As Monica was about to be executed at the feet of the empress, Barrett Walker, fueled by an unknown surge of strength, charged fiercely at the empress, like a feeble insect challenging a mighty tree. However, the empress remained unmoved and swiftly struck down with her sword, only for Monica to effortlessly evade the blow, proving herself to be anything but the delicate figure Walker had imagined.
"Colonel!" Barrett Walker gazed at Monica's graceful figure, feeling nothing but sorrow. She was truly a formidable master, concealing her true abilities so well that he had never been able to fathom her thoughts in both of her lifetimes. It was unexpected for her to reveal herself at such a crucial moment.
With a resounding thud, Monica ultimately succumbed to the overpowering empress, kicked against the mountain wall, coughing up blood as she fell beside Barrett Walker.
"Why do you go through such agony?" Barrett Walker stared at Monica's face. Having already experienced death once, he was familiar with the path back, but he lamented for Monica. After their deaths, the Rothschild family did not know how to unleash their rage: "Do you mean to say that such a large family has no guards?"
"Do you think we still need guards? And do you not have any?" Monica retorted.
"It's not the same!"
"Heh! What's so different? You just don't know, that's all. It's a pity, but dying alongside you is not so bad."
The anticipated impending doom did not come to pass, only a deafening roar of a lion and a powerful gust of wind, causing numbness in eardrums and dizziness in the head.
"Evil creature! Dare to touch my Chinese ancestral lineage!" thundered the voice, accompanied by an imposing aura, as Mason Walker descended from the sky with a sword, striking fear into the empress, causing her to abandon Barrett Walker and Monica as she fled underground.
Like a sword descending from the heavens, Barrett Walker finally understood the scenes described in novels, as Mason Walker's sword, resplendent like a shooting star, cleaved the empress in half, spraying forth a jet of blood thirty yards high, hauntingly beautiful.
Truly worthy of the name War God!
Barrett Walker, covered in injuries, once again faced his grandfather, feeling as insignificant as a mere ant and unable to meet his gaze. Mason Walker stood in front of Barrett Walker and Monica, proud as the sun in the sky, and looked down at Barrett Walker. "If you can stand up, then do so. Don't play dead in front of me!"
Monica remained silent, not daring to take a breath, as the pressure from Mason Walker was too strong.
Barrett Walker felt that Mason Walker's words were more potent than high-energy liquid and life-saving liquid combined, causing him to quell the pain of his shattered bones. He stood up swiftly, straightening his body, wanting to show some defiance in front of Mason Walker after his rebirth. However, Mason Walker's overwhelming aura still made Barrett Walker unable to meet his gaze.
"Are you fainting again?" Mason Walker asked.
"Fainting!" Barrett Walker wanted to spit out some blood now and pass out, so he wouldn't have to face Mason Walker. But despite feeling suffocated, he couldn't bring forth the blood, as if an invisible force was restricting him.
Mason Walker glanced deeply at Barrett Walker, sheathed his sword, and stared at the pierced mountaintop with a sudden darkening of his expression, then suddenly jumped into the air and leaped out of the mountain.
"Let's go!" Barrett Walker spurted blood from afar, avoiding looking, and pulled the dazed Monica, running towards the narrow passage.
"Why did he suddenly appear here and save us? Is it because of you?" Monica was dragged by Barrett Walker, her mind filled with the imposing sword of the War God, and she couldn't help but ask after running quite a distance.
"Do you think he would go to such lengths for me? Didn't you hear him roar just now, daring to touch my Chinese ancestral lineage! Hmph! He's just a stubborn old man." Barrett Walker scornfully said, glaring at his own cowardice in front of Mason Walker. Now he only felt pain and weakness all over, but in order to escape from him, he could endure this inhuman pain.
"Alas! It's true that every family has its own difficult scripture!" Monica didn't know why the War God had suddenly appeared, but seeing his astonishing blow, she was completely shocked. Thinking about Barrett Walker's cowardly appearance in front of the War God, she couldn't help but chuckle.
Barrett Walker glanced sideways, not knowing what this woman was laughing at, but her laughter did alleviate some of his pain. Passing through a dark tunnel and several caves, along with the breeze, they ran for who knows how long, until they finally saw the exit - a large tomb in a cemetery, with an ancient, dilapidated temple in front.
"Where are we?" Monica, holding her arm, felt even colder after exiting the tunnel.
"I suppose this is the tomb of some emperor or general! After all, Weijing was built in the Yellow River Valley, the birthplace of the Chinese people! It's also known as the dragon vein, with many relics here." Barrett Walker was also a pseudo-intellectual, and the cold breeze made him take off his almost tattered suit and drape it over Monica's shoulders, giving her a slight hug as she nestled into his embrace.
"Let's stay at that dilapidated temple for the night!" In the mountains, they didn't know where they were or which way to go, let alone how to get home. Monica pointed to the rundown temple outside the cemetery.
Hoot! Hoot! Passing through the cemetery, they suddenly heard the echoes of countless insects and frogs, along with the eerie cries of owls, causing Monica to cling even tighter to Barrett Walker. Feeling Monica's body warmth, the guilt in Barrett Walker's heart grew heavier, and he also found himself unable to understand Juliana Menard.
The night passed without much conversation. It wasn't like the novels, with ghosts at midnight or a gallant hero riding through the rain. However, the two of them, back to back, didn't fall asleep. After two hours, the sky was still dark and gloomy, but Monica finally fell asleep, curled up in Barrett Walker's lap.
Barrett Walker was awakened by the sound of a distant car engine and hurried footsteps. Upon waking up, he saw many people carrying equipment approaching the rundown temple.
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"Wake up!" He patted Monica's face to rouse her.
Monica, with sleepy eyes and disheveled hair, didn't seem to have any blood on her, despite their disheveled appearance. They looked like a pair of lovebirds spending the night together. The crew members carrying filming equipment thought they were illegal immigrants sneaking into Weijing City and quickly tightened their grip on their equipment, ready to retaliate if they dared to attack.
"What time is it?" Monica didn't care how many people were there and carelessly grabbed Barrett Walker's hand, checking the luxurious yet understated diamond watch on his wrist, frowning slightly and muttering, "Finally get a break, and it's only 5 o'clock, still dark out! Do they not want people to sleep?" Then she lay back down on Barrett Walker's lap, curled up and fell back asleep.
Barrett Walker felt extremely awkward, smiling at the surrounding people and saying, "Please, continue with your work!" He carefully lifted Monica, who continued to sleep without a care.
Seeing their intimate actions, the onlookers smiled suggestively, indicating their understanding.
"Quick, they're over here!" Barrett Walker carried Monica out of the rundown temple and saw a crew member leading several men in black approaching them, pointing at Barrett Walker.
"They're the ones who sneaked in, be careful, they might have guns on them!" The man was shocked to see Barrett Walker carrying Monica out and shouted at him.
"What's going on, Grim?" Suddenly, a woman with a chubby face and professional attire came over with an umbrella. Her face was slightly swollen and purplish, visible in the sparse starlight. She looked at the group of bodyguards and asked with a nonchalant air, holding an umbrella and placing her hand on her hip.
Barrett Walker was left feeling embarrassed, but he flashed a smile at the onlookers and said, "Please, continue with your work!" He carefully lifted Monica, who continued to sleep without a care.
Seeing their intimate actions, the onlookers smiled suggestively, indicating their understanding.
"Quick, they're over here!" Barrett Walker carried Monica out of the rundown temple and saw a crew member leading several men in black approaching them, pointing at Barrett Walker.
"They're the ones who sneaked in, be careful, they might have guns on them!" The man was shocked to see Barrett Walker carrying Monica out and shouted at him.
"What's going on, Grim?" Suddenly, a woman with a chubby face and professional attire came over with an umbrella. Her face was slightly swollen and purplish, visible in the sparse starlight. She looked at the group of bodyguards and asked with a nonchalant air, holding an umbrella and placing her hand on her hip.
Barrett Walker recognized the man at a glance - it was Mo Bis, the agent of Juliette Menard. Surprisingly, over a month had passed, and the swollen pig-like appearance on her face had disappeared, but her haughty attitude remained unchanged. Barrett Walker was certain that Mo Bis did not recognize him. Yesterday, not only did he buy clothes, but he also tidied up his appearance. Despite his ordinary looks, he was still a handsome and wealthy man.
"Ah! Another pair of wild lovebirds!" Mo Bis looked at Monica in Barrett Walker's arms, but could only see a graceful silhouette. Then she looked at Barrett Walker, although his suit was wrinkled, his noble demeanor was evident. She couldn't help but make a joke, but she also lowered her stance, implying that he might be a scion of some great family.
Barrett Walker only felt disgust towards Mo Bis. He didn't understand why she had suddenly appeared on the set of the Ghost Lovers, but he could imagine that Juliette Menard's days were certainly not easy. He furrowed his brow and said, "Alright, I'm tired of listening to you. Go away!" He didn't show Mo Bis any favor.
"What's wrong?" Juliette Menard, wearing a loose ancient costume, approached gracefully, her voice as melodious as pearls falling on a jade plate.
Barrett Walker was stunned! Although Monica in his arms suddenly seemed like an alarmed cat, she quickly straightened up, elegantly standing by Barrett Walker's side.
Mo Bis had good eyesight. Seeing Monica's familiar appearance, she was almost shocked, as this woman was a wealthy heiress of the Federation. She had interned at the Alliance Bank at the age of ten and taken over the bank at fifteen. She frequented various grand banquets and was truly the goddess of the Federation. For a moment, Mo Bis thought she was seeing things, but she was too familiar with Monica. She blinked hard to confirm that she wasn't mistaken and stuttered, "You... you are from the Rothschild family..."
"Exactly! The Rothschild family, the 84th generation heir, Monica Saint Rothschild!" Despite wearing Barrett Walker's coat and a torn evening gown, Monica remained graceful and showed no signs of distress.
Looking at Monica's nobility, Juliette Menard, although as beautiful as a flower, couldn't help but feel a little inferior. But she quickly regained her composure. After all, everything she had accomplished was the result of her hard work. She glanced at the man next to Monica, who was well-dressed and exuded a remarkable air. It was a perfect match of beauty and talent, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen this man somewhere before.
"Oh, it's really you!" Mo Bis exclaimed and reached out to take Monica's hand, but her obsequious behavior was nauseating.
Monica gently avoided Mo Bis, preventing an awkward situation for both of them, and greeted the silent Juliette Menard, "You must be Juliette Menard! You're even more beautiful in person than in the movies!"
"This is my first time making a movie!" Juliette Menard blurted out, influenced by Monica's cheerful voice.
This immediately made the atmosphere awkward. Monica laughed lightly and said, "Oh! My memory is failing me. It's MTV! I'm sorry!" Monica's flawless attitude made it seem like Juliette Menard had somehow lost her presence.
Mo Bis, feeling slighted by Monica, harbored some resentment. After all, she was a member of the Green family. She couldn't help but think that Monica was too arrogant. As she looked at Barrett Walker standing next to Monica, a man of the yellow race, she wondered who he was! Why was he with this woman who never had any scandalous rumors? But she was certain that his identity was not simple! Suddenly, a selfish and malicious plan formed in her mind.
"Wow! This gentleman looks familiar! Our 'Ghost Lovers' crew is about to shoot a crucial scene and we're missing an important actor. This gentleman is perfect!" After speaking, Mo Bis signaled to Juliette Menard. The scene being filmed today was indeed quite important.
Juliette Menard was slightly surprised. The supporting role had been difficult to cast, and they had yet to find someone with the right temperament. Although the scene only had a few shots, it was crucial! Looking at Barrett Walker, she saw a resilience in him that perfectly complemented the vulnerability of the male lead and showcased her own heroism. Everything seemed to be coming together. Although Juliette Menard didn't like Mo Bis very much, she had to admit that this time she had done a good thing. "If you don't mind, I hope you can participate! Is that okay?"
Her gentle words were like a cat scratching at the heart, making Barrett Walker feel a strange itch. His eyes were fixed, and he couldn't help but nod and say, "Okay!"
Monica was so annoyed that she withdrew her hand from Barrett Walker's waist. She had been listening to his heartbeat in his arms, but upon hearing Juliette Menard's voice, Barrett Walker's heart started pounding like a drum. He hadn't expected this to happen.
This scene was the highlight of the 'Ghost Lovers,' set in a remote temple in the wilderness. The combination of a beautiful woman and a scholar instantly amazed the audience with its beauty.
Barrett Walker wore a loose scholar's costume, the white fabric flowing freely. Only a nonchalant person would wear it so carelessly in front of the camera.
"How should we film this?" Barrett Walker looked at the set that had already been prepared and shook the silky scholar's robe. It felt very cool against his skin.
"Hurry up! Dawn is approaching, let's start shooting! We need to finish and move on to the next scene!" Although the remake of 'Ghost Lovers' had gained popularity before its release, Juliette Menard, who was in charge of multiple roles, didn't have much authority, so she could only drag things out, moving slowly and meticulously.
"How are we going to shoot this?" Barrett Walker asked Juliette Menard, who was both the director and the lead actress.
"Oh dear! Don't bother the director, she's busy! Brother! Come here, let me explain it to you!" The male lead, Sneed Grim, although not having any scenes today, as a third-rate star, had to constantly please the lead actress and director.
Despite Barrett Walker's admiration for Leslie Cheung, this person was completely different from him. Listening to his deliberately coquettish tone, he couldn't help but shiver all over. Monica had changed into Juliette Menard's clothes and reverted to her innocent student look, which helped to ease Barrett Walker's discomfort.
Mo Bis drove Sneed Grim away and approached Barrett Walker, asking in a sly manner, "Sir, what is your name?"
"Gold Dullrag," Barrett Walker replied casually.
"So, you're from the Dullrag family!" Mo Bis didn't say this sigh out loud. The Dullrag family was also a prominent family in the Federation. They had a good relationship with the Green family, but she couldn't remember which member of the Dullrag family Barrett Walker was. However, she was sure that anyone who was familiar with Monica was not simple! She whispered a lot to Barrett Walker.
Barrett Walker endured the nausea and listened attentively. He was slightly shaken. If he hadn't met Monica yesterday, he might have accepted it gladly, or even been ecstatic. But now he was in a dilemma. As he looked at Juliette Menard, who was directing the cast and crew, all his memories came flooding back. Then he looked at Monica, who was standing forlornly outside the scene, and he was torn between past and present, and the ambiguity of it all.
"Everyone, take your positions and start!" Juliette Menard shouted, and everyone began filming.
Barrett Walker also greatly admires the profound love in "A Chinese Ghost Story", so he envies Leslie Cheung's portrayal of Ning Caichen, but is also saddened by the tragic ending! It would be better to die under the peony flowers like the nameless scholar, though he died without love, he died in paradise. Barrett Walker's emotions gradually blend into it, the scholar studying by lamplight, a wisp of fragrant breeze floats by, and the figure of Nie Xiaoqian appears. Barrett Walker and Julia Menard embrace, feeling the slightly cool morning breeze and the heat coming from Julia Menard. They have been waiting for this embrace for so long, even though it is just a performance, the emotions of two lifetimes ferment at this moment, and Barrett Walker is completely intoxicated, his eyes full of adoration.
Julia Menard looks into Barrett Walker's passionate gaze and thinks of a phrase that should be reserved for women: even the toughest steel can become soft around the finger. She doesn't know how many people have this clarity about her, but being so close is unique. In Barrett Walker's eyes, Julia Menard sees familiarity! Her heart also sinks into the deep spring of Barrett Walker, feeling that she can no longer stay afloat, sinking! Sinking again! No desire to save herself. Monica watches the two of them embrace and kiss, reminding herself that it is just a performance, but the deep affection scene stings her deeply. She angrily kicks over a background light and leaves, Mor Biss looks at her back and smirks, "Hmph! Daring to ignore a member of the Green family!"