All-rounder Artist-Chapter 732 - 698: He Said He Doesn’t Accept_1

Tribe Comics.

In the meeting room.

The new manager, Ling Kong, stated with a stern face, "Tribe Comics is currently the highest-ranking website in the industry, but I don’t want us to grow complacent as we still have plenty of room to grow. The issue I want to raise today is that our company’s contracts with top writers are too lenient.

I’m not suggesting that my predecessor did a poor job; quite the contrary, they did an admirable job attracting over ninety percent of the industry’s outstanding comic artists to our site under the most favourable terms, making our site grow rapidly. However, now that our site has developed and we can provide better resources for the authors, shouldn’t they contribute more?

This is where my predecessor fell short... Business isn’t run on goodwill, and no company can sustain itself on it alone..."

No one speaks up.

The new manager began drastic changes in the company’s system soon after taking over, showing a clear trend towards "de-Han-jimeization".

This was only to be expected.

The new manager didn’t want to be seen as picking low hanging fruit at Tribe Comics.

Eager to make the website better, he wanted to prove that he was more suitable for his current position than Han Jimei.

After the opening remarks.

Ling Kong turned to his deputy editor on the right, "How did the negotiation with Shadow go?"

The deputy editor replied with difficulty, "They are unwilling to cut the ’Kindaichi Case Files’ in half."

Ling Kong frowned, "Didn’t you make our point clear? I can offer them the best contract, but Shadow’s current work does not match his treatment. I need him to deliver greater value to justify the company’s concessions in the contract."

"I made it clear..."

The deputy editor forced a smile, "But Teacher Shadow doesn’t listen to our company... Ms. Han... cough, Han Jimei also once stated that Tribe Comics would give Shadow the greatest creative freedom..."

"What I hate the most is the disobedience of my subordinates. Do you all understand now?"

Ling Kong scanned the audience, "My predecessor spoiled these comic artists, especially the top-tier ones. If Shadow wants to continue drawing, he can do so, but his promotion power will be reduced until he realizes that his achievement doesn’t justify his treatment. My philosophy, I believe, is clear to you all: reputation is worthless compared to sales.

This will also be the philosophy of our website from now on."

"Well..."

The deputy editor began, "But Shadow has agreed to start a new comic."

"A double launch?"

The other editors expressed surprise.

One of them hesitated a little and said,

"If Teacher Shadow has decided to do a double launch, it means that although he hasn’t completely followed your requirements, he has still made a concession. In his previous three comics, Teacher Shadow never made any concessions to the company..."

Many others nodded in agreement.

Many seasoned editors who had been there during Han Jimei’s tenure were present.

These senior editors knew that Shadow had a strong stance in his interactions with Tribe Comics.

Before the release of "Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma", Han Jimei had tried to persuade Shadow to change his mind, as the market for food comics was tough.

But Shadow flatly ignored her advice.

This time, Shadow’s willingness to do a double launch was indeed a rare concession.

"Double launch, huh?"

Ling Kong’s face softened slightly, "It seems he’s being sensible. If that’s the case, then we can work with it. These comic artists are not unlike snobbish literati; they cherish their pride, which I understand and can give them. If only pride could be used to pay for meals... What’s the theme of the new work?"

"Detective story..."

The voice of the deputy editor was faint.

"What?"

Ling Kong thought he had heard wrong.

"Detective story..."

The deputy editor’s voice became even fainter, like a mosquito, but everyone in the room heard it clearly.

The audience’s faces changed instantly.

Ling Kong’s eye twitched drastically.

Are they messing with me?

Continuing with detective stories?

Isn’t it obvious that the "Kindaichi Case Files" isn’t doing well because it’s a "detective story"?

This niche is too small!

And yet his new work also dwells on detective stories, as if he wants to prove something with his obstinacy!

"I think I can understand Shadow’s choice. He is very accomplished. His resolve to continue drawing detective comics must be because he has learned from the lessons of ’Kindaichi Case Files’..."

The editor who had previously said that Shadow had made a concession bravely spoke.

"Shut up!"

Ling Kong interrupted him coldly. "Either change the theme or decrease the contractual terms. Besides... forget it, I will personally take over the negotiation this time!"

"But..."

"I don’t want to repeat myself!"

Ling Kong spoke coldly, "You call this a concession? This is a provocation! He’s not trying to solve the problem, but walking further down the problematic path!"

Everyone fell silent.

Vaguely, everyone could hear Ling Kong growling the word "mad".

The office became even quieter.

The leadership styles of the two managers of Tribe Comics were worlds apart.

Han Jimei was lenient and cared about goodwill. She got along well with the comic artists.

The downside was that she sometimes cared too much about goodwill, treating the comic artists more favourably than the industry standard.

Ling Kong put profit first and cared about rules.

His collaboration with comic artists was purely business. There was no room for favouritism.

In fact...

The previous department under Ling Kong’s management was very successful.

He was not a weak person who replaced Han Jimei due to company ties.

If he had any flaws?

The whole company knew that Ling Kong was the kind of person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. This was how Han Jimei had lost her job.

However...

There were even larger reasons behind it.

Inside the Shadow Studio.

Luo Wei turned to a group of assistants:

"The updates for ’Kindaichi Case Files’ need to speed up. Everyone needs to contribute to the drawing. As you’ve been learning from Teacher Shadow for so long, you should have developed the capability to draw independently by now. Meanwhile, we need to dig another hole for a new project..."

The group responded with excitement!

This brings us to the everyday life of the studio.

Lin Yuan is a manga creator and chief artist, as well as Luo Wei’s teacher, regularly teaching her traditional Chinese painting.

Apart from traditional Chinese painting, Lin Yuan also teaches Luo Wei how to draw manga.

Under the Teacher’s Halo, Luo Wei’s manga drawing skills improved rapidly, to the point where she is now worthy of substituting for Lin Yuan.

In his downtime, Lin Yuan also teaches other studio assistants how to draw manga.

After activating the Teacher’s Halo, and years of instruction, his assistants’ drawing skills have vastly improved!

Everyone is now eager to put their skills to the test!

God knows to what extent they have learned from Teacher Shadow!

There’s a reason why Lin Yuan is doing this, of course.

He has many manga to release in the future, and it’s too much for one person, even with Luo Wei’s help, so he must train more helpers.

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Under normal circumstances, Lin Yuan wouldn’t be able to produce a group of master painters in just a few years.

No one can!

But Lin Yuan has the Teacher’s Halo, an unorthodox external aid!

So now, every assistant in the studio possesses an impressive level of drawing skills!

If these little helpers from Shadow Studio were to go out there, even if they don’t independently create manga, they’d at least be more than capable of being excellent pure painters!

If these people were to collaborate on a creation, the rate of production would be unprecedented!

In other words,

Lin Yuan’s studio boasts a Heavenly King level lineup of artists that no other manga studio in Blue Star could match!

This small studio!

Nestled within it are a group of artists who, under Lin Yuan’s Teacher’s Halo, have quietly honed their skills for several years without making their debut yet!

And now,

These assistants are about to make their debut!

Double publication is not the limit!

What about three, four, or five issues at once!

If Lin Yuan can keep up with the plot and storyboard,

Even if more series are launched, Lin Yuan can still maintain control!

As for Lin Yuan, would the plot and storyboard be a problem?

For other manga artists this may require deep reflection, but in Lin Yuan’s mind, these are already settled!

With a slight smile on his face,

Lin Yuan watches Luo Wei rally the others.

Meanwhile,

Jin Mu receives another phone call: "It’s from Tribe Comics."

Saying this, Jin Mu goes to the next room to take the call.

Lin Yuan, while watching Luo Wei interact with the assistants, leans in the doorway and listens in for a while.

The discussion between Jin Mu and the other party seems quite unpleasant.

Faintly, Lin Yuan hears the man on the phone shouting at Jin Mu: "You third-class agent don’t understand human speech! You’re not worthy of dealing with me, let your boss speak to me before I lose my temper!"

"Alright."

Jin Mu keeps a straight face, as if everything is normal, and looks at Lin Yuan: "Boss, the new leader of Tribe Comics wants to speak with you."

"Hmm."

Lin Yuan takes the phone: "This is Shadow."

"Teacher Shadow, I am Ling Kong, the new supervisor of Tribe Comics, I have some ideas about your new manga…"

"No need."

Lin Yuan calmly says: "I’ve decided to cancel the cooperation with Tribe Comics."

"What?"

The other side was stunned.

Jin Mu’s expression changed as well. Your next journey awaits at novelbuddy

Luo Wei and the assistants looked at each other in confusion.

What did Teacher Shadow just say?

He’s cancelling the collaboration with Tribe Comics?

Lin Yuan’s tone remained steady:

"About the current manga collaboration, we can terminate the contract."

"Shadow!"

The voice on the other end become cold: "You’re not thinking clearly now. We can sit down and talk this over. I respect you, I hope you can respect me."

"I do respect you."

Lin Yuan says: "I hope you can learn to respect ’The Kindaichi Case Files’, respect your website users, and most importantly, respect my agent."

"..."

The other end was silent for a few seconds, his voice became very low and restrained: "There may have been some unpleasantness, but I can personally apologize to him later. There’s no need for harsh words like termination. If you leave Tribe Comics, you will have nowhere to go. The market is controlled by us, but our website also needs talents like you. It’s a win-win situation.

Don’t let anger cloud your judgment and ruin your future."

Combining threats and favors, he seemed well-prepared.

Jin Mu, hearing the voice in the phone, frantically waved at Lin Yuan.

"Oh, he says: He doesn’t accept your apology."

Looking at Jin Mu’s gestures, Lin Yuan displayed an understanding expression, then curtly hung up the phone.

The studio fell silent.

Luo Wei and the assistants were careful even with their breathing.

Could Teacher Shadow really be breaking off with Tribe Comics?

Lin Yuan’s expression remained calm, but everyone could sense a fearsome undercurrent of tension in the room, and no one dared to speak!

Jin Mu was taken aback!

Big brother!

Blood brother!

I’m not refusing the apology!

My hand gesture was to fucking tell you not to break off with Tribe Comics!

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ps:Thanks to [’Fate in Separation’] for their Silver Alliance, ▄█▀█●, kneel to their unparalleled support, it’s imperative to add more updates. Mid-month will start the explosion, have a cup of cappuccino first, Polluted White will continue writing!