Chapter 140: Renowned Far and Wide

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“The grand martial arts epic ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ is about to begin filming.” — Beijing Entertainment Herald.

“Zhang Weishen confirmed to direct ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes.’” — Xinlang Entertainment Channel.

“‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ becomes the first martial arts novel adapted into film and television in the Greater Six region; Zhang Weishen and Tan Zhang signed the contract in Beijing yesterday.” — Information Times.

“‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ debuts on screen, Zhang the Bearded revives martial arts drama.” — Chutian Metropolis Daily.

“The TV series adaptation of ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ is forthcoming, produced by Zhang the Bearded’s studio.” — Guangzhou Daily.

Pig Farming Network Image News: “Zhang Weishen is filming ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes.’ Which star are you most looking forward to seeing as Guo Jing and Huang Rong?” Below the headline were numerous photos of male and female celebrities, mostly born in the 70s, with a few newcomers from the 80s, including stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“Recently, the ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes,’ created by the post-80s rising martial arts writer Tan Zhang, which has sold nearly ten million copies domestically and overseas, has reached an adaptation agreement with Zhang the Bearded’s studio and will begin filming soon.”

The host of China Entertainment Report announced: “Now, let’s go live to the press conference.”

The scene switched to the news conference.

Zhang the Bearded was answering a reporter’s question: “I have a great interest in martial arts novels. A friend gave me a set of ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ just as the pandemic kept us indoors. I hid at home and read it from start to finish. From the very first reading, I knew I had to film it. It’s outstanding, in every way, it almost overturned everything I thought I knew about martial arts fiction.”

The scene then shifted to Tan Zhang, with a voiceover: “The ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes’ that left Zhang Weishen, the great producer, in awe was created by this young seventeen-year-old, Tan Zhang.”

A reporter asked: “What are your expectations for the TV adaptation of ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’?”

Tan Zhang replied casually: “I hope every character in the book truly comes alive in the series.”

“Do you have any favorite stars? If you were directing, who would you want to play Guo Jing and Huang Rong?”

“I don’t know. I’m not a fan of celebrities, so I don’t have clear preferences.”

A minute later, the scene returned to the host: “We will continue to follow updates on ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’... China Entertainment Report will return after the commercial break.”

Click.

Tan Zhang turned off the TV and began packing his belongings.

Tomorrow he would fly back to Hefei.

During this period, he had attended several banquets in Beijing.

Wang Zhushua, general manager of Huayi Brothers and a partner of Zhang the Bearded’s studio, was a major investor and naturally hosted a dinner for Tan Zhang. The Wang brothers, Zhushua and Zhushua, had founded Huayi Brothers Film Company, which had invested in numerous hit TV dramas and box-office films.

Networking over meals might open future collaboration opportunities.

After Wang’s banquet, two publishing house officials from Beijing forcibly dragged Tan Zhang to another meal, hoping to secure the rights to his works. Tan neither declined nor agreed outright, keeping his options open. Currently, his cooperation with Anhui Literature and Art Publishing House was smooth, but the future was uncertain.

More connections, more backup plans.

After the publishers’ banquet, it was Tan Zhang’s turn to host. He invited Li Xiangshu, the vice principal and head of the directing department at Beijing Film Academy. Li was a veteran fourth-generation director with few notable works, mainly focusing on teaching, later transitioning into administration.

When Tan expressed his desire to study directing at the academy, Li took it seriously and immediately offered Tan a place in the directing department during the upcoming art entrance exam.

This sort of arrangement occupied a gray area between legitimate and unofficial. Tan Zhang was one of the most prominent figures of the post-80s generation; although just a novelist, his works were wildly popular nationwide, giving him considerable influence. His willingness to study at Beijing Film Academy was mutually beneficial.

The academy needed to recruit high-caliber students, so Tan didn’t even have to offer a bribe.

Li Xiangshu’s promise to secure a directing slot for Tan dispelled his last worry, easing the sting of having missed university admission in his past life.

Though backdoor admissions were not honorable, Tan was a bit embarrassed but not overly so.

Currently, the directing department at Beijing Film Academy admitted students independently of the national college entrance exam. Many people from society could apply, meaning Tan could even skip academic subjects altogether, having passed all his high school exams and earned his diploma.

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In other words, Tan Zhang was officially admitted to Beijing Film Academy.

Everything was settled.

“Phew, going to university in Beijing. I definitely won’t get used to dorm life; I should buy a house. Houses in Beijing aren’t cheap. The academy is near Jimenqiao, inside the Second Ring Road—good houses there cost at least several million yuan. And next year, I’ll be eighteen!”

What can you do at eighteen?

Of course, get a driver’s license.

So Tan needed to buy a house and a car in Beijing.

“All the money I earned from ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ went with my parents into real estate investments. The money from ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes’ I’ll keep for myself—to live freely in Beijing. As an adult, I should have my own budget and gradually gain independence from my mother.” Before, Tan often did not insist when his views differed from his parents’, wanting to be a dutiful child.

Now that he was older, seeking independence was natural and his parents understood.

In no time, his luggage was packed.

He glanced at the corner of the hotel room to ensure nothing was left behind, then sighed in relief: “Copyrights signed, school arrangement done. This trip to Beijing is complete.”

He waved goodbye.

...

At the end of July, Tan returned to Hefei City.

He barely caught his breath before rushing to Huainan City. Now Tan understood the hustle of a celebrity. The entire July, since submitting ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes,’ he hadn’t had proper time to write. Sometimes when he wanted quiet to plan his next book, he was constantly interrupted by various matters.

Huainan was the birthplace of tofu. It was said that Liu An, the King of Huainan, was refining elixirs on Mount Bagong when, by accident, he discovered tofu. At the foot of Bagong Mountain grew many wild soybeans. Liu An was fond of Daoist alchemy, often experimenting with lime, cinnabar, herbs, and so forth.

The soybeans at the mountain foot were often crushed into soybean juice used in alchemy and medicine.

One day, a Daoist tried a new recipe, adding gypsum to the soybean juice, and unexpectedly made tofu. It tasted good, and tofu became a dish. Every year, Huainan hosted a tofu festival inviting many stars to perform.

Huainan was also a coal city.

The whole city prospered from coal mining, but the government knew coal reserves were finite and economic transformation was essential before the mines ran dry. With affluent residents, cultural and entertainment industries were heavily promoted. Though results were modest, they fostered a rich cultural atmosphere.

Stars often came for performances.

Author signings were frequent, too.

Tan Zhang’s signing event was hosted by the local Sanlian Bookstore.

Compared to the debut of ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes,’ Tan’s fame had grown immensely. The signing event was meticulously prepared.

Sanlian Bookstore arranged for readers to purchase the newly released ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes’ starting at 10 a.m., then queue by book and ticket numbers for autographs between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Before signing, at 4 p.m., a small new book talk would be held in the bookstore’s lobby.

That was the basic schedule.

Joining Tan for the book discussion was Wei Ya, a beautiful female host from Huainan TV.

On the way to the bookstore, Wei chatted with Tan in the backseat: “What should we focus on in the interview?”

“Talk more about this new book, ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes.’”

“Won’t you discuss your personal life at all?”

Tan thought a moment: “Less on private matters—I live simply, nothing much to share. Oh, and we can talk about the Four Great Constables and ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes.’ Have you read those?”

“I’ve read ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’...” Wei answered somewhat hesitantly. Obviously, she hadn’t read it thoroughly, likely just skimmed.

Tan didn’t point this out: “Let’s leave more time for interaction with readers later.”

Wei smiled: “Sounds good.”

In moments, the car arrived at Sanlian Bookstore. Li Yan, in the front passenger seat, got out to coordinate with the staff, while Tan stayed inside, lowering the window slightly to look out.

The crowd outside was livelier than he expected.

A large group had gathered, each holding a copy of the book with its pale yellow cover identical to Tan’s new book ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes.’

“Wow, these are all your fans,” Wei exclaimed.

Tan felt proud but kept a modest facade: “I was surprised myself; I didn’t expect so many people.”

Wei said, “This shows how popular you are now. Personally, I’m not a big fan of martial arts, but recently all I hear at work is talk about ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes.’ Several colleagues have been discussing it nonstop since morning, especially now that the TV adaptation is coming. They’re even more excited.”

Tan chuckled softly.

Shortly after, Li Yan returned with several people.

The bookstore owner greeted them: “Tan Zhang, Wei Ya, you can get out now. Come to the lobby; chairs are ready.”

Several middle-aged women wearing bookstore staff badges arrived, apparently hired to maintain order.

Once Tan and Wei stepped out, some readers at the entrance immediately noticed them.

“Wei Ya!”

“The Detective! The Detective is here!”

The nickname “Detective” was no longer just a student moniker for Tan but had become a beloved nickname among his fans. Tan Zhang and Detective were homophones.

Tan was secretly pleased when recognized and waved: “Hello, everyone.”

As readers confirmed his identity, they surged forward excitedly.

The order-keeping women quickly blocked the way, loudly commanding: “Make way! Let the author enter the bookstore first.”

The women were authoritative; no one dared to block the path. The bookstore owner led Tan and Wei inside to the designated seats.

The new book talk was about to begin. (To be continued.)

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