Chapter 208: A Crushing Blow to an Industry

In the next two days, public opinion continued to ferment. Xia Lei took matters into his own hands, intending to vent Xia Yu's frustration. He incited a group of people to protest in front of Yulang Publishing Company, demanding that Huang Yulang come out and face the public.

Additionally, another group of protesters with flags and banners demonstrated in front of the Hong Kong government offices, urging the government to take concrete actions to reform the Hong Kong comic industry and provide a healthy environment for young people.

Such sensational news was like a juicy piece of meat, attracting a swarm of reporters. Even the three major television stations—Jia Yi TV, TVB, and Li TV—joined in, further fueling the public frenzy.

Naturally, some newspapers, seeing *Fengyun Daily* benefiting greatly, wanted to jump on the bandwagon.

In their pursuit of hot topics, these newspapers began to brainstorm aggressively, trying to expand the scope of the scandal. Some even targeted the film and television industry, criticizing SQ Films for its alleged harms, attempting to drag the industry into the fray and cause panic among its practitioners.

If the film industry also got dragged into the scandal, they too would suffer unwarranted harm. With the public opinion boiling over, opposing it was sure to end badly.

The best solution was to resolve the issue quickly and calm the public sentiment to prevent further escalation.

Thus, to avoid losses, the film industry covertly pressured the Hong Kong government, urging it to implement policies swiftly to address the situation.

Under various pressures, the Hong Kong government acted immediately. The first move was by the Trade and Industry Department, which issued a suspension order for bloody and violent comics like *Dragon Gate* and *Bruce Lee*. Yulang Publishing Company and other related companies were ordered to cease operations for rectification.

As soon as this measure was implemented, *Fengyun Daily* immediately praised the government highly, giving it accolades to ease tensions, as they had indeed used the government as a tool.

On the other hand, *Fengyun Daily* proclaimed it as a victory of public opinion, elaborating on a lot of points that subtly praised themselves, enhancing their credibility and authority.

Naturally, as the vanguard, *Fengyun Daily* reaped significant rewards. Sales soared, reaching a record 780,000 copies for the latest issue, making Yan Wenhan extremely happy and energetic, almost as if he had been given a boost of motivation.

While Xia Yu's side was reveling in success, the comic industry, standing on the opposing side of public opinion, was in dire straits.

Shangguan Xiaobao looked at the notice in his hand, then up at the sea of anxious and confused employees below. He was at a loss for words.

He felt deeply aggrieved. The situation had changed so rapidly. Just a few days ago, everything was calm, and the publisher was operating as usual. Sales of *Bruce Lee* had even increased by several hundred copies, and the company's situation seemed to be improving.

But the blow came so suddenly and ferociously.

One moment everything was wonderful, and the next, it was thunder and lightning, a storm had hit, and before he could react, the company was ordered to cease operations. The once-promising *Bruce Lee* comic was now facing suspension, with no clear prospect of resuming publication.

The more he thought about it, the more unwilling he was. Why did he have to suffer like this? He hadn't provoked anyone; misfortune came out of nowhere.

Huang Yulang, the one who had caused the trouble, was the real culprit. Why did he have to be dragged into this mess?

However, Shangguan Xiaobao could not bring himself to hate Xia Yu or *Fengyun Daily*. After all, Xia Yu's main target was Huang Yulang, and the primary firepower was aimed at Huang Yulang.

*Fengyun Daily* initially focused its criticism on *Dragon Gate*. The expansion to other newspapers was done by others first. Although *Fengyun Daily* later took up the banner for purifying the youth environment, it did not explicitly name *Bruce Lee*, which was dragged into the mess by other newspapers.

Moreover, Shangguan Xiaobao remembered seeing a report in a third-rate tabloid that Huang Yulang had met with senior executives of Jiu Ding Animation Co., Ltd., but it had ended in a disagreement. Clearly, Huang Yulang was given a chance, but his inability to seize it led to the later actions of *Fengyun Daily*.

So, from both an emotional and logical perspective, it was impossible to blame *Fengyun Daily*. The fault lay squarely with Huang Yulang.

Nevertheless, thinking of Huang Yulang slightly comforted Shangguan Xiaobao. At this moment, Huang Yulang was undoubtedly suffering more and in a worse situation than he was.

If he, who had suffered an unwarranted disaster, was in such a predicament, Huang Yulang and *Dragon Gate*, constantly in the spotlight, would fare even worse!

"Damn Huang Yulang, I wish you would just disappear. You're nothing but a disaster, a tumor. You've ruined me!"

Shangguan Xiaobao silently cursed.

It was not just Shangguan Xiaobao. Other affected comic companies and the entire comic industry in Hong Kong were cursing Huang Yulang. One person's actions had led to the suffering of an entire industry. He was truly a harbinger of disaster!

As Shangguan Xiaobao had anticipated, Huang Yulang's situation was even worse than he imagined. Not only was his reputation completely ruined, but he was also spat on by people who recognized him on the streets. The exposure of the incident involving the vegetable seller had caused a sensation, with many planning to imitate it. This made Huang Yulang too afraid to go outside.

His company was also ordered to stop operations, and *Dragon Gate* was suspended for rectification. It was listed as a key target for enforcement by the Trade and Industry Department. There was no telling when it would be allowed to resume, and if Xia Yu took further action, it could be completely shut down. It all depended on Xia Yu's mood and whether he wanted to do so!

At this moment, Yulang Publishing Company was in a state of panic. Some people, unable to bear the pressure, chose to resign.

After all, Yulang Publishing Company was now infamous, though for its bad reputation. Everyone knew that Huang Yulang had drawn the problematic *Dragon Gate*, and Yulang Publishing was his company.

Some employees, who had originally found their jobs respectable, now faced pointed fingers and criticism after returning home, accused of working for a disreputable company and aiding in drawing *Dragon Gate*, making them accomplices.

Not only were they criticized, but their families also faced scorn and disdain. Many, especially those who were introverted and had poor psychological endurance, chose to resign in frustration.

As a result, Huang Yulang continuously received resignation reports from employees, which drove him to a complete breakdown.

In the *Battle God* comic studio, Huang Yulang looked at the stack of drafts and then at the crowd outside, feeling utterly desperate. He closed his eyes in despair.

At this moment, he hated Xia Yu but regretted even more that he had provoked him. If he had competed with Xia Yu openly, he might have had a chance to fight back, rather than ending up in his current miserable state.

"If heaven gives me another chance, I would never provoke him…"

After a long silence, Huang Yulang's lips moved slightly, full of regret and self-reproach.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as regret medicine in this world. It is too late to regret now. Actions have consequences, and he must bear the price of what he has done.