RED Chapter 90

This was the first time Chi Feiran was watching a film he had acted in, and his feelings of anticipation and nervousness were indescribable.

Although his character, Chu Bai, had briefly appeared in the trailers, those were just fleeting glimpses. He had no idea how his scenes had been edited or how the story would unfold.

As the lights dimmed around him, Rong Jin secretly held Chi Feiran’s hand under the armrest, providing comfort and sharing a private, unspoken message.

Chi Feiran didn’t turn to look at Rong Jin, but his heart calmed significantly.

“Heroic Bones” had been promoted with the tagline “A Long-Lost Martial Arts Dream,” emphasizing the story and cinematography over the flashy special effects that many blockbuster films relied on.

As the logos of the production and distribution companies flashed on the screen, the title “Heroic Bones” appeared in a font full of ancient charm, yet exuding boundless sharpness.

The film opened with a blood-stained sword striking through the air with immense force, as if it could cleave the heavens and earth.

However, this powerful attack was deftly avoided by a simple bend at the waist, with the swordsman narrowly dodging a lethal counterattack.

The world consists of both yin and yang, with one combatant displaying brute strength and the other, a graceful fluidity. Their ruthless exchange of blows was palpable, as if their killing intent had manifested physically.

The audience’s attention was immediately captured by the swift-paced duel, drawing them into the film.

Those knowledgeable in filmmaking could tell from the opening scene that this film truly embodied their long-lost “martial arts dream.” The continuous shot, without cuts, showcased the raw talent and seamless choreography.

The brilliance of the film extended beyond the fight scenes. The costumes, the set design, and the harmonious color palette all combined to create an ancient, majestic beauty.

It was as if they had been transported back to a time of flashing swords and heroic deeds, a feeling of hot-blooded passion that directly reflected the film’s success.

Chi Feiran, initially anxious about his performance, soon found himself engrossed in the unfolding story.

The intense duel ended with both sides momentarily retreating to catch their breath, but this was clearly just the beginning.

Yan Fenghui’s hair was disheveled from the fight, and a fresh wound marred her otherwise delicate, beautiful face. Her lips were pale from exhaustion, adding a touch of fragile beauty to her appearance.

This was the first close-up in the film, contrasting her ruthless nature with her delicate appearance.

Unfortunately, the man opposite her was unmoved by her beauty. Determined to kill her, his expression remained cold and deadly.

Chu Heng’s sword strikes were powerful and unyielding, and he was as fierce as an unsheathed blade.

He advanced step by step, forcing Yan Fenghui to retreat. It seemed that the battle would soon reach its conclusion.

But just as Chu Heng was about to launch another attack, an arrow whistled through the air, aimed straight at his back!

Chu Heng, determined to kill the demoness, was willing to take the arrow, but Yan Fenghui was no easy opponent. She matched him blow for blow, each intent on killing the other.

Chu Heng, attacked from both front and back, fell into a pool of blood, the arrow piercing through his chest, dripping blood.

Yan Fenghui, supported by someone, slowly pulled the sword from Chu Heng’s body. Though she was also injured, she was in much better shape than Chu Heng, who was on the brink of death.

Her voice, soft yet mocking, asked, “Chu Daxia, do you still believe someone will come to save you now?”

Chu Heng closed his eyes, awaiting his death.

Yan Fenghui continued, her voice now icy, “You once saved my life, albeit unintentionally. I will leave you with a breath, so you can see how your righteous allies will treat you, perhaps more cruelly than I.”

To her, the so-called righteous heroes were laughable, their words of morality hiding filthy intentions. She found more honor in the straightforward admission that the world was one of the strong devouring the weak.

Chu Heng was different, which was why he was foolish enough to end up in this predicament. He was going to die.

Yan Fenghui left the barely alive Chu Heng behind. His blood stood out starkly against the parched earth.

The audience’s nerves were on edge. Although they knew Rong Jin’s character, Chu Heng, was the protagonist and couldn’t die so early, the tension was palpable.

Chu Heng, dazed and losing blood rapidly, began to hear a young voice calling “Shixiong.”

The scene blurred and transitioned to a flashback.

His younger martial brother, propping his chin on his hand, reading a book, exclaimed, “Shixiong, look at this… it’s written so well!”

The story in the book was incredibly exciting, making them yearn to experience the real martial world rather than be confined to their sect.

This flashback provided a glimpse into Chu Heng’s past, his dreams, and his relationships, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

He wanted to wander the world with his sword, living a life of carefree vengeance and gratitude. That dream of the martial world was waiting for him…

Chi Feiran hadn’t expected Chu Bai’s first appearance to be under such circumstances. The relaxation and ease of that memory seemed to seep through the screen.

It was evident that Chu Heng was nostalgic. On the brink of life and death, he thought not of the martial world or the bloody feuds but of that initial moment.

Sadly, everything he had once cherished was lost to his heroic dream.

The story unfolded layer by layer, showing the audience how the young man, who once yearned for the martial world, became a revered hero.

He became the paragon of righteousness, bearing the glory and trust of many. It seemed that everything he had once dreamed of was within his grasp, but the youthful dream of the martial world had shattered.

Many sleepless nights, holding his sword, he returned to his sect, intending to let go. But what he saw was his junior brother’s grave at the farewell path.

Could he easily let go? The grudges and entanglements of the martial world could not be dismissed just because he wanted to. Betrayal and treachery followed.

Then, Chu Heng fell under Yan Fenghui’s sword.

The story’s ending was ambiguous. It was unclear whether Chu Heng ultimately died by Yan Fenghui’s hand or ended up drinking alone by his junior brother’s grave after resolving everything.

As the movie ended, the audience sat in prolonged silence, digesting the story.

Just as the film suggested, the martial world wouldn’t end with one person’s death. There would always be another Chu Heng.

The audience could choose the ending they preferred to believe.

About five minutes later, applause began to break out, growing louder. The premiere audience, which included not just fans but many critics and media professionals, provided the recognition that reassured the creators of “Heroic Bones.”

Director Jin couldn’t help but smile. Despite being a renowned director, the wuxia genre had been cold in recent years. Attracting box office purely with story and cinematography was harder than competing with commercial special effects films.

With 3D movies, you had to go to the cinema for the experience. But with a regular movie, where you watched it didn’t make much difference.

So, despite Jin Dao’s strong reputation and willingness to invest and spend, he had felt considerable pressure.

Now, he could finally relax, at least partially.

After the domestic premiere, the entire crew of “Heroic Bones” flew to Country A. The film was scheduled for almost simultaneous global release, a rare privilege for Chinese films in recent years. This meant the cast and crew were tirelessly promoting it.

Following the premiere, reviews of “Heroic Bones” began appearing online. Due to confidentiality agreements, these reviewers couldn’t reveal too many plot details, but the overwhelming positive feedback was evident. Some critics even used hyperbolic terms, calling it the revival of the martial arts dream, suggesting there might not be another film like it for another ten or twenty years.

Given how familiar people had become with promotional tactics, it was easy to distinguish between genuine praise and commercial hype. Experienced fans could tell if reviews were paid for or sincere.

This wave of enthusiastic recommendations shocked many onlookers. Could it really be that good?

They had to see it for themselves!

On July 7th, “Heroic Bones” was released nationwide.

The box office hit six billion on the first day, breaking the record for the highest opening day in Chinese cinema!