Chapter 259: Want to Ruin My Event?

The Blood-Pistol Detective Part Two was another massive success, outperforming the first film.

Lu Yuanhai grew restless and consulted Lu Yuanshan: "Brother, should we still withdraw? We've really made a fortune!"

Lu Yuanshan pondered for a long time, then shook his head. "We still need to withdraw," he said. "Money isn't the primary concern. Ultimately, dirty work remains dirty work, and we can't get too deeply involved."

Reluctantly, Lu Yuanhai suggested, "How about we discuss it with Uncle Qiu?"

"No need to discuss it. Don't you know Uncle Qiu's temperament? He'd certainly insist we stop as soon as possible. As for what Ma Wu is producing, it's alright to watch once or twice, but it truly becomes tiresome after repeated viewings. This is not a long-term strategy, and we cannot risk our family's reputation."

This matter truly should have been discussed with Qiu Zhiheng; he understood it better than anyone.

Lu Yuanshan and Lu Yuanhai, having grown up in a prominent family, had seen and experienced everything. The content of the films initially seemed novel to them, but they quickly grew bored.

However, ordinary people had not experienced such things. To them, the techniques and perspectives shown in the films were not merely novel, but rather an object of aspiration. How could they possibly grow tired of something like that?

If they had traveled to other states, they would know that this content wouldn't become tedious even after hundreds of viewings.

Unfortunately, Qiu Zhiheng was preoccupied with other business at the time and hadn't been following the films.

Ma Wu's two consecutive 'Blood-Pistol Detective' films clearly pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in Puro State. Didn't anyone want to intervene? Didn't anyone want to stop him?

Many indeed wanted to intervene.

Major newspapers and prominent commentators roundly criticized Ma Wu; specialized articles denouncing him could be found almost daily.

However, talk was cheap; no one took decisive action.

The matter involved the Lu family and also the Three Heroes Gate.

Ordinary people dared not move against Ma Wu, and those who did dare were unwilling to wade into such murky waters.

Ma Wu had now adopted a detached view: if newspapers wanted to criticize, let them. The more they criticized, the more famous he became.

If the Lu family wanted to pull out, then let them. Old Seven was right; they were destined to thrive in this industry and even become prominent figures. If the Lu family didn't want to partake, it was their lack of vision.

At Nine Sheep Tower, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu hosted Qin Tianjiu for a hot pot lamb meal.

Knowing that Qin Xiaopang was a food cultivator, Ma Wu, upon arriving at the private room, immediately instructed the waiter to slice ten jin of meat.

Upon hearing this, Qin Tianjiu put down his chopsticks.

Ma Wu was taken aback. "Brother Qin, what's wrong? Do you not like this restaurant? Should we go somewhere else?"

Qin Tianjiu shook his head. "Hot pot lamb is excellent, and I genuinely enjoy it," he said. "However, Young Master Wu, if we're only ordering ten jin of meat, we might as well just sit and chat. It wouldn't really be a meal."

Ma Wu was perplexed.

Li Banfeng chuckled, "Brother, is that not enough food?"

Qin Tianjiu let out a wry laugh. "To be honest, Brother Seven," he began, "ever since I consumed that particular creature, I simply cannot feel full with less than fifteen jin of food per meal. Even if I eat my fill now, I'll be hungry again in less than three hours. I can even wake up from sleep due to hunger. All the money the sect gives me goes into my meals; I don't have a single coin left each month, and I'm still this famished. Just sitting here chatting with Brother Seven and Young Master Wu, I already feel anxious after this short while. If we continue talking, I'll have to find something else to eat."

Upon hearing this, Ma Wu immediately summoned the waiter and added twenty more jin of lamb. "Under no circumstances will you go hungry today," he declared.

The three brothers ate and chatted. When the topic of the Three Heroes Gate came up, Qin Xiaopang revealed some information he had gathered: "The Ling family approached our sect for this matter, and our second leader agreed to it. I've handled things to this extent, and since our second leader hasn't said anything otherwise, it's considered tacit approval. Brother Seven, continue filming your movie. While I can't guarantee other things, no one from the Three Heroes Gate will dare cause trouble for you here."

At Ling Family Studio, Zhou Changhong's face was grim. "I said I wouldn't quibble over the extent, but the Three Heroes Gate put in so much effort, and this is all they achieved?" he demanded.

Ling Miaoying sighed. "I spoke with their second leader about this, but he insisted the task was completed satisfactorily."

"Satisfactorily, how?"

"Their people went, and they went every day. Ma Wu's team was indeed delayed. Previously, they managed to get ahead of us, but this time they didn't; they were a full half-month behind..."

Ling Miaoying's voice trailed off.

Even with a full half-month delay, they still couldn't surpass them. Ling Miaoying now harbored deep doubts about her own capabilities.

Zhou Changhong shook his head. "They were half a month late because they genuinely put effort into the film," he said. "The quality of this movie is different from their previous ones. We can't rely on the Three Heroes Gate. What about the other sects?"

Ling Miaoying didn't dare to make many promises. "I can ask them to try," she said, "but they might not be much more effective than the Three Heroes Gate."

"No need to try; they're all the same damned lot," Zhou Changhong said, rising. "I heard their third film is already more than halfway done. This time, I'll take matters into my own hands and use their own tactics against them. I'll go burn their film."

Ling Miaoying interjected, "That won't work. I heard Ma Wu has kept numerous negatives, not just one copy."

"However many copies there are, I'll burn them all. Tell the spies around Ma Wu to investigate thoroughly and burn down the entire film set!"

That very night, Ma Wu's film set caught fire, and the film was destroyed.

Ma Wu was still congratulating himself on having kept more than one copy of the film.

However, the very next night, Xiaoyao Dock caught fire, and another copy of the film was incinerated.

Ma Wu panicked and instructed Zuo Wugang and his men to prioritize the protection of the film company.

Two days later, the film company itself caught fire, and yet another copy of the film was destroyed.

Who could be so ruthless?

Not only were they ruthless, but they also possessed such precise information?

Only one copy of the film remained. What would happen if that, too, was burned?

Inside his portable abode, Li Banfeng was watching a film with his wife.

"Oh, dear husband, this is utterly shameless! Where did this come from? Your humble servant truly shouldn't be watching this!"

"Why not? This is an unedited version; others wouldn't even have the chance to see it."

"What, what are these techniques? Could our young master also perform such acts? Aren't you afraid of damaging him?"

Hong Ying roared furiously, "Tell me, how exactly does it work?"

The phonograph burst into laughter. "Hohahaha, you wretched woman, you can't see, can you? You should just die from impatience!"

The final copy of the film was hidden inside the portable abode, beyond Zhou Changhong's reach.

However, the film was not yet complete. Ma Wu moved to a different set and continued filming. After just two days, another massive fire broke out, consuming all the cameras, props, and sets.

Burning the equipment wasn't the biggest concern; they could simply purchase replacements.

But if a life were lost someday, the situation would become far more serious.

Ma Wu ordered Zuo Wugang to tighten security, and Zuo Wugang didn't dare sleep at night. His subordinates added several shifts of guards, ensuring the film set was heavily protected.

Despite all these measures, it was futile. At three in the morning, the newly established film set still caught fire.

By four o'clock, the fire was extinguished.

The arsonist left no trace; Zuo Wugang was unable to determine how they arrived or departed.

The burning of the film set was even reported in the newspapers, under the headline: "Ma Wu Shameless, Disregarding Public Morality: Valiant Hero Takes Righteous Action, Driving Him to Desperation."

The newspapers could be ignored.

Ma Wu also didn't blame Old Zuo.

However, they had to find another solution for the film set, otherwise, the movie couldn't be completed.

"Old Seven, we've switched film sets multiple times. We've searched all over Green Water City, and not a single location has lasted more than three days."

Green Water City seemed to be a dead end.

Li Banfeng had already conceived a plan. "If Green Water City won't work, we'll simply change locations."

Ma Wu blinked. "Where could we go?" he asked. "Our crew and equipment are all in Green Water City; we can't just up and leave."

"Why can't we leave? When the Ling family feared our interference, they moved their set to Wuqin Village. Why can't we do the same?"

Ma Wu mused for a moment. "Didn't you realize the Ling family's intentions back then?" he replied. "Wuqin Village is their territory; they naturally had people looking out for them when they filmed there."

"What are you talking about? Don't *we* have our own territory?"

Ma Wu froze. "You want to film in Lanyang Village?"

"Lanyang Village won't work; we'll go to Zhengjing Village! Let Swallow and A-Qin and their crew join us. I refuse to believe we can't secure the set!"

Ma Wu was dumbfounded. "Film in the New Territory?"

Li Banfeng chuckled, "You haven't tried it before, have you?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "No one has ever attempted that!" he said. "What kind of place is the New Territory? How would we prepare equipment? Where would we even find cameras? Besides, what actor would be willing to go to such a place?"

Li Banfeng pursed his lips. "Isn't this all for art?" he said. "I went to the cinema yesterday and saw it. Don't assume that just because your films are popular, the audience won't find fault. Some audience members commented that you have too many indoor scenes and too few outdoor ones, and that your outdoor scenes lack grandeur! If we film in Zhengjing Village, what kind of scenery wouldn't we have? There are forests, wastelands, deserts, lakes, and all sorts of rare and exotic creatures. How magnificent would those scenes be? If you're willing, let Swallow and the others make an appearance. You and Swallow could even do a cameo scene together. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "It's useless to discuss this," he said. "The actors certainly won't go, and neither will the crew. Then it'll just be the two of us, and I wonder what we'll be able to film."

"That's why I say you're not sincere in your endeavors. Go call Zuo Wugang. I'll discuss it with him, and tomorrow night, we'll invite the entire film crew to Zhengjing Village."

Ma Wu was never hesitant when it came to staffing. To accelerate production, his entire crew comprised over three hundred people.

The following evening, Ma Wu gathered everyone and discussed filming in the New Territory.

As he anticipated, neither the crew nor the actors were willing to go.

The New Territory was not a place just anyone could enter!

For those without cultivation or experience, going there was akin to suicide!

Ma Wu's words were ineffective; it was Zuo Wugang's turn to speak.

Zuo Wugang stepped before the assembled group, cleared his throat, and began, "Let's talk about this film. This film is very good, isn't it? As for why it's so good, I don't actually understand; I'm a simple man. Now, Old Cao, put down that knife."

Cao Zhida plunged his short knife into the table, eyeing the gathered actors and crew, and told Zuo Wugang, "Chief Zuo, don't mind me. You go ahead and speak."

Zuo Wugang continued, "Our Seventh Master said that making films is art. I don't really understand what art is, but I believe that art, this thing, must be about loyalty. If there's no loyalty, how can there be art? Now, as for asking you all to go to the New Territory, I, Old Zuo, guarantee that nothing untoward will happen to you there. With our brothers looking out for you, absolutely nothing will happen. I'm telling you... Zhen Jincheng, what are you doing? We're having a civil discussion here; why have you pulled out your knife again?"

Zhen Jincheng put his knife away. "It's nothing, Chief Zuo," he said. "You continue."

Zuo Wugang proceeded, "Everyone present here is a person of loyalty. The carriages are ready; we depart now. If anyone lacks loyalty or doesn't wish to go, then they can stay behind, and we'll have a private chat."

The film crew, proving their loyalty, all followed Cao Zhida and Zhen Jincheng onto the carriages.

Xiao Chuanzi and Xiao Genzi prepared over twenty carriages, transporting everyone to Zhengjing Village overnight.

News of this spread throughout Green Water City.

Ma Wu had sent over three hundred people to the New Territory overnight.

What was he planning to do?

He was going to make a film!

A film in the New Territory!

Had he gone mad?

What kind of film would come out of this?

Simply transporting the people wasn't enough; equipment also needed to be moved.

Xiao Chuanzi and Xiao Genzi made several round trips. After delivering the equipment, they also had to procure supplies for the over three hundred people, covering their food, drink, and lodging. All of this required careful planning.

In addition to daily living expenses, there were also costs associated with filming. Both outdoor and indoor sets needed to be constructed, a massive undertaking that required considerable manpower.

Fortunately, there was no shortage of labor. Hunters who usually traversed the New Territory flocked to Zhengjing Village to work for the film crew.

The pay didn't matter; these hunters had one simple wish: to appear on screen in the film.

In Puro State, films were still a rarity. Many hunters had never even had their photograph taken in their lives, so appearing in a movie was considered a tremendous honor!

As more hunters joined and the project expanded, Zhengjing Village became bustling, and the surrounding areas also grew lively.

A group of crew members was setting up a scene by the lake. Zhou Changhong had also infiltrated, helping to arrange camera positions and lighting.

He disguised himself as a hunter, a very convincing act, and no one around him noticed.

Despite Swallow standing guard with three Lady Moth-Cloaks and A-Qin patrolling with a group of sisters, Zhou Changhong still managed to infiltrate the set!

Once the set was arranged, Zhou Changhong observed the cameras on the film set.

These cameras had all been purchased from Green Water City. If they were damaged, new ones would have to be bought there, and he wondered if Ma Wu could afford the time and expense of such a round trip.

Zhou Changhong had made up his mind and was about to act when he suddenly heard someone call out beside him: "Young brother, would you mind helping me lift this light stand?"

Zhou Changhong turned to see a thin, elderly man standing by the light stand, beckoning to him.

"Old man, at your age, you're still working here?"

The old man chuckled, "Isn't it just to see something new? I've never witnessed a film being made in my life."

The light stand was heavy. After they moved it, the old man asked, "Young man, you seem quite strong. Your cultivation must be considerable, wouldn't you say?"

Zhou Changhong smiled. "I am a second-level martial cultivator," he replied.

The old man was surprised. "You're already at the second level at such a young age? I only just reached the second level at my current age."

"Old man, what should I call you?"

"My surname is Shui; people around here call me Old Shui. That old brother's surname is Qiu; we all call him Old Qiu."

As they spoke, a stout, elderly man with a genial smile walked up behind Zhou Changhong.

Sandwiched between them, Zhou Changhong found himself caught.

He glanced back and forth at the two old men. "Seniors," he asked, "what is the meaning of this?"

The thin old man smacked his lips. "Young man, I could tell you weren't an ordinary person from the moment I saw you," he began. "I came to find you to discuss something. My old brother and I enjoy liveliness. Unfortunately, this place used to be quiet, but now it's finally bustling. We'd like it to remain lively indefinitely. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Zhou Changhong remained silent.

The stout old man frowned. "Old Shui, you're not straightforward enough when you speak. No wonder he doesn't understand," he chided. "Young man, let me put it simply: our meaning is, can you kindly get lost?"

With increasing popularity, the New Territory had a chance to transform into a recognized territory.