Chapter Fifty: The Wealthy District

Since he had decided to take on this foreign disciple, it was only natural for Kunal to stay by his side, where he could learn more. As for the other members of the Indian martial arts troupe, with guidance from Jackie Chan and the Chan family team, their rapid progress was evident.

From the other end of the phone, Kunal’s intense emotional fluctuations were palpable, and even after Liu Qingshan hung up, the heavy breathing could still faintly be heard. Jackie Chan returned that evening, but it was only after ten o’clock the next day that he and Mallika Sherawat appeared in the restaurant.

That night had been spent in lively conversation that nearly lasted till dawn, with only Tang Jieli, Liang Jiahuai, Lu Huiguang, and Liu Qingshan in the spacious, luxurious suite. There was also Li Zhizhong, a member of the Chan family team—an unassuming figure, but with extensive experience in action choreography and a martial style that was robust, concise, and explosively powerful.

Liu Qingshan was not very familiar with him, mostly because Li Zhizhong also served as the production supervisor in the “Myth” crew. For instance, when the main team was filming in the Qinling and Lishan area, he had already led a group ahead to the factory near the Terracotta Army in Chang’an to set up the location.

Now, as everyone had come to India, he was needed to wrap up the location work back home. The last two scenes for India in “Myth” were also under his supervision; he had been rushing to set everything up, and only now had he joined the main group.

In fact, only two scenes remained to be shot in India: the beautiful Indian maiden playing with an elephant in the river, together rescuing Jack; and then the maiden sending Jack off on a boat back to China. Li Zhizhong was mainly in charge of the elephant and the local boat in Hampie, shaped like a giant basket.

Most of the cast and crew, including Liu Qingshan, no longer had specific roles and did not need to follow the group to the temple and stone mountain. So, after Jackie Chan’s visit, everyone would return to China together, which was why there was a late-night meeting.

During this period, Liu Qingshan maintained constant contact with Kunal by phone, so that both sides could promptly share the results of their discussions.

Regarding the establishment of a domestic special effects studio, Jackie Chan was actually very supportive. Even this one special effects project had cost him a substantial sum. Having a dedicated special effects team would bring unimaginable benefits to future films, even though he would only hold a twenty percent share in the studio.

The remaining eighty percent: Liu Qingshan would have fifty percent, and Karam Singh thirty percent, with the latter also responsible for all equipment needed at the studio’s founding.

Though this arrangement seemed to give Liu Qingshan the better deal, Jackie Chan considered it a loss; he believed that the opportunity to cultivate a master-level martial artist was priceless.

Yet the old equipment that Jackie Chan disdained was indispensable to Liu Qingshan, saving at least several million US dollars in the exchange.

“Sigh, since you’re willing to trade this way, I’ll let you have it. But shouldn’t you help your big brother cultivate some talent as well?”

That was Jackie Chan’s original words, and Liu Qingshan agreed with a smile to keep his son, Jaycee Chan, by his side, thus easing one of Jackie Chan’s worries.

As for Karam and Treasure Pictures, they were equally satisfied with the outcome. Their reason was simple: to possess, in a short time, the top-tier martial arts strength in all of Bollywood, which meant having a major say in the industry.

The subsequent signing of contracts was handled decisively by Liu Qingshan, so after Jackie Chan’s departure, Liu Qingshan stayed for several days at Karam Singh’s estate.

He lingered for two reasons: Jackie Chan needed to return to Mumbai, and there was the recruitment of talent.

That evening, Liu Qingshan was picked up by Karam Singh’s private car, accompanied by Liang Jiahuai.

Karam’s villa was on the same street as the hotel, in a wealthy district that the poorest residents could hardly hope to enter in their lifetime.

Each villa here had its own private security, whose main job was simply to open the gate for those entering.

With so many rich people living in Mumbai, the economy was correspondingly prosperous; most major company headquarters were in Mumbai, and luxury stores lined the streets.

But Liu Qingshan knew that behind this façade of prosperity lay vast slums, stretching endlessly and scarred.

Separated by just a wall from the slums, the windows of these upscale villas gleamed with gold and jade.

Upon entering the wealthy district, luxury cars like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, and Audi were everywhere, along with beautiful women with fair skin and long legs, moving between villa gates and garages.

In India, the lighter one’s skin, the higher their status and the more respect and privileges they enjoyed, so most of the rich here had relatively fair complexions.

Karam Singh, not yet forty, was already waiting outside the small estate villa. At his left stood an eight- or nine-year-old boy, whose eyes sparkled upon seeing Liu Qingshan.

Behind them was Kunal, a tall man over six feet, whose demeanor was deferential and cautious.

Once seated, Liu Qingshan learned that the boy, Pajay, was Karam’s youngest son, who had loved Chinese martial arts since childhood.

Perhaps Kunal had told him something, for Pajay was clearly familiar with Liu Qingshan.

At that moment, the women of the household appeared. The younger ones wore fashionable Western suits, while the elders donned traditional, elegant saris, adorned with heavy jewelry and polished nails, giving an impression of extravagant wealth.

These were evidently the main women of the family; the older ones were already managing servants who bustled about with drinks and food.

“Our family founded the Sashala Group, which spans civil aviation, banking, and many other sectors. But only my youngest son went into show business and started this entertainment company.”

Unlike the stereotypical nouveau riche, Karam Singh’s modest self-introduction instantly won Liang Jiahuai’s favor.

Liang Jiahuai was privately meeting the owner of Treasure Pictures for the first time. Clearly, his fame as a film star from Hong Kong was not as great as Jackie Chan’s international stardom.

Still, that didn’t mean he was unknown; anyone who had watched Hong Kong films would be familiar with this frequently appearing actor.

At that moment, a richly dressed aunt commented, “Mr. Liang is a big star. I watched ‘The Lover’ twice!”

“This is Ashmita, my wife.”

With Karam’s introduction, the guests met several of his wives. Although there was no strict order, Liu Qingshan knew Ashmita should be the first lady.

Liang Jiahuai’s “The Lover,” shot twelve years ago, was a famous French film and once topped the French box office.

“And I’ve seen his ‘Prison Storm’ as well!”

It was Pajay speaking; after sitting down, he stayed close to Liu Qingshan and wouldn’t leave.

Liang Jiahuai pulled out a jade pendant from somewhere and gave it to the boy, speaking fluent English.

By contrast, Liu Qingshan’s English was much poorer; his spoken language was halting, but fortunately, Kunal was a loyal interpreter.

As everyone grew more familiar, more women joined the conversation, though their focus remained on the yet-unseen Jackie Chan.

Upon hearing he would arrive in a few days, their expressions showed inexplicable delight.

This made Karam shake his head with a wry smile. “See? I consider myself to be far more famous in Bollywood than Jackie Chan, but he’s an international superstar, so it’s hard for a local celebrity like me to avoid embarrassment!”

Everyone laughed, and Liang Jiahuai commented, “I never expected Mr. Karam to be so approachable, quite different from what I imagined.”

Karam was amused. “What did you expect? Is it different from the rumors?”

“It’s a huge difference!” Liang Jiahuai smiled. “Just the stories about the strict hierarchy here made me feel a great sense of awe before I arrived.”

“The gap in status is objectively real; it’s the product of thousands of years of cultural tradition. It may seem mysterious to foreigners like you, but for us in India, it’s reasonable—it’s just a difference in belief!”

“But from you, sir, I see a warm family.”

“Hmm, I have my own way of treating guests and friends. Even in my family, that’s rare—perhaps it comes from being an actor first?”

For some reason, Karam turned his head and quickly changed the subject. “Mr. Liu, since you’ll be Kunal’s master from now on, would you mind taking another disciple?”

Liu Qingshan knew he meant Pajay.

“That’s not very realistic. According to our Chinese tradition, the ceremony of apprenticeship and the master-disciple relationship are extremely solemn. Simply bowing as an apprentice, yet only seeing the master once a year for instruction, disregards the seriousness of apprenticeship and the rules of the school.”

“Is it because Pajay can’t stay with you long-term?”

“It’s more than that. First, one must truly love traditional martial arts, and more importantly, have upright character, proper conduct, and good qualities. Once recognized, after being introduced and expressing the wish to apprentice, only then can one apply to join.”

Famous teachers in each school accept disciples to ensure the proper transmission of traditional skills and cultural essence from generation to generation.

Simply put, for the disciple, apprenticeship is a pledge to study the school’s skills deeply and pass them on; for the master, it’s to secure excellent successors for the school’s martial arts.

Therefore, apprenticeship is far more than a mere ritual—it is the continuation of a craft and the inheritance of a cultural tradition.