Returning to the 82 Mountain Village: An Encounter with the Journey to the West Film Crew at the Beg

As noon approached, the interview team had gathered enough material, and reporter Wang and his group prepared to take their leave.

Before leaving, he shook hands with Director Yang, Director Li, and others to say goodbye.

When Wang walked up to Director Yang, he seemed to remember something and said, "Comrade Yang Jie, last night you mentioned an old friend, and I thought about it carefully afterward."

Is the person you're talking about surnamed Zhao? The tall, loud-voiced one who's decisive and efficient?

Yang Jie's eyes lit up: "Yes! It's him, Zhao Haishan! Reporter Wang, do you know him?"

"We're not exactly close, but we met a few times during an interview years ago, and I have a strong impression of them," reporter Wang nodded.

"He did later participate in the establishment of the 1st Marine Brigade, and is now a key member there, in charge of training, and doing a great job."

When I went to interview him, I also watched him lead the team in training; that fierce spirit of his hadn't changed at all.

"It really is him!" Director Yang's face showed heartfelt relief and nostalgia.

"Good, good! I'm not surprised at all that he can do well in the new unit."

Back when we worked together on promotional projects, he was the most enterprising and had the most ideas. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye…

Reporter Wang remarked, "Yes, time flies."

Your generation, and Commander Zhao's generation, were the ones who shouldered the responsibilities when the new China needed them most.

Now you are tackling tough challenges on the cultural front, while they are forging ahead on the national defense front; both are contributing to the country.

He paused, then said, half-jokingly and half-seriously:

"Who knows, maybe one day, after your 'Journey to the West' crew finishes filming, you can go and give them a performance to show your appreciation. Your crew has quite the 'fighting spirit'."

Yang Jie laughed heartily upon hearing this.

"That would be wonderful! If that day ever comes, we'll definitely go! We'll put on a 'Havoc in Heaven' performance for our heroic troops!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, their laughter filled with nostalgia for the past, respect for each other's careers, and beautiful dreams for the future.

Reporter Wang patted Zhou Fangyuan on the shoulder one last time, without saying anything more, but the encouragement and expectation in his eyes were clear enough.

The interview team's jeep drove away from Qingcheng Mountain, but some things remained in this mountain valley and in the hearts of many members of the crew.

After seeing off the interview team, the crew returned to the intense filming schedule.

Looking at the bustling scene that had returned to normal, Zhou Fangyuan felt a clearer mind than ever before.

He realized that his feelings yesterday were not a figment of his imagination; his group was indeed engaged in a special "battle."

He himself not only participated in it, but his future path also seemed to be illuminated further by the turmoil of last night and this morning.

After the interview team left, the atmosphere on set underwent a subtle but positive change.

Zhou Fangyuan could sense that the way people looked at him now held a more formal level of recognition and envy.

Li Hongchang revealed a look of appreciative glint in his eyes and patted him on the shoulder:

"Keep a good job, this time it's 'on record'."

Guan Yunjie smiled at him, a smile of approval for a "fellow traveler".

Zhou Fangyuan knew that this "opportunity" did not bring any immediate job or money.

But it brings something more valuable: visible credentials and a clean reputation.

A seedling, after being fully exposed to sunlight, will have a different growth path.

The filming progressed to the segment where "Sun Wukong, after knocking down the ginseng fruit tree, was at a loss and returned to Lingtai Fangcun Mountain to seek an audience with Patriarch Bodhi."

This part of the plot was not in the original work; it was a stroke of genius added by the production team.

This scene is emotionally complex: Wukong is filled with fear and guilt after committing a terrible crime, yet he also harbors a sliver of humble hope that his master is omnipotent.

The patriarch had foreseen this, and his heart must have been filled with disappointment, understanding, a sigh for his unruly disciple who had ultimately caused trouble, and a resolute desire to transcend worldly ties.

Guan Yunjie and Zhang Jinlai were already in place at the scene.

The atmosphere inside the cave was somber, a stark contrast to the peaceful scene when Wukong had come to become a disciple with great joy.

Sun Wukong knelt beneath the altar, not daring to raise his head, his voice trembling:

"Master...this disciple...this disciple has committed a terrible crime! I beg you, Master, have mercy and save me! And please save that ginseng fruit tree of Zhenyuan Daxian!"

Bodhi Patriarch sat with his eyes closed for a moment before slowly opening them. His gaze was deep and calm as he looked at the terrified monkey below the stage.

According to the script, he should say at this moment: "You monkey, you have caused such a huge disaster. Zhen Yuanzi is the ancestor of earth immortals, so I will give him some leeway."

"Go now, someone will come to your rescue."

After the lines were read, Director Yang frowned slightly behind the monitor.

Guan Yunjie himself felt that there was still something left to say, so he raised his hand to indicate: "Director Yang, please wait a moment."

I feel that the patriarch's words... lack a certain something.

Zhang Jinlai also raised his head, wiped the fine sweat from his face as he tried to appear terrified, and echoed:

"Yes, Director Yang, I'm kneeling here, feeling scared, ashamed, and still holding onto a glimmer of hope, but Master's words... were too bland."

It's as if they knew I'd come all along, and they were already planning to ignore me. That doesn't quite match the agonizing emotions I'm feeling here.

The scene quieted down.

Screenwriter Dai Yinglu was also present. He adjusted his glasses and fell into thought.

This line was indeed meant to highlight the patriarch's transcendence and to advance the plot by having Wukong go to find Guanyin.

However, at the most intense moments of emotional clashes between the characters, it appears too "functional," weakening the dramatic tension.

Yang Jie looked at Elder Dai: "Teacher Dai, what do you think? Shouldn't we add a bit of 'humanity' to the ancestor, even if it's a disappointing kind of 'humanity'?"

Teacher Dai nodded: "That makes sense."

But what to add? Adding too much would diminish the transcendent status of the patriarch; adding too little would be ineffective.

Everyone fell into deep thought.

At that moment, a voice came softly from among the onlookers, tinged with tentative caution:

"Director Yang, Teacher Dai, Teacher Guan... I have a preliminary idea."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhou Fangyuan.

He was still holding something he was about to hand to the props team, clearly engrossed in watching the show.

Director Yang nodded to him: "Fang Yuan, what do you say?"

Zhou Fangyuan stepped forward, bowed slightly to the teachers, and then began to speak, his words slow and deliberate as he thought.

"I think that at this moment, the patriarch was not merely 'detached from worldly affairs'."

Wukong was a disciple he personally taught, like... like a piece of rough jade that he had carved himself.

Although he knew the man's mind was not yet settled, the patriarch must have felt, besides the knowing realization that "it was just as he thought," a deeper sense of regret for the irreparable disaster he had caused.

"Regret?" Guan Yunjie's eyes flickered, as if he were deep in thought.

"right."

Feeling encouraged by the gazes from all directions, Zhou Fangyuan continued speaking:

"It's a pity that this rough gem has been damaged by its own actions, and it's a pity that the bond between master and disciple has to end in this way."

Moreover, the Patriarch knew that Wukong himself had to bear the consequences of this matter, and that seeking help from Guanyin was the only way for him to find redemption…