99: Masters sharpen their skills, and the wind rises in Beijing

The next morning, as the first ray of dawn pierced through the ancient pagoda tree branches of the capital city and sprinkled upon the quiet courtyard, Lin Da had already bid farewell to the hotel's hustle and bustle, carrying a simple travel bag, and stepped into Director Wu Tianming's home.

There was no grand ceremony or formality as imagined; Director Wu Tianming, dressed in a faded cotton traditional Chinese jacket and holding a Zisha teapot, like an ordinary old neighbor, pointed to an elegant but slightly simple guest room in the east wing: "From now on, you'll live here."

Then, he said no more.

Lin Da knew that this special training, named "Loyal Heart Forged Sword," had quietly begun.

The days that followed were, for Lin Da, a period of… painful yet joyful "seclusion."

Director Wu Tianming did not, like other teachers, explain profound acting theories to him, nor did he make him repeatedly rehearse scenes from the script. He simply gave Lin Da a stack of thick, yellowed thread-bound ancient books, mostly about the history, politics, and… biographies and memorials of those censors and remonstrance officials who left their illustrious names in the annals of the Northern Song Dynasty.

"Reading history can enlighten one's mind, and even more so… help one understand people," Director Wu Tianming said indifferently, then ignored him, busying himself with tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, or sitting in the study for most of the day, diligently studying equally ancient texts.

Lin Da was initially puzzled, but he still settled down and meticulously read the archaic and difficult ancient texts. He felt as if he had traveled through time, returning to the turbulent late Northern Song Dynasty, engaging in a… millennium-spanning soul dialogue with those unyielding censors.

He saw their awe-inspiring integrity in the face of power, their compassion for the people when pleading on their behalf, and also their… lonely persistence and helpless struggle in the dark officialdom.

Gradually, the character Song Qi, in his heart, was no longer the cold words on the script, but vivid, full of integrity and tragedy… soul imprints.

In addition to studying history, Director Wu Tianming also required Lin Da to… taste tea.

Every morning and afternoon, Director Wu Tianming would personally brew a pot of fragrant tea and sit opposite Lin Da, but without much talk. Only occasionally, he would point to the swaying green bamboo outside the window in the autumn wind, or the weathered bluestone in the corner of the courtyard wall, and ask some… seemingly irrelevant questions.

"Little Lin, why do you think this bamboo can bend but not break in the wind?"

"Why do you think that stone can endure in the rain without decaying?"

Lin Da initially thought Director Wu Tianming was testing his literary accomplishment and always tried to answer with elaborate words. But Director Wu Tianming would always shake his head after listening, noncommittally.

Until one day, as Lin Da was savoring a cup of aged Pu'er tea that was slightly bitter on the first taste but had a lingering sweet aftertaste, a flash of insight struck him, and he suddenly understood Director Wu Tianming's intention.

Tasting tea is not just about the taste of the tea, but also… a state of mind. A kind of composure that maintains inner peace and clarity in the noisy world. A kind of wisdom that savors sweetness and hope in a bitter life.

Isn't this the true portrayal of the character Song Qi, who always upheld that "loyal heart" in the dark officialdom?

In addition to studying history and tasting tea, Director Wu Tianming also gave Lin Da brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone, asking him to… practice calligraphy.

It wasn't to copy famous calligraphers' works, but to repeatedly write the same character—

" just" (zhèng)! (Righteous!)

The " just" of uprightness, the " just" of integrity, the " just" of standing tall!

Lin Da initially wrote crookedly and impatiently. He couldn't understand what this boring calligraphy practice had to do with acting.

But Director Wu Tianming only said calmly: "Calligraphy reflects one's character. When you can write this character ' just' like the Song Qi in your heart, with integrity and strength, then… you will have truly grasped the essence of this role."

So, Lin Da settled down and wrote stroke by stroke, meticulously.

He poured his understanding of Song Qi, his stubbornness and persistence in "knowing it's impossible yet doing it," onto the tip of his brush.

Gradually, he found that his heart, along with those increasingly upright and powerful characters " just," also became… calmer, and even more… pure.

Of course, this process was not smooth sailing.

Long hours of sitting and arduous reading took a toll on Lin Da's body. The archaic and difficult ancient texts often made his head spin. And the impatience during calligraphy practice almost made him snap the brush in his hand several times.

He even doubted at one point whether he could persevere.

Just as he was about to give up, he remembered the 【Character Essence (Advanced) (Song Qi Exclusive)】 he received as a system reward.

He chose to use it without hesitation.

Instantly, an indescribable surge of righteous spirit arose from the bottom of his heart! He felt as if he had truly become that righteous censor who, in the imperial court, confronted scholars and defied power! He could clearly feel the deep love for his country and its people, the boundless compassion for the common folk, and… the tragic heroism of "though a myriad of men oppose me, I shall go forth!" deep within Song Qi's heart!

This immersive experience, though only for a few short hours, was like a powerful shot in the arm, instantly dispelling all his confusion and bewilderment, and elevating his understanding of the character Song Qi to a new height.

He also exchanged and used those three 【Master Director's Artistic Essence (Insight Fragments)】. Each use gave him a deeper understanding of Director Wu Tianming's seemingly casual pointers. He began to understand that Director Wu Tianming was not teaching him specific acting techniques, but rather… shaping his "soul" and honing his "heart."

Time, in the tedious yet fulfilling cultivation, quietly slipped away.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

On this day, when Lin Da once again respectfully presented a calligraphy piece of the character " just" he had written to Director Wu Tianming, Director Wu Tianming looked at the powerful strokes on the paper, which penetrated the back of the paper and subtly exuded an awe-inspiring righteous spirit. A glimmer of… genuine satisfaction and relief finally flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"Hmm," Director Wu Tianming slowly nodded, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible approval, "This calligraphy… finally has some meaning."

He paused, then looked up at the young man who seemed to have been reborn in a month, his eyes filled with anticipation:

"Little Lin, your 'sword' is almost sharpened."

"Next, it's time to… unsheathe it!"

An indescribable excitement surged in Lin Da's heart.

He knew that his "Loyal Heart Forged Sword" journey in this ancient courtyard was about to end.

And a new, even grander… hidden battle in the capital city was about to slowly unfold before his eyes!

He was ready to embrace the glory and challenges that belonged to him… iron-blooded censor!

Autumn in the capital city had deepened.

When Lin Da once again stepped into the set of "iron-blooded censor," he could clearly feel that he was a completely different person from the one who had entered Director Wu Tianming's courtyard a month ago.

That month of "Loyal Heart Forged Sword" was not merely about studying history, tasting tea, and practicing calligraphy; it was more like a… reshaping and rebirth of the soul. Senior Director Wu Tianming, with his seemingly casual yet infinitely wise guidance, deeply imprinted the integrity, the loyal heart, and the stubborn and tragic spirit of "knowing it's impossible yet doing it" that the character Song Qi represented, into Lin Da's very bones.

At this moment, he stood on the bustling set, surrounded by busy staff and actors with various expressions. But he felt as if he were in a quiet bamboo forest, with only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo leaves in his ears, and… deep within his heart, the voice of Song Qi, full of righteous spirit.

"Teacher Lin, are you ready? The first scene is yours."

The assistant director's voice awakened Lin Da from his contemplation.

Lin Da slowly opened his eyes; in those originally calm and deep eyes, a… defiant flame seemed to burn.

He nodded slightly to the assistant director, his voice not loud, but carrying a reassuring steadiness: "I'm ready."

The first scene to be filmed today was a crucial opening scene of "iron-blooded censor" — the newly appointed censor, Song Qi, upon his first appearance in the imperial court, fearlessly defying power and impeaching the current prime minister for colluding with imperial relatives, embezzling, and harming the people!

This scene had a large amount of dialogue and many emotional transitions. It needed to show Song Qi's youthful sharpness and integrity, while also subtly revealing his clear understanding of the treacherous imperial court and… a hint of imperceptible compassion and worry for the nation and its people.

Director Zhang Jingzhi still maintained his stern expression and sharp gaze. He sat behind the monitor, his eyes fixed on Lin Da in the center of the set, with a hint of imperceptible… scrutiny and expectation.

He knew that this scene was a true test for Lin Da. It was also his… best opportunity to prove his strength to the entire crew, and even to those "enemies" lurking in the background.

Producer Liu also stood not far away, holding a cup of coffee, with a professional smile on her face, but her astute eyes could not hide a hint of nervousness. She knew that Lin Da's performance today would directly affect the future fate of "iron-blooded censor" and… her first move in this game of chess in the capital.

"Action!"

With Director Zhang Jingzhi's command, filming officially began!

On the majestic and solemn imperial court, officials stood in solemn silence, the atmosphere heavy.

Song Qi, played by Lin Da, was dressed in a brand-new blue official robe, wearing a black gauze cap, and holding an ivory tablet. He stood proudly beneath the imperial steps. His posture was like the green bamboo in the courtyard that would not break in the wind, tall and resilient. His eyes were like the brightest stars in the night sky, clear and… full of undeniable righteousness!

When the veteran actor playing the prime minister had just finished a stirring speech about "peace and prosperity, and the world at peace," and was about to receive the homage of the officials, Song Qi moved!

He suddenly stepped forward, his voice not loud, but like a clap of thunder on a clear day, exploding in the silent imperial court:

"Your Majesty, Monitor Censor Song Qi of Jiangnan Circuit, has a memorial to present!"

At that moment, he seemed no longer Lin Da; he was that righteous censor who, in the dark officialdom, went against the current, using his brush as a sword and his body as a shield, vowing to petition for the common people and execute traitors…!

The 【Character Essence (Advanced)】 skill was utilized to its fullest at this moment! His soul and the soul of the character Song Qi seemed to have truly… resonated!

Every one of his glances was filled with disdain and anger towards corrupt officials; every one of his actions was filled with determination and courage to plead for the people; every one of his lines was like a sharp dagger, mercilessly piercing those hypocritical powerful figures, and also… deeply shocking the hearts of everyone present!

He enumerated the prime minister's various crimes, from corruption and bribery to forming factions for personal gain, from deceiving superiors and subordinates to oppressing the common people… His voice, at times passionate and stirring, like a grand bell, deafening; at other times low and hoarse, filled with suppressed pain and… boundless compassion for the suffering of the common people.

Under the dual enhancement of 【Speech Manipulation (Intermediate)】 and 【Artist's Gaze (Intermediate)】, his lines were filled with convincing power and unique artistic appeal. He seemed to have truly become that iron-faced censor who left an illustrious name in the long river of history, defending the light and justice in his heart with his life and blood!

The veteran actor playing the prime minister, in the face of Lin Da's sudden powerful aura and superb acting, was momentarily stunned, and the rebuttals he had prepared were somewhat stuck. He could clearly feel the… heart-stopping righteous spirit emanating from the young man opposite him!

Behind the monitor, Director Zhang Jingzhi's eyes were frighteningly bright! He subconsciously clenched his fists, his palms sweating. He had originally thought that if Lin Da could portray Song Qi with seventy to eighty percent of his integrity, it would be quite good. But he never expected that Lin Da could… portray this role so exquisitely, so… deeply touching!

Producer Liu's coffee cup also trembled slightly. She knew that this time, she had truly… struck gold! This Lin Da, his potential, was far more unfathomable than she had imagined!

And those crew members who had previously harbored doubts about Lin Da, even with a hint of disdain, were now dumbfounded, as if plunged into an ice cellar.

They finally understood why Director Zheng Guofeng praised him so highly, why Teacher Chen Daoming favored him so much, why… even a titan like Director Wu Tianming was willing to personally come out and serve as his artistic consultant!

This young man, his acting skills, had reached a… revered height!

When Song Qi finished the last line of his memorial, filled with tragedy and determination, raising the ivory tablet high above his head, and declared loudly: "Your Majesty, I, Song Qi, am willing to offer my head today to execute the national traitor! To atone to the heavens! To comfort the common people!"

At that moment, the entire imperial court seemed to… pale in comparison due to his soaring heroism and awe-inspiring righteousness!

"Cut!"

Director Zhang Jingzhi's voice, carrying a hint of uncontrollable excitement and… deep shock, echoed in the silent studio.

"Perfect! Simply… perfect!"

He suddenly stood up from behind the monitor, walked quickly to Lin Da, his eyes filled with incredible surprise and… a hint of genuine admiration.

"Lin Da… you… your Song Qi, is absolutely incredible!"