All Chapters of The Actor's Emperor System: Chapter 31
- Chapter 40
47 chapters
Chapter 31: The Reversed Path is Forged
Trying to practice internal arts backward—what the old texts called reversal cultivation—wasn't just risky. It was an act of absolute, pure madness.Screw up even a tiny bit, and you were done for. Mildly, you might hit an Energy Deviation, which is basically your energy system having a chaotic meltdown, and you’d lose all your built-up power. But get it seriously wrong, and those delicate internal channels, your Meridians, would just snap. That’s how you become a useless cripple. Permanently.But here’s the funny part: those huge, terrifying risks? They only apply to the veterans, the old masters who’ve been doing this stuff forever.Me, a complete novice like Caleb Davis? I honestly didn't have those deep-seated concerns.The reason is simple, and it all boils down to Proficiency.Think about the old timers. They’ve lived this life; the pathways for circulating their Internal Energy are practically hardwired into their bodies—pure muscle memory. When they try to force a change, thei
Chapter 32: Silence to Sudden Fame!
Nine o’clock sharp, the whole madhouse kicked off. That’s when the official Flying Swords of Dragon Gate launch ceremony finally started.Since this was Graham Finch's massive follow-up to the hit Detective Dee, and it featured undisputed heavyweights like Tom Jaxon and Jenny Nicole, nobody even needed to send out invites. The sheer star power was enough: reporters swarmed the venue, honestly—it was like they were magnets drawn to metal.The place was chaos, a predictable circus of noise and flashing cameras.But amidst all the stars and the celebrated director, the press corps was laser-focused on one empty spot: the man playing the movie’s main villain.And for good reason. Any film is only as good as its antagonist, right? The villain’s depth, their performance—it’s always paramount. In an event this loaded with stars, the casting of the chief nemesis had been the source of endless, intense speculation from day one.“Director Graham Finch, where’s our villain? The leads are here, b
Chapter 33: Don’t you dare bully the young pauper
When that abrupt question landed—Are you a newcomer?—a wave of utter shock swept over the reporters. It was a moment of collective disbelief.Caleb Davis’s debut had been that stunning. Think about it: this is Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, a giant, big-budget epic from Graham Finch, starring heavyweights like Tom Jaxon and Jenny Nicole. Because the production was so huge and his presence was so incredibly commanding, everyone had automatically assumed he was some kind of industry god, a veteran actor with untouchable status.But once the initial awe wore off, common sense kicked in. And that led to a very awkward, very critical question:“Caleb Davis… wait, who the hell is that?”“Seriously, I’ve never heard the name spoken out loud before.”Puzzled faces turned toward the stage, their confusion thick enough to cut with a knife.Caleb Davis, of course, didn't even flinch. He just looked straight at the reporter who’d asked the initial question, gave a measured nod, and confirmed: “Tha
Chapter 34: Start of Filming is the End of Filming
If you work in showbiz, you’re probably a little superstitious. It’s just how it goes. And honestly, the bigger the star or the director, the more they believe in all that stuff about luck, deities, and the capricious whims of the universe. Graham Finch, being one of the top dogs in Great Vespera, was definitely one of those people.He was obsessed—I mean, truly devoted—to the concept of an ‘Auspicious Beginning.’ He felt that if the very first shot of the production was perfect and decisive, it would bless the entire film.So, naturally, he was putting enormous pressure on the first sequence.He didn't just want it to be a flawless, single-take wonder; he wanted it to be epic. A scene that absolutely nailed a crucial plot point.After doing a lot of deep thinking and probably pacing around for a while, he finally called out.“Mr. Caleb, if you could just step over here for a sec.”Caleb Davis, who was having a quick, casual chat with Liya Martinez (the actress playing Lady Seraphina—
Chapter 35: The Dagger's True Edge
Graham Finch wasn't just angry; he was absolutely incandescent. He was on the verge of a full, dramatic implosion.Everything had been clicking. The dialogue, the choreography, the raw energy—it was all perfect. They were barreling toward that coveted single-take, one-pass shot he needed for his 'Auspicious Beginning.' And then, right at the peak of the action, the essential prop sword had completely failed.If the director’s stare had been physical, the poor prop master would have been shredded where he stood. Graham Finch’s glare was genuinely terrifying.But the prop master barely even registered the rage. He was paralyzed, staring down at the scattered metal shards dusting the desert floor, his mind completely blank. He had personally checked that sword—not once, but several times—before handing it to Tom Jaxon. It was structurally sound, unsharpened, and totally safe.How the hell could this happen?He briefly wondered if he'd mixed up the props. But that didn't track either. Eve
Chapter 36: The Crew's Most Anxious Asset
Graham Finch had told everyone to clear out, but come on—that dagger shattering a solid sword? That kind of impossible event doesn't just dissipate. The shock-wave was still moving slowly, deeply, through the whole set. When something that wild happens on a small crew, you know it’s going to be the only thing anyone talks about for days. Naturally, the curiosity about Caleb Davis went through the roof.Clara Sterling, bless her heart, simply couldn't resist. She, a mature actress of thirty with an undeniable charm, approached the kid who was still radiating the chilling aura of the Grand Eunuch Corbin Grey. He regarded her with complete emotional zero. He just gave her this impossibly cool, dismissive nod. “Yes, I am.” Then he picked up his tea, took a small, deliberate sip—the kind that screams indifference—and asked, “Is Lady Selena seeking something specific?”That gaze hit her like a bucket of ice water. Even though she knew they were off-camera, she actually shivered. Her nerves
Chapter 37: A Call from Starleen
If you asked Graham Finch about Caleb Davis, you’d get this bizarre, Jekyll-and-Hyde answer. On one hand, the man absolutely adored him—like, pure artistic adoration. The kid’s acting? Flawless, exquisite, perfect. He didn't just play the Grand Eunuch Corbin Grey; he somehow willed the character, previously just ink on a page, into terrifying, breathing reality. On the other hand, the director was constantly on the verge of a panic attack because Caleb Davis was just too damn weird. He seemed to operate without any normal human limitations, pulling off feats that wrecked every single expectation Graham Finch had. It had been less than an hour, and they’d already dealt with a dagger exploding a solid sword, and a heart-stopping, mid-air dash up the scaffolding.“Mr. Caleb,” Graham Finch said, taking a long, slow drag from his cigarette. His gaze was heavy, full of questions he knew better than to ask. “You are truly something else.”Caleb Davis accepted the American Marlboro offered to
Chapter 38: My Lady, Are You for Real?
"University."Hearing that word again after two years felt weird. It was like listening to a language Caleb Davis used to speak but had somehow forgotten. It left him feeling a bit hollow and out of place, like he was staring at the ghost of a life he never actually got to live.The truth was, three years ago, he never planned on being an actor. The "star life" wasn't even on his radar. He’d imagined himself graduating from some top-tier academy, shaking hands at a commencement ceremony, and then diving headfirst into the world of business. With the memories from his past life tucked away in his head, he was going to build an empire. He’d be on the cover of Forbes, sitting at the top of the world.But life has a funny way of trashing your plans. Every dream he had for his future pretty much died during that brutal, unforgiving winter three years ago."Phew—"Caleb Davis let out a long, heavy breath and forced his face into a thin smile. "Mom, come on, who’s been putting these ideas in
Chapter 39: The Villain Files the Complaint First
They always say the early bird gets the worm, right? Well, in the internet age, it's the night owls who get the best seats for the drama.As soon as the opening ceremony for Flying Swords of Dragon Gate wrapped up, the media went into overdrive. You could practically hear the reporters' fingers flying across their keyboards as they scrambled to get their stories live. This wasn't just some low-budget flick; it was the world’s first 3D IMAX martial arts epic. Between a legend like Graham Finch directing and superstars like Tom Jaxon and Jenny Nicole on the cast, the hype was already through the roof before they even finished the first day of shooting.But interestingly enough, people weren't buzzing about the veteran stars. Everyone was talking about the newcomer who closed out the show.The second the footage of Caleb Davis—looking absolutely lethal in those arrogant silk robes—hit the web, the comments section basically melted. It was a total flood. Honestly, if you wanted to actuall
Chapter 40: Blink Twice if You’ve Been Possessed
Caleb Davis’s mood right then could be summed up in three simple letters: WTF.He just stood there, staring at Lady Lorna with his jaw practically hitting the floor. He’d dealt with bold people before, but this woman was on a whole different level. She’d actually managed to flip the script, play the victim, and frame him before he could even wrap his brain around what was happening.That old saying about the veteran hunter getting his eyes pecked out by a baby bird? Yeah, that was him. Usually, Caleb Davis was the one pulling the strings or coming out on top. Even if things didn't go perfectly, he never walked away the loser. But today? He’d been played. Completely and utterly."Have you seen enough yet?" he finally gritted out, his voice thick with pure, unadulterated annoyance.I mean, does the woman have no shame? No boundaries? It’s one thing to accidentally see something you shouldn't, but she was just... standing there. Lingering.Is this my life now? He wondered. Stuck with a t