Chapter 53: The Unveiling Officially Begins

Chapter 53: The Official Unveiling

“Big brother, it seems I really have to leave now.”

Yuan Bingyan glanced outside.

Sounds of fists and feet clashing echoed from outside—the elder sister of Guo Xiang was searching for her.

Though she was about to depart, Yuan Bingyan hesitated, reluctant to go. “May I ask you to do me a favor?”

Her voice was innocent and pure, intoxicating to anyone who heard it.

“Go ahead and say it.”

Chen Ping, still masked, looked at Yuan Bingyan portraying Guo Xiang before him.

To be honest, the adorable, lively character Yuan Bingyan embodied made Chen Ping momentarily lost in thought.

Unlike her previous role as Mo Shanshan, who was gentle and composed, Guo Xiang was a young girl blossoming with her first stirrings of love, gifted with keen intelligence and the bold, carefree spirit inherited from her grandfather, the legendary Huang Yaoshi.

Such a character was hardly inferior even to the heroine, Xiaolongnü.

In fact, countless admirers once regarded Guo Xiang as their dream girl.

Why not Xiaolongnü?

It was simple—Xiaolongnü was too perfect, an ideal so unattainable that no one dared to entertain such thoughts.

But Guo Xiang was different; she seemed like the girl next door, charming and utterly endearing.

“If one day you and your wife are reunited, please let me know, so I can share your happiness.”

“Thank you for caring about me and Long’er. Your parents are the great heroes of our time; if you ever face trouble, they will surely help you. But since fate is unpredictable, if there comes a day when you have troubles you cannot share with your parents, just send someone to notify me—I will be at your service.”

“Big brother, you have been too kind to me. If my eldest sister knew that the Divine Eagle Hero was my big brother, she would be green with envy.”

“Your eldest sister wouldn’t think much of someone like me. By the way, you must never tell your sister or your parents about our meeting. It’ll only cause trouble, understand?”

Chen Ping shook his head quietly, memories stirring.

His right hand, lost sixteen years ago, was a gift from Guo Xiang’s elder sister.

But over time, Yang Guo’s resentment toward Guo Fu had softened.

As the scene unfolded, the entire cast fell silent.

The four directors watched intently. Er Dongshen’s eyes shone with tenderness, as if recalling the days when he starred in martial arts films.

The tales of love and loyalty in the martial world were truly captivating.

Only…

He had never encountered a role like Yang Guo.

Or even if he had, Er Dongshen doubted he could ever portray it with such depth.

“Director Kaige, watching their performance makes me want to film another martial arts movie.”

“By all means,” Chen Kaige replied, moved deeply.

He had never imagined Chen Ping and Yuan Bingyan could make this scene so memorable.

Compared to the other actors on set—even Hu Xiner, a seasoned performer—their performances, though excellent, did not match this moment.

Chen Ping and Yuan Bingyan’s acting had reached an artistic level, rivaling even the original.

“If you ever truly face trouble, send someone with a golden needle to me. Remember, seeing the needle is like seeing me…”

“Big brother, I want you to do the first thing for me.”

The most stirring moment was upon them.

Yang Guo cherished little Guo Xiang, and due to the intricate ties with the Guo family, he gifted her three golden needles.

These needles symbolized his promise to resolve three matters for Guo Xiang, no matter the distance.

Holding one golden needle, Yuan Bingyan extended it toward Yang Guo. “I want to see your true face.”

Chen Ping sighed. “I wear this mask because I don’t want to see faces from the past. Wasting a jade bee needle on such a trivial matter is too much.”

Yuan Bingyan replied innocently, “If I haven’t even seen your face, how can I say I truly know you? This is no trivial matter to me.”

“Very well, as you wish.”

Chen Ping nodded, then reached up and removed the mask from his face.

As the large screen displayed Chen Ping’s true visage, the entire audience gasped.

“Damn… this…”

“Is this really Chen Ping’s true face?”

“My God, what’s going on?”

Chen Ping’s appearance had always seemed ordinary; everyone knew this.

Because of his looks, Er Dongshen and Liu Ming had clashed before.

When Chen Ping first took on the role of Yang Guo, many thought it odd, and some actors waited for a chance to ridicule him.

But who would have guessed?

At the moment of unmasking, Chen Ping transformed into a dashing gentleman.

Though his right hand was lost, his hair streaked with white, and his beard graying, his handsome features were striking beyond measure.

And it wasn’t just his looks.

Chen Ping’s aura was so commanding that many felt ashamed in comparison.

Even some young heartthrobs dared not meet his gaze.

They thought themselves handsome, the center of attention wherever they went.

But next to Chen Ping, they were like ugly ducklings—a cruel irony.

Of course, at that very moment, Yuan Bingyan, acting opposite Chen Ping, was initially stunned, then found her wide eyes fixed upon him.

“Did my appearance frighten you?”

“No,” Yuan Bingyan blushed deeply—truly flushed.

Even before the scene, she had wanted Chen Ping to reveal his face.

Now that it was done, she felt like Guo Xiang herself—dumbfounded.

Not only dumbfounded, but touched deeply.

Perhaps no other man could ever enter her heart again.

Feeling a little shy, Yuan Bingyan turned away and picked up the second golden needle. “I ask you to do the second thing for me: on my birthday, you must come to Xiangyang to see me.”

“Absolutely no problem. But I only want to see you—I don’t want to see anyone else.”

“That’s your choice. The third thing…”

“Think carefully before you ask. As long as you hold a jade bee needle, no matter how great the difficulty, I will accomplish it for you.”

“Alright.”

Yuan Bingyan smiled with boundless expectation. “On the twenty-fourth of this month, my birthday, you must come to see me.”

“Rest assured, I will not break my promise.”

Footsteps and scuffles echoed behind them again. Yuan Bingyan said reluctantly, “I really must leave now.”

She took a few steps, glancing back repeatedly, before disappearing from Chen Ping’s sight.

The story of The Return of the Condor Heroes and the three golden needles had officially concluded.

Yet, Chen Ping’s strikingly handsome face left everyone restless and awestruck.

(End of Chapter)