Original subtitles

[Shadow Love]

[Episode 8]

[Ninglan]

We've been walking all day.

Why don't we stay here for the night?

Alright.

Watch the steps.

Be careful.

Take care.

[Luming House]

Sir, Ma'am, are you here for a room?

Do you have any rooms available?

Sir, you're in luck.

There's still

one superior room left.

Okay.

This way, please.

You're rushing in but you don't even have money.

Hold on.

I'll take you somewhere nice.

Let's go.

This place looks pretty good to me.

Come on, let's go.

Zhuifeng also wants to stay here.

Let's go.

I'm staying here.

As long as there's a bed,

[Jiqing Inn]

that's enough.

When I was on campaign,

I even slept outdoors.

This is already good enough.

Sir,

two superior rooms.

There are no rooms left.

Can't you see I'm sleeping?

Don't scrimp too much when traveling.

You can't save money to this extent.

Why don't we

stay at the first inn?

Wait.

I'll go find us rooms.

You stay here

and feed Zhuifeng.

Remember,

feed it with good stuff.

Good stuff, okay?

She treats you

better than she treats herself.

Let's go.

Come on.

Place your bets! Place your bets!

Place your bets!

Big!

Big!

Four, five, six! Big!

Small!

This money

should be enough.

Bro,

how about a couple more rounds?

Don't go, bro.

Play a couple more rounds!

Don't go!

Play a couple more rounds!

Stop!

Fruit is incredibly expensive this season,

and you're feeding it to a horse?

It's fine.

I have another basket here, saved just for you.

They're very sweet. Try some.

The rooms are ready too.

[The Premier Room]

Where did you get the money?

I didn't steal or rob.

Going to bed so early?

Are you thirsty?

Is it early?

I don't feel very sleepy.

I'll go out for a walk.

Stop.

We've already gone through half the city,

and there really are no rooms left.

Tonight,

just relax and get some sleep.

I've seen everything.

Seems like it.

Are you not used to this bed?

No.

This bed is quite comfortable.

I just miss home.

Home?

You've only been there a few days and already call it home?

A crow in a magpie's nest.

My identity is unknown.

I still don't know who I am.

But I was fortunate enough to meet you,

who gave me a place to stay.

So the General's Residence

naturally feels like home to me.

In comparison,

you live each day so plainly,

even more like someone without a home.

When I was in Yunjing,

I had to be cautious about everything.

At 12,

I went to the battlefield with my father.

In my memory,

it was only endless war.

I barely remember

the feeling of home.

But in this world, apart from the fires of the battlefield,

there are also hearth fires of ordinary homes.

Now that we're in Ninglan,

where resources are abundant,

how about

I add some furnishings

to your bedroom?

It would at least make it a bit warmer,

much better than how cold and empty it is now.

No.

It's just a place to sleep.

You can't see anything once you're asleep anyway.

It's a waste of effort.

Precisely because it's a place to sleep,

it should be warmer.

You're a general,

fighting on the battlefield every day,

defending the country,

and carrying burdens no ordinary person could bear.

When you return home,

you deserve a proper,

warm place to rest.

Are you lecturing me?

Rather than lecturing,

it's more of a hope.

Before I lost my memory,

I must have had many

close friends

and family.

But now,

you are the only person

in this world truly connected to me.

I want you to live well.

Alright.

Since you're the teacher,

you make the arrangements.

But,

you must never…

I won't gamble again.

[Yuxing Woodenware]

Three Double-Flower Crescent Stools,

a set of wooden screens,

Two curved-edge tables,

four carved crescent stools.

Keep the change.

Thank you, sir.

I'll arrange people

to deliver your purchases right now.

You spend money lavishly.

You lead troops in battles all year round,

risking your life.

Using some nice things

is only what you deserve.

As for the rest of the money,

after we return to Lucity,

donate it to those in need for me.

It's ill-gotten money anyway.

You're actually using it to earn a good reputation.

Gambling should be punished.

I was just

acting on justice,

and at the same time did a bit of good for them,

helping them earn some good karma.

When I saw this plain jade hairpin just now,

I immediately took a liking to it.

I think it suits you perfectly.

It's for...

It's for me?

You're always in a military uniform.

I think

only this plain jade hairpin

wouldn't look awkward on you.

You don't like it?

It's ugly.

It's not ugly.

You're beautiful anyway.

Don't take it off.

This is the first time I've given someone a gift.

Thanks for indulging me.

[Jing'an Bookstore]

Why did you stop?

Don't you like biographies?

A bookstore this big

must have everything.

If you find the ones you like,

you won't have to trouble Su Muyang

to search everywhere.

I noticed that you didn't even touch the biographies

he gave you last time.

Whether he really betrayed you

or

was genuinely forced by circumstances,

I guess now

you just don't want anything

to do with him.

It's not that.

Really.

I just...

don't like biographies anymore.

I thought if I bought more biographies,

you could forget the past

and enjoy reading.

But since you don't like them anymore,

just forget it.

It's really a shame.

This bookstore is huge—

there might be many rare editions.

I have a collection of military books

I've been collecting for years,

but I'm still missing one volume.

They might have it here.

♪ The eyes I gaze into ♪

♪ The waiting in my heart ♪

♪ Till rain blossoms on the branch ♪

♪ When you turn and glance my way ♪

♪ I hold ♪

♪ Just to go far with you ♪

♪ Forever by your side ♪

♪ I'll wait for you ♪

♪ Because of you, I'll wait ♪

♪ Through life's drifting tide ♪

♪ Till love comes real and true ♪

♪ I'll wait for you ♪

The Tale of Mr. Bat, Volume Two.

Such a unique...

Such a unique military book.

I grabbed the wrong one.

[The Beauty of Hell: The Legend of Li Shuang]

So it seems you really are,

as the book says,

cunning

and two-faced.

The Beauty of Hell?

I was wondering

who came up with that name

and who spread

all these stories.

The book also says

you ate many children

to perfect your martial arts.

Is that true?

It's all true.

In fact,

not only do I love eating children,

I also like

eating fair-skinned young men.

Are you scared?

Not at all.

I actually think

these absurd stories

make you even more alive.

Ever since I met you,

you've always kept a stern face,

being cautious

and thoughtful.

Being serious all the time is exhausting.

I think you could learn from your brother.

Being carefree

and lighthearted

isn't so bad, is it?

Mind your own business.

These bizarre stories…

Some say I kill without mercy,

and some say I care for the people.

Who knows

I like hiding here,

reading biographies in secret?

You wouldn't understand anyway.

I have things to do.

Look around by yourself.

Read this. I found a book for you.

It suits you.

[Zang Mansion]

The Master probably won't come back today.

You should go back early.

It's fine.

I'll wait until

Mr. Zang returns,

whether it's tomorrow

or the day after.

It's just that this pot of tea

has become weak.

Miss,

please get me a fresh pot.

The Legend of Prince Annan?

Duan Aodeng,

younger brother of Duan Aoze, the Emperor of Benevolence of Yao State.

He is titled Prince Annan.

He is extraordinarily wise and a masterful commander,

able to plan strategies in his mind

and win battles thousands of miles away.

Prince Annan,

the Taijin Army

has reached the gates of Jiyang City.

Commander Lu Qingshan

requests your order

to fight them outside the city.

The Taijin Army has marched a long way

and urgently needs a victory to boost morale.

They will be impatient in battle.

It's the rainy season,

and they're not accustomed to the environment,

which is depleting their forces.

Tell Lu Qingshan

we will only defend,

not attack.

We'll wear them down slowly

until they are exhausted.

In the Battle of Jiyang,

Taijin suffered a crushing defeat,

which soon became legendary.

At court, he excels in both civil and military affairs,

and in private life, he displays remarkable grace,

with refined tastes

and mastery of all six classical arts.

Its spine is as hard as rock,

and its blade is sharp and bright.

It's a fine sword.

But what a pity—

rigid things break easily.

Humans are like this,

and so are swords.

Forgive me, Prince Annan.

Forgive me, Prince Annan!

Your sword-forging skills are not yet up to par.

You should practice more when you return.

Sir,

are you from Yao State?

The Master has quite an unpredictable temperament.

Sometimes he goes out without notice

and won't return for half a month.

Why do you have to waste your time waiting here?

Is that so?

I heard Ninglan

holds a merchants' assembly

on the first and fifteenth of every month.

Today is the fifteenth.

Just now, when I arrived,

I saw the carriage at the gate.

The Master must have gone

on foot today for his health.

So that means

Mr. Zang is still in the city.

I'll go find him.

Miss.

You may leave.

Yes.

General Li,

I didn't show myself simply because I didn't want to see you.

How did you even become a general

with such poor social awareness?

This way, sir.

Thank you.

After you.

You know me?

You really don't remember me?

Fine.

I've been searching for you in vain.

Do you have

a flame-shaped mark

on your back?

I served you three pots of tea within two hours.

I've fulfilled my hostly duties.

Now that you've seen me,

please leave.

Mr. Zang,

you haven't even asked my purpose for coming

and you're already asking me to leave?

You are a general of Taijin.

You can't possibly be here to do business with me, can you?

Exactly.

That's exactly why I'm here.

For the next three years,

all food, clothing, and supplies for the Changfeng Army

will be purchased from Ninglan.

What do you think?

General Li,

Ninglan may be small,

but its main business is trade.

Money is the last thing it lacks.

From what I know,

you've always been frugal—

even when staying at an inn.

Three years of procurement—

this profit probably wouldn't even match

the value of your head.

If I had put something in this tea,

you would already have been sent

to the capital of Yao State.

Don't worry.

I have no intention of taking this reward.

I only want to make my stance clear—

Ninglan has always kept to itself

and never involved itself in disputes between the two countries.

Please don't waste your time here.

You have been implanted

with dark magic.

This magic

is activated by blood.

Once the blood pact is established,

you would gain immense power and serve your master with unwavering loyalty.

Why should I believe you?

With so many people in Yao State,

why was I chosen?

Because you've had exceptional physical qualities since childhood

and are a rare martial arts prodigy,

you're naturally one in a million.

She keeps you by her side

to use you,

to turn you into

a bloodthirsty beast.

Before, when I was lost in the wild,

it was Li Shuang who saved me.

Besides,

if she really had ulterior motives,

why would she have sent me away back then?

Then why don't you consider why,

when you were lost,

it just so happened that Li Shuang

appeared by your side?

She's the mastermind behind all this.

She knows you are bound by the blood pact

and cannot leave her.

The reason she repeatedly pushes you away

was to tame you,

so you would willingly

be under her control.

Isn't that right?

I understand

you do not

want to bring trouble upon yourself.

But sometimes,

trouble comes to you

whether you want it or not.

As long as I maintain neutrality,

both Yao State and Taijin will be my backers.

I am not afraid of trouble.

General Li,

please leave.

Mr. Zang,

you're well-informed

and good at business,

but you can't protect yourself.

Now that

Yao State has a new ruler,

the whole situation has drastically changed.

If war breaks out in the future,

they won't keep their promises

like Prince Annan did.

The Changfeng Army

can ensure Ninglan's safety.

I won't interfere with your trade.

What I want is simple—

a map of Ninglan

in your hands.

Thank you for telling me.

But Li Shuang and I

have faced death together before.

I know her,

and I trust her.

How ridiculous.

I'm just afraid you've misplaced your trust.

She came to Ninglan

under the pretense of official business,

but in reality, she's investigating your background.

Unfortunately,

you're completely in the dark about it.

You keep claiming that Li Shuang has ulterior motives.

What evidence do you have?

This man is called Zang Budu.

He's a major figure in Ninglan,

with the widest network of information.

Well?

Do you believe me now?

What is his full name?

Does he have any birthmarks

or distinguishing features?

If he did,

I wouldn't need to trouble you.

I found this person in the mountains.

He was injured and lost his memory.

Found in the mountains?

You really do like meddling.

What exactly

are you trying to say?

I just don't want

to see you being manipulated.

Of course,

this matter is

indeed too cruel for you.

But fortunately, you're still alive.

The most important thing now

is to break the blood pact on you.

Can you break it?

But only the one who tied the knot can untie it.

Outside Lucheng,

there's a dense forest.

In three days,

you must find a way

to go there with Li Shuang.

That way,

I might be able to break your blood pact.

Three days?

Why the hurry?

This dark magic

concerns your life.

It must be removed as soon as possible.

Remember,

three days.

Where have you been?

Why are you back so late?

What's wrong?

Where did you go just now?

It concerns military matters.

I can't tell you.

You can't tell me?

Or...

are you afraid to tell me?

What do you mean?

Zang Budu has eyes and ears everywhere.

Surely

he can help you find out my background, right?

You followed me?

I have my reasons

for doing this,

but I cannot tell you right now.

Fine.

You can't tell me.

So what if I investigate you?

You're in the General's Residence.

Investigating your identity

is my duty.

What's wrong with that?

Fine.

Since that's the case,

I want to ask you a question.

If it turns out I'm of questionable background,

what would you do with me?

Punish me,

kill me,

or abandon me like worthless trash,

leaving me to fend for myself?

General!

General!

Come in.

General,

Military Supervisor Li Zhangyi is almost here.

Greetings, General.

Isn't this

the naked young man

in your tent that day?

This is a military matter.

You shouldn't be present.

Wait at another camp for a moment.

General,

you've traveled all night.

Should we first…?

Get to the point.

That Li Zhangyi

is part of Prince Li's faction.

He has always been at odds with Old General Li in court.

His visit this time

might be disadvantageous to us.

He's an Imperial Military Supervisor, carrying the emperor's authority.

No matter what, we can't fall out with him.

When we meet him,

just cooperate with him.

Handle everything else as the situation demands.

My Lord.

I am Qin Lan, an officer of the Changfeng Army.

I am Luo Teng, a captain.

Greetings, Lord Li.

Lord Li.

Lord Li!

You've had a long journey.

Lord Li,

you must be exhausted.

The general has been waiting for you.

My Lord,

please come in.

Lord Li, thank you for coming here all the way.

Outside,

the mountain wind is cold,

but inside the tent it's as warm as spring.

General Li,

you really know how to enjoy yourself.

The mountain climate

is nothing like Yunjing.

It's rainy all year.

I always

share the same living conditions as my soldiers.

You are the Imperial Military Supervisor.

We dare not

be negligent in hosting you.

Speaking of enjoying oneself,

how could I

compare to you?

This cloak

appears to be made of expensive fabric,

with intricate embroidery.

It's clearly a royal tribute.

It clearly shows that you're most favored

by Prince Li.

On what grounds

are you saying this?

I'm sorry.

His Majesty never likes ministers conspiring

or giving gifts privately.

Lord Li,

how could you commit such an offense knowingly?

Servents.

The Purple-Gold Sword granted to me by His Majesty is here.

Criminal Li Shuang, kneel at once.

His Majesty has never condemned me.

I

cannot accept the title of "criminal"

that you place on me.

His Majesty granted me full authority to investigate the Huo Du case.

There are many suspicious points.

It's clear someone

deliberately framed him

to plot against a court minister.

And you, Li Shuang, failed in your investigation,

making you a prime suspect.

Lord Li.

My Lord.

Huo Du

was indeed a spy collaborating with the enemy.

I have verified that.

But his death

was truly an accident.

An accident?

If what you say is true,

then whoever killed Huo Du

must have been silencing a witness.

If I may, General,

why did you only hand over a corpse

but not the murderer?

Or could it be that

the one who eliminated him

to prevent future troubles

was you?

Since you cannot prove your innocence,

it counts as a confession.

I

carry the emperor's orders.

I must punish you severely.

Guards!

Yes!

Strip her armor

and give her 30 lashes with the military rod.

Yes!

Who dares!

Step back!

Luo Teng!

General!

Step back!

Luo Teng!

My Lord!

Actually, the person who killed Huo Du...

-Was me. -Was me!

I was the one

who accidentally killed Huo Du.

With the fact before us,

I am willing

to accept any punishment.

Then let me ask you,

who is your blood master?

When you were lost,

why did she just happen to appear?

So what if I investigate you?

You're in the General's Residence.

Investigating your identity

is my duty.

What's wrong with that?

Li Shuang…

is she really that kind of person?

Perhaps...

she didn't intentionally hide it from me.

But if that's the case,

why does she refuse to tell me?

My Lord,

the Huo Du case has already been settled.

If you have doubts, you can continue a thorough investigation.

Why did you resort to private punishment?

For the sake of

serving in the same court as the General,

please stop here.

Please stop here, My Lord.

My Lord, please reconsider it.

The General is honorable.

She willingly accepted the punishment to prove her integrity.

I heard the Changfeng Army

maintains strict discipline.

The agreed 30 lashes

shall not be reduced by even one.

Lord Li...

How dare you!

Who are you

to interfere with this punishment?

Who allowed you to come out?

Go back!

Li Shuang is the commander of the Changfeng Army.

How dare you petty officials

punish her?

If she is injured

and word gets out,

Yao State might seize the opportunity to start another war.

Can you bear that responsibility?

General Li herself has admitted

accidentally killing Huo Du.

Our laws are strict.

Even a general cannot escape punishment.

My Lord, you are eager to achieve merit,

yet you cannot even determine who the suspect is.

I killed Huo Du.

I was the only one present when it happened.

I will bear the consequences

of what I did alone.

General Li, you certainly know how to command your subordinates.

Even in such a serious case,

someone rushed to take responsibility.

Very well.

Since that is the case,

I shall question you thoroughly.

Guards!

Take him away!

Who dares!

Lord Li,

if you wish to provide the court with a resolution,

I will cooperate.

But now, having beaten me,

you still intend to take my subordinate.

The Changfeng Army

is not a place where anyone can do as they please.

Li Shuang,

you are shielding your subordinate.

Do you intend to defy the imperial order?

My Lord, you keep claiming

there is an imperial decree.

Well, I'd like to see

where it is!

You should know

the punishment

for forging an imperial decree.

My Lord,

this is their territory.

We shouldn't use force here.

If things escalate,

it may be hard to resolve.

Fine.

Whatever I witnessed today,

I shall report to the court in full detail.

General Li,

you'd better act wisely.