Chapter 33: A Resounding Success (Seeking Reads)

On December 1st, the Shuangnan Circuit officially premiered *Legend of the Northeast Hunter*!

With the addition of two temporarily joined cinemas, a total of ten theaters were screening it. For Hong Kong, this scale of release was decent, at least for a low-budget suspense and adventure film.

Following the previous war of words between *Mong Kok News* and numerous other newspapers, the film's fame had already spread across all of Hong Kong.

Not to mention the synergistic effects of the serialized novel, the published book, and the comic adaptation; there was no shortage of viewers eager to see the real thing on the big screen.

The film's content did not disappoint the audience, as it was almost identical to the plot of the novel.

Furthermore, the ending of the film left many viewers exclaiming in surprise.

That's right; the serialized novel in the newspaper was currently in its final stages, and while readers hadn't seen the conclusion yet, they had witnessed it in the film. How could they not feel excited?

Of course, *Legend of the Northeast Hunter* was only a low-budget film. Regardless of the spectacle or other aspects, it could only be considered of passing quality. Even with the leads being the blacklisted-in-Taiwan Liang Yingdi and a famous Mainland actress, it was inevitably blasted by certain newspapers.

Originally, Chairman Liao of the Yindu Institution wanted to ask the leftist newspapers to help speak up, but Wu Feng stopped him.

It was fine for leftist newspapers to review the film, but once they participated in the mudslinging, the film would be branded with a "Mainland" label.

Wu Feng wasn't afraid of that, but he didn't want the film to be deliberately dragged into sensitive territory. The outcome of that would be truly unpredictable, and even *Mong Kok News* would be caught in the fallout.

It was better to let *Mong Kok News* do the blasting alone and enjoy a wave of traffic dividends.

In fact, the opposing newspapers didn't realize that the harder they blasted, the more obvious the promotional effect was for the film. Even the sales of *Mong Kok News*, which was trading barbs with them, had risen to 90,000 copies.

The film screened on the Shuangnan Circuit for about a month, reaching a staggering box office of 13 million.

When *Mong Kok News* triumphantly announced the box office figures, it once again shocked many people's eyes, while simultaneously making certain others so angry they cursed out loud.

They truly hadn't expected that a low-budget suspense-thriller like *Legend of the Northeast Hunter* could achieve such a high box office.

This time, not only did the Yindu Institution, which had always been in a "transparent" state, get to hold its head high, but Wu Feng also made a big splash in the film and television circle.

The popularity brought by the film directly boosted the sales of *Mong Kok News*, the published book of the same name, and the comic adaptation by a significant margin.

According to a rough estimate, including the box office share, the total revenue from the various peripherals of *Legend of the Northeast Hunter* alone in December exceeded 3 million.

As soon as the film finished its run, the Yindu Institution held a celebration banquet.

Not many people came—just Liang Yingdi, who was still in the Taiwan blacklist period, and Xiaoqing Dajie, who had rushed over from the Mainland. The rest of the Mainland cast and crew did not attend.

That's right; apart from Liang Yingdi, the rest of the cast, crew, and behind-the-scenes team were Mainland personnel. If you really had to say, it was a standard Mainland film.

Of course, the director was a Hong Konger using a pseudonym, and he did not appear at this celebration banquet. This showed just how difficult the Yindu Institution's situation was.

Chairman Liao personally hosted the banquet. Seeing his glowing face, it was clear he was in high spirits, grabbing Wu Feng to toast and drink repeatedly.

He didn't hide anything, stating directly that the box office success of *Legend of the Northeast Hunter* had allowed the Yindu Institution to "replenish its blood" significantly.

After all, they had the cinema circuit in hand and were the main producers; their income naturally couldn't be compared to Wu Feng, a mere investor.

Fortunately, the Yindu Institution wasn't like Golden Harvest and didn't play tricks with the box office earnings. Wu Feng was able to take his share immediately; the Yindu Institution was definitely a quite decent partner.

Seeing the atmosphere was lively, Chairman Liao asked directly if they could start filming the second suspense-thriller, *Legend of the Qinling Wild Man*, with the same investment ratio as the first.

"As long as the director, actors, and behind-the-scenes staff can handle it, I don't mind!"

Wu Feng said with a smile: "It's a good thing that's basically sending me money; how could I oppose it!"

"Haha, then it's settled!"

Chairman Liao laughed heartily and continued: "How about Hui Zai as the lead again this time?"

"I won't interfere with the specific filming; Yindu can decide directly!"

Wu Feng waved his hand: "I only need the specific filming progress to coordinate with the novel's serialization in the newspaper. There were still quite a few errors in the linkage this time!"

Ignoring the look of disapproval on Chairman Liao's face, he continued: "Of course, I do think the Yindu Institution could recruit all those artists or directors blacklisted by Taiwan, so you don't have to borrow people from outside every time you film a new movie!"

"I'll have to consider that!"

Chairman Liao took it to heart and nodded solemnly: "If the second suspense-thriller is also a success, the Yindu Institution will make an effort!"

Wu Feng only touched on the point and didn't say much more. After a brief contact with Liang Yingdi and Xiaoqing Dajie, he took his leave.

He immediately went to his newspaper office to review the film, novel, and comic linkage with the main staff, looking for gaps to fill so they could minimize loopholes and earn greater profits in the next collaboration.

Wu Feng was very generous, directly setting up a reward pool and putting 20% of the profits into it.

Based on position, contribution size, and other influencing factors, he distributed hundreds of thousands in bonuses, which immediately drew a round of cheers.

No amount of "big pie" promises could compare to the reality of cold, hard cash!

Even though Wu Feng only held the celebration banquet at a small restaurant outside, no staff member complained.

Since the cash was given, why bother caring whether the banquet was held at a big restaurant?

Wu Feng didn't drink much; he needed to keep his head clear at all times.

After all, he was a well-known Hall Master of Hong Yi. Even if he didn't have a single criminal record at the police station, there was no guarantee that some force wouldn't make a move against him.

Wu Feng had always been very careful about his own safety.

Whenever he went out, he brought at least four capable underlings. Even back at his residence, the rooms on either side were occupied by security-responsible underlings who could arrive to support him with a single shout.

He could design a way to have the boss of another small society taken out in a very frustrating way, and there was no guarantee that some other "old silver coin" (schemer) from another society wouldn't use the same tactic on him.

That's right; the bosses of the three small societies entrenched in Garden Street and Tongcai Street were all taken out by new underlings he had ordered to do it quietly. He didn't want his own hands stained with blood.

At this moment, Tangge was directing the society in a fierce fight with the local tyrant of Xintian Street. Who knew if the other side would lose their heads and send someone to take out him, a Hong Yi Hall Master?

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 34 =====