First Battle

Li Banfeng said, "My surname is Ye, the Ye of night. I'll buy your movie theater."

The owner of Sanfu Cinema is quite knowledgeable; he had read about rare surnames in a magazine and found that Ye was indeed one of them.

"So it's Night Boss. You really want to show 'Blood Spear Detective'?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "I like this movie."

The boss gritted his teeth and said, "I like this movie too. It's a really good movie. If I were a few years younger, I would have fought those bastards with you..."

The cinema owner choked up as he spoke.

He was truly resentful.

It's good that you know you're not convinced; it proves you still have guts.

"Night Boss, I can sell this cinema to you. How much are you willing to offer?"

"Name your price first."

The cinema owner asked for two hundred dollars.

This price is cheap, ridiculously cheap.

The main reason is that the owner was in a hurry to sell, and the cinema was just a shell, almost completely smashed.

Fortunately, this is Black Stone Slope, so it's easy to get things here.

The task of setting up the cinema was left to Little Chuanzi. He was told to keep it simple and make it easy to watch movies. Li Banfeng's requirement for him was to complete it in three days.

The cinema owner, using the pseudonym Bai Qiusheng, had worked in Black Stone Slope, making him less likely to arouse suspicion.

The news spread quickly as soon as construction began here.

In a quaint old mansion south of Black Stone Slope City, Tang Peigong, the elder of the Qingshou Association Black Stone Slope, was reading in his study.

Such houses are rare in Black Stone Slope, and there are no trains running between the two streets in front and behind.

Tang Peigong was a lifelong scholar who loved learning and antiquity. He admired the ancient sages the most and was most obsessed with their profound teachings.

He had an extreme aversion to things like trains, machines, movies, and newspapers, believing that these things both disrupted peace and corrupted morals.

Take the train as an example. Tang Peigong once commented. "This thing swallows clouds and spews mist, its sound is like thunder, and it is no different from the Demons recorded in ancient books."

"Being inside a train carriage is like entering the belly of Demons; seeking only the convenience of transportation, one's soul and essence are devoured by the Demons. For momentary comfort, one is willing to degenerate—truly laughable and pathetic."

In Tang Peigong's view, the convenience that machines bring to people is the culprit that fosters hedonism and decadence.

Tang Peigong often taught his disciples that the purpose of life is to continuously grow and improve under the guidance of sages and virtuous men, and that any thought of seeking pleasure and comfort is a form of destruction and corruption of the mind and body.

He also had high expectations for his family, requiring them to persevere in their studies and abstain from pleasure.

He required his legal wife and twenty-six concubines to attend morning classes every day and study the teachings of the sages with him, so that no depraved thoughts could take hold and ruin the family's reputation.

As an elder of the Qingshou Association, he was one of the most prestigious people in Black Stone Slope. He was the one who led the destruction of two cinemas, and now that he heard that one of the cinemas was going to reopen, Tang Peigong was very displeased.

"Who bought the Sanfu Cinema?"

One student said, "It was a writer named Bai Qiusheng who spent more than ten years in Black Stone Slope, making a living by writing low-brow articles."

Now I hear that this person has made some money in Green Water City and is returning to Black Stone Slope to start a business.

Tang Peigong sighed, "Giving him a way to make a living is fine, but if he dares to show those indecent films again, I will not let him off!"

The student nodded and said, "I will go and give him a good talking-to."

Tang Peigong nodded, and the student immediately went to Sanfu Cinema.

This student is named Ai Chixiang, and he is Tang Peigong's most loyal disciple.

Bai Qiusheng was busy writing the newspaper and wasn't at the cinema, so Ai Chixiang gave Little Chuanzi a lecture.

He spoke in a slang of classical Chinese, which Little Chuanzi couldn't understand, but he agreed to everything Li Banfeng said.

Several workers at the renovated cinema spat at Ai Chixiang.

Ai Chixiang angrily retorted, "What do you mean?"

One of the workers laughed and said, "You're catching my spit?"

Ai Chixiang left, cursing under his breath.

Looking at the workers, Little Chuanzi exclaimed in admiration, "Good job, guys! You've got guts!"

One worker said angrily, "These bastards are all inhuman. What's wrong with watching a movie? Who gives them the right to disgust people like this?"

"They say we're being immoral by watching a movie, but what about his master who had twenty-six concubines? Does that mean it's not immoral?"

Many workers joined in with shouts and curses.

Li Banfeng sat on the second floor of the cinema and could hear it clearly through his Thread-Pulling Earring.

The cinema owner is a man of principle.

Such people in Black Stone Slope seem to be more than one case.

This may be a characteristic of Black Stone Slope.

Lu Maoxian's businesses are all located in Black Stone Slope, but he himself does not live Black Stone Slope, which is likely related to the characteristics of Black Stone Slope.

Little Chuanzi gathered the workers together and said in a low voice, "There's another job, it has to be done tonight, triple pay, are you interested?"

Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi, along with a group of writers, spent half a day editing the first issue of the newspaper. It was then typeset and printed that afternoon, with a total of three thousand copies printed.

Li Banfeng frowned and said, "Is that all you've printed?"

Bai Qiusheng laughed and said, "In Black Stone Slope, this is the first time the new newspaper has been published, so this number is quite large. Paper and ink have costs, so printing too much would be inappropriate."

"How much are you planning to sell it for?"

Ma Wu said, "The price is six cents, in a new newspaper, let's get some publicity first."

"Is this the price at the newsstand? What's the cost price for the newsstand here?"

Li Banfeng didn't understand newspaper management, especially the management methods of Black Stone Slope.

Ma Wu said, "We don't have a purchase price for newspapers. We deliver them to various newsstands to sell. The money from the sold newspapers is split between the two companies. The unsold newspapers are returned to us as waste paper, which we then sell to the paper mill to buy new paper."

To put it simply, if we can sell 2,000 of the 3,000 newspapers, we'll break even and make a small profit. If we only sell 1,000, we'll lose money.

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "We can't sell it like that. Print five thousand copies and sell each newspaper for two cents."

"Sell them for two cents?" Ma Wu shook his head repeatedly. "We can't do that. Even if we sell them all, we won't break even."

"You're quite the businessman," Li Banfeng laughed. "You really expect to make money from this?"

Ma Wu slapped his forehead. "Businessmen are so used to calculating profits that they've completely forgotten about the important business."

"I'll do as you say, two cents."

The hand-cranked printing press was used to print an additional two thousand copies, and people had to be hired to submit reports. They worked until dusk, and finally the first issue of "Night Fragrance" was sent out.

Famous works by renowned authors, at low prices, and discerning newspaper buyers recognized their quality. That very evening, newsstands across the country sold out.

The next day, the newsstand requested an additional print run, Ma Wu ordered an extra 5,000 copies. Li Banfeng urged the author to rush the second issue, as one printing press was not enough.

Ma Wu called Chuanzi over and asked him to buy two more printing presses. With all three presses running, the second issue of "Night Fragrance" sold for 25,000 copies.

Newspaper stands of all sizes needed to print more.

Ma Wu went to buy machines and hire workers, and the factory was bustling with activity.

The third issue of the newspaper was released, and the first issue of the magazine was also released.

The front-page news in this issue of the newspaper was not copied from other newspapers; it was written by Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi themselves.

"Blood Spear Detective III" is showing tonight at Sanfu Cinema, with a 40% discount as a special offer.

Nearly half of the articles in the magazine are film reviews of "Blood Spear Detective".

The newspapers and magazines were neatly packaged, and Ma Wu was about to arrange for their delivery when someone came to his door.

Li Banfeng thought the Qingshou Association people had arrived, and if they did, it would be difficult to deal with them.

Yuwen Qi reminded him, "Seventh Master, don't forget that the Qingshou Association three methods: hitting with sticks, pulling out braids, and labeling. You must be careful in dealing with them."

But when Bai Qiusheng went outside, he saw that it wasn't the Qingshou Association people who came, but a group of men in their twenties and thirties who kicked the packed newspapers and magazines all over the ground and kicked and beat a group of newspaper workers.

The workers of Black Stone City were not cowards; they stepped forward to fight the thugs, but Bai Qiusheng quickly stepped in to stop them.

Inside the factory, Yuwen Qi lowered her voice and said to Li Banfeng, "These are people from the Green Fire Gang. They're not easy to deal with."

"How are they difficult to deal with?"

In Pro State, doing business inevitably involves two hurdles: one is being part of a large Lineage, and the other is being part of a powerful clan. Regardless of which side you are affiliated with, you have to pay Bonus Money.

Yuwen Qi said, "The Green Fire Gang is ruthless when it comes to money, ruthless, burns down shops, kills people, they'll do anything. Seventh Master, should we take a hard line or a soft approach with them?"

Li Banfeng smiled and said, "They've come at just the right time. These people are very useful. Let's start with the softer approach."

Yuwen Qi couldn't understand; what use could these thugs be?

The leader of this group of disciples was Zeng Wenbing, the second son in his family, who called himself Second Master Zeng.

Bai Qiusheng recognized him and bowed respectfully, saying, "Second Master, when did you arrive? You didn't even let me know beforehand. Please come in..."

Zeng Wenbing slapped Bai Qiusheng across the face. "What are you trying to prove? Do I even know you? You're doing business on our turf and you don't even bother to say hello. Don't you know the rules?"

Bai Qiusheng dared not say more. Having been beaten, he still had to force a smile, "Second Master, my business just opened, and I haven't had a chance to tell you yet..."

"Stop talking nonsense and bring me 20,000 yuan right now. Consider this your entry fee. Your end-of-month Bonus Money will be calculated separately."

"Second Master, our small business hasn't even made any money yet, and you're asking for 20,000 right off the bat..."

"You want a beating, huh? Let me tell you, I'm standing here smoking a cigarette. If you don't hand over your money by now, I'll burn this place down."

Bai Qiusheng quickly returned to the factory and said to Li Banfeng, "He wants 20,000."

Li Banfeng said, "Give it to him. Remember that slap you just gave him, and remember that you hit the worker too. We'll get it back with interest in a couple of days."

Bai Qiusheng paid the money, and Zeng Wenbing left with his men.

Ma Wu instructed his men to organize the books and newspapers and deliver them to various newsstands.

The following evening, Li Banfeng had everything arranged and sat quietly on the roof of the cinema, behind the signboard.

A large crowd gathered in front of the cinema. The promotional efforts for "Night Fragrance" were extensive, and "Blood Spear Detective" was very appealing.

Another crucial point is that the people of Black Stone Slope have guts.

As long as the cinemas dare to show it, they dare to watch it!

The movie was still half an hour away from starting, but the hall was already packed with people.

Elder Tang Peigong of the Qingshou Association Black Stone Slope has arrived with his men.

He was surrounded by about a hundred disciples, with Ai Chixiang walking at the very front, pushing and shoving the crowd and shouting orders.

"Rotten wood cannot be carved, and a wall of dung cannot be plastered. Do you even know how to write the word 'shame'? You have completely corrupted the virtues of being human!"

Yuwen Qi said, "Seventh Master, they've started hitting us with sticks."

As the group arrived at the entrance, Tang Peigong shouted loudly, "Ma Junyang, a shameless scoundrel, whose shameless acts throughout his life are countless..."

Tang Peigong began to list Ma Junyang's crimes in detail.

Yuwen Qi said, "Seventh Master, you're starting to pull my braid again."

After recounting the charges, Tang Peigong said sternly, "Shadow plays are not the orthodox form of drama. They are Western tricks and stunts that entertain people with sound and color, and are the source of depravity!"

Shameless scoundrels, creating this shameless farce! You are ignorant of the truth and the facts, yet you willingly suffer their poison, which truly pains me to the core.

This cinema, having already been punished by Mr. Tang for showing this shameless film, has repeatedly failed to correct its ways and should be completely destroyed as a warning to others!

Yuwen Qi said, "Seventh Master, this is the Qingshou Association's greatest secret technique. To label someone..."

"Beat them with sticks, pull their braids, and label them—once you've used up these three ultimate techniques, you can ruin even the best reputation."

Little Chuanzi gritted her teeth and said, "Today we'll see who really stinks!"

Tang Peigong gave the order to act, and a group of his disciples prepared to smash up the movie theater.

Li Banfeng ordered, "Use sticks!"

As Tang Peigong arrived at the cinema entrance, his disciples raised their sticks, ready to smash him, when suddenly a woman in her seventies fell to the ground, screaming, "What are you doing? Why are you hitting this old woman?"

The old woman's face was covered in blood. Tang Peigong was stunned, and the other disciples were also stunned.

Who accidentally hurt the old lady?

The old woman continued, crying and shouting, "Aren't you human? Don't you have fathers and mothers? You beat an old woman like me to death! Aren't you afraid of divine retribution? Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning? Aren't you afraid of your ancestors showing their power and taking away all of you bastards!"

Tang Peigong's face turned blue from the insults, Ai Chixiang roared, "Shameless shrew..."

"You shrew! Who are you calling a shrew? I'm so old, and you just start cursing and hitting me. You're not even a human being! What kind of bastards are you all born of?!"

Ai Chixiang opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word. In front of the Street Scolding Woman, Ai Chixiang was too clumsy to even open his mouth.

Enraged and embarrassed, Ai Chixiang couldn't hold back any longer. He grabbed the old woman's hair and gritted his teeth, saying, "Who are you insulting?"

Li Banfeng gave the order, "Pull their braids!"

A group of photographers emerged from the crowd and captured the scene of Ai Chixiang pulling his hair.

The old woman's face was covered in blood, she gritted her teeth, grabbed Ai Chixiang's wrist with one hand, and Ai Chixiang with him with the other.

Li Banfeng had his men bring out the Shadow Play Machine; such a vivid scene had to be used in the fourth installment of "Blood Spear Detective".

Seeing people taking pictures around him, Tang Peigong shouted angrily, "Chi Xiang, stop! Don't fall for their trick!"

Ai Chixiang tried to pull his hand back, but found that his wrist was firmly gripped by the Street Scolding Woman.

Street Scolding Woman can easily provoke others, but others should not Street Scolding Woman with her.

This isn't about respecting the elderly; it's just that most people can't beat Street Scolding Woman.

Not only was Ai Chixiang unable to move his hands, but a strange force spread from his wrist joints throughout his body. He was completely controlled by the Street Scolding Woman. In order to cooperate with the filming, the Street Scolding Woman also made him make a ferocious expression and various actions such as punching and slapping his face.

With these valuable video materials, the second part, "pulling the pigtails," should now come to an end.

Unexpectedly, this scene aroused public outrage.

"You dared to hit an old woman, you bunch of bastards!"

"The Qingshou Association, they're all shameless bastards!"

"What's wrong with watching a movie? Beat up those bastards!"

This is Black Stone Slope, not Bastard Slope.

The enraged people of Black Stone Slope began shoving and pushing Tang Peigong and his disciples.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Tang Peigong ordered his disciples to escort him away quickly.

Among the disciples were those with cultivation levels; they rushed to the front, ready to clear the way.

Want to leave?

It's not that easy!

Li Banfeng ordered, "Put on the labels!"

Little Genzi stood on the roof of the cinema, looking coldly at the crowd below.

A long ladle was held horizontally in mid-air, and with the help of Little Chuanzi and his men, ten buckets were neatly hung on the ladle.

Seizing the opportunity, Little Genzi concentrated his mind and swung his long ladle, sending ten buckets plummeting from mid-air.

Tang Peigong was a quick-witted man. He noticed something strange in the air and immediately looked up to take a look.

Pfft!

A bucket landed squarely on Tang Peigong's head.

The second level of the Golden Cultivation Technique: Its Ten Li Fragrance!

This bucket of food is truly fragrant for miles around.

Without Genzi specially formulated antidote, it cannot be washed away within six months.

Tang Peigong took off the bucket, revealing a face radiant with gold, and his hair and beard were all yellow.

He felt nauseous, but couldn't vomit completely because there was too much stuff in his mouth.

He looked for Ai Chixiang, Ai Chixiang was still standing there, with a bucket on his head.

Li Banfeng looked at Tang Peigong coldly. "What's the point of just building a reputation?"

Little Chuanzi gritted his teeth and said, "Today we're going to ruin him, ruin him from the inside out!"

Holding a long ladle, Little Genzi shouted angrily, "Bring me another bucket!"

P. S.: To defeat evil people, you must be more evil than them.

The wicked will curse us with tears in their eyes, and since they've already done it, we must continue to be wicked towards them.