Original subtitles

We've held a grudge against each other for a long time.

I've been thinking about how to settle it.

I finally figured it out these past few days.

So I'll do as Elder Gray suggested.

Winner takes all, loser is nothing.

What do you think?

Great.

Do you dare to enter the Dark Moon Death Match?

Accept the life-and-death challenge.

If I win,

you'll lose your position as the head of the Gray Sect.

You won't be able to keep it.

This is the life-and-death challenge.

Lord and Elder fighting to the death,

that's unheard of.

On Dark Moon Night, life and death are decided.

Once the challenge is issued, all of the demon market knows.

What, Lord Cat doesn't dare to accept?

You really are determined.

If you ask me,

no one will come out well from this.

Will Lord Cat accept?

No matter who dies,

it's no small matter.

Don't talk nonsense.

I accept.

Darn it, accept what?

Lord Snake.

What is the life-and-death challenge?

Little Zhu Ying, you're still young.

And you don't spend much time in the demon market.

It's normal not to know.

The life-and-death challenge was created by the first two Lords.

It was meant to prevent the demon market's power

from falling into the hands of evil demons.

The Lords and Elders of the demon market hold high status.

If the demons refuse to obey,

they can issue a life-and-death challenge.

Both sides in the duel

ignore status and background.

It's all about skill in the arena.

Once the challenge is made,

there's no turning back.

But it's been a hundred years since anyone saw such a challenge.

A Lord and an Elder fighting to the death

is truly unprecedented.

This matter really is

a bit too hasty.

That's why I came to ask Lord Snake

if there's any room for compromise.

I can't help.

Lord Snake.

But

if Little Cat really dies,

I'll take her place in the arena.

And kill that old rat.

What is Lady Wu doing?

Fishing.

Good appetite.

Sent by Lady Hu Zhu.

Lady Hu Zhu is quite kind.

It's a farewell feast.

You should eat well before you go.

What?

It's nothing.

Lady Wu has something on her mind.

I was thinking, if I get the chance,

I'll build a golden house for you at my estate.

And let me sing Changmen Fu inside.

You actually know these unofficial stories.

I just finished reading them.

The Wu Duke's estate has a rich library.

It really is well-stocked.

You've learned all sorts of things from it.

It's fine to learn a bit of everything.

But you compare me to a heartless man.

You're always teasing and talking nonsense.

That's not something you'd usually say.

What I mean is,

if you haven't thought it through, don't say it.

Don't make promises you can't keep.

Young master never speaks carelessly.

Senior brother.

You've been away from the mountain so long, have you forgotten?

People from Changxi Palace must not fall in love.

I haven't forgotten.

Then you two

won't have an ending.

I never planned to marry her.

Though I have feelings for her,

my heart is troubled.

I only seek the cause, not the result.

I should go.

Aren't you going to ask me

Ask what?

Ask where I'm going.

May I ask where Lady Wu is going?

She has an appointment with another man.

Then

Come back early

I will return

On the Dark Moon Night

All demons roam the night

Ghosts and spirits gather

Strange and unpredictable

Why is it the Dark Moon Night?

How do you read this thing?

You read so diligently

Is it wrong to enjoy reading?

But you humans

Aren't you most afraid of these things?

Yes

Not entirely

My Lady Liu

Is most interested in these strange tales

So if she likes it, you have to like it too

How does that make sense?

You don't get it, do you?

When you like someone

You naturally want to know everything about her

Think what she thinks

Like what she likes

Little loach

Tell me about it

Can I call you big brother?

Tell me, please

Let me see if the book is accurate

You must be a young snake spirit

Just recently gained your powers

You don't know much about these things, do you?

That Lord White Snake knows much more

Isn't it just the Dark Moon Night?

On the Dark Moon Night, the moon is hidden

Yin energy is at its peak

Evil and fierce spirits are strongest

So duels between demons

Are often held on the Dark Moon Night

Naturally, demon winds rise

And strange visions appear

So that's how it is

But

You're all demons

Why do demons fight among themselves?

Demons are like humans

They have desires too

And evil thoughts

Do you know

Our Xuan Snake clan has another name

Long Worm

What is Long Worm?

It's the Yinglong

A Xuan Snake can become a Yinglong after a hundred years of cultivation

It stores water, summons thunder, and gathers clouds

It perches in the heavens, undefeated in battle

And I have cultivated for over a hundred years

You're over a hundred years old?

You're that old

But only this big

Did you not eat well?

I mean

Why haven't you become a Yinglong yet?

Because before Xuan Snakes become dragons

They are at their weakest

On the Dark Moon Night, all demons roam

Ghosts and spirits gather, strange and unpredictable

At its core

It's just the rule of the demon world for thousands of years

The strong prey on the weak

The winner becomes king

It's the Dark Moon Night again

I wonder tonight

Who will become the strongest

Who will become king?

Elder Gray has cultivated for a thousand years

Lord Cat has only cultivated for a dozen years

This outcome

Isn't it obvious?

Not necessarily

Lord Cat may be young

But he possesses the power of Lord Cat

If he masters it

The outcome is uncertain

In your opinion

Does Lord Cat have a chance to win?

Only eighteen years.

You still have a long way to go.

That old rat has gone mad.

He dares to shatter the barrier and summon the power of the heavens.

Even if he wins, he'll still be punished for this.

Is he out of his mind?

If he really defeats Lord Demon,

who could control him then?

You actually shattered the barrier.

You've violated the greatest taboo of the Demon Market.

So what if I break the taboo?

All just to deal with me?

You don't care if the Demon Market and the human world fall into chaos?

A brief chaos means nothing.

As long as I can get rid of you,

it's worth it.

The strong rule.

This world was never meant for creatures like you—

half-breeds.

Terrifying, truly terrifying.

Darn it.

I'm afraid Lord Cat...

Is Lord Cat alright?

Is it ending this quickly?

I can't watch anymore.

It's useless.

The outcome isn't decided yet.

The duel isn't over.

Xiao Zhen.

Are you okay?

Alright, alright, alright.

Lord Cat has won.

How is that possible?

He’s only trained for eighteen years.

Elder Gray.

You worship the strong.

Only because you see yourself as one.

But have you ever considered

that one day

you’ll fall to someone even stronger?

Just like now.

You’re at someone else’s mercy.

Would you still shout

that this world belongs to the strong?

Little Zhen.

There’s one thing you said right.

In the demon world, the strong rule.

But to be a king

isn’t about taking lives at will.

Or holding absolute power.

It’s to protect both humans and demons.

To shield the weakest beings.

So they aren’t bullied by the strong.

Lord Cat.

Elder Jin.

Do you have something to add?

Elder Gray shattered

the barrier between the human world and the demon market.

That’s a crime deserving death.

But he is quite old now.

Yes.

Since the demon market was founded,

he’s served the first two Lords.

He’s been loyal all these years.

Even if not meritorious, he’s worked hard.

Lord Cat.

For Elder Gray’s years of service,

and his momentary lapse,

please spare his life.

I...

I’m fine with either.

Then let’s spare him.

Letting him live is easy.

Strip him of a thousand years of cultivation.

Leave only his mortal body and send him to the human world.

Since you love judging strength,

you’ll be punished as a weak, solitary mouse.

Experience the hardships of the weak.

Go now, Elder Gray.

Elders, any objections?

We obey Lord Cat’s command.

How are you feeling?

Can your body hold up?

I’m fine.

Good thing you survived.

You can’t bear to lose me?

Not really.

I regret it.

I was impulsive that day.

Said if you died,

I’d avenge you.

He’s an elder demon, after all.

He’s quite skilled.

You’re pretty impressive, little cat.

But the demon world lost more than it gained.

This battle

just brought us more work.

The barrier Elder Gray broke

will keep us busy.

I’ve sent Zhu Ying to check.

To see what’s happened to the barrier.

Little Zhen, your half-breed body is unstable.

After this big fight,

why not rest at my place first?

I should go home.

Why rush when you’re like this?

I have to keep my word.

Why hasn’t Lord Mei rested yet?

I’m waiting for Lady Wu.

It’s almost midnight.

She’s still not back.

I’m a bit worried.

Lord Mei, don’t worry.

My Lady likes to play around.

She always comes home late.

Sometimes she stays at Ruyi Pavilion.

She returns in the morning.

But before leaving, she said

she’d come back today.

I...

Let’s wait a bit longer.

I don’t know why,

but I have a bad feeling.

You’re overthinking, Lord Mei.

In Chang’an city,

no one can bully my Lady.

Sister Mingzhuang

Magistrate Mei is worrying too much, isn't she?

Who's worrying too much?

Look at Lord Mei over there.

Doesn't he look just like the pining husband rock from those stories?

So improper.

Still, he's a guest after all.

If you ask me,

this guest is about to become the host.

Visiting someone this late at night,

isn't that a bit rude?

In the middle of the night,

what are you doing?

Waiting for you to come home.

Good thing I made it back.

What happened to you?

Got into a fight.

I'm exhausted.

Why were you fighting again?

Because I don't like getting entangled with others.

The things you say

always sound unbelievable.

It's true.

That one's a bit older.

I still prefer

younger gentlemen.

Is your leg feeling better?

It's healing quickly.

Then you should have no problem walking me home.

Lady Wu

Would you like to get up first?

It's not good if people see you like this.

Master

Eldest Brother Ten

What are you doing?

And what are you doing?

Me?

Why did you come here in the middle of the night?

I was just anxious to find you.

Don’t worry, Eldest Brother Ten.

I know it’s late at night.

I climbed over the wall on purpose.

I didn’t knock.

I was afraid people would say we’re rude.

Why are you looking for me?

It’s nothing much, really.

I just suddenly remembered something.

Go on.

On the morning of the Sky Lantern Festival,

I ran into Mei Silang by chance.

He said

he saw a shadow that looked like a monster.

I thought it was nonsense at the time.

And now, thinking back,

it does seem strange.

So,

better to believe it’s real.

Anyway, I didn’t sense anything odd then.

Did you feel

the sky is strange tonight?

Strange?

Is it?

No, not really.

Forget it.

You should go back now.

We’ll look into it tomorrow.

Alright.

Finally, something serious to do.

The door’s over there.

Don’t climb over people’s walls again.

Got it.

Lady Liu

It's so late.

Did you just get back,

or are you heading out?

What are you doing here?

Tonight is the Dark Moon Night.

The sinister energy is at its peak.

I'm worried about your safety.

So I'm keeping watch over you.

You've been here half the night?

Not exactly.

I accidentally fell asleep just now.

I'm fine.

You don't need to stay here.

If someone sees you later,

they'll start gossiping again.

Lady Liu is fine.

Then I'll head off now.

By the way,

Did you want to say something, Lady Liu?

Dark Moon Night—

the sinister energy is strongest then.

How did you know that?

It was written by Lord White Snake.

It's mentioned in the "Yao Gui Notes."

Are you interested, Lady Liu?

I'll show it to you later.

No need, I was just asking.

I'm really leaving now.

Did I really write it like that?

Such intense resentment.

Bone Spirit.

So the Bone Spirit caused the demon transformation.

Mei Zhuyu.

Mei Zhuyu.

Young Master.

What’s going on?

Why does she look exactly like me?

Master Exorcist.

If you let me go,

I’ll tell you

the secret of the woman traveling with you.

If it’s a secret,

then you should keep it.

Seal it away along with your life.

Sudden heavenly fire in Chang’an.

Water can’t extinguish it, and its source is unknown.

The authorities are investigating.

Several citizens vaguely saw demon shadows fleeing.

Chang’an has always had legends of the demon market.

It’s endured for generations.

Demons and monsters.

Spirits and fiends.

We must root out all evil.

Exterminate them completely.