Chapter 806: Clara's Miraculous Healing Skills

In the makeshift stable set up in the studio, the crew meticulously arranged the camera, setting a special track that ran from the inside of the stable, along the wall, and out to the door.

When Martin arrived on set, Chad called him and the three stuntmen over for a briefing.

Martin, eager to prepare for the intense action sequences ahead, began stretching and warming up.

Chad, ever the meticulous director, demonstrated the choreography himself. He gestured energetically as he explained, "Martin, you need to knock down Buck here first, then get entangled with Lewis. After that, kick down Trice who's charging at you from the front, and finally, take out Lewis."

He pointed towards the two black horses, now calmly held by the horse trainer. "The horses will be nearby. You must be careful with your movements and avoid hitting them."

Martin and the stuntmen nodded in unison, understanding the gravity of the scene and the proximity of the animals.

Chad continued with the specifics, "Martin, once you've dealt with Lewis, secure him with the horse rope."

Turning to the jockeys, he instructed, "Make sure the horses don't actually run off."

The jockeys responded confidently, "No problem!"

Aware of Martin's growing interest in directing, Chad asked, "Any questions, Martin?"

Martin, always professional, replied, "If I have any, I'll ask you when you have time. Don't worry about it now."

Chad, knowing Martin's strengths, wasn't concerned about competition. He knew Martin excelled in performing action scenes but had much to learn about directing them. Action scenes demand a unique talent, combining artistry with technical prowess—a rare skill even among Hollywood directors.

With a loud command, Chad cleared the set. The crew busily made final preparations for the shoot.

As the script supervisor clapped the board in front of the camera, the filming officially began.

Martin and the stuntmen had rehearsed the scene multiple times, and their synchronized movements reflected their hard work. The fight choreography was intricate, with each move meticulously planned. The third installment of the series promised not only more action but also intense close combat.

The shooting progressed in fits and starts. Though the action sequence would last only a minute on screen, it took the entire morning to capture just a portion of it.

By noon, Martin had little appetite. He anticipated the horse riding scenes would require numerous takes, a thought that made him uneasy.

Repeatedly filming these scenes was physically taxing and could make even the toughest actors queasy.

Martin insisted on performing the circus part himself, which involved intense galloping. For close-up fighting scenes, they used prop horses for safety reasons.

Battling a motorcycle killer while on horseback was perilous. Despite extensive safety measures, an accident occurred—a motorcycle tilted and crashed, causing a stunt driver to fracture two ribs.

In Hollywood, such accidents were considered minor during large-scale action shoots, but they were a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved.

Legend has it that before World War II, filming large-scale cold weapon battles often resulted in fatalities, with each crew having a grim death quota.

Martin had been spending a lot of time on horseback lately, and the numerous riding scenes scheduled for the afternoon were taking their toll. Lacking extensive training, his thighs were aching. By the end of the day's shoot, he was walking with a noticeable limp.

After removing his makeup and changing clothes, Martin emerged from the makeup trailer, legs splayed awkwardly, resembling a cowboy straight out of a Western.

Bruce, always prepared, tossed him a green bottle. "Rub some of this on, you'll feel better soon."

Martin didn't need to read the label to recognize it as Fengyoujing. Just the sight of the bottle made him wince at the thought of applying it near his raw, chafed thighs. "Thanks, but no thanks," he said, tossing it back to Bruce. "You keep it."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Want to see a doctor?"

Martin shook his head as he climbed into the Escalade. "No need. Just drive, and hand me the Vaseline you always carry."

Bruce was taken aback. "How'd you know I have Vaseline?"

Martin smirked. "I know you too well."

Bruce, defensive, explained, "Hey, it's for when Kim and Khloe might show up in New York..."

Back at the hotel, Martin found solace in knowing that while Blake Lively was away in Philadelphia for an event, Clara had flown in from Los Angeles to keep him company. His sore legs made dining out unappealing, so he decided to stay in and order room service.

As they entered the room, Clara noticed Martin's awkward gait. "Oppa, are you hurt? Do you need a doctor?"

Martin eased himself onto the plush sofa. "It's nothing serious. Just been riding too much lately, and my thighs are a bit bruised."

Clara's eyes lit up with an idea. "Want me to take a look?"

Martin, intrigued, asked, "Do you know anything about medicine?"

Clara, familiar with the demands of the Korean entertainment industry, was always ready to go the extra mile to please. She placed a hand on his leg. "I don't know medicine, but I have a way to help."

Martin caught the hint. "Okay, tell me."

"First, take a shower," Clara suggested, her eyes sparkling. "Then I'll help you."

Martin complied, heading to the bathroom. He returned shortly, clad in a bathrobe, to find Clara had flattened the sofa and spread a blanket over it.

"Oppa," she said, patting the makeshift bed. "Come here."

Martin approached and sat down.

Clara gently pushed him onto the sofa. "I can't check you like this. Lie on your stomach, and let's see what I can do."

When Martin turned over, his bathrobe slipped off.

"Don't move," Clara instructed, leaning in closer to examine the area more thoroughly.

Martin suddenly felt the heat from his bruised skin dissipate, replaced by a cooling sensation as Clara's touch worked its magic. The discomfort melted away, her skilled hands bringing unexpected relief.

Clara had not exaggerated her abilities; she truly knew what she was doing.

It was, without a doubt, the best treatment for his abrasions.

The sensation was soft, smooth, and incredibly effective.

Dr. Clara's dedicated effort throughout the night seemed to have paid off. When Martin awoke the next morning, his leg felt completely healed.

Clara made sure to remind him, "We need a second round of treatment tonight for deeper healing."

Martin, thoroughly impressed, responded, "Meet me at the trailer after work tonight."

Clara's smile radiated happiness.

Back on set, the day's schedule was packed with action scenes. As before, Martin had to battle what felt like the entire world's pursuit.

In the artificial downpour, Martin sprinted through the studio repeatedly, becoming drenched more than a dozen times, his appearance increasingly disheveled.

The afternoon brought even more challenging scenes. He had to fight while running, with most of the action involving close combat rather than gunfights.

Chen Hu, the stunt coordinator, had designed a particularly intense scene that highlighted Martin's skill at knife throwing. Martin faced more than a dozen adversaries alone, and despite his agility, he sometimes got hurt.

For safety, the prop knives were made of resin that mimicked metal, but they were still heavy enough to cause discomfort when thrown.

During filming, Martin was struck by these prop knives at least three times. One particularly nasty hit to his forehead left a large red and swollen area.

He wasn't the only one injured; several actors were accidentally hurt by Martin as well, though none seriously.

The set's medical team was kept on their toes, frequently rushing in to tend to minor injuries.

By the end of the scene, Martin's white shirt was stained with fake blood, and his once-black suit was now filthy. His head bore several cuts, adding to his battered look.

Exhausted, Martin collapsed onto the steps of the studio, leaning against a wooden display cabinet for support. He waved weakly at Bruce.

"Too tired to move?" Bruce observed, noting Martin's weariness. Unlike the stuntmen, who could rotate and rest, Martin, as the lead, had to be in almost every shot, battling through the scenes. Even the toughest actor had limits.

Bruce offered, "Need a hand?"

Martin waved dismissively. "It's not that bad." He fished out his phone and tossed it to Bruce. "Take some pictures. Make me look as miserable, exhausted, and beat-up as possible."

Bruce immediately got the idea. He switched on the camera and snapped over a dozen shots of Martin from various angles, capturing every cut and bruise, the weariness etched into his expression.

Martin retrieved his phone, carefully selecting the two most pitiful-looking photos. He posted them on Twitter and his new Instagram account with the caption, "Less than a week into filming 'John Wick 3,' and my head's already full of injuries."

Within minutes, responses started pouring in.

Leonardo DiCaprio was first, with a playful jab: "I'm on vacation in the Caribbean. Sun, beauties, and beaches. Living the good life!"

Jack Nicholson chimed in, "Leo, you dog! Martin's busting his head open and you're bragging about beaches?"

Taylor Swift quickly added, "Feeling sorry for Martin for a full ten minutes. My tour's heading to New York soon. I'll drop by—hope you're not too banged up!"

Angela Lindvall left a message: "I'm in New York. I'll bring Carolina over tonight to check on you."

Carolina swiftly followed up: "Hopefully, we won't add to Martin's injuries when we visit."

These star-studded replies were visible only to Martin, but the fan responses flooded the comment section.

"Look at those pics! Martin's working so hard on set!"

"These action scenes are incredible—worth every risk!"

"Martin's dedication is inspiring!"

"This movie's gonna be epic. Worth every penny!"

Martin's post quickly went viral, spreading across countless online platforms. Fans were buzzing with excitement, eager for the return of their favorite on-screen assassin.

Seizing the moment, the "John Wick 3" crew launched a publicity blitz, reminding everyone that Jonathan was back.

The campaign focused heavily on the beloved dogs from the series. The first batch of promotional posters featured two striking images:

The main poster showcased a battered and bruised Martin running through the streets of New York with a dog by his side.

The secondary poster featured Blake Lively, gripping two guns, flanked by two German Shepherds in bulletproof vests, ready for battle.

The tagline read: "The bloodbath caused by a dog continues!"

And another slogan boldly declared: "Screen heroes who are all show have nowhere to hide. Only true heroes earn the audience's love!"

As the posters circulated, anticipation for "John Wick 3" soared. Fans couldn't wait to see their hero back in action, fighting for justice—and his dog.