Original subtitles

[Legend of Zang Hai]

[Episode 34]

A state's deadly weapon

must not be revealed.

A ruler's weakness

must not be exposed.

But Kuai Duo,

you truly know

a lot of my weaknesses.

Kuai Duo.

You've been tremendously helpful.

Your kindness won't go unrewarded.

Judging from your intelligence and talent,

the Imperial Astronomical Bureau

doesn't deserve you.

Let me find a way

to get you into the Cabinet.

Then,

you can work for me with all your heart.

Your Majesty.

May I ask for a favor?

I'm listening.

Those years

in the mausoleum left me with

blood deficiency.

Then,

I spent another three years in Dongxia,

drained by the extreme cold.

I'm afraid I won't be able to serve Your Majesty anymore.

I'd like to

resign from work and return to my hometown.

You want to leave?

I'd like to relocate my family

to Zhenning

and settle into our ancestral property.

Zhenning is not far from the capital.

If Your Majesty misses me,

you can summon me at any time.

On your way back from the north,

was there anything strange?

No.

Does anyone know you came to the palace?

I

took the secret passage.

What about your family?

I haven't gone home yet.

Kuai Duo.

You didn't lie to me, right?

I

dare not.

Good.

I will grant your wish.

Take your family

and leave tonight.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I humbly

take my leave.

Your Majesty.

The Kuai family's house caught fire last night.

This morning, the Ministry of Justice reported

that the whole family was killed by bandits.

What about Kuai Duo?

No one survived.

Everyone was burned

out of recognition.

Your Majesty.

Should I send someone to double-check it?

No need.

I didn't expect

that your father would die.

I failed to protect

my most loyal minister.

Tell me.

What did you see that night?

Your Majesty

really wants to know?

Tell me.

They threatened to kill my fellow disciples

to find out where the Gui Seal was.

My father remained silent.

They killed my fellow disciples

and threatened my father with the life

of my sister Yuenu.

Still, my father remained silent.

They killed my sister and my mother.

My father killed himself

out of devastation.

Now I see

why my father chose that as his ending.

Kuai Duo

took my secret to the grave.

I

failed him.

Your Majesty.

[Cao's Mansion]

Your Majesty.

Cao Jingxian is dead.

Your Majesty.

Preliminary examination shows

that Mr. Cao's body is badly decomposed.

I did a rough calculation.

He's been dead for at least five days.

But the officers in the mansion died just now.

Some corpses are still warm.

How did they die?

From poisoning.

There are no traces of fighting.

Have you found the item?

Not yet.

I'll keep looking for it.

You may leave.

The Surveillance Office has been reporting to me

just as usual

in the past few days.

Your Majesty.

Someone discovered Cao Jingxian's secret

and hid the fact that he died.

This person took over the Surveillance Office

and killed everyone in Cao's Mansion.

It was such an elaborate plan.

I am afraid

that my third enemy has shown up.

If Cao Jingxian had died from serious injury,

then the officers would have known.

It would have been hard

to mobilize them.

There was only one way

to avoid that.

Cao Jingxian concealed the fact that he was dying

and asked his confidants

to work for someone else

and keep mobilizing

the officers with his secret token.

In that case,

your third enemy has the Gui Seal now.

You came here today

to look for your third enemy.

Without my help,

you can't fight him or even find him.

I've told you

the truth you wanted.

Now,

you should bring the Gui Seal back.

I will not let you down,

Your Majesty.

But I need another favor from you.

I'm listening.

At the Imperial Astronomical Bureau,

if it weren't for the Queen of Dongxia and the royal hostage,

Cao Jingxian could have killed me.

The Queen of Dongxia died to save the royal hostage.

The royal hostage wasn't the culprit.

I implore Your Majesty

to release the hostage.

Alright.

I will release the hostage as you wish.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

This is the Sword of Justice.

He who wields this sword acts with my authority.

I'm giving this sword to you.

Find out the truth.

Move fast.

Otherwise,

what awaits us is a bloody storm.

Let's go.

I'll take you home.

[The Great Prison]

Sir.

Sir.

Hai.

W-We've been waiting for you all night.

Mr. Gao said you would come.

Master.

Miss.

You've suffered in there.

I hope they didn't torture you.

I'm fine.

Thank you, Mr. Gao.

Stop wasting time.

Let's go.

Sir, get in the carriage with Miss Xiang first.

Master, I...

What are you waiting for?

Do you want to stay more?

Master, I...

Let's go home.

Let's go.

Let's go home.

Come on.

The Zhen Tower is shut down.

I'm looking for the right person to take over.

The servants and maids

of Zhen Tower are quick-handed.

We'll find a way to keep them around.

I bet it won't be easy.

Thank you for your effort.

I'm grateful that they get to stay.

[Zang Residence]

Antu.

Make yourself at home here.

I'll ask someone to change the bedding.

This is your room from now on.

Isn't this your bedroom?

Where will you stay?

I'm sure I can find a room

in this huge residence.

So don't worry.

You must be tired.

I prepared hot water and clothes.

Have a good rest.

Don't go.

I don't want to be alone.

Alright.

I'll keep you company.

You fool.

You risked everything

just to save me.

Didn't I tell you

that I wouldn't let you go?

From now on,

you are my family.

Did Cao Jingxian

do anything when I was in jail?

He's dead.

You killed him?

When His Majesty's people found him,

he was already dead.

It's a pity that I didn't kill him in person

to avenge my mother.

It's over.

His Majesty has demoted me to a commoner.

Dongxia no longer recognizes me as a princess.

From now on,

I'm nobody.

Look.

I used to be broke.

And you're an ordinary lady now.

We don't get to

look down on each other anymore.

You're always

such a smooth talker.

I'm actually

terrible with words when I'm with you.

Antu.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

This is great.

You're finally back.

That's enough.

I'm alright.

It's over.

Why are you standing there?

I thought that you might be overwhelmed.

So I came to help you.

You'll just stand there?

What are you cooking,

Master?

You'll see when they're ready.

I've never seen you cook.

I swear I will eat more.

Don't flatter yourself.

These are not for you.

Not this one.

Master.

Forgive me.

You're always right.

What did you do wrong?

I shouldn't have left without telling you

in advance.

You did well by not telling me.

I would have caused you trouble.

No, Master.

I made a mistake.

You once told me

the most important thing in revenge is staying alive.

You did what you did to save Miss Xiang.

I believe you did that

with absolute confidence.

But you never know.

Even the tightest plan

may have gaps.

I can't put you in danger.

Master.

Let me see.

Tell me.

What binds a master to their disciple?

You said

that a master should

protect his disciple

and the disciple

should follow the master's lead.

So you remember

that the master should protect his disciple.

No true master

would ever let his disciple take a blow

while he stood aside.

Master.

Ten years ago,

Master Xing Dou and you looked after me and taught me everything you knew.

That was how I survived to this day.

I've long since

seen you as my father.

As your son,

I want you to stay safe and sound.

So I'll do the same

if it happens again.

Parents

would rather die for their children

than to live alone.

To take revenge, you must first survive.

To save lives, survive harder.

You made it this time.

And here you are, apologizing to me.

But what if you lost?

Then I'd lose my only disciple.

I've aged.

You're my only disciple.

If you're killed,

who's going to take care of me till I die?

Master.

I swear I'll...

You must stay alive

and take care of me.

Enough. Tell me everything.

What trick did you pull

to deceive His Majesty?

Actually,

I just told His Majesty

the truth.

You deceived him with the truth?

If there is going to be a "Fraud Gang",

I bet you'll be

the gang leader.

Tell me.

How did you deceive him?

Master.

Your hand...

Let me get some medicine.

Stop there.

Don't divert the subject

or keep me curious.

Do you know what I regret most

after slapping you?

I don't feel sorry for you.

But I can't bring myself

to ask you what happened last night.

You're lying again.

You don't easily feel awkward.

You obviously feel sorry for me.

You...

Want another slap?

Just say it.

Fine.

I didn't lie to His Majesty.

I just...

I...

Master.

The soup.

My soup.

- Be careful. - It's burning.

Remove the lid.

[Open-minded and Humble]

Come on, food is ready.

Mr. Gao made all these.

Really?

Where did

Miss Fengliu go?

She went to pack at the Hostage's Mansion.

So,

are they moving here?

A-Aren't you silly?

Miss Xiang has moved here.

Of course, they will

move here.

Okay, smartypants.

Why did you hit me?

- Shut up. - A gentleman shouldn't...

I heard that Mr. Gao made

all these dishes in person

with Mr. Zang's assistance.

Mr. Gao.

Tell us.

Why did you choose

to make these dishes?

Let me tell you about these dishes.

This is stir-fried pork liver and tripe,

which is nourishing,

but it's "heartless."

That is fried chicken.

That chicken was ungrateful

and ran around without crowing.

So I cooked it.

This is fish with vinegar.

This fish has no spines, no bones, and "no shame."

Feel free to dig in.

Fish is brain food.

These are grilled oysters.

Like an oyster, someone only opens up under fire...

Master.

I'll punish myself with three drinks.

Mr. Gao.

He did it to save me.

Let me drink on his behalf.

Miss Antu.

Take it slow.

It has nothing to do with you.

This rascal tricked me.

I can't get over it.

What's your problem?

You have a great disciple.

Shouldn't you be happy about it?

Master Liuchu.

Am I late

for the Survivor's Feast?

Please stop teasing us.

As the saying goes,

"What doesn't kill you makes you luckier."

This should be

the Fortune Feast.

Liuchu.

I didn't expect

that a beauty like you would become so pale

in such a short time.

I brought you

some rouge and powder.

Antu.

Those things are over.

Pull yourself together.

We have to live on

and live well.

Thank you, Liuchu.

Don't stand around.

Be seated.

Master Liuchu, come and sit here.

Everybody's happy.

Why are you pulling a long face?

Look at me.

Look at me.

Smile.

Smile.

Forget it.

It's worse than crying.

Get lost.

Hai,

you did well by rescuing Antu.

Caring and loyal.

Yeah, caring and loyal.

Everyone is here.

Let's drink to celebrate our reunion.

Yeah, let's have a drink.

- Come on. - Come on.

- Cheers. - To our reunion.

To our reunion.

Come on.

The moon hangs

nearly whole tonight, but not quite.

But it will be complete.

What's wrong?

Although Cao Jingxian is dead,

I don't feel relieved.

The third enemy has surfaced.

Your mind is occupied.

From the moment I knew he existed,

only two thoughts remained:

Who is he?

And how will I kill him?

But as I was having food with you,

for a fleeting moment,

my attention

seemed to have shifted.

Because you are no longer

who you used to be when we first met.

Although I stay with Hai

all day long,

you are the one who knows him the best.

I'm also his master,

although I didn't teach him anything.

Be tender like water.

Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.

In the end, he has to learn it himself.

Looks like

your "miracle in desperation" prediction

was spot-on.

If love is true and steadfast through the years,

need we cling to day and night together...?

Stop drinking.

You're right.

I drank too much.

Now, both my third enemy and I are deploying our pawns

as if playing chess.

I may seem to have the upper hand,

but my enemy is lurking in the dark

and may fight back at any time.

I have to be extra careful

and keep the bronze fish safe.

Even the slightest mistake...

I used to witness

the hustle and bustle of the capital in the Zhen Tower.

Sometimes, I would think,

"If only I were nobody but the owner

of the Zhen Tower."

But deep down,

I knew it was impossible.

That was my fate.

Meanwhile,

you're bound by fate to avenge.

Don't overthink.

Don't worry about us, either.

We chose to stand by you.

I,

Mr. Gao,

Guanfeng, Shilei,

and Liuchu

are willing to embark on

this dangerous journey with you.

No.

I don't want you to be in danger

because of me.

Go talk to Mr. Gao.

You're halfway through your revenge.

Ask him if he will

let you finish it by yourself.

I can't disobey my master.

But

I really don't want to implicate you.

You have your way

of protecting your family.

I have my way, too.

Deal with the trickery and treachery

in the court.

But leave the fights and combats

of the martial world to me.

Alright.

Stop frowning.

Tell me

about your plan.

Judging from the tacit understanding between Cao Jingxian and this person,

my third enemy must be close enough to the core of the court

to be able to handle everything

so casually.

Now,

I can only utilize the power granted by His Majesty

to look into Cao Jingxian's case as a start.

I don't believe that person outsmarts you.

And you're backed by His Majesty.

I'm sure you'll find your enemy soon.

I hope so.

Once you find your third enemy

and take revenge,

let's leave this place.

We will go wherever

you want to go.

Alright.

Once I get my revenge,

we will leave this place.

Mr. Zang.

You have inspected all the bodies.

Any findings?

As the coroners said,

there were no external injuries.

They died from poisoning

with fish skin and flesh left in their stomachs.

They must have had the highly toxic fish soup.

Those officers were truly loyal.

They actually killed themselves for Cao Jingxian.

Are you saying

that they did it voluntarily?

All the officers died from poisoning

in Cao's Mansion.

It does look like a suicide.

But they died with twisted,

agonized expressions as if they were murdered.

Suicide by taking poison is agonizing, anyway.

I carefully inspected the fingers

of all the corpses.

Several corpses had soil in their nails.

Even if they were in pain,

where did they find soil

in Mr. Cao's room?

Are you saying

that they were moved to the room after they died

and disguised as poisoned?

Mr. Zuo.

I'm afraid the clue we're looking for

isn't here.

It's with Lu Yan.

Lu Yan?

There were 30 officers in Cao's Mansion.

But there are only 29 corpses here.

The missing person

is Lu Yan.

But we've searched

every corner of Cao's Mansion

and didn't find her body.

I'm afraid that Lu Yan is still alive.

If this was a targeted poisoning,

there'd be no survivors left.

Perhaps Lu Yan

noticed something in advance and escaped.

Or she was the one who poisoned them.

We will only

find the answer after we talk to her.

I'll ask His Majesty

to search for her.

By the way.

Someone else

is involved in this case,

though not an officer.

Who is it?

Shi Quan, Deputy Inspector of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Lu Yan and Lu Fen are missing.

We need another lead and stop wasting time

on this one.

Now, the third enemy has obtained the Gui Seal

and is only one step away from gathering

all three bronze fishes.

He will definitely take action.

In fact, we've narrowed it down quite a lot.

This person ran the Surveillance Office

for quite a while after Cao Jingxian died

and almost made Miss Xiang the scapegoat.

Not many people

are capable of that.

Master.

His Majesty allowed me to investigate all officials.

I want to go from top to bottom,

starting from the Cabinet.

Hai.

In that case,

there is someone you should meet.

[Open-minded and Humble]

Zang Hai.

What you said

answered a question that had bothered me for a long time.

What was that question?

Why weren't there any consequences after your father

stood up for me back then?

Put it aside for now.

Let's talk business.

You've progressed a lot these days.

It seems that we are getting closer to the third enemy.

You also think I should look into the Cabinet?

Zhuang Luyin was the head of the military officers.

Cao Jingxian ran the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Surveillance Office.

This third enemy is in the Cabinet.

They were of similar status.

Tell me.

Who do you want to start with?

The Cabinet is full of high-ranking and powerful ministers.

Even the slightest mistake

would alert them.

Moreover, it won't be easy

to remain an official once you offend someone.

Naturally, I want to start

with the highest-ranking minister.

Shi Yiping, the Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Shi Yiping

has always been domineering and arrogant

in the Cabinet and the Ministry of Personnel.

But after Cao Jingxian died,

rather than expanding his power,

Mr. Shi claimed illness

and stayed at home as if he had no more political ambitions.

If the third enemy

had obtained the Gui Seal,

he would no longer care about the officialdom.

Sir.

It seems that you know Mr. Shi quite well.

That's why I came to see you.

♪Conceal the ambition in my eyes♪

♪In my palm, I hold a dangerous desire♪

♪Turbulent waves hidden in my sleeves♪

♪Silent thunder echoes around♪

♪However cunning you are♪

♪I can see♪

♪Right through you♪

♪Schemes are my armor♪

♪Overt plans are my weapons♪

♪With restrained fury♪

♪I purge the world's corruption♪

♪The night is not dark♪

♪Because♪

♪My heart burns bright♪

♪I control the shifting clouds♪

♪I command the falling rain♪

♪The compass of the human soul is unpredictable♪

♪There will always be ups and downs♪

♪I hold the power of life and death♪

♪I grant and I take away♪

♪When faith burns like the scorching sun♪

♪I will sing aloud with you♪

♪I am the sowing season♪

♪I am the autumn harvest♪

♪I am the world♪

♪I am the people♪

♪And you are also me♪