After several long minutes, the system finally spoke.
[Ding. The loophole in the "King of the World" achievement has been corrected. The requirement "rescue a life" has been updated with the accurate description: "directly rescue a life on-site."]
So it was patched. But what was the price? The Emperor Beast waited for the system's follow-up notification.
[Due to the error in the achievement definition, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to the host. As compensation, you will receive one Custom Album Coupon.]
Perhaps the system was already afraid of being extorted. Without hesitation, it offered Chu Zhi the very reward he wanted most.
"I finally found a way to earn Personality Coins. Just think about it, if I go to charity fundraisers and donate a little more money, I could easily save hundreds of people. According to the King of the World's rules, that would give me at least two or three hundred Personality Coins. I'd leap from poverty to riches in one stroke.
System brother, even if we are half-brothers from different parents, giving me only one Custom Album Coupon as compensation feels like I'm taking a loss."
He delivered the complaint fluently, but before the system could reply, Chu Zhi smoothly shifted tone and pressed on.
"But what kind of person am I? I value feelings and loyalty. Since we are half-brothers from different parents, I'll take the loss this time. But you'd better not let it happen again."
[Thank you, host.] The system expressed its gratitude.
With thirty-nine Personality Coins in hand, Chu Zhi decided to try his luck. He opened a blind box.
Inside was [Herbert's Poetry Collection].
Another poet he hadn't heard of. But the description revealed that Zbigniew Herbert was a neo-classical philosophical poet and one of Poland's most renowned literary figures. Because his poetry had a high threshold of comprehension, the general public was not as familiar with him.
Yet in literary circles, Herbert was almost untouchable. Just one fact proved it: he created one of the three great virtual personae of world poetry—Mr. Cogito.
The name Cogito came from Descartes' famous line: Cogito, ergo sum ("I think, therefore I am").
"Every time I see that quote from Descartes, I can't help but think of 'the mind itself is without good or evil, but intentions can be moved toward good or evil.'
Anyway, I won't push it further. Only thirty-four coins left, almost down to single digits.
This year I already released After Long Silence. Even if I'm prolific, I can't publish two collections in a single year. I'll save this for next year."
Chu Zhi quickly arranged his plans in his mind. The trial blind box wasn't entirely satisfying.
But he wasn't going to let dissatisfaction ruin the night. The Emperor Beast shifted perspective:
"Actually, getting Herbert's Poetry Collection plus a Custom Album Coupon in a single night is already a big win.
This doesn't advance the achievement list, but holding a charity fundraising concert? That's worth doing. A chance to stand on the moral high ground is something I won't miss," thought the Emperor Beast.
"System brother, can you search for two songs of that kind for me? Shouldn't be difficult, right?" Chu Zhi asked.
The system readily agreed without even mentioning any search costs. Clearly, it still felt guilty.
Not long after, two songs were listed. First was We Are the World, co-written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, which raised more than sixty million U.S. dollars.
Second was Do They Know It's Christmas?, which sold over five million copies in Europe and America. The exact fundraising total wasn't available, but it was another iconic charity anthem.
Having the system search was truly convenient. With the Custom Album Coupon, Chu Zhi could select fifteen songs. If he wanted, he could add those two right away. They were perfect for the Angel's Gospel campaign to harvest "followers."
But the Emperor Beast was not impulsive. Instead, he simply jotted the titles into his phone's notes app, just in case he forgot later.
Heading into his study, Chu Zhi sat down at his desk. On the left was a glass of cold cola, on the right a tall stack of reference books. He quickly tossed Herbert out of his mind and turned to translating the French edition of Selected Plays of Bai Pu.
Diligently, he added another brick to the monument that would one day define his "biographical introduction." He was destined to become the King of Translation.
Why only now, after mastering French long ago, did he begin translating? Because poetry had weaker influence in Europe. Even if he published collections, no one would bother. But now, with stronger influence, he could take action.
Once his reputation grew, literary critics would study his work, and naturally, his translations would gain recognition.
Choosing a subject in academia is always weighty. Take the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature, for example. The prize didn't go to Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, but to Abdulrazak Gurnah, who had studied Ngũgĩ's work. Surprising? Unexpected?
Perhaps someday, a writer who studied Chu Zhi's poetry might win the Nobel.
It had to be said, Chu Zhi never cared much for his poetry collections once published. They were left to fend for themselves.
That day marked the official release of three collections in Chinese editions: Stray Birds, I Am a Willful Child, and After Long Silence. There was even a signing event. Chu Zhi himself did not participate in any promotion.
He ignored countless messages from publishers, not out of arrogance, but simply because he never logged into the China Poetry Network to see them.
Through his acquaintance Akira Kumayasu, he connected with "New Classics Culture" for publication. His plan had always been: export abroad first, then return to domestic publication.
The royalties were just market rate. His only condition: he would not take part in any promotional activity.
New Classics, as China's top publisher of international literature, knew marketing inside out. Even though Chu Zhi's works weren't foreign literature, they had already made a name abroad, which made them even easier to promote.
They launched with the slogan: "The Poet Who Shook Europe and America—The Huainan Trilogy."
Posters appeared in chain bookstores like Sisyphe, CITIC, and Yan You Ji. Online platforms like Dangdang, China Bookstore Network, and Taobao showed combined sales of 81,000 copies in the first week. Adding offline sales, the number easily exceeded 100,000.
In a market where 10,000 copies could qualify as a bestseller, this was nothing short of spectacular.
Of course, awards overseas added to the appeal. Many people just wanted a nice-looking, award-winning poetry book as decoration.
After all, who doesn't have one or two "literary friends" or "show-offs" in their social circles? Thus, Chu Zhi's mysterious pseudonym Huainan once again flooded people's WeChat Moments.
Photos of his poetry collections spread everywhere, accompanied by captions like:
"The night gave me black eyes, yet I use them to seek the light. Huainan is incredible. Which great master is he? I especially love I Am a Willful Child."
"After reading the Huainan Trilogy, I'm convinced he must be a recluse, maybe in his fifties or sixties, living in the mountains studying literature. How else could he write such masterpieces? I'll leave this post here. If his identity is ever revealed, I bet I'll be right."
"Sunlight flashes in the sky, then is buried by dark clouds. Torrential rain washes the negatives of my soul. Reading this, I felt the same. Once, I was caught in a sudden storm, and I felt cleansed of all impurity."
On platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douban, discussions were even more detailed.
It was strange. Actual sales were just over 100,000, but judging by the internet buzz, it felt like two or three times that number had read him.
Still, none of this stirred Chu Zhi. He simply followed his schedule. On August 8, he arrived at West Lake.
The scenic area's director, Director Gao, gave a spirited opening speech.
"West Lake has the Ten Scenes—Spring Dawn at Su Causeway, Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge, Evening Bell at Nanping Hill, and so on. Since ancient times, it has been beloved by poets, scholars, and travelers alike.
Bai Juyi once wrote, 'I love to stroll along the eastern lake, never enough of it, where white sands lie beneath green willows.' Liu Yong praised, 'Layer upon layer of lakes and peaks, clear and fair, with autumn osmanthus and ten miles of lotus flowers.' Su Dongpo wrote, 'The shimmering ripples delight on sunny days, the misty mountains enchant in rain. To compare West Lake with Xi Shi, she is charming in both light and heavy makeup.'"
Director Gao recited line after line of classical praise with perfect fluency.
"Today marks the promotional event of [Charming West Lake]. West Lake is to Asia what the Danube is to Europe. And so, we have invited the greatest treasure of the entertainment world.
Renowned artist, member of the Chinese Musicians Association Presidium, committee member of the WOA Organizing Committee, breaker of humanity's suicidal impulses, named 'China's Genius of the 21st Century' by TIME magazine, special inspector of audiovisual media, senior consultant for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism—Chu Zhi!"
One had reason to suspect Director Gao once trained as a cross-talk performer, because he rattled off the long list of titles without pause.
Applause thundered. The audience was full of reporters and media personalities, all gathered for publicity.
Previously, the only Asian members of the WOA Organizing Committee were Japanese artists Hanato Higuchi and Akira Yajima. But as Chu Zhi's reputation grew, he was invited to join.
His reason for accepting? "The right to recommend."
He had already recommended two Chinese rock bands to WOA. If the path to the global rock scene was a steep cliff, he would serve as the narrow bridge.
"Director Gao, if you praise me any more, I'll be floating into the sky," Chu Zhi replied with a smile. "West Lake's beauty lies in its variety—causeways, islands, bridges, pavilions, terraces, towers. No matter how many times you come, you'll always discover something new."
"Teacher Chu, you're perfectly suited for West Lake. Just like your songs—they're timeless, no matter how many times you listen," said Director Gao.
The two exchanged the usual pleasantries. One could almost hear the tourism department of Chongqing muttering, "Don't you have any local celebrities of your own?"
On August 10, the IVL Summer Finals took place. Hangzhou spared no expense and even invited esports player Cai Jia to co-host commentary with Chu Zhi.
Chu Zhi was only an amateur gamer, so his role was to keep the atmosphere lively. Cai Jia, a professional, explained tactics and technical details. Together, their teamwork was seamless.
From Cai Jia, Chu Zhi learned that professional esports players truly lived off their youth. Many professions depended on youth—models, celebrities—but the peak of an esports career was even shorter, shorter than a bobcat's tail.
The Summer Finals ended with DOU5 taking victory. The winners lifted their trophy high, the losers left in silence. That night, under the starry sky or beneath the looming darkness, the view depended on which side you stood on.
Later, Chu Zhi and Cai Jia found a place to eat. It had been a long time since they last caught up.
"Not long ago, the series I filmed, Going with the Flow: The Generational Strategist, had an investor who was extremely wealthy. He didn't think the male lead was popular enough, so he said, 'Whoever is the most famous in the entertainment industry, we'll cast them. I remember Chu Zhi is quite popular, so let's get him.'"
Chu Zhi had seen the trailer for this series. From the promotional materials, it looked like they were making a historical strategy drama. The male lead was supposed to be a scholarly figure, bold and commanding.
Chu Zhi hadn't received any invitation. Either the script wasn't good enough and was filtered out by the investor, or the investor Cai Jia mentioned had backed off. He quietly listened to the rest.
"The director responded that Chu Zhi is very popular, but his fee is too high, and our budget can't cover it," Cai Jia imitated the investor's rough tone: "Budget too low? I can add twenty million more. With fifty million, can we hire Chu Zhi?"
"The director replied that Chu Zhi now charges around three million per episode, and our series has thirty-five episodes, so…"
The investor was stunned for a long while, then awkwardly said, "Doesn't the General Administration's salary cap restrict star fees to no more than fifty million? This already goes over a hundred million."
Cai Jia laughed as she told the story. Only after the director explained did the investor realize it's now common to take a share of profits rather than upfront fees.
"Captain, are you still going to act in dramas? It seems a waste not to use your acting skills," Cai Jia said, but her words didn't match her meaning. It wasn't acting talent she worried about—it was his looks.
"If the script is right, I might consider it. Recently, Netflix sent a script adapted from a fantasy novel. They want me to play an Elf Prince," Chu Zhi said. "I'm negotiating now, but my heart says no."
Elf Prince? Cai Jia's eyes lit up. That could work.
"Netflix shouldn't be short on money," she said.
"It's not about the fee. I just don't think the role suits me," Chu Zhi said.
"Captain, you're different from other Asians. The Elf Prince could work perfectly," Cai Jia insisted.
Chu Zhi described it further: "An Elf Prince with an Asian face feels off. It's like a Taoist wearing a Dao robe and holding a Zhenwu Sword, but with blonde hair and blue eyes—it just doesn't fit."
It was a bit strange, but Cai Jia still thought, "But Captain, you're not like other Asians. The Elf Prince really could suit you."
"We'll see," Chu Zhi replied, keeping it noncommittal.
Chu Zhi had basically stepped away from acting in series. Singing was his main career, so he wouldn't lower his fees. Only very few companies could afford him at his current level.
"Captain, you don't know. Many fans hope you act in more dramas. They're starved for it," Cai Jia said.
"Next year there will be a Hollywood collaboration, a film," Chu Zhi revealed a little.
"Wow! Our Captain is truly amazing, going straight to Hollywood," Cai Jia said, happy for him, and ended up eating a little more at dinner.
She enjoyed the meal but later regretted it, whining, "Ah, I shouldn't have eaten the last drumstick. My carbs tonight are way over. How do I have zero self-control?"
The Emperor Beast observed and thought, youth is wonderful.
He had no such experiences. No matter how many carbs he consumed, he didn't gain weight. He was even planning a late-night snack.
After sending Cai Jia off in a chauffeured car, Chu Zhi strolled back to the hotel, organizing the remaining tasks for the year in his mind.
In October, he would recommend musicians to attend the St. Petersburg Cultural Forum. He had gone from being a guest of the forum to a member of the "Cultural Group."
The Cultural Group functioned like a committee. The forum was run by the Russian government, and the Cultural Group's job was to nominate and invite artists from around the world.
Chu Zhi was one of the few celebrities in the group. The rest were editors-in-chief of newspapers or television stations. No wonder, Katyusha had given him immense leverage.
From WOA to the St. Petersburg Cultural Forum, Chu Zhi, though still at an age where he needed guidance, was already building bridges for Chinese artists. On top of that, there was the Ninth Overseas Assistance Association.
In November, he would go to Qatar as a guest singer for the opening ceremony.
In December, with the year's end approaching, he had various meetings, and before joining the crew for Unsinkable, he had to finish producing his second English album.
One album per year was mandatory. His hard-earned popularity could not be wasted.
Since Hollywood's Unsinkable was mentioned, a few more details were necessary. The Ai Guo team had to prepare thoroughly, spending heavily to hire Jones Day law firm and coordinate details with Fox.
All of this needed to be settled before funding. Otherwise, even if the box office exceeded one billion dollars worldwide, Fox could still bill for losses.
Losses be damned, how could anyone argue about box office shares?
Hollywood's strategies were full of oddities. Niu Jiangxue and others remained extremely cautious.
Night fell, but Chu Zhi was still awake.
Was going to sleep a sign that the day had ended, or that a new day was beginning?
Rephrased: staying up late, refusing to sleep—was it because one did not want the day to end, or because one dared not face the new day?
On August 13, after completing seven music video shoots, Chu Zhi specifically found a local guide who spoke Japanese, and took Airi to explore China for a few days.
"I want so badly to become the perfect idol like Chu-dono," Airi thought.
Airi's dream was simply to travel with Chu Zhi. She knew it was impossible, but everyone needed dreams, didn't they?
"Does this girl from the Japanese have social anxiety? But how can someone with social anxiety be a star?" The guide noted. He noticed that Airi almost never went into crowded places.
Once it became too crowded, Airi would get nervous.
Thanks to her experience performing in small theaters, she had overcome a lot.
On the flight back, Airi watched the shrinking people, cities, and mountains, feeling deflated.
She realized she could never be an idol like Chu-dono.
Harsh reality struck her face again. Nightmares would haunt her for life, impossible to escape.
During the few hours back to Tokyo, Airi stared out the window in a daze, occasionally fiddling with her phone. International flights had Wi-Fi.
The next day, the Japanese-language album With You was completed. Sony Records prepared an initial run of 500,000 copies. Chu Zhi arrived in Osaka two days later.
He came to participate in the Summer Supersonic Music Festival, with the album releasing simultaneously.
===
We Are the World (1985) — Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie
Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984) — Band Aid
Zbigniew Herbert (1924–1998): Renowned Polish poet and essayist. Creator of "Mr. Cogito," one of world poetry's notable fictional personae.
"Cogito, ergo sum": Latin for "I think, therefore I am," a famous statement by French philosopher René Descartes.
---
Quick Reminder! Don't forget to check out "The Webnovel Handbook" on my profile!
Ever wondered what it means when someone is called a "King of Scrolls", or when characters are just "Eating Melon"? What about the subtle power plays behind "Tea Art"? This guide explains all that fun slang and miscellaneous knowledge Chinese authors love to use!
The entries are growing, so add it to your library to get all the future updates on hidden gems like these!