Chapter Thirty-Nine: Held in Contempt

Chen Long’s expression grew serious as well. “Shan, you’re absolutely right. Finding the old man’s whereabouts is more important than anything else!”

Liu Qingshan nodded. “But I don’t hold out much hope. He disappeared without a trace six or seven years ago, and perhaps it was his intention not to be found. The old man has always been eccentric; even after years together, I never figured out his patterns.”

“Perhaps that’s how masters are,” Chen Long replied. “Isn’t that how legends describe them? They come and go like shadows, leaving no trace.”

“Your world of martial arts is quite different from other circles. Most people elsewhere talk only about showing off or gossiping. It’s much more comfortable here.”

“Yes, don’t be fooled by the Chen family’s martial artists’ understated manner. They actually come from all corners of the country, and their skills were often acquired through winding, unusual paths. You hear a lot of stories from them!”

Liu Qingshan quickly shifted the topic, following the flow of conversation. He understood well that unless he had a complete set of the Flowery Fist’s Thirty-Six Techniques, it would be impossible to deceive Chen Long, given his vast experience. Even so, this man would never fully believe him. The only way to avoid being exposed was to speak as little as possible about these matters.

After all, his experiences were invented; say too much, and at his age, what he thought were perfect lies might reveal flaws in the other’s eyes.

The barbecue was a great success, but inevitably led to many people getting drunk. Fortunately, most heeded advice, and the gathering ended before eleven.

Despite being dizzy from drink that night, Jin Xishan did not forget to urge Liu Qingshan to study the script overnight. In her mind, “Kill the Wolf” was a rare opportunity.

So he was pushed out of her room early, so as not to delay important matters.

Following his nightly routine, Liu Qingshan opened the script and then wandered through the mindspace of the Super Star-Creating System, unexpectedly receiving a prompt:

“Detected a draft script in need of revision, but your current level is insufficient to unlock related options. We recommend you raise your reputation value quickly, to exchange for system shop points. There, you can use points to purchase skills for script revision.”

“Skill points? Aren’t they shown under physical and professional skills? If I use them for purchases, will those stats decrease?”

“These are two types of skill points. The first are attribute skills, which enhance your abilities without setback. The shop skill points are called achievement points, and will only be visible after the system shop is officially unlocked.”

“So you’re saying I have hidden achievement points, and they’re used to pay for items in the shop?”

“Yes, host. Once the shop opens, a new entry will appear on the homepage, and achievement points will make it visible.”

“Are achievement points equivalent to reputation value? How many do I have now?”

“They are equivalent. Achievement points can be exchanged for reputation value, as a conversion method. As for the exact number, you must check it yourself; my function is to guide, not to provide specific data.”

“Can you at least reveal how they are earned?”

“For example, your last promotion to intermediate actor earned you a large amount of achievement points. Each time you advance in any metric, you’ll receive corresponding points.”

“One more question: I noticed the homepage lists both reputation and shop points, and their numbers are identical. Will that change in the future?”

“When the shop point entry is officially unlocked, it becomes shop contribution value. For now, it mirrors the reputation value, to remind the host how to access the shop.”

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“So when shop points become shop contribution value, they will no longer be related to reputation value, and each time I enter, 100 reputation points are automatically deducted?”

“Correct, host.”

“Final question: What are shop contribution values used for?”

“They are used to unlock items in the shop! Additionally, a reminder: the locked items, aside from skill books which are extremely rare, are often works from the entertainment industry of your world over the next ten years, with significant trend-setting potential!”

The system’s final answer brought Liu Qingshan great joy.

Previously, his song “Beautiful Legend” was acquired through the system’s lottery, and only applied to his current performance project.

If he could obtain such songs in advance, he would have far more works under his own control.

For instance, he had promised Jin Xishan a song for her album, originally hoping for a lucky draw, thinking that producing the album counted as an ongoing project.

Now, it seemed he wouldn’t need to waste rare lottery chances. Surely, there would be other works among the locked items—ready-made scripts, skill books, and so forth.

His excitement lasted only a moment, for he had grown somewhat numb to the wonders of the Super Star-Creating System. He knew the best response was relentless practice.

Though it seemed he could enter the skill training room during sleep, as if effortlessly, it actually required adherence to normal physiological routines. During that time, he could not be distracted by anything—eating, drinking, relieving himself, or intimate acts.

He was living alone for now, so the impact was negligible, but it would surely affect his daily life in the future.

Currently, his nightly training included not only martial arts, but consistent practice of other professional skills.

Not tonight, though. He had a script to finish and deliver to Ye Weixing first thing in the morning.

The next day, Ye Weixing sought him out, but there was no time for the conversation he had imagined, as the TV station’s recording notice arrived.

Not only would Liu Qingshan have to go to the station for an afternoon recording, but he also had to complete two segments with Chen Long and Liang Jia Hui in the morning.

“My script notes are already written. As for the story of the assassin Ajie, I don’t have the authority to change the overall narrative!”

Ye Weixing was prepared for Liu Qingshan’s insistence. In fact, he didn’t like others arbitrarily revising his work either, though he expressed regret.

“Sigh, you’re so stubborn, always hung up on your qualifications! Fine, I’ll gather a team to revise the rest quickly and send it to you for review when it’s ready.”

“No need. It’s pointless for me to look at it. We can discuss it after I report to the production team.”

“All right, then we’ll return today. I’ll leave you an address. After your current filming is finished, make time for a visit. Sword Saint Yu Chenhui wants to meet you.”

“Keep the Shaoguang Sword for now. Bring it when you go.”

Zhen Zijian handed him the sword.

“I’m to return it? Isn’t that against protocol?” Liu Qingshan reminded him.

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“It’s the old man’s special request. I suspect he’s afraid you won’t go, so he’s using this to bind you.”

“He wants to spar with me?”

“Most likely. The old man is obsessed with martial arts, especially intolerant of anyone else wielding a sword.”

The two didn’t need Liu Qingshan to see them off; Chen Long arranged the vehicle.

That afternoon at the TV station, a hostess named Yuan Siruo and a program director named Du Feiwen greeted him.

“Our variety department head has a meeting and may arrive later. Let’s discuss the recording content in advance.”

Du Feiwen, both director and showrunner, held a few sheets—likely Liu Qingshan’s information.

He glanced at them and said, “According to the records, Mr. Liu not only rescued a South Korean actress on the ‘Legend’ set, but also nearly endangered his life in Hengdian due to over-commitment. Let’s start from there.”

His attitude was not warm, more procedural, with not a trace of enthusiasm.

Liu Qingshan didn’t mind. To outsiders, he was just an ordinary actor, perhaps a step above his former bit-part status.

He recounted the events honestly, and Du Feiwen’s demeanor remained unchanged.

“Our show is called ‘Entertainment Talk,’ focusing on fresh news from the entertainment industry, conducted as a roundtable discussion. We air some entertainment news first; the program lasts forty-five minutes, with only twenty devoted to celebrity interviews.”

His implication was clear—subtly reminding Liu Qingshan that previous interviewees were all celebrities.

Liu Qingshan couldn’t ignore the mounting disdain, especially when he caught Yuan Siruo’s scornful glance.

He grew serious.

“I actually didn’t want to come. I’m no celebrity, and I don’t want the so-called rescue incident to be widely publicized. But Brother Chen Long insisted I participate, so I just wanted to understand your attitude. I know my place and won’t do anything unexpected. But your contempt is becoming excessive, so let’s end the interview here. Rest assured, I’ll explain to Brother Chen Long and won’t use your attitude as an excuse.”

He stood up as he finished.

Du Feiwen was taken aback, and after seeing Yuan Siruo’s unyielding look of disdain, he understood.

Yet he didn’t feel this was wrong. After all, Liu Qingshan wasn’t famous.

“Mr. Liu, are you sure? This could greatly help your acting career! You’re just giving it up?”

Liu Qingshan laughed softly. “How much influence could it have? Shaanxi TV is famous, but your ‘Entertainment Talk’ isn’t exactly a ratings sensation, is it?”

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