Entertainment King:I Can Extract Skills from the Movies

Just moments ago, Zhou Yaowen had marked a bold red "X" next to one actor's name on their profile without writing any further notes.

In Zhou's vision, Murong Fu—a character famously nicknamed "Southern Murong"—was a tragic figure: elegant, aristocratic, skilled in martial arts, and driven by the futile dream of reviving the Yan Dynasty.

The actor's portrayal had been nothing short of disastrous. Zhou didn't even need to rewatch the audition tapes to make his decision.

The candidate's tall, handsome frame had been utterly wasted by a slouchy gait and a lack of stage presence. Even in a flowing long robe, the actor seemed more like a street thug than a noble scion.

Such unpolished performances were common during auditions where actors were pushed by connections rather than talent. For the sake of maintaining relationships, the production team often went through the motions, but Zhou was intent on making decisions based on quality.

On paper, Qiu Qing had stood out, with both appearance and acting skills meeting the baseline expectations. Given Zhang Zhizong's earlier nod of approval, Zhou had been leaning toward him.

That was, until the next candidate entered the room.

---

When Du Sheng stepped through the door, Zhou's gaze immediately sharpened.

Here was someone different.

Tall and poised, Du Sheng exuded an air of refinement and self-assurance. His movements were fluid and confident, his robes trailing gracefully behind him with each step.

The stark contrast with the previous actor's sloppy demeanor was striking. Zhou found himself nodding in approval even before Du Sheng spoke.

His pen hovered over the actor's profile, circling Du Sheng's name.

In the eight candidates who had auditioned so far, none had embodied the spirit of Murong Fu quite like this. The role called for an imposing elegance, a presence so magnetic that even the self-assured Duan Yu felt humbled upon meeting Murong Fu.

Still, Zhou wasn't one to make hasty judgments. It would come down to performance.

---

Du Sheng stopped before the panel, offered a slight bow, and introduced himself.

"Good day, esteemed teachers. My name is Du Sheng."

As Du Sheng's voice resonated, it caught the attention of everyone in the room. Even Qiu Qing, who was lingering nearby after his own audition, couldn't help but turn to size up the newcomer.

With his commanding presence and polished delivery, Du Sheng effortlessly drew the attention of the four directors in the room.

Zhou, who rarely spoke during auditions, broke the silence:

"Your profile mentions experience as a stunt performer in action films, and you've also played supporting roles in The Legend of the Condor Heroes and Special Police Flying Dragon. Is it fair to say you have martial arts training?"

The unexpected question made the other directors glance at Zhou in surprise.

It wasn't like him to engage with the actors directly. In fact, this was the first time during the auditions that Zhou had addressed anyone.

Qiu Qing also looked over, sensing that this newcomer had piqued Zhou's interest.

Standing tall under the scrutiny of the room, Du Sheng responded with steady confidence:

"I do. Barehanded, I can handle myself against a small group of attackers."

Zhao Jian, the action director, leaned forward with interest.

"Ah, I remember reading about you. Weren't you in the news recently? Something about holding your own against four security guards in a brawl?"

The other directors perked up at this tidbit. Zhao Jian's endorsement carried weight—his reputation as an action choreographer extended back to his days in Hong Kong under director Tsui Hark.

Du Sheng, however, kept his reply humble and respectful.

"Thank you for remembering, Teacher Zhao. That story may have been exaggerated by the media, but I'm flattered to be thought of as capable."

Director Qu Jueliang, seizing the moment, added with a smile:

"I also heard you've gained a bit of popularity online recently. Rumor has it you've been linked to Fan Bingbing in the tabloids. And you've amassed tens of thousands of followers on Weibo. Impressive for someone still early in their career."

Du Sheng offered a polite smile.

"Teacher Qu is too kind. I'm grateful for the attention, but compared to everyone here, I still have a long way to go."

His humility struck the right chord. The directors nodded in appreciation.

Zhou gestured toward a weapons rack in the corner.

"Murong Fu has numerous action sequences. Why don't you show us your skills?"

The weapons rack held a dazzling array of arms—swords, spears, axes, and more.

After a moment's consideration, Du Sheng selected a wooden practice sword.

"I'd like to demonstrate a sword technique," he announced.

He recalled Murong Fu's graceful swordplay during the pivotal fight on Shaoshi Mountain. The character's mastery of his family's traditional swordsmanship was a defining trait, and Du Sheng wanted to channel that in his performance.

Gripping the sword lightly, Du Sheng adopted a stance—one foot slightly forward, body balanced, and eyes focused.

The room seemed to still as his demeanor shifted.

With a sharp exhale, Du Sheng began.

The blade moved as if it were an extension of his arm, slicing through the air with precision.

Each step was measured, his posture fluid yet controlled. His strikes alternated between swift lunges and elegant arcs, every movement deliberate and brimming with intent.

For a moment, it felt as though Murong Fu had stepped into the room.

Zhou Yaowen sat up straighter in his chair, visibly impressed.

"This…" he murmured, "is promising."

Zhao Jian's sharp eyes were fixed on Du Sheng's form. As an experienced action director, he recognized the foundation of true martial arts training in every strike.

Qu Jueliang leaned over to Zhou.

"This kid isn't just acting; he's living the role."

Even Qiu Qing, watching from the sidelines, felt a pang of unease. Du Sheng's performance was not just competent—it was mesmerizing.

As the demonstration concluded, Du Sheng lowered the sword and stood upright, his breathing steady.

The room was silent for a moment before Zhou finally spoke:

"Well done. Take a seat nearby for now."

The subtle nods from the panel spoke volumes.

Du Sheng's performance had left an impression—and in an audition as competitive as this, impressions were everything.

-----

Happy New Year Everyone! May this year bring you joy, peace, and prosperity. Cheers to new beginnings! 🎉🍻🎊