Original subtitles

You left the door open.

Aren't you afraid I'll catch a chill?

It's summer now.

The nights after rain are the most comfortable.

If Wu Niangzi hadn't been caught in the rain last night,

she wouldn't have gotten a fever.

Did you stay up all night taking care of me?

I read a few books while I was at it.

What books?

Were they interesting?

Just average.

Why just average?

I don't understand.

Why do these storybooks always end

with a gifted scholar and a beautiful lady, a perfect match?

A lifetime of love, growing old together.

But in these stories,

don't they all end happily ever after?

Is marriage really the only happy ending for men and women?

If these stories are just about getting married,

and women have nothing else to do,

their fate after marriage is barely mentioned.

It makes their whole lives

seem rather careless.

If some people heard you say that,

they'd definitely say

you're self-righteous and arrogant.

I'm just sharing my thoughts with you.

Are you feeling better?

Do you still have a fever?

No, it's gone.

Hurry up.

That's enough.

Why are you laughing?

It's nothing.

I just suddenly feel happy.

If you're happy, eat more.

Looks like Wu Er Niangzi is quite busy.

Sit down and eat with us.

I'm not really in the mood.

I just remembered,

I need to go to Ruyi Pavilion.

Mingzhuang.

Watch Mei Langjun take his medicine.

Don't worry, Wu Er Niangzi.

Oh, right.

When Mei Langjun leaves later,

be careful of the second step at the door.

It got damaged when I practiced archery with Xiao Zhen.

It's been repaired,

but it's still not very sturdy.

People often trip on it.

I have something to do as well, I'll be going out.

What's going on?

There's a big breach in the barrier.

Since last night,

several mortals have wandered in by mistake.

Some little demons have escaped too.

Snake Lord can't handle it all.

We need to go help.

Mei Langjun, this is the medicine the Lady prepared for you.

And some candy for after.

Then I'll take the candy.

Alright.

But,

don't eat too much of it usually.

Little Senior Brother.

Chang'an has always been bustling and lively.

This so-called Demon Market,

do you think it really exists?

The stories about it are vague and mysterious,

but there's no smoke without fire.

If the Demon Market really exists,

it's only natural that it's hard to find.

That makes sense.

If it's so hard to find, where do we even start?

Didn't you notice

something strange about Chang'an today?

Seems normal to me.

It's late, everyone's gone home to sleep.

What I mean is,

there was something odd in the sky last night.

It might be a demon.

A demon?

Impossible.

I've been all over Chang'an,

and didn't notice anything unusual.

Didn't Fourth Brother say

he saw something?

Is this really the place?

Mei Langjun.

Huang Zuoling.

Where is Mei Langjun heading?

My cousin just arrived in Chang’an.

I’m showing him around.

You’re touring Liuxiang?

It’s all part of Chang’an’s charm.

I understand.

However,

I’d still advise you both,

to visit somewhere else.

Why?

Recently, a banned drug has become popular in Liuxiang.

It’s harmful to people.

But it keeps resurfacing despite the bans.

We wanted to close off Liuxiang.

And investigate thoroughly.

But unexpectedly,

So many noble families come and go.

There are too many officials’ children here.

It’s impossible to block them all.

If that’s the case,

We won’t disturb you further.

Farewell.

Mei Langjun, rest early.

Didn’t Huang Zuoling say

they’re not blocking this alley?

We could just walk in.

Why pretend to leave

and then sneak back in?

It’s not that they don’t want to stop us.

They simply can’t.

Huang Zuoling is Wu Niangzi’s friend.

I don’t want to trouble him.

It’s that fox spirit again.

Where’s the stuff I asked you to bring?

Why do we need a disguise?

I’m the Changxi Palace envoy.

An official coming to a place like this

is hard to explain.

Got it.

What’s this?

Nine-Sound Pill.

Take it,

and your voice changes for two hours.

No one will recognize your voice, Shi Ge.

It’s one of my prized treasures.

I...

What’s happening?

Wasn’t it supposed to change my voice?

Why am I mute?

Forget it, forget it.

Your gadgets

are always so unpredictable!

What else do you have?

Don’t worry, Shi Ge.

Nothing will go wrong this time.

Take a look.

Simple, effective, instant results.

And

guaranteed to work.

Isn’t this the eighteenth one already?

What kind of sorcery is that old rat using?

He never lets us rest.

What rules did Snake Lord set?

As usual,

erase the mortals’ memories first.

Lingxiao and Zhu Ying

are also rounding up the escaped little demons.

Good.

Now we just wait for the barrier here to mend.

So mortals can’t enter.

Then we’ll repair things in the human world.

That’ll make things easier.

Yes.

Greetings, Cat Lord, Lord Huzhu.

Reporting to you both,

we’ve found another suspicious spot.

The Skin Rental Shop.

A place that sells disguises.

Alright, go check elsewhere.

Yes.

Where has that old pen monster gone off to nap again?

It feels so real.

Yes.

Each one is hand-painted.

Enhanced with demon magic.

So lifelike, you can't tell it's fake.

I heard that young demon spirits

haven't formed their bodies or faces yet.

Some who long for beauty

come here to rent or buy

a handmade skin.

If they're willing to pay, they can even get custom ones.

That's right.

From hair and skin color to facial features and limbs,

everything is customizable.

You can even try them on in the fitting room.

Pay only if you're satisfied.

Boss, you're a demon in human form.

So you're not familiar with the Skin Rental Shop.

It's hard for us demons to take human shape.

Even if some manage it,

they still look odd.

Some are downright ugly.

Not every demon is as good-looking as me.

Alright, leave this to me.

Go check

if there are any other breaches.

By the way, Boss,

you should be careful.

Across the street is the Liuxiang brothel.

You're so famous,

don't let anyone spot you.

Which brothel is across the street?

Yunong Pavilion.

Their business has always been shady.

Full of tricks and chaos.

Are you sure you don't want to wear one?

No, it's too stuffy.

Besides,

I, Master Shuangjiang, roam the world

and love to show my face.

The demon shadow Fourth Brother mentioned before

also appeared near Liuxiang, right?

Exactly.

Where is everyone?

Where did they all go?

Where is everyone? That's odd.

Where did all the girls go?

Such a handsome young man, isn't he?

I'm not here for fun.

Really, I'm not here for fun.

Beauty, here I come!

Beautiful.

Where's the beauty?

Beauty!

Here.

What's this?

Wushi Powder.

Looks like this guest took a wrong turn.

Where am I?

Here.

Just an empty room in Yunong Pavilion.

What's that sound?

It's nothing.

I'll go check inside.

Don't.

Why not?

It's a demon.

Didn't you see the fan he gave me?

Why is the Sun family's young master lying here?

Someone, come quickly!

Young master!

Wake up, young master! Wake up!

Wake up! Are you alright?

What beauty?

He probably took too much Wushi Powder again.

Help the young master up first.

Come on.

Take it slow, come on.

What happened?

A mortal wandered in by mistake and got suspicious.

What is Xiaozhen doing?

I'm not playing around.

Are you alright?

What did you do with the mortal who wandered in?

It's fine.

I wiped his memory and threw him out.

Who kicked me just now?

I'll kill him!

Chang'an is such a scary place.

Good thing I ran fast.

Little senior brother.

Let's just go back to the mountain.

This really isn't a place for people.

Yeah.

It truly isn't a place for people.

After working all night, it's finally fixed.

This time, I used a new weaving technique.

The result is much better than before.

Wu Er.

Oh, it's Book Master.

Huang Yi, what brings you here?

Recently, Wushi Powder has resurfaced in Chang'an.

So,

I've been leading searches for several days now.

Wushi Powder...

I'll get back to work, then.

You two be careful as well.

By the way,

Wu Er,

I have some news for you.

Go on.

That young master Mei from your household—

Is he still staying at your place lately?

Yes.

Then do you know where he was yesterday?

Of course, he was at the Duke's residence.

See? You're too naive.

That young master Mei of yours—

He wanted to visit Liuxiang last night.

Luckily, I stopped him.

Good thing I kept him from going astray.

Pretty loyal of me, right?

You mean—

He was going to a brothel?

I don't believe it.

But Xiaozhen trusts him.

He's not that kind of person.

He wouldn't do something like that.

Wu Er,

All these years,

you've met plenty of young masters.

Have you ever trusted anyone like this before?

Why is it only him

that you trust so completely?

A young master's nature is to seek novelty and tire of the old.

Old...

Are you two already tired of me?

I—

Human nature

can't be defined by gender.

That's true.

Forget it.

As long as you know what you're doing.

I'll get back to work, then.

Xiaozhen,

Do you really trust him that much?

I do.

Just like I trust you.

Book Master

Book Without Words

Book Without Words

What's wrong?

What are you doing?

If we join forces, we can do as we please.

Qiangyi Lord

I'm not. I have nothing to do with you.

Nothing to do with it.

Have you forgotten the past?

Back then,

My bones fell into the earth,

vanished without a trace.

I used up all my strength,

moving bit by bit,

just to let them break through the soil again.

And return to this world.

It's raining outside. Let's go in.

Alright.

Here.

Boss, give me a duck, chopped up.

All of this was destined.

I was meant to return to this world.

And you are the ancient military tome.

Your fate must not be wasted.

Senior Brother sent a letter.

Heard that Chang’an is in chaos from demons, and our junior brother is badly injured.

He hopes you both return soon to discuss our plans.

To rid Chang’an of demons.

What do you think, Tenth Brother?

Let’s set out and head back as soon as possible.

We’ll return with our brothers and fight together.

And help you vent your anger.

Changxi Palace has stayed hidden for a hundred years.

Now we wish to return to Chang’an.

I’m afraid it won’t be that easy.

Since Senior Brother suggested it,

he must have thought it through.

Besides, subduing demons and evil

is the duty of Changxi Palace disciples.

Not just a hundred years in hiding,

even a thousand years,

now is the time to step up.

I did enter the Demon Market last night,

but it was too rushed.

I’m still unsure what’s really going on inside.

Honestly, I have no idea.

So what should we do?

I’ll stay in Chang’an for now.

Keep investigating the Demon Market.

Then we’ll plan further.

Is Chang’an really this chaotic?

Did you run into anything strange last night?

Actually, yes.

What?

Last night,

I don’t know if I was drunk

or just hallucinating,

but I clearly saw a crack open in my bed.

A flash of white light,

and when I opened my eyes again,

I smelled sweetness everywhere.

It was like falling into a candy shop.

You have no idea.

The bowls and spoons inside

were clanging and banging around.

Then I turned and saw

a bee bigger than a person!

Same for me last night.

I felt like I was in a bizarre place.

There was a tavern there.

But the owner wasn’t human at all.

What was it?

That owner

was a skinny little monkey.

What I saw was even scarier.

Monsters everywhere in the streets.

As for the human world,

it’s just as Zhu Ying said.

The barrier had a breach last night.

Many claimed they entered some kind of dream.

And saw all sorts of spirits.

The barrier has been repaired now,

so the Demon Market won’t be exposed for now.

But rumors are spreading.

It’s bound to raise suspicion.

These mortals are always forgetful.

Even if there were slip-ups before,

it only confused their minds.

They’d forget in a few days.

But this time,

why is it such a big deal?

Honestly,

the barrier always had flaws.

Just one or two spots.

If patched up in time,

no one would notice.

As for Elder Gray,

if that old rat hadn’t acted as he did,

the barrier wouldn’t have so many breaches.

Now everyone’s had strange encounters and keeps talking about it.

Isn’t that right, Elder White?

Go on, I’m listening.

So, after all this,

So none of you have any solutions at all?

You’re always quick to criticize Cat Lord.

But now, the four great houses—

have caused a huge blunder.

Why is everyone suddenly hiding?

Book Master, please calm down.

What happened with the Gray House—

was just a moment of foolishness on his part.

It has nothing to do with the three of us.

We’re not trying to shirk responsibility.

It’s just that this matter is extremely tricky.

Exactly.

Little Cat Lord is always charming.

Book Master is also exceptionally wise.

You two will surely come up with a solution.

We’ll just listen attentively.

Just tell us what to do.

I’m not one for thinking too hard anyway.

My lord, in my opinion—

To avoid missing any intruders—

and causing a disaster—

we should be thorough.

What do you mean by thorough?

Too many people means too many rumors.

Why not silence everyone who was near Liuxiang that night?

Make them mute.

Or eliminate them all.

What are you talking about?

It’s the fastest way.

I have a demon poison—

colorless and tasteless.

It can be put into the well.

Mortals will drink it themselves.

The authorities won’t be able to trace it.

Nonsense!

Do you know how many people entered Liuxiang yesterday?

How many were there?

Fifty-seven people.

And how many shops are around Liuxiang?

One hundred and twelve.

You want to kill them all?

If the Demon Market’s thousand-year foundation is exposed—

millions of demonkin will never know peace again.

I’m thinking of the bigger picture.

But you just said—

it was Elder Gray who caused this.

How can you blame innocent mortals?

Just a hundred or two people—

It’s less than the nobles and royals.

More die in a palace coup.

Mortals treat their lives as worthless.

Why should we stick to the old rules?

You’re the Deputy Demon Lord—

and you call following demon law “clinging to rules”?

Demon law forbids wanton killing.

Of course I know that.

But just a hundred or two—

How is that wanton killing?

Just a hundred or two people—

Killing even one innocent is wanton killing.

Xiao Zhen.

Call me “my lord” in the Demon Market.

My lord.

If mortals discover the Demon Market—

it will spiral out of control.

I’m thinking of the Demon Market’s safety.

Book Master’s words make sense.

I agree as well.

I believe I’m still the Cat Lord here.

No matter what—

I will never agree to killing thousands for a mere possibility.

That logic is unacceptable.

As the Cat Lord of the Demon Market—

I advise you all—

No one—

should commit reckless slaughter.

That’s the rule.

Book Master.

Remember this well.

Fine.

We’ll do as you say.

I’ll go review the demon law.

The method suggested by the Wordless Tome—

though meant for the Demon Market’s sake—

is indeed too extreme.

It may cause unnecessary trouble.

I’ll take full responsibility for this.

I’ll make sure it’s handled cleanly.

Everyone, you may leave.

You’re really upset with the Book Without Words.

He’s always been like that.

To everyone except you,

he’s inevitably harsh.

I always thought I understood him.

But I never expected

he’d see human life as so worthless.

In humans’ eyes,

the lives of us demonkin

are just as cheap, aren’t they?

Two hundred years ago,

I lived among humans as the White Snake Lord.

That’s when I met Duan Lang.

We met through writing books.

He wrote about solving cases.

I wrote tales of demons and spirits.

We were a perfect match.

He said he was devoted to me.

I believed him.

He said he accepted all of me, good and bad.

I believed that too.

He promised to stay with me forever.

And I believed him again.

And then?

Later,

he accidentally discovered my demon form.

He fled in panic.

Demon... Demonkin... Duan Lang...

A demonkin...

I thought I’d never see him again.

But unexpectedly, he came back.

He said he wanted to reconcile.

A Bai, let’s get married.

Duan Lang...

What did you put in the wine?

You drugged the wine.

Marriage...

You really think you’re human.

Go die.

I’ll never forget how he looked.

Baring his teeth,

his face twisted with cruelty.

A gentleman, so refined—

yet so shameless.

You never talk to me about your past.

Why are you telling me this today?

I’m telling you this

not to dwell on sorrow,

but to let you know—

Little Cat,

don’t think you can see through everyone around you.

Everything in this world has two sides.

The closer you get,

the sharper their hidden side becomes.