Dao Xuan Tianzun stood inside the Flower World Star Agency in Puzhou City, his posture relaxed yet carrying an unspoken authority. Lao Nanfeng accompanied him at his side, standing straight and attentive, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun," Lao Nanfeng said with a respectful smile, then suddenly leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially near Li Daoxuan's ear. "What brings you to your servant's humble talent agency today? Have you taken a liking to any of our actresses? If you wish, one could serve you tea and water, make your bed. If Dao Xuan Tianzun desires it, they would all be more than willing."
Li Daoxuan immediately shot him an annoyed glance. "Hey, what nonsense are you thinking about? Do I really look like that sort of person to you?"
Lao Nanfeng jolted in alarm and hurriedly corrected himself. "Ah, your servant misspoke, truly misspoke. Of course Dao Xuan Tianzun would never be such a person."
Even as he spoke, his thoughts ran quietly in his mind. Dao Xuan Tianzun is not human but a god. If that is the case, then what I said earlier was not exactly flattery, was it?
Li Daoxuan cleared his throat and said calmly, "I came today to select twelve actresses."
Lao Nanfeng's mouth fell open. "What?"
In his heart, thunder rolled. My ambitions were far too small. Dao Xuan Tianzun does not want just one. He wants twelve. Twelve! Truly, a god's tastes are beyond mortal understanding, and a god's stamina must be equally unfathomable.
From one look at Lao Nanfeng's expression, Li Daoxuan could tell exactly where his thoughts had wandered. He said irritably, "Lao Nanfeng, in every other regard you are quite capable, but you are hopelessly steeped in those old corrupt indulgences of wine, women, wealth, and power."
Lao Nanfeng nearly jumped on the spot. "Oh? Oh, oh! Your servant will certainly reform, certainly reform."
Li Daoxuan sighed softly, his tone easing. "But forget it. It is precisely these indulgences that make people feel real. Those morally flawless sages are nothing more than stiff, overpolished legends anyway."
As he spoke, he reached into his pocket and pulled out two comic books, The Legend of Mu Guiying and Twelve Widows Conquer the West, handing them to Lao Nanfeng. "Choose twelve actresses, and also find suitable supporting actors. Turn the stories in these books into a movie. When it is finished, I intend to show it to everyone."
Lao Nanfeng stared blankly at the books. "A movie? What is a movie?"
"A movie is simply telling a story using moving pictures," Li Daoxuan said with a faint smile. "Do you still remember the celestial maiden dances I once showed you from the Immortal Realm?"
"Of course I remember," Lao Nanfeng replied at once. "Dao Xuan Tianzun stored the celestial maiden dances within a divine mirror and bestowed it upon your servant, allowing me to watch them again and again."
Midway through his sentence, enlightenment struck him like a bolt of lightning. "I understand now. Dao Xuan Tianzun means to stage a play, then record it with the divine mirror, so it can be shown repeatedly to everyone."
"Exactly," Li Daoxuan said, nodding in satisfaction. "That is precisely my intention. However, traditional opera is far too theatrical. It lacks realism and does not grip the audience strongly enough. That is why we will make a movie instead. Filmed as realistically as possible, it will have far greater impact and convey the message I wish to deliver."
Lao Nanfeng was no fool. Linking this to recent developments, he immediately grasped the deeper purpose. "The issue of conscription?"
Li Daoxuan patted his shoulder lightly. "Sharp mind. You caught on quickly."
Conscription had become a serious problem throughout the territories under Gao Family Village's control. If the notion that good men should not become soldiers, just as good iron should not be made into nails, was not corrected swiftly, the consequences would be severe.
"Stories of heroes like Mu Guiying must be portrayed by living people," Li Daoxuan continued. "The Twelve Widows Conquer the West, defending their homeland and their people, is deeply moving. We must elevate the image of soldiers."
Lao Nanfeng straightened his back and declared solemnly, "Your servant understands. Dao Xuan Tianzun, rest assured. Leave this matter to me."
"Go and prepare, rehearse properly," Li Daoxuan said. "When the time comes for the official filming, I will personally record it with the divine mirror. Remember, this is not opera. The makeup must not be exaggerated. It should resemble real border soldiers. The battle scenes are not stage dances. They must be fought as if on an actual battlefield. Every scene must carry genuine emotion."
Lao Nanfeng clasped his fists and bowed. "Your servant obeys."
After giving his instructions, Li Daoxuan found a quiet corner and sat down, watching without interference as Lao Nanfeng began making arrangements.
Lao Nanfeng immediately sprang into action, bustling back and forth through the Flower World Star Agency.
Before long, he had selected twelve actresses, inspecting them carefully from head to toe. His most cherished performer, Cai Lin, was naturally chosen to play Mu Guiying.
"Ladies," Lao Nanfeng announced, spreading the comic books of Mu Guiying and Twelve Widows Conquer the West before them, "this is the story you will be performing. Read it carefully and engrave the plot into your minds."
The actresses glanced at the comic books and immediately laughed. "There is no need. We already know these stories by heart."
"But we do not know how to sing opera."
"Yes, opera singing is completely different from what we learned in the pleasure houses."
"Exactly. They are two entirely different styles."
Lao Nanfeng explained patiently, "You are not singing opera. You are acting. We are pursuing realism, not exaggerated stage performance. Therefore, for the next few days, you will follow me to learn some martial arts and spearmanship."
The actresses gasped in unison. "Ah?"
Learn martial arts and spearmanship?
They were completely stunned.
Cai Lin, who had been chosen to portray Mu Guiying, felt immense pressure weighing down on her chest. "I… must we truly become as skilled in combat as Mu Guiying? This humble one fears she cannot achieve that."
Li Daoxuan, watching from the side, laughed heartily. "Hahaha, you do not need real combat skills. Learning some presentable, stylized movements will be enough. If it truly proves too difficult, we can always hire female stunt doubles."
Only then did the young women realize that Dao Xuan Tianzun himself had been sitting there all along.
Understanding dawned instantly. This task had been personally assigned by Dao Xuan Tianzun.
Their spirits lifted at once. "We humbly obey your decree."
Soon, a group of actresses began practicing rudimentary martial movements under guidance.
At that moment, Chen Baihu walked in from outside.
Since Lao Nanfeng had been promoted to garrison commander of Puzhou, Chen Baihu had also been promoted to Chen Qianhu, gaining an official court rank. But who truly cared about court positions? Titles were worthless if military pay was delayed. A post in Gao Family Village was far more practical.
Humming a tune, he stepped into the talent agency. "Brother Nanfeng…"
He had been about to invite Lao Nanfeng out for a good meal.
Then he froze.
On the stage, Lao Nanfeng was demonstrating martial movements to a dozen actresses.
"See," Lao Nanfeng said enthusiastically, "this punch should be thrown like this. Hup."
The actresses followed softly, "Yah."
Chen Qianhu sucked in a sharp breath. "What… what is this? Brother Nanfeng, have you gone mad? Why are you teaching them how to fight?"
Lao Nanfeng's eyes lit up, and he burst into laughter. "Old Chen, you came at just the right time. Hahahaha! I have a glorious yet arduous task for you."
A sense of impending doom rose in Chen Qianhu's chest.
Lao Nanfeng continued cheerfully, "General Xiao Tianzuo of the Liao Kingdom. That role suits you perfectly."
Chen Qianhu stammered, "Huh? W… what?"