Chapter 56: Simple and Efficient

Returning to the film set the next day, Zhang Yuan saw Xu Jingjiang from a distance, applying makeup and trying on costumes.

Today, he was scheduled to film the scenes of the Golden Lion King on Ice and Fire Island.

"You're here," Xu Jingjiang greeted him warmly upon his arrival.

Zhang Yuan responded with equal enthusiasm before turning his attention to the man's attire.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think they were filming Marvel's *Thor*..."

After the greeting, he didn't linger, heading off to prepare for his own scenes.

However, only a short while later, he heard the "Lion King's Roar"—except it was a series of agonizing screams from Xu Jingjiang.

"I can't film it, I really can't!"

"It hurts too much!"

Following the sound, Zhang Yuan stepped forward, thinking the veteran actor had been injured.

But upon closer inspection, that wasn't the case at all.

Xu Jingjiang was incessantly rinsing his eyes with mineral water, while Lai Shuiqing stood nearby with a look of distress.

"Director Lai, what's wrong?"

"Xu Sheng's eyes are uncomfortable."

In the story, once the Golden Lion King reaches Ice and Fire Island, his eyes are blinded by Yin Susu's arrows.

To portray this blindness on screen, several pairs of pure white contact lenses had been custom-made for Xu Jingjiang.

But Old Xu happened to have exceptionally sensitive eyes; he couldn't wear them for even a moment.

"If we can't use contacts, we'll have to rely on special effects," Lai Shuiqing said, patting his bald head.

In this day and age, special effects were not only expensive but often looked poor, making it easy for the illusion to break.

Zhang Yuan approached Xu Jingjiang and leaned in to take a look.

He had only worn them for a moment, but both eyeballs were now bloodshot and bright red. It was clearly impossible to proceed with the original plan.

"Brother Jingjiang, it's uncomfortable, isn't it?"

"I can't do it, it hurts so much."

The contrast was jarring—such a rugged-looking man crying out in pain in such a pitiful manner.

Su Youpeng, who played Zhang Cuishan, and Guo Feili, who played Yin Susu, were also anxious; they couldn't start filming like this.

"Brother Xu, why don't you try this?"

As he spoke, Zhang Yuan pointed upward.

"Like what?"

"Like this—just show the whites of your eyes." Zhang Yuan made a face as if he were dying.

Beside them, Guo Feili clapped her hands, understanding immediately.

"Are you suggesting he does the 'high-level face'?"

After saying this, she covered her mouth and laughed sheepishly.

*You Southeast Asian women are so open-minded...* Zhang Yuan thought. Despite their cold and aloof exteriors, many of these beauties were quite cheeky once they got comfortable with the crew.

Xu Jingjiang also caught on and immediately tried rolling his eyes.

"All white?"

"White," Su Youpeng said, astonished.

He had thought this would be a massive headache that would delay the schedule, but Zhang Yuan had solved it with a single suggestion.

"Jingjiang, if this doesn't work, I'll find someone to make contacts with a different material... Hey, you put them back in?" Lai Shuiqing ran over, stunned by what he saw.

"It's the method Zhang Yuan taught me." Xu Jingjiang, acting like an old child, switched the expression back and forth for the director.

"Then... we can film?"

"It should work."

Lai Shuiqing looked at Zhang Yuan and blinked, wondering if he was dreaming.

*I've been busy for ages, sweating bullets, and this kid solves it in less than three minutes?*

*That's too efficient!*

【Received gratitude from Xu Jingjiang: Art Foundation +2, Traditional Chinese Painting Skill +1!】

【Received gratitude from Lai Shuiqing: Visual Control +1, Shot Design +1!】

After taking a stroll and picking up some attribute points along the way, Zhang Yuan hummed a little tune as he returned to his resting area.

In the afternoon, Zhang Yuan had a major scene to film.

The content involved the various sects being imprisoned by Zhao Min and losing their internal strength after consuming the Ten-Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder.

Zhao Min, wanting to use this opportunity to steal the martial arts secrets of the various sects, used Zhou Zhiruo as a threat to force Song Qingshu to duel her subordinates.

"Zhiruo, if there is ever a chance, I will definitely get you out of here!" Zhang Yuan gripped the prison bars tightly until he was forcibly dragged away by soldiers, his fingernails leaving white marks on the iron door.

Meanwhile, Gao Yuanyuan sat beside Teacher Yan Minqiu, who was playing the Abbess Miejue. Gao's usually lovely face was pale, her lips were painted white to look weak, and her brows were knitted in a deep frown.

"Cut!" This was a dramatic scene, so it was directed by Yang Tao.

"Yuanyuan, at this moment, Zhou Zhiruo's attitude toward Song Qingshu should be more like that of an ordinary friend. While she places her hopes in him, her primary concern is her responsibility to her sect."

Gao Yuanyuan nodded sheepishly; she had indeed had quite a few NGs lately.

The dramatic scenes were manageable, but the action scenes were much more frequent.

"Yuanyuan, do not bring your personal relationship with Zhang Yuan into the acting." Teacher Yan Minqiu offered a piece of advice: "Keep the character and the person separate."

Gao Yuanyuan glanced at Zhang Yuan, then bit her lip and nodded with difficulty.

Following the crew's arrangements, Zhang Yuan went outdoors for three consecutive action scenes.

Jia Jingwen, playing Zhao Min, sat high on a platform, flanked by the Black Elders and the Bitter Monk.

Zhang Yuan glanced at Du Yuming, who played the Deer Staff Guest, thinking to himself that it was a waste he hadn't joined the cast of *Conquer*; he had the face of one of the Four Great Villains naturally.

"Zhang Yuan, you have a heavy task today. Three fight scenes. Hang in there," Lai Shuiqing said, patting him on the shoulder.

Three fight scenes in one afternoon was indeed not easy.

However, Lai Shuiqing had prepared a backup plan; the filming schedule was flexible, and if they fell behind, they could continue tomorrow morning.

" *Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*, Scene 48, Shot 1, Take 1, ACTION!"

"As long as you don't cause trouble for Zhou Zhiruo..." Zhang Yuan lowered his head and furrowed his brows, appearing to make a heavy decision in an instant, before slowly lifting his head. "I am willing to do whatever you ask."

On the platform, Jia Jingwen winked with a smile, gave a light snort, and then stood up.

"I knew you had feelings for Zhou Zhiruo. Using her as leverage is the most effective way."

*He's acting quite well; he looks truly devoted...* Jia Jingwen thought to herself. "Ah San, go!"

At that moment, Zhang Yuan flicked his toe, and the wooden sword on the ground flew into the air, landing accurately in his hand.

The actor playing Ah San lunged into the center of the set, and the two immediately clashed, their weapons clashing with a sharp sound.

The actor playing Ah San was named Zhang Wanyi. He had been studying martial arts since 1970, apprenticed under a former instructor of the Qing Imperial Guard. In 1976, he placed third in the Beijing martial arts staff competition; in 1978, he took first in staff; in 1979, first in boxing; in 1985, first in the pentathlon; and in 1986, first in swordsmanship.

He was a former head coach of the Guangdong Martial Arts Team, having trained six "Martial Hero" level athletes.

This man was a true martial arts master!

During the rehearsal, Zhang Wanyi and Zhang Yuan went through the choreography. After performing a slow, controlled set of moves, the veteran asked

"Have you memorized it?"

"I have," Zhang Yuan said with a smile and a respectful bow.

In fact, Zhang Wanyi had initially suggested that Lai Shuiqing hire professional stunt doubles for this scene, fearing a regular actor wouldn't be able to keep up with his rhythm.

But Director Lai insisted that Zhang Yuan had a foundation and that it was better for the actor to do it himself to avoid looking fake, so Zhang didn't push the matter.

Having gone through the moves once, Zhang Yuan said he "memorized it." Old Zhang thought to himself that this young man was being quite overconfident; if he faltered during filming, he couldn't be blamed.

But once they actually engaged, Zhang Wanyi's expression changed.

*A fine talent!*

As the saying goes, the layman watches the spectacle, while the expert watches the technique.

Most actors, no matter how much they practice choreography, only learn the surface level.

But upon clashing with Zhang Yuan, Old Zhang could see that the young man's footwork and techniques were clearly legitimate!

His steps were steady, his movements agile, and the power in his wrists was subtle and skillful!

The reason some actors feel sore all over after a fight is because of Newton's third law; often, they injure themselves through incorrect ways of applying force.

Thrusts, parries, turns, downward sweeps...

Zhang Wanyi was surprised to find that the young man wasn't bluffing. Every move was executed steadily without any awkward breaks; he had truly memorized everything!

Similarly, Zhang Yuan noticed the difference in his opponent.

He knew the man was skilled, but he hadn't expected him to be *this* skilled!

Though they appeared to be in a fierce battle, Zhang Yuan could feel that the opponent was clearly slowing his rhythm to coordinate with him, moving as if taking a leisurely stroll in a garden.

Crucially, at the end of the exchange, the opponent performed a somersault, actually leaping into the air and performing a flip to retreat several meters back.

And he wasn't using a wire!

"Cut!" Lai Shuiqing stood up with a smile. "Excellent, one take!"

Seeing Zhang Yuan's performance, Lai Shuiqing felt a surge of excitement.

*I even prepared a backup plan, but with this level of smoothness, we can finish today!*

In the center of the set, Zhang Yuan and Zhang Wanyi bowed to each other in thanks.

"Master, you are a true expert."

"Kid, you're not bad yourself."

Zhang Wanyi took him by the shoulder and led him aside to rest.

At that moment, Jia Jingwen, who was also resting, noticed her friend Su Youpeng standing nearby with a serious expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's nothing..."

Su Youpeng knew of Zhang Wanyi's prowess and had even asked him for advice on fight choreography.

But seeing Zhang Yuan so intimate with his "master," and seeing the look of genuine admiration in Zhang Wanyi's eyes, he felt a sting.

He had never received such treatment.

*To earn Zhang Wanyi's recognition...*

Su Youpeng made a silent vow.

He had lost to Zhang Yuan during their last martial arts sparring session, and now his competitive spirit was burning fiercely.

He decided he had to practice hard during this period; the next time they sparred, he had to be able to hold his own!

(End of Chapter)