Chapter 259

"Seventh brother, it's me, Qin Tianjiu."

Qin Tianjiu, Qin Xiaopang, had met Ma Wu once before. He remembered Ma Wu and also recognized Ma Wu.

Ma Wu remembered Qin Xiaopang, but he really hadn't recognized him.

When he first saw Qin Tianjiu, the little fatty was about 1.7 meters tall and weighed about 170 jin.

Now, the youth before him was still about 1.7 meters tall, but his weight might not even reach 90 jin. His body had changed, his appearance had changed, and because his body was so thin, even his voice had changed.

Not to mention Ma Wu not recognizing him, even Li Banfeng hadn't recognized him.

Once the little fatty explained his identity, he also stated his purpose for coming this time.

He wouldn't hide anything from Li Banfeng, no matter what it was.

After Qin Tianjiu ate the Intestine-Rolling Silkworm, his daily food intake surged. Within half a year, he had continuously promoted, becoming a third-layer cultivator. The Sanying Sect regarded him as a talent and broke the rules to promote him to a Copper Seal.

Actually, this so-called breaking the rules wasn't really giving the little fatty much of an advantage. In the Sanying Sect, the first and second layers were Iron Seals, and the third and fourth layers were Copper Seals; this had been the rule for many years.

The reason the little fatty wasn't suitable to be a Copper Seal was mainly because his seniority was too shallow. He was twenty-one years old this year, and that age was clearly not enough. Among the Copper Seals he was familiar with, not one was under forty.

Furthermore, he hadn't been in the sect for long, totaling less than a year. Other Copper Seals had been struggling in the sect for at least ten or twenty years.

In his situation, it would be hard to convince the masses if he really became a Copper Seal, especially in a relatively traditional territory like Medicine King Ditch. If the little fatty were really made a Copper Seal, the sect would definitely fall into chaos.

The Sanying Sect simply transferred Qin Tianjiu to Green Water City and made him an "Empty Code Copper Seal."

What is an Empty Code Copper Seal?

It means you get the status, but no territory.

In the Sanying Sect, a Copper Seal could manage the territory of several streets, and the business people in these territories had to pay "flower red" (tribute) to the Copper Seal.

But an Empty Code Copper Seal had no territory, which meant they had no income. Qin Tianjiu and his few brothers' food and expenses were all covered by the sect's subsidies.

Isn't that pretty good? It's like having someone pay your salary.

Actually, this wasn't good at all.

Being a brother in the Sanying Sect meant doing work that involved licking blood off the edge of a blade; everyone had risked their lives, so who wouldn't want to live a better life?

But the little fatty's life wasn't good. He was called a Copper Seal, but the money he earned didn't even catch up to an Iron Seal, and he wasn't much better off than an ordinary sect disciple.

But the little fatty was very content. He knew clearly in his heart that if his status rose quickly, he would inevitably have to pay such a price.

Besides the subsidies, the sect would also give the Empty Code Copper Seal some rewards, provided he could complete some special missions.

Today's mission was very special. Qin Xiaopang had received orders from the Silver Badge to come to Ma Wu's set to provoke trouble.

"Seventh brother, I really didn't know this movie was yours. If I had known, I wouldn't have come."

"But since I've come, it might not be a bad thing. You guys keep filming the movie, and leave the rest to me to handle."

Li Banfeng said: "This is an order from your Silver Badge. How can you handle it?"

"Why don't you act as a go-between and arrange a meeting with your Silver Badge, and see if we can settle this matter."

Qin Tianjiu said: "I'll definitely arrange it, but now isn't the time. I'm familiar with the Silver Badge's temperament and the ways of the sect. Just leave this matter to me."

"There's one more thing I need to discuss with Seventh brother. Over the next few days, I'll bring a few brothers to stay on the set. They might use foul language, and sometimes they might even get physical, but you must not pay any attention to them; just act as if they aren't there."

Li Banfeng nodded. Ma Wu looked at Qin Xiaopang and said: "Brother Qin, it hasn't been long since we last met, but you've changed so much."

"Fifth Young Master, there's another reason for this. Now isn't the time to talk about it. Once I finish the matter at hand, we can have a detailed chat."

Qin Tianjiu kept his people on the set, and Ma Wu continued filming.

Several of his subordinates watched the little fatty together, unable to figure out what he meant.

One subordinate named Yue Shucai, a first-layer literary cultivator who was usually closer to the little fatty, lowered his voice and asked: "Ninth brother, are we not doing this business anymore?"

"We are, just watch and do it." As he spoke, Qin Tianjiu's expression was unusually serious. Yue Shucai didn't dare ask more and could only sit with the little fatty.

At noon, the crew ate, and Ma Wu even specially prepared food for the little fatty and the others.

Yue Shucai really couldn't understand and asked again: "Ninth brother, what does this mean? Are we eating or not?"

"Eat, eat first and then we'll see."

Qin Xiaopang ate first, and the others followed suit. This meal was eaten with everyone feeling uneasy, always feeling that something was about to happen.

In the afternoon, Qin Tianjiu said to the group: "You guys wait here; I'm going to the Silver Badge's place."

Yue Shucai panicked: "Ninth brother, did something happen? You can't just leave the brothers here!"

"There is a matter, but how to handle it depends on the Silver Badge's instructions. I'm telling you, no one is allowed to leave without my order!"

Qin Xiaopang left, and the remaining people were trembling with fear. Until the crew finished work, they didn't even dare to say a word.

Qin Tianjiu really went to find the Silver Badge.

Silver Badge Tan Jinle was listening to a play in a private room at Qingyun Tea House. Hearing that the little fatty had come, he sent away the idlers, held his teacup, and asked while half-lying in his chair: "Is the matter at Ma Wu's place finished?"

Qin Tianjiu shook his head: "I went to handle it, but the matter isn't finished."

"It's not finished, so why did you come here?"

"I took the brothers there and told them to stop filming the play, but he wouldn't listen. I wanted to make a move, but Ma Wu wasn't afraid. He said if we wanted to fight, he'd take it, and he'd shoulder whatever happened."

"Oh, his temper is up!" Tan Jinle laughed. "Fine, then give him a taste of color, smash his stuff, and tell the brothers to be careful with their hands; don't cause any deaths."

"Brother Jin, he said there are people on the set, special people."

"What special people? Isn't it just Zuo Wugang? You let him try to move you once, and I'll see if he has the guts."

"It's not Zuo Wugang; Ma Wu said there are Lu family members here."

Tan Jinle sat up straight and put the teacup on the table: "What Lu family members came?"

"He didn't say, and I didn't see them either. I don't know if what he said is true or false. I estimate he's bluffing me. I'm thinking of telling the brothers to make a move directly to see if there are really Lu family members here. If there really are..."

"Don't!" Tan Jinle was anxious. "Make a move? If there really are Lu family members here, wouldn't it be too late?"

Qin Xiaopang lowered his head and said: "I didn't dare to make a decision on my own, so I came to ask for your instructions. This is a deal the sect ordered me to do, and I can't not do it, otherwise how will I stand in the sect in the future..."

"Who said you couldn't do it? You do it. You just squat at Ma Wu's place with your brothers. You don't have to make a move; just watching isn't enough?"

"Just watch like that?"

"What's wrong with watching? It counts as us putting in the effort. Do you really want to find trouble with the Lu family?"

"Isn't it shameful to just watch and not make a move?"

Tan Jinle frowned: "That's why I say you're young; there are some things you don't understand. Why is it shameful?"

"You stand in front of Ma Wu, and our Sanying Sect's matter is considered handled. As for to what extent it's handled, that depends on how you talk about it."

"I think you handled this matter quite well. If the leader thinks it wasn't handled well, at most he'll scold you a couple of times. If you really offended the Lu family, your little life would be gone, and I'd have to suffer the consequences along with you."

Qin Tianjiu sighed: "Then I'll take the brothers to guard it."

"Go, scare them a couple of times from time to time, but you absolutely must not make a move!"

Qin Tianjiu agreed, and the next day he took his people and continued to stay on the set.

Seeing these villains staying on the set, the actors were also afraid. Seeing them shouting and yelling on the sidelines, many people wanted to quit.

But after a few days, they got used to it, and that was that. They were noisy every day, which was scary, but they never saw them do anything for real.

The people in the crew were used to it, but outsiders didn't know the inside story. Everyone heard that the Sanying Sect was going to smash Ma Wu's place, so passersby walked around the set.

Zhou Changhong instructed Ling Miaoying: "Hurry up and film. While the Sanying Sect is dragging Ma Wu down, the second part of 'Blood Blade Detective' must be released first."

Ling Miaoying was quite capable; a month later, the second part was released.

On the day of the premiere, major theaters in Green Water City were full.

Among them were people Ling Miaoying had hired to build up the scene, and there were also many people who had truly come to buy tickets to watch the movie.

Ling Miaoying made a rough estimate; eighty percent full was a bit of a stretch, but seventy percent full was certain.

This result was quite good. As long as they kept it up, the movie would definitely make a lot of money, and the Ling Family Film Company's status would be established.

Unfortunately, this momentum didn't last. On the second day of release, it was less than sixty percent full.

On the third day, it was less than half full.

In the days that followed, the major theaters were sparse, and almost no one went to watch this movie.

Zhou Changhong didn't understand. He went to the theater himself to watch a show. The movie had just started, and many audience members got up and left directly.

What was the meaning of this?

Spent money to buy a ticket, and left without finishing it?

There were two audience members who were dressed elegantly and didn't look like they were lacking money. Zhou Changhong followed them and asked with a smile: "Why aren't you watching anymore? I think it's quite good."

"Good what? If I had known, I wouldn't have come."

Zhou Changhong advised: "The money is already spent, it's not a loss to watch a little longer."

That person waved his hand: "What does the price of a movie ticket count for? The key is that this movie is fake."

"Fake?" Zhou Changhong was startled. "How do you say that?"

"Need I say more? Look for yourself. After watching for so long, the clothes are wrapped up tightly. What can you see? There's nothing real at all!"

Zhou Changhong was confused. Another audience member nearby said: "Bought the wrong ticket. The one we want to watch is 'Blood Gun Detective'; that's the real movie. This one is a fake, purely a waste of time!"

"Blood Blade Detective" had become a fake.

Zhou Changhong sat in the movie theater and watched the movie from beginning to end.

There was nothing wrong with the movie. Ling Miaoying had put in the effort; even if it were taken to the Outer States, it would be a top-tier work.

The problem wasn't with the movie; it was with the people watching the movie.

If there hadn't been "Blood Gun Detective," "Blood Blade Detective" maintaining sixty percent capacity would have been no problem at all.

But now, the people watching the movie weren't here to watch a movie; they were here to watch blood and guns. "Blood Blade Detective" was different from their expectations.

Let Ling Miaoying transform too, and turn in the direction of Ma Wu?

No.

He couldn't do something as shameless as Ma Wu, otherwise the Ling family's reputation would be completely ruined.

Moreover, a movie made using that method wasn't what he wanted, and many subsequent things couldn't be pushed forward.

Zhou Changhong was confident. There was no need to rush this matter. Ma Wu's movie couldn't be filmed, and once people forgot about that filthy movie of his, things would return to the plan.

Ten days later, the second part of "Blood Gun Detective" was released.

There wasn't much publicity. Ma Wu posted a few messages in the newspaper, and the movie was released.

On the day of the premiere, Zhou Changhong didn't buy a seat ticket and bought a standing-room ticket instead.

He watched the movie to the end.

To tell the truth, he had seen enough of those scenes with impact; there were too many in the Outer States.

But he really wanted to know one thing.

In this movie, who exactly was the true murderer?

The story of this movie wasn't bad.

The story wasn't bad, and the impact was strong. What did "Blood Blade Detective" have to compare with?

Grand visuals?

Well-known actors?

Gorgeous filming techniques?

For the audience in Puluo Continent, were these really important?

Zhou Changhong's cheeks twitched.

How exactly should he stop "Blood Gun Detective"?

Should he go smash the set himself?

PS: He wouldn't be that impulsive, would he?

(End of chapter)