Chapter 803: The Internet: I’m Done (1)
She pointed to the sword held by the martial artist invited by the show’s production team.
At the beginning of the variety show, eighteen martial artists had performed a swift and efficient fight scene. The lead martial artist had introduced this sword as a real one, weighing thirty-six pounds.
For context, the swords used by regular fencers typically weigh around 500 grams.
Even a heavy sword doesn’t exceed two pounds.
Thirty-six pounds was a figure that far exceeded many people’s understanding.
The martial artist himself was taken aback. He hesitated for a moment but eventually handed the sword over.
Initially, he was afraid to let go, but seeing Si Fuqing easily lift it, he stood aside holding the scabbard.
The male and female hosts were extremely nervous, fearing any mishap.
However, the crew from “Crossing the Demon Realm” remained calm.
Tang Haiqiu adjusted his glasses and whispered to Mo Yishan, “They don’t know that the sword used in the drama weighs fifty pounds.”
“Indeed,” Mo Yishan rubbed his shoulder. “Thinking about that sword still makes my whole body ache.”
He had been stabbed over a hundred times by Si Fuqing during filming and was very aware of how strong her fight scenes were.
“Oh,” Tang Haiqiu said slowly, “You should be glad you died miserably; otherwise, the audience might throw eggs at you today.”
Mo Yishan: “…”
Acting too well can also be a curse.
At this moment, all eyes were on Si Fuqing at the center of the stage.
“Swish!”
With a flip of her wrist, the blade shot out in a swift and clean motion.
The long sword twirled in her right hand, then suddenly leapt to her left palm.
It then dropped to the ground, only for her to retrieve it with a flick of her toe, the sword returning to her hand.
She leapt, bent, and spun, making the thirty-six-pound sword appear as light as a feather.
Every move was powerful and overwhelming, as swift as wind and lightning, leaving afterimages in their wake.
This deadly beauty was palpable, as if it could sever throats.
This was a live demonstration, with no special effects.
All rumors were instantly dispelled.
The audience watched, dumbfounded.
[Oh my god, I’m blind. If it were me, I wouldn’t even be able to lift it. She’s twirling it so effortlessly?]
[…I almost forgot she’s the kind of person who can tie a python into a knot with her bare hands.]
[So, all those parts I thought were special effects weren’t?!]
[Guys, she really knows martial arts. I’m blown away.]
But that was just the beginning.
Si Fuqing raised her hand, and the long sword flew from her grasp.
“Clang!”
From a full five meters away, the sword re-entered its scabbard with perfect precision.
The martial artist holding the scabbard was stunned.
The next second, she leapt into the air, executing seven consecutive flips, and then performed a 720-degree spin mid-air before landing gracefully.
Her movements were light, devoid of any heaviness.
Si Fuqing’s performance showed everyone that wires were there for looks.
The audience was dead silent.
“Just a few moves I’ve learned,” Si Fuqing said, picking up the microphone again. “Hope you were entertained.”
The audience: “…”
This is called a few moves?!
This is a dimensional reduction attack!
Online viewers were equally shattered, struggling to piece together their shattered perceptions.
[Wires: If I hadn’t been holding her, she would have actually flown away, you know!]
[I’m saying, among actresses under thirty, Si Fuqing’s fight scenes are the best, right?]
[Be bold, among all actors under thirty. Male actors don’t cut it either. In the past, male actors had the poise and could even play the guqin. Now they need special effects to twirl a sword, and they’re not as fast as the old actors who did it manually. That was real fight acting, today it’s just rehabilitation exercises.]
[Back then they were called actors, now they’re celebrities. It’s not the same, is it?]
[Who says there are no sword twirlers in the industry? She can even twirl a girl! I want to be the Demon Princess held by Si Goddess, I ship this CP!]
[No stunt doubles for drama scenes, no special effects for fight scenes, Si Fuqing, rise to fame for me!!!]
The male host finally relaxed and smoothly transitioned to the next topic: “Teacher Si, your first drama had you playing the lead role, which we all greatly admire. Do you have anything to say to those who support you?”
“I know some of my fans have been with me since the second season of ‘Youth With You,’” Si Fuqing said, smiling at the camera. “I’m sorry I wasn’t very good then and made you suffer along with me.”
“Thank you for your constant support. I can finally tell you that I can be your pride.”
Eighty percent of the audience were fans of Si Fuqing, many of whom were long-time supporters.
Hearing this, their eyes turned red.
They had watched Si Fuqing rise from being universally criticized to becoming a top-tier star.
To outsiders, this journey seemed glamorous, but only they knew what Si Fuqing had endured.
Even now, despite the presence of many detractors, her fanbase was steadily growing.
They could become her impenetrable armor.
“As an actor, my primary duty is to act seriously,” Si Fuqing said, raising an eyebrow and smiling. “If I ever retreat for a year or so, don’t miss me too much, just wait for my return.”
After the show ended, the entertainment trending list was once again dominated.
#SiFuqing, FightScenes
#SiFuqing, CanSpinAnything
Many netizens commented that she should take on more ancient dramas to save the current state of television.
They were tired of seeing special effects.
The drama “Solitary Journey,” which had been hyped for a year, quickly fell out of attention.
The production team’s attempt to ride the wave of popularity failed.
Not only did it save her studio from PR costs, but Si Fuqing also successfully gained another wave of fans.
To celebrate, she bought an extra bottle of coke.
“You’ve stirred up quite a bit of animosity,” Sang Yanqing said, rubbing her temples. “This time, not only are other female celebrities’ teams hostile towards you, but you’ve also offended a bunch of male stars.”
With Si Fuqing’s live sword performance today, netizens’ expectations for other celebrities would rise.
Other stars relying on special effects would find it hard to compete.
“Offended?” Si Fuqing opened a bottle of cola, raising an eyebrow. “That word doesn’t suit them. They aren’t worth offending. The people I offend—”
Yuejian, resting her chin on her hand and curling her red lips, continued, “—should at least be capable of making a bomb.”
Sang Yanqing: “…”
She really wanted to ask what Si Fuqing used to do.
Why did it always escalate to bombs?!
Sang Yanqing left numbly.
“I see quite a few people in the entertainment industry chasing after you,” Yuejian raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got admirers everywhere. Doesn’t that mean your true love is near? Don’t you want to fall in love?”
There’s a saying that everyone has a true love.
It’s said that before true love appears, admirers will increase.
But no matter how many admirers there are, they cannot affect the position of true love.
“Huh? No,” Si Fuqing looked up from her script, clenching her fist. “I just want to make money. Money is my true love.”
Yuejian: “…”
She had tried her best.
In some aspects, their little junior sister was really beyond help.
**
On the other side, in the LI family.
Second Master LI was reclining on a chair, smoking leisurely.
The butler hurried in and whispered a few words in his ear.
“How did they trace it to the Karanli Dukedom?” Second Master LI’s expression changed. “Logically, there’s no way LI Yuzhi could have known.”
Back then, the reason he managed to secretly get LI Yuzhi’s son out of the country was with the help of a Master of Yin-Yang.
The Master of Yin-Yang had completely severed the blood connection between LI Yuzhi and his son.
In other words, even if father and son stood face to face, they wouldn’t feel any blood-related kinship.
Without evidence, even if they met, they wouldn’t recognize each other. LI Yuzhi wouldn’t randomly pull someone off the street for a paternity test, and the LI patriarch wouldn’t allow such disgraceful behavior that would tarnish the family’s reputation.
Second Master LI had been living comfortably all these years, having long forgotten about LI Yuzhi, never considering him a concern.
Who would have thought LI Yuzhi would go to the Karanli Dukedom?
“Even if that child is found, he can’t compare to President LI,” the butler whispered. “The entire LI Group depends on President LI, and even if the child survived, what achievements could he have in a foreign land after twenty years?”
“That makes sense,” Second Master LI nodded, his eyes darkening. “But I can’t allow any chance. Send people to the Karanli Dukedom immediately. I want LI Yuzhi dead.”
If LI Yuzhi died, even if the child was found, there would be no way to confirm he was a LI family member.
He could not allow LI Yuzhi’s son to return and threaten LI Yanchen’s position.
The Karanli Dukedom allowed firearms, and LI Yuzhi dying in a street shootout would be perfect.
LI Yuzhi had been relentless all these years.
So he couldn’t be blamed for being ruthless.