Dao Xuan Tianzun stood inside the Flower World Star Agency in Puzhou City, hands clasped behind his back, calmly surveying the bustling hall.
Beside him, Lao Nanfeng stood respectfully, posture impeccable—but his eyes, unfortunately, were as lively as ever.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun," Lao Nanfeng said with a grin, suddenly leaning in close and lowering his voice, "what brings you to this humble talent agency today?"
He leaned even closer, whispering conspiratorially, "Have you taken a liking to any of our actresses? If you wish, they can serve tea, fetch water, warm the bed—ah, all would be honored to do so."
Dao Xuan Tianzun shot him a sharp glance. "Hey. What nonsense are you spouting? Do I look like that kind of person?"
Lao Nanfeng froze, then immediately straightened. "Ah! Your servant misspoke. Of course Dao Xuan Tianzun is upright and pure, untouched by worldly desires."
Though… Lao Nanfeng thought to himself, Dao Xuan Tianzun isn't human. He's a god. Technically speaking, my words weren't exactly slander…
Dao Xuan Tianzun said calmly, "I'm here to select twelve actresses."
"…What?"
Lao Nanfeng's jaw dropped.
Twelve?!
My ambitions were far too small!
So it isn't one—it's twelve?!
He swallowed hard, eyes filled with awe. As expected of a Tianzun. A god's appetite… and stamina… truly beyond mortal comprehension.
Dao Xuan Tianzun took one look at Lao Nanfeng's expression and instantly knew the man had gone completely off the rails.
"Lao Nanfeng," he said flatly, "you're competent in everything except the fact that your mind is steeped in wine, women, wealth, and power."
Lao Nanfeng jolted as if struck by lightning. "Oh—oh! Your servant will reform immediately!"
Dao Xuan Tianzun sighed, then waved a hand. "Forget it. Those flaws are what make you human. Morally flawless sages only exist in dusty books."
With that, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out two illustrated volumes:
The Legend of Mu Guiying and Twelve Widows Conquer the West.
He handed them to Lao Nanfeng.
"Select twelve actresses. Find suitable supporting actors. Turn these stories into a movie."
"…A what?" Lao Nanfeng stared blankly.
"A movie," Dao Xuan Tianzun said patiently, "is a story told through moving images."
He smiled faintly. "Do you remember the celestial maiden dances I once showed you?"
"How could I forget?" Lao Nanfeng said excitedly. "Dao Xuan Tianzun stored them in the Immortal Realm, sealed within a divine mirror, and allowed your servant to watch them again and again!"
Sudden enlightenment struck him. "Ah! I understand! We stage the play, then Dao Xuan Tianzun records it with the divine mirror and shows it repeatedly to the people!"
"Exactly." Dao Xuan Tianzun nodded. "But traditional opera is too stylized—too fake. It lacks impact. What I want is realism."
He continued evenly, "Every expression, every movement, every battle must feel real. Only then will it truly move the people."
Lao Nanfeng's eyes sharpened. "This… is for the conscription issue."
Dao Xuan Tianzun patted his shoulder. "You catch on quickly."
In recent times, conscription had become a thorny problem throughout Gao Family Village's territories.
If the saying 'good iron is not used for nails, good men do not become soldiers' wasn't overturned soon, it would become a serious liability.
"Heroes like Mu Guiying must be portrayed by real people," Dao Xuan Tianzun said. "The Twelve Widows defending their homeland—this is the image soldiers should have."
Lao Nanfeng clasped his fists solemnly. "Your servant understands. Dao Xuan Tianzun, leave it to me."
"Prepare the cast. Rehearse properly," Dao Xuan Tianzun said. "When it's time, I will personally record it."
He added, "No operatic makeup. Faces should look like real frontier soldiers. No stage dances—fight like it's a battlefield. I want genuine emotion in every frame."
"Yes!" Lao Nanfeng replied firmly.
Dao Xuan Tianzun moved to a corner and sat down, watching without interfering.
Lao Nanfeng immediately burst into action.
Before long, he selected twelve actresses, scrutinizing each carefully. His favorite—Cai Lin—was naturally chosen to play Mu Guiying.
"Ladies," Lao Nanfeng announced, tossing the illustrated books onto the table, "this is your script. Memorize it thoroughly."
The actresses glanced at the books and burst into laughter.
"We already know these stories by heart!"
"But we don't know how to sing opera."
"Yes! Opera singing is completely different from what we learned in the pleasure houses."
Lao Nanfeng waved his hand. "You're not singing opera. You're acting. Real acting."
He continued, "For the next few days, you'll learn some martial arts and spear techniques."
"…Ah?!"
The actresses froze in shock.
Martial arts? Spears?
Cai Lin felt her scalp tingle. "Do… do we need to fight like Mu Guiying herself? I fear I cannot manage that."
Dao Xuan Tianzun chuckled from the side. "Relax. You only need to learn the movements. If it's too hard, we'll use stunt doubles."
Only then did the actresses notice Dao Xuan Tianzun sitting nearby.
Their expressions instantly turned reverent.
"This is Dao Xuan Tianzun's decree!"
Their fear vanished. Spirits soared.
They immediately began practicing.
At that moment, Chen Baihu walked in from outside.
Since Lao Nanfeng's promotion to Puzhou garrison commander, Chen Baihu had also risen to Chen Qianhu, holding an official rank.
But everyone knew—court titles meant nothing. Gao Family Village positions were what truly mattered.
Humming cheerfully, he entered. "Brother Nanfeng—"
He stopped dead.
On stage, Lao Nanfeng was demonstrating punches and kicks to a dozen actresses.
"This punch goes like this—hup!"
"Yah!" the actresses echoed softly.
Chen Qianhu sucked in a sharp breath.
"…Brother Nanfeng," he whispered, "have you… lost your mind? Why are you teaching women to fight?"
Lao Nanfeng's eyes lit up. He burst into laughter.
"Old Chen! Perfect timing! Hahaha! I have a glorious—and arduous—task for you."
Chen Qianhu's heart sank.
Lao Nanfeng beamed. "General Xiao Tianzuo of the Liao Kingdom…"
He patted Chen Qianhu's shoulder heavily.
"That role suits you perfectly."
"…Huh?"
"…What?!"