28: Sword duel

Li Xiuwu auditioned for a scene where he was framed and successfully obtained the complete script.

After reading the script, he suddenly felt the urge to decline the role.

Which muddled screenwriter wrote this script, actually turning "a deadly secret" into such a dark story?

"a deadly secret" was already leaning towards a dark story, but the script adaptation went even further, fully exposing the greedy, vicious, and dark side of human nature.

There are hardly any good people among the characters in the play.

It is hard to even call this a martial arts TV series; its story completely breaks through the limitations of the martial arts genre, turning into a work of realism that exposes the evil of human nature.

"Teacher Ji, we meet again." At the opening press conference, Li Xiuwu met Ji Chunhua, who was cast as the Blood Knife Ancestor.

In "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," he played the leader of the Four Great Evils, and the two had just worked together.

This senior, who always plays villains, is actually very kind and honest in real life.

"I didn't expect it to be you. I remember your sword technique is quite good. Let me introduce you to a master of swordsmanship." He led Li Xiuwu in front of Yu ChengHui, who had a face full of white whiskers.

"This is Mr. Yu ChengHui."

"Hello, Teacher Yu. I have seen many of your works, and I admire your sword technique very much." Li Xiuwu was very happy to see this Sword Saint.

"Li Xiuwu, I heard you also know a set of sword techniques. We should exchange pointers when we have the chance." Yu ChengHui laughed, possessing the forthright nature of a martial artist.

"I look forward to your guidance, Teacher Yu, when the opportunity arises." Li Xiuwu nodded.

Li Xiuwu also met several of the lead actors: "Teacher Zhang, I grew up watching your TV series."

"Hello." Liu Xiao Lingtong nodded at him, showing no arrogance, and spoke very gently.

His Monkey King is a household name, but he is also constrained by this role.

Due to the last-minute change of the male lead, the opening press conference was very low-key. No reporters were invited, and after everyone simply performed the opening prayer ceremony, the crew began filming.

The scenes shot by the crew in Beijing were basically indoor scenes and content from the early part of the story.

Li Xiuwu didn't have many scenes in this part, so he was basically observing others filming.

In the early morning, after Li Xiuwu finished washing up, he practiced his sword technique on the set.

Yu ChengHui also came out to practice his sword technique, and his eyes lit up when he saw Li Xiuwu's sword technique.

"Kid Li, your sword technique is quite good. I see it's a practical sword technique. Shall we test our swords?" Yu ChengHui and Li Xiuwu did not have any scenes together.

His scenes were all in Beijing, and he would leave after finishing them, so he didn't have much time with the crew. Now that he saw Li Xiuwu's sword technique, he immediately proposed the idea of a sparring match.

Li Xiuwu hesitated for a moment: "Teacher Yu, swords have no eyes."

"Then let's try with the crew's silicone swords."

"Alright." Li Xiuwu agreed; he also wanted to witness the sword technique of this master and see how it differed from his system-provided sword technique.

The two went to the crew's prop room to select silicone swords.

Li Xiuwu chose a one-handed sword, with a blade length of only seventy-five centimeters.

He tested the feel of the sword; it was a bit light, lacking the texture of a real sword, and the center of gravity wasn't very good either.

He shook his head, but he had no other choice.

Yu ChengHui chose a two-handed sword, with a blade length of about one meter. He tested it in his hand and also shook his head.

Early in the morning, the crew hadn't started filming yet. When everyone heard there would be a sword duel, they immediately ran over to watch.

This was a real-life sparring match, not one of the rehearsed martial arts sequences they filmed for the TV series.

Wang Xinming also heard the news and, realizing this was a great gimmick, rushed over.

"Teachers, can you let me film your duel?"

Yu ChengHui looked at Li Xiuwu.

"I have no problem with that." Li Xiuwu replied. He stroked the sword with his fingers, suddenly flicked his wrist to create a sword flourish, adapting to the weight and quality of the sword.

"Then let's film it." Yu ChengHui agreed with a smile. He was also testing the sword in his hand, swinging it with both hands on the hilt to find the sword's balance point.

Both reached the same conclusion: the texture of the silicone sword was too poor.

Wang Xinming asked the cameraman to set up the camera. He chose an angle, looked at the morning glow in the east, and placed the camera on the west side.

"Teachers, the camera is ready. You can start whenever you want."

By this time, everyone in the crew had heard the news and ran over to watch.

"Good luck, Li Xiuwu." Shu Chang stood not far behind Li Xiuwu, cheering him on.

Li Xiuwu smiled and nodded at her, then looked at Yu ChengHui.

He held the sword with a backhand grip, cupped his hands, and said: "The sword technique I've practiced since childhood is the Carefree Sword Technique. Please instruct me."

Yu ChengHui held his sword and cupped his hands: "I have composed a two-handed sword technique based on the sword and saber techniques from ancient fragmentary manuals. Please."

The two stood facing each other. Li Xiuwu held his sword with one hand, looking at Yu ChengHui with sharp eyes.

They were in a standoff. The crew members and actors watching held their breath, not daring to make a sound to disturb them.

In the east, the sun rose, filling the sky with rosy clouds. At this moment, Li Xiuwu moved.

He turned his body slightly, slid his left foot half a step forward, and flicked his sword upward from below, carving a silver arc that pointed straight at Yu ChengHui's left rib.

This opening move of his, which seemed elegant, was actually at a very tricky angle, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

Yu ChengHui's eyes lit up. He did not dodge or avoid, but instead blocked downward with his two-handed sword, lifted his front foot, and retreated half a step.

"Clang!" The muffled sound of the silicone swords colliding was far from as clear as real swords, but it still released a solid force.

Yu ChengHui did not look old at all; his movements were agile. He twisted his wrist, used the momentum to step forward quickly, and executed a lightning-fast horizontal slash with his two-handed sword, the wind whistling as it swept towards his waist.

His sword technique was not flashy, with no tricks, only speed and power.

Li Xiuwu's movement was elegant, his waist like a willow, bending backward with the wind. Yu ChengHui's slashing longsword grazed past his clothes.

The two-handed sword was powerful and fast, but its corresponding changes were not flexible enough.

Li Xiuwu saw this point, took the opportunity to pivot his feet, followed Yu ChengHui's sword momentum, and stepped forward. The sword technique in his hand was flexible, carving out a continuous circle of light, like mercury pouring onto the ground.

Amidst the sword light that suddenly killed over, three cold stars suddenly pierced out, aiming separately at Yu ChengHui's eyes, throat, and chest.

This move, "Three Points of the Galaxy," was as gorgeous as a dance, but the murderous intent was hidden behind the dazzling sword shadows.

"Ah." Someone saw that Li Xiuwu's sword had already pierced in front of Yu ChengHui. Even if it were a silicone sword without an edge, hitting the eyes or throat would still be an accident.

"Don't!" Director Wang Xinming stood up abruptly. No matter which of the two got hurt, it would be a disaster for his crew.

However, there was no panic on Yu ChengHui's face. He followed the momentum of the sword in his hand, spun and retreated, the silver longsword grazing past his face.

And his powerful, heavy sword technique had already rounded back.

Smack!

The two swords collided once again. Yu ChengHui held the sword with one hand, used the sword's momentum to sweep away Li Xiuwu's sword blade, then gripped the sword with both hands, and the powerful, heavy sword technique clicked down from above.

Li Xiuwu did not retreat but advanced instead, his sword tip flicking upward, chasing the form and cutting the pulse, pointing straight at Yu ChengHui's fingers gripping the sword.

He was under Yu ChengHui's sword, yet he made it impossible for Yu ChengHui's sword to fall.

Yu ChengHui withdrew his sword and praised: "Good sword technique. Again?"

Although it was only a few short moves, one could see that Li Xiuwu's sword technique was complex and gorgeous, with murderous moves hidden within the resplendent sword technique.

"Alright."

Li Xiuwu also withdrew his sword; he too felt the power of the opponent's two-handed sword.

The two-handed sword was long and heavy, and when wielded with both hands, it was powerful, heavy, and very swift.

Understanding that such a sword technique could not be met head-on, he held his sword with one hand, pointing it obliquely at the ground, and slowly paced around Yu ChengHui.

Yu ChengHui held his sword with both hands, the sword tip following Li Xiuwu's figure as he moved.

"Amazing." Only then did the crowd dare to breathe.

The few moves just now were too fast, dangerous, and swift; one mistake, and someone would have been injured.

Everyone now realized that a sword duel was so dangerous.

"Teachers, why don't we stop here?" Although Wang Xinming was regretful, the two's sparring was too dangerous, and he was afraid someone would get hurt.

He had been scared quite badly just now.

In a sparring match, how can one aim for the eyes and throat?