Chapter 153: Peace Can No Longer Be Maintained!

As soon as this music review was published, it immediately caused an uproar.

Industry insiders, in particular, were practically jumping out of their skin.

"Did Sun Liangke write this?"

"No way, right? Did someone ghostwrite it for him?"

"How could he start cursing?"

"Who are the rabble? Who is he scolding here?"

"This music review lacks any sense of standards. The beginning was fine, but why did it resort to cursing halfway through? Which professional music critic would do that?"

"Damn it! Is that what Jiang Lun's song really means? Is he saying that everyone in our circle is an asshole, shameless, and filthy trash?"

"It's possible! Sun Liangke's reviews have always been brutally honest; that is his style. Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that he did this on purpose!"

"Why?"

"To intentionally smear Jiang Lun, of course. A high-level smear job!"

"Oh, praising on the surface while actually tearing him down?"

"I don't think so. Everyone knows Sun Liangke; he has always been out of step with the entertainment industry and frequently publishes articles criticizing the current pop music scene. I reckon these are his true thoughts, and Jiang Lun's song probably just struck a chord with that side of him!"

"Then we've been terribly wronged!"

"..."

Netizens were equally thrilled, leaving comments on the review with great amusement!

"Haha, this wonderful old grand-uncle, this review is brilliantly written!"

"Indeed, look at those singers nowadays—relying on a single song to coast through life, yet still calling themselves masters of the single-trick pony!"

"It hasn't been impressive for a long time. Look at Jiang Lun, just casually dropping a song on the Pioneer Chart, and it's even in Cantonese! It sounds so good; I've had it on single-track repeat all morning!"

"I've been listening to it since dawn. Sigh, if only the lyrics were out!"

"The lyrics came out a while ago. They're on Jiang Lun's fan community page on Yiting, though they were transcribed by ear by fans!"

"Really? Can someone copy them over so we can take a look?"

"I'm from Guangdong, I can understand the lyrics to this song, they are genuinely well-written!"

"Haha, I can barely make out the melody, it's so catchy!"

"I can understand a few lines too: Steel sky pot. Shedding tears while shouting to mend the leaking wok..."

"Hahahaha, oh my god, it's inexplicably hilarious!"

"You troll, that's quite enough!"

"Forgive me in this lifetime for not indulging in loving my bros!"

"The person above me is missing half their brain!"

"..."

At this moment, Jiang Lun had no time to pay attention to the online comments.

His Weibo accounts were entirely managed by his assistant; writing posts and publishing them didn't require his personal involvement.

Right now, he was in a hotel in Guangzhou, attending the annual gala of New Jingwu.

At the gala venue.

Jiang Lun sat at the same table with Huo Dongfang and his son, Huo Gang. Also at the table were representatives sent by various companies involved in the production and financing of the movie, with even the lowest-ranking person holding a director-level title.

The gala had started at ten in the morning, and it was now one o'clock in the afternoon.

"Mr. Jiang. Let's have another toast to our cooperation!"

Peter Phillips, the representative sent by Universal Pictures of the United States, raised his glass once more. Universal was handling the overseas distribution of *Fearless*.

"Here's to a pleasant cooperation!"

Jiang Lun raised his glass and took a small sip. "We still have a press conference this afternoon, let's drink a little less!"

"Well said! We mustn't let it interfere with business!"

Huo Gang laughed. "Tonight, our New Jingwu will treat everyone to a proper drink!"

For the past few months, Huo Gang had been staying in Beijing. He usually worked out of Jiang Lun's studio, studying the production logistics of the film *Fearless* alongside Jiang Lun.

It was evident that the young man was extremely ambitious and meticulous about filmmaking.

The representatives from the other companies at the table had all been personally contacted by him.

At two o'clock in the afternoon.

The internationally renowned martial arts superstar Jet Li arrived at the hotel.

Jiang Lun and the others went out together to welcome him.

"Jet, hahaha!"

Huo Dongfang walked forward with a hearty laugh. "Long time no see!"

"Master Huo, long time no see!"

Jet Li, dressed in a black traditional Chinese outfit, stepped forward and cupped his fists in a greeting. It was clear his relationship with Huo Dongfang was quite good.

"Jet, inviting you out of retirement to make a movie this time—thank you for giving me this face, you've been more than generous!"

"Master Huo flatters me. For the sake of Chinese martial arts and the development of the Huo Family Fist, it is only right that I do my part."

Chatting as they walked into the hotel, Huo Dongfang then introduced the people present to him one by one.

First were the representatives of the investment companies, followed by the production company representatives, and finally the domestic distributor Yida and the overseas distributor Universal Pictures.

Yida was the only company here that handled investment, production, and distribution all at once.

After introducing all of them, he finally introduced Jiang Lun.

"Jet, I especially want to introduce this person to you!"

Huo Dongfang pointed at Jiang Lun, about to introduce him, but Jet Li waved his hand. "No need for introductions, I know him!"

Hearing this, Huo Dongfang looked surprised. "You know him?"

"Of course, who in the Chinese entertainment industry doesn't know Jiang Lun?"

Jet Li smiled. "Even down in Southeast Asia, I can hear your songs!"

"Mr. Li is too kind!"

Jiang Lun chuckled, unable to conceal the joy in his heart. "When it comes to Chinese people in the entertainment industry, Mr. Li's contributions are still the greatest!"

"It's different!"

Jet Li waved his hand. "You do music, I do martial arts; together, we bring glory to the Chinese people!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jet Li asked, "I heard that the movie's theme song was written by you?"

"Yes!" Jiang Lun nodded.

"Is it like *Nunchucks*?"

Jet Li asked further, "Overseas compatriots adore your song; it sings out our own style. Especially within the martial arts circle, there are way too many foreigners now who want to learn how to use nunchucks!"

"The style is similar!"

Jiang Lun replied, "It incorporates R&B, pop, and elements of traditional Chinese opera!"

"Oh?" Jet Li was slightly taken aback. "A mix of so many styles? Is the song ready? Can you let me listen to it?"

"Of course, it's already done!"

Jiang Lun smiled. "Though it's just a demo, I can play it for your appreciation shortly!"

"Appreciation is too strong a word, I'm just curious!" Jet Li said.

Walking through the hotel, they first escorted Jet Li to his room.

The press conference was scheduled for three o'clock in the afternoon in the banquet hall on the second floor of the hotel.

Taking advantage of this window, Jet Li insisted on dragging Jiang Lun along to listen to the demo he had produced.

With no other choice, Jiang Lun took out his phone and played the simple demo of *Fearless* he had put together.

"...The years flow past in the small town, clear memories..."

Hearing this section, Jet Li's facial expression paused for a moment, his eyes filled with delight. "Fantastic! This kind of music completely aligns with our national martial arts!"

"Oh?" Jiang Lun was puzzled and waited for him to elaborate.

Jet Li explained, "Although Chinese martial arts have various schools and sects, what has made it to the world stage today is not the martial arts of any single sect, but rather the national martial arts that draw upon the strengths of all and integrate them into one! Your song is just like national martial arts; listening to it, you hear all sorts of styles—it's like a random stew, yet it isn't chaotic in the slightest. What's more, it gives people a brilliantly refreshing feeling!"

Hearing this, Jiang Lun couldn't help but blush. "Mr. Li, what you're saying is making me blush!"

"It's fine. Although we are in two different industries, there are areas where we can cooperate. Just like this movie, aren't we collaborating on it?"

Jet Li said, "I heard the script for this movie was also written by you?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Lun said, "Including the entire screenwriting team, my studio is currently handling it all. I hope Mr. Li won't mind when filming begins!"

"There's nothing to mind!"

Jet Li waved his hand. "However, I looked over your action-design script; you seem to understand me very well. Many of the choreographed moves are written completely in my fighting style!"

"I indeed referenced many of your films. Especially those martial arts instructional sets you published—I followed the videos, searching over and over again for suitable moves to establish the choreography for the entire film!"

Jiang Lun lied without a hint of blush. In truth, he had never watched Jet Li's movies or any instructional videos; these moves had simply been transcribed word-for-word from the original film script.

As for why it matched so closely, it was probably just a coincidence!

However, upon hearing Jiang Lun's words, Jet Li beamed from ear to ear with excitement.

He continuously praised Jiang Lun for having a bright future, for being serious and meticulous when making films, and so on.

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

The press conference for the kick-off of the movie *Fearless* officially began.

This was completely different from the press conference Jiang Lun had held for the sitcom *My Own Swordsman*. There were over a hundred media outlets present at the venue, and even the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television had sent leaders to attend. In addition, the Chinese Wushu Association, the Asian Wushu Federation, and the International Wushu Federation had all sent representatives to participate in the launch event.

The sheer scale of it was breathtaking.

The Huo family's influence in the martial arts world was immeasurable. Starting from Huo Dongfang's grandfather, the Huo family had entered the mainstream martial arts circle. Especially with Huo Dongfang's decision to openly teach the Huo Family Fist, it had sent shockwaves through the entire martial arts community.

Their martial arts school had cultivated numerous well-known ring fighters, and the various martial arts competition championships and gold medals won by his disciples were countless.

Even martial arts masters and kung fu superstars like Jet Li had sought out Huo Dongfang to learn the Huo Family Fist back when he was already famous.

The media had largely come for Jet Li. Although he had retired from acting for only three years, the film offers he had turned down over these three years reportedly added up to salaries totaling four hundred million.

With this comeback, what everyone cared about most was undoubtedly his salary.

Judging by past records, Jet Li had once commanded a salary of eighty million for a single film. To coax him out of retirement with such great effort, they must have paid him even more this time, right?

Yet, they hadn't.

Jet Li announced his salary on the spot: he was taking a symbolic single yuan!

Just one yuan!

That wasn't even enough for bus fare to leave the house.

However, Huo Dongfang added afterwards that Jet Li would receive a percentage of the box office revenue, which finally set the reporters' minds at ease.

Jiang Lun sat in the audience wearing sunglasses, not on the stage.

There had already been far too much news about him these past few days; major and minor newspapers alike bore his name.

Right now, he just wanted to calm down. Besides, he wasn't someone who liked actively courting high-profile publicity.

Even so, someone still recognized him.

"Jiang Lun?"

A reporter suddenly spotted him. "Why are you sitting here?"

At that single shout, all eyes turned toward him.

Seeing this setup, Jiang Lun knew that if he didn't say something, he wouldn't be getting any peace and quiet.