All-rounder Artist

This is basic deductive reasoning!

It isn’t a method of deduction based on thoughtless conjectures, but a unique technique confirmed by the actions of Sherlock Holmes himself. In his own words, as published in newspapers: “A logician doesn’t need to personally see or hear about the Atlantic Ocean, yet he can surmise its existence from a single drop of water. As life is one big, interconnected chain, just a glimpse of a single link can give away the true nature of the entire chain. For someone starting to delve into the extremely tricky realms of the mind and psyche, it’s perhaps better to begin with the more straightforward issues. For example, attempt to identify a person’s history and profession. Such practice may appear childish and boring, but it sharpens one’s observational skills remarkably. It teaches where to look and what to watch out for, like a person’s fingernails, cuffs, boots, knees of their trousers, calluses between their thumb and forefinger, facial expressions, shirt cuffs and so on. No matter from which perspective, these observations hint at what a person does for a living. So, if you can’t elicit insights into a case, despite knowing how to connect these observations, it’s quite unfathomable.”

Unfathomable?

The final statement may seem brazen, but that appears typical of Holmes. He seems to enjoy looking at others’ baffled expressions, right after revealing a complex, intricate and mind-bogglingly detailed deduction.

As if to say:

Is it that difficult?

Similar to when he easily deduces Dr. Watson’s background and then nonchalantly remarks, “It wasn’t difficult to guess.” This is something Poirot would never say because he would think it normal for ordinary people to be unable to deduce the same. He, Poirot, is the genius in this respect.

Just as expected.

The meeting room erupts as every editor voices their opinions, all previous concerns about similarities between Holmes and Poirot completely forgotten!

“For the first time, I read a mystery without trying to guess who the murderer was. The beginning of this novel doesn’t seem to intend to offer much in terms of solving a mystery but rather for us to witness the grand entrance of Sherlock Holmes, like Watson!”

“So grand!”

“The attention to detail is unbeatable!”

“Basic deductive reasoning is impressive!”

Only a detective story aficionado can feel the difference between basic deductive reasoning and general logical reasoning. For the average person, Holmes can draw specific statements from the most general premise and reach a conclusion, or solve some cases just by employing this method. This approach sets him apart from other detective novels.

“Amazing!”

“The characters are so appealing. I was wondering why Chu Kuang designed Poirot as a short, elderly gentleman with a peculiar mustache earlier. This character required readers to go through a process to fully accept him. But this time he has certainly changed his style, although Sherlock Holmes is as peculiar as Poirot, at least physically Holmes is more pleasing, easier to fall in love with!”

Showing off?

Indeed, they are.

But a detective in a mystery novel should have this kind of swagger, it’s interesting. If a detective simply lays out his deductions in a straightforward manner without a unique presentation style, it’s better to directly read about a case and its process.

A narcissist?

Sherlock Holmes indeed has the potential to be one. His nonchalant statement of “it wasn’t difficult to guess” could be a grand slam in the face of intellectual battles. But if this is coupled with the plot and explained alongside his deductions, not only would the readers not feel offended but instead find it exhilarating!

That’s correct.

In terms of the reading experience, it’s thrilling to see Sherlock Holmes cleverly explain everything. Why else would Conan polish his glasses before revealing the truth, with a tense and triumphant backing track playing?

People simply love it!

Therefore, it’s all about how one shows off. If everyone is wondering about the result of one plus one, and the protagonist cooly says, “One plus one equals two. Is that so difficult?”

Brothers!

Kill him!

That’s a low-level narcissist. The high-level kind is like Sherlock Holmes who shows off his intelligence in a way that amazes readers. And no matter how much he shows off, they would only find it awe-inspiring and cool.

At that moment.

Someone mumbled, “When Holmes stated that only Poirot could rival Blue Star in this aspect, I felt a bit uneasy. But now it feels right. These two are indeed great detectives!”

What consulting detective?

Even though Holmes calls himself a “consulting detective” and truly does accept consultation from all sides, the cases that are really worth writing about are those where Holmes cracks them in his capacity as a detective. Hence the title of the book is “The Great Detective Sherlock Holmes”.

It’s worth mentioning…

Because the character of Sherlock Holmes, having been adapted into countless films and television series on Earth, has developed a very distinct personality, not completely resembling the original Holmes character from the novels. Most Earthlings got to know Sherlock Holmes through films and television series, not the original novels. So the Holmes persona that Lin Yuan creates leaning more towards the film and television series versions.

How many people have played Sherlock Holmes?

Too many to count. For example, Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr are amongst them. Each representation has its own unique portrayal of Holmes, but it’s the effortless swagger that forever remains the most attractive aspect of Holmes. There are two kinds of narcissists—one that actively shows off, the other is passively being one. Sherlock Holmes belongs to the latter, and a narcissist has to be a passive one.

Knock.

The meeting room door opens, and Cao Dezhi walks in. All the editors start talking at once only to be silenced by his hand gesture. Cao Dezhi looks at Deputy Editor Wang on his left and says: “There’s a coffee stain on your sleeves, your clothes are new today. This means you must’ve had coffee outside during lunch. The closest coffee shop is downstairs, thus the person you were meeting is likely in the vicinity, or even within our company. Also, there’s a whiff of perfume about you, which if I’m not wrong, belongs to Little Li. Capturing the scent of perfume means you two were sitting close to each other. An unusual closeness between a man and a woman, unless… are you two dating?”

The girl called Little Li bashfully twists her fingers.

Left aghast by Cao Dezhi’s words, Old Wang stares at him, clearly impressed by his ability to apply basic deduction to real life. This spectacle leaves the other editors captivated—

“Is it really that difficult?”

Raising an eyebrow, Cao Dezhi then strutted out, leaving behind only an echo of his resonant voice: “Immediately notify the publishing department to prepare for the launch of ‘The Great Detective Sherlock Holmes’!”

Everyone complies.

At this moment, a junior editor in one of the departments wonders aloud, “Didn’t someone video Old Wang and Little Li having coffee during lunchtime?”

At a distance.

Cao Dezhi stumbles, then quickly brushes off the blunder and walks away faster, leaving behind a silhouette that transformed from Sherlock Holmes to Watson.

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ps: Thanks to [Innocent Fatty] the Alliance Hierarch for the reward, allowing an extra chapter to be served up with tea. I, Polluted White will continue writing.

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