Chapter 754: The Night Before the Plotting

"This terrifying 'Lingluo Stone' role is actually a very simple mask‑type character," Bai Lang said, looking at the script. That's fine because Bai Lang isn't formally trained and has never taken acting lessons; this sort of role is easier for him to master—a way of hiding his clumsiness. If they really forced him to display a complex inner world with micro‑expressions and eye contact, that would simply be making things difficult for Bai Lang.

Bai Lang plays the overbearing, fierce general type—his natural performance; he lacks subtlety—though those young pretty guys lack it too. The audition panel consisted of only two people: a director and a martial arts coach. When Bai Lang entered, the martial arts coach was very courteous, stood up and bowed his head to Bai Lang—people in this circle are well‑informed and know that the man in front of them possesses True Martial Art.

This guy can actually crush a brick with his hands, so crushing most of a person's bones would be no problem, and his martial skill is probably the hard‑punching Northern Long Fist—though his lineage is unknown, there's no doubt he can fight. That alone is enough; the martial arts coach naturally gave him a high appraisal, because he himself figured he could never crush a brick.

The director half‑stood, greeted them, and Bai Lang returned the salute. Then he just had to walk a few steps, deliver a few lines, and perform a short segment; if they were being careful, they might even need a makeup test to see if it works. Bai Lang patiently recited a few lines and walked a few steps, and his performance actually made the director shake his head slightly—Bai Lang's martial skill is so refined that it can be seen.

Without needing any mind‑linking divine power, Bai Lang also knew the director didn't appreciate his acting, but his appearance was good. He casually put on a bald cap and stuck on a fake beard—since Bai Lang's own beard hadn't grown yet, this costume turned him into a living, arrogant, ferocious, terrifying great general.

"History, fuck it," Bai Lang muttered under his breath. If Great Song really had such a warrior, the first to feel uneasy would be the officials, and once a great general like this appeared, a chorus of civil officials would immediately call for battle and bloodshed. It's not like after the Jin armies destroyed Northern Song, when there was a brief warlord period, which was soon reined in by the central authority.

Yue Ye Ye is a timeless perfect man; otherwise, Wan Yan would have been killed long ago and replaced by another official. Where does the "baseless" come from, and where does Fengbo Pavilion come from?

With the role secured, they just waited for filming to start—money wasn't an issue; Bai Lang wasn't short of cash but didn't want to be a market disruptor, so he had Wei Yang quote a very reasonable price. He was much cheaper than those young pretty guys. Of course Bai Lang has dignity; he knows his own acting level, and demanding a high fee is something White Jade Pillar couldn't shout out.

The second program is also approaching, and Zhou Xianda hasn't shown up since he took a sum of money and ran off, so Bai Lang's attempt to ask him for a cave residence plan has been stalled. He probably the immortal is just clocking in, maybe touring all the city's businesses. Qianshan Zhenren looks like a total rake.

"I recall this person said that the founder of his line was Chunyang Zhenren, right? As expected, if the top beam is crooked, the lower one is bent; Chunyang Zushi himself wasn't a good guy, so can his disciples and descendants be any better?" Bai Lang thought about the founder's notorious indulgence in wine, women, wealth, and power, and sighed.

Qianshan Zhenren's cultivation isn't far below Chunyang Zhenren's; as far as Bai Lang knows, the Small Seal he carries wields considerable power, enough to destroy a realm. However, recalling the people he met in a tavern, the power of Siwu seems even greater than this Zhenren's—a tall man who rarely spoke, accompanied by a few daughters and a shadow that seemed like a massive dragon; that guy's strength is probably superior to the Zhenren's.

Unfortunately they never met Bai Lang again, which is a relief; otherwise the world might have ended—Siwu is one thing, but if that dragon showed up, the world would be plunged into war everywhere and end up a total ruin.

In the second program, after the groups are formed they will have a "date," which is a novel feeling—Bai Lang hasn't had a proper date up to now. Liu Na looks mature and aloof, and after actually talking with her a few times, Bai Lang realized the girl is indeed far more mature than her age suggests; she knows exactly what she wants and what she might have to give for it.

Bai Lang doesn't dislike her at all; he always respects people who know what they want and are willing to work for it, because he too has sacrificed a lot to survive and cultivate his martial skill. The only downside of today's date is having to accompany two damned photographers, two assistants, and two staff members who take orders from the directing department.

Bai Lang truly isn't used to this, whereas Liu Na is, but before that, these people actually arrived at Bai Lang's residence to film—dates naturally start from each one's itinerary. Bai Lang's shabby little apartment also surprised the directing department; it seems this person isn't putting on any act, and among those who followed was a host from the crew.

"Why do you ask why I live here? It's simple—convenient transportation. Besides, I just can't afford a house," Bai Lang said, always straightforward. Can't afford is can't afford, renting is renting; living in a rundown little place isn't an issue for him, and there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Fortunately those people didn't come in to film Bai Lang snoring away—maybe later, but not now. Bai Lang didn't dress up—other groups filming women obviously had to wear makeup, and even the groups filming men were all preening. Bai Lang just threw on a clean sweatshirt, a pair of pants and combat boots, didn't even take a handkerchief, and swaggered out.

As for sunscreen or facial creams, Bai Lang doesn't even use damn Vaseline; how could he have such effeminate stuff? He has none of that at home; the only similar items are men's refreshing facial cleanser and shaving foam. He doesn't even have cologne, truly a man who lives clean.

He has a car, but it's just a second‑hand one. Bai Lang looked at the car and the photographers and the host—of course they kept filming—"Today we won't drive; parking will be inconvenient, so we'll just get a ride‑hailing car or use public transport. Is that being stingy? Ah, look, it's a used car; maybe calling a higher‑end ride‑hailing car would be better, right?"