger, the girl before him was silent for a moment, then she began to speak in a mature and old-fashioned tone.

"You can be considered an old savior of mine, so since you have asked, I have no reason to hide anything."

As she spoke, a glint of icy coldness flashed through the girl’s eyes.

"You must have seen those fellows who tried to reveal our true identities earlier."

"Certainly, they were preachers from outside, weren’t they? What’s wrong with them?"

"They are not ordinary preachers; they are the lackeys of evil."

"Oh... really?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes.

"Tell me more about it."

According to this "Celestial Maiden", this evil cult from the Western Region had already infiltrated many countries. Originally, in their land, although life between humans and yokai was not harmonious, it wasn’t particularly tense either. But one day, these preachers, waving the flag of the "Supreme Buddha", suddenly appeared, began to proclaim their doctrine, and assisted the locals in banishing yokai and demons.

Initially, these yokai simply regarded them as universal cultivators, but being an ancient yokai born during prehistoric times who had awakened her Spirit Wisdom, the "Celestial Maiden" discovered some hidden issues. As an ancient yokai herself, she sharply detected that something was amiss with the so-called "Vajra Mana" described by these monks. Upon investigation, the "Celestial Maiden" realized that what they called "Boundless Magic" actually originated from the Demon Power of a Great Demon!

"Yokai?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows slightly.

"You’re saying that the celestials and buddhas mentioned by those bald monks are actually yokai?"

"Exactly. I once witnessed their so-called Buddha’s descent. After that Great Demon descended, merely being touched by the Spiritual Light made previously furious men suddenly burst into tears, repent their deeds, and then declare they would enter the monastic life to atone... I am not saying humans aren’t capable of change. After all, having been in this world for a long time, I have seen humanity’s capricious nature quite a lot. But to transform instantly like that, it seems impossible. Although those monks claim it’s enlightenment from the Buddha, in my view, that’s merely..."

"Brainwashing..."

Fang Zheng rubbed his chin and nodded. In the past, within the World of the Immortal Sword, he hadn’t thought much of it, but reflecting on it now, those so-called insights and epiphanies are just brainwashing and mental manipulation.

"Moreover, I discovered their conspiracy behind the scenes. Have you heard those monks promoting their Buddhist doctrine?"

"You mean reincarnation and rebirth?"

"Exactly. I have always been curious. Whether yokai or humans, after death, their souls return to the universe. Where does this talk of reincarnation come from? And the idea that doing good deeds can alter one’s next life is even more elusive. Why would this Great Demon go to such lengths to deceive mortals? It truly puzzles me. You should know that we of the Demon Clan, born from Earth Spirit and Spiritual Energy, gain nothing from human Incense Wish Power; it can even be harmful to us."

"I understand this point."

Fang Zheng nodded in agreement. In this world, yokai initially awaken with Spirit Wisdom and absorb spiritual energy from the universe, not human incense. The reason is simple: human incense is tainted with human Will Power. People often resort to prayer only when desperate, whether wishing to win a lottery or succeed academically; these miscellaneous Will Powers are like poison to the demon clan. The demon clan follows the path of self-cultivation, and being swayed by others’ Will Power would make them slaves to human desires.

Consequently, the demon clan typically avoids interacting with human Will Power. Even if they assist, they do so discreetly, ensuring no opportunity for incense offerings.

Giving incense to them is tantamount to asking for their life.

Thus, in the era Fang Zheng is familiar with, most yokai resemble Taoists with a "believe if you want, leave me alone if you don’t" attitude, seeking ascension without disturbance.

So in this world, those who collect human Incense Wish Power are also of human origin, such as City Gods, Earth Gods, Judges. In life, they were esteemed mortals, and after death, they were appointed as officials in the Underworld, overseeing believers’ incense and wishes.

If the Buddha, as the Celestial Maiden claims, is a Great Demon, his large-scale gathering of Incense Wish Power seems bizarre.

Much like an addiction.

"Later, I discovered that the Great Demon was absorbing human souls, and all the Incense Wish Power was distributed to its entranced followers!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng furrowed his brows instantly, and the Celestial Maiden nodded her head.

"That’s right, you might not know, after that Great Demon confuses humans, it leads them to become monks. Then these people continuously offer him their Spiritual Energy, and when the Spiritual Energy is exhausted, they naturally die. And because becoming a monk in those people’s eyes means renouncing the earthly world, no one ever realizes those people have died. Not only that..."

Speaking here, it seemed to recall something, and the face of the Celestial Maiden became gloomy.

"That Great Demon also speaks nonsense, luring people into the religion, saying that monks do not engage in production, do not marry and have children, all for cultivating virtue to attain eternal life in Elysium. It and its servants have thus lured several nations, and these countries are gradually destroyed under its shadow, turning into a wasteland.

This is only natural, no production, no one marries and has children, the nation is bound to collapse—oh, speaking of it, a few years ago Fang Zheng indeed received a report of a substantial number of young women entering from the borders mysteriously, which allowed many local men to enjoy the pleasures of a harem.

However, quite a few men have died as a result of being drawn into a chaotic Asura Field.

So it turns out to be like this all along!

Upon reflection, it makes sense. If all the men became monks, the young and beautiful girls not willing to lead a lonely life would naturally seek new men elsewhere.

"The country I once belonged to was similar. The King of that nation was beguiled by the demon’s words, became devoted to Divine Buddha, and eventually led all the ministers to become monks. At that time, the Queen was in immense pain, and ultimately she went insane, declaring the nation to be one with only women."

"Uh......."

Could it be that the Kingdom of Women in Journey to the West originated this way?

"But alas, the Queen was still merely a woman, and ultimately the nation was destroyed, the land ruined, Spiritual Energy lost. We had no choice but to flee north, and then by chance learned about the Great Han, so we came here seeking refuge."

"I see........"

After listening to the Celestial Maiden’s tale, Fang Zheng nodded, he naturally understood that this Celestial Maiden was certainly still withholding something, but what she said indeed holds investigative value. Speaking of which, Fang Zheng truly doesn’t know the current state of countries outside of Great Han, as he’s been busy climbing the tech tree— in Fang Zheng’s view, reaching the Manhattan Project is a technological victory, and all else like religious victories and diplomatic victories he cares not about!

Did not expect there to be so many things happening outside?

Originally thought in this era, that places outside China were not worth worrying about........

Is the Age of Discovery really going to be advanced?

Forget it, this isn’t important, at least Fang Zheng hasn’t heard of anyone named Li Huamei being born yet, it’s not too late to initiate the Age of Discovery once she is.

But the words of the Celestial Maiden indeed posed a more pressing imminent crisis.

"Previously, you mentioned that they had acted against our country......besides those bald monks, were there others?"

"Of course, I don’t speak without basis."

The Celestial Maiden nodded.

"You might not be aware, but in the border areas of this nation, several disappearance incidents have already occurred. On the surface, these people seem to have gotten lost in the forests, but in fact, they are all abducted by the Great Demon’s accomplices, brainwashed, given Demon Power, and display Divine Might. The place we previously resided in was the same; fortunately, at that time we encountered a businessman from Suzhou and Hangzhou who came here to buy goods, and only then did we manage to escape and leave that place of trouble."

Sure enough, the shopkeeper was tricked, but.......

Upon hearing this, a cold gleam flashed across Fang Zheng’s eyes.

To dare to cause trouble in my domain, could they truly be getting tired of living?

"Thank you for informing me."

After learning about the situation from the Celestial Maiden, Fang Zheng nodded, then reached out and pulled a token from his bosom, tossing it to the other.

"As a return, I’ll give you this token. You can take it to the Underworld here, show it to the City God, he will arrange everything for you. By the way, Great Han is different from other places, here, yokai can live peacefully as long as they abide by the rules, without any adverse effects, so you can rest assured. Well then....... I bid farewell."

After saying this, Fang Zheng cupped his hands to everyone, then in the next moment, he stepped back, completely disappearing into the Shadow without a trace.

Only at this moment did the pressure that was exerted on the others slowly dissipate.

"Phew......."

The members of the dance troupe got up, sighed, and looked uneasily at the Celestial Maiden.

"Is it okay like this? Telling those things to that person......"

"I’m old; I don’t want to be involved in these matters anymore, let him be."

The Celestial Maiden shook her head, then looked at the token in her hand.

"Now, we just hope this token works as he said."

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