69: criminal law

After the press conference for the premiere of demi-gods and semi-devils, the media began their promotion. Whether it was arranged by Big Beard Zhang or not, the news of the top scholar of the college entrance examination's first film and television work was brought out for publicity.

“demi-gods and semi-devils can be called the most talented work, featuring two top scholars of the college entrance examination.”

Not only was Li Xiuwu's title as a top scholar of the college entrance examination used for promotion, but Shu Chang, who was also a top scholar, became a major focus of media attention as well.

“What's wrong with this world? Two people with such good academic grades are going into acting.” Someone remarked, as people still generally felt that actors were just uncultured entertainers.

“I know Shu Chang, she's a child star and her acting was already very outstanding to begin with, but I wonder how Li Xiuwu, who is acting for the first time, will be?”

“I heard that for the last half-semester before the college entrance examination, Shu Chang attended school classes consistently, and Li Xiuwu personally tutored her one-on-one.” Someone spread insider news in the comments.

“It should be true. My second uncle's cousin's third aunt's daughter is also at Peking University, and she said Shu Chang said it herself.”

“My cousin's nephew was a high school classmate of Shu Chang's, and he said Shu Chang didn't go to class for a whole semester.”

“One-on-one guidance from a perfect-score top scholar. Oh my god, can we please invite Li Xiuwu to guide my rebellious son? I don't expect him to get into Tsinghua or Peking University, just getting into a third-tier college would be enough.”

“Does Li Xiuwu still take students? My son has the college entrance examination next year, I'm willing to pay a salary.”

There were quite a few people with such thoughts. Many parents were willing to pay a high price to improve their children's grades.

Someone actually managed to contact Li Xiuwu through connections.

Li Xiuwu was a bit speechless; what was all this nonsense?

He had already flown to Zhejiang to record a program at the television station.

Different from what Li Xiuwu had imagined, the cast was divided into three groups to go to different television stations to record promotional programs.

“Thank you all, teachers, for coming to participate in the program.” Upon arriving at the station, the host Zhu Yan came out to greet them. She greeted everyone one by one.

“As actors, this is our job,” Li Xiuwu replied with a smile.

“Student Xiuwu is indeed a man of striking appearance, a refined gentleman.” Zhu Yan praised him and invited everyone into the program's backstage.

After a while, the program director came over and handed out the scripts to everyone.

The script content had already been communicated with the production team; the questions and the performances had been finalized.

A short while later, the recording began. Since it was an interview-style program, everyone sat in booths.

Li Xiuwu sat in the row on the left, with Wang Yuyan, Mu Wanqing, and Zhong Ling beside him.

Opposite them sat Prince Duan, Mu Hongmian, Madame Wang, Gan Baobao, Dao Baifeng, and Ruan Xingzhu.

Looking at this seating arrangement, Li Xiuwu could feel Prince Duan's embarrassment just by looking up; in fact, he felt a bit of it too.

With this arrangement, Li Xiuwu felt like the headline was already thought out: Duan Yu, his father, and their women.

“Student Li Xiuwu, you played Duan Yu in your first television role. What are your feelings about Duan Yu?” the host asked Li Xiuwu.

“I feel that Duan Yu's life is overshadowed by Prince Duan; every beautiful woman he meets turns out to be his sister.” Li Xiuwu looked at the opposite side, then at the three girls sitting to his left and right.

Everyone smiled, thinking about Duan Yu's life—it really was like that.

“Since this is your first time acting, what are your insights into the craft?”

“Acting is quite hard work; it's not as glamorous as it looks on the surface.”

After two simple questions, Zhu Yan changed the subject: “Everyone knows you were the top scholar of the college entrance examination in 2002. Everyone wants to know why you chose to become an actor. Can we talk about that?”

It was that question again. Li Xiuwu felt that this question might accompany him for his entire life.

In a fraction of a second, he decided to tell a lie.

“When I was a child watching journey to the west, I really liked the Monkey King. At that time, I wanted to be the Monkey King. My father told me that it was just acting and that there is no Monkey King in the world.”

“I didn't believe him. As I grew up, I discovered that there really is no Monkey King in the world, but I developed an interest in acting. Perhaps I could be the Monkey King for once.”

“So that's how it is. Did you also practice martial arts because of the Monkey King?” Zhu Yan was surprised.

“Yes, I have practiced martial arts hard since I was a child, just because the Monkey King is in my heart; he has always given me strength.” Li Xiuwu nodded decisively.

“Xiuwu insisted on practicing his sword in the production crew. No matter how tired he was, he would get up early every day to practice.” Prince Duan confirmed Li Xiuwu's persistence in sword practice.

“Could you perform a sword technique for us so everyone can see?” Zhu Yan picked up the topic and made the suggestion.

“I didn't bring a sword with me. Such things aren't allowed to be carried casually when traveling far from home.” Li Xiuwu spread his hands.

“Our television station has one prepared.” Zhu Yan stood up, and someone from the backstage immediately brought over a sword.

Li Xiuwu took the sword and pulled it from its scabbard. It was an unsharpened metal sword with a decent texture.

He examined the blade for a moment. No one spoke, quietly watching him.

Li Xiuwu didn't perform immediately. He looked up and faced the camera.

“Sword practice first emphasizes the mental cultivation.” His voice was serious.

“The old Taoist who taught me the sword technique told me solemnly that without understanding the mental cultivation, one can never master a precious sword.”

“He solemnly handed me a manual of mental cultivation at the time. The name of this manual is the criminal law of the republic. If you can't learn it, harming someone with a sword starts at three years in prison.”

After Li Xiuwu finished speaking, before anyone else could react, his sword technique was already in motion.

The sword technique was ethereal and agile, showing streaks of cold light under the stage lights.

The Carefree Sword Technique was extremely beautiful, elegant and uninhibited, leaving the audience mesmerized.

The program director suddenly stood up, staring at the monitor.

“Camera 3, push in! Camera 8, go up, go up! Do a circling shot!” The program director's blood was boiling; this shot would definitely become a classic variety show moment.

He constantly coordinated the shots, zooming in and out. With several cameras working together, he felt his whole body filled with passion.

After the sword dance ended, Li Xiuwu returned the sword to its scabbard and handed it back with both hands.

“Good, excellent!” The program director slapped his thigh and sat back down.

He suddenly spaced out, recalling the sword technique's mental cultivation Li Xiuwu had mentioned before he started.

“Replay that part where Li Xiuwu talked about the sword technique's mental cultivation.”

“The name of this manual is the criminal law of the republic. If you can't learn it, harming someone with a sword starts at three years in prison.”

The criminal law of the republic—isn't that just the criminal law? Harming someone with a sword, starting at three years.

“Haha, interesting, very interesting.” He laughed, feeling that Li Xiuwu was very good at creating entertainment value.

“Save it, save it all. If any footage is lost, you're all fired.”

On stage, the interview continued, but the focus had shifted to others.

“Jiang Xin, I heard that in this drama, you gave away your first kiss. Is that true?” Zhu Yan asked Jiang Xin.

In this era, a first kiss was still a very serious topic. Hearing Zhu Yan's question, Jiang Xin's face instantly turned red. She glanced sideways at Li Xiuwu and quickly looked away.

“Yes, it was my first kiss.”

Liu Yifei looked at Li Xiuwu upon hearing this. How did she not know about this?

A sudden pang of bitterness rose in her heart. Great, Li Xiuwu actually kissed someone else.

“Did you have any psychological burden at the time?” Seeing Jiang Xin's reaction, Zhu Yan pressed on.

Jiang Xin bit her lip and didn't speak. Zhu Yan turned her target to Li Xiuwu.

“I'm also eighteen, and it was my first kiss too! I also sacrificed for art and made a significant artistic contribution,” Li Xiuwu complained.