Duet Night Abyss story · Side stories
Spotlight
Journey Across the Lands
1 scenes, 279 lines
1. Assist with filming
279 linesWhat?! Miaoqu's still out? How many days has he had the trots? Ugh... How are we supposed to shoot all those Mistwharf scenes...
(This man seems troubled. Maybe he needs help.)
(Something here spells trouble. Best not to get involved.)
Hey, you, you've just got the look of a natural performer! Ever thought about trying out for a role?
We're putting on a show, well, a pretty new kind actually. It's called "Muovie". Interested?
Brilliant! Let me fill you in. We're shooting "Magistrate of Yingtian vs. Drifter 3: The Final Showdown", and we need to wrap all the Mistwharf scenes today.
But our lead's been bedridden for days, no chance he's making it to set. So, how about you stand in as the Magistrate? This is a new character anyway, so a fresh face is perfect.
But I've never acted before.
No worries! It's a simple scene, just the classic "righteous Magistrate defeats evil Drifter" story, the kind everyone in Huaxu knows.
The dialogue's light, no heavy lines. Just channel that heroic vibe, stand tall, look the part, and you're golden.
Hengsheng! We've got our fill-in lead, get over here and run lines. We shoot in an hour!
(A plainly-dressed man in the distance picks up a thick script, muttering to himself as he jogs over.)
Hey. Name's Hengsheng. Don't wonder, definitely not a Wishen. Here, your script.
(You take the script from Hengsheng. At a glance, it does seem straightforward. As long as nothing goes wrong...)
One hour later...
I am the Magistrate of Yingtian, ordained by heaven to purge this world of evil! How dare you rogue Drifters defy the law, surrender now!
Oh-ho-ho! Your Honour, so shrewd yet so blind! You've walked right into our trap. Do you recognize this?
This is... the Immortal-Binding Rope! You'd resort to such treachery?!
Heh. With this, it matters not if you're Bi'an or the Magistrate, even the exalted Lord Argent shall fall by my hand!
I would rather die where I stand than let scum like you dishonour the Sovereign!
Heheh... We'll see what's harder, the Magistrate's life, or my blade! My men...
Hah!
Great! Just like we rehearsed, first action scene of the day. Three, two, one, action!
Blast it... I'm spent!
Let's get him, lads!
Be gone, you villains!
He's still standing even bound by the Rope! Fall back, now!
You think you can escape?!
It's not over yet! Feel my... righteous poison needle!
(Wait, does the script actually say "righteous poison needle"?)
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
Your... your family for generations...
So what!
Wait, let me finish my line.
Whoops, my bad, got a bit carried away. Let's take it from the top.
Your... your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like...
So what!
Hey, what's wrong with you?
Ah, blast, sorry, sorry! Really got into the moment there. Again, from the top.
Do not speak your line, at all, until I finish: "Your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?" Understood?
Understood! Won't happen this time!
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
Your... your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?
So what!
What did we even get out of working for the Xuanheng Sect, huh? Barely any pay, breathing in incense ash all day, hardly any days off.
And we were always bound by the Nine Chapters, couldn't even kick a dog on the street! What if it had an owner? We'd be punished by Bi'an!
Wait a minute...
None of the credit, either, when things went well, it was "All praise to Lord Argent" When they went south, it was our fault! I'd rather be a Drifter, free as the wind! I! Am! A! Drifter...!
Stop! Is any of this in the script?!
According to the script, after "So what!", you're supposed to rush me. Then I fight through the pain and take all you Drifters down...
Director! This can't be right!
Cut! Cut!
Hengsheng, I know now, when Miaoqu was here, he kept you in check. Now that he's gone, you're just running wild, aren't you?
But Director, didn't you teach us that a good actor should always "find the character's spotlight"?
Great... I did say that.
See?
No, you're playing the villain! You're supposed to be cut down by the Magistrate in the next scene! What "spotlight" does a villain need?
Always a villain, I've been with your team for years, and you always stick me with the villains! Even with Miaoqu out, you'd rather give the Magistrate part to some stranger than let me have a go!
Just look at that smug face of yours! Who'd believe a Magistrate looks like that?
Why not? You also said a great actor should have "transformative acting skills". If you'd just let me suit up as a Magistrate, I'd play it just as well as Miaoqu! You just don't trust me.
You know what? I'm done for today! I'm out!
Hey, oi! Cool off! We're up against the clock today!
...What do you think? This isn't working. How about... we swap your roles?
If he wants the part that badly, let him have it.
Fine. But it'll cost you extra.
Done.
A few minutes later...
...
...
Are you sure you can pull off a villain? You still look more like one of those "Outer Peaks Swordsmen" from those banned romance novels..
Never mind. Let's see if Hengsheng's ready.
After all these years, it's finally my turn to be the hero! Ahahahaha!
Hey, look at me now, I'm a Magistrate! Cool, right? Swoosh, zing, Aiyah!
See, Director? What did I tell you? Don't I look every bit the Magistrate now?
Is this really going to work?... Ah, forget about it. Maybe he'll settle into the role once we start rolling... Alright everyone, positions! Let's shoot this!
Blast it... I'm out of strength!
Let's get him, lads!
Hmph, be gone! Hah, you villains!
He's still standing even bound by the Rope! Fall back, now!
Hah! You think you can escape?!
Take my poison needle!
A mere poison needle? I'll simply evade its sting!
Wait, that wasn't in the script.
Ee-hee-hee... What's a little needle to me? This blade in my hand, is drenched in deadly poison.
(He's improvising again!)
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
...
Your line!
What was it?
"Your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?"
What?! Miaoqu's still out? How many days has he had the trots? Ugh... How are we supposed to shoot all those Mistwharf scenes...
(This man seems troubled. Maybe he needs help.)
(Something here spells trouble. Best not to get involved.)
Hey, you, you've just got the look of a natural performer! Ever thought about trying out for a role?
We're putting on a show, well, a pretty new kind actually. It's called "Muovie". Interested?
Brilliant! Let me fill you in. We're shooting "Magistrate of Yingtian vs. Drifter 3: The Final Showdown", and we need to wrap all the Mistwharf scenes today.
But our lead's been bedridden for days, no chance he's making it to set. So, how about you stand in as the Magistrate? This is a new character anyway, so a fresh face is perfect.
But I've never acted before.
No worries! It's a simple scene, just the classic "righteous Magistrate defeats evil Drifter" story, the kind everyone in Huaxu knows.
The dialogue's light, no heavy lines. Just channel that heroic vibe, stand tall, look the part, and you're golden.
Hengsheng! We've got our fill-in lead, get over here and run lines. We shoot in an hour!
(A plainly-dressed man in the distance picks up a thick script, muttering to himself as he jogs over.)
Hey. Name's Hengsheng. Don't wonder, definitely not a Wishen. Here, your script.
(You take the script from Hengsheng. At a glance, it does seem straightforward. As long as nothing goes wrong...)
One hour later...
I am the Magistrate of Yingtian, ordained by heaven to purge this world of evil! How dare you rogue Drifters defy the law, surrender now!
Oh-ho-ho! Your Honour, so shrewd yet so blind! You've walked right into our trap. Do you recognize this?
This is... the Immortal-Binding Rope! You'd resort to such treachery?!
Heh. With this, it matters not if you're Bi'an or the Magistrate, even the exalted Lord Argent shall fall by my hand!
I would rather die where I stand than let scum like you dishonour the Sovereign!
Heheh... We'll see what's harder, the Magistrate's life, or my blade! My men...
Hah!
Great! Just like we rehearsed, first action scene of the day. Three, two, one, action!
Blast it... I'm spent!
Let's get him, lads!
Be gone, you villains!
He's still standing even bound by the Rope! Fall back, now!
You think you can escape?!
It's not over yet! Feel my... righteous poison needle!
(Wait, does the script actually say "righteous poison needle"?)
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
Your... your family for generations...
So what!
Wait, let me finish my line.
Whoops, my bad, got a bit carried away. Let's take it from the top.
Your... your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like...
So what!
Hey, what's wrong with you?
Ah, blast, sorry, sorry! Really got into the moment there. Again, from the top.
Do not speak your line, at all, until I finish: "Your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?" Understood?
Understood! Won't happen this time!
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
Your... your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?
So what!
What did we even get out of working for the Xuanheng Sect, huh? Barely any pay, breathing in incense ash all day, hardly any days off.
And we were always bound by the Nine Chapters, couldn't even kick a dog on the street! What if it had an owner? We'd be punished by Bi'an!
Wait a minute...
None of the credit, either, when things went well, it was "All praise to Lord Argent" When they went south, it was our fault! I'd rather be a Drifter, free as the wind! I! Am! A! Drifter...!
Stop! Is any of this in the script?!
According to the script, after "So what!", you're supposed to rush me. Then I fight through the pain and take all you Drifters down...
Director! This can't be right!
Cut! Cut!
Hengsheng, I know now, when Miaoqu was here, he kept you in check. Now that he's gone, you're just running wild, aren't you?
But Director, didn't you teach us that a good actor should always "find the character's spotlight"?
Great... I did say that.
See?
No, you're playing the villain! You're supposed to be cut down by the Magistrate in the next scene! What "spotlight" does a villain need?
Always a villain, I've been with your team for years, and you always stick me with the villains! Even with Miaoqu out, you'd rather give the Magistrate part to some stranger than let me have a go!
Just look at that smug face of yours! Who'd believe a Magistrate looks like that?
Why not? You also said a great actor should have "transformative acting skills". If you'd just let me suit up as a Magistrate, I'd play it just as well as Miaoqu! You just don't trust me.
You know what? I'm done for today! I'm out!
Hey, oi! Cool off! We're up against the clock today!
...What do you think? This isn't working. How about... we swap your roles?
If he wants the part that badly, let him have it.
Fine. But it'll cost you extra.
Done.
A few minutes later...
...
...
Are you sure you can pull off a villain? You still look more like one of those "Outer Peaks Swordsmen" from those banned romance novels..
Never mind. Let's see if Hengsheng's ready.
After all these years, it's finally my turn to be the hero! Ahahahaha!
Hey, look at me now, I'm a Magistrate! Cool, right? Swoosh, zing, Aiyah!
See, Director? What did I tell you? Don't I look every bit the Magistrate now?
Is this really going to work?... Ah, forget about it. Maybe he'll settle into the role once we start rolling... Alright everyone, positions! Let's shoot this!
Blast it... I'm out of strength!
Let's get him, lads!
Hmph, be gone! Hah, you villains!
He's still standing even bound by the Rope! Fall back, now!
Hah! You think you can escape?!
Take my poison needle!
A mere poison needle? I'll simply evade its sting!
Wait, that wasn't in the script.
Ee-hee-hee... What's a little needle to me? This blade in my hand, is drenched in deadly poison.
(He's improvising again!)
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
...
Your line!
What was it?
"Your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?"
What?! Miaoqu's still out? How many days has he had the trots? Ugh... How are we supposed to shoot all those Mistwharf scenes...
(This man seems troubled. Maybe he needs help.)
(Something here spells trouble. Best not to get involved.)
Hey, you, you've just got the look of a natural performer! Ever thought about trying out for a role?
We're putting on a show, well, a pretty new kind actually. It's called "Muovie". Interested?
Brilliant! Let me fill you in. We're shooting "Magistrate of Yingtian vs. Drifter 3: The Final Showdown", and we need to wrap all the Mistwharf scenes today.
But our lead's been bedridden for days, no chance he's making it to set. So, how about you stand in as the Magistrate? This is a new character anyway, so a fresh face is perfect.
But I've never acted before.
No worries! It's a simple scene, just the classic "righteous Magistrate defeats evil Drifter" story, the kind everyone in Huaxu knows.
The dialogue's light, no heavy lines. Just channel that heroic vibe, stand tall, look the part, and you're golden.
Hengsheng! We've got our fill-in lead, get over here and run lines. We shoot in an hour!
(A plainly-dressed man in the distance picks up a thick script, muttering to himself as he jogs over.)
Hey. Name's Hengsheng. Don't wonder, definitely not a Wishen. Here, your script.
(You take the script from Hengsheng. At a glance, it does seem straightforward. As long as nothing goes wrong...)
One hour later...
I am the Magistrate of Yingtian, ordained by heaven to purge this world of evil! How dare you rogue Drifters defy the law, surrender now!
Oh-ho-ho! Your Honour, so shrewd yet so blind! You've walked right into our trap. Do you recognize this?
This is... the Immortal-Binding Rope! You'd resort to such treachery?!
Heh. With this, it matters not if you're Bi'an or the Magistrate, even the exalted Lord Argent shall fall by my hand!
I would rather die where I stand than let scum like you dishonour the Sovereign!
Heheh... We'll see what's harder, the Magistrate's life, or my blade! My men...
Hah!
Great! Just like we rehearsed, first action scene of the day. Three, two, one, action!
Blast it... I'm spent!
Let's get him, lads!
Be gone, you villains!
He's still standing even bound by the Rope! Fall back, now!
You think you can escape?!
It's not over yet! Feel my... righteous poison needle!
(Wait, does the script actually say "righteous poison needle"?)
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
Your... your family for generations...
So what!
Wait, let me finish my line.
Whoops, my bad, got a bit carried away. Let's take it from the top.
Your... your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like...
So what!
Hey, what's wrong with you?
Ah, blast, sorry, sorry! Really got into the moment there. Again, from the top.
Do not speak your line, at all, until I finish: "Your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?" Understood?
Understood! Won't happen this time!
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
Your... your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?
So what!
What did we even get out of working for the Xuanheng Sect, huh? Barely any pay, breathing in incense ash all day, hardly any days off.
And we were always bound by the Nine Chapters, couldn't even kick a dog on the street! What if it had an owner? We'd be punished by Bi'an!
Wait a minute...
None of the credit, either, when things went well, it was "All praise to Lord Argent" When they went south, it was our fault! I'd rather be a Drifter, free as the wind! I! Am! A! Drifter...!
Stop! Is any of this in the script?!
According to the script, after "So what!", you're supposed to rush me. Then I fight through the pain and take all you Drifters down...
Director! This can't be right!
Cut! Cut!
Hengsheng, I know now, when Miaoqu was here, he kept you in check. Now that he's gone, you're just running wild, aren't you?
But Director, didn't you teach us that a good actor should always "find the character's spotlight"?
Great... I did say that.
See?
No, you're playing the villain! You're supposed to be cut down by the Magistrate in the next scene! What "spotlight" does a villain need?
Always a villain, I've been with your team for years, and you always stick me with the villains! Even with Miaoqu out, you'd rather give the Magistrate part to some stranger than let me have a go!
Just look at that smug face of yours! Who'd believe a Magistrate looks like that?
Why not? You also said a great actor should have "transformative acting skills". If you'd just let me suit up as a Magistrate, I'd play it just as well as Miaoqu! You just don't trust me.
You know what? I'm done for today! I'm out!
Hey, oi! Cool off! We're up against the clock today!
...What do you think? This isn't working. How about... we swap your roles?
If he wants the part that badly, let him have it.
Fine. But it'll cost you extra.
Done.
A few minutes later...
...
...
Are you sure you can pull off a villain? You still look more like one of those "Outer Peaks Swordsmen" from those banned romance novels..
Never mind. Let's see if Hengsheng's ready.
After all these years, it's finally my turn to be the hero! Ahahahaha!
Hey, look at me now, I'm a Magistrate! Cool, right? Swoosh, zing, Aiyah!
See, Director? What did I tell you? Don't I look every bit the Magistrate now?
Is this really going to work?... Ah, forget about it. Maybe he'll settle into the role once we start rolling... Alright everyone, positions! Let's shoot this!
Blast it... I'm out of strength!
Let's get him, lads!
Hmph, be gone! Hah, you villains!
He's still standing even bound by the Rope! Fall back, now!
Hah! You think you can escape?!
Take my poison needle!
A mere poison needle? I'll simply evade its sting!
Wait, that wasn't in the script.
Ee-hee-hee... What's a little needle to me? This blade in my hand, is drenched in deadly poison.
(He's improvising again!)
Heh. Your Honour, for all your prowess, you never stood a chance against a needle in the back.
...
Your line!
What was it?
"Your family for generations served as incense wardens of Xuanheng Sect, all loyal and honourable. How could they produce a scoundrel like you?"
Hey, who are you calling a scoundrel? Think about it, what did we even get out of working for the Xuanheng Sect, huh? Barely any pay, breathing in incense ash all day, hardly any days off.
And we were always bound by the Nine Chapters, couldn't even kick a dog on the street! What if it had an owner? We'd be punished by Bi'an!
Wait...
None of the credit, either, when things went well, it was "All praise to Lord Argent" When they went south, it was our fault!
Heheh... We'll see what's harder, the Magistrate's life, or my blade!
Brilliant! Smooth as silk, flawless from start to finish! Hengsheng, you were born to play the villain!
That's a wrap! We're done here! I'll just have to save the Mistwharf scenes in the editing room.
Here lass, your pay for today. You've earned it.
(And so, this utterly absurd farce finally came to a close. Hengsheng had gotten his wish, his moment in the spotlight… or so it seemed.)