Chapter 301: I Refuse

The popularity of Shen Yinuo on major social media platforms—exploded.

As the actress playing Lin Yueru, after the plot segment where Lin Yueru dies was broadcast, many people ran to leave comments under her Weibo.

It is very strange; clearly, when the character Lin Yueru first appeared, quite a few people hated this willful and headstrong young lady of the Lin Family Fort.

But as the drama progressed and the character became increasingly fleshed out, everyone gradually grew to like this character.

In many cases, character shaping requires a so-called "30/70 split," meaning there must be 30% minor flaws and shortcomings, and 70% likable, good attributes.

This makes it appear more realistic, more vivid, and more soulful.

A one-hundred-percent perfect person, on the contrary, often makes it hard for people to like them.

During the filming process, Luo Mo never once thought about changing this plot segment.

The *Chinese Paladin* series, in its core, is actually a tragedy; whether it is *Chinese Paladin 1* or *Chinese Paladin 3*, it is the same for both.

Moreover, the theme of *Chinese Paladin 1* is 【Fate】.

Li Xiaoyao returned to the past, yet he did not change the future.

Let alone the two female leads, although the male lead Li Xiaoyao survived, he was actually the most miserable one.

Li Xiaoyao, "Leaving Carefree" (Li Xiaoyao).

From the moment he walked out of Yuhang Town, he could no longer be carefree.

*Chinese Paladin* is a xianxia drama, not a xian-idol drama; it is not the kind where the core is about romance, and then for the sake of romance, they slaughter the three realms at the drop of a hat.

Xianxia dramas are meant to protect the common people.

In this process, there will inevitably be constant sacrifices.

The *Chinese Paladin* series is often compared by many to other xian-idol dramas precisely because of its uniqueness.

Many people joke that if *Chinese Paladin* were filmed according to the xian-idol drama model, the Shushan Sect Leader would definitely be the biggest villain boss, the senior and junior brothers would all only think about usurping the position of Sect Leader, the Nuwa Descendant would be busy falling in love every day, and a group of men would be able to slaughter everyone in the world for her, starting a war between immortals and demons at every turn.

A crowd of female characters would best have some backstabbing and scheming, with the second female lead being a "green tea" and the female lead being a "white lotus."

When filming *Chinese Paladin*, Luo Mo carried out a certain degree of "magic modification" regarding the handling of some details.

But the core could not be changed.

If everything inside and out has changed, why bother calling it filming *Chinese Paladin*?

Haven't you seen how many people on Earth go to bash the *Chinese Paladin* series every time there is talk of a remake?

Everyone is just afraid of being disgusted, afraid of ruining memories, ruining a classic.

Of course, Luo Mo definitely won't be looking at Weibo these past few days.

Because of his own "knife-throwing" behavior, netizens need to vent their emotions.

What's more, he is really busy lately, because *Chinese Paladin 3* has officially started and is preparing to film.

Since there is no game as a foundation, *Chinese Paladin 3* definitely needs to change its name. The "3" must be removed and a suffix added, such as 【Reincarnation Chapter】 or something similar; after all, the core of *Chinese Paladin 3* lies in reincarnation.

As for what specific name to change it to, he hasn't thought of it yet; after all, he is different from you clever devils—he is just hopeless at naming things.

………

………

Leshen Dama, a well-known music critic who appears frequently.

Because she is fair-skinned, beautiful, and has long legs, the "Dama" (old lady) part of her screen name was dropped, and she is called Leshen (Music Goddess).

Previously, when Luo Mo participated in the 【Golden Melody Awards】, she set a flag to show her face; as a result, Luo Mo scored a "penta-kill" in one night, and she had to fulfill her promise, posting a few photos of herself on Weibo.

Since that day, the blogger verification information given to her by Weibo has changed; the blogger category changed from the 【Music Review】 column to the 【Handsome Men and Beautiful Women】 column.

Good heavens, previously they all promised to only love her talent, but suddenly the group rebelled and started being horny!

All along, Leshen has been a die-hard fan of Luo Mo.

She likes Luo Mo's songs, and also... craves his body!

In *Cat Demon*, Luo Mo's white-robed ancient costume look had her completely infatuated, and after *Chinese Paladin* aired, she followed it punctually every week.

In this plot segment of the Lock Demon Tower, the death of Lin Yueru directly made her feel miserable.

Especially that segment where the screen suddenly turned black and white.

The three of them supported each other, then closed their eyes, all thinking in their hearts: "If there must be a sacrifice, let it be me."

Then, Lin Yueru opened her eyes and looked at Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er.

These two still had their eyes closed, yet the screen instantly turned black and white.

The world seemed to lose its color in an instant.

This one glance made her heart ache incomparably.

Leshen knows very clearly that if she were still young, she probably wouldn't have had much of a reaction.

But as she grew older and had experienced relationships, she gradually developed an emotional resonance with this kind of "unrequited longing."

It was truly humble to the point of being in the dust.

And the most infuriating thing of all is that she really did perish in the dust and ruins inside the Lock Demon Tower!

She sacrificed herself to fulfill Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er.

This woman accompanied the man she loved to save another woman she regarded as a close friend, and in the process, paid the price with her life.

Seeing this, Leshen Dama suddenly thought of a song in her mind, and suddenly understood a song.

"So, the song *Always Very Quiet* that Shen Yinuo sang was about Lin Yueru," she couldn't help but whisper.

Previously, she hadn't thought too much in this direction, only because Lin Yueru was too willful and headstrong, too noisy.

Such a woman, and the song title *Always Very Quiet*, seemed to have nothing in common.

She closed Penguin Video, opened Penguin Music, and played the song again.

The lyrics of the chorus echoed in her ears.

"【Clearly it's a movie for three people,

I, however, can never have a name."】"

Every time she heard this line, she would recall that look Lin Yueru cast toward Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er!

"I should write a music review," she thought to herself.

"It's just that this music review might... end up being more like a film review?"

……….

……….

As Luo Mo had expected, after this segment of the Drama in the Lock Demon Tower concluded, "Always Very Quiet" suddenly surged ahead.

Originally, because this song had been uploaded for several weeks, it was sitting at 16th place on the Hot Song Chart.

But overnight, it charged into the top ten, and then by the next afternoon, it charged straight into the top three!

Judging by the current momentum, it is estimated there is still a chance to reach the top of the Hot Song Chart for a few days!

This scene left Shen Yinuo stunned.

"My song actually has a day where it rushes to the top of the Hot Song Chart?" She felt her chest swelling, stuffed full of joy and satisfaction, to the point it was about to overflow.

Ah, is this what the feeling of liquefied happiness is like?

This data, in fact, can also indirectly show the explosive popularity of "Celestial Sword 5"!

Everyone is cursing Luo Mo while listening to the song, and feeling heartbroken at the same time.

The most fatal part is that while everyone curses, although some are still shouting about "dropping the show," they are just blustering.

Because the pacing of "Celestial Sword 5" in these few episodes is truly too good; it can be said to be continuously high-energy.

After Lin Yueru dies, Zhao Ling'er is severely injured.

For Li Xiaoyao to save Ling'er, he needs to collect the Five Spirit Beads, the Qilin Horn, and the Phoenix Egg.

Many sharp-witted netizens couldn't help but say: "Why does it feel like doing game quests?"

Have to say, they are really sharp!

So, Li Xiaoyao went to the Nuwa Temple.

Who could have imagined that at the end of this episode, the Goddess Nuwa would actually manifest!

Moreover, she even sent Li Xiaoyao ten years into the past.

This directly echoed the first episode.

——The person from ten years ago was actually Li Xiaoyao!

The one who saved the childhood Zhao Ling'er was not Li Xiaoyao's wandering-the-world dad at all; it was him personally!

That is to say, the plot hole buried since the first episode has finally been filled.

How is this supposed to let us, this group of viewers who were cried to tears by the tragedy, drop the show?

This dog of a screenwriter Luo Mo, although he has no heart, but... he really has the talent, damn it!

Not only did he successfully divert the audience's attention, but in the end, he also used the cliffhanger technique that web novel authors love most.

He ended episode 28 right at a critical plot point.

Therefore, if there are no surprises, when it updates next week, various data points will likely see further growth!

The new week arrived quickly.

Luo Mo began to get busy with casting work, and together with Xu Chujing, he went to the location of the theatre troupe to conduct two rounds of rehearsals.

The middle-aged couple he and Xu Chujing are playing are both divorcees who then met each other.

In the play, the relationship between the two is relatively subtle.

So although there are some intimate scenes, most of them stop at a light touch.

The great success of "Celestial Sword 5" made the Actors of the National Theatre of China treat Luo Mo even better.

Like Luo Chun, who would sometimes joke and call him Director Luo.

A director who has achieved results has a completely different status in the film and television circle.

These "National Team" Actors, besides performing in plays, also have to film.

Previously, their view of Luo Mo was pure appreciation, and they were also grateful to him for creating such a good program as "China in the Classics," which let them have a moment of fame too.

But since Luo Mo is now also a director, everything has become different again.

This means there is a possibility of professional dealings.

During a break in rehearsals, Xu Chujing peeled an Orange, then naturally split it in half and handed half to Luo Mo.

Luo Mo took the Orange, feeling only that the juice was plentiful and sweet.

Xu Chujing looked at him and asked: "How is the preparation for the second part of 'Celestial Sword 5' going?"

"Quite well, very smooth," Luo Mo said.

Xu Chujing nodded and said again: "I heard from Guan Fei that he doesn't plan to serve as your Producer anymore?"

Luo Mo nodded, threw the last slice of Orange into his mouth, and said: "I tried my best to invite him, but he still didn't agree. Brother Fei still takes good care of me, and he has taught me a lot; he can be considered half a teacher to me."

Why is it that Guan Fei is unwilling to continue serving as Producer and refuses to help Luo Mo, yet Luo Mo still says Brother Fei is taking care of him?

The reason is simple, because the work "Celestial Sword 5 Qixia Zhuan," in the eyes of many, is a bit too mature.

It is not just that the data is good, not just that it is popular, but its reputation is also very high.

However, does this slap the faces of those who were predicting its failure?

It did, but it didn't slap them into a daze directly.

A portion of people were indeed scared and shut their mouths obediently.

But some people shifted their mode, starting to attack Luo Mo from other angles.

"Heh, a Newcomer, able to film such a mature work? Did he learn it without a teacher?"

"I laughed; this is obviously Guan Fei being the director, and he is just fulfilling the director's work; Luo Mo is just hanging his name on it."

"The main credit for the filming of *Sword Fairy* should go to Guan Fei. Regarding this, I have to sigh and say: the power of capital is truly formidable."

Luo Mo saw these remarks, and naturally, Guan Fei did as well.

He even postured to Luo Mo, saying: "See that? Your Brother Fei's standard is still widely acclaimed; it's very easy to make people draw connections."

Therefore, when Luo Mo told him he wanted to film the second part of *Sword Fairy*, Guan Fei refused directly.

He wanted Luo Mo to continue proving himself.

"Your Brother Fei is going to continue conquering the big screen. It was hard enough to jump out of the realm of television series to focus on movies; don't you go constantly dragging me back, kid!"

So, the lineup for the creative team of the second part of *Sword Fairy* was:

【Director: Luo Mo.】

【Screenwriter: Luo Mo.】

【Producer: Luo Mo.】

【Presenter: Luo Mo.】

【...】

This is... a one-man team!

(PS: Second update, asking for monthly votes.)

(End of this chapter)