That's what geniuses were.
John wasn't modest at all, and his words made Faye feel an unexpected chill.
The King of the Horizon—how could it be desecrated so easily?
"Don't joke around, Mr. Lopez. No one has the qualifications to portray the King of the Horizon," Faye said, his voice full of respect.
As the hero of the Dragon Empire and the top figure in the entire country, the Lord of Cloud Hall was not someone to be mentioned casually. To even think of playing him in a film was an offense to his dignity.
Perhaps, after the King of the Horizon passed away, a film might be made in his honor, with permission from the highest authorities in the US. But even that would be an exceptional case.
Otherwise, there would be consequences.
The death penalty, to be exact.
This wasn't an exaggeration. Faye knew the rules. The King of the Horizon was revered, sacred. No one dared trivialize him.
But John smiled bitterly, clearly unbothered by the weight of Faye's words. "Come on, don't be scared. The King of the Horizon isn't some kind of devil. Beneath the mask, he's just a man, like you and me. He's not that terrifying."
Faye's unease only grew at John's nonchalance. He shook his head, stepping forward to emphasize his point. "Mr. Lopez, you don't understand. It's not about fear—it's respect. The King of the Horizon is sacred. We can't talk about him like that. He's a symbol, a belief. And in this industry, we must always be careful with our words. Sometimes, what we say might be misinterpreted. One wrong comment could ruin our careers, and in this case, the damage could be irreparable."
Even though John had publicly declared he wasn't interested in the entertainment industry, Faye knew better. There were things beyond control.
John, now that he'd publicly acknowledged being Anita's brother, was bound to attract attention. Paparazzi were already circling, eager to uncover anything about Anita's family. She was an impeccable star, and they would settle for nothing less than a scandalous angle—one that would sell. And John—a man like him, detached from the industry—was the perfect target.
Any interaction, no matter how innocent, could be twisted by the media and broadcast to the world. The world was watching, and the consequences of even a small misstep could be catastrophic for Anita.
Especially when it came to a figure like the King of the Horizon.
John had unwittingly stepped into a minefield. The public considered the King of the Horizon a god-like figure, above reproach. To speak lightly of him was unforgivable. Faye knew all too well how quickly things could spiral out of control. A headline, a small phrase, could tarnish Anita's reputation beyond repair.
As revered as Anita was, there was no defending such an offense. Faye's concern wasn't misplaced; he was merely trying to protect John from making a fatal mistake.
"Thank you for the reminder," John said, nodding slightly. "I'll be more careful. After all, common people like us can't afford to offend the King of the Horizon."
Faye smiled, relieved that John had understood. "All right. Just be cautious," he said, before giving John one last nod. "I won't keep you. Take care."
As Faye walked off toward the filming set, John watched him with a small smile, appreciating his sincerity. Faye was a man who clearly understood the weight of this industry and the sacrifices it demanded.
But then John turned his attention elsewhere.
Several beautiful women were heading toward him—second-tier actresses, all eager for a chance to be in the spotlight. They were eyeing him like hawks, hoping for an opportunity to move up in their careers. They knew John's background, and they saw him as their ticket to greater fame.
Their smiles were sweet, but John saw through it. He didn't mind the attention, but he wasn't fooled by it.
One of the women stepped forward, a soft smile on her lips as she twirled a lock of her hair. "Mr. Lopez, my name is XXX. I love art, and I would do anything for it."
She spoke with such conviction, as though her entire being was devoted to the pursuit of her craft. John couldn't help but admire her dedication. It was a touching display of ambition.
Another girl, equally beautiful, approached him, her eyes sincere. "Mr. Lopez, ever since I entered this industry, I've made it my goal to become a professional and well-known actress. Money doesn't matter to me; I come from humble beginnings, and I want to make my family proud."
Her story was heartfelt, and John felt a pang of emotion. "You're all remarkable," he said, his voice warm. "The world needs more women like you—independent, driven, and focused on your dreams. Stay true to yourselves, and you'll succeed in time."
The women beamed, clearly pleased by his words.
But John couldn't help but feel a little cynical. How much of this is genuine? How much of it is just for the chance to climb higher?
He gave them a polite smile, but deep down, he knew the reality of the industry. The quickest way to get ahead was not through talent alone—it was about who you knew, who supported you.
And John was the perfect person for them to get close to.