Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 792 Overconfidence
Tuesday, April 79, 8.

Baiyun Temple in Beijing.

Master Liu was wearing a coarse cloth robe, his hair was tied in a topknot, and he had a smile on his face, but a hint of sorrow flashed in his eyes.

He turned his gaze away from the group of a dozen or so people, young and old, and whispered to Chen Fan, "It's fine to keep them here to learn the Taoist scriptures, but I've heard that people in the martial arts world are hot-blooded and prone to fighting over trivial matters..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Zhenlong, who was strolling in the courtyard, immediately laughed and walked over, swung his arms, gave a proper bow, and said loudly, "Please rest assured, Daoist Master, it is true that martial arts practitioners are prone to getting into arguments, but with me here, they won't be able to cause any trouble."

Besides, things are not like they used to be. Before liberation, the order was chaotic and no one upheld justice. Everything could only be resolved with fists. Martial arts were also the foundation of our livelihood, so naturally we would not let anyone suppress us. As a result, some disputes were inevitable.

Things are different now. The people are the masters of the country, and the government upholds justice. No matter how powerful a fist is, it can't beat a gun. No matter how hot-blooded someone is, they will think twice before acting.

Hearing their whispers overheard, Master Liu chuckled dryly twice and nodded gently, "That's for the best, that's for the best."

Chen Fan performed a Taoist curtsy, "Thank you, Taoist Master."

Facing Chen Fan, Master Liu became much more at ease and said with a smile, "We are both from the same Taoist lineage, so this is just a small matter and not worth mentioning."

After selecting the actors yesterday, Chen Fan chose suitable actors based on the characteristics of the fourteen people in and out of Chaoyang Old Temple.

Yang Chenfeng, a younger member of the Yang family, was chosen to play Zhang Xuansong.

This young man is handsome and talented, only slightly less so than Chen Fan. In later generations, he would be considered a heartthrob, but a tough guy version of him.

Casting him as Zhang Xuansong would truly be a great honor for the old man.

The reason Chen Fan chose him, besides his good looks, was that he had a "protagonist's face".

Facial features are a diverse thing, and everyone looks different. But it's also quite amazing that some people, no matter how popular the movies or TV shows they star in or how many leading roles they play, just can't become famous.

In the film and television industry, there's a saying that such people don't have a "leading man's face." To put it more bluntly, they lack audience appeal.

Some people are born with a leading man's face and are destined to be the lead from the start. Even if they only make a cameo appearance in a movie or TV series starring someone else, they can easily steal the spotlight from the main character.

For example, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Vincent Zhao all have the natural looks of leading men. Even when they play supporting roles, the audience treats them as the main characters.

Yang Chenfeng is that kind of person too.

First, we'll finalize the audience for Chaoyang District, then determine the other main actors, and the rest will be decided on a case-by-case basis after filming begins.

Anyway, Chen Fan decides how to film it, so there's no need to worry about these little details now.

However, there was one more role for which none of the 56 people who were hired were suitable.

That was the old abbot of Chaoyang Temple, Zhang Xuansong's grandmaster and Chen Fan's great-grandmaster: Daoist Diyunzi.

In a martial arts film, he would be a god-like figure like Zhang Sanfeng, with high seniority, high martial arts skills, and high merit.

When casting actors, we should not only look for actors who are "older", but also take into account their martial arts skills, seniority, moral character, and so on, so as not to disrespect the original characters.

Looking across the entire martial arts world of the capital, there is only one person who is suitable, and that is Yang Zhenlong.

He is Li Wannian's personal disciple and Yang Banhou's grand-disciple. No one in the martial arts world has a higher seniority than him.

Needless to say, his martial arts skills were so good that he used to be able to kick Zhang Xuansong and Lin Yuanxiang in the butt. Even now, in the entire capital, or even the whole country, Chen Fan is probably the only one who can reliably defeat him.

Finally, let's talk about character... How could someone whose character is so good that he can command the attention of all the older generation of martial arts practitioners in the capital?

You must understand that these martial arts practitioners are extremely "spirited." Even if you are skilled in martial arts, you can only subdue them by beating them. Only virtue can truly win their hearts and minds.

Yang Zhenlong is such a person.

When Chen Fan brought it up, Yang Zhenlong agreed without hesitation.

Making a movie and becoming famous, receiving a dollar a day as a subsidy, being able to travel to many places... these are all minor things.

Most importantly, he was very satisfied with the opportunity to play Zhang Xuansong's grandmaster.

Although I can't let someone call me "Grandmaster" to my face, I can at least indulge in it in private!

Although it is said that "a gentleman is cautious even when alone," Yang Zhenlong felt that he was being kind by not cursing in secret when he thought about how Zhang Xuansong, Lin Yuanxiang, and a few others colluded to wreak havoc on all the martial arts sects in the capital. What was the big deal about just having a little fun?

Besides, he did indeed play his grandmaster, so what's there to say?

Simply selecting the right people isn't enough. These days, people really take making movies seriously. If someone is going to play a Taoist priest, and there are scenes of him doing morning prayers in the movie, then at the very least, they need to be able to recite Taoist scriptures fluently and understand some of the most basic Taoist etiquette.

Chen Fan originally wanted to take them back to Chaoyang Temple for training, but considering that Chaoyang Temple was too small and had a constant stream of worshippers every day, it was not a good place for training.

On the contrary, Baiyun Temple has a large area, many high-ranking monks, and most importantly, it is quiet.

Before the revisit, apart from a very small number of believers who would frequently go to inquire about the situation, almost no one went there.

So Chen Fan brought these people here, and then, in the name of the film crew, gave Baiyun Temple a sum of money... cough cough, nominally a donation, but actually it was for the food, lodging and training expenses of these fourteen people.

Master Liu and his companions were overjoyed to receive such a "huge sum" of money. Despite feeling a little guilty towards these martial arts practitioners, they still took on all of them.

After settling everyone in, Chen Fan called Director Wu of the Jiangying Film Studio and sent telegrams to the work units and street offices where the 56+1 people were registered, requesting their temporary transfer.

In this situation, neither the employer nor the neighborhood committee can refuse. Without a legitimate reason, obstructing someone's future is tantamount to making a deadly enemy, especially when they are a group of people who know martial arts. Unless someone is an idiot, no one will stop them.

It's different with institutions like Shichahai Sports School. Their athletes are there to win glory for the country, so they're not going to let you go easily!

If all goes well, the others will arrive at the Jiangxi Film Studio within a week, where they will receive basic training in film knowledge.

For example, not being able to look at the camera, how to move, etc.

We just need to wait for Chen Fan to finish filming the outdoor scenes and return before we can officially start filming.

Oh, there's also "A Young Lotus Just Beginning to Show Its Bud" waiting for him to practice on, but that movie is nothing special, it'll be finished soon and won't affect this one.

Seeing that Master Liu was leading Yang Zhenlong and the others to chant sutras, Chen Fan bid farewell to the other Taoist priests and left Baiyun Temple with Zhou Yali and the other two.

After boarding the bus, Zhou Yali asked, "Where are we going now? Are we buying tickets to Tianjin?"

Chen Fan had told her before that he was going to Tianjin to shoot some scenes, and then he would go out to sea and take a boat to Weihai.

Chen Fan thought for a moment and said, "This matter is almost settled, I need to tell Master." Then he turned around and asked, "Guess, are Master and the others at home or at the temple?"

Jiang Lili and Jiang Tiantian exchanged a smile and said in unison, "Inside the temple."

Chen Fan nodded. "Alright, let's set off for Chaoyang Temple."

He immediately started the car and drove east.

Soon they arrived at Chaoyang Temple. They entered through the back courtyard, asked Liu Juan for directions, left the three women in the back courtyard, and went to the front courtyard to find their third master.

The three masters used to live together, and every day they would either chat with the neighbors or close the door to play chess or have martial arts competitions.

Since Chaoyang Temple opened, they have stopped doing anything and spent their days in the temple, chatting and playing chess, but now their companions are worshippers. Chen Fan secretly envies their lifestyle.

I really don't know if I'll have this much freedom after I retire.

When they found the third master, he was playing chess with an old man. The two were playing a fierce game, switching between rooks and cannons.

After finally hearing the enemy call him "General," Chen Fan quickly helped Zhang Xuansong away.

Zhang Xuansong was very unconvinced, "I'm sure I'll beat him in the next game."

Chen Fan: "Ah, right, right, we'll definitely win, we'll definitely win. But you have to give others a chance to challenge us, right?"

He's in his sixties or seventies, I don't know where he gets such a strong competitive spirit.

Zhang Xuansong was being helped along, his arm being held by his apprentice, making it difficult for him to muster any strength. He could only nod magnanimously, "Give others a chance? That's fine, let's give them a chance."

He paused for a moment, then turned to look at Chen Fan, asking in confusion, "Hey, didn't you go to visit the martial arts sects in the capital? Why are you back now?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a sudden idea flashed through his mind. He grabbed Chen Fan's arm and asked seriously, "Is someone being disrespectful? Tell me who it is, which family they belong to, and I'll bring some people to pay them a visit tomorrow!"

Chen Fan wiped away non-existent cold sweat. "I'm telling you, you're so old, can you please not be so hot-tempered?"

Zhang Xuansong's face hardened. "Are you kidding me? Not giving you face is not giving me face, and not giving me face is not giving face to the organization behind me. They dare to do this kind of thing, so can't I even get angry?"

Chen Fan pulled him into the library, pressed him down to sit at the tea table, poured him a cup of tea, placed it in front of him, and then said, "Yesterday we were supposed to visit the Yang family, the Guan family, and the Gu family..."

He paused for a moment, then poured himself a cup of hot tea.

Zhang Xuansong said, "That's right. Yang Zhenlong, Guan Baorui, and Gu Haoyang are the three most skilled martial artists in the world today. They are the three you sparred with the day the temple opened. If you can get them to agree, it will be easier to talk to the others."

After he finished speaking, he frowned and looked at Chen Fan, who was slowly sitting down to drink tea, and said, "Is it Yang Zhenlong who is not giving face, or is it that kid from the Gu family?"

Chen Fan looked at him with some confusion and asked, "Why not Master Guan?"

Zhang Xuansong chuckled, a hint of disdain on his lips, and said, "Don't underestimate the Guan family just because they came from the Qing Dynasty's imperial guards. They have inherited the Buku Kung Fu, and they also received the true teachings of Baguazhang and Plum Blossom Fist from the imperial court. Later, they learned Wudang Taiyi Xuanmen Sword and Eight Immortals Sword. In terms of martial arts heritage, they are second to none in the entire capital."

But when it comes to guts, hmph, they've long been terrified.

When the Qing Dynasty fell, their family remained unmoved. Later, when the puppet state of Manchukuo was established, many former officials and their descendants went to the Northeast to wave flags and shout slogans, but they still didn't budge. In short, no matter what flag flew over the walls of Beijing, they kept their heads down and tried to preserve their family business.

"If you say Yang Zhenlong and Gu Haoyang rejected you, that's possible, but what about the Guan family?"

He snorted and shook his head, "Absolutely not!"

Chen Fan clicked his tongue, recalling the scene of sparring with Master Guan, and suddenly understood a few things. "So it's true that he said he's never fought with anyone?"

Zhang Xuansong laughed and said, "There are sparring sessions, but they are all with old friends. They are very stable. In fact, there is no real fighting."

Guan Baorui is also in his seventies. At his age, he has never fought anyone while practicing martial arts, which is truly unique in the capital.

Chen Fan chuckled dryly twice. "He left the heavy sword behind that day to resolve the rift?"

Zhang Xuansong laughed even louder, "If it were anyone else, they would just treat it as a normal sparring match, so how could there be any grudge? But the Guan family might really think that way; they don't leave any leverage for others."

Chen Fan smiled and shook his head, "Then they chose the wrong surname."

Zhang Xuansong curled his lip, "They were originally from the Manchu Guarjia clan. The surname Guan is just a surname adopted after Sinicization. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Martial Saint."

He paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered the main point and quickly asked, "You still haven't said who rejected you. Was it someone surnamed Yang or someone surnamed Gu?"

Chen Fan quickly waved his hand and said, "None of them."

He then explained what had happened yesterday, and finally laughed, "I originally planned to spend more than a week visiting every household, but I didn't expect that Senior Yang Zhenlong would raise his arm and call everyone to gather at his house, and we got the matter done in one day."

After listening, Zhang Xuansong proudly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and grinned from ear to ear. "I knew it! Your master and I built our friendship through fighting back then. Even if I don't care about you, I should at least give you some face. How could I possibly refuse?"

Their proactive approach did surprise me a bit.

He stretched out his hand and said, "But not many. They are all pragmatic. It is only right that they are willing to take the initiative. Just accept it."

After he finished speaking, his expression changed, and he leaned forward to look at Chen Fan, asking in a low voice, "Hey, have all the actors been chosen yet?"

Chen Fan nodded and smiled, "It's decided. The one who will play you, Master, is Yang Chenfeng from the Yang Clan. He's the young man who followed Senior Yang on the day the temple opened."

Zhang Xuansong raised his head, thought for a moment, and said, "Oh, I remember now, I have a vague impression of him. That young man was not bad looking, he had a bit of my old Zhang's charm back in the day."

He picked up his teacup again, took a sip, and sighed, "I never thought there would actually be someone who looks just like me. It's not that easy. Let me tell you, back then, your master was a handsome young man in the surrounding area. Many pilgrims wanted me to leave the monastic life and take me as their son-in-law, but I didn't agree. I'm not that kind of person!"

Chen Fan wiped away a bead of cold sweat. "Ah, yes, yes, yes."

Why didn't I notice that Master San was so overconfident before?
They're even looking for a son-in-law?

Ha ha ha.

Having confirmed that the actor playing him was passable, Zhang Xuansong stopped thinking about it and immediately asked, "Then who will play my master and grandmaster?"

Chen Fan said, "The actor playing the Grandmaster is Senior Yang Zhenlong, and the actor playing the Master is Gu Haoyang. Didn't you just say that they are the best in martial arts? That's why I chose them."

Zhang Xuansong nodded slightly, "That works too. As long as it's not that old guy Guan Baorui."

(End of this chapter)