Chapter 45: Martial Arts Intensive Training

Early in the morning, after taking several bus transfers, Zhang Yuan finally arrived at the Changping film set in the northwest corner of Beijing.

Yang Tao had told him over the phone that there were still a few days before the official filming would begin, but the actors had to arrive early.

Why?

Martial arts intensive training!

In the film and television industry, intensive training before filming was nothing new. It wasn't just in China; many Hollywood stars would prepare months in advance for their roles.

For instance, Keanu Reeves began training in Jiu-Jitsu and firearms four months early for *John Wick*, and even learned drifting for the car chase scenes.

Tom Cruise, for *Mission: Impossible 6*, began training while working a year in advance.

However, for *Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*, the requirements weren't quite as high, as it was a television series.

A week had been set aside for intensive study to ensure that the official filming would proceed more smoothly later on.

After getting off the bus, he walked for another twenty minutes along a small path before reaching the training site.

"Oh, Zhang Yuan is here!" Seeing Zhang Yuan arrive, Yang Tao, who was chatting with the staff nearby, hurried over with a smile.

"This place is pretty remote," Zhang Yuan complained.

Seeing Zhang Yuan complain to the director the moment he arrived, a nearby staff member thought to himself that this guy really had no manners.

But Yang Tao didn't mind at all. Instead, he said cheerfully, "You little brat, still being picky? How about I arrange a private car for you?"

"That works."

"Go play then!" With that, Yang Tao led him smilingly to report to the crew.

Director Yang was usually quite serious, so those who were about to mock Zhang Yuan were left bewildered by how casual he was when speaking to this young man.

*It seems our relationship with Director Yang isn't close enough. Only when you're truly close can you speak so disrespectfully.*

After signing in, collecting his room key, and settling in, Zhang Yuan headed toward a nearby clearing as instructed.

That was the venue for the upcoming week of training.

It was now summer, and back in the city, Zhang Yuan would break into a sweat after just a few steps.

But this place was different. Less than 100 meters from the training ground was the Thirteen Tombs Reservoir. Nestled between several mountains and surrounded by vast waterways, a passing breeze would instantly dispel any heat.

When Zhang Yuan arrived, several people had already gathered in the clearing, many of whom were familiar faces.

The most conspicuous among them was a group of glamorous young women.

Chen Zihan, who played Yin Li; Lin Jing, who played Ding Minjun; Zhan Xiaonan, who played Zhu Jiuzhen; Xiao Taohong, who played Ji Xiaofu; and, of course, surrounded by them with a nervous expression, the second female lead, Gao Yuanyuan.

What made the 2003 version of *Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber* so popular?

Master Jin Yong's original novel certainly had a built-in audience, but over the many years that had passed, viewers might forget the plot or the characters, but they would never forget the "Four Beauties in One Boat" that graced their screens during the summer of 2003.

Even thirteen years later, during the first Hupu Goddess Election, the lead and second female leads of this version swept the top two spots.

Even more impressively, Gao Yuanyuan had held the runner-up position for four consecutive elections, earning the reputation of "the constant goddess amidst the flowing tide."

If she hadn't taken the top spot in the fifth election, she truly would have been the eternal second.

However, the viewers of 2002 certainly wouldn't have imagined that their successors would become "trolls," sending a "Go Chess Girl" to the pedestal during the eighth Hupu Goddess Election.

The absurdity of that event was second only to the "My Big Brother F91" incident that topped the A-Station Goddess rankings.

At least for now, everyone still adhered to very traditional aesthetic standards.

As Zhang Yuan walked forward, he saw a familiar back.

"Hello, Brother Ma."

The person who turned around was none other than "Mo Shenggu," Ma Dongyan, whom he had met during the auditions.

"I'll take your good wishes; we finally met on set!" Upon seeing him, Ma Dongyan immediately gave him a bear hug.

【Received gratitude from Ma Dongyan, Stamina +3!】

When Zhang Yuan had said "See you on set" during their last farewell, once Ma Dongyan successfully secured the role, Zhang Yuan was the first person he thought of besides his own joy.

Humans are sometimes like that; a single sentence can create an enemy, and a single sentence can forge a bond.

Besides Ma Dongyan, Sun Bin, who played Chen Youliang, and Fu Heng, who played Chang Yuchun, were also present. The three of them stood quietly near the actresses.

Since they had just joined the crew, no one was well-acquainted.

Besides, these actresses were far too beautiful. The men were all acting like gentlemen, trying to leave a good impression.

Zhang Yuan glanced at them, thinking to himself that no matter how well they acted, it was useless—their eyes were practically buried in the women's long legs.

"Are you... Zhang Yuan?"

As he was chatting with Ma Dongyan, a gentle female voice interrupted them.

Zhang Yuan turned around to see Chen Zihan, wearing a long black dress with her hair in a single ponytail.

"It's me, Sister Zihan. You know me?"

Chen Zihan was born in 1975, making her 28 by 2002.

But as Zhang Yuan sized her up, who would believe she was nearly thirty? She looked at most like she was in her early twenties.

"Someone asked me to look after you," Chen Zihan said with a beaming smile, beckoning him over. "Come here, let me introduce you to everyone."

Who was the person who had asked for the favor?

Chen Kun.

Both graduates of the Beijing Film Academy, Chen Zihan was from the Class of '94, and was known alongside Jin Qiaoqiao and Jiang Qinqin as the "Three Golden Flowers of BFA."

Chen Kun was from the Class of '96, making him her junior.

Both were from Chongqing and lived near each other, so they were very close.

Yesterday, while Chen Kun was having dinner with a group of BFA friends, Chen Zihan was present and mentioned she was heading to a new film set tomorrow.

As they compared notes, Kun-kun realized Zhang Yuan was also in this crew and asked his senior sister for help.

"He's a good brother," Chen Kun had said earnestly to his senior sister, feeling grateful for what happened at the airport.

Chen Zihan took her junior's words seriously and fulfilled her duty.

"This is Sister Taohong."

"*A Brightness in the Days*, *Black Eyes*, *Beautiful New World*, *Springtime in the Pigsty*..." Zhang Yuan immediately rattled off her major works.

"Oh, you've seen them all?" Xiao Taohong was surprised. While the others were common, not many people knew those two niche arthouse films.

"Of course," Zhang Yuan replied instantly... although when watching *A Brightness in the Days*, his eyes had been fixed on Ning Jing's... wait, no, her body.

"This is Lin Jing. You can just call her Jingjing."

"*Kyoto Mystery*, *Invincible County Magistrate*, *The Hero of Troubled Times, Lü Buwei*." Zhang Yuan then listed the works of "Ding Minjun."

Lin Jing was very surprised. She had acted in many films, but mostly as minor supporting characters, yet this young man actually remembered them.

Of course Zhang Yuan remembered, though while watching *The Hero of Troubled Times, Lü Buwei*, his attention had still been on Ning Jing.

"This is Yuanyuan."

"*Love Spicy Hotpot*, *Lost*, *Beijing Bicycle*..."

Gao Yuanyuan nodded curiously and offered a smile to Zhang Yuan for reciting her breakout roles.

When everyone is treated with high regard, showing an attitude of "I've heard much of you but haven't met you" can quickly bridge the distance.

This move left a deep first impression on the women. Combined with Chen Zihan's connection, they quickly pulled Zhang Yuan into their circle, chatting animatedly.

Behind them, the three bachelors looked at each other.

Then they looked at Zhang Yuan.

*Damn it!*

*We've been standing here for ages, and these beauties haven't even acknowledged us beyond a greeting.*

*Why did this kid walk in and immediately blend into the crowd, laughing and talking?*

*Is our approach wrong?*

【Envy】

*Clap, clap, clap.* A few rhythmic claps signaled Ma Yuchen's arrival.

He explained the schedule for the next few days and quickly got down to business.

"Today we will learn basic punches and stances. In a few days, we will learn swordplay."

"Study hard, everyone. You must also practice diligently back at the hotel. Our schedule is very tight."

With that, he had everyone line up in rows to begin training.

However, Zhang Yuan noticed something at that moment.

That was, among the trainees, there wasn't a single actor from Hong Kong or Taiwan...

(End of Chapter)