The Return of Xuanbai (film)

The Return of Xuanbai  (: 玄白歸來) is a 1975 Kodeshi   directed by Zhang Jian and starring Liang Zhen, Wang Lei, and Liu Yifei. The film is follows the story of a former Xuanism warrior monk must face his old rival who has taken over his Temple with his Iron Fist gang. The film combines elements of Xuanism, a mystical philosophy, with action-packed fight scenes and special effects.

Plot
Yang Jiahao (楊家豪) was once a legendary Xuanism warrior monk with mysterious mystical powers. He was the champion of the Xuanbai Temple, a sacred place where he taught and trained other monks in the Xuanism arts. However, he was betrayed by his former disciple Zhu Xuejian (祝雪健), who coveted his power and wanted to use it for evil. Zhu Xuejian attacked the temple with his Iron Fist gang, a ruthless group of criminals who use martial arts and weapons to terrorize the city. Yang Jiahao fought bravely but was outnumbered and defeated. He managed to escape with his daughter Yang Gaofei (楊高菲), but she was kidnapped by Zhu Xuejian's right-hand man Feng (馮). Yang Jiahao was left alone and broken, falling into despair and homelessness wandering the streets as a drunken vagrant.

Ten years later, Bai Lin (白琳) is a young idealistic Xuanism martial arts student who studies at the Yuhuang Academy, a peaceful school run by Master Qu Tianyu (掌握馬楚萧), Yang Jiahao's old friend and mentor. She overhears Master Qu talking to Ma Chuxiao (屈天宇), a young journalist who is investigating the Iron Fist's crimes. She learns that Zhu Xuejian is planning to hold a martial arts tournament at his Golden Lotus Casino, where he will challenge anyone who dares to oppose him. She also learns that Yang Jiahao is still alive and hiding in the Bamboo Forest, a serene natural reserve where he trains and meditates. Bai Lin decides to seek out Yang Jiahao and begs him to train her in the Xuanism arts so she can enter the tournament and avenge her master's death at the hands of Zhu Xuejian.

Yang Jiahao initially refuses to help Bai Lin, saying that he has given up on fighting and that Xuanism is not about revenge. However, he sees something in her that reminds him of his younger self and agrees to take her as his student. He teaches her the secrets of Xuanism, such as how to harness the energy of yin and yang, how to use the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water, and how to perform feats such as flying, healing and telekinesis. He also tells her about his past and how he lost everything because of Zhu Xuejian.

Meanwhile, Zhu Xuejian is preparing for his tournament and is confident that no one can defeat him. He has mastered the dark side of Xuanism, using it to enhance his strength, speed and agility. He also has a secret weapon: Yang Gaofei, who he raised as his own daughter and trained as an assassin. He has brainwashed her into believing that he is her father and that Yang Jiahao is her enemy. He plans to use her as his trump card in case anyone challenges him.

The day of the tournament arrives and Bai Lin enters with Yang Jiahao's blessing. She fights her way through several opponents until she reaches the final round where she faces Zhu Xuejian himself. Zhu Xuejian mocks her for being a naïve girl who thinks she can defeat him with her weak skills. He unleashes his full power and attacks her mercilessly. Bai Lin tries to fight back but is overwhelmed by his dark energy. She is about to lose when Yang Jiahao arrives and intervenes. He reveals himself as Zhu Xuejian's former master and challenges him to a duel.

Zhu Xuejian is shocked to see Yang Jiahao alive and furious that he dares to interfere with his plans. He accepts his challenge and orders everyone else to stay out of their way. He also summons Yang Gaofei and tells her to kill Bai Lin while he deals with Yang Jiahao and Zhu Xuejian clash in a fierce battle of Xuanism. Yang Jiahao uses his mastery of the light side of Xuanism to counter Zhu Xuejian's dark energy. He also uses the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water to create powerful attacks and defenses. Zhu Xuejian fights back with his own dark energy and his Iron Fist techniques. He also uses his Golden Lotus Casino as a weapon, manipulating the lights, machines and traps to his advantage.

Bai Lin tries to help Yang Jiahao, but she is confronted by Yang Gaofei. Yang Gaofei attacks Bai Lin with her deadly martial arts skills and her hidden blades. She also uses her dark Xuanism to control the shadows and create illusions. Bai Lin defends herself with her own martial arts skills and her light Xuanism. She also tries to reason with Yang Gaofei, telling her that Zhu Xuejian is not her real father and that he has lied to her all her life.

Yang Jiahao and Zhu Xuejian reach a stalemate in their fight. They are both exhausted and wounded, but they refuse to give up. Yang Jiahao remembers his daughter, Yang Gaofei, and how much he loves her. He also remembers his duty as a Xuanism warrior monk and his vow to protect the innocent. He uses this love and this duty to fuel his strength and he unleashes his ultimate technique. He summons a giant white dragon made of pure light energy and sends it towards Zhu Xuejian.

Zhu Xuejian sees the white dragon coming at him and he is terrified. He tries to block it with his dark energy, but it is too powerful. The white dragon engulfs him and destroys him in a blinding flash of light.

Zhu Xuejian is defeated and Yang Jiahao is victorious. He has avenged the death of his friends and restored peace to the city of Chenghai. Bai Lin is grateful to Yang Jiahao for teaching her the ways of Xuanism and for helping her to defeat Zhu Xuejian. She also manages to convince Yang Gaofei that she is her sister and that Zhu Xuejian was a cruel man who used her for his own gain. Yang Gaofei realizes the truth and apologizes to Yang Jiahao and Bai Lin for her actions. She asks for their forgiveness and their acceptance.

Yang Jiahao and Bai Lin return to the Yuhuang Academy, where they are greeted by Master Qu Tianyu and the other students. They are all happy to see that Yang Jiahao is safe and that Zhu Xuejian has been defeated. Master Qu Tianyu tells Yang Jiahao that he is proud of him and that he is a true master of Xuanism. He also tells Bai Lin that she has proven herself as a worthy disciple of Xuanism and that he will continue to train her in the future. Yang Jiahao is happy to be back at the Yuhuang Academy and he is looking forward to teaching the next generation of Xuanism warriors. He also embraces Yang Gaofei and tells her that he loves her and that he is glad to have her back in his life.

Cast

 * Yang Jiahao (楊家豪) as - A legendary Xuanism warrior monk with mysterious mystical powers. Once champion of the Xuanbai Temple, now a drunken vagrant with a dark past. Played by Liang Zhen (梁震), a famous Kodeshi actor known for his roles in martial arts films and dramas. He trained extensively in Xuanism and martial arts for the role and performed most of his own stunts.
 * Zhu Xuejian (祝雪健) - The sinister former disciple who betrayed Yang Jiahao and seized control of the Xuanbai Temple and created the Iron Fist gang. Played by Wang Lei (王磊), a popular Kodeshi actor and singer who is known for his villainous roles and charismatic personality. He also trained in Xuanism and martial arts for the role and used his own voice for the songs in the film.
 * Bai Lin (白琳) - A young idealistic Xuanism martial arts student who seeks out Yang Jiahao after she overhears Master Qu Tianyu. Bai Lin finds Yang Jiahao and begs him to train her in the Xuanism arts so she can avenge her master’s death at the hands of Zhu Xuejian. Played by Liu Yifei (劉亦菲), a rising Kodeshi actress and model who is known for her beauty and talent. She also trained in Xuanism and martial arts for the role and performed some of her own stunts.
 * Ma Chuxiao (屈天宇) - A young journalist who is investigating the Iron Fist’s crimes. He is also Bai Lin’s friend and love interest. Played by Zhang Yixing (張藝興), a famous Kodeshi singer, dancer and actor who is known for his versatility and charisma. He also trained in Xuanism and martial arts for the role and used his own voice for the songs in the film.
 * Yang Gaofei (楊高菲) - Yang Jiahao’s daughter who was kidnapped by Feng and raised as Zhu Xuejian’s own. She is also a skilled assassin and Zhu Xuejian’s secret weapon. Played by Zhou Dongyu (周冬雨), a talented Kodeshi actress who is known for her expressive acting and cute appearance. She also trained in Xuanism and martial arts for the role and performed some of her own stunts.
 * Master Qu Tianyu (掌握馬楚萧) - Yang Jiahao’s old friend and mentor who runs a martial arts school. He is also Bai Lin’s master and a respected figure in the Xuanism community. Played by Chen Daoming (陳道明), a veteran Kodeshi actor who is known for his authoritative and dignified roles. He also trained in Xuanism and martial arts for the role and acted as a mentor to the younger cast members.
 * Teng Jie as Feng (馮) - Zhu Xuejian's right-hand man.

Production
The film was directed by Zhang Jian (張健), a renowned Kodeshi filmmaker who is known for his innovative and visionary style. The film was written by Li Wei (李偉), a Kodeshi screenwriter who is known for his creative and original stories. The film was based on the Xuanism philosophy, a mystical system of thought that originated in Kodeshia.

The film was shot in various locations in Kodeshia, such as Chenghai, the Bamboo Forest and the Xuanbai Temple. The film used a combination of practical and special effects to create the Xuanism powers and the fight scenes. The film also featured original songs composed by Wang Lei and Zhang Yixing, who also sang them in the film. The film’s soundtrack was composed by Liu Tao (劉濤), a Kodeshi composer who is known for his epic and emotional music.

The film was distributed by Kodeshi Imperial Studio Film and Television Technology Co., Ltd, a Kodeshi film company that is one of the largest and most influential in Kodeshia. The film was released on October 4, 1975 in Kodeshia and on November 21, 1975 in other countries. The film received some acclaim and was a modest commercial success. The film’s budget was estimated at Hz 7.25 billion (about $485,674 million at that time).

Box Office
The film was also a modest commercial success, grossing Hz 15.6 billion (about 1.04 billion at that time) at the box office. The film was the second highest-grossing film of the year in Kodeshia, behind only the international global hit film of the year. The film also performed well in other countries, especially in those with a large Xuanism population or interest. The film’s success was attributed to its wide appeal and word-of-mouth.

Critical Response
The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film was praised for its innovative and captivating story, its stunning and realistic special effects, its thrilling and choreographed fight scenes, its memorable and catchy songs, and its talented and charismatic cast. The film holds a 75% approval rating on a popular review-aggregation website, based on 332 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's critical consensus reads, “a dazzling and exhilarating spectacle that combines martial arts, fantasy, action and drama in a seamless and thrilling way. A must-see for fans of martial arts films and anyone who appreciates a good story.” The film was also lauded for its exploration and representation of Xuanism, a unique and fascinating philosophy that is native to Kodeshia. The film was considered a milestone in Kodeshi cinema and a masterpiece of martial arts fantasy genre. The film was seen as a breakthrough in terms of creativity, quality and popularity.

Awards
The film was nominated for three 13th Golden Dragon Awards for Best Film, and Best Actress (Liu Yifei) and Best Original Song. But it only won Best Original Song for “The Light of Hope” (希望之光). The film was won the following awards: