Original subtitles

BASED ON THE JJWXC NOVEL WHEN DESTINY BRINGS THE DEMON BY FU HUA

Look at us now.

Do we still look like we are in charge of the Celestial Palace?

We are nothing more than puppets to keep the Eight Palaces' glory alive.

People's greed has pushed us to the brink of despair.

Today, Sima Shi and Sima E are joined as partners

to continue the Fengshan bloodline

and nourish the Spirit Fire!

- There, there. - E, give our child a name.

Let's call him Jiao.

This baby is actually the Grandmaster?

So these two are the Grandmaster's mother and father?

What happened?

It's useless.

They clearly mean to trap the Sima clan here.

The late Great Ancestress needs to be buried outside the mountain.

Why have you sealed White Deer Cliff?

We will have people escort the Great Ancestress out of the mountain

for burial later.

The Sima clan must remain here to guard the Spirit Fire.

Grandmaster, please stay on White Deer Cliff.

The Eight Palaces aren't even trying to hide their intentions.

You are treating us like prisoners!

Do you even have the slightest respect for us Grandmasters?

The array is a joint seal by the Eight Palaces.

It allows entry but no exit.

Please do not waste your efforts trying to break it.

So even the generation before the Grandmaster

could not escape the fate of being trapped by the Eight Palaces.

Grandmaster, Grandmistress!

Weren't you supposed to escort the Great Ancestress's body

outside the array?

Why have you returned so soon?

Yesterday, the eight palace heads opened a gap in the sealing array

so I could send the Great Ancestress's body

outside the cliff for burial.

- But then… - Go on.

But then, those people from the Eight Palaces used her body

for a feast.

What a bunch of monsters!

Has the Grandmaster's father gone mad?

Is he trying to burn down White Deer Cliff?

What's going on?

- Sima Shi, what are you doing? - What's going on?

- Sima Shi, what are you doing? - Have you lost your mind?

What…?

- What are you doing? - Yeah.

What happened?

He's dead.

Now, only Sima E and her son can sustain the Spirit Fire.

We cannot let them die as well.

No!

We must make Jiao merge with the Spirit Fire as soon as possible.

That way, the Eight Palaces will not dare harm him.

But if he merges with the Spirit Fire,

he will live forever in the agony of its burning.

I don't want him to live such a life.

Better to end the Fengshan Clan's generations of tragedy here.

E, Jiao was born with this mission.

He carries the rare atavistic Fengshan bloodline.

He's both pure and powerful.

He is our clan's hope for revival.

Do you know the price of absorbing the Fengshan Spirit Fire?

If you fail, both you and your son will die,

and the Sima clan will be wiped out completely.

I have no other choice.

Today, I offer my flesh, blood, and spirit bones.

Will you merge with my boy through my nirvana?

The last thing I wish to take is your life.

But fine, I have grown tired of this world anyway.

From now on,

you will be the only living person to carry the bloodline of the Sima clan.

Have I been buried?

Who buried me?

Grandmaster, Mr. Snake, little flame, help!

Open…

You seem really scared.

Why did you put me in a coffin?

You chose a poisonous flower.

Then you fell unconscious for three days and were beyond saving,

so I decided to give you a proper burial.

Relax.

I just put you in the coffin to scare you.

I've already neutralized the poison.

So I really picked a poisonous flower?

Didn't you say only evil people produce poisonous flowers?

But Sima E, Sima Jiao's mother,

looked so kind-hearted.

No one is purely good or purely evil.

How can a single flower decide that?

Then why was that flower poisonous?

If one dies with a calm and content heart, their bone pearl

produces a healing flower.

If one dies in pain and resentment, their flower is poisonous.

No wonder.

Judging by your tone,

you saw who this flower came from, didn't you?

He doesn't know the flower I picked

was grown from his mother's bone pearl.

Should I tell him?

Forget it. He's in a good mood now.

I shouldn't reopen old wounds.

The Grandmaster's family had actually

been jointly imprisoned by the Eight Palaces.

Because of that, all of his clan perished in flames.

No wonder he wants revenge.

But isn't the poison incurable?

How did I survive?

Some of the flowers work as antidotes, remember?

So they don't contradict each other. They cancel each other out.

Then how do you tell medicine from poison?

I'm from the Sima clan.

The poison has no effect on me.

Besides, the Spirit Fire can help me tell them apart.

Don't tell me you went so far as to use the Spirit Fire

just to save me.

Of course I didn't need the Spirit Fire for that.

I just needed to tell sweet from bitter.

Poison, again.

So you tasted the flowers to find medicine for me,

just like Shennong did?

If I want to kill you,

no matter where you are, you'll die.

If I don't want to kill you,

even if you're dead,

I can bring you back to life.

Very mighty of you.

By the way, boss, during the three days I was unconscious,

did anyone come looking for me?

- Who do you want to have come? - So, no one then.

This feels just like getting off a plane and finding no new messages at all.

What?

Nothing.

Grandmaster, look,

since you've already ended seclusion, keeping me around serves no purpose.

I'm just eating and living for free.

Why don't I go back to Serene Vale?

Is Serene Vale better than here?

If I say yes, he'll get mad again.

He just played Shennong for me.

It seems he sees me as a trusted aide now.

No way he'll let me leave anytime soon.

If you say yes,

I will kill you.

No, of course not.

May I take some leave then?

I want to go see Ruling.

You can't.

You don't even know her true background.

Forget it.

I'll just wait for a chance to sneak out with Mr. Snake and see Ruling.

Grandmaster,

the Celestial Palace is still keeping up the old practice of death duels.

Today's match is about to begin.

The Eight Palaces' most valued disciples have already arrived at the arena.

Sect Master Shi and the eight palace heads will probably be there, too.

Grandmaster, there's something I'd like to ask.

The Eight Palaces have made you suffer for 500 years.

Why didn't you kill them all when you emerged from seclusion?

What if they join forces again to seal you?

If I kill them all,

who will deal with the mess in the Gengchen Celestial Palace? Me?

You could support a new palace head loyal to you

to run the Celestial Palace.

Everyone is greedy.

Who would truly be loyal?

So, Grandmaster, are we going to let them off just like this?

They've done so many terrible things.

Of course not.

I want those who once harmed and humiliated me

to suffer in fear,

to watch the things they treasure most be destroyed,

and, only after enduring the despair of hell,

to finally die.

Is Shi Qianlv included as well?

Shi Qianlv…

Grandmaster,

your body is growing weaker by the day.

Please drink this soup.

It will help your wounds heal.

If I die, their dream of using the Spirit Fire will be shattered.

Even if you're angry, you shouldn't take it out on your own body.

Now, drink the soup.

Be good.

Grandmaster, have a sip.

If you don't want it, may I drink it?

What's in that soup?

The blood of the Sima clan.

Why do you make me drink it?

Does Shi Qianlv know what it is?

Yes. Sect Master Shi wants your wounds to heal faster

so you could nourish the Fengshan Spirit…

You're evil, all of you!

The Eight Palaces are nothing but puppets.

Shi Qianlv is the truly interesting one.

From what I've seen, Shi Qianlv's cultivation

isn't even as high as the palace heads.

Since the palace heads have reached levels

where the Truth Spell no longer works on them,

why don't we start with Shi Qianlv?

Incompetence is just his disguise.

He must have countermeasures in place.

Do not alert him.

Let him throw himself into disorder

and reveal weaknesses on his own.

Where else can you find an employee dorm this comfortable?

The work environment is like a scenic resort.

I've got the looks.

If I did my hair nicely and changed into a pretty outfit, I'd look even better.

They're so thoughtful.

Are all these for me?

There's room service, too?

These puppet servants are basically robots.

Their skin feels so real.

Can you also bring me some jewelry and shoes?

Is that a yes or no?

Now I understand what "a life as carefree as an immortal" really means.

Right now, everyone thinks I'm the boss's confidante.

He was so arrogant when he emerged from seclusion.

If I quit, would everyone take their anger out on me?

Even though the Grandmaster sometimes seems a bit mentally unstable,

he's been pretty good to me.

He's saved my life so many times.

Besides, I still need him to help with my pain.

I'd better not think about quitting for now.

Grandmaster,

what brings you here?

- Come with me. - All right.

- Greetings, Grandmaster. - Greetings, Grandmaster.

Grandmaster, what are we doing here?

You may begin.

So this is a martial arts contest in the cultivation world?

Let's put on a show for now and stall for time.

All right. We'll wait for the seniors to arrive.

Greetings, Grandmaster.

Grandmaster, why are you in the mood to come and watch

the disciples' death duels today?

You call this half-hearted show a death duel?

Grandmaster, allow me to explain.

Those two in the ring are from the Heaven Palace

and the Sun Palace, respectively.

They are both excellent disciples carefully trained

by their respective palace masters.

Hurting either one would be unfortunate.

Could you, for the Shi family's sake, let them off?

Let them off?

The purpose of a death duel is to push disciples to advance their cultivation

in life-and-death combat.

Have the Eight Palaces grown so arrogant

that they don't even follow the rules they themselves set?

Sect Master Shi, do you also approve of this?

The Celestial Palace has this kind of tradition?

You heard the Grandmaster.

Take the death duel seriously.

Do not hold back.

What did we do wrong?

We just wanted to spare each other as fellow disciples.

Exactly! Wanton killing of the innocent goes against morality.

We spar to learn from each other and improve our cultivation.

- Why must we fight to the death? - Exactly.

Aren't these the very rules the Eight Palaces set themselves?

And now, they're calling the Grandmaster evil?

You say that I go against morality and kill the innocent.

Then let me see just how much your so-called morality is really worth.

What is that?

That looks like a Bloodseal Bloom.

Really?

Is that the legendary Bloodseal Bloom?

Disciples, any one of you here today

who can win 20 death duels

will earn one petal of the Fengshan Bloodseal Bloom.

Apologies in advance, Junior Brother.

Senior Brother, you…

He's offering a Bloodseal Bloom's petal.

It equals a millennium of cultivation.

Isn't that exactly what we train for?

I can't believe they're killing each other over a single petal.

And the eight palace heads are just standing by

without lifting a finger?

Have these disciples lost their minds?

It's just a contest. Why are they slaughtering each other?

They were all so polite just a moment ago.

Under the skin, they have the hearts of wolves.

Now, they are just showing their true colors.

Sect Master Shi, is the Grandmaster trying to kill all the talented disciples

we've worked so hard to train?

This is not entirely the Grandmaster's doing.

Those disciples were driven by their own greed.

Easy for you to say when it's my disciples who died.

Master Ri, calm yourself.

Who would have thought

that the little child from back then would become what he is today?

I fear this death duel is the Grandmaster's way

of giving everyone here a warning.

Sect Master Shi, you are the head of the Eight Palaces

and the Grandmaster's confidant.

You must not let him keep running wild like this.

Sect Master Shi, we are all counting on you.

Very well, you may rest assured.

I will do everything I can to keep him calm.

But he has just emerged from seclusion,

and his anger is still high.

As long as he doesn't go too far,

we should turn a blind eye.

Say what you want to say.

Grandmaster,

that Bloodseal Bloom you took out today seemed to be greatly sought-after.

But didn't you say it only works if it's taken with your blood?

Without your blood, the person who takes it will explode.

None of those people has drunk your blood,

so what use would it be to them even if they got it?

Not with my blood, but with the blood of the Fengshan Clan.

But aren't you the only one left of the Fengshan Clan?

That's right.

When members of the Sima family die, their bodies can't be preserved,

and only a bone pearl remains.

Do you know why?

Because the flesh and blood of the Sima clan

are a rare medicine that can improve cultivation.

In the past, the other families of the sect would divide them up.

Judging by how eager those people were to seize the Bloodseal Bloom today,

every disciple there has drunk the blood of my clan.

Can't take it?

This Demon Realm spy is actually more upright than many in the Celestial Palace.

How strange.

Whatever. I don't care where she's from anyway.

What did we do wrong?

- We just wanted to spare each other. - Exactly! Wanton killing of the innocent

- goes against morality. - He's offering a Bloodseal Bloom's petal.

It equals a millennium of cultivation.

Isn't that exactly what we train for?

So the boss grew up in such a dog-eat-dog environment.

No wonder he's full of hatred for this world.

As his trusted aide,

should I say something to comfort him?

No…

Liao Tingyan…

As someone without ambition,

you've been lucky enough to get promoted to this position.

Don't overestimate yourself, okay?

Boss, why are you here?

I see. The Spirit Fire is getting to you again, isn't it?

What is it? Do you still feel irritated?

Is the air conditioner broken today?

Go to sleep.

This is as strange as the boss

telling me to clock out first when he himself is still working overtime.

I'll…

go to bed, then?

Boss, if you… I…

Can you really sleep like this?

Well, considering how good the benefits of this job are,

I should make some concessions for the boss.

Sima Jiao seems like a career-obsessed man with no interest in women.

If he wants to stay here, let him.

As expected, she not only eases the burning pain from the Spirit Fire

but also somehow calms my anger.

Wake up.

Wake up.

Get up. No more sleeping.

What is it, dear boss?

Can't you consider a beauty's need for beauty sleep?

Lack of sleep causes dark circles.

How can you even fall asleep?

Why wouldn't I fall asleep?

Because I am here.

So?

In the entire Gengchen Celestial Palace,

anyone who has heard my name fears me.

How can you sleep so soundly next to me?

My sleep quality is just too good. I can't help it.

You are impossible to figure out.

Fine, since you're such a night owl,

I'll make sacrifices and keep you company.

A night owl?

It means someone like you with an irregular schedule.

Where do you come up with all these strange phrases?

I guess I'm just quick-witted.

Father,

I heard Sima Jiao made over 100 disciples fight in death duels,

and many favored disciples of the Eight Palaces died.

How did the palace heads take that?

Did they pressure you?

Of course they are displeased,

but they won't openly protest for now.

After all, no one wants to anger Sima Jiao.

Besides, Tian Wuya and I are working together.

As long as he doesn't come for us,

so what if the Grandmaster kills a few people?

If he were to wipe us all out, he'd end up gravely injured, too.

There would be nothing in it for him.

Besides, the new palace heads have only just taken office.

The situation is still unstable.

At most, they hold some resentment.

I've already calmed them down.

Then, Father, are we just going to let Sima Jiao run wild like this?

If this goes on, the Eight Palaces may slip from our control.

Sima Jiao was sealed for so long.

His resentment cannot be dispelled easily.

Of course he'd want to kill a few people to vent his feelings.

Besides, it's just a few disciples who died.

If he wants to kill them, so be it.

Even though he is a madman now,

he will still listen to a few things I say.

We just have to handle him with care.

Before our great plan is complete,

we must keep the Eight Palaces under control so they remain useful to us,

and we also need to prevent Sima Jiao

from acting too wildly.

STAR HALL

Grandmaster, the disciples of all the palaces have gathered at the arena.

They're asking when today's death duels will begin.

They are even willing to give up

their lives for the Bloodseal Bloom?

Shi Qianlv and the eight palace heads

don't seem to care about those disciples' lives at all.

After the last round of death duels,

Shi Qianlv merely offered a few words of comfort

and brushed the matter aside.

Seems like there's a mole among the palace heads.

A mole?

Could it be Tian Wuya?

He's the only one who seems rather close to Shi Qianlv.

White Deer Cliff's spirit veins

were supposed to be under the Shi family's care.

Looks like Shi Qianlv really has given him some benefits.

What?

No wonder his cultivation has been improving so quickly.

I've heard he's already reached the Unity Merge stage.

Shi Qianlv is absolutely shameless.

These spiritual veins aren't his to give away.

He's only a gatekeeper. What right does he have to play generous?

Tian Wuya…

That name sounds familiar.

Father, Sima Jiao's cultivation has been improving fast.

Will he be strong enough to break free from these chains one day?

Don't worry, Wuya.

The eight sealing nails have been driven deep into his body.

Even if he breaks the chains one day,

he will never escape the suppression of the nails.

But what if he cannot bear the pain and kills himself?

His life is tied to the Spirit Fire.

If he dies, won't the Celestial Palace's spiritual veins all die away?

Young Master Tian, you have a point.

What do you suggest?

I think we should add another restriction on top of the seals.

What stage did you just say he was at?

Tian Wuya has just entered the Unity Merge stage.

Is there a banquet today?

Yes. Today, the Heaven Palace is holding a flower banquet

and has invited disciples from all the palaces.

It should be lively.

Good.

Then we will join the fun and have a little game with Tian Wuya.

Great, Grandmaster. When will we leave?

Once Liao Tingyan wakes up.

Grandmaster, is this your way of showing concern for Tingyan?

Do you want her to sleep a bit longer?

Even you dare to speculate about my thoughts now?

Waking up naturally without an alarm feels amazing.

Wow.

Let's see. What pretty clothes have they sent me this time?

Mirror, tell me, who's the most beautiful woman in the world?

It's Liao Tingyan!

Trying on outfits is so much fun!

Boss.

- Let's go. - We just worked overtime yesterday.

Can I have a rest today?

What is overtime?

It's when you want an employee to be available 24 hours a day, like now.

So you don't want to come with me?

It's not that I don't want to.

- Why don't you want to? - I'm afraid I might see dead people.

A person from the Demon Domain is afraid of dead bodies?

If you don't come, I will kill you first.

Let me just change into something easier to move in.

Follow me.

At least let me change!

Oh, the smell of fruit.

Boss, where are we going?

To kill someone.