Chapter 141: Filming the Assassination Scene

"Using the real thing? You mean right now? Aren't you worried about hurting yourself while doing a side-flip?"

Ip Wai-hing’s concern was not without reason. Even on flat ground, such a move was considered high-difficulty; carrying a real weapon while performing it made it inevitable that one might accidentally cut themselves.

At this moment, Donnie Yen stepped forward: "Director Ip, let's listen to Shan-zai. With his skills, he could pull off a perfect move even while carrying a motorbike!"

In Hong Kong parlance, "motorcycle" is often referred to as a "bike."

Liu Qingshan sensed that this action design deviated slightly from the image in his mind, so he decided to voice his perspective.

"Director Ip, what do you think of this? Ah Lok is already standing behind the goalpost. Before Ah Jik runs over from a distance to perform the flip, could he first throw the knife to pierce Ah Lok's arm, and then perform the flip? Wouldn't the subsequent assassination move look more fluid that way?"

While Ip Wai-hing was still tilting his head in contemplation, Sammo Hung, standing nearby, shouted his approval.

"Exactly! Designing it with the knife throw first not only showcases Ah Jik’s viciousness and ruthlessness but also connects the flip seamlessly into the following assassination sequence. If it goes smoothly, it will be a brilliant and classic shot!"

As Sammo Hung was already serving as the action director, once he had given his approval, Ip Wai-hing didn't hesitate further.

Soon, a full set of costumes was delivered—the exact white jacket, white trousers, and matching sneakers that Liu Qingshan had envisioned.

Kunal and the others immediately transformed into personal assistants, helping Liu Qingshan change into the all-white attire. Another crew member stepped forward with a spray canister, and with a quick mist, Liu Qingshan’s hair turned a vibrant golden yellow. After a quick trim from the stylist, a cool, edgy hairstyle was complete. Such was the lightning-fast pace of a Hong Kong film crew.

Once everything was ready, at a single look from Ip Wai-hing, the assistant director shouted, "Clear the set!"

Over a hundred people dispersed in an instant. The cameramen took their positions, leaving the small football field completely empty.

"Don't we need a rehearsal first?" Donnie Yen asked as he walked over to Liu Qingshan.

Liu Qingshan shook his head without answering, walking straight to Ken Chang, who was playing the police officer, Ah Lok.

"Brother Yao, don't overact later. Just keep retreating as I close in on you! Remember to react naturally to the force of my movements. Especially when I’m finishing you off with a flurry of strikes, keep in mind that you are in a kneeling position and your right arm has been pierced, so it should stay limp throughout!"

He turned back to Ip Wai-hing: "This sequence can't be filmed in one continuous take; we need to set up the shot where the knife is already embedded in his body. Since Ah Lok is being ambushed, the lack of choreographed buildup will actually make it look more authentic. Shall we run through it now?"

Originally, this scene had a pre-planned action sequence, but Sammo Hung was clearly intrigued by Liu Qingshan's suggestion and abandoned the previous setup.

As Liu Qingshan, now wearing sunglasses, walked to his starting position far away, the director called "Action!" and Ah Lok swung his left arm, shouting his line: "Police! Stop!"

At this moment, Liu Qingshan, walking over unhurriedly from the distance, skillfully twirled the knife in his hand, his expression remarkably indifferent.

Just as Ah Lok shouted "I said stop!" again, Liu Qingshan suddenly surged forward in a sprint, then launched into an aerial turn, throwing the knife with precision.

"Cut!" the director commanded. Someone immediately rushed in to apply the effects of the knife piercing Ah Lok’s arm.

During this interval, Donnie Yen had already stepped aside, practicing his reload sequence with his police revolver over and over.

When filming resumed, it picked up from the momentum of the knife throw. After a few steps, Liu Qingshan’s body swayed slightly before he leaped sideways into the air, reaching a height of nearly two meters.

As he soared, it was as if an invisible gust of wind swirled around him, carrying his body in a backflip that cleared the four-foot-tall goalpost.

Upon landing, one foot remained planted, while the other slammed heavily into the shoulder of Ah Lok, who still had the knife embedded in his arm.

As his feet touched the ground, Liu Qingshan unleashed a barrage of classic Long Quan (Long Fist) techniques. His strikes were like whips, closing the distance and targeting Ah Lok's vital points.

His punching speed was incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, dozens of punches had been thrown. The whipping force of his strikes seemed to condense into a spiral, leaving Ah Lok swaying like a reed in a storm, completely unable to defend himself.

Under Liu Qingshan's subtle guidance, Ah Lok’s body was spun around until he was pressed against a large concrete pillar in the middle of the factory floor.

In the next moment, Liu Qingshan flew into the air again, his body horizontal. With two light taps of his feet against the concrete pillar, he performed a nimble somersault, tracing a beautiful arc through the air, and appeared silently behind Ah Lok.

The instant he landed, his hand grabbed the hilt of the dagger in Ah Lok’s arm. With a fluid rotation of his body, he drew the blade out and, with a deft flick of his wrist, reversed his grip on the knife.

His arm bent in a strange, serpentine motion, driving the blade toward Ah Lok's left collarbone.

But the action stopped abruptly there. The director, who had been watching intently, called "Cut!" just in time, and the crew rushed in to set up the effect of the blade entering the body.

The crowd immediately swarmed in, mostly checking to see if Ken Chang had actually been hurt.

Drenched in sweat and disheveled, Ken Chang leaned against the pillar, but the smile on his face showed he was perfectly fine.

"I have to say, even though Shan-zai’s moves look fierce and unstoppable, I barely felt any pain. Even a child could take those hits!"

Sammo Hung’s eyes widened in disbelief: "You really weren't hurt? How did he pull that off?"

The latter part of his question was directed at Liu Qingshan, but before he could answer, Donnie Yen smiled and explained: "Shan-zai has a great sense of control. He knows exactly how much force to use. Even though his strikes look heavy and direct, he dissipates most of the power the moment they make contact!"

He had sparred with Liu Qingshan several times and knew his exceptional mastery of force.

Ren Jiahua punched Liu Qingshan on the shoulder: "You kid, you should have given us a heads-up! We were watching from the side, worried to death that one slip-up would kill Yao! Don't believe me? Look at her!"

He pointed to a young girl—likely Ken Chang’s assistant—whose face was streaked with tears.

She was patting her chest, yet her words were sharp: "I was ready to call for mainland actors to stop the beating! The look on your face just now was so terrifying, it was like you were going to eat him!"