Chapter 140: Action Choreography

"So, that means I'm the only one who gets to have a good fight?"

There was a hint of smugness in Zhen Zijian’s tone as he said this. Perhaps, in his eyes, there was a unique, exhilarating pleasure in being able to overpower someone who was actually stronger than himself.

"You wish! It won’t be a compelling performance without a few rounds. I’ll still incorporate appropriate counterattacks, but I’ll be careful with my technique to ensure that while the impact of my fists and the sound of them hitting home are authentic, I won’t actually hurt you. Furthermore, I suggest that both your steel baton and my sharp knife be the real deal; that’s the only way to ensure the maximum level of realism."

Liu Qingshan didn't mind the other man’s petty thoughts and explained it in meticulous detail.

"Getting hit by that kind of telescopic baton hurts like hell!" Zhen Zijian suddenly blurted out.

"I just told you, just aim for my head and swing. Whether I can take it or not is my concern; you don’t need to worry about that!"

By now, Liu Qingshan had already generated internal energy within his body. When the time came, he could manifest it as an invisible protective barrier around the areas being struck; even if a heavy iron bar were to smash into him, he wouldn't feel much pain.

Zhen Zijian was unaware of his opponent’s current cultivation level, and a look of worry inevitably flickered in his eyes.

Seeing this, Liu Qingshan didn't offer any further explanation. He scanned his surroundings, walked over to a corner, leaned down, and struck a concrete pier with force, causing it to shatter. He picked up a concrete chunk about a meter long, straightened out the steel rebar embedded within it, and walked back.

Everyone who witnessed this scene gathered around. Liu Qingshan, intending to demonstrate his strength, didn't stop them; he simply handed it to Zhen Zijian. "Give it a heft. Does it weigh about 30 pounds?"

Hong Kong had been under British rule for many years, so imperial units were still standard, and people were too used to them to change now—much like how cars have the steering wheel on the right. 30 pounds is roughly 27 jin in mainland measurements. A piece of reinforced concrete of that weight, swung with force against a head, would have a lethality no less than a fierce strike from a steel baton.

Seeing the other man nod, Liu Qingshan didn't waste words. He took it back, raised it high, and smashed it against his own head with all his might. With a dull thud, the concrete shattered and scattered across the floor, and the steel bars inside even snapped from the impact.

Amidst the enthusiastic applause from the crowd, Liu Qingshan brushed the dust off his head and smiled. "This level of impact is nothing to me, so I told you not to worry about whether or not you'd cause me injury."

Unlike the excitement of the others, Zhen Zijian’s expression was one of shock bordering on fear. His voice trembled as he spoke: "Shan, Shanzai, have you broken through to the next realm?"

When he had met Liu Qingshan in Chang'an, the latter’s true level was that of a high-level martial artist—a vague plane that was infinitely close to the Master level. In reality, the late stage of a high-level martial artist was already considered Master level; for instance, the title of "Sword Saint" held by someone like Yu Chenhui was based on that very level. At the time, Zhen Zijian and his fellow stuntmen viewed Liu Qingshan as being on par with someone like Yu Chenhui.

Months later, Liu Qingshan’s current level had actually entered the Xiantian realm following the late high-level stage. He was at a "half-step Xiantian" stage, where internal strength had transformed into true energy, leaving him only a hair's breadth away from the true Xiantian realm. This was the result of the evolution of his Super Star-Making Instrument and the subsequent surge in his stats. Recently, however, his training had stalled due to living with Jin Xishan.

Liu Qingshan did not answer Zhen Zijian’s guess directly, instead choosing to be somewhat enigmatic. "Some things are better left unsaid. In short, I just want you to believe that with your current strength, it will be very difficult for you to truly hurt me."

This ambiguous answer confirmed Zhen Zijian’s suspicions, and his newfound respect was immediately apparent. "I never expected you to have reached such a legendary realm. Would it be inappropriate to keep calling you 'Shanzai' from now on?"

Zhen Zijian’s words were less of a conversation and more of a mutter to himself—an impulsive remark born of pure shock.

Liu Qingshan didn't mind. "Keep calling me Shanzai. Given our age difference, you will always be my big brother."

Zhen Zijian seemed startled for a moment before bursting into a hearty laugh. Perhaps, in his view, gaining Liu Qingshan’s acknowledgment was more meaningful than the approval of any Hong Kong tycoon.

Regardless of his shock, the people around them were equally stunned by Liu Qingshan’s profound martial arts. Someone asked, "Mr. Liu, is this 'Iron Head' technique?"

Liu Qingshan smiled noncommittally. "Something like that. I just wanted to give Brother Zijian a little warning so he won't be tempted to bully a newcomer from the mainland during our fight scenes later!"

He said this in Cantonese; although he was far from fluent, he at least didn't stutter. Moreover, the playful tone was obvious to everyone, and the crowd erupted into laughter.

Hung Tai-bo, with his stout frame, walked over from the distance. It was his first time meeting Liu Qingshan, but having seen his footage, he was friendly enough toward this young man rumored to have such high combat prowess.

"Shanzai, I’ve just finished observing the location. Would you like to do a test run?"

He hadn't seen what just happened, but for a veteran like him to take the initiative to check the location for a newcomer from the mainland was, in itself, a gesture of goodwill.

Liu Qingshan cupped his hands in thanks. "I’ve read the script. This scene requires me to walk over from a distance and perform a mid-air side somersault, right?"

He understood the source of Hung Tai-bo’s caution. A surface capable of handling such a high-difficulty move required a relatively clean floor. Otherwise, if there were small pebbles on the ground the moment he launched himself into the air at high speed, it would lead to a serious distortion of the movement, or even endanger his landing after the aerial flip.

In truth, he didn't care about the conditions. Back when he was filming *Detective Di Renjie*, his "Flower Fist 36 Hands" were barely at an introductory level, yet he could already scale walls over two meters high with his bare hands. He hadn't checked the ground then, either, leaping over jagged, rocky terrain all the same. Still, he appreciated the man’s kindness and went over to walk the ground himself.

By now, with the filming of the thugs playing soccer wrapped up, several cameras were being moved into position.

Wilson Yip also walked out from the crowd. "Shanzai, we’re having you film right after getting off the plane—can you maintain your energy levels?"

Having worked with the *The Myth* crew, Liu Qingshan was already accustomed to the Hong Kong style of filmmaking, which involved utilizing every possible second, keeping the entire crew running at a mechanical, high-speed pace.

"My energy is fine. I can change into my costume immediately. I only have one request regarding the knife in the script: it must be a real, sharp blade!" Liu Qingshan replied.