Chapter 53: Proficient in Both Literary and Martial Arts

Why is Song Qingshu a villain?

Seeing Zhang Wuji wounded by the Heaven Sword, he immediately sought to deliver a finishing blow to kill his romantic rival.

That he could perform such an act, which clearly violated the chivalrous code of the martial arts world, with such nonchalance and self-righteousness, planted the seeds of his ultimate downfall at that very moment.

At this time, Zhang Yuan’s face was filled with jealousy, his eyes wide as he stared at the fallen Su Youpeng.

"Father, let me deal with him!" Zhang Yuan stepped forward, but was blocked by Wang Gang, who was playing Song Yuanqiao.

The father and son stood there—one radiating righteousness, the other malice.

The malicious one was, of course, Zhang Yuan.

Song Qingshu, naturally, was unwilling to give up.

Zhang Yuan’s eyes darted back and forth. Upon seeing Yin Liting beside him, a cunning look—the kind that signaled "a plan is forming"—appeared in his eyes.

"Mhm, the facial expressions are expressive enough to show the character's internal shift," Lai Shuiqing nodded in front of the monitor, expressing his approval.

"Sixth Uncle, what do you think?" Zhang Yuan asked, his voice carrying a hint of impatience beneath a layer of humility, as if fearing Yin Liting might disagree.

But Yin Liting’s fiancée had been snatched away by Yang Xiao; he held a deep grudge against the Ming Cult!

Unaware that the man helping the Ming Cult, Zeng Aniu, was actually the fifth brother's only son, Zhang Wuji, he spoke up in support of his martial nephew out of pure rage.

Having gained his uncle's support, Zhang Yuan gave a triumphant smirk. He gripped his sword and stepped forward, closing in on the prone Su Youpeng.

At this moment, Su Youpeng rose, preparing to perform the choreographed sequence with Zhang Yuan.

Su Youpeng was unarmed, while Zhang Yuan held a sword. The intended outcome was for Su Youpeng to easily overcome Zhang Yuan, thereby demonstrating Zhang Wuji's peerless martial arts and immense strength.

In this scene, Zhang Yuan was merely a "human prop" meant to assist the protagonist in displaying his might.

The two exchanged a glance, knowing exactly what was expected, and prepared to engage.

Su Youpeng had filmed at least eighty or a hundred fight scenes; he was well-versed in the craft.

However, being a meticulous and considerate person, he thought that since this was Zhang Yuan's first time filming martial arts, he should be mindful. He thought to himself

"I'll slow my movements down a little later so he can keep up with the rhythm."

"After all, it's his first time. If he messes up, he might lose confidence, and it could take a long time to recover."

He had good intentions, but Zhang Yuan’s thoughts were exactly the opposite!

"Su Youpeng has filmed so many fight scenes; he must be very skilled."

"I need to pick up the pace, otherwise I might fail to keep up with him. It would be so embarrassing if I messed up his rhythm."

With their differing intentions, they clashed in an instant.

Draw, pull, lift!

Zhang Yuan struck instantly with incredible speed, executing three consecutive moves of the Wudang sword style with fluid grace.

Su Youpeng was startled. He barely managed to react in time to meet the moves.

Parry, thrust, strike!

The precious sword in Zhang Yuan's hand seemed to have eyes of its own, lunging straight for Su Youpeng's vital points.

Song Qingshu was a villain who struck when his enemy was vulnerable; naturally, his moves were ruthless and lethal.

Su Youpeng took a sharp breath and swung his arm with desperate force, barely managing to dodge Zhang Yuan's attack.

Gritting his teeth, he exerted all his strength, thinking to himself: *What is wrong with this kid? He's too fast!*

During the rehearsal, he had been so gentle, but now that the actual filming had begun, he had suddenly become so fierce—he was like a completely different person.

There was no time for deep thought; he could only hold his breath and give his all to match Zhang Yuan's speed.

But even a strong bow eventually loses its tension!

The climax of this scene was supposed to be Zhang Yuan lunging forward with a thrust toward Su Youpeng's face.

Su Youpeng was then meant to calmly tilt his head to the side, dodging easily.

Then, they would film a close-up of Zhang Wuji breaking a sword with two fingers to complete the shot of Song Qingshu being sent flying.

That was how they had practiced during the rehearsal.

But as Zhang Yuan performed a "Great Roc Spreading its Wings," leaping into the air with his sword pointed at his head...

Su Youpeng, who had been desperately trying to keep up with the pace, lost his footing and stumbled half a step backward.

That half-step was enough time for Zhang Yuan to reach him.

By the time Su Youpeng reacted, the tip of the sword was less than thirty centimeters from his forehead. It looked like it was going to crack his skull!

Although the sword used by the crew was unsharpened, a hit like that could still cause disfigurement or even be life-threatening.

Su Youpeng tried to dodge, but it was too late.

Zhang Yuan also realized something was wrong; the other man was late on his dodge.

Terrified, he hurriedly raised his arm and twisted his body to shift his center of gravity.

In the next instant, the blade grazed the fine hairs on Su Youpeng's cheek. If Zhang Yuan had been half a second slower, the "Good Boy" would have become "Scar" from *The Lion King*.

"Cut!"

"Get the medics in here, quickly!"

Lai Shuiqing also noticed something was wrong and rushed forward to check.

Only after seeing that both men were unharmed did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"Youpeng, what happened just now?" Lai Shuiqing asked, still shaken.

As a professional action director, he could tell at a glance that Su Youpeng had made a mistake.

"I... I wasn't ready. My foot slipped."

Su Youpeng said this, but he knew the real reason: he couldn't keep up with Zhang Yuan's rhythm!

"I tried my best, but I was still half a beat behind him." Su Youpeng's heart was racing uncontrollably.

He thought that having filmed many fight scenes, acting with a newcomer wouldn't be an issue.

He never expected this "newcomer" to be so earth-shattering upon his first attempt, leaving him completely unable to defend himself.

*He has definitely trained!*

Su Youpeng thought to himself, feeling a lingering sense of fear.

*I underestimated him, and it nearly cost me my life.*

"He's brilliant in dramatic scenes and a master in action scenes," Su Youpeng said with a bitter smile, shaking his head.

"During the rehearsal, I was even lecturing him and giving him pointers."

"Brother Youpeng, I'm so sorry about just now. It was my first time filming a fight, and I messed up the sequence," Zhang Yuan said with a pained expression, pressing his hands together in apology.

"It wasn't your fault. You fought incredibly well; it was my mistake," Su Youpeng said quickly, smiling as he put an arm around his shoulder.

After chatting for a few more moments, Zhang Yuan went to a more secluded area to grit his teeth and pull off his costume's inner lining.

"Oh! What happened to your back!"

Gao Yuanyuan had specifically come over to praise his cool performance, only to see Zhang Yuan exposing his back.

There were several deep purple welts on his back, thin and long, looking as if he had been struck by sword qi in a wuxia film.

Seeing this, she gasped and covered her mouth in shock.

"It's from the wires..."

Because the scene ended with a flying assassination move, Zhang Yuan had been on wires, with the ropes strapped around his back and waist.

In his attempt to adjust his center of gravity to avoid Su Youpeng at the last second, he had shifted his entire body to the side, causing this injury.

"Does it hurt? Let me find a doctor for you."

"It's nothing major. Getting injured during action scenes is normal," Zhang Yuan said, stretching his back, which felt like it was on fire. "I'll just apply some medicine after we wrap up."

"Let me help you. You can't reach your own back," Gao Yuanyuan said, feeling the pain just by looking at it. "You taught me those acupressure points to relax my calves before; let this be my way of repaying you."

"Alright then."

"Zhang Yuan, I forgot to say just now—when we reshoot, please slow down the rhythm a little..." Su Youpeng approached them.

"What's wrong?"

"It's a small matter, nothing," Zhang Yuan said, quickly putting his clothes back on.

Su Youpeng was an expert; he knew exactly what had happened at a glance.

"He was bruised by the wires while trying to avoid me..."

*Oh man, he even got hurt because of me!*

Su Youpeng thought. If Zhang Yuan had shouted and told the director he was injured, Lai Shuiqing would inevitably have held a grudge against him.

Although he wasn't very old, he had been in the industry for over a decade and was considered a veteran actor; such a mistake shouldn't have happened.

*He protected my reputation,* Su Youpeng thought with admiration.

Having drifted through the entertainment industry for so many years, he had seen hundreds of actors, but someone as loyal as Zhang Yuan was truly rare.

【Received gratitude from Su Youpeng: Singing Foundation +3, Calligraphy Foundation +2, Learning Ability +3!】

Zhang Yuan was stunned. Aside from Shu Chang, Su Youpeng was the second actor he had met who could provide "Learning Ability."

No wonder this man could act, sing, dance, and direct—he was clearly a top student.

After this incident, his relationship with Su Youpeng grew much closer, and Su Youpeng even invited him to dinner that evening.

Through Su Youpeng's connections, Zhang Yuan became acquainted with several actors from Taiwan and South Asia.

Gao Yuanyuan insisted on helping Zhang Yuan apply the medicine, but her hands were incredibly clumsy; every press was met with a scream from him.

After Zhang Yuan practically begged for his life, he finally managed to get Chen Zihan to do it.

To be fair, this older sister was much gentler and had softer hands; it seemed only those with more experience knew how to be tender.

The next few days were peaceful.

One day, while wandering around during a break, Zhang Yuan saw a crowd gathered together.

At the center were the middle-aged "Iron Triangle," along with Yang Tao, Lai Shuiqing, and several others.

Zhang Yuan leaned in to look. On a table sat ink, brushes, paper, and inkstones.

It looked like they were all practicing calligraphy...

(End of Chapter)