Love letters are not allowed in the exorcism notebook!-Chapter 947 - 14 If Writing Our Story

Yan Yu’an never came at all.

The Nantong District Special Service Department is occasionally particularly busy, and the customs in Tianmen City... that’s basically year-round non-stop work.

He never has time to come out and watch a movie.

This leaves Wang Yunxiao and Han Bin feeling like they’ve missed out on some gossip today, leaving a subtle sense of regret.

When the venue was almost filled, the doors were closed and the lights adjusted, a middle-aged man in a gray tight-fitting high-collar overcoat stepped onto the stage and picked up the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. This year, it was my personal intention to invite you all to come here, interrupting your leisure time, so please forgive me. First, let me introduce myself: I am Xiao Tingyun, currently the director and producer of the film ’Dingjun Mountain.’

Current status? What did he do before?

You have an idea, and you gather all the backbone members of the Special Service Bureau here to watch a movie?

Wang Yunxiao felt all sorts of questions rising in his mind.

"The public release period for ’Dingjun Mountain’ is quite long, and you don’t need to join the crowd now. If you’re interested, you can come and watch it later. Today, I’ve invited you here to enjoy another movie I’ve filmed. This movie is simple in content, but some parts are not suitable for public viewing outside."

Xiao Tingyun briefly introduced, "The film is 35 minutes long. I know everyone might be confused right now, but please be patient. We’ll exchange opinions after watching the movie."

With that, he turned and left the stage, and the lights in the small theater gradually dimmed.

Don’t expect any sound or visual effects from films of this era; it’s already a feat just to have made them.

Wang Yunxiao glanced at the beginning and immediately knew why this film couldn’t be publicly screened.

Because the people in the film had braided pigtails.

This was a documentary-style film, recording the era at the end of the century familiar to Wang Yunxiao, featuring a simple and honest-looking young man who gained significant fame and status in the Federation through his mastery of Eastern Magic.

However, as his fame spread, local imitators started to appear, trying to ride on his coattails. A Foreigner, imitating his style, braided his hair and claimed to be the true Eastern Magician, performing publicly and touring everywhere.

He even sent him a provocative challenge letter.

He agreed to go but was summoned by the embassy of the Imperial Court while preparing props.

The man wearing an official hat told him not to participate in this competition.

Personal honor is insignificant; national honor is paramount. Even if you win, at most you only gain some minor fame for yourself, but the Foreigner’s dignity will be compromised.

When the Foreigner’s dignity is compromised, they’ll naturally seek compensation elsewhere. Many efforts and much silver coin may be required at the negotiation table.

Thus, instead of striving for victory, it would be better to... endure for the nation.

Wang Ying, biting on the kitchen candy, couldn’t help but turn and whisper to Han Bin, "Which country is this Foreigner from? Which Imperial Court official?"

"Are they tired of living?"

Han Bin gestured dismissively, "Movies are all fake. Don’t talk."

The scene changed, several decades later.

The now not-so-young Eastern Magician, with his son, returned to his homeland.

On the surging riverbank, he set up a camera, aiming the lens at the soldiers in neat rows who had already cut their pigtails and were shouting revolutionary slogans.

His voice, old yet tinged with excitement, resonated from the stage.

"Your father learned this craft from his master, neither literary nor martial prowess, only enough to fill your stomachs; it was utterly useless for the nation. These past years, I’ve tasted the coldness and bitterness overseas, longing, longing until finally this day has come."

"Dad, will their revolution succeed?"

"I don’t know either; it’s hard to say... But no matter how difficult, someone has to do them. Some will shoulder guns, some will read books. What we, father and son, must do is record today with the camera."

As the lens gradually pulls away, the movie reaches its conclusion.

Only a series of photographs remain, compiled into an album, with a note written beside them.

"October 12th, Revolutionary Army recaptured Han River."

The movie ended, the lights brightened once again, and the venue fell silent.

No one spoke.

Xiao Tingyun stepped onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and said: "What was played earlier was a personal biography I filmed for my master; the quality is limited, please pardon its shortcomings."

"Indeed, some of you may have already guessed; this isn’t a story from our side. My master was merely an ordinary person, without any special skills beyond the family-taught magic tricks. As an ordinary person, he did not participate in that competition and subsequently withdrew into anonymity, no longer performing magic. However, he didn’t give up."

"He chose actively to research new technologies considered magical to local people then, namely camera technology, and upon returning home, he invested a considerable family fortune to establish the country’s first imaging company."

"He used the company’s profits to support the Revolutionaries struggling overseas at the time. Although the money wasn’t much, it was at least doing what he could."

"Finally, these precious photographs were left behind."

"This is the story of an ordinary person."

"Those of you present may not quite understand the reason behind playing this film, so I’ll just say it straight."

At this point, Xiao Tingyun sharply shifted his tone.

"Many of you still only have a superficial understanding of the Twelve Dharma Gate System. Certainly, it’s not your fault, given the constant internal and external troubles before. The compilation and revision of the Twelve Dharma Gate System have always been ongoing. Even if you’re cultivating the same Dharma Gate, you might receive different study materials."

"Today, I’ll provide you with the answer to this question."

"When everything in the world has withered, and all returns to nothingness. Suppose your life is a book, and now the book is empty, with only blank pages inviting your penmanship anew, where do you begin writing?"

"First, know who I am?"

"Country, nation, civilization, belief—these all define ’me.’"

"Scholar, Ranger, Uncivilized People."

"By reading, one learns courtesy; courtesy distinguishes us from beasts."

"A Ranger exists for righteousness; benevolence and justice are our beliefs."

"Uncivilized People represent resistance; the power to combat and oppose heaven and earth."

"Chess Herald, Advisor, Garrison Soldiers."

"Playing chess cultivates a comprehensive perspective, a strategic vision."

"Talent and skill are the colors of civilization, the cultural foundation of a nation."

"Martial arts bring peace, waging war without battle as the country’s basic guarantee."

"Geomancy, Craftsman, Specter."

"Exploring nature and geography arises from our survival and development needs."

"The spirit of inquisitiveness is a test of curiosity and willpower."

"The order of Yin and Yang is reminiscing and reverence for ancestors."

"Demon, Priest, Witch Doctor."

"Obsession in one’s mind is not evil but inherent human nature."

"Great matters of the nation lie in military and sacrifice, enlightening the people, thus achieving universal peace."

"Mankind dwells between heaven and earth, understanding heavenly destiny and adhering to heaven’s will, yet only my destiny isn’t dictated by heaven!"

"If a book should record our stories, these twelve sentences would provide a complete answer."

Smiling broadly, Xiao Tingyun looked at the young men below the stage.

"Now, to formally introduce myself, aside from being a film director, I have another identity, which is the principal of the Penglai Immortal Academy."