blueteamnovel Chapter 95 The Martial World is Not Just About Fighting and Killing
Chapter 95 The Martial World is Not Just About Fighting and Killing
Chapter 94 The Martial World is Not Just About Fighting and Killing
Filming location of "Reign of Assassins" B Group.
Chin Ka-lok squatted on the ground, drawing movement diagrams on the sand with a twig.
Surrounding him were actors Wang Xueqi, Fan Bingbing, Zhang Ziyi, Fu Dalong who played Lei Bin, and several main stuntmen.
"This is a duel between the Wheel King and Ye Zhanqing."
Chin Ka-lok pointed at the picture with a twig: "King of the Wheel, you rush over from here and first strike her shoulder with a palm. The strike must be solid, but hold back the force."
Then she stabs you in the ribs with a backhand thrust, you parry with your spinning sword, followed by a sweeping kick.
Wang Xueqi had already taken off his coat and was wearing his training clothes, watching intently: "I'll do the sweeping kick myself, and the aerial spins will be done by the stunt doubles, right?"
"right."
Chin Ka-lok nodded: "Let's stick to the rules we agreed on before: you do the things that show your face, and let the stuntmen do the things that don't show your face or the dangerous ones."
Wang Xueqi laughed: "Okay, that's a good rule. I'm the one who shows my face, and the ones who don't are the action choreographers."
If word gets out, the audience will think I, Old Wang, am a really good fighter.
Everyone around laughed.
"The leaves are turning green."
Chin Ka-lok turned to Fan Bingbing: "You need to suddenly switch from charming to ruthless in this scene. When the Wheel King strikes with his palm, you need to instinctively dodge, but if you're not fast enough, you'll still get hit by the palm wind."
Here I'll have the stuntmen tie a traction rope to your shoulder, and then pull it in time with Teacher Wang's palm strike to create the effect of being hit.
Fan Bingbing rubbed her shoulders: "Really?"
"Really good."
Chin Ka-lok said earnestly, "Otherwise, you won't feel the force. But don't worry, we'll control the force so you won't get hurt."
"Okay then."
Fan Bingbing was quite straightforward: "Then I countered with a backhand thrust, this was a real thrust, right?"
"It's a real sword, but the tip is blunt, and Teacher Wang is wearing special armor."
Chin Ka-lok took the short sword from the props team and handed it to her.
"When you stab, be quick and ruthless, but keep your expression cold. Ye Zhanqing is no longer afraid of death at this point; her thrust isn't out of anger, but rather, 'Oh, so be it.'"
Fan Bingbing took the sword and weighed it in his hand. Suddenly, he twirled the sword with surprising agility, proving that his training had paid off.
Zhang Ziyi, who was watching from the side, suddenly spoke up: "Coach Qian, when will we film my fight scene with Ye Zhanqing?"
"tomorrow."
Chin Ka-lok turned to her: "That one is more difficult. You have to flip down from the roof beam, land and do three consecutive side rolls, then get up to catch Ye Zhanqing's thrust."
We designed protective pads for the rolling motion, but the standing up motion needs to be crisp and without any cushioning, so we might need to make a few more.
Zhang Ziyi nodded: "No problem, I can do the roll myself, as long as the protection is adequate."
"Of course."
Qian Jiale paused for a moment: "Also, when you were fighting her, there were a few close-quarters combat scenes. For realism, we might have needed to use real kicks and punches."
"If you can't hear the sounds of physical contact, the footage isn't exciting enough."
Fan Bingbing raised an eyebrow: "Really fighting? How really?"
"If I kick your shin, you block; if you stab my shoulder, I dodge to the side—all of these require real contact."
Chin Ka-lok gestured famously: "We will control the force, but there will definitely be a collision."
If you two have no problem, let's proceed this way.
Zhang Ziyi and Fan Bingbing exchanged a glance.
"I'm fine," Zhang Ziyi said.
"I can do it too."
Fan Bingbing laughed: "Anyway, it's already been buried, so a real fight is nothing."
Zhang Jun walked over from the monitor, holding a storyboard: "Have you finished talking? Let's go through the scene once. King Zhuanlun and Ye Zhanqing, come first."
Zeng Jing can take a look; your scene had a consistent emotional flow.
The stagehands cleared the set, and the actors took their places.
"Scene 103, Shot 1 of 'Reign of Assassins,' rehearsal—Action!"
Wang Xueqi's eyes changed instantly. The amiable old actor was gone, replaced by the sinister and deranged King of Reincarnation.
With a flick of his black robe, he lunged forward and struck Fan Bingbing's shoulder with a palm strike.
Fan Bingbing almost instinctively took a half step back; this was a genuine reaction. He could even feel the wind generated by Wang Xueqi's palm strike.
"Click!"
Chin Ka-lok called out, "Ye Zhanqing, you can't hide so obviously here. If you try to dodge, but can't, you can only barely sidestep to avoid vital areas."
"Again." Fan Pangbing took a deep breath.
The second time, she forced herself not to back down, only slightly shifting her shoulder. Wang Xueqi's hand stopped three inches above her shoulder; this was a feigned movement.
But when it comes to the counter-attack with a rapier, it has to be for real.
Fan Pangbing flicked his wrist, and his short sword thrust straight at Wang Xueqi's right rib. Wang Xueqi was prepared, and as he turned to the side, he parried with his spinning sword.
"clang!"
The sound of metal clashing was crisp, and the force was transmitted through the sword to Fan Pangbing's hand, making his tiger's mouth go numb.
"Good! That's the right feeling!"
Chin Ka-lok shouted from the sidelines, "Continue!"
Wang Xueqi swept his leg out with ease, using only 70% of his strength, but the speed was extremely fast. Fan Bingbing jumped up to dodge, but stumbled when he landed.
"Cut!"
Zhang Jun's voice came from behind the monitor: "The Wheel King's strength control is very good. Ye Zhanqing's stumble when he landed can be preserved, it's very realistic."
But once you get up, your gaze should be even colder, and you shouldn't look disheveled.
Even when Ye Zhanqing was being beaten, he still wore a smile.
Fan Bingbing pushed himself up and patted the dirt off his hands: "Understood. Let's do one more take, I'll adjust it."
This scene took eight takes to get right.
Wang Xueqi and Fan Bingbing are not action stars, and Zhang Jun's requirements are too high.
He wanted a quality where "every frame could be used as a poster".
The fight scenes should be realistic, but the visuals should be beautiful; the expressions should be fierce, but the shots should be attractive.
When filming wrapped up, Wang Xueqi rubbed his wrist and said to Zhang Jun, "Director, my old bones are about to fall apart."
"Thanks for your hard work."
Zhang Jun handed over a bottle of water: "But the effect was there. The change in your eyes from rage to heartbreak in that clip just now was fantastic."
"That's just part of acting."
Wang Xueqi took a sip of water: "I'm no expert in action scenes, but I can't lose in dramatic scenes."
The next day, Zhang Ziyi and Fan Bingbing had a fight scene.
This scene is even more challenging. Zeng Jing (Zhang Ziyi) discovers that Ye Zhanqing killed her savior and is furiously chasing after him.
The two fought from the roof beams to the ground in the dilapidated temple, engaging in close combat where every move was potentially fatal.
Chin Ka-lok designed seven sets of moves, and before filming began, he had the two actresses practice them repeatedly.
"Here, Zeng Jing, kick her shin, really kick her."
Chin Ka-lok demonstrates: "Ye Zhanqing, you block, take the hit with your forearm. Put on your protective gear, but you still need to hear a crack."
Fan Bingbing put on specially made arm protectors, and Zhang Ziyi tested the power of her kick.
"Like this?" Zhang Ziyi gave it a light kick.
"Three more points."
Chin Ka-lok said, "Otherwise, there won't be any tension in the shot. Don't worry, the protective gear can hold up."
Filming has officially begun.
Zhang Ziyi performed a somersault from a two-meter-high roof beam. No stunt double; she did it herself. She landed with three consecutive side rolls, kicking up dust as she got up, but her movements were clean and swift.
Zhang Jun, behind the monitor, nodded secretly. Zhang Ziyi's professionalism was beyond question.
Immediately afterwards, Fan Bingbing thrust forward with his sword.
The sword thrust was incredibly fast, aimed straight for her throat. Zhang Ziyi dodged to the side, the tip of the sword grazing her cheek, the distance kept within an inch—a near miss.
Then came that close-quarters combat.
Zhang Ziyi kicked Fan Bingbing's arm as she was blocking.
"Crack!" A muffled sound.
Fan Bingbing's face paled, but her hands didn't stop; she stabbed Zhang Ziyi in the shoulder with a backhand.
Instead of retreating, Zhang Ziyi advanced, using her sword sheath to parry while simultaneously striking Fan Bingbing in the chest with her other elbow.
"Bang!"
The blow landed squarely on the protective gear, but the impact still forced Fan Bingbing back two steps.
"Cut!"
Zhang Jun called for a halt: "Very good! But Zeng Jing, you should have paused slightly after your elbow strike. At that moment, you didn't actually want to kill Ye Zhanqing; you wanted to ask her why."
That hesitation needs to be shown.
Zhang Ziyi nodded, panting, "Understood. Let's try again."
This scene was filmed twelve times.
By the last take, both actresses were soaked in sweat.
Fan Bingbing already had visible marks on her arms, and Zhang Ziyi was in even worse shape; she had done that set of rolling movements more than ten times, and the protective gear on her knees and elbows was worn through.
But everyone felt it was worth it for the last reason.
In the scene, two women are locked in a fierce battle under the dim light of a dilapidated temple.
Every move was ruthless, every technique dangerous, yet it possessed a strange beauty. A light green gauze skirt and a pristine white outfit fluttered in the air, sword light dancing with dust.
What's even more beautiful is her eyes.
Zhang Ziyi's eyes reflected a tangle of anger and pain, while Fan Bingbing's eyes held a mixture of madness and indifference. The clash of these two extreme emotions during the fight added depth and drama to the action sequence.
"Pass!" Zhang Jun stood up and led the applause.
The audience erupted in applause.
Fan Bingbing sat down on the ground, and Zhang Ziyi leaned on her sword sheath, panting.
The assistants quickly brought water and towels.
Chin Ka-lok walked over and gave the two women a thumbs up: "You two ladies really went all out. When I was designing this action sequence, I was worried we wouldn't be able to complete it."
"Director Qian's design is excellent."
Zhang Ziyi took the water, her voice a little hoarse: "The fight was layered, not just random punches."
Fan Bingbing rubbed her arm and suddenly laughed: "Director, if this scene airs, won't the audience think we have a grudge? Why are we fighting so fiercely?"
Zhang Jun laughed and joked, "It's good that there's a grudge; it means the play is real."
After finishing work, Zhang Jun specifically pulled out several slow-motion shots of this fight scene while editing footage in the studio.
As the footage unfolds frame by frame, one can clearly see the resolute expression on Zhang Ziyi's face as she rolls, the taut muscles in Fan Bingbing's arm as she blocks, and the exchange of glances between the two as their swords clash.
This film has exceeded expectations to be made to this extent.
The actors were dedicated, the action choreographer was attentive, and all departments cooperated effectively.
Sometimes he felt that his greatest advantage as a time traveler was not knowing which movies would be hits, but knowing how to make good use of people.
As a martial arts film, the action scenes in "Reign of Assassins" are undoubtedly a highlight. But unlike other martial arts films, the dramatic scenes in this movie are also exceptional.
There's a reason why I say that.
In recent years, martial arts films or action period films have generally prioritized form over content.
The most typical example is Zhang Yimou's "Ambush from Ten Sides". The story is very simple: it is a love triangle between two men and one woman.
The visuals are stunning, but the story is practically nonexistent.
But Reign of Assassins is different; while preserving its aesthetics, it also achieves a complete cinematic narrative.
During breaks in filming, Zhang Jun explained his creative philosophy to the actors: "Aesthetics serve the narrative; telling a good story is the task of film."
On this basis, the aesthetic shots in a film can serve as icing on the cake, but they should not overshadow the main elements.
Zhang Jun's philosophy is that everything serves the narrative, including action scenes, prop design, and cinematic aesthetics.
These elements together constitute the narrative of a film, allowing the audience to fully experience an emotional baptism in the cinema.
After filming most of the demanding action scenes, Zhang Jun shifted his focus to the dramatic scenes, shooting the love story between Zeng Jing (played by Zhang Ziyi) and Jiang Asheng (played by Andy Lau) in Xitang Ancient Town.
This shows Zhang Ziyi's advantage; although she is not as good at fighting as Michelle Yeoh, she is more suitable for acting in this kind of movie.
Michelle Yeoh has no problem playing an assassin. But portraying a cloth-selling woman and conveying that blend of gentleness and strength is a bit too much for her.
Andy Lau's performance was equally impressive. There's no need to worry about Andy Lau's acting skills, and the two of them together didn't feel out of place or jarring.
Xitang Ancient Town, 7:30 a.m.
The mist hadn't completely dissipated, the bluestone path was still damp, and breakfast stalls had already been set up under the covered walkways along the river.
The steam from the steamed buns mingled with the morning mist, filling the air with a moist, sweet fragrance.
Zhang Jun continued to wear his handsome trench coat, sitting behind the monitor, holding a cup of hot soy milk in his hand.
He glanced at the sky, then at his watch: "Lighting crew, turn it down half a level. I want that feeling of just dawn, when the light is still very soft."
"clear."
"Props team, check the fabrics on the stall. Replace a few of the ones that are too brightly colored. Zeng Jing is currently hiding her identity, so the things she uses can't be too eye-catching."
"Okay, director."
Zhang Ziyi stepped out of the makeup cart, dressed in a coarse cloth dress, her hair simply tied up with a wooden hairpin, and her face only covered with a thin layer of powder. She really looked like a woman selling cloth in a small town in Jiangnan.
She walked to her fabric stall, reached out and arranged the cotton and linen fabrics naturally.
Andy Lau also came over, wearing a slightly worn blue cloth shirt with a towel draped over his shoulder, dressed as a deliveryman.
He walked up to the breakfast stall and called out in slightly accented Mandarin, "Boss, two meat buns and a bowl of soy milk."
"Okay!"
Zhang Jun watched the two people's condition on the monitor and nodded slightly. With the makeup and styling right, the character's essence was already seven or eight parts complete.
The script supervisor claps the clapperboard: "Scene 12, Shot 1 of 'Reign of Assassins,' Action!"
The camera pans across the river.
Xi Yu (Zeng Jing after retirement) was arranging fabrics at her stall, her movements unhurried and deliberate.
Jiang Asheng (played by Andy Lau) was carrying soy milk and steamed buns when he passed by her stall and accidentally tripped over a protruding stone slab on the ground.
"Why!"
A little soy milk spilled out and splashed onto the cloth.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" Jiang Asheng quickly put down the steamed bun and took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
Zeng Jing looked up at him, didn't say anything, just shook her head slightly, and picked up a rag to wipe herself.
His movements were very subtle, and his face showed little expression.
"I'm so sorry—"
Jiang Asheng was a little embarrassed, standing there unsure whether to stay or leave.
"fine."
Zeng Jing finally spoke, her voice very soft: "The cloth is dirty, it'll be fine after washing."
She didn't look at Jiang Asheng when she said this, and continued to arrange the fabric. But when the camera zoomed in, a very faint, almost imperceptible smile could be seen at the corner of her mouth.
It wasn't that kind of sweet smile, but a smile that said, "This person is a bit clumsy, but their clumsiness is amusing."
"Cut!"
Zhang Jun called a halt: "Very good, this take is good. But let's do one more take. Zeng Jing, you can wipe the cloth a little slower. You're retired now, enjoying this slow-paced life."
And Jiang Asheng, you could have been a little more hesitant when you apologized. Jiang Asheng is an honest man, but he's not stupid.
"clear."
After filming the second take, Zhang Jun watched the playback and nodded: "Cut. Get ready for the next scene, 'Meeting in the Rain'."
Rain scenes are among the most difficult to film.
Artificial rain needs to appear natural, neither too dense nor too sparse. The lighting needs to be well controlled, the actors' makeup and hair need to withstand the water, and the scene also needs to capture the mood.
The rain show in Xitang Ancient Town is scheduled for the afternoon. The artificial rain system has been set up, and the lighting crew has placed soft lights on both sides of the covered walkway.
The scene depicts Jiang Asheng delivering goods and passing by a fabric stall when it suddenly starts raining. He doesn't have an umbrella and has to take shelter under the eaves.
Zeng Jing took an oil-paper umbrella from under the stall, hesitated for a moment, then walked over and handed it to him.
It's a very simple scene, but the emotions need to be right.
"Action!"
Raindrops drifted down, splashing tiny droplets on the bluestone slabs. Jiang Asheng, carrying a cargo box, ran to the eaves; his clothes were already half-wet.
He wiped his face, looked up, and saw Zeng Jing standing in front of him with an umbrella.
The umbrella was a plain oiled paper umbrella; the ribs were old, but very clean.
"for you."
Xi Yu handed over the umbrella, still with that indifferent expression.
Jiang Asheng was taken aback: "Then you—"
"I'm closing up shop."
Xi Yu pointed to the fabric stall that was already being packed up: "It's close to home."
She turned to leave after speaking, but Jiang Asheng called out to her, "Miss, how am I supposed to return this umbrella to you?"
Zeng Jing turned around and glanced at him: "Tomorrow, at the same time, just come here again."
After she finished speaking, she walked into the rain without an umbrella and walked away in the rain.
The camera followed her back, raindrops forming a thin mist around her. In the rain-soaked alleyways of Jiangnan, her figure exuded an indescribable loneliness and resolute determination.
"Cut!"
Zhang Jun stood up: "Zeng Jing, when you walked that part, you could have slowed down your pace a bit, and walked with a more composed air."
Zeng Jing is not afraid of rain, nor is she afraid of anything.
When Zhang Ziyi returned, her hair was already wet, and the makeup artist quickly stepped forward to touch up her makeup.
While wiping her face, she said, "Director, when I first read the script for this scene, I wondered if it was too deliberate."
It's raining, we borrow an umbrella, and we promise to return it—like a scene from an old opera.
Zhang Jun laughed: "That's precisely why we need to use it, because it's like an old play. The love between Jiang Asheng and Zeng Jing needs a touch of surreal fate."
But next, we need to use a lot of everyday details to bring this connection to life.
The places where they fell in love weren't the martial arts world, but rather the market, the kitchen, and the fabric stall.
Andy Lau also came over, took the towel handed to him by his assistant and dried his hair: "The director is right, I especially like the scenes where these two are in love."
There are no grand vows, just simple things like "I'll help you pack up your stall today, you cook for me tomorrow, I'll lend you an umbrella when it rains, and I'll put on an extra layer when it's cold"—that's what ordinary people are like.
"Yes, the warmth of everyday life."
Zhang Jun nodded: "We're filming a kitchen scene this afternoon. Are you two ready?"
The afternoon's scenes were filmed in a rented old house in Xitang.
The kitchen was a real set, the stove was real, and the pots, pans, and utensils were all genuine. This scene depicts Jiang Asheng returning an umbrella, just as he is cooking in the light rain.
He stayed to help, or rather, to cause trouble.
"Action!"
Zeng Jing was chopping vegetables, her knife skills were steady, and she sliced the radish into even and fine shreds. Jiang Asheng stood to the side, looking a little helpless.
"What can I do to help?" he asked.
"No need," Xi Yu said without looking up.
But Jiang Asheng still found work to do; he went to start a fire. As a result, the room was filled with smoke, and he coughed from the smoke.
Xi Yu glanced at him, said nothing, and went over to quickly and efficiently stok the fire. Her movements were clean and efficient, clearly indicating that she was used to doing housework.
Jiang Asheng was a little embarrassed: "I'm clumsy—"
"fine."
Zeng Jing continued chopping vegetables, but this time the smile on her lips was more pronounced: "As long as the fire is lit, that's fine."
The next scene shows the two of them cooking together.
Jiang Asheng washes vegetables, Xiyu stirs them, occasionally handing over a salt shaker or touching fingers. It's a very light touch, but when the camera zooms in, that subtle, electric feeling comes through.
The most interesting scene is the one where they eat.
The two sat facing each other, with only two dishes and a bowl of rice on the table. Jiang Asheng ate very quickly, almost wolfing down his food. Zeng Jing ate slowly, occasionally glancing at him.
"Is it good?" she suddenly asked.
Jiang Asheng was taken aback, then nodded: "Delicious, much better than what I make."
"Then I'll come here often."
Zeng Jing spoke very naturally, and even she was stunned after she finished speaking, as it didn't sound like something she would say.
Jiang Asheng was also taken aback, then smiled: "Okay."
The word "good" was spoken softly, but it was very sincere.
"good!"
Zhang Jun stared at the monitor: "This scene is in good spirits, but Zeng Jing, after you said 'Come eat here often,' that daze could be extended a little longer."
Zeng Jing herself was surprised that she would say such a thing, and this self-surprise needed to be shown.
Zhang Ziyi thought for a moment and said, "Director, could I add a little gesture? For example, after finishing, could I subconsciously pick up the bowl and take a sip of soup to cover it up?"
"Okay! This is good!"
Zhang Jun's eyes lit up: "Small, everyday gestures best reflect a person's state of mind."
In the video, two men who have spent half their lives in the underworld sit in the kitchen of an old house in a small town in Jiangnan, facing a table of home-cooked dishes and speaking the most ordinary words.
But that atmosphere—the warm light from the stove, the steam from the food, and the occasional glances that dart away—was more moving than any vow of eternal love.
It was already dark when we finished work, and the lanterns of Xitang lit up, reflecting in the river in a warm yellow hue.
As Zhang Jun watched the staff pack up the equipment, Andy Lau walked over and said, "Director, these scenes went well today."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just that—I'm not tired."
Andy Lau thought for a moment and said, "It's not that I'm not physically tired, it's that I'm not mentally tired. I feel a sense of groundedness when acting in these kinds of life-like scenes."
Unlike action scenes, you don't have to be tense.
Zhang Ziyi also arrived, having changed back into her own clothes, but her hair was still a little damp.
"I also like this kind of drama. The part about Xi Yu after her retirement is more difficult to portray than when she was an assassin. You have to hold back, but at the same time, you have to let the audience see what's in her bones."
Zhang Jun exhaled a puff of smoke: "So casting you was the right decision. I invited Michelle Yeoh; she's good at fighting, but for playing this kind of ordinary woman who is 'gentle yet strong,' you're more suitable."
"Is the director praising me?" Zhang Ziyi laughed.
"I'm stating the facts."
Zhang Jun also laughed: "You should prepare for the scene where you pull out your beard tomorrow."
"Plucking a beard?" Zhang Ziyi was taken aback.
"Jiang Asheng asked Xiyu to pluck his white hairs, but Xiyu ended up plucking a beard hair instead."
Zhang Jun gestured to his lips, saying, "A little bit of fun, but very down-to-earth."
Andy Lau stroked his chin: "Then I should keep a few white strands?"
Zhang Jun clapped his hands: "Alright, that's enough for today. Thanks for your hard work, everyone. See you tomorrow."
What moved him most about the movie "Reign of Assassins" was not the exciting fight scenes, but rather these slices of life.
No matter how vast the world is, in the end it all comes down to three meals a day, to moments when someone asks you "Is it delicious?" and you answer "It's delicious."
This is another possibility for martial arts films; it's not just about fighting and killing, but also about the everyday life of ordinary people.