Original subtitles

[Strange Chronicles of Tang]

[Episode 5]

Come.

Wait a moment.

Yingtao.

Xijun.

It's not that I suspect Hero Restaurant.

Nor do I suspect the errand runner.

I had a close call today.

So it's better to be careful.

This is the right thing to do.

Around you and Lu Lingfeng,

we should

be extremely careful at all times.

But from this, we can deduce

that errand services for food

might not become popular anytime soon.

After all, in Chang'an,

since the beginning of the errand business,

food items have never been delivered.

Today,

I paid the errand runner

double the usual fee,

so he agreed to take this order.

They're not poisoned.

You can eat them now.

Were you just

talking about the Xiuzhen District?

I heard it's a sacred place for immortal cultivation.

I only visited there as a child.

Then let's go together.

Let's drink.

Come, come.

If all of you go,

who will look after the sushan shop?

-You. -You.

Then tell me

how many days he's been missing.

About half a month.

Be more specific.

17...

He left at night 17 days ago.

He hasn't returned since.

Oh, right.

My husband has

a birthmark on his neck.

It's quite large.

Looks like

a big black worm crawling there.

It's very recognizable.

Also,

because of this birthmark,

he gave himself a nickname,

called Lai Worm.

Why don't you describe Lai's appearance

to this lady?

Then she can draw his portrait for you.

Madam,

please come with me.

Ruiqiu.

This is...

I am Xin Zifang,

Magistrate of Chang'an County.

Greetings, Magistrate Xin.

[Xin Zifang, Magistrate of Chang'an County]

I've long heard

that the Master of Rain in the Xiuzhen District

is as beautiful as a celestial maiden,

and it's truly not an exaggeration.

If Cao Zijian had met you,

he might have discarded his "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River."

The phrase "graceful as a startled swan"

should have been a description for you.

You flatter me, Magistrate.

If there's nothing else,

I must go perform the rain prayer.

There is something.

Important business.

With such beauty,

why do you always wear a mask when praying for rain?

Isn't that a pity?

I was wondering

if you could remove it.

This doesn't seem right.

Maestros of Rain

always wear a dragon-head mask

when officiating the prayer ceremony.

Otherwise,

the Dragon King might

refuse to grant an audience.

Then let's remove it

after the formal rain prayer ceremony.

I've heard

you often lead everyone in dancing on stage.

At that moment,

you can remove the mask.

Well...

Our Tang Empire is open-minded

and inclusive.

We needn't be bound by old traditions.

I believe, when you

remove your mask,

you will be very popular

and attract people from the east district,

especially the officials and nobles from Wannian,

to come here.

District Head.

Yes?

I've heard that in your district,

there are increasing people practicing immortality cultivation.

Yes.

I wouldn't dare to lie about this.

Nearly 1,000 people have come to cultivate immortality here.

This place is called Xiuzhen District.

It's the best place

in the entire Chang'an for immortality cultivation.

Only 1,000 people have come so far.

That's too few.

I believe

if Madam Master of Rain removes her mask,

it will attract more people

to the Xiuzhen District.

And you can take this opportunity to promote

the reputation as a sacred place for immortality cultivation.

By then,

the visitors to the Xiuzhen District

and property values will surely...

That would be wonderful.

However,

Ruiqiu...

Madam Master of Rain's payment

will be doubled

and funded directly by Chang'an County.

Madam,

would that be acceptable?

I appreciate your high regard, Magistrate.

I am willing,

but

I have a wound on my forehead

and fear it might frighten people.

Who did this to you?

I-I accidentally bumped it myself.

If I follow your suggestion

to remove the mask,

I'll need some time to fix my appearance

and start the rain ceremony later.

Would that be acceptable?

This young lady draws very well.

It looks exactly like my husband.

What's your husband's temperament like?

He...

[Lai Worm]

Honey,

where are you going now?

Honey.

Who do you think you are

to dare ask me where I'm going?

Lai.

Stop being idle all day

and beating your wife for no reason.

Besides,

who would give themselves

a nickname called "Worm"?

Isn't that because of you

giving birth to me with this worm-shaped birthmark?

How can you blame me?

You old fool!

Had I been blessed with Pan An's looks,

would I be this idle?

If you'd made me as fierce as Lv Bu,

wouldn't I have become successful long ago?

Would I still need to be called "Worm"?

You ungrateful son!

I'll teach you a lesson!

Get away!

Do you know what "Worm" means?

It can become tiger!

You two old fools,

if you dare to bother me again,

I'll eat you alive!

Get out of my way!

How can there be such an unfilial person in this world?

If my husband hadn't gone missing,

I would never dare to speak ill of him

in front of others.

Officer,

please help me find him.

His father and mother

are still hoping for his return.

The rain prayer ceremony is about to begin!

Do you have any more questions?

Does Lai have any close friends?

He has some questionable companions.

But close friends?

Not a single one.

He usually cheats and lies

and even steals from his friends.

And...

And he even harassed other men's wives.

Who would want

to be close to a person like him?

Alright.

We understand the situation now.

When will you be able to find him?

Go home first.

We'll notify you if there's any news.

If he's still alive,

and after you find him,

please don't tell him

that I told you about his misdeeds.

If he finds out,

I'll be dead for sure.

Also,

please don't punish him.

Why?

This Lai

is so despicable.

What's wrong with the district office

punishing him?

He was so disrespectful

to his own parents.

Doesn't he deserve punishment?

I fear that if he's punished,

after he returns,

he'll treat me even worse.

Besides,

he is still my husband after all.

I can't bear to see him beaten.

Alright.

You should go home now.

I'm not going home.

I'm waiting to dance

with Madam Master of Rain.

There have been too many worries today.

This is the only moment I can forget my sorrows.

Dragon King above,

I, Ruiqiu, Master of Rain of the Xiuzhen District,

beg you to bestow rain upon us!

[Fair Winds and Gentle Rains]

Dragon King!

Please show your divine power!

I watched it yesterday.

The dance was quite interesting.

Xijun, come on.

Let's go learn to dance too.

Magistrate.

Magistrate.

Well,

why are you two looking at me?

Hurry and spread the news.

Tell everyone

that our Madam Master of Rain in Chang'an County

is as beautiful as a celestial being,

and that her rain prayers are most effective.

She might be a dragon princess descended to earth.

That's why many people

have joined the Xiuzhen District to pursue immortality.

Go now!

Official Lu.

Master.

Huan.

Look.

The people of Chang'an are so happy together.

If the whole world

can be this harmonious and peaceful,

won't we achieve a golden age?

So that's what you're thinking, Master.

Can I join them

and learn to dance

for a while?

Go ahead.

And all of you.

Go dance too.

Yes.

It's so relaxing.

I've been hoping for the rain prayer ceremony.

While I'm dancing with Madam Master of Rain,

all my troubles have just disappeared.

Me too.

I live in the Xuanyang District,

but to dance with Madam Master of Rain,

I've decided to move to the Xiuzhen District.

Dancing every day

relieves all woes.

How wonderful.

Small-minded.

Who exactly are you referring to?

You two, of course.

The place that can truly relieve woes

is indeed in the Xiuzhen District,

but not here.

If you two want to try it,

I can introduce you.

Look at his shabby appearance.

Let's ignore him.

You...

Magistrate.

Magistrate.

Just follow him

and see what he's up to.

The Rain Master's Dance is quite interesting.

Why didn't you join in?

I'm a secret agent.

I need to earn my monthly salary

from Yongzhou Prefecture,

don't I?

Su Wuming.

You can dance,

but you can't make eyes at those women.

I don't.

D-Do I?

Try if you dare.

Who are you people?

Why are you taking me?

I am not someone to be messed with!

Let me go!

What are you doing?

Let go!

Why did you take off my clothes?

You can go now.

You've brought me

to this godforsaken place,

doing nothing.

And you want to drive me away?

Get lost!

I am

not someone

you can bully whenever you want!

One day,

I'll burn down

this damn place of yours!

What are you doing?

I am not someone to be messed with!

Kill!

You need to slow down.

Otherwise, all the dew will fall to the ground.

Thank you for your guidance, Madam Master of Rain.

It's you.