Chapter 15: Chen Ping, have you had training?

"Okay, let's continue."
"How was that, Teacher Chen Ping?"
"I'm ready whenever you are."

Chen Ping's impressive performance just now had not only drawn Chen Feiyu into the scene but had also earned the respect of the entire film crew. Much like those veteran character actors who, while perhaps not household names, commanded the title of "Teacher" from everyone on set, Chen Ping carried a similar weight. However, he didn't put on airs. He smiled and said, "Please, don't call me that. I'm no teacher—just call me Chen Ping."

"I couldn't possibly. Teacher Chen Ping, your performance just now was truly superb."

After some polite exchanges, the second scene of the day began. Picking up where the first left off, the scene depicted the protagonist, Ning Que, agreeing to help Chao Xiaoshu, and now, fully equipped, he was heading toward Spring Breeze Pavilion with him.

It was still raining heavily.
Walking down the alley, Chen Ping said, "That dilapidated little pavilion? That's Spring Breeze Pavilion."
Chen Feiyu replied, "It's nothing special."
Chen Ping continued, "True, but right now, there are many people surrounding it, waiting for their moment. The pavilion is near my home—or more accurately, it's at the corner of Heng’er Street, Spring Breeze Pavilion, in the East City. I've lived there since I was a child."
Chen Feiyu: "So that's why they call you 'Old Chao of Spring Breeze Pavilion'."
Chen Ping: "Spring Breeze Pavilion is the poorest place in the East City, home to peddlers and laborers, but I've never minded."
Chen Feiyu: "I like it here."

The long alleyway was traversed amidst their conversation.
"Good, very good."
Just like before, the scene was filmed even better than the last. Chen Ping consistently displayed a stunning, chivalrous aura. With his guidance, Chen Feiyu also quickly settled into character.

At this moment, two groups of people appeared—one in front and one behind—representing the various underworld gangs they were set to confront that night.

"Cut!"

The second scene ended, but there was no break. The centerpiece of the night—the alley fight—was still to come. Director Yang Yang had prepared extensively for this. Setting aside the extras and other staff, there were over twenty members in the stunt team alone. Yang Yang was determined to present a classic alley battle.

Since it was a fight, a stunt coordinator was required. Before long, the martial arts director, Ma Shaolong, walked up to Chen Ping, demonstrating moves as he spoke: "In a moment, you'll run forward with your sword. I'll have a dozen people here, and you'll slash at them. Then, a stunt performer will swing a sword at you; you'll duck, kick upward... then follow with a few blocks, and a sweep... It's a bit complex, but don't worry, take it slow. Let's practice for a bit."

Action scenes are different from dramatic ones. A good dramatic scene can sometimes be wrapped in minutes, but action sequences, no matter how smoothly they go, take hours for even the briefest of shots.

"Understood, Director Ma. Let me give it a try."

Ma Shaolong, the stunt coordinator for *Nightfall*, wasn't as famous as some top-tier directors, but he had overseen many television series and held a solid reputation in the industry. Chen Ping carefully watched Ma's movements, took his sword, and charged forward. He slashed through the air several times and then executed a high kick.

Ma Shaolong hadn't expected Chen Ping to actually land that kick. It was meant to be an upward strike aiming for an opponent's chin—a relatively high target—and it had to be performed with a certain aesthetic grace. It wasn't just about reaching the height; it had to look cool, too. Usually, this would require wirework.

But to Ma Shaolong's astonishment, Chen Ping performed the move perfectly on his first try. The stunt team and the extras were stunned, and even the professional stunt performers couldn't believe their eyes.

"Chen Ping, have you had training?" Ma Shaolong asked, a mix of surprise and delight.

Action scenes were notoriously difficult to shoot. Often, those without experience couldn't get the desired moves right even after a full day. Consequently, they often relied on stunt doubles—in fact, a double was already waiting on standby. But who could have guessed? Chen Ping’s physical ability was so extraordinary that a stunt double wouldn't even be necessary. Even a professional double wouldn't have been able to reach this level of execution.

"Not exactly training, I just exercise regularly," Chen Ping said, his face neither red nor breathless.

Could he tell them it was a gift from the System? Spending one point on the [Chivalrous Spirit] talent had not only elevated his aura but also granted him an innate aptitude for action. That was why he had completed the sequence so effortlessly.

"Haha, you're being too modest. You've got talent!" Ma Shaolong was excited. With Chen Ping’s skill, the fight scene would be much easier to film.

Director Yang Yang, watching from the side, felt her eyes light up. When she had first cast him, she hadn't realized Chen Ping was so capable. Seeing his young age, his superb acting, and his fighting prowess, she realized his future was truly limitless.

"Everyone, are you ready? Action!"

Since it was an action sequence, Director Yang handed the reins over to Ma Shaolong. What was supposed to be a half-hour setup was finished in mere minutes, thanks to the surprise Chen Ping had provided.

The extras and stunt performers actually became the bottleneck. In the first few takes, they hadn't reacted in time, and Chen Ping had already "slashed" them with his sword. Ma Shaolong had to ask Chen Ping to slow down his rhythm so the others could keep up.

"Damn, this guy is a beast."
"Even we stunt guys can't keep up with his speed."
"Get it together! Don't embarrass us professionals."

The extras didn't mind much—they were paid by the day and didn't care about the quality—but the stuntmen were different. While they didn't claim to be great actors, they prided themselves on their physical prowess compared to the regular cast. Now, they were being completely outclassed by Chen Ping.

"Beautiful."
"Keep it like that."
"Cut!"

Though they struggled at first, they quickly adjusted. The entire fight sequence began to flow like a smooth, exhilarating stream.

"Chen Ping, there's a shot coming up where you throw your sword," Ma Shaolong said, clearly enjoying the shoot. Because of Chen Ping’s skill, he had cleared several complex shots in a single take. He had originally planned two nights to film this, but at this rate, it would be done tonight. He was growing fonder of Chen Ping by the minute.

"Director Ma, how should I throw it?"
"Just like this, a flick behind you... Make it fast, make it cool."
"Got it. How far should I throw it?"
"Give it everything you've got. As far as you can."
"Understood."

"Ready?"
"Okay."
"Action!"

The clapperboard snapped. Chen Ping gripped the sword and whipped it backward with all his might. A sharp "whoosh" echoed through the set. The throwing motion was incredibly cool and lightning-fast. Ma Shaolong shouted "Cut!"

"Perfect."
"That’s a wrap on this take."
"Great work, Chen Ping. Take a rest, though there's one more fight scene later... Wait, the sword! Where's your sword?"

Ma Shaolong paused, then shouted, "Someone, go get Chen Ping's sword!"
"Uh, Director Ma... the sword... it's gone," the assistant said, walking over with an embarrassed expression.
"Gone?"
"Didn't Chen Ping just throw it forward?"
"Yes... but we searched the area, and we can't find it."
"You..." Ma Shaolong was so frustrated he felt like spitting blood. "You can't even find one sword?"

Of course, if it were an ordinary prop, they could just grab another from the props department—no big deal. But Chen Ping’s character, Chao Xiaoshu, wasn't a minor role, and his sword was custom-made, just like the protagonist’s large black umbrella. If it were lost, there was no telling how long it would take to replace.

"Director Ma, don't worry, we're looking! We'll find it soon!" Fearing the director's wrath, the assistant rounded up everyone, including the stunt team and the extras.

After a long while, news finally arrived.
The sword was found.
However, they couldn't retrieve it just yet. It was currently lodged firmly into a roof beam over fifty meters away.