"Brother Seven, it’s me, Qin Tianjiu."
Qin Tianjiu, also known as Qin Xiaopang, had once met Ma Wu briefly. He remembered Ma Wu and recognized him too.
Ma Wu remembered Qin Xiaopang but really didn’t recognize him.
The first time he saw Qin Tianjiu, the little fatty was about 1.7 meters tall, weighing around 170 pounds.
But now, the young man before him was still around 1.7 meters tall, his weight probably not even reaching 90 pounds. His figure had changed, his facial features had changed, and due to his severe weight loss, even his voice had changed.
It wasn’t just Ma Wu who couldn’t recognize him. Even Li Banfeng hadn’t recognized him.
Once Little Fatty explained his identity, he also stated the purpose of his visit.
No matter what, he would never hide anything from Li Banfeng.
After eating the Intestinal Wheelworm, Qin Tianjiu’s appetite increased dramatically, and within six months he had steadily climbed the ranks, becoming a Third Layer Cultivator. The Three Heroes Gang saw him as a rising talent and broke the norms by promoting him to Copper Seal.
In fact, the so-called unconventional promotion wasn’t much of a benefit for Little Fatty. In the Three Heroes Gang, Iron Seals were for the First and Second Layer, and Copper Seals for the Third and Fourth Layer—it had been the rule for many years.
The main reason Little Fatty was not suitable to be a Copper Seal was his lack of experience. He was twenty-one years old this year, an age that clearly wasn’t sufficient. Among the familiar Copper Seals, not a single one was under forty.
Besides, he hadn’t been in the Gang for long—not even a full year—while other Copper Seals had toiled in the Gang for at least ten to twenty years.
In his condition, it would be difficult to command respect if he actually became a Copper Seal, especially in a relatively traditional territory like Medicine King Valley. If Little Fatty were to become a Copper Seal, chaos in the Gang would be inevitable.
The Three Heroes Gang simply transferred Qin Tianjiu to Greenwater City, letting him hold the position of a nominal Copper Seal.
It means having the status, but not the turf.
In the Three Heroes Gang, a Copper Seal could control the territories of several streets, and all the businessmen in these territories had to pay Hua Hong to the Copper Seal.
But a nominal Copper Seal didn’t have any territory, which meant they had no income. Qin Tianjiu and his few brothers’ food and living expenses all depended on the Gang’s support.
Actually, it’s not good at all.
In the Three Heroes Gang, being a brother means living a life on the edge of a knife, risking life and limb. Who wouldn’t want to live a better life after putting their lives on the line?
But Little Fatty’s life wasn’t considered good. Despite being called a Copper Seal, he earned less money than an Iron Seal, and his situation was hardly any better than that of a regular Gang Disciple.
But Little Fatty was content. He knew in his heart that climbing the ranks so quickly inevitably came at such a price.
Apart from the support, the Gang would also award nominal Copper Seals with bonuses, provided they completed some special tasks.
Today’s task was indeed special. Qin Xiaopang, under the orders of the Silver Seal, had come to Ma Wu’s film set to pick a fight.
"Brother Seven, I really didn’t know this film was yours. If I had known, I wouldn’t have come, but since I am here, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. You guys continue shooting the film, and leave the rest for me to handle."
Li Banfeng said, "That’s an order from your Silver Seal. How can you handle it? Why don’t you facilitate a meeting and get your Silver Seal out here? Let’s see if we can settle this matter."
Qin Tianjiu said, "We definitely need to set up a meeting, but now is not the right time. I am familiar with the Silver Seal’s temperament and the ins and outs of the Gang. Leave this matter to me. There’s another thing I need to discuss with you, Brother Seven. In the next few days, I will bring some brothers to stay at the film set. They might use foul language and sometimes might even get physical, but you must ignore them—act as if they are not there."
Li Banfeng nodded, and Ma Wu said to Qin Xiaopang, "Brother Qin, it hasn’t been long since we met, but you have changed so much."
"Young Master Wu, there’s another reason for this, and now is not the time to talk. After I finish what I’m currently dealing with, we’ll sit down and have a detailed chat," Qin Tianjiu replied.
Qin Tianjiu and his men stayed at the film set while Ma Wu continued shooting the film.
The subordinates, watching Little Fatty, couldn’t figure out what he meant.
One of the subordinates named Yue Shucai, a First Layer Literature Cultivator, who was usually close to Little Fatty, asked in a low voice, "Ninth Brother, are we not doing business anymore?"
"Of course, we are. Just wait and see." As he spoke, Qin Tianjiu’s expression was exceptionally serious, so Yue Shucai didn’t dare to ask any more questions and just sat with Little Fatty.
At noon, the film crew had lunch, and Ma Wu even specially arranged meals for Little Fatty and his men.
Yue Shucai couldn’t understand and asked again, "Ninth Brother, what does this mean? Are we eating or not?"
"Eat, let’s eat first and talk later."
Qin Xiaopang ate first, and the rest followed suit, eating with unease, feeling as if something was about to happen.
In the afternoon, Qin Tianjiu said to everyone, "Wait here for me. I’m going to see the Silver Seal."
Yue Shucai panicked, "Ninth Brother, has something happened? You can’t just leave your brothers here!"
"There is an issue, but how to deal with it depends on the Silver Seal’s instructions. I’m telling you, no one is allowed to leave without my order!"
Qin Xiaopang left, and the remaining people sat nervously until the film crew finished for the day, not daring to say a word.
Qin Tianjiu truly went to see the Silver Seal.
Silver Token Tan Jinle was enjoying an opera in a private room of the Qingyun Teahouse when he heard Little Fatty had arrived. He dismissed the others and, holding his teacup while half-reclining in his chair, asked, "Have you taken care of the matter with Ma Wu?"
Qin Tianjiu shook his head, "I went to deal with it, but the matter isn’t settled."
"If it’s not settled, what are you doing here?"
"I took my brothers there. I told him to stop shooting, but he wouldn’t listen. I thought about getting physical, but Ma Wu was not intimidated. He said if we started something, he would continue, and he would shoulder the consequences."
"Oh, got a temper, huh!" Tan Jinle laughed. "Alright then, show him some colors. Smash his stuff, but tell your brothers to exercise some restraint—don’t actually kill anyone."
"Brother Jin, he said there are people on the film set, special people."
"What special people? Isn’t it just Zuo Wugang? Let him try to touch you and see—I want to see if he has the guts."
"It’s not about Zuo Wugang. Ma Wu said the Lu Family’s members are here."
Tan Jinle immediately sat up and slammed his teacup down on the table. "Which member of the Lu Family came?"
"He didn’t say, and I didn’t see anyone. I don’t know whether he’s bluffing or not. I’m thinking about letting my brothers start something to see if members of the Lu Family are really here. If they are..."
"Don’t!" Tan Jinle exclaimed, panicked. "Start what? If members of the Lu Family are really here, wouldn’t it be too late by then?"
Qin Xiaopang lowered his head and said, "I didn’t dare to decide on my own. That’s why I came to ask for your instructions. This is a task given to me by the Gang. I can’t just neglect it—otherwise, how will I establish myself in the Gang in the future..."
"Who said you can’t do it? You should do it. You just stick around Ma Wu’s filming location with your brothers. You don’t need to take any action. Isn’t just watching enough?"
"Just watch like this?"
"What’s wrong with watching? We’ve made our contribution. Do you really want to provoke the Lu Family?"
"Just standing by and not taking action, isn’t that embarrassing?"
Tan Jinle frowned. "This is what I mean by you being too young and not understanding some things. How is this embarrassing? You stand in front of Ma Wu, and our Three Heroes Gang’s task is considered done. As for how well it’s done, that depends on how you spin it. I think you did a pretty good job. If the boss thinks it’s not good enough, at most he’ll criticize you a bit. But if we really offend the Lu Family, not only would your life be over, but I’d also face the consequences."
Qin Tianjiu sighed and said, "Then I’ll just take the brothers and keep watch."
"Go ahead, scare them occasionally, but you must never actually fight!"
Qin Tianjiu assented, and the next day he brought his men and continued to stay at the film set.
Seeing this group of ruffians lingering on set, the actors were afraid. Watching them shout and swagger about, many contemplated quitting.
But after a few days, they got used to it, and it was no big deal. They were quite frightening with their bluster, but they were never seen actually doing anything serious.
The film crew got used to it, but outsiders didn’t know the situation. Rumors spread that the Three Heroes Gang was going to disrupt Ma Wu’s set, and passersby would take a detour around the set.
Zhou Changhong instructed Ling Miaoying, "Hurry up with the filming. While the Three Heroes Gang is keeping Ma Wu busy, ’Blood Blade Detective’ part two must be released first."
Ling Miaoying was up to the challenge, and a month later, the second part of the movie was released.
On the first day of the premiere, every major cinema in Greenwater City was full.
This included audiences that Ling Miaoying had hired to fill the seats, as well as many who genuinely came to buy tickets to watch the movie.
Ling Miaoying made a rough estimate. Reaching eighty percent capacity was a bit of a stretch, but seventy percent was definitely achievable.
The result was quite good. As long as this continued, the movie would make a huge profit, and Ling Family Film Industry would establish its position.
Unfortunately, this momentum did not continue. On the second day of release, attendance fell below sixty percent.
On the third day, it was less than half.
In the following days, the major cinemas were sparsely populated. Almost no one was watching the movie anymore.
Zhou Changhong couldn’t understand it. He personally went to the cinema and watched a screening. Just after the movie started, many audience members got up and left.
Two well-dressed patrons, who looked like they weren’t short on cash, were followed by Zhou Changhong. He asked cheerfully, "Why aren’t you watching anymore? I think it’s quite good."
"Good? What’s good about it? I wish I hadn’t come."
Zhou Changhong urged, "You’ve already spent the money. It’s not a loss to watch a little longer."
One of them waved his hand and said, "What’s a movie ticket worth? The key thing is that this movie is fake."
"Fake?" Zhou Changhong was startled. "What do you mean by that?"
"Isn’t it obvious? Just watch it yourself. After watching for so long, with those clothes covering everything tightly, what can you see? There’s nothing real!"
Zhou Changhong was confused. A nearby patron said, "We bought the wrong ticket. The one we want to watch is ’Blood Gun Detective.’ That’s the real movie. This one is a fake, just a complete waste of time!"
Zhou Changhong sat in the cinema and watched the entire movie from start to finish.
There was nothing wrong with the movie. Ling Miaoying had put in the effort, and even if it were taken to the Outside Provinces, it was a superior work.
The problem was not with the movie itself, but with the audience watching it.
If there had been no ’Blood Gun Detective,’ ’Blood Blade Detective’ could have easily maintained sixty percent attendance with no issues.
But those currently watching the movie were not there to watch the film; they came for the blood and the guns. ’Blood Blade Detective’ didn’t meet their expectations.
Moreover, movies made using that method were not what he wanted, and many subsequent plans couldn’t be advanced.
Zhou Changhong was certain about one thing: there was no need to rush. Ma Wu’s film couldn’t be completed, and once people forgot that sordid movie, things would return to his plan.
「Ten days later.」
The second part of ’Blood Gun Detective’ was released.
Without much advertising, Ma Wu had published a few pieces of news in the newspaper, and just like that, the movie was released.
On the premiere day, Zhou Changhong couldn’t get a seating ticket, so he bought a standing ticket instead.
He watched the movie until the very end.
To be honest, he had seen enough of those impactful scenes. There were too many in the Outside Provinces.
But he was very curious about one thing.
Zhou Changhong’s cheeks twitched.