360: Chapter 360 Studying the Script

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After the shock, Lin Chuyan began to re-read the script.

Then he discovered that Director Lin's script was far more solid than he had imagined.

Although writing Yang Jian to his death was indeed a choice, a closer look didn't make it feel abrupt, because the screenwriter had been consistently portraying Yang Jian's despair toward the Heavenly Court and his obsession with reforming the Heavenly Laws—every single event in this process was actually constantly pushing him into the abyss.

Lin Chuyan quite liked this ending.

Perhaps some viewers would feel that everyone having a happy ending together was the only way to be "fulfilled."

But Lin Chuyan felt that in Director Lin's script, the character of Erlang Shen carried a very heavy tragic color from the very beginning; whether he died or not, this point never changed from start to finish.

Endowing such a tragic figure with the most tragic ending could truly be considered a fulfillment, and it was what truly made the work an art.

First, it deepened the theme.

Yang Jian's sacrifice pushed the theme to the extreme, allowing the audience to deeply feel the heavy price of breaking the corrupt old system, elevating the story's connotation so it was no longer limited to a simple narrative of saving his mother, but rose to the grand proposition of seeking well-being for all living things.

Second, the character arc was completed.

From carrying family hatred and maneuvering within the Heavenly Court in the early stages, to proving his resolve with death in the later stages, Yang Jian's growth trajectory was clear and shocking.

Every one of his choices was well-founded, making this character the most intense and deep existence in the script, and also allowing characters like Chenxiang to complete their respective transformations under his influence, further enriching the ensemble cast.

Finally, the emotional resonance was strong enough.

As the audience witnessed Yang Jian walking step by step toward a predetermined death, they would establish a deep emotional connection with the character.

Yang Jian's instructions to Chenxiang before his death, the grief and indignation of the Six Sages of Mount Mei and the Howling Celestial Dog, the despair of Ao Cunxin, and Chenxiang's subsequent remembrance—all these intertwined emotions could evoke empathy in the audience, leaving the entire series with endless aftertaste.

In short, this was truly a script that took Erlang Shen as the absolute male lead.

Lin Chuyan tried to find flaws in the script, only to discover that because the male lead had become Erlang Shen, many details had actually been filled in.

Especially regarding the Six Sages of Mount Mei and the Grass-Head Gods.

Their origins were clarified, their magical powers were displayed, and their screen time was increased.

After Yang Jian was enfeoffed as the "True Lord Xiansheng Erlang," he traveled around with the Howling Celestial Dog, arriving at Guanjiangkou on the way, where he discovered demons running rampant and the people suffering, so he decided to settle down there to eliminate harm for the people.

During the process of subduing demons, he met the Six Sages of Mount Mei.

Kang Anyu was skilled in setting up formations, Zhang Boshi was proficient in illusions, Li Huanzhang had a knack for water control, Yao Gonglin possessed immense strength, Guo Shen could summon wind and rain, and Zhi Jian was extremely fast.

They were conquered by Yang Jian's superb martial arts and personal charisma, and one after another, they expressed their willingness to follow Yang Jian and guard Guanjiangkou together.

Thus, the seven of them became sworn brothers, with Yang Jian as the eldest brother, and they trained the local potential rogue immortals, spirits, and mortals together, forming the Grass-Head God troop, and Guanjiangkou gradually returned to peace.

And the Six Sages of Mount Mei and the Howling Celestial Dog, at Yang Jian's instruction, would sometimes secretly help when Chenxiang encountered danger, but they could not let Chenxiang notice their identities and purposes, which also led to some interesting plot points and misunderstandings.

The Grass-Head Gods strengthened their guard in Guanjiangkou to prevent the Heavenly Court and other forces from harming Yang Jian and Chenxiang, while also collecting intelligence from all sides to provide support for Yang Jian.

In short, the Second Master's influence was vast, the character's growth process was more complete, and there was plenty to watch.

As for the romance line, Lin Chuyan certainly knew what Director Lin meant by an unsuccessful marriage—wasn't it that period with Ao Cunxin?

This part was completely preserved; in Lin Chuyan's words, it was a "God-style divorce."

Although it was distressing to watch, it was actually quite interesting; it seemed like no one had filmed it like this before?

As for the part about Yang Jian and Change, the script was quite vague.

It could only be said that those who wanted to ship the couple would find a way to do so.

Lin Chuyan knew that in his previous life, the shipping fandoms were divided into several factions, and they would argue from time to time.

There was Jian/Xin, there was Jian/Change, and there was even the wicked/niche Jian/Chan...

However, that wasn't the point Lin Chuyan was focusing on; he was thinking about how to grasp the character of Erlang Shen.

Only when the script was truly placed in front of him did he realize how heavy the weight was.

After looking at the script for a long time and thinking for a long time, he finally summarized the Second Master in three words: Beautiful, Powerful, and Tragic.

He had acted in many "Beautiful, Powerful, and Tragic" roles, but the Second Master should be the most typical one, right?

However, there were tricks to this as well; for example, for the word "Beauty," Lin Chuyan summarized three points.

First is appearance and temperament.

Yang Jian had a handsome appearance and an imposing manner, and his third eye added an even more mysterious temperament.

He wore silver armor and black robes, a three-mountain phoenix-winged cap, and carried a three-pointed, double-edged spear; his appearance was outstanding among the immortals in the Heavenly Court, making many fairies fall in love with him.

Second is morality and personality.

He was loyal and righteous; despite an unhappy marriage with the Third Princess of the West Sea, he still tried his best to maintain it to repay her for saving his life; he was filial to his mother and did not hesitate to confront the Heavenly Court to save her; he loved his sister, and although he suppressed Yang Chan under Mount Hua, it was to protect her from persecution by the Heavenly slaves, and later he secretly helped Chenxiang grow, hoping he could save his mother.

Finally, he possessed great righteousness.

Yang Jian knew the irrationality of the Heavenly Laws; after becoming the Judicial God, he used his authority to help the people in the lower realm, redress unjust cases, and even let go of the fairy who longed for the mortal world, allowing her to reunite with her lover, demonstrating his compassion for all living things and his pursuit of justice.

Only by embodying these three aspects could one truly perform the "Beauty" of the Second Master.

Talking about "Powerful," Lin Chuyan also summarized three points.

He was highly skilled in martial arts.

Since he was the First War God, his fight scenes couldn't look bad, could they?

He had to practice hard.

He was powerful and held high authority.

His status and position were set there, so he had to show a sense of majesty.

He was resourceful.

Having confronted and maneuvered within the Heavenly Court for so many years, the thoughtful side of him had to be displayed; he couldn't be dull.

Finally, there was "Tragic."

Not to mention the tragic experiences of his childhood and the tragedy of his marriage in the early stages; after becoming the Judicial God in the later stages, the painful struggle of being misunderstood by everyone almost completely engulfed the Second Master.

Lin Chuyan wrote down his insights, his understanding of the character, and his focus for Acting on the script as usual.

Some things were very abstract, and he needed to give himself some more concrete, substantive images.

For example, expression and temperament.

How to show his majesty and tenderness through his eyes and expressions?

When to squint his eyes?

When should his gaze be cold and stern?

When should he have a gentle side and make his gaze soft?

For example, character display.

Yang Jian's personality was complex; he had both an upright side that adhered to the Heavenly Laws, and a loyal and compassionate side; so how to switch naturally in different situations to make the character three-dimensional and full?

More specifically, how to perform the emotion of the Second Master being disappointed that Chenxiang did not live up to expectations, yet still pinning high hopes on him?

Also, how should he act when interacting with the Howling Celestial Dog?

Should he really treat him like a dog... Lin Chuyan was also very conflicted...

Besides Acting, there were also Lines.

One problem he had to face was: how to use vocal techniques to embody the character of Erlang Shen?

Lin Chuyan decided on two points.

First is tone and intonation.

He had to practice his Lines hard during this period; he had to find a tone that was magnetic and penetrating.

He needed to make his tone of voice steady and powerful, so that he could be majestic when issuing orders and calm and natural when conversing with others.

Second is speech speed and rhythm.

He definitely had to read the script a third time, and even ponder every single line carefully, because he had to adjust his speech speed according to the situation; he couldn't do it without intensive reading.

When fighting or confronting others, the speed should be fast and powerful; when expressing emotions, the speed should be slowed down appropriately.

And so on and so forth.

That day, Lin Chuyan didn't go anywhere and made a lot of preparations with the script.

Still the same saying: since there was no Jiao Meiren in this world, then let him, Lin Chuyan, take his place.

Either don't do it, or do it to the best of his ability!