All-rounder Artist

Jin Mu’s actions were swift, and because he hoped to release a new work in March, he had already quickly negotiated cooperation terms with Tribe Literature. As long as Chu Kuang could ensure a top-three placing in the current event, he would receive an extra 200,000 yuan in manuscript fees——

This highlights the importance of an author’s worth.

Currently, Chu Kuang was ranked 14th among the short-story authors in the Qin Chu sector, and his promotional and motivational powers were immense.

This was why Chu Kuang could demand extra manuscript fees from the Tribe for his new publication!

This was all due to the eagerness of platforms like the blogging sites.

If they didn’t concede to Chu Kuang’s requests, what if he turned around and cooperated with the bloggers instead?

They certainly had to take precautions.

And the situation proved Tribe’s concern to be valid.

No sooner had Jin Mu, representing Chu Kuang, signed the new short-story contract with the Tribe, than people from the blogging sites came knocking.

“The blogs hope you could work with them, offering a manuscript fee of 300,000 yuan, with any resulting awards being separate…”

By the time Jin Mu mentioned this to Lin Yuan, the contract had already been signed.

There was nothing they could do.

Lin Yuan did not intend to breach the contract. He took contract spirit seriously; the reputation of all his pseudonyms was vital.

“Of course, I’m not suggesting you break the contract.”

Jin Mu chuckled, “I’m just considering whether it’s possible to partner with the bloggers for the next short story?”

Lin Yuan paused, then said, “It’s worth considering.”

His partnership with the Tribe was temporary after all.

If the bloggers could offer a higher price, Lin Yuan would of course contemplate publishing his new work with the bloggers.

There are no eternal friends, nor eternal enemies.

While Chu Kuang had once helped the Tribe against the bloggers, it didn’t mean he couldn’t help the bloggers against the Tribe.

This could not be considered disloyalty.

Jin Mu nodded, “I will keep in touch with the bloggers. For the next piece, if they offer more, we’ll consider it.”

At that point, Jin Mu added,

“With the amalgamation ongoing, there are increasingly more leading authors in various fields, and the Tribe is getting more selective with authors than before. So, it’s common for authors to publish one piece of work with Tribe and the next with the bloggers. Even the Tribe can’t say much about it. We’re all accustomed to this back-and-forth running.”

Tribe offered a cash prize for the top three authors.

The bloggers also had a similar cash reward program.

As the sums were similar, authors would naturally look at both sides.

If the competition of Tribe was too tough one month, why not venture next door?

While the blogger site had fewer readers than Tribe, the difference wasn’t fatal.

As things were settled,

quickly, Tribe announced to the public that Chu Kuang’s new work would be released in March. This was the usual warming-up every large platform would carry out. With Chu Kuang’s fame, the publicity effect was remarkable.

The reality proved as much.

Having not released any new work for a long time after “Necklace”, many were eagerly awaiting a new piece from Chu Kuang. The promotional column was full of hopeful comments:

“Finally, a new work is coming!”

“Chu Kuang’s short stories are exceptional!”

“I have always felt that Chu Kuang should be ranked higher in the short-story rankings; his several pieces are still classics today. I hope that this new novel can boost Chu Kuang’s ranking. ”

“Oh, is this a new piece from old rascal Chu Kuang? Oh, it’s a short story, no worries then.”

“Hahahaha, too real! Just at a glance, you know it’s a fan of long stories. But Chu Kuang’s short stories are not bad either, they worth reading.”

“Is Chu Kuang preparing to make a run for the rankings with this move?””

“Looking at Tribe’s line-up, it’s clearly Chu Kuang’s world next month.”

“Yes, I wasn’t looking forward to Tribe’s roster next month, but seeing Chu Kuang, I think I can still hold on.”

“Looks like Chu Kuang is going to get the first place prize.”

“Can’t promise first place, but top three for sure, since there’s also Teacher Shen Jiarui in the same period.”

“…”

No matter if it’s the Tribe, bloggers, or other platforms, each time they have a new short story writer participating in the next month’s reward contest, they will leverage the author’s fame for promotion.

At Tribe Literature, the slots for March’s reward contest were almost filled.

The most impressive one so far was Shen Jiarui.

This was the currently 26th-ranked short story writer in the Amalgamated Continent, showing substantial prowess.

With the addition of Chu Kuang, the most dazzling author naturally became Chu Kuang.

However…

Compared with the reader’s excitement and anticipation, the authors scheduled to release their new short stories at the Tribe in March were not as delighted.

Almost as soon as the news came out, their small circle of short-story authors began their lamentation.

“It’s over, Chu Kuang will be in March!”

“Blasted! If I had known Chu Kuang was coming out in March, I should have avoided him. Top three just lost one slot!”

“Teacher Shen Jiarui has already given us a headache, adding Chu Kuang into the mix, we lose two slots from the top three. Are we competing for the third place now?”

“So we can only watch Teacher Chu Kuang and Shen Jiarui’s battle?”

“I had my eyes on the third, now it seems unlikely. Fortunately, I managed to negotiate some manuscript fees privately.”

“Tribe doesn’t pay much privately; only big names like Chu Kuang and Shen Jiarui could get a high manuscript fee.”

“…”

Unwittingly, Chu Kuang had become the boss in many of his colleagues’ eyes.

His plan to release a new work in March had his contemporaries facing a tricky situation.

At this moment,

someone in one of the short-story authors’ chat groups mentioned Shen Jiarui:

“Teacher Shen, your chance to raise your ranking is here, just defeat Chu Kuang!””

“Exactly, Chu Kuang is ranked 14th. If he loses, he may not drop in ranking, but Teacher Shen will definitely rise if he wins.”

“A crisis can present an opportunity.”

“I believe any writers who could make the short-story ranking are fearsome. Teacher Shen being in her 20’s is not to be underestimated.”

“…”

Shen Jiarui was watering his plant at home when he saw the group messages, a glance was enough for his eyes to slightly bulge:

“Chu Kuang is publishing at the same time as me?”

He asked the group buddies.

“Yes,”

“Tribe just announced it officially. Chu Kuang has not released any new short stories for a long time, but you happen to release at the same time. If he released last month, it would have been fascinating. Last month’s author Chu Province, who’s ranked 8th in the short story, grabbed the championship.”

“This month is also good, it’s Teacher Shen’s opportunity!”

“If you defeat Chu Kuang, Teacher Shen will skyrocket!””

“We can do this!””

“…”

People replied in the group chat.

Everyone thought Shen Jiarui was ready for the battle and started to cheer him up, he was the most capable writer in the group!

If someone had the power to fight Chu Kuang, it could only be Shen Jiarui in this group.

“…”

Shen Jiarui sent a few ellipses, his face fell, and he left a message in the group:

“No, it’s over.”

He could kiss his first place goodbye!

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