Chapter 225

Hengdian, the press conference site for the new Slay Immortal film.

Hengdian, the press conference site for the new Slay Immortal film.

Qian Xiaohao sat in the lounge, his legs trembling slightly involuntarily.

Qian Xiaohao sat in the lounge, his legs trembling slightly involuntarily.

He was indeed a bit nervous; after 2000, he gradually began working behind the scenes.

He was indeed a bit nervous; after 2000, he gradually began working behind the scenes.

He had also acted before; in 2002 he played the Green Robe Old Ancestor in the TV series New Shu Mountain Sword Hero, his screen time ranking third among male actors.

He had also acted before; in 2002 he played the Green Robe Old Ancestor in the TV series New Shu Mountain Sword Hero, his screen time ranking third among male actors.

Compared to his former glorious treatment, he had simply fallen to utter destitution.

Compared to his former glorious treatment, he had simply fallen to utter destitution.

Although he only got an outline for the emotional scenes, he and Baoyilin, who played Yu Yingnan, managed to create a song called "Green Ying Love", leaving countless viewers still remembering the Green Robe and Yu Yingnan years later.

Translation: "But he was after all talented; although the emotional scenes he got were only an outline, he and Bao Yilin, who played Yu Yingnan, worked out a song called 'Green Ying Love', leaving countless viewers still remembering the Green Robe and Yu Yingnan years later." Need to keep nuance. We'll translate: "But he was after all talented; although the emotional scenes he got were only an outline, he and Bao Yilin, who played Yu Yingnan, worked out a song called 'Green Ying Love', leaving countless viewers still remembering the Green Robe and Yu Yingnan years later."

But these did nothing to help Qian Xiaohao's current situation; he still didn't have much to do.

Translation: "But these did nothing for Qian Xiaohao's current situation; he still had little to do." We'll translate: "But these did nothing for Qian Xiaohao's current situation; he still had little to do."

Yet just when he was feeling disheartened and miserable, he suddenly received an invitation from Jiang Heng to play the major villain, the Sect Leader of the Ghost King Sect, in the film Slay Immortal.

Yet just when he was feeling disheartened and miserable, he suddenly received an invitation from Jiang Heng to play the major villain, the Sect Leader of the Ghost King Sect, in the film Slay Immortal.

At the very moment he received the news, he could hardly believe his ears, and immediately fell into a state of ecstasy.

Translation: "At the very moment he got the news, he could hardly believe his ears, and immediately fell into a state of ecstasy." We'll translate: "At the very moment he got the news, he could hardly believe his ears, and immediately fell into a state of ecstasy."

Play the major villain?

Play the major villain?

He's so experienced!

Translation: "He's far too experienced!" We'll translate: "He's far too experienced!"

No matter what, he had to nail this role; if he could make a comeback, at least he could still eke out a living in the mainland.

No matter what, he had to nail this role; if he could make a comeback, at least he could still eke out a living in the mainland.

After all, consumption in Hong Kong is too high; if he just lived off his savings, he truly couldn't afford it.

Translation: "After all, expenses in Xianggang are too high; if he just lived off his savings, he truly couldn't afford it." We'll translate: "After all, expenses in Xianggang are too high; if he just lived off his savings, he truly couldn't afford it."

"Mr. Qian, the event is about to start; please move to the east side of the stage outside to wait!" a staff member said.

Translation: "\"Teacher Qian, the event is about to start; please move to the east side of the stage outside to wait! \" a staff member said." We'll translate: "\"Teacher Qian, the event is about to start; please move to the east side of the stage outside to wait! \" a staff member said."

Qian Xiaohao quickly stood up, bowed slightly, said thanks, and then went outside.

Translation: "Qian Xiaohao hurriedly rose, bowed slightly, said thanks, and then went out." We'll translate: "Qian Xiaohao hurriedly rose, bowed slightly, said thanks, and then went out."

Also walking out was Zhao Wenzhuo, who played the monk Zhupu in this drama; his role was small, only a cameo.

Translation: "Also walking out was Zhao Wenzhuo, who played Monk Zhi Pu in this drama, with only a small role, merely a cameo." We'll translate: "Also walking out was Zhao Wenzhuo, who played Monk Zhi Pu in this drama, with only a small role, merely a cameo."

As a matter of fact, this wasn't his first time working with Jiang Heng; in the earlier film *The Lion's Camel Ridge*, he played the strongest villain, the Golden-Winged Great Peng.

Translation: "Speaking of which, this wasn't his first collaboration with Jiang Heng; in the earlier film Lion Camel Ridge, he played the strongest villain, the Golden-winged Great Peng." We'll translate: "Speaking of which, this wasn't his first collaboration with Jiang Heng; in the earlier film Lion Camel Ridge, he played the strongest villain, the Golden-winged Great Peng."

Unfortunately, the film's main selling point was its special effects scenes, and the Golden-Winged Great Peng didn't have much screen time, plus there was a difference between its humanoid form and its original form.

Translation: "Unfortunately, the film's main selling point was its special effects scenes; the Golden-winged Great Peng didn't have much screen time, and there was also a difference between its humanoid form and its true form." We'll translate: "Unfortunately, the film's main selling point was its special effects scenes; the Golden-winged Great Peng didn't have much screen time, and there was also a difference between its humanoid form and its true form."

Most viewers were awed by the spectacular sight of the Golden-Winged Great Peng transforming into its original form, and hardly felt anything for Zhao Wenzhuo's humanoid portrayal.

Translation: "Audiences were mostly awed by the shocking image of the Golden-winged Great Peng transforming into its true form, while they hardly felt anything about Zhao Wenzhuo's humanoid portrayal." We'll translate: "Audiences were mostly awed by the shocking image of the Golden-winged Great Peng transforming into its true form, while they hardly felt anything about Zhao Wenzhuo's humanoid portrayal."

So, his performance experience in *The Lion's Camel Ridge* did little to help his career development.

Translation: "Thus, his experience acting in Lion Camel Ridge did little to help his career development." We'll translate: "Thus, his experience acting in Lion Camel Ridge did little to help his career development."

In recent years, resources have become scarcer; he spends most of his time filming TV dramas, but he's willing to take on movie roles, even cameos, when they come up.

Translation: "In recent years, resources have dwindled; he spends most of his time filming TV dramas, so getting a movie role—even a cameo—is welcome." We'll translate: "In recent years, resources have dwindled; he spends most of his time filming TV dramas, so getting a movie role—even a cameo—is welcome."

The other actors include He Zhonghua, who played Dao Zhenren; Jiao Yun Jun, who played Wan Yijian; Wang Gang Lao Shi, who played Tian Buyi; Yu Feihong, who played Su Ru; Xie Junhao, who played Gui Xiansheng, etc.

Translation: "The other actors included He Zhonghua as True Person Dao Xuan, Jiao Jingjun as Wan Jian Yi, Teacher Wang Gang as Tian Buyi, Yu Feihong as Su Ru, and Xie Junhao as the Ghost Mister, etc." We'll translate: "The other actors included He Zhonghua as True Person Dao Xuan, Jiao Jingjun as Wan Jian Yi, Teacher Wang Gang as Tian Buyi, Yu Feihong as Su Ru, and Xie Junhao as the Ghost Mister, etc."

They are all veteran actors familiar to audiences and skilled in acting, making the ordinary spectators who came to watch the excitement extremely eager.

Translation: "They are all veteran actors familiar to the audience and skilled in acting, making the ordinary spectators who came to watch the excitement extremely eager." We'll translate: "They are all veteran actors familiar to the audience and skilled in acting, making the ordinary spectators who came to watch the excitement extremely eager."

"Jiaoyun Jun, he's so handsome as Erlang Shen; I don't know what he's playing here!" a viewer muttered.

Translation: "\"Jiao Jingjun, he played Erlang Shen so handsomely; I don't know what he's playing here! \" a viewer muttered." We'll translate: "\"Jiao Jingjun, he played Erlang Shen so handsomely; I don't know what he's playing here! \" a viewer muttered."

"Director Jiang's young Yang Qian is also handsome, but he plays Zhang Xiaofan, wouldn't that outshine Lin Jingyu?"

Translation: "\"Director Jiang's young Yang Jian is also handsome, but he plays Zhang Xiaofan—doesn't that put Lin Jingyu in the shade? \" We'll translate: "\"Director Jiang's young Yang Jian is also handsome, but he plays Zhang Xiaofan—doesn't that put Lin Jingyu in the shade? \""

"Yeah, Director Jiang casting Zhang Xiaofan, still being criticized, it's hard to say otherwise!"

Translation: "\"Yeah, Director Jiang plays Zhang Xiaofan but is still disliked; that's hard to justify! \" We'll translate: "\"Yeah, Director Jiang plays Zhang Xiaofan but is still disliked; that's hard to justify! \""

"Who is that woman? She looks pretty!"

Translation: "\"Who is that woman? She looks pretty! \" We'll translate: "\"Who is that woman? She looks pretty! \""

"What's her name? Sweet? She played a female demon in the earlier *Flat Top Mountain*!"

Translation: "\"What's-her-name Sweet, she played a female demon in the earlier film Flat Top Mountain! \" We'll translate: "\"What's-her-name Sweet, she played a female demon in the earlier film Flat Top Mountain! \""

"Haven't you watched *The Great Feng Watchman*? She plays Princess Lin'an in it!"

Translation: "\"Haven't you seen Great Feng Night Watchman? She plays Princess Lin'an in it! \" We'll translate: "\"Haven't you seen Great Feng Night Watchman? She plays Princess Lin'an in it! \""

"Wow, she looks so fair!"

Translation: "\"Wow, she looks so fair! \" We'll translate: "\"Wow, she looks so fair! \""

"Why isn't Liu Yifei here? I feel she'd be more suitable!"

Translation: "\"Why isn't Liu Yifei here? I feel she'd be more suitable! \" We'll translate: "\"Why isn't Liu Yifei here? I feel she'd be more suitable! \""

The audience at the venue chatted excitedly, while the reporters kept taking photos.

Translation: "The audience present chattered excitedly, while the reporters kept taking photos." We'll translate: "The audience present chattered excitedly, while the reporters kept taking photos."

During the interview session, a reporter asked Jiang Heng what he thought of Huayi Company's planned production of *The Investiture of the Gods*.

Translation: "When the interview session came, a reporter asked Jiang Heng what he thought of Splendid Arts Company's planned Investiture of the Gods." We'll translate: "When the interview session came, a reporter asked Jiang Heng what he thought of Splendid Arts Company's planned Investiture of the Gods."

Jiang Heng said that *The Investiture of the Gods* belongs to the nation; anyone can film it, and he hopes more companies will join in producing big-budget special-effects films to prosper the entire Chinese-language film market.

Translation: "Jiang Heng said that Investiture of the Gods belongs to the nation; anyone can film it, and he hopes more companies will join in making epic special-effects films to prosper the entire Chinese-language film market." We'll translate: "Jiang Heng said that Investiture of the Gods belongs to the nation; anyone can film it, and he hopes more companies will join in making epic special-effects films to prosper the entire Chinese-language film market."

The reporter still wanted to ask another question, but Jiang Heng no longer answered his question.

"Director Jiang, your novel Zhu Zion is hailed as the martial arts bible of the post-Jin Yong era; the book's content is grand, with many characters. If expressed in film, wouldn't it be like Legend of the Mountain, where everything is left unexplained, leaving viewers who haven't read the original utterly confused?" asked a female reporter with an aura of a mature woman.

Jiang Heng laughed. To Xu Ke, Legend of the Mountain is like The Myth to Chen Kaige—how many years has it been, and people still bring it up as a negative example!

"Definitely not—the story, main plot, and atmosphere of Zhu Zion are all in my mind. Expressing it in film form, how to condense and cut, I already have a draft in my head. After all, when I first thought of the story, it was very simple; as I wrote, I discovered how it ended up with so many people!"

The venue burst into laughter; even the female reporter whose question was a bit harsh laughed, looking at Jiang Heng with admiration, tinged with a hint of regret.

I thought I could attract this man's attention—what a pity, what a pity!

At the press conference, the questioning continued.

Naturally, what the reporters were most curious about was which of the two young beauties present would play Lu Xueqi and which would play Bi Yao.

After learning the role assignments, while taking photos, their minds were already turning over how to write the press release.

As for the veteran actors present, none were missed; each was questioned in turn.

After the press conference ended, as usual, the main cast and crew were arranged to have a group meal, and filming formally began the next day.

For this film, Jiang Heng plans to adopt a shooting method that combines on-location filming with special effects.

Here in Hengdian, the main shoot will be the indoor scenes and the parts set in Heyang City.

Additionally, a green-screen studio will be set up here to shoot some special-effects shots.

Then we will go to Zhangjiajie for location scouting; there the scenery is majestic, perilous, elegant and wild, with mist and clouds intertwining, reaching the utmost grandeur—it is practically a real-world version of the Qingyun world.

Then, with just a slight tweak via special effects to the scenery, Zhangjiajie's fame will surely skyrocket.

Furthermore, we will also go to Yongjia Nanxi River, Henan Laojun Mountain, Yunnan Cangshan and Erhai, and Jiangxi Longhu Shan.

At the foot of Longhu Shan lies a village that closely resembles the grass‑thatched temple village at the foot of Qingyun Mountain.

After filming officially began, the crew first shot the indoor scenes.

Because most of the main creators are veteran actors, and Jiang Heng's storyboard script is quite detailed, the shooting proceeded with remarkable speed.

Only when shooting the scenes set in Tangyan did the speed slow a bit, after all, they had studied at the Central Academy of Drama.

When it came to Jing Tian's scenes, the slowdown was far more than just a little.

The biggest problem is that she has never received systematic acting training; although she had a bit of experience in The Monkey King: Princess Iron Fan, she has long forgotten it all, so Jiang Heng has to teach her bit by bit, explaining and demonstrating the acting.

Fortunately, Da Tian Tian is very humble and polite, also has a bit of talent for acting; her performance is not bad, aside from being a little slow, there are no major issues.

Consequently, the crew's shooting scenes became rather comical.

Often, many people would gather nearby holding coffee or tea cups, watching Jiang Heng direct while Jing Tian acted.

Teacher Wang Gang held a teacup, took a light sip, looked at Jiang Heng and Jing Tian in the venue, and laughing, said to Zhao Wenzhuo beside him: "Director Jiang really has great patience—never mind that this little girl has some talent; even if you swapped in someone who knows nothing, after Director Jiang's training, they could even land a Best Actress nomination!"

Zhao Wenzhuo said enviously: "Can't compare, can't compare!"

Actually, when he first started out, his resources were pretty good; after playing a major villain in , he subsequently landed the hottest role of .

Unfortunately, later the Xianggang film market went downhill, martial arts films gradually declined, his resources dwindled, and eventually he could only do TV dramas.

Seeing someone with resources like Jing Tian's, I'm genuinely envious!

(End of chapter)