Chapter 113

Director Jiang, I heard your kung fu is very good; could you demonstrate a little?

Kung fu stars often demonstrate a segment during film promotions; for example, Li Lianjie frequently performs his best tumbling fist in front of the media.

But these basically all happen inside the theater.

No one has apparently thrown punches on the red carpet yet.

Of course, mainland China's grand film premieres, autograph signings, and red‑carpet walks all began with the release of Jiang Heng's films.

If he showcased his talent at the opening of the red carpet, it might even become a convention.

However, with so many media and audience members present, a careless performance mistake would become a negative example; I doubt the fresh‑meat idols would dare.

Jiang Heng has no reservations; everything is for the new film's box office.

Making money—what's there to be shy about!

He slightly moved his wrist, smiling and said: "Good!"

It's just that I feel Jiang Heng's form is graceful and effortless, not inferior to Li Lianjie in his youth.

After the guests who came to show support exchanged brief greetings, they took their seats in the front row, chatted with those around for a couple of minutes, and the ceremony officially began.

However, when Jiang Heng entered the venue, it was basically just about time for the ceremony to start.

At the venue entrance, there was even a group of people turning back, all wanting to see whether Jiang Heng's so‑called "kung fu" was real or fake!

Then came a few form movements, standard and majestic, followed by quick punches, and then it was over.

For a moment, the atmosphere on site was not like a premiere but more like an awards segment at a film festival.

Most people on site didn't understand martial arts forms, yet they had the most immediate impression.

The venue erupted with thunderous applause; many reporters were so excited they were about to tear up.

The host of the ceremony was the beautiful host Yao Miao from CCTV Movie Channel.

"Wow!"

But seeing Jiang Heng slightly open his hands pressed to his legs, he then clenched his fists into Li Lianjie's most commonly used starting stance, his body sinking down as well.

The crowd burst into another cheer; at the red‑carpet entrance, stars who hadn't yet come up looked at Jiang Heng in astonishment, thinking: "He's going all out? Director Jiang, for the box office, you really aren't holding back at all!"

"Director Jiang, you really gave us a big surprise!"

"This isn't really a surprise! There are so many people who know kung fu—like today's attendees Cheng Long ge, Li Lianjie laoshi, Mr. Zhou Xingxing, Hung Jinbao ge, plus Zee Zi Dan, Wu Jing, and Zou Zhaolong; each of their kung fu is better than mine!"

But when Jiang Heng performs, it's just that good‑looking.

The rumor that had been circulating for half a year was finally confirmed.

Who would have thought? Director Jiang Heng is actually a kung fu master—truly unbelievable!

Once this news is reported, it will definitely attract attention; many reporters have already figured out how to write their stories.

After saying a few simple opening remarks, they then invited Jiang Heng onto the stage.

When Jiang Heng said that, the CCTV cameras on site turned to focus on the stars whose names had been called.

Upon reflection, these movements aren't particularly special.

"Really, they not only have excellent kung fu in real life, but their performances in movies are even more impressive!"

"Wow, you saying that makes me look forward to it!" Yao Miao said in an exaggerated tone.

Jiang Heng laughed and said: "Then please enjoy first, and applaud afterward!"

He then bowed to the audience, stepped down, and returned to his seat.

The lights in the venue instantly dimmed, and the big screen lit up.

After the dragon logo, came the opening animations of China Film and Outstanding Rising Film Company, then immediately moved into the main feature.

On a windswept, snow‑blown plain, a boy about five years old leads a three‑year‑old girl forward with difficulty; above their heads hovers a lotus‑shaped treasure lamp about nine inches tall, entirely snow‑white, whose light envelops the siblings, shielding them from the wind and snow.

The camera pulls upward, revealing before the siblings a vast desert, endless Gobi, and towering peaks that rise straight to the sky, surpassing the cloud line.

The mountains are hazy, surrounded by spiritual aura; even without subtitles, some viewers can guess they are Kunlun.

"Is this Yang Jian leading the Three Holy Mothers?"

"That mountain must be Kunlun Mountain!"

"Who is playing the Primordial Heavenly Venerable!"

As the audience murmured, the camera continued to rise and move; on a giant peach tree comparable to a fusang tree, Yun Hua Xianzi, played by He Qing, sits sideways on a cloud cluster, her mournful gaze directed upward.

Looking upward, countless heavenly soldiers and generals appear in layer upon layer of clouds; many cameo stars also show their faces at this moment.

However, the one appearing with the highest status and most splendid attire on site is Zou Zhaolong.

He shouted sternly: "Yun Hua, you privately coupled with a mortal, gave birth to a demonic offspring, violated heavenly law—you show no remorse, and relying on the innate treasure, the Precious Lotus Lamp, you wounded over ten thousand heavenly soldiers; do you really think you can escape punishment just because the Jade Emperor is your brother?"

Yun Hua Xianzi mournfully said: "Lord Gouchen, I never intended to harm anyone; now my husband is dead, I only wish to raise my two children to adulthood—please, Lord, show mercy!"

Zou Zhaolong, playing Lord Gouchen, gave a cold snort: "Kill!"

A towering ox‑headed demon emerged from the clouds, gathering a huge axe in its hands and swinging it down fiercely.

With a booming crash, the axe struck the peach tree, shaking only its branches and leaves, yet unable to harm the tree in the slightest.

The Yun Hua Xianzi who had just been sitting there vanished.

The audience wondered, "Which deity is this ox‑headed being?"

"This Yun Hua must be formidable—she actually managed to wound tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers!"

She gave the Precious Lotus Lamp to her children; this time she surely can't escape!

As the audience discussed, He Qing's Yun Hua appeared above the ox‑headed demon; her delicate jade feet descended from heaven and kicked its face, causing the massive body to tumble backward and crash down through the clouds.

Afterwards, several odd‑looking heavenly warriors stepped forward, all easily defeated by Yun Hua.

Lord Gouchen ordered the troops to swarm forward, but Yun Hua produced a lotus‑shaped treasure lamp over nine inches tall, entirely snow‑white, leaving the audience bewildered.

Are there two of these Precious Lotus Lamps?

On the screen, the heavenly troops were in panic; Yun Hua Xianzi, holding her treasure lamp, carved a bloody path through the encircling heavenly soldiers, who all stepped aside wherever she passed.

Even worse, Yun Hua lit the Precious Lotus Lamp and easily defeated several heavenly generals.

Translation: "Even more so, Yun Hua lit the 'Precious Lotus Lamp' and easily defeated several heavenly generals."

Should we keep the quotation marks around the term? The Chinese term is Precious Lotus Lamp; we'll translate it as Precious Lotus Lamp and, per the instructions, we don't need to keep the quotes.

Gou Chen watched, both shocked and doubtful, "This innate supreme treasure, is it really that powerful?"

Translation: "Gou Chen watched, both shocked and doubtful, 'This innate supreme treasure, is it really that powerful?'"

Should we keep the quotation marks? The Chinese phrase is 'This innate supreme treasure, is it really that powerful?'; we'll translate it as 'This innate supreme treasure, is it really that powerful?' and, per the instructions, we don't need to keep the quotes.

He immediately took out a precious bow, nocked an arrow, and shot it, striking the Precious Lotus Lamp in Yun Hua's hand.

Translation: "He immediately took out a precious bow, nocked an arrow and shot it, hitting the Precious Lotus Lamp in Yun Hua's hand."

But look, this snow‑white treasure lamp that emits a faint white light was actually shattered by an arrow!

Translation: "But see, this snow-white treasure lamp that could emit a faint white light was actually blown up by a single arrow!"

Yun Hua the fairy was also blown off the clouds by the force of that arrow.

Translation: "Yun Hua the Immortal Maiden was also blown by the arrow's power, falling from the clouds."

Fake?

Translation: "Fake?"

Zou Shaolong, who portrayed Gou Chen, was furious and clearly realized that many heavenly soldiers and generals were merely putting on an act before him.

Translation: "Zou Zhaolong, who played Gou Chen, was furious and flustered, obviously realizing that many heavenly soldiers and generals were just putting on an act in front of him."

He snorted coldly and said, "You dare not act; I will!"

Translation: "He snorted coldly and said, 'You don't dare to act, I'll do it!'"

Just as he was about to lower his cloud, a huge hand suddenly appeared from the void, broke off a peach branch, and threw it down.

Translation: "Just as he was about to descend on his cloud, suddenly a big hand came from the void, casually broke a peach tree branch, and threw it downward."

It grew larger in the wind, becoming a great mountain that pressed down on Yun Hua the fairy who had fallen to the ground.

Translation: "In the wind it grew larger, actually turning into a great mountain that pressed down on Yun Hua the Immortal Maiden who had fallen to the ground."

(End of chapter)