new story: Tokyo Relics: Only I Can See the Abnormal Equipment
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Cassius finished breakfast and headed back to his study. He needed to call Jackie Chan right away. This couldn't wait—Marvel was expecting an answer on the master role for The Ancient One: Shadow of Vishanti.
The phone rang a few times before that unmistakable voice picked up, full of energy. "Hello? Cassius? What's up? Didn't expect a call from you."
"Jackie, got something I want to run by you," Cassius said, straight to the point. "Marvel's got a new project, The Ancient One: Shadow of Vishanti. It's a prequel about the Sorcerer Supreme's early days. There's a master character who trains the Ancient One in Tibet—solid screen time, and I think you'd be perfect for it."
"Marvel movie, huh?" Jackie's tone perked up. Cassius could hear papers shuffling on the other end. "Send me the script. I'll take a look."
"Already emailed it over. Just hit send."
"Got it. I'll read it soon, but listen—" Jackie paused. "My sixtieth birthday's coming up next weekend. I'm throwing a low-key party in Hong Kong. Why don't you come? We can talk face-to-face."
Cassius smiled. "When exactly?"
"Saturday. Nothing fancy—just old friends, good food, and some laughs. And hey, no gifts. Anyone shows up with one, I'm auctioning it off on the spot and donating every cent to charity."
"Understood. I'll be there."
He hung up and forwarded the script summary again for good measure. Then he walked to the window and looked down at the garage. The customized Dodge Challenger sat there—Vin Diesel's gift from the Fast 5 wrap party. Sleek, powerful, and way too flashy for everyday use. Cassius barely drove it.
Jackie had been clear about no gifts. Cassius grinned to himself. Perfect. He'd donate the car instead. Let it go to charity and give the party a little extra spark. He'd wait until he got there to drop the news—better that way.
[Project Evaluation Updated]
[Key Supporting Role – Master: Contact established with target Jackie Chan]
[Note: Jackie's global reach and action expertise will significantly boost the project's commercial value]
That evening at dinner, Sangye looked across the table. "Cassius, the way you pick up these mudras isn't normal."
Cassius paused with his chopsticks. "I'm not cheating, if that's what you're thinking."
"I'm not accusing you of anything." Sangye sipped his soup. "But your body already knows these movements. I've only seen this twice before—once with my own master, once with my senior brother. Both trained for decades."
"So what does that mean for me?"
"You might have a past life connection. Or, in modern terms, some kind of genetic or collective memory tied to these gestures. Either way, you and these mudras have a bond."
Dorje kept his head down, eating quietly. Zhuoma just smiled. "Uncle, don't scare him. Maybe he's just naturally gifted."
"Gifted like that is still fate," Sangye said, eyes steady on Cassius. "Starting tomorrow I'll teach you deeper forms. But remember—mudras aren't just hand positions. They're heart, intent, and breath working together. If your mind isn't in it, the gesture means nothing."
"Understood."
Training the next morning started at six. Sangye taught the third mudra—Vishanti's Breath Guidance. It required precise breathing and a calm mental state.
"Picture yourself as a hollow bamboo," Sangye instructed, hands forming the seal on his knees. "Energy flows in through the crown, down the spine, and out through your fingertips. Don't force it. Just guide it."
Cassius closed his eyes and followed. This time the sensation was stronger—a warm, slow current moving through him, like heated water in his veins. He held the state for five minutes before opening his eyes.
Sangye was staring. "You stopped breathing for thirty seconds just now."
Cassius blinked. He hadn't felt like he was holding his breath at all. If anything, his breathing had been smoother than ever.
"It's not a bad thing," Sangye said, a rare smile breaking through. "You entered a light meditative state on your first try. That means your mind is steady."
Dorje looked crushed beside him. He'd been training for years and still hadn't reached that point.
Training ended at seven. Cassius showered and headed to the kitchen where Kristen was already making breakfast.
"How was training?" she asked, cracking eggs into the pan.
"Progressing. Sangye says I'm a natural."
Kristen glanced over her shoulder. "You've been pushing hard. Don't burn out before you even start shooting."
"I won't." He poured orange juice and sat at the counter. "Jackie invited me to his birthday party in Hong Kong next weekend. I'm going."
She turned, spatula in hand. "You planning to donate that Dodge?"
Cassius smiled. "Yeah. Figured it'd make a better impact than sitting in the garage. I'll surprise him with it at the party."
Kristen laughed softly. "That's very on-brand for you."
Later that afternoon Cassius flew to Hong Kong. He traveled light—just a backpack with clothes and the script. The car keys and paperwork for the Challenger stayed in a folder on his lap.
Jackie's people picked him up at the airport. The driver was an older guy who didn't talk much but handled the traffic smoothly. They pulled up to a low-key but well-regarded hotel in Kowloon. The birthday event was on the top floor—simple round tables, no red carpet, no flashy banners. Just twenty tables of close friends and industry veterans.
Cassius arrived to a room already half full. He spotted familiar faces immediately—Andy Lau, Jet Li, Tony Leung, Donnie Yen. Jackie spotted him and waved him over with that big, warm grin.
"Cassius! You made it!" Jackie pulled him into a quick hug. "Come meet everyone."
Cassius spent the next hour shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. Every introduction came with a quiet system ping—small attribute gains from the legends in the room. Respect, timing, screen presence, even a bit of that effortless charisma they all carried so naturally.
When the charity auction started, Jackie made his usual speech about no gifts and everything going to charity. Cassius waited until the right moment, then stood up with the folder in hand.
"Jackie, I brought something too," he said when it was his turn. "Keys and paperwork for the customized Dodge Challenger Vin gave me after Fast 5. It's outside. I figured it'd do more good auctioned off than collecting dust."
The room went quiet for a beat, then erupted in applause. Jackie stared at him, genuinely moved, then laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "You kid. This is too much—but thank you. It'll help a lot of people."
Cassius smiled and stepped back. The car sold fast, and the total raised that night climbed even higher.
Later, as the party wound down, Jackie pulled him aside. "I read the script. The master role feels right. Let's talk details soon."
Cassius nodded. "Whenever you're ready."
He left the hotel feeling lighter. The night had gone better than expected—connections made, the car put to good use, and one more step closer to locking in the cast for The Ancient One.
Back in his room he opened the system panel one last time before sleep.
[Key Supporting Role – Master: Jackie Chan successfully engaged]
[Audience Expectation rising]
[Overall project momentum increasing]