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墨書 Inktalez
**Joint Statement from 17K Urban Channel Authors to Readers**
---- The Rampant Spread of Piracy: Online Writing on the Brink of Extinction!
Pirate literature websites allow many readers who enjoy online literature to access VIP chapters that would normally require payment for free. Is this a good thing? Or a bad thing?
Many readers complain that online authors lack integrity! Too many excellent online works capture readers' interest only to suddenly become abandoned! But has anyone considered the real reason why these excellent online works are abandoned? Is it because the authors are unscrupulous, trampling on readers' enthusiasm? Or is it because the authors are incapable of continuing their creations? No, every online work is the author's labor of love; it could even be said that authors treat their works as their own children. Who would want their hard work to go to waste? Who would want their children to meet an untimely end? The emergence of such outcomes is not the authors' fault!
Why do pirate literature websites spend money to subscribe to paid chapters and then offer them for free to readers? Are they philanthropists? No, they are vampires disguised as philanthropists! Pirate websites spend very little money to purchase paid chapters of online literature and then publish them on pirate sites for free reading. They do not genuinely want readers to read for free! They merely seek to increase traffic to their sites and then sell advertising at high prices! The revenue from a single advertisement is enough for them to subscribe to legitimate paid chapters for a year or even several years; readers are only saving a few cents in reading costs! Meanwhile, authors lose the income they should have earned from their creations!
Do not think that all online authors are wealthy millionaires who just write with a flick of the pen! Most online authors work hard every day, earning just enough for a loaf of bread. If even this loaf of bread is ruthlessly snatched away, who will continue to dedicate their wisdom to creation? Who is stealing the authors' bread? The pirate websites! If readers are willing to become accomplices of these pirate sites just to save a few cents, then may I ask, do you still have the right to question why an author's work remains unfinished?
The abandonment of an online work does not only signify its demise but also means that the author has left online creation! Because online authors are human too; they need bread to survive. If online writing cannot provide them with a means of survival, they will have no choice but to seek other ways to live. Too many online works have already been abandoned; as authors in this field, we must apologize to those VIP readers who have long supported legitimate content! However, we will never apologize to pirate websites or the few readers who become accomplices of these sites!
We call upon true lovers of online literature to join us in resisting and combating pirate websites! Only in this way can we have greater enthusiasm for creating better works, and readers will no longer see so many abandoned pieces! Perhaps our strength is small and insufficient to change everything now, but if our struggle fails, we may also choose to leave! At that time, piracy will run rampant, and online authors will abandon creation one after another, leaving readers without the works they love. Is this the outcome you wish to see?
17K Urban Channel Author: Azure Blue
2010-7-3
**Chapter 75: Arrival at Lusang Nation**
After listening to Leng Qianqiu’s account, Xin Yi turned his gaze towards Xin Shengtian in the wheelchair. Xin Shengtian nodded knowingly and said, “I’ve already asked Brother Three to arrange for someone to investigate this matter.”
Upon hearing Xin Shengtian’s words, Xin Yi felt a slight sense of relief. He knew a bit about Brother Three’s extensive intelligence network; based on the information he had previously provided for Xin Yi’s missions, it was clear that it was extraordinary. With Brother Three’s intelligence support, Xin Yi believed that there would soon be results.
According to Leng Qianqiu, it had been nearly a month since she lost contact with Lijie. What worried Xin Yi most was Lijie’s safety during this time. Although Lijie was exceptional in hidden weapons and poison Kung Fu, no one could guarantee that there wouldn’t be other more skilled experts appearing. Without the protection of these two skills, Lijie could very well be in danger. However, thinking about it now was futile; Xin Yi decided immediately to head for Lusang Nation. If anything happened to Lijie, he vowed he would take revenge on the Black K Party!
Xin Yi said to Xin Shengtian, Leng Qianqiu, and Brother Three present, "I have decided to go to Lusang Nation immediately. Please, Grandpa and Brother Three, continue to investigate and contact me as soon as you have any news. As for you, Aunt, you should return to Silent Screen Island. Perhaps Lijie is perfectly fine, and by the time you get back, she might already be waiting for you at Silent Screen Island. Of course, if Lijie has indeed returned to Silent Screen Island, please contact me right away. Let's each handle our own matters. Does that sound good?"
After hearing Xin Yi's words, Xin Shengtian couldn't help but nod in agreement. His grandson had grown up and was now capable of analyzing and arranging matters on his own. In this case, such an arrangement was undoubtedly reasonable. Additionally, Xin Shengtian felt a sense of comfort knowing that Xin Yi did not panic or become anxious upon learning that his loved one might be in trouble; instead, he was able to calm down and analyze the situation. This was a fundamental quality of someone destined for great achievements. Given some time, Xin Yi would surely surpass him.
Xin Shengtian said to Leng Qianqiu, "Sister, I think this is the best course of action. Let's split up and keep each other informed of any developments."
"Alright, it seems we have no other choice," Leng Qianqiu sighed and turned to Xin Yi, saying, "Good son-in-law, you must find Xiao Jie. She is my only daughter..." As she spoke, this ruthless female demon surprisingly choked up.
"Don't worry, Aunt. I won't miss any opportunity to find her. Lijie is not only your daughter but also my fiancée!" Xin Yi replied firmly.
"Good, good son-in-law. I feel reassured knowing that Xiao Jie has you," Leng Qianqiu said emotionally.
...
When the plane landed at the international airport in Lusang Nation, it was already eleven o'clock in the evening local time. Xin Yi walked out of the airport with a simple bag in hand when a taxi slowly stopped in front of him. An Eastern driver leaned out and called out, "Sir, do you need my service?"
"Sure," Xin Yi got into the taxi and said, "To Sirdun Grand Hotel, please."
"Oh no, sir. As a diligent Taxi Driver, I recommend you stay at the Landau Hotel. The conditions there are top-notch and much more affordable than at the Sirdun," the Eastern driver replied.
"Alright then, let's go to the Landau Hotel," Xin Yi glanced at the driver and asked in fluent Heavenly Pride, "What is the current situation?"
"It's hard to say. What we know is that she did enter the council building about a month ago, but we are unclear about what happened after she went in. However, it is certain that she has not come out since then," the driver answered fluently in Heavenly Pride.
The Eastern man disguised as a driver was actually a member of Brother Three's intelligence network. He had received instructions before Xin Yi arrived to fully assist him with his actions in Lusang Nation.
"Um, how should I address you?" Xin Yi asked.
"My name is Tong Zhan, Mr. Xin," Tong Zhan replied smoothly.
"Alright, Tong Zhan, please tell me why you are so aware of that girl's movements. How did you know she entered the council building, and how did you know she hasn't come out?" Xin Yi asked slowly, gathering power in his right hand. If he sensed any hint of wrongdoing from Tong Zhan, Xin Yi could immediately strike and break his neck. In his view, this was something no one should know. With Lijie's sharpness, she definitely wouldn't be unaware of being followed, yet Tong Zhan seemed to know her whereabouts too well, which was absolutely abnormal.
"Alright, Mr. Xin, please don't doubt my identity. A few days ago, I received orders from above to investigate the situation of Lusang Nation and the Black K Party. We had already gathered some information about the Black K Party prior to this. That day, I happened to be nearby waiting for someone and coincidentally saw that woman enter the council building. Based on her skills, I judged that she might also be an agent from some Eastern country. So after I met with the person I was waiting for, we kept watch outside the council building. However, we never saw her come out, which is why I know about this matter," Tong Zhan explained.
After hearing Tong Zhan's words, Xin Yi estimated that Brother Three had sent Tong Zhan to gather intelligence on the Black K Party for him. If what he said was true, then Tong Zhan should also have some knowledge about the Black K Party, which would be helpful for Xin Yi. Thus, he asked, "Tong Zhan, do you have an insider in the council?"
"Yes, but this person's position is not high and cannot provide us with more information. This is also one of the reasons why we haven't gotten results yet," Tong Zhan said.
"Then tell me what you know; perhaps we can analyze it together and discover some clues."
"Alright," Tong Zhan nodded and said, "We've arrived at the hotel. Let's discuss in detail once we're in the room. You go in first and say you're Mr. Xin from Heavenly Pride Nation; someone will naturally arrange a room for you. I'll come find you shortly. Also, during our time in Lusang Nation, let's use this device to communicate." He pulled out a metallic lighter from his pocket and handed it to Xin Yi. "It can only communicate with me; all other signals are blocked, so you can use it with confidence." He added, "It's also a functional lighter; just flick the wheel on top to connect my call. If it's inconvenient to talk at any time, flick the wheel and close its lid; I'll locate your position using its satellite system. Of course, I hope you won't need to use that function."
Xin Yi took the lighter-like communication device and casually put it in his pocket. He shrugged and replied, "Let's hope so. Thank you, Tong Zhan."
Xin Yi turned and walked into the hotel. As soon as he entered the lobby, a receptionist approached him and said, "Hello sir! How may I assist you?"
"Oh, I'm Xin Yi from Heavenly Pride Nation," Xin Yi stated his name as per Tong Zhan's instructions.
"Oh, it's Mr. Xin," the receptionist immediately switched to speaking in standard Heavenly Pride Nation dialect and said: "Mr. Xin's room has been arranged; please follow me." After saying that, the receptionist led Xin Yi gracefully towards the elevator.
"Oh? Is there no need for check-in?" Xin Yi asked.
"Mr. Xin, your check-in has been completed as instructed by the General Manager. Please follow me," the receptionist replied with a smile.
"The General Manager? Is your General Manager also from the Heavenly Pride Nation?" Xin Yi speculated that the Landau Hotel might also be a secret contact point for the intelligence organization of the Heavenly Pride Nation stationed in Lusang Nation, hence the question.
"Yes, our General Manager is also from the Heavenly Pride Nation. All our hotel staff are from the Heavenly Pride Nation as well, and any citizen of the Heavenly Pride Nation can enjoy a significant discount when staying at our hotel. So, sir, welcome to the Landau Hotel. You will definitely feel the warmth of the Motherland here," the receptionist was indeed dedicated, never forgetting to promote her hotel.
"Ha ha... Of course, feeling the warmth of the Motherland in a foreign land is a good reason. Whenever I come to Lusang Nation in the future, I will definitely stay at your hotel," Xin Yi casually said, "What is your General Manager's name? I haven't had a chance to thank him yet."
"Our Han General usually stays at the hotel; her office is on the twenty-ninth floor..." The receptionist seemed to realize she had said too much and quickly changed the subject: "Sir, the elevator is arriving soon. Someone will take you directly to your room. Enjoy your stay!" With that, the receptionist turned and left.
Under the guidance of the staff, Xin Yi arrived at his room. The decor was very much in line with the style of the Heavenly Pride Nation, exuding a strong Eastern atmosphere. After taking a shower, Xin Yi sat on the sofa waiting for Tong Zhan's arrival. After about half an hour, the doorbell rang. Xin Yi opened the door to see Tong Zhan standing outside, already changed into a different outfit. These agents were indeed meticulous; Tong Zhan now looked like a vacationer, even pulling along a suitcase.
Xin Yi let Tong Zhan in. After entering, Tong Zhan glanced around the room and plopped down on the sofa, saying, "It seems that Han General is quite courteous to you, arranging such a VIP suite."
Xin Yi didn't feel that this room was particularly special; it was just slightly larger than an ordinary room. If this could be considered a VIP suite, then many luxurious suites in domestic hotels could only be described as extravagant. It seemed Tong Zhan noticed Xin Yi's thoughts and said, "People from Western countries are more pragmatic; generally speaking, as long as they have a place to stay, that's enough. Unlike wealthy people back home who pursue pleasure so much, this kind of room is already considered good at Landau Hotel. In the past, only superiors would receive such treatment."
"Ha ha, then I should thank that Han General properly another day," Xin Yi laughed and said, "Alright, let's get down to business."
As soon as it was mentioned that they would discuss serious matters, Tong Zhan's expression immediately became serious. He rummaged through his suitcase and pulled out something resembling a phone charger. After carefully scanning around the room with it, he sat back down on the sofa. Xin Yi knew he was checking for any listening devices or cameras in the room. It seemed that this agent's work required constant vigilance; even in a hotel run by their own people, there could be no exceptions.
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