Upcoming Arrangements / New Book Poll

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The problematic chapters have undergone preliminary revisions, adjusted as much as possible to align with core socialist values while preserving the original intent. Barring any unforeseen issues, updates should resume tomorrow.

The book is planned to consist of six volumes in total, with the final two titled "Man and Ghost" and "God and Beast." Many plot points in these sections, according to the original outline, would not pass censorship. (Based on previous plot developments, you can likely guess what will happen in the fifth and sixth volumes: it involves triggering the schemes laid out earlier—including the insomnia pathogen—and witnessing large-scale "sacrifices" of innocents amidst the machinations of various factions.)

I do not intend to change the outline; having come this far, altering it now would lead to a rushed ending and a total narrative collapse. Therefore, I will likely push the plot forward as quickly as possible, and once it hits the censorship wall again, I will shelve the progress of this book and begin a new one.

However, one must still hold onto dreams. Perhaps in two months, to stimulate consumption, censorship will be fully relaxed, and some of the currently restricted content will become permissible once more. Or perhaps my next book will take off, and like certain established authors, I might be able to write freely, having the censors turn a blind eye...

For now, I must prepare for the worst and plan ahead.

I currently have three ideas for my next book. A vote has already been held in the fan group, and I have listed the options here as well:

A. A dark suspense novel featuring a "behind-the-scenes" mastermind. A Moriarty-esque protagonist orchestrates perfect crimes and peddles murder plans.
[Synopsis] January 1, 2034. I moved to Jiangcheng. Since then, Jiangcheng has been rated as the city with the highest crime rate in the country.

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B. A dark fantasy novel featuring a "behind-the-scenes" mastermind. A Mephistopheles-esque protagonist lures ordinary people into corruption to awaken supernatural powers.
[Synopsis] The streets, overflowing with filthy, foul-smelling water, are littered with corpses, and emaciated rats are caught by beggars. Rotting vegetables reveal rows of fine teeth, kissing the heels of housewives after being overturned on the ground. Famine, plague, war, death... crimson growth sprouts in the desperate darkness. Filth, sores, flesh, ulcers... a terrifying evil god shall be born here. The high priest in an ochre suit pours out a potion called "Redemption," and only when the lost traveler draws near do they realize—that is not light, but the eye of an evil god.
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C. A dark, infinite-style Xianxia novel. A cunning, malevolent strategist protagonist in a world of twisted cultivation, incorporating elements from the Classic of Mountains and Seas and Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, featuring an ensemble cast.
[Synopsis] A string of knots used to record history captures human souls and sends them into the Shanhai Realm, a land teeming with malevolent spirits.

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A scholar traveling to take the imperial exams seeks instruction on exorcism from mountain spirits and ghosts night after night. Ancient shamans, Ba-snakes that speak with human voices, clearance passes for travel, and outlaws hidden in the marketplace. In the city of Chang'an that never sleeps, a bustling bazaar of a thousand demons and ghosts—look at the bloodstains splattered on the palace gates of yesterday. Beggars, princesses, wealthy merchants, foot soldiers... here at the mortuary today, passing through that desolate village tomorrow. Once you enter this Shanhai Realm, you walk through the gates of hell every seven days; whether you are a high-ranking official or a wandering soul, your life and death are no longer your own!
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Everyone is welcome to vote. I will aggregate the votes from both sides to decide which book to write.