104: Platforms put pressure on the king to show his sword

When Lin Da’s resounding declaration of “See you in court!” exploded like thunder in the conference room of Kyushu Video Platform headquarters, and gradually faded with his resolute departure, Wan Qian’s beautiful face, distorted by anger, finally erupted completely!

“Outrageous! This is simply outrageous!”

She slammed the expensive fountain pen on the table to the ground, making a harsh sound. The precious Persian carpet could not completely absorb the violent energy.

“An unknown little actor! Someone who just spent a few days in Hollywood and doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth! He actually… he actually dared to contradict me in public! Threaten me?!” Wan Qian trembled with rage, her chest heaving violently, and her eyes, which were usually full of calculation and arrogance, were now bloodshot due to extreme anger.

The several Kyushu Video Platform executives in the conference room were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to even breathe. When had they ever seen Vice President Wan so out of control?

“Liu Feixu! Zhang Jingzhi! And that Lin Da!” Wan Qian gritted her teeth, her voice as cold as the biting wind of a harsh winter, “I’d like to see what kind of success your so-called ‘iron-blooded censor’ can achieve without our Kyushu Video Platform’s investment and broadcasting channels!”

She suddenly grabbed the phone on the table and directly dialed the platform’s content review department and legal department, issuing a series of undeniable instructions:

“Immediately! Right now! Re-evaluate all risks of the project ‘iron-blooded censor’ for me! Including but not limited to… script content, actor selection, and… Purple Cloud Film and Television’s ability to perform its obligations!”

“Also, inform the legal department to thoroughly study the investment contract we signed with Purple Cloud Film and Television! I want to know how much we would have to pay if we unilaterally… well, ‘adjusted’ the cooperation plan, or… ‘temporarily suspended’ the investment!”

She was determined to teach Lin Da and Purple Cloud Film and Television a lesson they would never forget!

On the other side, when Lin Da, Liu Feixu, and Director Zhang Jingzhi walked out of the Kyushu Video Platform headquarters building, the deep autumn chill of Beijing blew on their faces, carrying a biting coolness.

Producer Liu and Director Zhang Jingzhi’s expressions were both somewhat solemn.

“Teacher Lin,” Producer Liu’s tone carried a hint of worry, and also a hint of… apology, “I’m really sorry to have dragged you into this storm. Wan Qian is notoriously vengeful and ruthless in the industry. She suffered such a huge loss from you today, she will definitely not let it go.”

Director Zhang Jingzhi also sighed, his face, which was always known for its seriousness, was now filled with worry: “That’s right, Lin Da. Kyushu Video Platform is, after all, one of the top streaming giants in the country. If they are truly determined to suppress us, then the project ‘iron-blooded censor’ might… be in grave danger.”

Lin Da looked at the worried expressions of the two seniors, and a warm current surged in his heart. He knew that they were genuinely worried about him and the future of this play.

He smiled slightly, his eyes calm but carrying a reassuring power. The Spirit Speech (Advanced) skill quietly operated at this moment, and his gentle yet firm voice, as if carrying a peculiar magic, instantly smoothed away the anxiety and uneasiness in their hearts:

“Producer Liu, Director Zhang, don’t worry. When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will cover it with earth. I believe that justice resides in people’s hearts.”

“Although Wan Qian is powerful, she is not omnipotent. What’s more,” Lin Da’s lips curved into a confident arc, “we are not without… chips for a counterattack.”

Producer Liu and Director Zhang Jingzhi’s eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this. They didn’t know where Lin Da’s confidence came from.

Upon returning to the hotel, Lin Da did not rest immediately. He knew that the real contest had only just begun.

He first called Allen Parker, briefly explaining everything that happened at Kyushu Video Platform today and his response to the ace agent.

Allen Parker, on the other end of the phone, was silent for a moment after listening to Lin Da’s narration, then let out a light laugh of approval: “Lin, your performance today was brilliant. To remain so calm in the face of capital pressure, and even… turn the tables, is not something an ordinary newcomer can do.”

“However,” Allen’s tone became serious, “Wan Qian and the forces behind her will definitely not let this go. Next, they will surely use every means to suppress you and ‘iron-blooded censor’. We must… be fully prepared.”

“I understand, Allen.” Lin Da nodded, “Do you have any suggestions?”

“My suggestion is to take the initiative and gain public support.” Allen Parker said in a deep voice, “I will immediately have CAA’s public relations team in China leak what happened at Kyushu Video Platform today, and the inside story of Wan Qian’s attempt to forcibly modify the script and interfere with artistic creation, through some… well, ‘reliable channels’, to those conscientious and influential mainstream media and film critics.”

“At the same time,” Allen’s tone carried a hint of the ace agent’s confidence and control, “I will also contact some… platforms and companies that are in competition with Kyushu Video Platform, to see if we can… create some ‘surprises’ for them.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Da’s eyes flashed with understanding. He knew that Allen Parker, the ace agent, was once again… strategizing and playing a big game.

“Good! Allen,” Lin Da’s lips curved into a confident arc, “Then… let’s have a good time playing with them together!”

After hanging up the phone, Lin Da contacted Chairman Li Shengshi and Qin Mu Feng, Old Qin separately, giving a brief report on the events to the two seniors.

Upon hearing about this, both big shots expressed strong indignation at Wan Qian’s arrogance and clearly stated that they would fully support Lin Da and the ‘iron-blooded censor’ crew, and would never let this unhealthy trend of capital interfering with artistic creation succeed.

With these solid backing, Lin Da’s heart felt even more at ease.

He knew that he was not fighting alone.

Just as he was about to calm down and carefully study the “Legendary Gift Pack” that the system had just released, Producer Liu’s call suddenly came in, her tone carrying an unusual… urgency and anger:

“Teacher Lin! This is bad! Kyushu Video Platform… has officially sent us, Purple Cloud Film and Television, an ultimatum!”

“They demand that we publicly apologize to Vice President Wan Qian within three days and unconditionally accept their ‘revision opinions’ for the script of ‘iron-blooded censor’, otherwise… they will unilaterally terminate the cooperation and… pursue our breach of contract liability, demanding huge compensation!”

Ultimatum! Huge compensation!

Lin Da’s eyes instantly turned as cold as iron.

It seems that Wan Qian and the forces behind her are truly… desperate, ready to show their true colors!

This dark night game in Beijing has entered… the most crucial and dangerous moment!

“Ultimatum! Huge compensation!”

Producer Liu’s anxious and angry voice, like a burning meteor, once again cast into the already turbulent lake in Lin Da’s heart, stirring up monstrous waves, and also… igniting the king’s fury that he could no longer suppress!

Apologize? Accept revisions? Otherwise, terminate cooperation and demand huge compensation?

Wan Qian! Kyushu Video Platform! And those ghosts and monsters hiding behind them, who think they can control everything!

Are you really treating me, Lin Da, like a soft persimmon that can be easily squeezed?!

“Teacher Lin! Teacher Lin! Are you… are you still listening?” On the other end of the phone, Producer Liu’s voice carried a hint of crying and helplessness. She knew that Kyushu Video Platform was determined to crush them this time. Although Purple Cloud Film and Television was a somewhat well-known company in China, in front of a streaming giant like Kyushu Video, it was like an ant trying to shake a tree, vulnerable to a single blow.

If Lin Da refused to compromise, then the project ‘iron-blooded censor’ might really… die in its infancy. And she, Liu Feixu, and the entire Purple Cloud Film and Television, would face utter disaster.

Lin Da took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging anger in his chest. His voice was terrifyingly calm, yet it carried a chilling coldness and… an undeniable decisiveness:

“Producer Liu, please don’t rush. Tell me, how many days did Kyushu Video Platform give us?”

“Three… three days.” Producer Liu’s voice trembled slightly, “They said that within three days, if we don’t give a clear answer, they will… they will unilaterally initiate breach of contract procedures.”

“Three days?” Lin Da’s lips curved into a cold arc, “Very good. That’s enough.”

He paused, his tone carrying a reassuring power. The Spirit Speech (Advanced) skill quietly operated at this moment, and his gentle yet firm voice, as if carrying a peculiar magic, instantly smoothed away Producer Liu’s anxiety and uneasiness:

“Producer Liu, listen to me. This matter will not be as simple as they think. We are not without… chips for a counterattack.”

“From now on, you and Director Zhang, and all colleagues in the crew, only need to do one thing—”

“Prepare with peace of mind, and film as usual! The play ‘iron-blooded censor’ must be filmed according to our original creative concept, showing its inherent integrity and loyalty! No one shall dare to interfere!”

“As for Kyushu Video Platform…” Lin Da’s eyes flashed with a sharp, knife-like cold light, “I will personally… deal with them.”

After hanging up the phone, Lin Da did not hesitate and immediately dialed Allen Parker’s international call.

“Allen, the situation has changed.” He briefly explained Kyushu Video Platform’s ultimatum and his decision to the ace agent.

Allen Parker, on the other end of the phone, was silent for a moment after listening to Lin Da’s narration, then let out a sneer: “Hmph! These guys really can’t change their ways! It seems the lesson we gave them last time wasn’t deep enough!”

“Lin, you did the right thing!” Allen Parker’s voice was full of undisguised admiration and… a hint of imperceptible excitement, “Facing such hooliganism, constant retreat and compromise will only make them more aggressive! We must… take the initiative! Let them know that our CAA artists are not so easily bullied!”

He paused, his tone becoming resolute: “Don’t worry, Lin. CAA’s legal team and public relations team will immediately intervene in this matter. We will issue the most severe warning to Kyushu Video Platform and reserve the right to pursue all legal liabilities!”

“At the same time,” Allen’s tone carried a hint of the ace agent’s confidence and control, “I will also immediately contact some… international streaming giants that are in competition with Kyushu Video Platform, such as… Netflix and Amazon. I believe they will be very interested in a historical drama like ‘iron-blooded censor’, which is full of oriental cultural charm and epic quality.”

“Since Kyushu Video Platform doesn’t know good merchandise, then we… will find a buyer who does!”

Upon hearing this, Lin Da’s eyes flashed with understanding. He knew that Allen Parker, the ace agent, was once again… strategizing and playing an even bigger game!

“Good! Allen,” Lin Da’s lips curved into a confident arc, “Then… let’s give them a good lesson together!”

After hanging up the phone, Lin Da contacted Chairman Li Shengshi and Qin Mu Feng, Old Qin separately, giving a brief report on the events to the two seniors.

Upon hearing about this, both big shots expressed strong indignation at Kyushu Video Platform’s arrogance and Wan Qian’s despicable actions, and clearly stated that they would use all their resources and influence in the industry to fully support Lin Da and the ‘iron-blooded censor’ crew, and would never let this unhealthy trend of capital interfering with artistic creation and suppressing excellent actors succeed!

With these solid backing, Lin Da’s heart felt even more at ease.

He knew that he was not fighting alone.

He opened the actor emperor road system 2.0.

Looking at the newly activated, “Beijing Storm Rises Again—The Test of iron-blooded censor” side quest in the task module, and the series of tempting rewards behind it, Lin Da’s eyes became even more determined.

He knew that this dark night game in Beijing had entered… the most crucial and dangerous moment!

And he was already prepared to meet this new challenge, to reveal his… sharpest sword in this misty chess game!

He wanted everyone to know that he, Lin Da, could not only leave his mark on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame; he could also defend… an actor’s dignity and… a censor’s heart for the people on the land where he was born and raised in China, with his strength and integrity!

This storm in Beijing, because of his earth-shattering “drawing of the sword,” became even more magnificent and… even more anticipated!

He wanted to see if those self-righteous capital claws could… withstand his king’s heart, which had long been sharpened to a keen edge!