Chapter 460

Some film fans wonder why martial arts and action movies are getting harder to watch nowadays.

Why has the "punch-to-the-flesh" fighting style disappeared, and why is slow motion all the rage?

Actually, the root cause is that the generation of actors who could really fight and endure has aged, gradually fading from the market.

As for the new generation of fresh-faced actors, they can make money easily; who would risk serious injury to film those dangerous action scenes?

Action superstars may look glamorous, but which one isn't plagued by ailments?

Cheng Long has superb natural talent and abundant energy; although he suffered serious injuries repeatedly during filming, he still remains lively and vigorous.

Li Lianjie's physical condition is somewhat weaker; he gets injured almost every time he films. Back when filming *Fist of Legend*, he also insisted on real fighting, only to have his ribs broken by Zhou Bili.

Nowadays, hearing the same demand, Zhou Bili actually feels a bit nervous.

Although Li Lianjie was popular back then and even started his own company as a boss, in the whole Xianggang entertainment circle he still isn't considered a big shot.

Jiang Heng, however, is different—he is the greatest glory of the Xianggang film world, the face of the Chinese-language entertainment industry; how could he dare to fight for real?

He thus gave an embarrassed smile and said, "Um, Director Jiang, nowadays audiences don't really care whether it's real fighting or not!"

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "It's fine, I know my limits!"

He has the assistance of a Super Microcomputer, giving him reaction speed far beyond that of ordinary people.

Moreover, he is in his prime; while vacationing overseas, he has also sparred with some professional boxers, so injury is still unlikely.

Furthermore, having mastered both literary and martial arts, one can rival nobility and royalty.

If one has trained a full set of skills but then fears injury and does nothing, what's the point of training at all?

One can't say, "Being a soldier is risky, you might die on the battlefield, so don't go; being a bodyguard is risky, you might run into bandits, so don't go; working as a security guard is lowly and undignified, plus you have to fight for your employer, so don't go; opening a school to take on disciples invites jealousy and challengers, so don't go."

Then, constantly shouting "safety first," aren't you just Li Guobang from *Fong Sai-yuk*?

After twenty years without fighting, even good kung fu goes to waste!

Jiang Heng insisted on real fighting; Zhou Bili didn't dare refuse, secretly warning himself to hold back his strength, to hold back his strength!

But when filming actually began, after taking a few hits, his head heated up and he forgot.

Fists and feet flew together, with tremendous momentum.

Wang Jing beside them watched with a pounding heart, wanting to call "cut," but Jiang Heng had instructed before filming that he would be the one to call stop for this scene.

Wang Jing was anxious beyond words, and could only watch from the side.

Yet seeing the two people in the venue, they were exchanging blows back and forth.

Especially Jiang Heng, as if he truly knew the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth," always anticipating the opponent's moves, striking after they act yet arriving first; the onlookers were amazed.

Zhou Bili's ability is industry-recognized; he is the best fighter in the Xianggang film and television circle.

Looking at his condition now, he doesn't seem to be holding back, yet he still can't injure Jiang Heng—that would be quite terrifying.

And after Zhou Bili's initial head rush passed, he recalled Wang Jing's pre‑shoot instruction, his hand strength weakened, and finally, as planned in the choreography, he was knocked down!

"Good!"

Wang the Fatty shouted loudly, then immediately clapped.

Jiang Heng didn't allow him to call "cut" for this scene, but he never said he couldn't shout "good!"

The surrounding people also burst into applause, secretly guessing Jiang Heng's strength; some sighed that Zhou Bili, who once dominated the film world unbeatable, now has learned to curry favor with the big boss.

This person really can change!

Jiang Heng then helped Zhou Bili up, laughing, "Thanks for the match!"

After Zhou Bili got up, he quickly said, "Director Jiang, your ability is extraordinary; I lose, heart and soul convinced!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "You say you want real fighting, but in the end you still let me win!" Zhou Bili heard this, chuckled, and offered no further explanation.

After stepping down to rest, Qian Xiaohao came over and asked, "Just now, did you really let him win?"

"What do you think?"

Zhou Bili turned the question back, not wanting to explain this matter himself, letting everyone guess instead.

Controversy brings heat! Indeed, as he expected, that very night the news came out that Jiang Heng and Zhou Bili had fought for real while filming.

Moreover, some related photos were posted online, sparking heated discussion among netizens.

However, because Broad Sodium Film Industry did not launch a "water army" to keep the hype going, fans discussed it for a few days and the heat faded.

For now it can only be considered a prelude; it will be repeatedly hyped only before the film's official release.

By the way, on the set of *New Return of the Condor Heroes*, although Jiang Heng is merely the lead actor, he often ends up doing the director's work, while Wang Jing instead became the "assistant director."

Fortunately, he doesn't mind, since this person lacks lofty artistic ambitions; getting a role and making money is what matters most.

Taking the director's pay while doing the assistant director's job—really, he still comes out ahead, doesn't he?

And in the blink of an eye it was early December, and the *New Return of the Condor Heroes* crew wrapped production.

After everyone ate a big meal together, they each went their separate ways.

Wang Jing returned to Jingcheng together with Yu Dong; post‑production work is not mentioned.

Jiang Heng first returned to Xianggang, then met up with Cheng Long, Zhou Xingxing and others, once again expressing his thanks for their cameos.

Zhou Xingxing chuckled, "Hey, thanks—no need to rush; just come show more support during the *Mermaid* promotion later!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Definitely!"

Because the film *Mermaid* has over half its investment from Outstanding Rising Film Company, it can be considered his own movie, so he will surely promote it vigorously.

Cheng Long beside him said, "Hey, I see you're quite good at action films—how about a cameo in my *Police Story 2013*?"

Because Jing Tian has been in semi‑retirement these past two years, the female lead in this version of *Police Story 2013* has been replaced, and the story seems somewhat different from before.

But Jiang Heng didn't think much about it and just agreed.

The saying goes, "Shoulder to shoulder, we are brothers."

We're not far apart in age or status; a mutual cameo benefits everyone.

Cheng Long listened, delighted beyond measure, spoke enthusiastically about his ideas for the film, then sighed, "When will we two team up on an action picture? It will surely go down in film history!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, took a sip of wine, and said: "We'll see how things go; I won't have time for a while! After the New Year, I'm preparing to shoot another film!"

Zhou Xingchi said: "You really are, like a real-life version of the king's return!"

Cheng Long was a bit glum, because he had indeed been thinking about collaborating with Jiang Heng on an action comedy.

"What are you preparing to shoot this time?"

"It's tentatively set to be a sequel to Heroic Soldiers!"

"Wow, a war epic!" Zhou Xingxing remarked.

Cheng Long's expression was embarrassed, because he felt that his idea was obviously not as grand as the scenes in the sequel to Heroic Soldiers Come and Take.

"Another bunch of handsome men and beautiful women, or is it that your film has potential!"

Jiang Heng laughed and said: "Not just those from the first film; in the sequel, there are even more beauties!"

Cheng Long's eyes lit up: "Where did you find such promising talent?"

Jiang Heng laughed: "No, it's purely for the plot's needs!" (End of chapter)