Chapter 814: Explosive! The Great Demon King’s Absolute Strength (1)

As the only female general in the history of the Great Xia Empire to lead an expedition, JIANG Zhaoyue was a historical figure difficult to portray.

For the past few days, Si Fuqing had been studying history books late into the night. Sang Yanqing watched with concern, wanting to persuade her not to exhaust herself so much.

How could she possibly understand how to perform the role after just one day?

Could she have dreamed it?

That would be quite something.

“I said I need to audition now,” Si Fuqing said as she dressed. “I know how to play the role, Sister Sang, trust me.”

“If I don’t trust you, who can I trust?” Sang Yanqing laughed. “Of course, I believe you. I’ll contact Director Lu right away and have him prepare.”

For Si Fuqing to say this meant she must have grasped the essence of JIANG Zhaoyue’s character.

Sang Yanqing felt deeply relieved.

Actors with such dedication were rare.

“Yes, but I need someone to help me,” Si Fuqing said, washing her face. “I need someone to play Lady JIANG. It can’t be anyone less than an award-winning actress who can match my performance.”

Sang Yanqing was speechless.

Listen to this. Is that even something one should say?

Sang Yanqing felt numb. “Director Lu has considered several people for the role of Lady JIANG , but none are award-winning actresses.”

No well-known actors dared take on this drama.

“I see, but the role of Lady JIANG is crucial,” Si Fuqing pondered. “I’ll ask Mom Tao.”

Having played mother and daughter with Tao Yunxi in “Seeking the Lost,” they had developed a close relationship, and that’s how she addressed her.

“Tao Yunxi?” Sang Yanqing hesitated. “She might not agree, after all…”

Before she could finish, Si Fuqing’s voice came through the phone, “Mom Tao agreed. I’ll bring her to the studio, and we can go to the audition together.”

Sang Yanqing was stunned.

Indeed it has to be you, Si Fuqing.

Her worries were unfounded.

Si Fuqing quickly packed up and rushed out of the house.

When she arrived at the studio, Tao Yunxi was just arriving.

“Mom Tao,” Si Fuqing approached her. “This is the drama I told you about, ‘The Nation’s Heroine.’ I want you to play the role of Lady JIANG.”

“Yes, I know,” Tao Yunxi nodded. “That’s why I’m here.”

“Mom Tao,” Si Fuqing said seriously, “this drama is a risky endeavor for actors. You need to think it over carefully.”

“Then let it be risky,” Tao Yunxi smiled faintly. “I’ve been seeking a breakthrough for years. If you hadn’t approached me, I would have sought roles beyond my comfort zone.”

Historically, Lady JIANG did not even leave her full name behind.

She was only referred to as Lady JIANG.

But Lady JIANG had a profound influence on JIANG Haiping, JIANGXuanjin, the nine brothers, and JIANG Zhaoyue.

Though she never went to the battlefield, she was the steadfast support for the JIANG family.

“Alright, with Mom Tao’s words, I’m reassured,” Si Fuqing said with a raised eyebrow. “Rest assured, we will create a truly historic drama.”

She pulled out several documents from her bag, filled with plot details and character analyses, and handed them to Tao Yunxi.

Tao Yunxi glanced at the documents, growing more astonished as she read. “Did you write all this yourself? Impressive.”

“Yes,” Si Fuqing nodded. “To bring a character to life, you need to know everything about them. Trust me, you playing Madam JIANG this way will be perfect.”

Tao Yunxi read carefully, and after finishing, she exhaled slowly.

She grasped Si Fuqing’s hand, her expression solemn. “Qingqing, I believe now that ‘The Nation’s Heroine’ can become a milestone in the Great Xia film industry. You are a true actress.”

She felt honored to play the role of Lady JIANG.

“Mom Tao, don’t praise me too much, or I’ll get a big head,” Si Fuqing said, blinking. “It’s getting late. Let’s go.”

**

Over at the set of “The Nation’s Heroine.”

Upon hearing that Si Fuqing was ready to audition, Director Lu and the screenwriter were quite nervous, their palms sweaty.

The script for “The Nation’s Heroine” had been in the works for many years. The director and screenwriter had considered abandoning it, but they were reluctant to let go.

Hiring Si Fuqing was a last-ditch effort by the production team.

Initially, Director Lu feared Si Fuqing might decline, as many award-winning actresses had turned down the script.

But Si Fuqing accepted.

This made Director Lu overjoyed.

But along with the joy came anxiety and fear. The role of JIANG Zhaoyue was extremely challenging.

The phrase “women can hold up half the sky” fell short in describing JIANG Zhaoyue’s achievements.

Many men couldn’t match her.

Director Lu had seen Si Fuqing’s performance as Sui Yan, which convinced him she could attempt the role of the female general.

If this ruined Si Fuqing’s career, he would be a sinner.

“How much longer until Teacher Si arrives?” Director Lu checked the time. “Is there a problem?”

“No, no,” Sang Yanqing came to her senses. “She’s bringing Teacher Tao Yunxi along.”

Director Lu was stunned. “?!”

The screenwriter was also shocked. “She casually roped in an award-winning actress?”

Sang Yanqing thought for a moment. “Perhaps more.”

From what she knew, Mo Yishan was also roped in by her artist.

Maybe Yuan Heping wouldn’t be spared either.

Director Lu: “…”

Screenwriter: “…”

Sang Yanqing sighed.

Looks like another production team would join the ranks of those having their hearts exploded.

Ten minutes later, Si Fuqing finally arrived with Tao Yunxi.

Director Lu hurried to greet them, “Teacher Si, Teacher Tao, pleasure to meet you. Which role is Teacher Tao playing?”

Tao Yunxi smiled. “This child calls me Mom. I’ll be playing her mother again.”

Director Lu understood.

So it was Lady JIANG.

With Tao Yunxi playing Lady JIANG, her role would need to be expanded.

“Director Lu, I’m ready,” Si Fuqing said. “Shall we begin?”

Director Lu sat back down and called out, “Action.”

At that moment, he noticed Si Fuqing’s expression had changed.

No longer the ambitious top star, she had transformed into an eighteen-year-old young general.

In that moment, it wasn’t her face, known as “divine beauty,” that drew attention, but her entire aura.

The JIANG family was a lineage of generals. JIANG Zhaoyue had grown up in this environment, and by the age of eighteen, she had already mastered martial arts that surpassed even the men around her.

At this moment, Director Lu suddenly felt as if he were witnessing the historical JIANG Zhaoyue—loyal to the emperor, patriotic, brave, and intelligent.

His expression grew serious, his throat tightening as he focused intently on Si Fuqing’s performance.

Today, Si Fuqing was auditioning for the scene set three years after Emperor Yin’s death. The border was once again in crisis, and JIANG Zhaoyue had volunteered to lead the troops. Lady JIANG, with only one daughter left, knelt to stop her.

After all, JIANG Haiping’s line had dwindled to just JIANG Zhaoyue.

The prophecy left by JI Chunyuan years ago still terrified Lady JIANG.

The prophecy stated that the JIANG family would all die on the battlefield.

It was fate, unavoidable.

Lady JIANG initially did not believe it, but after JIANG Haiping’s death and the subsequent deaths of JIANG Xuanjin and the nine brothers seven years later, her fear became unprecedented.

The plot was simple, but portraying it was incredibly difficult.

Historical records only briefly mentioned how JIANG Zhaoyue convinced Lady JIANG. Many later historians fabricated dialogues between them, but these were not convincing and were criticized by history enthusiasts.

Tao Yunxi, true to her reputation as an award-winning actress, quickly immersed herself in the role.

She clung tightly to Si Fuqing, who played JIANG Zhaoyue, refusing to let her leave. Her eyes were red, but tears never fell. “Zhaoyue, I only have you left.”

Behind them stood the ancestral hall of the JIANG family.

The memorial tablets of JIANG Haiping and JIANG Xuanjin were prominently displayed.

“Raised by my father, indebted to the nation,” Si Fuqing turned and knelt, bowing slowly to Lady JIANG, her voice firm and deliberate. “Now that my father and brothers are gone, and His Majesty rests in peace, if I do not go, who will guard the frontier?”

“If I do not go, the people of Yanmen will suffer once more. If I do not go, how can I face the JIANG family army who died in battle?!”

She bowed again, her words resolute. “I must go, to honor the pride of my father and brothers.”

Lady JIANG was stunned.

The eighteen-year-old girl knelt on the ground, her back straight.

This kneel was not for the heavens or the gods.

She knelt for the loyal souls of the JIANG family and the unyielding spirit of Great Xia.

The JIANG family guarded the nation’s borders, and she was a JIANG.

Lady JIANG covered her mouth, finally breaking into tears, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably, unable to utter a word.

Jiang Zhaoyue, however, smiled and clasped her fists. “Please, mother, allow me.”

JIANG Zhaoyue went to battle, not expecting to return.

She knew fate was unavoidable, yet she marched forward without hesitation.

This was JIANG Zhaoyue, the woman who stood above all men.

Director Lu’s hands trembled violently. He slammed his hand on the table, staring intently at Tao Yunxi, who was still deep in her role, and Si Fuqing, who helped her stand. His mind was ablaze with excitement, almost ready to explode.

He couldn’t wait to tell everyone—The Nation’s Heroine, JIANG Zhaoyue, was alive!