Chapter 200: No more Acting
Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon
The duo smiled wryly before raising a big thumbs up at the sa ti. “He was aweso!”
Zhao Hongxiang still had to ask, “Director Yu, that monk... master’s dropping of his Kasaya at the last mont to reveal the white monk robes... Was that planned by you? It was expertly planned! It was truly beautiful! I felt as though I had seen Buddha!”
“Yea, that was wonderful! But then again, Director Yu, that kind of stole the lilight,” said Hu Xiao.
“It did steal the lilight a little. If what was fild was released, perhaps everyone will only rember the monk and forget Hua Mulan. But I really can’t bear to edit away such an excellent scene. As for the Kasaya, all I can say is that it was a coincidence. It was an unexpected bonus.” Yu Guanze did not have the habit of taking credit for sothing he did not do.
“Director Yu, then what do you plan on doing?” asked Hu Xiao.
Yu Guanze smiled wryly, “Let think on it. There are still many scenes left to film. I have to think about it. I’ll keep it at first... Even if I can’t use it, I will keep it. It’s just too morable...”
Hu Xiao and Zhao Hongxiang said thickskinned, “About that, can you give us a copy as a nto?”
Yu Guanze laughed. “CEO Hu, CEO Zhao, what do you want that for? He is neither a veteran, nor is he a graduate from a famous university. He’s also young. As the saying goes, a youth without facial hair cannot be relied upon...”
Yu Guanze’s words made the duo blush red but they still thickened their skin to request it.
Yu Guanze laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely give it to the two of you.”
Only then did the two smile. Although it was embarrassing, they felt that they had a good deal by being able to collect such a morable scene.
“Eh? Where’s Venerable Fangzheng? Lin Dongshi, where’s Venerable Fangzheng? Did you see him?” shouted Yu Guanze after he jolted to his senses and surveyed his surroundings, only to find Fangzheng gone.
Lin Dongshi imdiately ran over, “Director, Venerable Fangzheng has returned to One Finger Monastery. The door is closed. I’ve tried knocking but he says he wants so peace and quiet. Also, he said he will not be acting in any of the subsequent scenes.”
“What? He’s not acting anymore?!” Yu Guanze instantly turned anxious as he exclaid, “He acted so well. Why isn’t he acting? What happened?”
Hu Xiao asked, “Is he trying to raise the price?”
“Raise the price my ass. He did a pro bono cao. He wasn’t paid,” said Yu Guanze.
“That’s it then. He’s not acting because you aren’t paying him,” said Hu Xiao.
“Let figure out the situation.” Yu Guanze could not be bothered arguing with such a crude person. He pushed aside the crowd and ran to the monastery’s door. Indeed, the door was closed.
Yu Guanze knocked on the door and shouted, “Venerable Fangzheng, I’m Director Yu Guanze. Are you there? Can you hear ?”
“Patron, is there sothing you need?” The door opened as Fangzheng appeared by the door.
Yu Guanze looked at Fangzheng’s sorrowful face and was stunned. He ca to the realization that Fangzheng had gone too deep into character and the sorrow of battle had etched itself on his heart! Hence, Yu Guanze inquired, “Venerable Fangzheng, are you still feeling upset because of the film’s plot?”
Fangzheng sighed. “That’s right. Although it was only one scene, there were just too many inexplicable things happening.” He had never experienced so of the feelings before. Having suddenly experienced it, he felt shaken. He was so shaken that he couldn’t compose himself for a long ti.
“Venerable Fangzheng, you got too into character. And being able to get into character is the most basic technique an actor should have. If one isn’t capable of doing so, that’s not acting but posing. But nowadays, too few people can truly get into character. When it cos to getting into character, you are the fastest person I have seen in all these years in the film industry. I never expected you to get so deeply into character... It was an oversight on my part.”
Fangzheng pressed his palms together and smiled, “Patron, there’s no need to bla yourself. You were the one that allowed This Penniless Monk to experience a second life. This opportunity is indeed rare...”
“Venerable Fangzheng, about the later scenes...” Yu Guanze felt as though he had seen hope. Fangzheng’s acting might not be the best but if he could get into character, that was the best, most natural form of acting! Nothing was better than that. He naturally wished for his film to have such a person.
Fangzheng shook his head. “Patron, This Penniless Monk’s attainnts are insufficient and is unsuitable to continue acting. Accept my sincere apologies...”
Fangzheng really did not wish to continue acting. This was because while he was tidying the corpses’ clothes, the ‘corpses’ he touched were not only Northern Wei soldiers but also Rouran soldiers. If soldiers of Northern Wei were heroes, what were the Rouran soldiers? Were they savages? Clearly not.
Those who killed were evil but if they did not kill, they would end up being killed. Then, is killing right or wrong? Is it a sin to engage in war to make a country flourish? Is it a sin to kill so as to protect the safety of civilians?
Fangzheng believed that it was not a sin killing the evil but there were lines in the Buddhist scriptures that had many contradictions. His heart was in turmoil so he naturally was in no mood to act. He wanted to calm his emotions or he would find it difficult to pass his days. The Zen farming experience was more than enough for him.
“About that... Venerable Fangzheng, let’s put it this way. You acted extrely well. It was really, really good. If possible, I would ask you to continue acting. This is a blockbuster. This show might well go international. When that happens, you will be promoting the Buddhist Dharma. Your na and One Finger Monastery will beco famous overseas,” persuaded Yu Guanze.
Fangzheng was tempted but Zen Master One Finger had once said: “I indeed wish for One Finger Temple to beco a huge monastery but without the corresponding moral conduct, having a large monastery is not a rit but a sin. The uplifting of a monastery should start from the person. And to uplift a person, one has to first improve one’s moral conduct.” The moral conduct here refers to moral character. It also refers to Buddhist Dharma cultivation.
After traveling to Baiyun Monastery, Fangzheng already realized how his Buddhist Dharma cultivation was insufficient. He now had few devotees but one day, when the devotees increased, how was he to deal with the increase in people seeking advice? It was impossible for the System to give him Lotus Flower Conveyance daily. Therefore, Fangzheng only wished to take it slow and steady. He would proceed bit by bit and not make montous leaps which would only lead to his downfall.
“Amitabha. Patron, although This Penniless Monk does wish to bring the monastery to a greater height of developnt, This Penniless Monk’s morals are insufficient. This Penniless Monk might not be able to bear the fa. Patron, thank you for your kind intentions. This Penniless Monk does not wish to act again... Besides, Patron Lin ntioned that this was only for contingency as there were no other choices. This Penniless Monk believes that it wouldn’t matter if This Penniless Monk remains.”
When Yu Guanze heard that, he was stunned. He had seen countless monks. This was the first ti he had encountered such a humble monk. His morals were not enough to bear the fa? But how many famous people in the world had the morals to match their standing? It was already a common occurrence to see a person failing to match their morals.
Facing the young monk, Yu Guanze suddenly realized that a famous director like him seed shorter while standing in front of Fangzheng. He sought fa and profit while the monk had relinquished them. To have such a temperant at such a young age, he would definitely beco a generation’s master barring any unforeseen circumstances.
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