FWTS ### Chapter 156: The First Big Bang of the New Year

After finalizing work-related matters, several teachers handed over some documents to Hou Muyun.

"Houzi, our music studio is currently short-staffed. We need to bring in a few more people to fully support the framework of the studio. Especially since we have to release two albums this month, we're definitely short on manpower."

"These few people are all friends of ours. Firstly, they are all genuinely talented. Secondly, they are interested in joining our studio. Take a look at their information. If you find them suitable, we'll arrange a meeting."

Hou Muyun looked over the information, noting there were five people in total. He had met two of them before—one during "Singer" and another during "Battle of the Bands." It seemed they were helping out bands back then and were not permanent staff of related studios. This indicated they had real talent.

After some thought, he smiled and said, "There's no need for meetings. Let's just have them join directly."

Currently, the members of the studio were all on trial agreements, although the terms were generous. The newcomers would be on similar terms. Hou Muyun decided to let them start directly and then reassess after a month. If both parties felt it was a good fit, they would sign formal agreements.

The temporary meeting ended, and everyone got busy preparing for upcoming work, confirming the schedules of musicians for scoring and other tasks. Before Hou Muyun released the new album, he needed to get the titles sorted.

Back in his office, Hou Muyun coordinated with Xiaopang on other work. He first called Liu Xin from TT to set up a meeting to discuss renewal details. Then, he contacted Changjiang Publishing House. The comic version of "Sword Master" was nearly complete and would be published as a single-volume comic book. Additionally, the second spin-off novel, "Anu's Adventures," was almost ready for publication.

On February 4th, the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, various industries resumed work.

Qingtian Film Company also resumed operations, and the crew of "Xuanyuan Sword Master" was back at work.

The first task on the crew's agenda was to announce the cast for the first season of "Xuanyuan Sword Master."

Before the New Year, Qingtian Film had already announced to the media that "Xuanyuan Sword Master" would be directed by Li Xue and had revealed the investment for the first season. 

Director Li Xue had a great reputation in the industry, and his works, both as a participant and as a lead director, had excellent reviews. With an investment of 78 million yuan—averaging 6.5 million yuan per episode—the show had already attracted considerable attention.

At 10 a.m. that day, the official Weibo of "Xuanyuan Sword Master," with a blue verification badge, announced the first batch of main cast members: a total of four actors—male lead, female lead, male supporting, and female supporting.

And the internet exploded!

"Nie Pan! The male lead is Nie Pan!"

"I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! When they announced Director Li Xue and such a high investment, I knew Nie Pan had to be the male lead! This isn't their first collaboration; they've already produced two highly acclaimed shows together!"

"It's him! Only he can portray the Sword Master I have in mind!"

"Awesome!"

"The male lead is amazing, but the female lead, male supporting, and female supporting actors are too unknown! Without Baidu, I wouldn't even know who they are!"

"Uh, I don't recognize the names either!"

"Looks like they spent all the money on Nie Pan!"

"Checked Baidu; these three might not be famous, but they've played some great roles! They're popular characters even if they themselves aren’t well-known!"

"That's true! Checked Baidu and now I know who they are! Their acting skills are definitely solid!"

"Thinking it over, these three do seem well-suited for their roles!"

"Breaking news! These three have signed with Qingtian Film! They're being groomed for stardom!"

"Uh, feeling sorry for Nie Pan!"

"..."

"Look! The official Weibo has released the second batch of actors, eight in total!"

"Saw it, and I'm stunned!"

"Are they crazy? Hong Lei! Li Bing!"

"Who said they spent all the money on Nie Pan! Haha, these actors' fees are no less than Nie Pan's! This crew is seriously loaded!"

"Am I seeing things? Liu Yiling as Yin Luo! According to the original novel, she's a supporting character! The crew must be crazy to get Liu Yiling to play a supporting role! Shouldn't she be the female lead with Nie Pan as the on-screen couple again? This is so bold!"

"I even saw the casting of a flaming girl for the show! Totally doesn't fit the Eastern style!"

"......"

"The third batch of actors has been announced! Now this is truly explosive! All veteran actors! Twelve veteran actors!"

"I counted in this batch; among the twelve, there are three Best Actor winners, two Best Actress winners, two Best Television Actor winners, and one Best Television Actress winner! The rest are all outstanding performers!"

"So many! Even if most of them are just cameos, it's still shocking! The production team is really daring!"

"......"

"This casting is just willful! With a lineup like this, there's no way the show won't be great!"

"Can't wait!"

"Amazing!"

"Not a single lousy young actor! I feel like I'm dreaming!"

"I was worried they might ruin the classic, but now, I'm full of anticipation!"

"Start filming soon, start airing soon!"

"This is the proper way to assemble a cast for a major IP drama!"

"You don't need young idols to attract attention; this is truly impressive!"

"......"

"Should I say that Houzi is willful or Chu Qing is willful? Or maybe both are willful people!"

"There must be insistence from the original author! Besides, the author is also the screenwriter and investor! That's really reliable!"

"Hahaha, this is the first time I've heard someone praise Houzi as reliable!"

"......"

At 2 PM, the topic of #Xuanyuan Sword Lead Cast# was trending at number one!

Starting from 1 PM, Hou Muyun had received numerous calls, most of them asking if this cast lineup was real or fake, and the rest asking about the investment in the show and how they managed to hire so many veteran actors.

To be honest, Hou Muyun was also curious about the latter part of the questions.

He had seen the list of potential actors before, but he never expected the production team to actually go after them and almost get all of them!

"How did you get them?"

Hou Muyun was curious, so he asked Chu Qing during dinner that evening.

"Boldness, meticulousness, and thick skin!"

Chu Qing laughed, "Plus your script and my funding!"

Hou Muyun rarely poured himself a glass of red wine and clinked glasses with Chu Qing, "I must say thank you, thank you for finding such a great team! For my book, and for myself!"

After taking a small sip, Chu Qing took out a stack of documents and pushed them to Hou Muyun, "You also need to thank this."

Hou Muyun's eyes lit up, "So soon!"


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