93: Hidden arrow, prelude to counterattack

“Lin, something happened. In China… someone is targeting you.”

Allen Parker’s grave and somewhat hurried voice was like a cold, massive stone dropped into Lin Da’s heart, which had just relaxed after perfectly portraying “The Sorrow of the Overlord,” instantly stirring up a thousand cold waves.

China? Targeting me?

Lin Da’s brows furrowed tightly in an instant. His eyes, slightly moist from just being immersed in Chen Ajiu’s tragic fate, quickly regained their usual calmness and sharpness at this moment.

“Allen, don’t rush, tell me slowly, what exactly happened?” Lin Da’s voice was calm, showing no trace of panic. He knew that the more critical the moment, the calmer he needed to be.

Allen Parker on the other end of the phone took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, then recounted the events to Lin Da in the most concise and clear manner possible.

It turned out that while Lin Da was fully immersed in the filming of chinatown stories, almost completely cut off from the domestic entertainment industry, a premeditated and organized public opinion attack targeting him had quietly emerged on the internet in China.

The cause was an anonymous exposé post published on a well-known entertainment gossip forum.

The post, in a seemingly objective and neutral but actually maliciously misleading tone, “deeply dug” into Lin Da’s so-called “dark history” from his debut to the present.

From “abusing power” and “suppressing colleagues” in the “Jianghu Xiaoxiami” crew (alluding to the Sun Hao and Zhang Yang incident, but distorted as Lin Da’s fault), to “being arrogant and disrespectful to seniors” during the filming of the chronicles of the great ming dynasty (misinterpreting Director Zheng Guofeng’s appreciation and regard for him as his arrogance and overbearing behavior), and then to “clinging to the powerful” and “rising through improper means” in Hollywood recently (slandering his normal interactions with Li Shengshi, Su Wanqing, and others, and the roles he obtained through his own strength, as “unspoken rules” and “behind-the-scenes deals”).

This post, thousands of words long, although it did not provide any substantive evidence throughout, its inflammatory language, as well as those deliberately edited and taken out of context “supporting pictures” and “chat record screenshots,” were highly deceptive and could easily provoke negative emotions among netizens who did not know the truth.

What worried Allen Parker even more was that after the post was published, it was simultaneously reposted by dozens of entertainment marketing accounts and popular online influencers in a very short period of time, and quickly climbed to the top of the trending topics on major social platforms!

Behind it, there was clearly an invisible dark hand manipulating and pushing it!

“Lin, this public opinion attack is fierce, and… the goal is very clear: to completely ruin your reputation and make it impossible for you to gain a foothold in China!” Allen Parker’s tone was filled with gravity and worry, “I have already had CAA’s public relations team investigate. The preliminary judgment is that behind this, it is very likely… those people you offended in Beijing are launching a joint counterattack!”

People offended in Beijing…

In Lin Da’s mind, Vice President Huang’s resentful face and Wang Hong’s unwilling eyes instantly appeared.

It seems these people are truly incorrigible, and their desire to destroy me is unwavering!

After their previous attempts to frame him in Hollywood failed, they did not give up. Instead, they turned their target to China, attempting to use this more despicable and hidden form of cyber violence to destroy his career and reputation!

“Allen, can you find out the specific mastermind behind this?” Lin Da’s eyes became unusually cold.

“We don’t have conclusive evidence yet.” Allen Parker sighed, “The other party has learned to be smart this time. All operations are very covert, and they have exploited the complexity of the domestic network environment, creating considerable trouble for our investigation.”

“However, Lin, you don’t need to worry too much.” Allen Parker changed the subject, his tone carrying the confidence and control of a top agent, “I have already had the team start collecting evidence and contacted several influential mainstream media in China, preparing for a frontal response and clarification. At the same time, I will also use CAA’s connections in Hollywood to put pressure on those forces attempting to cause trouble behind the scenes.”

“Your most important task now is to remain calm, not be affected by these negative public opinions, and focus on your acting. I believe that the clear will clear itself, and the muddy will muddy itself. As long as we can produce excellent works, the tricks of these clowns will ultimately collapse on their own!”

“I understand, Allen.” Lin Da nodded, a subtle glint of coldness flashing in his eyes, “However, I, Lin Da, am not someone who lets others bully him without fighting back.”

He paused, a cold arc forming at the corner of his mouth: “Since they want to play, then I… will play with them properly!”

After hanging up the phone, Lin Da’s mood did not remain completely calm as Allen Parker had hoped.

He knew that Allen’s strategy was prudent and professional. But this kind of passive defense and clarification often consumed time and effort, and its effect was limited.

For enemies who hide in dark corners and constantly fire cold arrows, the best way is to… launch a proactive attack! Hit them hard! Cripple them! Make them never dare to have any extravagant thoughts again!

He opened the actor emperor road system 2.0.

Looking at the “Hollywood Stand-Off” core mission in the task module, which had reached 65% completion due to his excellent performance in the crew, Lin Da’s eyes became even more determined.

He knew that he was no longer the unknown nobody who could be easily manipulated. He had strength, confidence, and even more… the capital to fight back!

“System, with my current Reputation Points, what… special items or skills can I exchange for to deal with this kind of online public opinion attack?” Lin Da thought to himself.

“Ding! Detecting that the host is facing a domestic online public opinion crisis and has shown a strong desire for a proactive counterattack. The System Mall has recommended the following special items and skills for the host based on the current situation:”

“1. [Online Public Opinion Control Card (Primary, One-time)]: After use, it can slightly enhance the host’s positive public opinion guidance on designated online platforms within 24 hours, and has a certain chance to suppress the spread speed of negative information. Consumes 1500 Reputation Points.”

“2. [Hacker Master’s Gaze (Trial Card, 3 hours)]: After use, it can temporarily grant the host hacker master-level network technical capabilities within 3 hours, allowing easy breakthrough (breakthrough) of conventional network firewalls, tracking information sources, and obtaining key evidence. Consumes 3000 Reputation Points.”

“3. [Eye of Truth (Intermediate)] (Skill Upgrade): Can upgrade the [Eye of Truth (Primary)] skill to Intermediate. The Intermediate [Eye of Truth] can not only discern false information but also trace the information dissemination chain and has a certain chance to directly pinpoint key clues to the behind-the-scenes manipulator. Upgrade requires 100 Acting Points and 2000 Reputation Points.”

Online Public Opinion Control Card! Hacker Master’s Gaze Trial Card! And… Eye of Truth Intermediate Upgrade!

Lin Da’s eyes instantly lit up!

These items were simply “counterattack weapons” tailor-made for him!

Especially the [Hacker Master’s Gaze Trial Card] and the [Eye of Truth Intermediate Upgrade], if he could combine them, perhaps… he could really find those dark hands hiding behind the scenes, manipulating everything!

The corner of Lin Da’s mouth curved into a cold, somewhat bloodthirsty smile.

Vice President Huang, Wang Hong, and those demons and monsters (demons and monsters) hiding in the dark…

Your doomsday has arrived!

He wanted to see, in this invisible cyber war, who would be the one to have the last laugh… the true winner!

Allen Parker’s public relations strategy of “steady and slow, striking later” was professional and prudent, but it could not fully quell the nameless anger in Lin Da’s heart.

He, Lin Da, was never one to be bullied without fighting back!

Since those hyenas hiding in dark corners had repeatedly challenged his bottom line, attempting to destroy him with such despicable methods, then he had to use a more direct and sharper approach to make them pay a heavy price!

“Allen, I am very grateful for your arrangements.” Lin Da said to Allen Parker on the phone, his tone calm but with an undeniable firmness, “However, on this matter, I have some… ideas of my own.”

“Lin?” Allen Parker keenly sensed the anomaly in Lin Da’s tone, and his heart tightened slightly, “What do you want to do? I must remind you, it is a critical time, and any irrational action could…”

“I understand, Allen.” Lin Da interrupted him, a cold arc forming at the corner of his mouth, “I will not do anything irrational. I just want to… let those self-proclaimed hunters taste what it’s like to be bitten back by their prey.”

After hanging up the phone, Lin Da’s eyes instantly sharpened like blades.

He opened the actor emperor road system 2.0’s mall interface, his gaze directly locking onto the two “counterattack weapons” tailor-made for him.

“System, consume 100 Acting Points and 2000 Reputation Points to upgrade the [Eye of Truth (Primary)] skill to Intermediate!”

“Ding! [Eye of Truth (Primary)] skill upgrading… Upgrade successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining [Eye of Truth (Intermediate)]!”

“[Eye of Truth (Intermediate)]: The host can not only discern false information but also accurately trace the information dissemination chain and has a high probability of directly pinpointing key clues and core evidence of the behind-the-scenes manipulator. Passive effect: Significantly enhances the host’s insight into lies and disguises.”

Feeling the clarity and sharpness brought by the skill upgrade in his mind, Lin Da’s mouth curved into a satisfied smile.

Immediately after, he turned his gaze to the trial card that glowed mysteriously.

“System, consume 3000 Reputation Points to exchange for [Hacker Master’s Gaze (Trial Card, 3 hours)]!”

“Ding! [Hacker Master’s Gaze (Trial Card, 3 hours)] has been successfully exchanged! After use, the host can temporarily gain hacker master-level network technical capabilities within 3 hours, allowing easy breakthrough of conventional network firewalls, tracking information sources, and obtaining key evidence.”

Everything was ready.

Lin Da took a deep breath, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He knew that the next three hours would be a silent confrontation… a decisive cyber war between him and his hidden enemies!

He first activated the Eye of Truth (Intermediate) skill.

Instantly, he felt his mind become exceptionally clear, gaining a piercing insight into the overwhelming “dark rumors” and “exposé posts” on the internet.

He could clearly see the malicious guidance and deliberate distortion hidden behind the seemingly objective and neutral texts. He could easily distinguish between the mindless attacks of internet trolls, the malicious slanders of competitors, and… the carefully woven lies of certain behind-the-scenes manipulators.

He could even trace the initial sources of this information and the key nodes of their spread on the internet through subtle clues.

“As expected… just as I thought.” Lin Da looked at the marketing accounts and troll leaders marked by the Eye of Truth, which had intricate connections with Tianyu Media and Xinghui Entertainment, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes.

Vice President Huang, Wang Hong… you truly are incorrigible!

However, merely knowing this was not enough to completely defeat them. He needed… more direct, more fatal evidence!

“System, use [Hacker Master’s Gaze (Trial Card, 3 hours)]!”

As Lin Da silently recited the command in his mind, a vast and intricate knowledge of network technology surged into his brain like a tide.

He felt his brain transform into a supercomputer operating at ultra-high speed. The codes and programs that usually seemed like gibberish to him now became clear and easy to understand.

He opened the laptop in his hotel room, his slender fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard, producing a crisp and rhythmic sound.

His eyes were focused and sharp, as if a seasoned top hacker was engaged in a thrilling cyber attack and defense battle!

Guided by the Eye of Truth (Intermediate), he easily pinpointed the IP addresses of several troll leaders and marketing accounts that were most rampant in spreading rumors and most likely to possess core evidence.

Then, relying on the powerful technical capabilities granted by the Hacker Master’s Gaze, he peeled back the layers of their network firewalls and encryption systems like a master butcher carving an ox, directly infiltrating their computers and mobile phone backends!

Countless chat records, email exchanges, transfer receipts, and… those specific instructions on how to smear Lin Da and manipulate public opinion, personally issued by Vice President Huang and Wang Hong’s assistants, all appeared before him like snowflakes!

Ironclad evidence! Shocking to behold!

Lin Da looked at these “dark materials” that were enough to ruin Vice President Huang and Wang Hong, and even land them in jail, a cold, somewhat bloodthirsty smile curving on his lips.

He knew that he had obtained… the fatal weapon to completely destroy these enemies!

Without hesitation, he immediately categorized and organized this evidence, encrypted and backed it up, and then… anonymously sent it to several influential and well-known investigative journalists and righteous media outlets in China that he had secretly identified beforehand, known for their courage to “speak the truth” and “not fear power”!

At the same time, he also sent a portion of the key evidence directly to Chairman Li Shengshi and… Producer Qin Ya of Hua Guang Film and Television, who was far away in Beijing.

He believed that these two influential figures in the industry, upon seeing this evidence, would surely make… the most correct choice.

After doing all this, Lin Da finally let out a long sigh of relief, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

He knew that a massive storm, sweeping across the entire domestic entertainment industry, was about to descend tomorrow… no, perhaps even tonight!

And those enemies who had tried to drag him into the abyss would ultimately be torn to shreds in this storm, damned forever!

He picked up the coffee on the table, took a small sip, and looked out the window at the still dazzling Hollywood starlight in the night, a confident smile on his lips.

The overture to this counterattack had already begun.

And the true climax was yet to come!

His actor emperor road would never be blocked by these petty scoundrels!