Original subtitles

[Fate Chooses You]

[Episode 13]

I taught you medicine

so you could make a living

and heal the sick.

I taught you how to conduct yourself

so you could grow into a person of integrity and ability,

not so you could twist words to escape blame!

You say that those who seek immortality

are all walking the narrow trail—

then tell me,

what about those ordinary people?

Why should they lose their lives

for your pursuit of immortality?

Is everything they seek

also on that narrow trail?

All these years,

you've been in Chongling Valley,

knowing nothing but refining pills

and chasing your dream of immortality.

Have you ever stepped outside to take a look?

To see what a mess

you have made

of this world?

Nine out of 10 houses in the villages stand empty,

taxes weigh down like mountains,

the granaries are bare, and the pots hold no grain.

Mothers have no milk,

and infants die before they reach 3.

The elderly have no one to care for them.

Staying alive only adds to the tax burden,

so they hang themselves in the woods one after another.

You're living a godlike,

carefree life here,

while outside

it's a land of starving corpses and piles of bones!

Your dream of immortality

is built upon

their flesh and blood!

Every extra hour you live

is paid for with

the lives of others!

Alright... Alright, alright.

Stop... Stop it. That's enough.

Stop it, Master.

Please stop.

Why should I stop?

Do you think that by shutting yourself away

you can stay out of conflict?

In Chongling Valley, there are 10 clinics,

136 physicians

who take pulses,

200 apprentices, and 900 beds.

At most, they can treat

2,000 patients a day.

But in this world,

how many die each day from starvation and poverty

because of the Immortality Tax?

To offer small kindness while abandoning the greater righteousness—

can you truly account for this blood debt?

Have you had your fill of scolding?

Has your anger eased yet?

If it hasn't,

then go on and beat me—

beat me until your anger is gone.

Su Taiyi!

Master!

Can't you just

pretend you don't know about this?

In a few days,

the medicine will take effect,

and you'll be able to renew your bones.

By then,

you'll be one step closer to becoming a human.

Can't you just focus on

your own business

and stay out of everything else?

Stop what you're doing.

Stop,

and I'll take you away.

Master, oh Master.

Do you think I'm the one who's in charge of

this Chongling Valley?

You're getting more and more muddle-headed as you age.

Wait,

haven't you always stayed out of

other people's business?

Whether it's the human race or the immortal sects,

who has ever been kind to you?

Why do you even care

whether they live or die?

Get out.

♪ Let strong wine carry me into drunken nights till midnight ♪

Get out!

♪ Let my soul blaze in brilliant colors ♪

♪ Let the agony of a thousand cuts ♪

♪ Stand as proof that I have lived ♪

Alright, got it.

♪ Let me taste a life of flesh and blood in full ♪

H-Have a good rest.

♪ Let me savor the many flavors of the mortal world ♪

♪ Let me face the world's warmth and cold alike ♪

♪ To live and perish with it, daring to go mad, daring to dream ♪

♪ Don't live in vain, have a pleasant journey of life ♪

Master. Master.

Divine Doctor, what happened?

Are you okay?

Just a minor injury—a plaster will fix it.

He's really quite upset.

Miss Xin,

why don't you go in and comfort him,

and tell him not to worry himself over nothing?

Okay.

This is the medicine Dr. Zhu Yu sent over.

It helps regulate and restore your internal energy.

Senior.

I have a question for you.

Is it about Su Taiyi?

Yes.

Senior, what exactly is your relationship

with Divine Doctor Su?

Su

is my disciple.

A long time ago,

I used to be a painter in the imperial palace.

My daily duty

was teaching the princes

calligraphy and painting.

Don't run! Stop there!

Stop right there!

Don't run!

Hold him down!

I'll ask you one last time:

will you sing or not?

I won't!

I won't ever sing for you!

You little bastard.

If you still won't behave,

I'll knock all your teeth out!

Will you sing or not? Will you sing or not?

Tell me!

That was the first time I met Su.

He was sold into the palace by his parents

and almost became a eunuch.

Fortunately, he had a good singing voice

and was selected by the court musicians

to become a performer in the palace.

He had a very bad temper.

He refused to bow to anyone,

and was often punished

for offending nobles.

Will you sing or not?

I happened to see it once,

so I helped him.

Your Highness, the wind is picking up.

Let's hurry back.

Later,

I got entangled in court politics.

I poured all my effort into

helping Emperor Zong Ding ascend the throne,

only to be met with his suspicion and distrust.

Master!

He won over

all my subordinates-

Master!

and sent assassins to besiege me.

Master!

Disheartened-

Master, where are you?

I left the palace.

Master!

Master, where are you?

Master!

Stop shouting—

you sound like wailing ghosts and howling wolves.

You're okay?

That's great!

I thought you were dead.

Of course I'm okay.

After that,

I took him away from the palace.

We left behind all the political turmoil

and started a new life

in a different place.

I discovered

he had a great talent for medicine,

so I gave him some pointers.

And then?

And then, things became what they are now.

He became a renowned physician,

founded Chongling Valley,

and even ambitiously

sought to create the Immortality Pill

to grant eternal life.

What remarkable abilities he has.

So you think

the Immortality Pill isn't a good thing, Senior?

Do you think it is?

To be honest,

I don't know.

Senior, I haven't told you

about my aunt, have I?

My aunt was a very kind person.

She would often use her own money

to aid disaster victims,

and she even set up

2 orphanages in Wei County

to shelter orphans, the elderly, and the weak.

She passed away recently,

and I returned to my hometown to help escort her coffin.

Nearly half the households in Wei County

set up mourning sheds for her,

and the line of people along the streets who came to pay their respects

stretched for almost 2 li.

So I often wonder—

if she could

have obtained an Immortality Pill

and lived forever,

she would have been able to continue

doing a lot of good deeds.

Maybe.

But if the Immortality Pill really existed,

do you think ordinary people like her

would ever get to take it?

You lost your Gongshan Jade Tablet.

What do you plan to do?

I don't know.

This belongs to you.

I can't take it.

Keeping it with me isn't of much use.

Now that I'm giving it to you,

you can take the chance to think about it.

Think about what?

Immortality.

When people can't obtain something,

they'll do everything they can to chase after it.

Only once they truly have it

firmly in their hands

do they start to wonder

whether it's actually good or bad.

You've been following him for so long—

did you really not find out anything?

Bai Zongying has been

with his fellow disciples all the time lately—

either meditating and cultivating,

or eating and sleeping.

So there's been nothing unusual at all?

Well, he's been meeting a girl quite frequently.

A girl?

What girl?

That girl from Xin Xie Manor, of course.

Tianyuan Sect and Xin Xie Manor

share the same origin.

Later, they had a falling out,

and they split apart.

Judging by the timeline,

they should have both

spent time in Tianyuan Sect before.

Most likely, they are old acquaintances.

When facing a strong army, attack the general.

When facing a smart general, strike at his emotions.

If Bai Zongying has a weakness,

then this becomes much easier.

Young Sect Master,

I just don't understand.

Sect Leader asked us

to bring 4 Immortality Pills back.

Why are you putting so much thought into this?

They are Immortality Pills,

granting eternal lives.

Who knows when

the next batch will be ready?

Let me calculate for you—

1 for my father,

1 for my mother,

1 for Junior Jiang,

and 1 for me.

And that's it.

Right.

All 4 are gone.

Yes. Isn't that just right?

Are you stupid?

Don't you want one?

Me?

C-Can I have one too?

I was just giving an example.

But good stuff like this

is like money—

you can never have too much of it.

Five.

-Six. -Senior. -Senior Uncle.

-Let's go. -Seven.

Eight.

One.

Xin.

Two.

Three.

Concentrate.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Senior.

I found this on the stone table in the yard.

Senior Bai,

I have something to talk to you about.

Please come to Xieyun Cottage.

Xin Mei.

Let's eat.

Let's drink some wine first.

No.

Dr. Zhu Yu specifically instructed

that since you haven't recovered yet,

you need to eat more

to help you recover.

I'll eat after drinking.

No.

Junior Xin.

You eat first, Senior.

I'll step out for a moment.

Senior Bai.

What brings you here?

Anything you need from me?

The trick of "luring the tiger away from the mountain"?

The hardest thing to resist is a beauty's favor,

Bai Zongying.

Even if your heart were as hard as iron,

you still couldn't withstand

my brilliant schemes.

Senior Bai.

Senior Bai?

Nothing really.

I just wanted to come see you.

The food is getting cold.

Aren't you eating?

I haven't seen you for days.

You don't look well.

Are you sick?

What about you?

Do you have anything for me?

No.

What's that?

Not this one.

This is for someone else.

I saw you at the dining hall that day,

but I haven't officially greeted you, Senior.

Senior?

Junior Xin calls you that,

so I just followed her lead.

Why,

is there a problem with that?

I have no ties with Tianyuan Sect whatsoever,

and you and I are merely strangers who met by chance.

I've neither guided nor helped you.

So I'm not worthy of you calling me "Senior."

Junior Xin and I are from the same sect.

You've taken great care of her,

so I'm naturally grateful.

But when people first meet,

isn't it always by chance?

Senior, could it be that you and my junior sister

have known each other for a long time?

Since you're a cultivator,

you should understand the idea of fate.

Some people meet only once

yet feel a deep connection,

while others

see each other every day

and end up harboring resentment.

So in the end,

nothing is absolute—

it all varies from person to person.

It seems

I'm not to your liking after all, Senior.

Mr. Lu was just joking.

Don't take it to heart.

Mr. Lu is a very nice person.

Even for someone as dull as me,

he's willing to offer guidance.

With a talent like yours, Senior,

I'm sure

once you spend more time together,

you'll get along much better.

Hopefully.

Junior said a few days ago,

you went out the valley for some errands, Senior.

Did you visit anywhere interesting?

Any fun stories?

Just some personal matters—

not convenient to share.

Senior, you paint rocks and mountains very well.

The brushwork is strong and vigorous, with clear, defined strokes.

It's just that using only ink,

with its black-and-white washes,

does make them feel a bit plain and lacking in variety.

Especially the plants and flowers

on those mountains—

wouldn't they look even prettier

with some color added?

Is it that you don't like using color, Senior?

I don't.

For example, the indigo on your hairpin

is one of the colors

I hate the most.

He left?

Mr. Lu, do you not like Senior Bai?

That's right.

Stay away from him from now on.

Why?

The Tianyuan Sect was only allotted

5 Gongshan Jade Tablets,

yet they reported 20.

20—

think about it, if they didn't steal, rob, or kill,

where would those tablets come from?

Now that you have

3 Gongshan Jade Tablets in your possession,

be careful—he might

set his sights on you next.

Primordial spirit, suppress color—

disperse!

I've got one too.

[Suwen Hall]

Do you actually want to get examined or not?

If not, leave.

When did I say I didn't want to?

You're a doctor.

Why are you so impatient?

Alright, alright.

You saw it, right?

Prescribe the medicine.

I'm a doctor.

I can't diagnose your injuries through a fan.

Do you want to be treated or not?

Do you really want to get examined or not?

Yeah, exactly. Do you want to get treated or not?

-If not, get out. -Do you want to get examined or not?

There are people waiting behind you.

Quiet down! Quiet down, okay?

Dr. Zhu.

Here's the thing.

Look,

we are both people of some standing.

Couldn't you make an exception

and examine me inside?

Huai Qing!

Master.

See the guest out.

Yes.

Leave!

My consultation isn't finished...

M-My consultation isn't finished yet!

Leave! Move!

-I… -Leave!

Look, this guy

got kicked out for no reason.

You brat.

Zhu,

is this how you treat patients?

And you call yourself a seventh-grade pharmacist?

Maybe someone hit him.

Young Sect Master!

Young Sect Master, something terrible has happened.

My tablet!

My tablet!

Bai Zongying. Bai Zongying!

You bastard!

Next time I see you,

I'll definitely kill you!

Bai Zongying!

[Deyi Residence]

Open the door right now!

What,

you had the guts to steal from me,

but not the guts to open the door?

Don't think you

can hide inside

like a coward.

When I break your door down,

I'll rip your head off.

You'll suffer then.

Open the door!

Junior Lin,

what's the matter?

Don't you know

why I'm here?

I really don't.

My jade tablets—

give them back to me.

What jade tablet?

Stop playing dumb.

You stole 4 Gongshan Jade Tablets from me.

Hand them over right now!

I don't understand what you're talking about, Junior.

Could it be that you're mistaken?

So

you're really choosing to spit in the face of kindness, huh?

Let me advise you: be a decent person, not a dog—

being a dog won't get you far.

Lin Muhan.

Watch your mouth.

You dare lecture me about watching my mouth?

You think you're worthy?

Enough.

Hand over the jade tablets now.

Otherwise,

our Lingji Mountain will fight you to the death.

Fine.

To the death then.

You said it.

Everyone heard that, right?

You said it yourself!

When my father arrives,

even the Tianyuan Sect

won't be able to save your life!

I'll wait for him.

Close the door.

Fine, fine.

Just you wait!

What are you looking at?

Withdraw!

Disperse, everyone.

Move along.

Stop reading if you can't focus.

Thinking about Bai Zongying?

No.

You heard

what Lin Muhan said, right?

I did.

He said Senior Bai

had stolen tablets from Lingji Mountain.

I don't think what he said is true.

The Tianyuan Sect is the head of the Twelve Immortal Sects,

but in terms of strength,

Lingji Mountain

isn't much weaker than them.

Over the years,

these 2 sects have never gotten along.

Moreover,

that Young Sect Master Lin

is no saint either.

He's been lying low by day and going out at night recently.

He must be plotting to get his hands

on other people's jade tablets.

What do you mean by "oh"?

You've already made your judgment,

so no matter what I say, it won't matter.

Am I wrong?

Do you also think, Senior,

that Lin Muhan

is completely innocent?

Nothing you said is wrong,

but from where I stand,

neither of them

is a good person.

Lingji Mountain

reported 10 Gongshan Jade Tablets,

and the Tianyuan Sect reported 20—

each greedier than the other,

each more unscrupulous.

The winner grows smug,

while the loser lashes out in anger.

Senior Bai isn't that kind of person.

So you know him well?

My master, Xin Xiong,

was once an elder of the Tianyuan Sect.

Later, he had a falling-out with Sect Leader, Li Mofu,

and that's why he left the Tianyuan Sect

to start his own.

So in the past,

Senior Bai and I were in the same sect—

both Heavenly Talent disciples of the Tianyuan Sect.

Heavenly Talent?

You guys really know how to

name yourselves.

We didn't come up with that name ourselves.

Senior, haven't you heard

about the Crazy Taoist's prophecy?

It said that

among those born on September 9th,

there would be a savior of the human race.

Senior Bai and I

were both born on that day.

So ever since we joined the sect,

we've been labeled "Heavenly Talent"

and burdened with great expectations.

They say the Heavenly Talents

are exceptionally gifted, extraordinary from birth.

But for all these years,

my cultivation has been quite average.

Not only do I learn slowly,

but I also forget quickly.

That's not true.

I only taught you the Fish Drinking Technique twice,

and you've almost mastered it.

But compared to a Heavenly Talent,

I'm still far behind.

For example, an ordinary disciple

takes a month or two to learn a technique,

while I can memorize it fluently

in just 10 days,

but I'd still be scolded

and despised by the elders.

I was still young then

and didn't know anything.

After being reprimanded by the elders many times,

I secretly made up my mind

that if anyone were to force me again,

I'd definitely go home.

Then that very night,

I got reprimanded harshly again.

I left through the back door

and chose

the most desolate narrow path to go down the mountain.

I didn't expect that someone would actually

be practicing there at that hour.

They all say

Senior Bai is exceptionally gifted

and naturally talented,

able to memorize techniques at a glance

and handle any weapon with ease.

But that night,

I watched him practice

the most ordinary "Returning Wild Goose" move

over 500 times,

all the way until dawn.

From that moment on,

I never again thought about

leaving the sect.

Whenever there's a technique I can't master

or an incantation I can't memorize,

I think back to that night,

to the sight of Senior Bai.

So it seems

neither of you has much talent—

nothing like

saviors at all.

Who says a savior

must be innately gifted?

Does hard work

count for nothing?

Do you want to test it?

Do you have a way

to test who the savior is?

I mean test your judgment.

Junior Xin.

Senior Bai.

You want to see me?

Chongling Valley is like spring all year round,

lush and green,

with a climate and temperature perfect for living.

If you and I

were not cultivators,

settling here in seclusion

wouldn't be a bad choice.

I remember Tianyuan Mountain in the early years

was also very nice—

warm in winter and cool in summer.

Wood sorrel flowers bloomed on the back mountain,

and the fruits those flowers bore

were sweet and sour.

After leaving the Tianyuan Sect,

I haven't tasted

that flavor for a long time.

The fruits were indeed sweet,

but the summer was too hot—

so hot that even the cicadas were silent,

yet we still had to practice.

Junior, you've once lived in

the disciples' quarters of the Tianyuan Sect,

so you should know

the hardships of us Tianyuan disciples.

Senior, you are a Heavenly Talent

and Sect Leader's personal disciple,

so naturally your treatment

is different from mine.

Back then, all the rare treasures

of the sect would be delivered

to your room

like running water, Senior.

To help you focus on your practice,

the elders even

gave you the Cold Soul Incense.

It's said that when lit,

the Cold Soul Incense releases a faint, lingering fragrance

that can repel insects

and is very cooling.

So that's what you want.

I did bring the Cold Soul Incense.

Wait for me, I'll go get it.

Senior Bai.

Senior.

Actually, I have something to tell you.

Go ahead.

In fact,

I've always liked you, Senior.

You are the sect's Heavenly Talent—

brilliant,

handsome,

and kind to others.

I think it's not just me.

Probably no one

in Tianyuan Sect

doesn't like you.

Senior, you might not have had

much impression of me,

but back when I was still in Tianyuan Sect,

the name I heard most often

was yours.

We were both born on September 9th,

but compared to you,

I really fall short.

So back then,

I was actually a bit unconvinced.

For us cultivators,

if there's dissatisfaction in the heart,

cultivation can turn it into progress.

That's true—

until that day.

That day,

I really couldn't endure

the strict training of the sect anymore,

so I packed my things

and sneaked down the mountain.

But in the woods,

I saw you training hard, Senior.

From that day on,

I regarded you

as someone I would follow for life—

a rival,

and even more, a role model.

I even think,

if the Crazy Taoist's prophecy

is true—

that among those born on September 9th,

there really is a savior—

then I believe that person

must be you.

Junior, there's one thing you're wrong about.

I actually also

had a deep impression of you.

Can I call you Xin?

I heard Elder Xin Xiong call you that,

so I thought that was your name.

Until that day at the sect martial arts competition,

I saw your name

on the disciple roster—Xin Mei.

But I think "Xin"

sounds more intimate.

Senior Bai.

I have a question for you.

Go ahead.

Do you think

the Immortality Pill

is a good thing?

Of course.

To live forever

and remain in this world without dying—

that's a power only deities possess.

Now it's condensed into

a small pill,

and one only needs to take it

to gain endless life.

So many cultivators would give anything for it.

How could it not be a good thing?

Then do you want it badly, Senior?

It's not just me who wants it.

Everyone from the Tianyuan Sect,

Lingji Mountain,

and everyone gathered here in Chongling Valley—

they all want it as well.

Xin, didn't you also come here

for the Immortality Pill?

I did.

That's what I thought at first.

But now,

I don't think so anymore.

Senior Bai.

The Tianyuan Sect reported

20 Immortality Pills at the Longevity Hall.

Do you really have

that many Gongshan Jade Tablets

to exchange for them?

The capable should bear

the great responsibilities of the world.

The strong should enjoy

rare treasures.

Moreover, the Tianyuan Sect

has helped Chongling Valley a lot over the years.

Not to mention worldly things

like gold, silver, and jewels,

even top-tier magical artifacts and herbs—

whatever they wanted, we gave.

So these 20 Gongshan Jade Tablets...

Senior.

Your reasoning seems very grand,

and it can't be explained clearly in a short time.

How about

I ask you

a simpler question instead?

Okay.

Senior Bai.

Did you kill

Elder Cai?

Taking without asking

is thievery.

I respectfully call you Senior,

yet you act like this?

Taking without asking is thievery.

Then what about killing and robbing?

What is it then?

Watch your words, Senior.

Even if you are on good terms with Chongling Valley,

I won't allow you to insult

the dignity of our Tianyuan Sect.

Understood.

You can do it,

but I can't speak of it.

The Gongshan Jade Tablets are of great importance.

No matter what your background

or purpose is, Senior,

today,

if you don't hand over the jade tablets,

I'm afraid you're not leaving here.

The Gongshan Gongshan Jade Tablets belong to no one.

You can take them back

from me

the same way you stole them.

Pardon me then.

♪ What is the purpose of life? To draw my blade and slay evil ♪

♪ Even if I am turned to dust, I will not regret ♪

♪ By my will, I shall bring back the sun and moon ♪

♪ And restore clear radiance to the mortal realm ♪

Do you want to continue fighting?

Yes.

♪ Rather than bowing my back to apologize to the Heavens ♪

♪ I would sooner rewrite this fated calamity ♪

♪ I demand the story follow my own desire ♪

♪ To serve as its final conclusion ♪

Mr. Lu!

Your jade tablets are also among these.

I'll be taking these with me.

You should be glad

that you met me today.

If you had met someone

as ruthless as you,

you'd be joining Cai En

in hell right now.

Are you sure about this, Senior?

If you walk out that door today,

you will be making an enemy of our Tianyuan Sect.

Then you'd better remember:

I am the one who took your things.

If the Tianyuan Sect

has any problem with it,

you can come find me.

Make sure you don't go after the wrong person.

Aren't you leaving?

You saw it all clearly, didn't you?

Mr. Lu.

Do you have any habits?

Like using your index finger to turn pages,

or turning the rim of the cup before drinking wine—

habits like that.

I think

my feelings for Senior Bai are also a habit.

I'm used to always looking at him.

I looked up to him when I was little,

and when I grew up, I held onto him as a thought to keep me going.

But this habit

is hard to break.

It's not too late to break it now.

This guy has impure motives

and uses dirty tricks.

If you still have any other thoughts,

you'd better think them through

properly starting now.

I no longer have any.

Really?

I really have no thoughts anymore.

Can you really say

you've never liked him before?

I...

Just a little bit.

Well, the point is

he's the chief disciple of the Tianyuan Sect Leader,

so he wouldn't like me anyway.

I only thought about it in my heart.

I never dared to actually do anything.

You call this not daring to do anything?

What did I do?

You've fallen for someone,

and you want to use my death

to dispel the ill fate in your destiny,

so you and your beloved

can be together,

right?

I...

Forget it.

Here.

Take these.

I don't want them.

I've been thinking about it these past few days,

and I feel this Immortality Pill

might not be a good thing.

Why?

Since the news of Divine Doctor Su refining these pills spread,

until all the immortal sects gathered in Chongling Valley,

look at how much turmoil

has been caused these past few months.

These jade tablets

have too much blood on them.

It really is...

It really is...

The ending is hard to change.

I hope someday in the future,

there will be a foolproof plan.

I didn't think about any ending

or future.

I just figured,

I haven't seen anyone actually achieve immortality,

but I've seen plenty of dead bodies.

So it definitely isn't anything good.

That's true.

But then again,

Mr. Lu,

can Divine Doctor Su

really make the Immortality Pills?

After taking them,

can people really live forever?