Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Hollywood.
This was already the fifth Round Table Conference surrounding concerns about “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World.”
This was the first time in history where the meetings were so frequently held…
“40 million of box office sales! A single day has already allowed them to sweep away 40 million in box office sales!” James violently pounded the table and roared. “The box office sales of both our ‘Air-Raid of the Trump Cards’ and ‘Moment of Screaming’ only add up to 10 million! 10 million! And now those damn imbecile kids don’t even watch them anymore, and their topics of discussions every day are only about that prodigal Hong Dali and Heavenly State’s real kungfu!”
After he finished shouting violently, he despondently sat back into his chair and helplessly said, “Can we still play happily in the future…”
“Dear James,” One person said. “Don’t mind it too much. A moment of failure doesn’t mean anything. Our main goal has to be directed towards the Franca State Film Festival.”
“Yes, both ‘Air-Raid of the Trump Cards’ and ‘Moment of Screaming’ are only the starters, our main focus is not on this.” Another person slowly said, “Isn’t that film of yours going to be screened soon? By then, we’ll just put up a brilliant fight to turn the tables around.”
The atmosphere was oppressive, yet everyone didn’t lose hope.
Hollywood, being able to develop to this day, had faced many challenges before. If it was so easily struck down, they wouldn’t be called Hollywood.
“Increase the investments! I want to increase the investments!” James insanely screamed. “I don’t believe I can’t crush that Hong Dali! If I can’t even win over a prodigal, I might as well leave the film industry in the future!”
Actually, it was understandable that he was so angry. They were both young people, and Hong Dali had just celebrated his 18th birthday this year. Once people were compared against each other, the gap was far too obvious. For the sake of his face, James had to put up against it no matter what!
“En, if you need any of our help, you can feel free to voice out.” Someone said, “Our target this time, other than the box office results, should be placed upon the Franca State Film Festival. In my opinion, if that Hong Dali only has this one movie, it’s not enough to fight against us. After all, there are more than 30 nominations at the film festival every year. It would be good enough if he could get one or two nominations.”
“Yes.” Another person said, “This time we were too careless and underestimated our rival, so we were too rash in our actions. Next time, let’s fully prepare ourselves well. By then, we’ll compete against him again and will definitely not be lacking when compared to him.”
“Alright!” James gritted his teeth. “Let’s show him what true ability is like!”
…
Merika, Hexagon Building, Films and Entertainment Department.
“‘The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World’ had swept a total of more than 40 million of box office sales. Luckily, we acted fast. If not, if things had gone on this way, the battle of box office sales this time would definitely become the biggest joke of the year.” A middle-aged man sat on the sofa, frowning as he smoked a cigar. He was dressed in a suit, with short light yellow hair, and he looked rather experienced.
This man was the head of Merika’s Films and Entertainment Department, Horace.
“But even if that’s the case, we’ve still suffered a devastating loss this time.” A woman who resembled a secretary said. “A 40-million box office sales within one day is already enough to prove how outstanding this movie is. If we don’t adopt subsequent measures, those who didn’t have the chance to watch this movie will… Boss, Merika is known for its equality and freedom, we can’t go against the people’s wishes.”
This woman with long golden hair and extremely fair skin as well as the unique features of Europa and Merika people on her looks was quite beautiful.
Especially her full bosom and long and round thighs were especially attractive—the bosom development of Europa and Merika women was normally slightly greater than that of Heavenly State…
“I know, dear Catherine.” Horace thought for a while, and afterward, slowly said, “Seems like we can’t be too careless when faced with that prodigal Hong Dali. We’ve lost greatly in this battle of the box office, and it’s already impossible for us to loan Big Turtle from them. Now we can only think of ways to make up for our losses. Go and contact a few video-sharing websites right away and upload the pirated version of ‘Pugilistic World.’ As for how exactly to carry things out, I trust I don’t need to explain further, right?”
“Pirated version?!” Catherine was obviously stunned for a moment, and afterward, she anxiously said, “But that… Our country is equal and free, we can’t ignore the issue of copyright! Once a pirated version appears, it will be disastrous!”
“Hehe, Catherine,” Horace smoked his cigar for a while again and smiled and said, “Of course I understand what you’re saying. But we can change methods. Find a few criminals and secretly pin the offense of piracy onto them. You should know what to do subsequently, right?”
“What you mean is…” Catherine instantly understood and said in shock, “Find a scapegoat? Let the members of the public download some of it first, then we’ll arrest these few scapegoats. In that case, we’ll let them freely spread those portions of the movie that had already been downloaded?”
“Correct, you’re very smart.” Horace roared with laughter. “This will both satisfy the curiosity of the members of the public, and at the same time, divert their attention somewhere else. We can answer to others on our side too. As for those few criminals, hehe, after they’ve been locked up for a few years, who would remember what offense they had committed. What do you think?”
“This…” Catherine thought for a while. “It’s a good idea. Then, I’ll go make the arrangements right now, for the sake of Merika.”
“For the sake of Merika, my lady.” Horace smiled and said, “Oh right, after this matter has been arranged, make a trip to Heavenly State and try to get close to Hong Dali. By then, secretly report all news about him back here. Remember, don’t do anything too extreme. I only want to know what he’s up to. As for what results would be produced from those things he set up, I believe our team will definitely be able to analyze them.”
“Chief, this…” Catherine was shocked. “Hong Dali still hasn’t done things to the extent where we have to specially set up a team for him, right?”
“Dear Catherine,” Hong Dali slowly said. “We must take control over any possible mishaps. This Hong Dali is very unpredictable—very. We must take him seriously.”
“OK, I understand.” Catherine bore what Horace had said in mind and went out afterward.
“This Hong Dali, looks like we can’t belittle him,” Horace mumbled to himself and gently took another puff of the cigar. “I’ve been too careless this time. When there’s news from his side by then, I’ll see if he can escape from my control.”
In the meantime, while Catherine walked out from Department Chief Horace’s office, her heart was beating rapidly. “Boss is asking me to find Hong Dali, this person is apparently very amazing. His luck is exceedingly good. If I go, will… I hope it won’t. He’s actually asking me to go and be a spy, this is really…”
…
Merika, on the Internet.
More than 10 pirated versions of “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World” had appeared overnight, which caused its citizens to download them rapidly. After all, the movie had officially stopped screening in the cinemas, and other than watching the pirated versions, there was no other way for them to watch such a legendary film again.
The site visits of a few large video-sharing websites had started to increase steadily, and the pirated video of “Pugilistic World” was also spread furiously like fire spreading throughout the forest. The National Police Bureau in Merika had arrested more than 20 people who had violated the law by spreading pirated videos. Thus, eventually, all the pirated videos were removed.
However, people still used USBs to make copies of the downloaded videos and other methods. At the start, the police were prepared to arrest a few people spreading the pirated videos, but eventually, it was obvious that the momentum was too overwhelming. Alas, they could only leave it as it was.
Before the pirated video incident had died down, a huge group of Young Master loyal fans had already appeared in Merika and set up a loyal fan club website on the Internet.
There was allegedly a smart person who had gotten Young Master Hong Dali’s profile picture and printed it onto T-shirts. Overnight, the sales of the T-shirts had gone up to more than ten thousand pieces, which brought in 1 million USD of earnings, instantly turning that person rich.
His advertisement slogan was: “Do you want to get rich overnight? Do you want to have Young Master’s luck? Buy a Young Master brand T-shirt and you’re guaranteed to win the lottery, eat only good food, and meet pretty girls when you go out!”
For a while, many people followed the trend and registered for various products that started with “Young Master.” The most ridiculous thing was that someone registered for the trademark of “Young Master” brand toilet paper and the advertisement slogan was: “Use Young Master brand Finger(Shou Zhi), oh no, it’s Toilet Paper(Shou Zhi), and your ‘chrysanthemum'(anus) will be lucky without any hemorrhoids!”
As for “Young Master” brand condoms—that slogan was needless to say, everyone could exercise their own imagination… But the sales volume was apparently quite good and was especially favored by many young women…
…
While things at Merika were joyful, back to Heavenly State.
Hong Dali hugged Quentin in his arms and sat in Lin Chuyin’s laboratory. The person in front was none other than the mysterious Bureau Chief.
“Dali, are things going well recently?” The Bureau Chief stared at the idle-looking Hong Dali, smiled and said, “This time, ‘The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World’ has brought in a huge sum of money. You must be feeling good, right?”
“Uncle Chief…” Hong Dali stroked Quentin’s head. “You’re definitely not here to talk about ordinary matters, right? What exactly is the matter, just tell me directly. I’m not an outsider.”
“Haha, I like that phrase, ‘not an outsider.’” The Bureau Chief laughed heartily. His mood was extremely good as he said, “En, this time, the battle of the box office was quite brilliant. The superiors say that you’ve done a great deal of justice for our Heavenly State film industry. I have a card here containing 10 million USD. I’ll give it to you as a gift, how’s that?”
“You’re giving me money?” Hong Dali sniffled and said listlessly, “You have to find Xiaoyi if you want to give me money. I’m not very good with numbers, and I can’t be bothered about this type of petty money…”
The Bureau Chief almost choked to death upon hearing Hong Dali’s words.
10 million USD!
That’s 10 million USD! And it became petty money by you, big prodigal?!
However, thinking from another angle, that was true. Now, this little rascal could use tens of millions at one go, and ten million USD, when converted to RMB, was only a little more than 12 million RMB. This was truly a petty sum of money to Hong Dali…
What the heck, this little rascal is unbelievable!
“That, alright…” The Bureau Chief’s face turned red. “Just treat it as me personally sponsoring you on behalf of my superior, hehe, hehe…”
“This red packet is not as small, after all,” Hong Dali beamed with delight. “What else? You don’t need to come down personally just to give me money, right?”
“Little rascal, you’re quite smart.” The Bureau Chief roared with laughter. “Of course, I’ve come to find you today for other matters as well!”
