Dad, Please Try a Little Harder - Chapter 93: Want to Defeat Qian Quan and China's Martial Arts World!_l

Inside the New Story Monthly editorial department.

“Are you sure the caller is actually from a film company?”

The chief editor found it hard to believe after hearing Qing Mo’s report.

Each house knew its own business best. With the magazine’s style of chasing after the wind, exaggerating facts, masquerading as real-life stories, and overly melodramatic narratives, they’ve never had to worry about the issue of TV or film adaptation rights.

Dramas could be melodramatic too, but even within the realm of over-the-top storylines, there was a hierarchy.

You could go watch a blockbuster movie filled with the pains of youth, alcohol-fueled brawls, unexpected pregnancies, memory loss, car accidents, and unexpected moves abroad;

Or you might chase after a TV series where an overbearing CEO/lord/demon falls in love with the protagonist;

But, chances are you wouldn’t buy a magazine with a cover featuring a scantily-clad woman and a headline that threatens to shatter your worldview.

Had it not been for stricter regulations in recent years that began cracking down on inappropriate content, the New Story Monthly magazine, in its earlier years, would have had even more outrageous categories of stories.

Those articles weren’t just challenging conventional values; they were reconstructing them.

Put simply, even the specialist would have recognized their audacity and nodded in approval.

Thus, in the eyes of many, such magazines represent vulgarity and are considered “low-class”, something not to be publicly endorsed.

So, even in an era when IP is king, and the entire industry is scavenging and hoarding popular IPs, the stories from New Story Monthly remain untouched and unadapted for TV or film.

“I checked. There is indeed such a company. They’ve produced several period dramas and romance dramas. One of their notable productions even became popular,” Qing Mo confirmed.

“That explains it,” the chief editor nodded. “Did they mention how much they’re willing to pay?”

“No, they just inquired about the rights and the author’s contact.”

The chief editor pondered for a moment and said, “We don’t have the film and TV rights, but…”

Qing Mo’s expression subtly shifted.

“But we can first buy out the author’s film and television rights, and then negotiate with the film and television companies.”

Qing Mo remained silent.

“Do you think it’s not a good idea?” the chief editor inquired, reading her face.

“No, it’s just… how much do we offer to buy it outright?”

“Maybe 50,000 or 80,000. Let’s have a meeting to assess it.”

Qing Mo replied, “But I heard that a serialized post on a forum was sold for 150,000…”

“150,000? For a piece of just a few tens of thousands of words? 5,000 per thousand words?” The chief editor expressed surprise, then chuckled, “True, popular IP rights are now selling for millions. This would’ve been unimaginable when I started in this industry.”

Qing Mo nodded in agreement, “It does feel a bit crazy, almost like a bubble.”

“Never mind. Just give them the author’s contact and then follow up on this. Once the contract is finalized, well do some publicity.”

“Understood.”

“This is also an opportunity for us. In the future, we can pay more attention to the manuscripts we receive, assessing which ones have potential for adaptation.”

“Alright.”

“First, contact the author and give them a heads-up. Emphasize our role in this collaboration, but not too overtly.”

“Understood.”

“Go ahead.”

Returning to her desk, Qing Mo immediately contacted the author of “Porcelain Wedding”, Mr. Linwen.

“Wenlin is amazing. 650 per thousand words might not have been a big deal in the past, but given the current decline of the publishing industry, this is quite an achievement.”

The news of Qian Wenlin’s published piece and his royalty rate quickly spread.

“I just got lucky,” Qian Wenlin responded humbly.

“We all know it’s because of your talent. This calls for a treat. We expect a feast!”

“No problem,” Qian Wenlin laughed, considering the royalty of 19,000, spending a couple of thousand on a treat was no issue.

As they chatted, the bell signaled the start of class. Everyone returned to work. Qian Wenlin didn’t have a class, but he had a pile of assignments to grade.

Just as he was about to begin, he received a message from editor Qing Mo:

“Mr. Lin, sorry to disturb you. Do you still own the film rights for ‘Porcelain Wedding’?”

Qian Wenlin, intrigued, replied, “Yes, I do. Why?”

Qing Mo said, “We’re considering promoting the film rights of your novel, so wanted to confirm with you.”

Qian Wenlin replied, “Oh, I see. Thanks for the effort.”

Qing Mo said, “It’s no big deal. I’ll contact you once there’s an update.”

Qian Wenlin replied, “Alright.”

In Nara.

Inside a courtyard built against a mountain, Shimizu Ichiro knelt on a cushion, head down, silent.

Opposite him sat a middle-aged man in his fifties and a broad, mountain-like young man.

They were Shimizu Ichiro’s master and his master’s junior.

They were the laido skill master Kunio Okawachi, and his junior, Igarashi Yuugiri.

Kunio exuded an elegant and friendly demeanor, and Igarashi, stoic and composed, resembled an unyielding, icy mountain.

Their contrasting presences were strikingly clear.

To Shimizu Ichiro, he’d rather be scolded by his Master for an hour than sit face-to-face with his senior brother for fifteen minutes.

The pressure was suffocating.

“Ichiro, you’re saying you gave it your all?” Master asked.

“Yes.”

“He only used a single switch-hand strike?”

“Yes.”

Kunio Okawachi nodded slightly, then turned to his junior. “What do you think?”

Yuugure looked at Shimizu Ichiro and said, “Take your sword and pretend I’m him. Show me the move from that day.”

Hesitating for a moment, Shimizu Ichiro was jolted by an intense gaze from his senior, as if an invisible force pressed upon his chest. He quickly bowed, “Understood.”

Shimizu Ichiro stood, gripping the weapon beside him.

He readied himself and tightened his grip on the sword.

“Go all out!” the senior ordered indifferently.

Ichiro Shimizu’s demeanor changed instantly, like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, lunging toward Igarashi Yuugiri.

He was fully aware of Igarashi Yuugiri’s strength and character, so he didn’t dare to hold back.

However…

Before his blade could even get close, he felt a sharp pain in both hands, and his sword was sent flying by a seemingly casual flick from his senior’s hand.

Once he regained his composure, he saw his senior nonchalantly retracting his hand.

He had just disarmed Shimizu Ichiro without a weapon!

Shimizu Ichiro stepped back, bowing.

If Qian Quan had needed to use stainless steel chopsticks to parry his strike, then this barehanded deflection by his senior was clearly on another level.

“Do you think that Chinese boy could do it?” the master asked with a smile.

“He definitely couldn’t,” Shimizu Ichiro stated confidently.

“Alright, you may leave now.”

“Yes.”

Picking up his sword and bowing, Shimizu Ichiro exited the courtyard.

“Planning a trip to China?” Kunio Okawachi asked with a hint of amusement.

“I will, but I won’t make a move.”

“Why?”

“An old Chinese is saying: ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never lose.’ So, I want to meet him first.”

“And after?”

“I will challenge the entire Chinese martial arts community in front of the world.”

Kunio Okawachi chuckled, “You were always going to do this, weren’t you?”

“I must, otherwise, our ancestors would never rest in peace.”

“Many of Japan’s martial arts originated in China; their claims of superiority are not simply boasting.”

China also has an old saying: ‘A disciple should surpass the master.’ Think about 80 years ago; if not for the intervention of the US and Russia, the disciple would have already taken the master’s place.”

“Times have changed; today, our country is…”

“That’s precisely why it’s even more crucial to do this.” Igarashi Yuugiri remarked with a cryptic smile, “Decades ago, China, to boost its national pride, dispelled the ‘Sick Man of East Asia’ label, creating numerous martial arts legends and heroic tales.”

“Now, it’s our turn to challenge. Not just Qian Quan, but the entire Chinese martial arts community!

Even if it won’t change the course of history..”