Chapter 12

Unlike the others’ half-believing skepticism, Director Mo knew the identities of Ouyang Yuyuan and Mu Jiajun, the two Eldest Young Masters. He knew they wouldn’t have time to waste by deliberately finding someone to fool him.

Thinking back to his initial surprise, he realized why these two had been so polite to a stranger—they had this kind of ability!

On the way back, Director Mo gazed at the tall, slender back leading the way ahead, with others keeping their distance. Knowing this person was joining his film crew, his heart burned with excitement. He quickened his pace to Ouyang Yuyuan’s side and asked, “Ouyang Special Assistant, why did Young Master Chu take a liking to my film crew?”

He wasn’t belittling himself. If he had such divination and fortune-telling skills, why would he bother directing? Looking at feng shui for the rich or setting up wealth-gathering arrays would make money faster.

Ouyang Yuyuan kept his eyes forward, his expression profound. “Yi Ge likes acting. Filming is his hobby.”

“Oh.” Director Mo suddenly understood and felt relieved. As long as it was a passion, he wouldn’t lose interest halfway through, slap his butt, and leave.

As for these extraordinary people’s peculiar hobbies, he didn’t find them strange at all. People in the industry raced cars, flew planes for fun, or even kept human pets. Liking to act was nothing.

Mu Jiajun glanced at Director Mo with a half-smile. How could he not know what this big director was muttering in his mind—doubting their short attention spans as Eldest Young Masters? Why didn’t he think that they, the Eldest Young Masters, had brought their entire entourages onto the set because they had invested!

Director Mo gave an embarrassed smile, pretending not to see his gaze, and continued asking Ouyang Yuyuan, “Does Young Master Chu have a martial arts foundation?”

“Not sure, but probably.” Ouyang Yuyuan thought of Chu Yi’s masterful Flying Copper Coin technique and increasingly felt he was a master who had descended from the mountains.

Chu Yi had sharp ears and turned his head upon hearing this. “I’ve learned a move or two, just a little knowledge.”

Chu Yi was being modest, but Director Mo took it at face value. He pondered for a moment before suggesting, “Then, could Young Master Chu spar with our film’s Martial Arts Director? If you can last ten moves under his hands, the role is yours.”

Director Mo thought connecting with someone like this would be beneficial. Previously, when his crew suffered thefts, he was helpless. Besides, Chu Yi was handsome with a tall, lean figure—perfect for the elegant young lord he envisioned in ancient costume.

As long as his wirework and fight scenes looked convincing, casting him wouldn’t be a loss.

As for not knowing how to act or hit marks, staying on set for ten days or half a month, with pointers from him and the others, he’d pick it up.

Chu Yi didn’t agree immediately. He first glanced at Ouyang Yuyuan. Unsure, Ouyang Yuyuan hurried to Chu Yi’s side and whispered, “What’s wrong, Yi Ge? You… do you feel unsure?”

He was about to say it was fine if he wasn’t confident—he had backing—when he heard Chu Yi call out to Director Mo, “Sure, Director Mo. It’s a deal.”

He traveled the world—how could he lack skills? Forget evil spirits and ghosts; there were mountain bandits who robbed, fierce beasts in the woods, and the main family who refused reality and tried to drag him back to defy fate… If his martial arts were poor, he would’ve died countless times!

The group returned to the film crew. Knowing Director Mo was testing someone, no one left. They secretly gathered at the edges of the training ground, eager to see if this mysterious handsome young man had real skills.

Director Mo had the martial arts instructor called over and introduced him to Chu Yi. “This is Master Cheng. Young Master Chu, spar with him a bit. Just go easy, point to stop.”

Master Cheng was in his forties, with a square face and a flat crew cut. His build was average, not particularly muscular. But his rock-hard muscles and bulging veins on his calves showed he was a true practitioner.

Though Chu Yi excelled at the Flying Copper Coin, he was tall and slim, his thighs not even as thick as the man’s calves. Unsure of Chu Yi’s foundation, Director Mo reminded Master Cheng to go easy.

Master Cheng sized Chu Yi up and down. Seeing a pretty boy with skinny arms and legs, he said impatiently, “Director, no need for me to handle this trifle personally, right? My disciple can do it!”

This soft-legged shrimp would topple with one kick—who was he looking down on?

Master Cheng came from Port City and had worked as a stuntman for over twenty years. He had a big ego and a foul temper. This time, he brought seven or eight disciples. Except for discussing actions with the director and guiding leads during shoots, he let disciples handle the rest and rarely stepped in himself.

Director Mo said, “I don’t trust others. Master Cheng, you know your limits, so you do it.”

Though displeased, Master Cheng had no choice—the director called the shots on this crew. It wouldn’t take minutes anyway, so he reluctantly agreed.

Master Cheng removed his Diamond-Encrusted Gold Watch and handed it to a disciple. He rolled his shoulders and stepped into the field. Seeing Chu Yi calm and composed, he sneered inwardly and suddenly lashed out with a kick—

His intent was to unsteady Chu Yi’s stance and make him eat dirt. Unexpectedly, before his toes reached, Chu Yi’s lower body seemed to have eyes. His right foot shifted sideways, deftly dodging.

“Hmm?” He actually had some foundation!

As a veteran, to be toyed with by a novice shamed Master Cheng. Furious, he kicked again at Chu Yi’s lower abdomen while clawing fiercely at his face.

Master Cheng’s attacks were brutal and direct. Chu Yi didn’t want to clash head-on and dodged several times with sidesteps.

“Good, good!” Director Mo nodded repeatedly. Though Chu Yi couldn’t counter under Master Cheng, he wasn’t sloppy—his body light and agile, footwork methodical, posture graceful.

“Master Cheng, ease up a bit, let him last a few moves.”

“And Chu Yi, make your moves more dashing.”

Director Mo lived up to his role as director, quickly getting into it and directing from the sidelines.

Oh—Chu Yi realized. He recalled wuxia films the original body watched as a child, where heroes were elegant and poised. When he fought, how could he use flashy moves?

His master taught to strike fast, subdue in one blow; if not, evade and seek opportunity… Fighting showy was suicidal.

But he was handling it easily now, so trying wouldn’t hurt…

Chu Yi followed Master Cheng’s grab into a mid-air backflip, leaping two or three meters high—no wires needed—then unleashed a flurry of Chain Kicks.

His body hadn’t fully recovered, and Master Cheng’s heavy style didn’t suit him, so he went light and nimble.

Master Cheng blocked with claw strikes while nearly coughing blood in rage! Where did this kid come from? Obscure name, but a martial tournament champion?

Could normal people jump that high? Pretending to be a novice martial artist, playing pig to eat tiger—why didn’t Director Mo warn him? Right, Director Mo told him to go easy—who really needed to go easy? Director Mo was too much!

“Holy shit, I thought acting fights were fake—it’s real!” Ouyang Yuyuan’s mouth gaped. He felt his years abroad were wasted; national essence was hardcore!

Mu Jiajun looked at him with exasperation. Did he think anyone could pull off those moves? Chu Yi must be a disciple from a hidden sect—even a veteran stuntman couldn’t match him!

Damn show-off, stealing the spotlight!

Master Cheng fumed, face lost. Ignoring Director Mo’s calls to stop, he charged with fists after Chu Yi landed.

Chu Yi sidestepped behind him, tapping several acupoints on his back. Master Cheng stiffened and softened involuntarily, stumbling forward.

Chu Yi kindly steadied him. “Master Cheng, are you alright?”

“No need for fake kindness!” Master Cheng glared furiously, shoving him away hard. If not for his eldest disciple catching him, he’d have fallen flat.

“Master, you okay?” The seven or eight disciples crowded around, assuming Chu Yi used dirty tricks, all glaring. “What did you do to our master?”

“Despicable, using cheats!”

Chu Yi touched his nose. “I just checked your master for you. He overworked his body early on, severe depletion, kidney water deficient, liver weak and internally dry— that’s why his legs went soft…”

“Nonsense!”

“You cheat against my master and slander him…”

Chu Yi shook his head. “Believe it or not, a yin-deficient body also drags down one’s fortune. If Master Cheng doesn’t regulate soon, his luck will decline—he’ll face misfortune shortly.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the crew. He hadn’t noticed at first, but Master Cheng carried faint Yin Qi.

Not just him—the crew all had traces, faint and unnoticeable without close check.

But Master Cheng had the heaviest, hence his words.

Master Cheng and disciples refused to believe, thinking Chu Yi diverted attention to cover his cheating, nearly erupting.

Ouyang Yuyuan and Mu Jiajun intervened, followed by Director Mo smoothing things. The matter settled.

Xiao Liu and Props Brother, knowing the inside story, exchanged looks. Master Cheng and disciples hadn’t joined the outing, unaware of Chu Yi’s marvels—but they had witnessed.

They knew Director Mo just tested Chu Yi’s skills; no need for tricks. As bystanders, they saw Chu Yi held back—his breathing barely changed post-fight.

Master Cheng flushed red, panting heavily. Who was superior was obvious.

For some reason, after Chu Yi’s words, Xiao Liu and the others felt the crew would face trouble again soon…