Blasphemy Wizard by Deceit World
Chapter 43: The Death of Sister Xin

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The Death of Sister Xin

The ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune’s save-and-load nodes—just what factors determine their creation?

Yang Qizhou had been pondering this question the entire time.

The talent’s description was clear at face value: whenever the player encounters a moment where they need to make a choice, a save point is created, overwriting the previous one.

But this explanation felt far too vague.

As long as a person is alive, they’re constantly making choices: what to eat for dinner, whether to go out and play, even whether to step forward with the left foot or the right first when walking—all of these could technically fall under the category of "choices."

Clearly, those trivial choices aren’t what determines the creation of a ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune’ save-node.

"In games, every time a decision option appears, it represents the storyline advancing in two completely different directions. It’s as if the game character is standing at a crossroads of destiny, choosing the path of their future."

"In reality, the only time I’ve used ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune’ was when I first came into contact with the [Deceit World] game and wanted to search online for more information about it, which inadvertently attracted the attention of the ’Deceit Bureau.’"

"And the consequence of that was... I inevitably exposed myself to the ’Deceit Bureau’s’ scrutiny, ensuring that I would eventually have entanglements with this ’relevant agency’ going forward."

"Through the ability of the ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune,’ I returned to the moment before I searched for [Deceit World]-related information online and chose not to repeat the actions of the last timeline. That decision allowed me to avoid exposure to the ’Deceit Bureau.’ Unless I actively make contact, there’s a good chance I won’t have any entanglement with this ’relevant agency’ for a long time."

"From this, one can deduce..."

"The creation of a ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune’ save-node must happen at critical moments where the choice will significantly impact the direction of future fate."

The subway station arrived. The traffic flow today was quite heavy.

The noisy din made it hard for Yang Qizhou to focus on analyzing anymore, so he decided to set it aside for now. After all, he’d already pieced together some clues—every time the ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune’ created a save-node, it likely involved the trajectory of future fate.

"But going to the animated exhibition at Diamond Square with Little Ding Xiaolan... that somehow also triggered a ’save-node’? Could that really have anything to do with the direction of fate?"

"Ridiculous."

"Forget it, no use dwelling on it. Got to focus on work. It’s not like I’m eating dirt just yet, but if I don’t pay the rent soon, even Sister Xin with her good temper might just kick me out."

"Work, work..."

Just then, the subway pulled into the station.

He—Enemy of the Divine, A+ tier lamp holder, bearer of two ’Quasi-legendary’ items, owner of two ’Epic’ items, the [Deceit World] player who keeps secret practitioners on high alert—the great Yang Qizhou, had to hustle yet again to make next month’s rent.

QAQ.

...

...

Working as a sorter at a logistics transfer station actually paid decently. Three hundred big ocean dollars a day—not bad at all. Enough to treat himself to some spa indulgence. But the work was indeed draining. From nine in the morning to eight at night, with only a half-hour lunch break and no rest in between. Truly, it was the so-called "reward of blessings."

Why couldn’t the workplace be outdoors? If he could bathe under the moonlight, he could bring along [Kan Rui’s Wizard Ring] to strengthen his body. That would at least make things a bit easier.

On the way home, Yang Qizhou couldn’t help but gripe internally.

Though he possessed many powerful items and had mastered a degree of strange techniques, at his core, he was still just flesh and blood. A full day of sorting work left him utterly exhausted.

Right now, all he wanted was to buy a bottle of vintage cola from ’82, find a comfortable position, and lounge on his sofa at home while wreaking havoc in ’Ancient Earth.’

"You’ve received a transfer of 300 bucks from your boss. Please check your balance."

The phone chimed just then, and Yang Qizhou’s eyes lit up. "Salary’s in! Boss, you’re too kind... Today, no matter what, I’m treating myself to some crayfish."

Leaving the subway station, he walked another ten or so minutes before finally reaching his rental apartment.

But when he got to the entrance of the building complex, Yang Qizhou stopped, squinting his eyes with a trace of caution...

"They’re here for me?"

"Compromised? That shouldn’t be possible. With the ’Hidden God’s Clothes,’ no one should be able to trace my identity unless I allow it."

Parked near the entrance to the complex was a car with flashing red-and-blue police lights. A handful of uniformed personnel seemed to be questioning people incessantly.

Even that, he could have ignored.

But then, he spotted a familiar face—a man with light scars on his face, sharp eyes, and a sturdy frame. It was none other than Zhou Xu from the ’Deceit Bureau.’

Stay calm. Keep your composure. Analyze carefully.

The chance of exposure should be slim. In the Purple Flower District operation, although he hadn’t yet acquired the ’Hidden God’s Clothes,’ it shouldn’t have been enough to put him on the ’Deceit Bureau’s’ radar. With their efficiency, they’d already have come knocking with their version of community "outreach."

After obtaining the ’Hidden God’s Clothes,’ the likelihood of exposure was even lower.

This was, after all, a Quasi-legendary ancient object created from the ’Bloodstained Rags’ and remnants of the ’Dream Hidden King.’ It possessed unparalleled hidden capabilities. As long as he didn’t want to, no one could uncover his true identity.

Though unclear about other players’ progress,

Yang Qizhou was certain that, at least for now, there weren’t any items in this world capable of breaking through the ’Hidden God’s Clothes.’

"If the members of the ’Deceit Bureau’ aren’t here for me, then what could they be after?"

Perhaps he could pose as an innocent bystander and gather intel. This thought formed in Yang Qizhou’s mind as he steadied himself, feigned curiosity, and approached one of the auxiliary enforcement officers with a cigarette in hand.

He deliberately avoided approaching the more familiar Zhou Xu from the ’Deceit Bureau.’ Yang Qizhou knew Zhou Xu was too experienced and sharp-eyed—his performance might not hold up under such scrutiny.

"Officer, I live here. What’s going on? Such a big to-do."

"You live here? Great. I have some questions for you."

The auxiliary enforcement officer didn’t reject the offered cigarette. Casually pulling out a notepad, he began asking questions, "Do you know a Ms. Zhao Xin from Unit 702 of Block 7?"

So they weren’t here for him after all.

But why was Sister Xin involved?

An inexplicable sense of unease began to stir in Yang Qizhou’s heart. He adjusted his tone to sound as natural as possible before answering.

"Of course I know her. Sister Xin is my landlord. She also has an adorable daughter named Ding Xiaolan."

"Did you see her today?"

"Yes, I ran into her this morning on my way to work. Sister Xin mentioned she was taking Little Bean Ding to the animated exhibition at Diamond Square."

"Did she mention when she’d be back?"

"She didn’t."

Question-and-answer went back and forth for about twenty minutes before the auxiliary officer stopped asking.

But Yang Qizhou couldn’t hold back anymore, asking, "Officer, what happened to Sister Xin for something this serious to occur?"

The auxiliary officer’s expression turned regretful, and his tone was tinged with melancholy.

"She’s dead. And so is the little girl who was with her."