Chapter 787: Mysterious Visitor from the Film Crew
However, just as Director Zhuang had said, nothing else suddenly popped out to scare everyone, and the subsequent filming was completed very smoothly.
Over the next few days, most of the scenes were Xiao He's action sequences.
Although they were called action scenes, they actually involved him getting beaten up more often than not.
After all, the monster that had suddenly appeared was completely outside the scope of Zhou Zhiyi and the others' knowledge; it couldn't be killed like a ghost or a zombie. It was a troublesome new "product," so being hunted down in the early stages was an inevitable outcome.
Consequently, many people could see Xiao He being flung around the corridor on wires at the scene.
From time to time, he would be pounced on and sent flying by the chasing dog, crashing into the wall behind him, or kicking off the wall to stabilize himself.
Meanwhile, the other two actors, Lv Dun and Cheng Jingyu, were running back and forth below, following Xiao He.
Oh, and Lv Dun had to throw talismans and draw seals from his bag every now and then, while Xiao He had to ensure he didn't crash into anyone else while flying through the "air"...
It could only be said that going through this entire process was truly exhausting.
Fortunately, Xiao He himself was already very familiar with this routine. The action scenes were filmed very smoothly, much to the pleasant surprise of many on set.
Thus, in just a few short days, the Hospital action sequence—which was expected to be difficult to complete—was pushed to its conclusion by Xiao He—
Bao Xingsheng arrived at the set at this very moment.
–
"President Bao, what brings you here today?"
At the entrance of the building, the producer Wang Sheng personally came out to greet him.
The middle-aged man addressed as "President Bao" arrived with great pomp. Not only did the black luxury car behind him signal his extraordinary status, but over a dozen burly bodyguards had also appeared at the surrounding entrances and exits.
Almost as soon as Wang Sheng approached, he was subjected to countless subtle, scrutinizing gazes, as if they were assessing his safety risk.
Several bodyguards even stepped forward first, ready at any moment to protect their employer's personal safety.
Even Wang Sheng, who frequently saw the world alongside Zhuang Hongyi, didn't dare to be the least bit negligent, his words filled with caution.
The man before him, however, was approachable. With his hands behind his back and a jovial expression, he nodded slightly toward Wang Sheng. "I heard Daoist Hu is here today, so I came to visit."
"Ah, he is indeed here today."
Wang Sheng nodded understandingly and then smiled as he stepped aside, preparing to lead the way for the man.
Bao Xingsheng glanced at Wang Sheng, then surveyed the surroundings before turning to signal the bodyguards behind him to stand by. "Daoist Hu has never liked crowds. You all stay here."
The group of bodyguards said nothing; they simply bowed in unison and dispersed. However, a careful observer would notice they were systematically occupying key entry and exit points of the building to ensure no suspicious individuals could enter or leave.
Watching this scene, the smile on Wang Sheng's face remained unchanged, as if it were only natural.
"Hehe, let's go."
Only after the bodyguards had confirmed the security did Bao Xingsheng smile at Wang Sheng and follow his lead.
–
There weren't many scenes to be filmed today, and the Hospital action sequence was nearing its end. Consequently, there were many crew members on the path, many of whom were moving equipment and props in preparation for the next scene's filming.
Because of this, the two men walked and stopped frequently, having to yield to prop carts from time to time.
Bao Xingsheng hadn't been to a film set in many years. Although his assets included industries related to the entertainment circle, he no longer needed to personally oversee them; he could just sit in his office every day and review document reports.
However, a scene like this was quite nostalgic.
Thus, even though the walk took a bit long, he wasn't particularly anxious. Instead, like an inspector, he looked left and right, inquiring about the Film Crew's situation from Wang Sheng along the way.
Wang Sheng also patiently explained and introduced everything, not forgetting to help build a bridge for Zhuang Hongyi at the end. "Speaking of which, President Bao's company is part of the investment this time. Director Zhuang was just saying yesterday that the Hong Kong distribution for 'Long' would require a chat with President Bao. I didn't expect to see you here today."
Bao Xingsheng had naturally heard of the investment in 'Long,' but he hadn't taken it to heart. However, with Wang Sheng's reminder, it wouldn't be polite to pretend ignorance, so he could only accept the invitation. "Sure, I can set a time to chat with Director Zhuang later. But you should also know that supernatural works like this aren't easy to release nowadays. Even here in Hong Kong, they have to comply with regulations..."
"Of course, of course, we naturally know that. Isn't that the main reason our Director Zhuang wants to find you, President Bao?" Wang Sheng said with a smile. "We also know the situation is indeed complicated this time, but when we saw President Mao last time, we specifically talked to him about this. He kept recommending you to us! He said if we sought you out for this matter, it would definitely be much better than us fumbling around blindly—"
"President Mao? Is that the President Mao from the Celestial Master Association?"
Hearing the familiar name, Bao Xingsheng's expression finally shifted slightly.
"Yes, and speaking of which, President Mao is also here today."
Wang Sheng nodded with a smile. "President Mao attaches great importance to our filming this time and thinks very highly of one of our young actors. So he's been coming over every now and then lately to give some pointers. We've all become quite familiar with him."
Hearing Wang Sheng's words, Bao Xingsheng's face couldn't help but twist for a moment.
A person whom the upper class in Hong Kong had to wait in line just to beg for a meeting was now actually running to a film set every other day? Not only was he providing guidance for free, but he had even become familiar with the people in the Film Crew?
What was this?
Then what did people like them count as?
And these people were being far too wasteful. An opportunity that money couldn't buy was being used to give pointers on acting?
Do you all know that this master is a real master!
He is a high-level expert who truly has some tricks up his sleeve!
However, Bao Xingsheng's originally twisted expression soon smoothed out.
While Wang Sheng's words might have been an attempt to deliberately claim a close relationship with President Mao or an exaggeration, Bao Xingsheng was a shrewd man. With just a little thought, he could immediately grasp the key point in Wang Sheng's sentence—
"President Mao thinks very highly of an actor?"
Bao Xingsheng raised an eyebrow, his weather-beaten eyes turning a bit sharper as he stared intently at the man before him, trying to find any lies or flaws in his face.
However, he was disappointed.
Wang Sheng was truly very confident about this point.
If he had previously thought President Mao was coming to the set so diligently because he valued the filming of 'Long' and wanted to supervise from the side, then after discovering that President Mao frequently chatted with Xiao He, Wang Sheng realized the president's interest lay elsewhere.
After hearing descriptions from others on set—specifically from Lv Dun and Cheng Jingyu—Wang Sheng realized that President Mao had taken a fancy to Xiao He as a promising talent!
This wasn't supervision; this was clearly trying to poach someone on the sly!
This had made Wang Sheng so anxious that he quickly notified Zhuang Hongyi to protect their person.
However, Zhuang Hongyi was calmer than expected. He just waved it off and told Wang Sheng not to worry. After all, Xiao He was on the set, and the two were under everyone's noses; how could he be poached so easily?
Moreover, Zhuang Hongyi knew very well that Xiao He's group were the type who didn't believe in ghosts or gods; they were staunch materialists.
As for making someone go be a Taoist priest—never mind whether Liu Rulan, the Agent, would agree—even Xiao He's own family would certainly not allow it!
So Zhuang Hongyi was extremely calm. He even turned around and leaked the news of President Mao being here, letting those in the Hong Kong circles weigh the situation after hearing it.
The status of President Mao and his peers in Hong Kong could be said to be quite high. During the peak of Feng Shui's popularity, a single divination could cost ten thousand pieces of gold. Although it had long since declined and science had impacted metaphysics, it was precisely because of this that truly capable Celestial Masters were even rarer and more sought after.
And so, hadn't this bit of news from Zhuang Hongyi drawn in Bao Xingsheng?
"Now this, I am curious about," Bao Xingsheng said, his face showing a hint of thoughtfulness. "I remember it was a young man—named Xiao He?"
Although 'the thief catcher 2' wasn't a Hong Kong martial arts film, as the birthplace of martial arts films during their most prosperous era, it had been exceptionally popular after its release in Hong Kong.
Bao Xingsheng naturally had an impression of it.
"Yes, it's Xiao He."
After spending time together during this period, Wang Sheng had an excellent impression of Xiao He, and words of praise came easily to him. "Don't be fooled by Xiao He's youth; his current achievements are quite extraordinary..."
Following Wang Sheng's words, the two arrived at the set.
At this time, the filming on set had just reached its conclusion.
The once clean and tidy Hospital corridor was now a mess, and the walls were covered in bloodstains.
A man and a woman, already exhausted and lying on the ground, were panting heavily in their disheveled state. It was unclear whether the blood on them belonged to the monster or themselves.
The young man, who served as the primary combatant, couldn't completely let down his guard. Standing before the peach wood sword impaling the monster's body, his fingers quickly formed a seal, and an indescribable, mysterious aura suddenly expanded around him—
"By the Lushan Decree: Purge the filth and settle the soul, let all evils be dissolved, and pass on to the next life according to the law—"
Following his actions, the surrounding lights began to flicker in coordination.
The next moment, the environment suddenly plunged into darkness!