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

Chapter 1322: Chapter 1321: Aika’s Tax Evasion Values (Part 1)

The power of the white-clad ghost was evidently stronger than the other two, but not by much; she could barely hold her ground against two opponents at once. Initially, she managed to hold her own, but soon it became too much to handle. Seeing this, the two other ghosts couldn’t help but start mocking her.

”Don’t think Granny’s fondness for you means you can act all high and mighty. Now that you’ve ruined Granny’s big plans, just see how she’ll punish you... Ah!!!”

However, before the ghost could finish her sentence, a pitch black greatsword thrust from behind her, piercing her through. At the same time, Fang Zheng strode out of the barrier, casually extending his left hand, and the other ghost was drawn toward him as if magnetized, her neck caught in Fang Zheng’s grip. The next moment, Primordial Fire erupted, reducing both ghosts to ash in the blink of an eye.

”Who... who are you!”

The sudden appearance of Fang Zheng startled the white-clad ghost, her face turned pale as she attempted to flee, but Fang Zheng merely snapped his fingers, conjuring a magic barrier that enclosed her within.

”You’d best not run around. I can’t guarantee what I’ll do otherwise.”

Fang Zheng glared at the white-clad ghost, and she nodded fearfully. She had sensed just now that the two ghosts had been reduced to ash in his hands, not even given a chance to enter Hell’s cycle. If she fell into his grasp, she’d likely meet the same fate!

”I have a few questions for you. Just answer them honestly.”

”I will tell you everything I know, without reservation!”

”Very good.”

Hearing the ghost’s response, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction, then began taking notes.

”Name?”

”Nie Xiaoqian...”

”Gender?”

”Female...”

”Your date of birth... No, what is the date of your death?”

”The third of the first lunar month...”

”What are you doing at Lanruo Temple? Confess your crimes honestly!”

”Yes, yes, Celestial Immortal, I work here for Granny... Granny has me beguile passing travelers to suck their blood and souls... I don’t want to, but Granny took my ashes, and I am completely under her control with no way to resist... I beg the Celestial Immortal to spare me and send me to the Underworld’s cycle...”

”Hmm...”

Looking at Nie Xiaoqian kneeling and pleading for mercy inside the barrier, Fang Zheng nodded slightly. What she said wasn’t much different from the tale he knew from ’Ghost of a Beautiful Girl’. But those were just to satisfy Fang Zheng’s curiosity; the real focus lay ahead.

”I heard a Great Demon appeared here years ago, carrying the Water Spirit Pearl. Is this true?”

”...Yes, it is! Yes!!”

Upon Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Nie Xiaoqian pondered for a moment, then nodded immediately.

”This indeed happened. That Great Demon appeared here a few years ago. It’s quite formidable, none of us yokai here are its match, not even Granny; she could only battle it to a draw. After slaying several yokai, the Great Demon took over the nearby Black Mountain, calling itself the Old Demon of Black Mountain. Not long after, Granny teamed up with it...”

”What are they plotting together?”

”That I truly don’t know, Celestial Immortal, I indeed have no idea...”

Alright.

Fang Zheng wasn’t particularly eager to know anyway; whatever Granny and the Old Demon of Black Mountain were up to, they were certainly doomed. As for their schemes, he’d just check ’Ratziel’ when the time came. But just to be safe, Fang Zheng asked another question.

”Is the Granny you mentioned the ancient huai tree spirit within Lanruo Temple?”

”Precisely!”

”Got it.”

Fang Zheng snapped his fingers again, dispelling the magic barrier, then gestured for her to follow.

”Come with me.”

”......”

To be honest, Nie Xiaoqian now only wanted to turn tail and run at the sight of Fang Zheng, but recalling the fate of her two sisters, she dared not act rashly, quietly trailing after Fang Zheng. Soon after, Fang Zheng turned and led them all back into Lanruo Temple.

Inside the temple, Ning Caichen was still biting his pen tip in deep thought. Upon seeing Fang Zheng enter, he paused in surprise, then quickly stood up.

”Brother, there you are. You don’t know, earlier a lady approached me, saying she wanted to engage in indecent acts with me...”

As he spoke, Ning Caichen glanced at Fang Zheng, and upon seeing Nie Xiaoqian following Fang Zheng inside, he immediately let out a shriek.

”Yes, it was her!”

”Alright, I understand.”

Looking at the dazed and clueless Ning Caichen, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but smile, patting him on the shoulder.

”You’re quite something, not lusting after beauty or coveting wealth. Because of that, you saved your own life. The truth is, she’s a ghost, luring men into traps to suck their blood and souls. If you had fallen into the trap earlier, you’d likely be dead by now.”

”Eh? A ghost? Brother, you’re mistaken; how could such a beautiful girl be a ghostly spirit? You’re teasing me again...”

Listening to Fang Zheng, Ning Caichen was bewildered, evidently not believing Fang Zheng’s words, but Fang Zheng merely smiled at him, then turned to Nie Xiaoqian.

”Show him.”

”Yes...”

Nie Xiaoqian dared not defy Fang Zheng. She gingerly approached Ning Caichen, then lifted her head to look at him.

”My lord, please forgive my rudeness...”

As she spoke, her face blurred suddenly, and in the next moment, a terrifying ghostly visage appeared before Ning Caichen!!

”Ahhh! A ghost!! A ghost!!!”

Seeing this face, Ning Caichen screamed in terror, tumbling back behind Fang Zheng.

”Brother, that-that-that’s... a ghost... Ah!!”

”Alright, alright, no need to be so tense. Even though she’s a ghost, she did save your life. You don’t know, two female ghosts originally meant to forcefully kill you earlier, but she blocked them... well, for that reason, she might still have a chance at redemption.”

”Is that so...”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Ning Caichen finally calmed down, even offering Nie Xiaoqian a grateful salute.

”Thank you, lady, for saving my life...”

So men really do judge by appearances, huh.

Seeing how quickly Ning Caichen calmed down, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but sigh; high looks truly have their perks. If Nie Xiaoqian looked like Grandma Dama, she’d probably scare off anyone, even if she were human.

”Brother, who exactly are you people?”

At this point, even someone as dense as Ning Caichen sensed something was off. Ordinary people wouldn’t have a ghost so well-behaved.

”We’re here to take care of some matters, and while we’re at it, exorcise some demons.”

As Fang Zheng spoke, he continued moving, walking through the temple’s main hall, past the side rooms, and down the corridor to the rear of the temple, where a massive old huai tree stood ominously in the courtyard, with a creepy wind and wailing ghosts.

”Hoo......!”

Unlike many supernatural films, Fang Zheng made no preparations, didn’t recite any spells or set up rituals, nor summoned grand deities. He was a Time Dragon, a quasi-god; if he couldn’t handle a mere millennial huai tree spirit, that’d be truly embarrassing!

Thus, Fang Zheng directly raised his pitch black greatsword, then thrust it powerfully into the huai tree before him. In the next moment, vibrant red flames erupted, blazing skyward!

”—————!!”

Simultaneously, a piercing scream rent the air!