Chapter 53: Slay Immortal Sells Big

In the blink of an eye, summer vacation arrived, and in front of nearly every major cinema on the mainland, it was so empty you could set sparrows to catch.

The reason is simple: there were no good films showing, and audiences genuinely lacked the motivation to go to the cinema.

What further depressed moviegoers was that the film *Lion Camel Ridge* had already announced its release for the summer of 2000.

In other words, Jiang Heng would be absent from this year's New Year's slot.

Moreover, the film *Lion Camel Ridge* was surprisingly highly secretive; so far, no news about its plot or cast has leaked.

This made the interested moviegoers even more curious.

Just then, a novel titled *Slay Immortal* quietly appeared in major bookstores.

Kids on summer break initially paid no attention, but seeing the cover bearing the words *The Matrix*, *One Hundred Million Years BC*, and the major work of director Jiang Heng, they instantly became interested.

After opening the book and looking at the first page, they couldn't put it down!

Speaking of this period, it was exactly when Hong Kong and Taiwan martial arts novels were popular; who knows how many kids went to rental bookshops to borrow romance and martial arts novels to read.

Martial arts novels that would decline in a few years were simply exhilarating for readers.

The xianxia version upgrade of *Slay Immortal* was, for them, utterly addictive.

After all, whether it was Jin Yong, Gu Long, or some mainland martial arts novelists, their concepts and writing style remained stuck in an earlier era.

Take Jin Yong as a typical example; in his classic work *Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*, the male lead appears late, and the female lead appears even later.

If placed in the web fiction era, this writing style would absolutely be doomed to flop!

Other authors, while not going to the extremes of Jin Yong, still could not escape the martial arts world formula established by Jin Yong and Gu Long.

*Slay Immortal* was different; although it wasn't yet the later "gratifying" style, it still made reading extremely satisfying.

The novel was already of good quality, and being authored by Jiang Heng, the domestic box-office champion director of commercial films, the two factors combined made the novel sell out instantly.

For a time, in the book markets of major cities nationwide, *Slay Immortal* was almost completely sold out.

Distributors everywhere kept calling the publisher, demanding additional print runs and shipments.

When the news reached the film crew, many people tried to get a copy, wanting to see how Director Jiang's novel was.

Upon looking, however, it left everyone stunned.

Hong Jinbao flipped through more than half the book, came over with red eyes, and said, "Director Jiang, can I buy the rights to this?"

"What?" Jiang Heng froze.

Hong Jinbao also came to his senses, realizing his request was somewhat excessive.

He sighed and said, "I just feel that this book is more suitable for adaptation than *Shu Mountain Sword Hero Tale*; that one has too many characters, too messy, making readers' heads ache!"

Jiang Heng asked, "How's the script revision by Xu Lao Guai going?"

He knew that film should be starting shooting soon, but he's been so busy lately that he hasn't had time to check.

Hong Jinbao replied, "It's been revised long ago, but I think it's just average!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, noncommittal.

Hong Jinbao said, "You also know Xu Lao Guai—once he makes up his mind, nobody can persuade him; I'm playing Long Eyebrows in the film, and I can't be bothered to say those things!"

The words left unsaid were, "If you don't even let me be the action consultant, I don't care whether your film flops!"

Perhaps out of consideration for fighting style, the action consultant for the film *Shu Mountain Legend* was Yuan Heping, and Hong Jinbao didn't get in.

Jiang Heng said, "I'm not optimistic about his film either, and I likewise said nothing!"

Hong Jinbao laughed, "If you said that, it would be even more counterproductive; originally, Xu Lao Guai was the most obsessed with special effects in Hong Kong and the best at them. Yet you've made two big-effects films without saying a word, and even Liu Weiqiang's *Wind and Cloud* turned out very successful, putting tremendous pressure on Xu Lao Guai!"

Jiang Heng chuckled and then said, "I intend to keep this book for myself to film."

"I know, it's just seeing the prey and wanting it!" Hong Jinbao said candidly, though his words carried a hint of melancholy.

Jiang Heng thought and said, "I plan to buy the adaptation rights to a game and intend to turn it into a TV drama someday!"

Hong Jinbao waved his hand, laughing, "Forget it, I'll just honestly act; I'm old, and I truly can't understand young people's tastes. Not to mention others, just my son—I truly …!"

Listening to Hong Jinbao's complaints, Jiang Heng smiled without speaking; what could he say?

Hong Jinbao admits he's old and not understanding young people's tastes is fine, but he can't say that.

Actually, many directors suffer from this flaw; when they were young, they also made many works that earned both critical acclaim and box office success.

As a result, when they aged and refused to act old, the films they made kept flopping.

The reason is also simple: the main audience of the film market is young people!

However, speaking of which, it's fortunate that Hong Jinbao didn't agree.

Because the game adaptation rights Jiang Heng plans to buy are those of *Chinese Paladin*!

Speaking of which, the 2005 version of *Chinese Paladin* was the pioneering work of domestic xianxia dramas, and when it first aired it also faced various criticisms.

Unexpectedly, later xianxia dramas got worse and worse, yet *Chinese Paladin* debuted at the peak and became a classic.

When Jiang Heng films it, he also doesn't plan major changes; he just wants to make the effects better.

On set, Wu Jing approached silently, "Congratulations, Director Jiang, your novel *Slay Immortal* is incredibly hot—I heard from friends that yesterday people were fighting in the bookstore!"

Hong Jinbao said, "Is it really that serious?"

Wu Jing gave a hehe laugh, "Young kids are hot-headed, and with girls around, a disagreement can easily turn into a fight!"

Jiang Heng said, "If that's the case, then it's still my fault!"

Wu Jing hurriedly said, "Director Jiang, don't think that way; even without your book, they might take offense and resort to violence."

Jiang Heng laughed and cried, thinking, "Are you praising me, or are you praising me?"

Suddenly he said, "Right, where are you signed now?"

Wu Jing wore a look as if about to cry, "Director Jiang, I never expected you'd still remember this!"

He then immediately described his current situation: just running solo gigs.

Because he wanted to develop as an action star, but the mainland lacked action film resources, he terminated his contract with one company and prepared to go to Xianggang to develop.

Unexpectedly, before he even got there, he signed on for the film *Lion Camel Ridge*.

I thought Jiang Heng would also sign his management contract, but he didn't even mention it.

Wu Jing felt embarrassed to bring it up, and was afraid that if Jiang Heng remembered later, he'd just muddle through for now.

I still harbored some self-doubt, wondering if I really had no prospects.

Thinking that Wu Yanzu and Jiang Heng had only signed a preliminary contract, he felt relieved.

He thought that after filming this movie, if Jiang Heng didn't sign him, he'd head south to Xianggang to join a big company—fortunately he finally got his chance!

Jiang Heng thought for a moment, then said, "Then sign with me; the company will revolve around you, shooting a series of films and TV dramas!"

"Action genre?" Wu Jing's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed delightedly.

Jiang Heng thought for a moment, then said, "Pretty much!"

He thought about which military film would be best to shoot!

(End of chapter)