Realm-Hopping Martial Master

Jiang Shu pulled his foot back and stood firmly.

Yet he didn't know that, in Ye Zhenzhen's eyes, his every movement—whether still or in motion—could never have belonged to an ordinary senior high school boy, but instead to a ferocious tiger ready to pounce at any moment!

*How could a guy like him possibly be gay?*

*Ye Zhenzhen felt dazed; in this instant, she finally understood, with a jolt, why Director Zheng valued Jiang Shu so highly despite his lofty status.*

"From now on, if you're alone, don't go wandering into the mountains. You said yourself, even in the movie theater, that the world is about to change in a big way, so why are you paying less attention to your own safety when it comes to yourself?"

"How did you know? Wait—aren't you that woman's son who was standing next to her?"

Ye Zhenzhen stared intently at Jiang Shu's profile before she finally remembered. Her eyes widened, and she let out a startled cry.

Back in the theater, it had been so dark, plus she was wearing sunglasses—she hadn't really paid Jiang Shu any attention.

*Thinking about it now, Jiang Shu, who'd been training in martial arts for six months and who knew Director Zheng, probably knew a lot more secrets than she did.*

*What I said in front of that lady…*

All at once, Ye Zhenzhen's face flushed a little red.

*She had the same kind of embarrassment you'd get when an average student tries to teach a slacker in front of a genius.*

"Voice and build—they don't lie," Jiang Shu said, his gaze focused in the distance, offering a rare explanation.

From halfway up the mountain, he looked down at a corner of Ji City—cars flowing like water, people moving like ants, and said, "I don't know what you're thinking. I just know that if the world really does change, the only person you can trust is yourself."

"Maybe right now, you think entry-level horse stance training is just a prerequisite for shooting a martial arts promo. But as long as you stay at entry-level, you'll never truly experience Martial Arts. Only when you achieve small success with horse stance, and sense your own vital energy, will you understand how captivating Martial Arts really are."

"If today you had power at your command, what would there be to fear from one tiny viper?"

"Let's go back."

"Mm…"

Ye Zhenzhen lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.

*The moment Jiang Shu spoke, she was transported back to her elementary school classroom.*

*She was simply another student at the desk.*

*And Jiang Shu, he was the high-and-mighty teacher at the front of the class.*

*The image of Jiang Shu smashing out a punch and stomping down with his foot left a deep impression on her mind—one that wouldn't soon fade.*

"Shhh, shhh, shhh."

Jiang Shu stepped on the fallen leaves, slowly making his way down the mountain.

Ye Zhenzhen hurried after him, her face no longer as brash and carefree as it had been on the way up.

...

Over the next few days, Ye Zhenzhen—unusually—stopped slacking off. With her natural talent, she managed to master entry-level horse stance in about ten days.

The Martial Arts promo officially began filming.

She'd been holding back for ten days.

Finally, she was in her element!

"Jiang Shu, that's right, that's the angle, don't move, just act natural. Just be yourself, all right? Why is it that every time the camera's on you, your face goes stiff? How is the cameraman supposed to shoot you like this?"

"Just standing still in horse stance is too boring—can you do any forms? Show me a set, do something cool, maybe we can edit it in later."

"Honestly, Jiang Shu, why don't you buzz your hair? A buzzcut is the ultimate test of a good-looking guy! Trust my judgment, I've been in the entertainment industry forever and never made a mistake! If you buzz it, you'll have that stoic, irresistible handsomeness—girls will go crazy for you!"

"Right now your hair is all over the place—neither long nor short! If it was a bit longer, you could pull off ancient style. Put on a mask, then snatch it off—perfection! I'm telling you, you get martial arts, but I'm in charge of promos. Everything, from horse stance to forms, is all about showing off!"

"Looking good is what draws people in. Trust me, if you want to grow your hair, wait till next time. Buzzcut—unbeatable!"

Ye Zhenzhen bounced around Jiang Shu as he maintained his horse stance, chattering like a machine gun, quickly rattling off critiques: "My taste is never wrong. Just ask my team if you don't believe me!"

She pointed.

A few meters away,

the make-up artist, the lighting tech, and the cameraman all stood at a distance, nodding like crazy.

But none of them dared speak up.

They didn't dare ask anything, either.

The whole operation was left to Ye Zhenzhen's creative direction.

*After all, their paychecks came from this little boss right here.*

"I won't cut my hair. Or, how about this—I'll wear a wig and try out the ancient look?" Even Jiang Shu was getting a headache. If he hadn't already promised Director Zheng, there's no way he'd put up with this hassle of filming a promo.

*With this time, I'd rather grind my skills a bit more.*

*Wouldn't it be better to level up?*

"Are you sure you really can't cut it? Buzzcuts are so good-looking."

"No."

Jiang Shu's tone was plain and direct.

He had spent half a year letting his hair grow just to finally get it down to his neck.

If he cut it all now, maybe the martial arts promo would look awesome,

but in the Da Jing Dynasty, what would he do?

*Couldn't wear a wig all the time, could I?*

"Fine, then give it a try!"

Disappointment crossed Ye Zhenzhen's face. She sighed, helpless, and waved her hand. The make-up artist hurried over to escort Jiang Shu to a makeshift tent for wardrobe and makeup.

"Can you rent a little boat? Let's shoot by the lake. Here's my idea—I'll take one of the boats out to the middle of the lake. A cameraman will follow me in another, and someone else will shoot from the shore."

Soon, Jiang Shu emerged from the tent wearing a long robe.

He decided to shoot the martial arts promo his own way.

*If they kept dragging it out like this, half a month would pass and they'd still get nothing done.*

*By then, college entrance exams would be starting.*

"What are we filming?"

"Don't worry about it, just do your job."

"Oh."

Ye Zhenzhen made a call, and half an hour later, everything was ready.

Jiang Shu sat in the boat, rowing by himself to the center of the lake.

The small boat rocked gently over the water.

But he didn't seem to mind at all. He stood up and rooted himself in horse stance.

The sunlight shone straight onto his striking face. Jiang Shu turned his head slightly, letting the breeze blow his long hair.

Boat on the lake. Man on the boat.

In this moment, both harmony and perfection—like something straight out of a painting.

On another little boat, the cameraman crouched down, shooting a wide view.

Through his lens, Jiang Shu and the boat drifted with the current, slowly floating toward the shore.

"The water ripples, yet on this shifty boat, he still keeps his horse stance steady. That shows his level with horse stance but also his harmony with nature—gives off that Unity of Heaven and Man vibe."

"Tsk, I can't believe that blockhead thought of a shot like this. Too bad, it's still a little boring. Maybe with some soothing music, people might get lost in it for a few seconds. But that's it—everyone's so restless nowadays, without a highlight, who's gonna watch?"

"If we were closer, it'd be fine, we could get a close up and he could get by on his looks. But with him so far out there, no way the cameraman can get a clear shot of his face."

"It's a great location, but we'll probably only get a few seconds of usable footage. Still, better than nothing."

On the shore, Ye Zhenzhen watched as the boat drifted from the center of the lake.

She murmured quietly under her breath.

However, just as she finished speaking,

Jiang Shu suddenly let out a long howl from the boat.

She looked up.

She saw Jiang Shu, who'd been in horse stance on the boat all along, suddenly kick the bow.

The little boat shot forward, splashing water everywhere.

Jiang Shu leapt off the boat.

He landed with one foot right on the water.

With more than ten meters still between him and the shore,

he rushed toward Ye Zhenzhen and the others,

charging across the water like a galloping horse!