Chapter 10: Lion-Slaying Gathering

One of the greatest strengths of the 2003 version of Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre is its stellar cast, gathering numerous renowned actors from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong.

Beijing Ya Huan Audio-Visual Production Co., Ltd. even sent out the strongest trio from Iron Teeth and Copper Jaw Ji Xiaolan—Zhang Guoli, Wang Gang, and Emperor Papa Zhang Tieling—to lend support to the new drama.

Let's take one character alone:

As for the character Yang Xiao, each version of Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre has its own traits.

Zhang Zhaohui portrayed Yang Xiao's defiant arrogance and extraordinary martial skill to perfection.

Sun Xing's Yang Xiao was handsome and elegant, calm and commanding, immensely charismatic—his popularity even surpassed that of Zhang Wuji.

Even Jin Yong himself said: "Sun Xing's Yang Xiao is unprecedented and unsurpassed; seeing Yang Xiao once misleads a lifetime; after Sun Xing, there is no more Yang Xiao."

In the new version, Lin Yushen's Yang Xiao wears white robes, refined and elegant, mature and steady, drawing countless fangirls to cry out "godlike."

This fits well with the original novel's description of Yang Xiao as "handsome and graceful, though slightly older, still a dashing gentleman."

But what of Yang Xiao in the 2003 version? Emperor Papa Zhang Tieling seems more like he came to film a kissing scene, heh…

Turning back to the main point, the cooperating side, Tai Gao Hong Film & Television, dispatched their powerhouse stars Su Youpeng and Jia Jingwen as leads.

New Media also refused to be outdone, sending out their two leading ladies: Guo Feili (as Yin Susu) and Chen Touli (as Xiao Zhao).

To balance the major stars from all three regions, the directing team went to great lengths—and among them, two directors must be mentioned: Lai Shuiqing and Yang Tao.

As a co-production, the final credits of each broadcast version differ, naturally due to the two production sides.

Aside from Bian Xiaojun's unshakable position as overall planner, everything else varies—for example, Wu Dun is producer in the Taiwan version.

In the mainland version, he is second overall planner; Ma Baohua is executive producer in the Taiwan version, and producer director in the mainland version.

Director Lai Shuiqing is credited as artistic consultant on the mainland side; such an arrangement for a co-production is perfectly reasonable and common.

As for Yang Tao, listed as credited director, he has produced no further works since the 2003 version of Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, spending years drifting among universities giving lectures.

Later generations often call him a ghost director, a name thief—such judgment is far too one-sided.

As a director rarely seen on set, Yang Tao now stood on the filming location, directing the crew.

"Professor Cheng, today's scene is a big one—why isn't Director Lai here for such an important occasion?"

Standing beside Cheng Chen was Chen Zihan, still using her old name Chen Shasha.

Speaking of Chen Zihan, her acting career has been rocky; early on, she was known alongside Jiang Qinqin and Jin Qiaoqiao as one of Beijing Film Academy's three blossoms, appearing in The Great Han Emperor, Legend of the White Snake, Return of the Condor Heroes, and The Myth.

Unfortunately, her dramas became popular but she didn't—so a friend joked with her: "Why don't you change your name and start over?"

The speaker meant nothing by it; the listener took it to heart.

Chen Shasha actually listened to her friend's words and changed her name to Chen Zihan, signifying a fresh start.

Later, she appeared in the Live Buddha Ji Gong series, and her acting career finally showed signs of improvement.

Of course, she hadn't yet landed the blockbuster dramas of the future; in the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre crew, she was merely a cheerful older sister.

Looking at this future actress who would later look absurd in Live Buddha Ji Gong, Cheng Chen rubbed his forehead and smiled wryly:

"Sasha-jie, don't tease me—before you seasoned veterans, how could I dare call myself a teacher?"

"I'll hit you! Am I that old? But… 'seasoned veteran' sounds nice—better than that 'fresh meat' you called me last time. Sounds like a bad word."

Chen Shasha playfully waved her fist at Cheng Chen.

At twenty-seven, standing beside Cheng Chen, who was under twenty, she looked like an adorable little sister—perfectly natural.

Cheng Chen smiled, thinking that "fresh meat" in the future meant top-tier idol—but a top-tier idol who got mocked…

He shook off his thoughts and turned his gaze to the set. The entire crew had planned this scene for a long time; the staff were proceeding methodically.

Yesterday, Lai Shuiqing had mentioned in passing that he was receiving some important guest who spoke Cantonese, so he wouldn't need Cheng Chen to translate.

On set, the spirited Zhang Wuji, the noble Princess Zhao Min, the darkened Zhou Zhiruo, and the variously dressed martial artists were all preparing their scenes inside the studio.

Gao Yuanyuan, portraying Zhou Zhiruo, glanced toward Cheng Chen several times; Cheng Chen grinned and waved at her.

They were similar in age; after the drunken sister-bonding incident in Ziyunxuan's private room, their relationship had clearly improved.

The day after that sister-bonding incident, Gao Yuanyuan had sought out Cheng Chen on set to apologize, saying she'd drunk too much and acted foolishly, and he shouldn't take it to heart.

Since then, Cheng Chen mostly teased her about it; Gao Yuanyuan, like a neighborly older sister, let him joke, occasionally putting on a stern face to scold him with a few "sister" remarks.

Cheng Chen didn't take it seriously—she was an advertising star with resources behind her; he knew his place. After the shoot, she wouldn't remember this little nobody.

Still, when Gao Yuanyuan occasionally asked him for acting advice, he helped fully—nothing more than wanting to experience the feeling of being a goddess's teacher.

…

"I'm nervous—if we mess up this scene, none of us will escape blame," said Chen Shasha, clutching her sleeve, visibly tense.

"Yeah, it's a big scene—who isn't nervous? Haven't you noticed our Director Yang's legs are shaking, he can barely walk straight?"

Cheng Chen turned his gaze back and teased Chen Shasha.

"You're right—the director's nervous, so us minor actors are even worse off…"

Chen Shasha grimaced.

"Clear the set! All camera, lighting, and script supervision teams—prepare!"

"All positions—action!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than Yang Tao grabbed his megaphone and began directing the crew; the set erupted into activity.

Cheng Chen wouldn't appear until the third scene; according to the current pace, he wouldn't be called until the afternoon at the earliest.

That's why he could calmly observe the others' performances.

The general plot of this scene is:

Shaolin Temple issued the Lion-Slaying Hero Invitation, summoning heroes from all sects and associations to gather at Shaolin Temple on the Dragon Boat Festival, ostensibly to discuss important matters, but in truth to publicly execute Xie Xun, the Golden-Haired Lion King—hence the gathering became known as the Lion-Slaying Hero Meeting.

Shaolin declared that the winner of a martial contest would claim Xie Xun; Zhang Wuji, determined to prevent his foster father from falling into his enemies' hands, resolved to fight with all his strength against all major sects…