Actually, the story of "Mang," which was being prepared for filming, was very simple.
To summarize the entire plot in one condensed sentence, it was roughly about a third-rate Celestial Master who accidentally discovered a conspiracy left behind in China by Sakurajima decades ago, and finally decided to team up with several partners to eliminate the evil and save the nation's destiny.
Judging by this sentence alone, it was naturally a very common story template, nothing special for this genre. Similar supernatural films had been made into a formula years ago, with nothing novel about them.
Had it not been for Zhuang Hongyi's invitation, Liu Rulan would likely have rejected such a script outright. However, with Zhuang Hongyi as the director, the story naturally wouldn't be that boring.
It was just that Xiao He truly hadn't expected that for such an "ordinary" role, he would actually have to specialize in "Daoist arts."
If it were "saber techniques," Xiao He knew a thing or two, but when it came to "Daoist arts," his level of understanding might not even match that of a recent liberal arts graduate.
Seeing Xiao He looking at him so expectantly, Zhuang Hongyi also spread his hands helplessly and lowered his voice. "Our Film Crew is too large. Being able to go to Hong Kong to shoot this time is already pushing the boundaries. Otherwise, for a script of this type, we'd probably have to go to a country like White Elephant next door to film."
Generally speaking, if it were a small Film Crew shooting for fun or for a limited release, it wouldn't usually attract much regulation. But for a famous director like Zhuang Hongyi and a major production like theirs, the higher-ups were bound to keep a close eye on them.
The reason for the slight leniency this time was that the work itself contained patriotic elements. In the later stages, it even intentionally exposed that period of bloody history during the invasion of China, which a certain country desperately denied. From a certain perspective, it also aligned with the current official external political stance. So, after Zhuang Hongyi made some efforts to pull strings, he achieved this result. Although a release in the mainland was still out of the question, at least they were filming in China, which made location scouting convenient.
Now, the official association coming to supervise them and setting thresholds for the actors was already a very, very "generous" treatment.
So, what else could be done?
They could only sacrifice Xiao He and burn him into a sarira—
-
Even after Xiao He walked out of the Villa area, there was still some worry on his face.
Liu Rulan, who was beside him, looked at him repeatedly before she couldn't help but chuckle, offering a bit of comfort. "Director Zhuang also said that the association still recognizes you. Even if you can't fully master this knowledge, just having a slight understanding of it is a good experience."
"And although I don't believe in these things, who knows, maybe they really do exist in the world? After all, doesn't everyone say that the end of science is metaphysics?"
Xiao He covered his head, rubbed his temples, and sighed helplessly. "Sister Liu, thank you, but I don't feel comforted at all..."
Originally, Xiao He had been a bit hesitant.
But the pressure that suddenly cropped up this time finally made Xiao He reach a decision—
Xiao He opened the system and checked his points once more.
He had used some points during the previous lucky draw, but with the release of "the thief catcher 2," the effect brought by Shen Jue's Bone-Cleaving Knife quickly helped Xiao He make up for that deficit.
The two million points he had saved up in one go were now ready to be put to use...
Thinking of the "imperial industry" Film Crew and the upcoming "Mang," Xiao He sighed deeply again and murmured softly, "I've already tried my best."
If he tried any harder, he really would turn into a sarira!!
...
The next day, having found some free time, Xiao He got up unusually early and brought along the rest of his team.
Their destination—an ancient Daoist temple to offer incense and pray for blessings!
It was also a way to get a feel for the atmosphere and draw some inspiration before joining the crew of "Mang."
On the way, Lao Qi was using the navigation, while Xiao Chen yawned lazily. Looking at the destination on the GPS, he asked in confusion, "Brother Xiao, why aren't we going to the Yonghe Temple? I went to worship there once, and it felt quite effective."
Last time when "imperial industry" was suspended and Xiao He's group stayed in Beijing, Xiao Chen had specially gone there to worship. Unexpectedly, not long after, the "imperial industry" Film Crew actually came back to life and resumed work!
Xiao Chen was overjoyed at the time and even planned to find time later to go back and fulfill his vow!
Xiao He and Liu Rulan exchanged a look, and Lao Qi, who was driving up front, laughed first. "The Yonghe Temple is indeed famous and is the largest Buddhist temple in Beijing, but it's Buddhist!"
"Xiao He's upcoming role as a Celestial Master is a pure Daoist disciple. Isn't it a bit too strange for you to go to a Buddhist temple to offer incense?"
"If it were to be found out, he'd probably be mocked for being uncultured."
"Ah—"
Xiao Chen's face immediately turned red. "So-sorry, I almost forgot about that."
Actually, nowadays, most young people who go out to pray and check in at locations no longer distinguish between temples and Daoist monasteries.
People only know that a place has many worshippers and effective prayers, so they come to seek wealth and smooth sailing. They collectively call it offering incense and praying for blessings, without looking into whether it's a Buddhist temple or a Daoist monastery, seeking only peace of mind and success.
Even Xiao Chen had gone there at the time for the fame and the crowds, just to check in and commemorate the visit...
So, when Lao Qi pointed it out, Xiao Chen suddenly remembered that there was a big difference between the two.
"Haha, actually, it doesn't really matter nowadays," Lao Qi continued with a chuckle, silently smoothing over Xiao Chen's embarrassment. "Don't temples for seeking marriage also keep up with the times and become holy sites for seeking wealth? In truth, this whole thing is mainly for a positive psychological effect; there's no need to be too particular."
Lao Qi's words indeed made some sense.
However, this only applied to ordinary people. For a public figure like Xiao He, he couldn't be so casual.
-
Soon, they reached their destination.
The Daoist monastery here was located on flat ground in Beijing, so vehicles could drive right up to the entrance without any need for mountain trekking.
From a distance, Xiao He saw the blue bricks and gray tiles of the halls nestled orderly among the vigorous ancient trees. On either side of the archway, a pair of stone lions stood guard with their heads held high, their stone bodies already polished shiny and black by the passing years.
There were more people here than expected, but it wasn't noisy; instead, there was a sense of peace and tranquility.
Xiao He put on his hat and mask and waited in the car for a while. Once the crowd outside had thinned out, he followed the others out of the car.
Fortunately, most of the people coming here were middle-aged and elderly. Since it wasn't peak tourist season, there were very few young people inside.
This also greatly facilitated Xiao He's subsequent actions.
First, following the instructions from a guide, he carefully touched the stone walls and statues said to bring good fortune. Then, following the tutorial on the explanation board, he earnestly learned the Daoist kowtow and incense-offering rites. He seriously paid his respects to each God of Wealth in the various Halls of the God of Wealth, and finally stood in front of Xiao Chen and bowed very piously.
Xiao Chen:?
Huh?
Was there something not quite right about that whole process just now?
"Eh?"
Xiao Chen almost jumped.
Brother Xiao just went through that whole process, so why did he start worshipping me at the end?
Huh?
Why is that?
However, Xiao Chen wouldn't understand.
At this moment, Xiao He felt that he was surrounded by Gods of Wealth and that a God of Luck was right before his eyes. He was sure to have good luck in this lucky draw!
"A big Beijing Villa, a Beijing courtyard house, a big Beijing detached house..."
Xiao He's mouth was muttering incessantly, and then he watched as two familiar lights flashed across the screen.
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