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

After this, Fang Zheng followed Ran and the others to meet the bride of the wedding ceremony, Miss Sayuri. One had to admit, Miss Sayuri looked quite beautiful in her wedding dress. However, Officer Matsumoto seemed to disapprove of this wedding. Even on the day of the marriage, he still wanted his daughter to think it over carefully... Well, maybe this was just a father’s last-ditch struggle.

But it was obviously of no use.

After greeting the bride, Fang Zheng left the preparation room. After all, he wasn’t familiar with Miss Sayuri. Ran Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki, as Miss Sayuri’s students and being female, could of course stay there, but it wasn’t quite suitable for him, a man, to linger in the bride’s rest area.

After leaving the rest area, Fang Zheng wandered around aimlessly. Looking at the hot summer day before him, he was utterly annoyed. Although this world seemed normal on the surface, Fang Zheng had stayed in this world long enough to know it was actually not normal at all.

Regarding the seasons, just a couple of days ago there was a blizzard, and suddenly yesterday it was summer, as if spring never existed. Not only that, but even the calendar was the same. To confirm the date, Fang Zheng specially bought an electronic calendar, only to discover the world’s timeline was a complete mess.

For instance, it was January 25th to January 30th, and then today he opened his eyes and saw both the calendar and the TV showed April 25th.

According to Fang Zheng’s observations, this world was somewhat like a game world with a shifted setup. In a game, you live your life step by step, and the in-game time progresses accordingly.

But if a player triggers an event, and that event is set to occur half a month or even half a year later, the timeline would just skip ahead to that time.

It’s just like how in a romance game, it’s impossible to play through the entire timeline. You just meet the heroine, skip the intermediate process, and then both confess — suddenly, a transition, and it’s a graduation wedding or some other ending half a year later. All the tedious time in between naturally gets skipped.

Of course, generally speaking, the setting should have events every month, like enjoying cherry blossoms in spring or beach episodes in summer. However, probably because of being eroded and distorted by Chaos, all originally allocated ”events” got merged into a single timeline, which caused problems.

For instance, assuming Edogawa Conan went to Place A, and there’s a summer murder event that would be triggered there. Normally, if Conan went to Place A in spring, he wouldn’t trigger this event.

But now, due to ”system chaos,” even if Conan went there in spring or winter, this ”summer exclusive event” would be triggered, forcing the timeline to adjust directly to summer.

Using the timeline as a metaphor, it’s like: spring -> trigger summer event -> timeline shifts to summer -> event ends, summer continues -> trigger winter event -> timeline shifts to winter -> event ends, winter continues -> trigger spring event -> timeline shifts to spring...

Of course, the NPCs within don’t find it strange. And Fang Zheng isn’t worried either, as the changes only apply to the cognitive level of dates and seasons, not influencing specific aspects.

It’s like if he wrote a line of code in spring, then woke up the next day to find it was autumn, but his computer would still have just one line of code, not automatically generating a bunch more...

It’s somewhat disappointing.

Dates wouldn’t cause trouble either. If you made a dinner appointment three days later, changing the season wouldn’t alter the appointment date.

Obviously, for an ”Order World,” this is unqualified. If it were a game, players would’ve complained until it got taken down.

Unfortunately, the only GM and player of this world seems to have gone mad themselves.

Otherwise, Fang Zheng really would like to complain — too many system bugs, extremely poor game experience.

But Fang Zheng did find a characteristic pattern, which was if the season suddenly and inexplicably changed, it was a sure sign Conan triggered an event again.

While Luo was idly wandering around, he suddenly saw Ran and Sonoko rushing out in a hurry — hmm, could it be that someone died?

Why didn’t I hear the iconic scream?

”What’s wrong, Ran, Sonoko?”

”Ah, Mr. Fang Zheng.”

Seeing Fang Zheng, the two girls hurriedly stopped. Ran greeted Fang Zheng and then spoke up.

”The camera’s battery is running low, so we’re thinking of checking if the nearby electronics shop has any.”

”Battery huh... I think I’ve got a video camera in my car. Why don’t you just use mine?”

”Really? That’s great, thank you so much!”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s reply, Ran and Sonoko happily responded, and Fang Zheng nodded, glancing at those beside them.

”Where’s that little guy?”

”You mean Conan? He’s with Teacher Sayuri.”

”Oh, I see.”

That should be fine.

Hearing this, Fang Zheng felt somewhat relieved. He then returned to his car and grabbed the battery, then walked with Ran and the others toward the bride’s resting room. Borrowing the battery eased Ran and Sonoko’s worries, and along the way, they chatted and laughed with Fang Zheng.

As the three of them returned to the bride’s resting room, Sonoko pushed open the door and quickly saw a man wearing a white suit, looking a bit shy. Seeing this man, Sonoko immediately exclaimed.

”Ah, you’re the heir of the Takasugi Group!”

”You know him, Sonoko?”

Hearing this, Ran also looked at Sonoko in surprise, while Sonoko put on a subtle expression.

”I run into him frequently at banquets...”

Saying this, Sonoko leaned toward Ran’s ear and lowered her voice.

”This guy is indecisive and not very reliable. I heard the Takasugi Family will end with him...”

However, before Sonoko could finish her sentence, they saw Miss Sayuri in her wedding dress suddenly embrace the man in front of her, giving him a deep kiss.

”Ah...”

Seeing this scene, including Conan, everyone was stunned. Only Fang Zheng raised his eyebrow and said nothing.

”What’s wrong with you? All of a sudden...”

The man named Takasugi was also shocked by Miss Sayuri’s sudden action, looking at her in confusion and surprise. But Miss Sayuri said nothing, only looked at Mr. Takasugi with a smile.

At this moment, a man walked over.

”Sorry to interrupt, the ceremony is about to begin.”

”Ah, okay, I understand.”

Upon hearing the reminder, Mr. Takasugi nodded, and Miss Sayuri reached out to take the drink she had been having from his hand.

”You go ahead, Toshihiko. Don’t worry, I’ll be right there.”

”Ah, okay...”

Hearing this, Mr. Takasugi nodded and turned, planning to leave with Conan and the others, but at that very moment, Fang Zheng stood in front of Miss Sayuri.

”Sorry to be rude, Miss Sayuri.”

Accompanying these words, Fang Zheng took the drink from Miss Sayuri’s hand. All were stunned by this sudden scene. Even Ran and Sonoko looked at Fang Zheng in confusion, not knowing why he did it. Miss Sayuri herself was dumbfounded, watching Fang Zheng take the drink from her hand.

”I’m also a bit thirsty now. If you don’t mind, let me take a sip.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng raised the can in his hand, but at that moment...

”No!”

With a cry, Miss Sayuri slapped at Fang Zheng, knocking the can of drink out of his hand onto the ground. This sudden scene left Conan, Ran, Sonoko, and Mr. Takagi stunned, not knowing what to say.

”Why not?”

Fang Zheng glanced at the drink knocked to the ground, then looked at Miss Sayuri.

”Is it because there’s poison in it?”

”Huh?!”

”What?!”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, everyone’s eyes widened, and Miss Sayuri’s face turned pale.

”No, this... sorry, I was just startled...”

”Is that so? Then I suppose we need to have it tested... Miss Sonoko, could you inform Officer Matsumoto? But please don’t tell anyone else for now.”

”Ah... okay...”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s instructions, Sonoko nodded and then quickly turned to leave. Meanwhile, Ran looked at Sayuri and then at the drink on the ground, unable to believe it.

”Mr. Fang Zheng, is what you’re saying true? There’s poison in that drink? Does that mean someone wants to kill Miss Sayuri?”

”That’s right, and the culprit is right here, excluding you, me, Miss Sayuri, and Conan, it’s that person.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng turned his head, squinting his eyes as he looked at the groom, Mr. Takasugi, who was pale as a sheet.

”Of course, strictly speaking, you’re not considered the culprit, because at most you just poisoned it, and the one who chose to drink the beverage is Miss Sayuri herself... Well, in a way, you could say you aided in suicide?”

”Wait!”

Hearing this, Conan was also shocked, looking towards Fang Zheng.

”Do you mean... Miss Sayuri knew the drink was poisoned yet deliberately drank it?”

”That’s exactly it.”

Fang Zheng shrugged and once again looked towards Mr. Takasugi.

”In fact, when Sonoko opened the door, I saw you putting something into the bottle of drink, and I think Miss Sayuri saw it too. I guess she knows why you want to kill her, and for some reason, she decided to accept this gift of death... Well, Miss Sayuri, I’m not clear about things between you and him, but to give up on life so easily... I think that’s not so good.”

This was when Ran finally reacted.

”So at that time, Mr. Fang Zheng, when you were going to drink from that bottle, Miss Sayuri stopped you because she knew it was poisoned?”

”That’s exactly it.”

Fang Zheng shrugged and then looked towards Mr. Takasugi.

”Alright, now that everything’s out in the open, I think it’s better for you not to hide anything from each other; it’s best to lay it all out, considering today is supposed to be a joyous occasion, seeing blood is really a bit inauspicious.”

”.........”

Faced with Fang Zheng’s words, Miss Sayuri and Mr. Takasugi remained silent, while Ran couldn’t hold back any longer.

”Why, Mr. Takasugi! Why did you want to kill Miss Sayuri? Aren’t you supposed to marry her?”

”Because... because... I want to avenge him, avenge that man!!”

At this point, Toshihiko Takasugi seemed to decide not to hide anymore and directly laid his cards on the table. It turns out that twenty years ago, Toshihiko Takasugi was out with his mother, and they happened to encounter the pursuit of criminals by Matsumoto Officer, Sayuri’s father. The car driven by the criminal crashed into Toshihiko Takasugi’s mother, severely injuring her. At that time, Toshihiko Takasugi begged Matsumoto Officer to save his mother, but the officer, busy with chasing criminals, ignored him, resulting in Toshihiko Takasugi’s mother taking her last breath on the roadside.

After that, Toshihiko was adopted by the Takasugi Family, and he met Matsumoto Sayuri. Upon learning that Matsumoto Sayuri was the daughter of the heartless officer from twenty years ago, he thought of killing Matsumoto Sayuri so Matsumoto Officer could taste the pain of losing a loved one, and so he poisoned Matsumoto Sayuri!

However.......

”Since you knew I poisoned it, why did you drink that bottle of drink?”

Looking at Sayuri, Toshihiko Takasugi was also puzzled, while Miss Sayuri looked at him sadly.

”Because I already knew about your background and the events from twenty years ago... I didn’t know what to do either, Toshihiko. I thought about confessing to you, hoping you’d forgive my father. But I just couldn’t say it, so... I thought this might be a way to end it all...”

”I don’t understand, I really don’t understand, why would you do this? I lied to you! I never loved you! I just used you as a pawn for revenge!”

”But I love you, Toshihiko.”

Clutching her hands tightly, Miss Sayuri stared unwaveringly at Mr. Takasugi.

”Ever since twenty years ago... I fell for you.”

”Twenty years ago...?”

”Do you remember? You used to often sneak warm lemon tea from the bakery for me to drink...”

”Ah.........!!”

Upon hearing this, Toshihiko Takasugi was also stunned.

It turns out, Toshihiko Takasugi was Sayuri’s childhood sweetheart and first love whom she had been longing for over two decades. After encountering Toshihiko, Miss Sayuri always felt he resembled her first love, which led her to investigate, uncovering the accident from twenty years ago and the reason why that boy suddenly vanished from her life.

That’s why she was always troubled, as she really couldn’t make a choice between her father and her lover.

Afterward, Matsumoto Officer was also called over by Sonoko, and the parties involved laid all cards on the table. Upon discovering Toshihiko Takasugi’s true identity and his intent to poison Miss Sayuri, Matsumoto Officer was greatly shocked.

As for how things would proceed next, that was a matter of this family’s own private affairs. After leaving Matsumoto Officer, Miss Sayuri, and Toshihiko Takasugi in the room, Fang Zheng left the lounge with Ran, Sonoko, and Conan.

”Mr. Fang Zheng, you are really impressive.”

Leaving the lounge, Ran couldn’t help but marvel at Fang Zheng.

”I didn’t expect you to deduce so much, almost like a detective.”

”Hehehe...”

Faced with Ran’s compliments, Fang Zheng merely chuckled.

”I don’t have much deduction ability, in fact, I just saw it.”

”......See?”

Hearing this, Ran and Sonoko exchanged puzzled glances, while Fang Zheng nodded.

”That’s right, a person’s words can deceive but their eyes, actions, and expressions don’t lie. I did see Mr. Takasugi put something into the drink bottle, but generally speaking, even so, it wouldn’t confirm that it was poison. Perhaps he just wanted to play a small prank on Miss Sayuri? After all, most people wouldn’t think of it that way.”

”That’s true......”

Ran and Sonoko also deeply agreed with Fang Zheng’s words. If they saw Mr. Takasugi putting something into Miss Sayuri’s drink bottle, they would probably just be curious ’what did he put’ rather than imagine the groom would poison his own bride.

”Then why were you able to confirm it, Mr. Fang Zheng?”

”It’s simple, because of expression.”

Fang Zheng extended a finger, pointing to his face.

”I said earlier, words deceive but actions, eyes, and expressions don’t. At the time, I saw his stiff expression, and his gaze looked somewhat sinister, coupled with some minor details, I could assert this person definitely had murderous intent.”

”But how did you know Miss Sayuri saw Mr. Takasugi poisoning?”

Conan couldn’t wait to ask, curious about how Fang Zheng knew when even Conan himself only realized this afterward and had no inkling at the time. But how did Fang Zheng know?

”It’s simple, do you recall that inexplicable kiss?”

”Ah——————!”

With Fang Zheng’s reminder, the trio suddenly came to a realization.

”That kiss......”

”It was strange, wasn’t it? In fact, even Mr. Takasugi found it bizarre; why would Miss Sayuri suddenly kiss him? The reason is simple; it was a final farewell.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng’s lips curled into a slight smile.

”Miss Sayuri was not a skilled liar; although she tried to appear calm, that fleeting expression was enough for me to confirm her thoughts. Coupled with what I saw earlier, I could pretty much guess the issue.”

Indeed, Fang Zheng didn’t really like deductions involving evidence, witnesses, or testimonies to infer the crime method because he learned none of that.

But he had his own methods; with his current physical condition, though only top-level in attributes, his senses were quite keen. Besides, since entering the World of Cicada’s Song, Fang Zheng had been studying criminal psychology, anthropology, and micro-expression analysis. With his senses surpassing normal human limits, uncovering hidden thoughts in someone’s expression was remarkably easy.

That’s why Fang Zheng opted not to be a detective; he could prevent crimes from reaching fruition. In simple terms, Fang Zheng could go to a crime scene with Conan and discern who had murderous intent before the crime occurred, thus resolving the issue beforehand.

After all, detectives are post-event Zhuge Liangs, whereas he could settle problems in advance.

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng looked at Conan, knowing that if he hadn’t intervened, now would be Conan’s turn to deduce.

Ah, this feeling of going down someone else’s path, leaving no path for others... is truly delightful.