217: Chapter 217 The War of Information

Kyoto's mornings often begin with a steaming hot breakfast and news notifications on one's phone.

But today, the entire public opinion sphere in Kyoto felt like it had been hit by a depth charge.

Major mainstream media outlets, online forums, and short video platforms were all simultaneously dominated by several sensationalist headlines.

"Shocking! Is the so-called 'National Hero' actually a vampire? The bloody truth behind Lin Fan's blind box!"

"Ministry of Education specially appointed professor openly gambling? Kyoto University reduced to a casino, whose fault is it?"

"A bankrupt father's tearful accusation: Myriad Treasures Pavilion's blind boxes ruined my family!"

"Exclusive reveal: Military-supplied goods resold at high prices, Lin Fan suspected of profiteering from a national crisis!"

These articles were written with extreme incitement.

The accompanying images were meticulously edited and processed.

There were photos of students crying while holding empty blind boxes.

There was a close-up of Lin Fan's "greedy" face while counting money in class.

There were even so-called "insiders" leaking information, claiming that Lin Fan's blind boxes were a complete scam, that the contents were all inferior products, and that only a tiny minority of shills could open good items.

For a moment, public opinion was in an uproar.

The trend of praising Lin Fan due to the exercise victory instantly reversed.

"I told you, there's no such thing as a free lunch."

"Isn't this Lin Fan too unscrupulous? Even scamming students out of their money?"

"Reselling military supplies to us? If that's not profiteering from a national crisis, what is?"

"Boycott Myriad Treasures Pavilion! Drive Lin Fan out of Kyoto University!"

Keyboard warriors on the internet were like sharks smelling blood, starting to attack Lin Fan crazily.

Various vicious curses and insults filled the comment sections.

Someone even started a "ten-thousand-signature petition," demanding the Ministry of Education strictly investigate Lin Fan and seal off Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

Inside Kyoto University.

The entrance to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion branch, usually bustling with activity, seemed somewhat deserted today.

Many students stood in the distance, pointing and gesturing with complex expressions.

Many of them had actually benefited from the blind boxes.

But under this overwhelming public opinion offensive, the herd mentality took over.

No one dared to stand up for Lin Fan at this moment, fearing they would be labeled as "paid trolls" or "brainless fans."

Practical Combat Academy, Dean's Office.

Qin Feng was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in the room.

His forehead was covered in sweat, and he held a tablet, continuously scrolling through those negative news reports.

"Brother Fan! You need to look at this!"

"These bastards are too wicked!"

"They are spreading rumors, this is slander!"

Qin Feng shoved the tablet in front of Lin Fan, his hands shaking with anger.

"Look at this one, it says our blind boxes are a gambling cancer that will lead teenagers astray."

"And this one, it says your S-Rank Talent is an evil art practiced using the life essence of students."

"Which idiot came up with this? Even novels wouldn't dare write this!"

Compared to Qin Feng's anxiety, Lin Fan appeared unusually calm.

He was sprawled in his boss chair, feet propped up on the desk.

He held a cup of steaming goji berry tea, eyes narrowed as he enjoyed the sunlight from outside the window.

"Calm down, Little Fengzi."

Lin Fan blew on the tea slowly and took a sip.

"This tea is not bad, I'll send two jin to Old Master Su later."

"Brother Fan! What time is it, and you're still drinking tea!"

Qin Feng was so anxious he nearly jumped up.

"Outside, they are practically cursing your ancestral graves until they're smoking!"

"The Zhao family has really gone all out this time, buying up all the trending searches."

"If this continues, the reputation of Myriad Treasures Pavilion will be ruined; who will dare to buy our stuff in the future?"

Lin Fan put down his teacup, a playful smile curling the corners of his mouth.

"Reputation?"

"Little Fengzi, you must remember."

"In the world of capital, reputation is like a woman's skirt."

"Too long and no one looks, too short and it's easy to have a wardrobe malfunction."

"Only when the wind blows is it the most attractive."

Qin Feng listened, looking completely confused.

"Brother Fan, can you speak human language?"

Lin Fan stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the students pointing and gesturing downstairs.

There was not a hint of panic in his eyes; instead, they revealed a trace of excitement, like a hunter seeing prey fall into a trap.

"The Zhao family is desperate."

"They suffered a huge loss in Jianghai, and since they can't touch me with force, they want to kill me using this soft blade of public opinion."

"This move is indeed quite ruthless."

"If it were an ordinary martial artist, even a Grandmaster, facing this kind of internet-wide blacklisting, they would probably have a mental breakdown."

"It's a pity though..."

Lin Fan turned around and took a thick ledger out of the drawer.

"They met me."

"A professional, ethically-driven... Shrewd Merchant."

He picked up the red phone on the desk and dialed a number.

From the other end of the line came a lazy, magnetic voice with a mature, feminine tone.

That was the Chief Financial Officer of Myriad Treasures Pavilion, and also the business genius dug up by Lin Fan with a high salary (and a honey trap) — Qian Duoduo.

"Hello, Boss."

"It seems you are already a public enemy of the entire internet."

"Do you need me to embezzle the funds and run away, drawing a line between us?"

Qian Duoduo's voice carried a hint of teasing.

"Cut the crap."

Lin Fan smiled.

"How is that 'special bill' I asked you to prepare coming along?"

"It's been ready for a long time."

Qian Duoduo's voice immediately became professional.

"According to your request, all raw material costs have been calculated at the 'highest market price'."

"All labor, transportation, and R&D costs have been calculated according to 'top-tier laboratory standards'."

"And those military-supplied subsidies have all been made into 'negative profits'."

"Boss, honestly, after reading this bill, I was almost moved to tears."

"This isn't doing business at all, this is practically charity."

Lin Fan nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good."

"Since the Zhao family wants to play a public opinion war, then I'll play a big one with them."

"Send out the notice."

"At three o'clock this afternoon, hold a press conference at the Kyoto Gymnasium."

"Invite all the media, including those who cursed me the most fiercely."

"I want to settle an account... for the whole world."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Fan looked at the still-confused Qin Feng.

"Brother Fan, what are you doing?"

"Self-destructing?"

Lin Fan patted Qin Feng's shoulder and said earnestly.

"Little Fengzi, learn from this."

"This is called reverse marketing."

"The Zhao family thinks they are splashing dirty water."

"Actually, they are sending me traffic."

"With so much traffic, if I don't monetize it, I'd be struck by lightning."

Two-fifty in the afternoon.

The Kyoto Gymnasium was packed with people.

Cameras and microphones were set up densely, and flashbulbs were flashing non-stop.

Almost all the media in Kyoto had come.

Besides reporters, there were many students and citizens watching the excitement, as well as "professional troublemakers" arranged by the Zhao family.

The atmosphere was exceptionally tense and oppressive.

Everyone was waiting to see Lin Fan make a fool of himself.

Waiting to see how this former genius would be ruined under the judgment of public opinion.

Inside the Zhao family mansion.

Zhao Haokun sat in front of a huge projection screen, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand.

Looking at the empty podium on the screen, a victor's smile appeared on his face.

"Lin Fan, let's see how you turn this around."

"No matter how you explain it, as soon as you open your mouth, you'll only make it worse."

"Public opinion can melt gold, and repeated slander can destroy a person."

"This is the game of power."