Original subtitles

[Fate Chooses You]

[Episode 1]

There exists a race of War Demons in the world

who defy the laws of heaven and disrespect the gods,

thus incurring divine abhorrence.

The gods cast 5 curses upon them,

including hot-blooded mania, inability to feel pain,

no rest, no colors to see,

and tasting everything like rot.

This divine punishment was to last a thousand years,

but as the term neared its end,

the heavenly ladder was severed and the gods disappeared.

For the sake of salvation, the War Demons

sought the sacred seed of the Jianmu Tree to rebuild the heavenly ladder.

However, the Jianmu Tree was a divine creation

that required over ten thousand years to mature.

The War Demons planned to sacrifice half of all living beings

to accelerate the divine tree's growth.

This act violated heaven's laws,

causing humans and the Youhu (Fox) Clan to join forces against them.

In the end,

under the leadership of the Youhu Clan's High Priest Yuan Zhong

and the human immortal sects,

they completely exterminated the War Demons.

The Great Dao holds 50 paths, while heaven manifests 49, leaving one for humans.

If War Demons wish to be reborn as humans,

ascending to heaven to seek the gods is not necessarily their only choice.

With their skin peeled off, their flesh carved off,

[Prison, Wei County]

their bones scraped clean, their blood renewed, and their hearts gouged out,

they could be reborn as humans.

Yet these five trials are perilous.

War Demons must form blood pacts with their closest kin

so that when near death,

they might grasp a silver lining of survival.

[Lu Huai]

Are you the esteemed Immortal Xin?

[Xin Mei from Xin Xie Manor]

I'm too shallow in cultivation

to bear the title "Immortal."

You're being too modest.

Are you a constable here?

Yes.

[Chu Ying]

I am Chu Ying.

Did Madam Song tell you

about the situation?

But she didn't go into details.

It's okay.

Let's talk inside.

Please.

[County Prison]

How long have you been back, Immortal Xin?

Just a while.

Are you back specifically for this matter

or for other business?

For both personal and official affairs. I'm handling this along the way.

You've been away from home for so long, Immortal Xin.

You must have loads of things to attend to.

If there's anything

I can help you with,

I'll be at your service anytime.

You don't need to go this far.

It's my pleasure.

Now that the War Demons are all extinct,

in terms of status and prestige in this world,

apart from the Youhu Clan's immortals,

no one can beat cultivators like you.

Even emperors, generals,

and ministers are no match for you.

We're all the same.

No,

not the same.

You're totally different.

It's a bit rough here.

Please don't mind, Immortal Xin.

Mind the step.

Lu,

Immortal Xin is here.

Immortal Xin is so kind

that she even brought you a gift.

And it's Song's pastries from Fuxiang Lane.

These aren't for him.

They're for my aunt.

The elderly lady is advanced in years

and has poor teeth.

This shop's pastries are soft and tender,

perfect for the elderly.

And they're only for sale in the morning.

They're already sold out now.

If you want them,

I'll bring you some next time I come.

Please sit.

This is

Xin Mei from the Xin Xie Manor, known as Immortal Xin.

You know the Xin Xie Manor, don't you?

One of the twelve greatest immortal sects.

They once followed the Youhu Clan's High Priest.

In the Battle of Pinghu,

they wiped out the entire War Demon Clan.

The sect leader, Xin Xiong, is

a cultivator in the Great Completion Realm.

Now,

the sect has only two disciples,

and Immortal Xin is one of them.

How's it?

Impressive, right?

So she's a master.

Indeed impressive.

This is

Lu Huai,

Lord Lu.

He's the former magistrate of Wei County,

with a military background,

battle-hardened for years.

His military achievements were earned on the battlefield.

A genuine case of promotion through credit.

Now...

Now,

as you know.

Anyway,

this is your big moment.

How about I let you two talk privately?

Okay.

Good,

thank you, sir.

My pleasure.

Take your time talking.

I'll step outside.

Call me if you need anything.

Xin Mei?

How do you write them?

Xin Mei, with this "mei" that means riverbank?

I thought it was the "mei" from "eyebrow."

They sound similar.

You look very young

and pretty,

and you're a cultivator.

Why are you willing

to marry someone like me?

Marry a prisoner

who's about to be executed like me?

I am

jinxed.

Jinxed?

When I was just born,

the fortune teller said

I have a fate of widowhood, cursed to bring misfortune to my husband.

When I was little, my family

arranged a childhood engagement for me.

But within a year,

that family's child died young.

Later, I joined an immortal sect,

and my master tried to set me up

with a fellow disciple from Zigai Mountain.

But less than six months after our engagement,

that disciple lost control and went mad during cultivation

and died.

So a master told me

I must marry 3 times

to dissolve the deadly energy in my fate.

So...

You have a crush?

You want to use my death

to remove the deadly energy from your fate,

so you and your beloved one

can lead a happy life together,

right?

I...

I am indeed a perfect choice.

What about you?

Why do you want to get married?

All my family is gone.

I'm about to die, too.

I've never gotten married.

I'm afraid that after I die,

no one will remember me,

and during festivals,

no one will burn incense or offerings for me.

So?

What?

What do you think of me?

Do I meet your requirements?

You know very well

that it's just a deal.

You can go back

and think it over carefully.

When you've made your decision,

come meet me again.

However,

you need to decide quickly.

My execution is coming soon.

I can't wait for you for long.

Immortal Xin,

I'm being honest with you.

Throughout this prison,

in terms of knowledge and looks,

no one suits you

better than Lord Lu.

And no one's execution date is closer than his.

To be honest,

it's happening this month.

What crime did he commit?

Why is he sentenced to death?

Well...

In my point of view,

even if you two get married,

you won't have many days together.

There's really no need to know too much,

just to avoid unnecessary distress.

Isn't this what you wanted?

A death row prisoner,

guilty of heinous crimes,

with only days left to live.

Doesn't he meet all your requirements?

Now that you're back,

do you have a place to lodge?

I'm going to my aunt's house.

She lives

nearby in the Tianshui Lane.

It's good to have family.

Before I entered the immortal sect,

my aunt was the one

closest to me in my family.

Since I can stick around longer this time,

it's perfect to stay by her side

and attend to her.

[Xin's Mansion, Wei County]

My Lady,

you're back.

Xin Mei.

A cultivator.

[The memorial tablet of late Mrs. Xin, who was born a Chen]

Auntie.

I'm Xin Mei.

I'm back.

Liu,

how's that one's case going?

There's no hope?

Just look at what he did.

Who would dare to save him?

Is there anyone left in his family?

They say his parents died long ago.

He has no siblings either.

He's never even gotten married.

His life has been

truly miserable.

But that doesn't mean he can

get married in prison.

He must've used enough money.

Chief Chu arranged it.

Never mind.

Come on, Liu, let's drink.

Cheers.

That bird flew back again.

It's been watching you.

Hurry.

Just routine.

Her surname is Xin.

Xin Xiong, the master of Xin Xie Manor,

has the same surname.

That's right.

But they're not blood-related.

She has great talent

as a born cultivator,

a once-in-ten-thousand kind

of cultivation prodigy.

Years ago, when Xin Xiong traveled down the mountain

and passed through Wei County,

he came across her

and took her in as his disciple.

A born cultivator.

How old is she?

I don't know her exact age.

However,

her parents and relatives have all died of old age.

Only one remains.

That is her aunt, who's over 90.

So she must not be young.

If she's that old

and is a born cultivator,

why is she only

in the Qi Cultivation Realm?

I find it weird, too.

By the way,

she was also born on September 9.

September 9?

Back then, the Mad Daoist foresaw the heavenly secrets

and made two prophecies.

First,

the world would face a catastrophic disaster.

Second,

someone born on September 9

would be the savior of the world.

Since then,

all major sects began enrolling

disciples born on that date.

They call them "Heavenly Talents."

Xin Mei is

the Heavenly Talent of Xin Xie Manor.

She doesn't look

like a Heavenly Talent at all.

Many people are born on the same day.

Could they all be saviors of the world?

Anyway,

she wants to find a poor thing to marry.

And you want to find

a cultivator as your wife.

Aren't you two a perfect match?

Just wait patiently.

Before the execution,

you two must

get this done.

Your auntie

lived a long life.

She passed away peacefully in her sleep.

At least

she didn't suffer.

Chubby.

You've changed so much.

[Sun Yao (Chubby)]

I'm old now.

How could I not change?

You're still amazing, though.

You look just a few years older

than when you left.

Being an immortal has its perks.

It's not as great as you think.

What about you?

How have you been all these years?

Getting by.

How about you?

What are you usually busy with?

Mostly meditation and cultivation.

Sometimes I help my master

with small affairs.

Nothing special, really.

Like slaying demons

or saving people?

It's not that dramatic.

In a few days,

let's invite our old neighborhood friends

for a get-together.

Everyone's been missing you.

Sounds good.

I haven't seen them for ages.

Right?

Well,

now that my aunt has passed away,

the only blood relative I have left in this world

is gone, too.

Don't be silly.

Your aunt wasn't even

related to you by blood.

Your uncle died long ago.

In this world,

you've long lost your blood relatives.

[Song's Pastries]

Oh, right.

I promised to bring him some pastries last time.

It's this room.

Call me if you need anything.

When Mei arrives,

let's ask her properly.

I think you're just...

Mei,

welcome.

Come on, take a seat.

This is Mei?

Yes.

This is Mei.

It seems so.

-So young. -She looks so young.

Indeed.

This is Mei.

This is really her.

Well...

This is really Mei.

You really are Mei?

You look so young,

not at all like someone your age.

Exactly.

Mei,

you've truly become an immortal?

Mei,

I heard that immortals can fly and move through the earth

and never age.

Are you also immortal?

No, no. It's way too exaggerated.

People say

the heavenly ladder is broken.

Cultivators can't ascend to heaven

or become deities anymore.

Apart from knowing some magic spells,

they just live longer.

That's all.

Mei,

you need to

show us something.

Yes, show us.

Show us.

Come on.

Well, alright then.

That

is all?

Well, this...

This is turning water into ice?

I had an incident years ago.

My cultivation went wrong.

So my level isn't that high.

Not that high?

Then how high is it?

A cultivator of Nascent Soul?

Or of Golden Core?

I'm at mid-level Qi Cultivation.

Qi Cultivation Realm?

Isn't that the lowest level?

Yes.

Still better than you!

Mei,

if you're not usually busy,

why didn't you come back

to visit us more often?

You have no idea.

People from immortal sects

cannot interfere in mortal affairs.

This is the rule set by the Twelve Immortal Sects

and the imperial court.

Every disciple who joins

must take a Soul Oath,

so of course she can't return at will.

Mei,

am I right?

That's correct.

You know quite a lot.

Do you know

an official named Lu?

Who?

Lu Huai, with "Huai" from "Wood" and "Ghost."

He was once a county official here.

Why mention him?

Why bring up someone like him?

What for?

He deserves to die.

Mei.

Do you know him?

Sort of.

It's a long story.

Six months ago,

the Yong region suffered a great flood.

Dikes broke, fields flooded,

people became homeless.

Our Wei County was relatively fortunate.

In the worst-hit cities,

it's said

that corpses piled up like mountains,

tragedies filled the city,

and barely one in ten households survived.

People were filthy and ghostlike.

They had nothing to eat.

People even ate weeds, clay, and tree bark

to fill their stomachs.

It truly is hell on earth.

Later, the imperial court issued an order,

commanding the surrounding prefectures

to send grain to the Yong region.

They also issued a strict decree

to forbid grain merchants from raising prices

and urge them to sell at 50% of the normal price

to the disaster victims.

All regions followed the imperial court's decree

to provide disaster relief.

But only Lu Huai was

[Wei County Government]

bold as brass

and did exactly the opposite.

Not only did he disregard the imperial edict,

but he also accepted bribes from grain merchants,

allowing them to sell grain

at inflated prices in Wei County.

As a result,

grain prices in Wei County remained exorbitantly high.

The prefects jointly submitted a memorial,

sentencing that corrupt official

to dismissal from office

and exile three thousand li away.

But he showed no remorse

and talked nonsense recklessly in court,

making wild accusations,

attempting to escape punishment

by dragging others down with him.

This infuriated Minister Liang Wenjing of the Court of Judicial Review so much

that Lord Liang

personally took over the trial

and sentenced him to death by a thousand cuts.

Qiu,

when Lord Liang was

trying Lu Huai that day,

weren't you there watching, too?

Did you hear what they said?

He was like a rat caught in a trap

with no power to fight back,

who could only yap madly.

Nothing special.

Is he

really that kind of person?

Mei,

how did you come to know him?

I...

No matter how you knew him,

just don't

get involved in his affairs.

For one thing, he's a corrupt official.

In Wei County,

everyone would gladly tear him apart

or skin him alive.

Right.

For another, you're a cultivator,

and cultivators

shouldn't interfere in mortal affairs.

Reckless interference will ruin your cultivation.

Well said.

Right, let's drink. Cheers.

Come on.

Cheers.

Come on.

Cheers.

I've thought it over. You're very suitable.

I was born in Wei County.

In my youth, guided by my master,

I entered an immortal sect for cultivation.

It's been sixty years now.

My cultivation is ordinary,

and my family has all passed away.

If we marry,

I will burn offerings for you.

Not just during Qingming Festival and holidays,

but also on your birthday and death anniversary.

I won't let you suffer from poverty

in the underworld.

Also,

if I get married and have children,

I will have them

worship and pay tribute to you as well.

That's my case.

Do you have any other requests?

Why are you smiling?

Nothing.

Well then, how do you like

the wedding items?

You agreed?

I did.

As for the items

like the wedding clothes, headpieces, and candles,

I'll prepare them all.

I'll register at the government office.

Once everything is ready,

we can hold the wedding.

Good.

Although you can't leave,

I've asked Constable Chu about it.

The wedding ceremony

can be held right here.

Do you have any family?

I can invite them all over.

I have no family.

What about friends?

None either.

Me, too.

So it's just the two of us.

The two of us are enough.

Didn't you say last time

that when you came to see me again,

you would bring me some snacks?

Where are they?

Immortal Xin,

are these your pastries?

I saw you bring them in.

I don't want them.

They're for you.

I forgot.

You're a cultivator

with such a poor memory?

Just a minute.

This is for you.

Thank you for your hard work these days.

I'm imprisoned

and can't help much.

This money

should be enough

to buy all the wedding items.

You can spend extra

to have merchants prepare in advance.

Although my sentence is fixed,

if there are any changes,

and it's moved up by a few days,

we won't have to

rush it in panic.

What's this?

A gift.

For me?

It's nothing valuable,

just blessed at the temple

for protection.

What about you?

Do you have anything for me?

No.

What's that?

Not this one.

It's for someone else.

All right.

Xin Mei,

thank you

for agreeing to marry me.

[Blessing Candle]

Sir,

just prepare according to the list.

Xin Mei, Xin Mei.

Have you seen your aunt?

Have you wrapped things up?

You've repeatedly broken the rules of the immortal sects.

Your cultivation has dropped three times already.

Do not meddle in others' affairs again.

Come back quickly.

This troublesome disciple only listens to you.

If you still don't return to Xin Xie Manor,

I truly cannot bear to stay here another day.

Xin Mei, Xin Mei.

Have you seen your aunt?

Have you wrapped things up?

Tell Master

that I still have some matters

to attend to.

I'll need some more time before I can return.

Also,

Sheng is a well-behaved, good girl.

If you don't provoke her,

she won't give you any trouble.

You two should get along well at home

until I return.

Repeat after me.

I still have some matters

to attend to.

I'll need some more time before I can return.

Also, Sheng is a well-behaved, good girl.

If you don't provoke her,

she won't cause you any trouble.

You two should get along well at home

until I return.

Off you go.

Liu.

What are you sniffing

so passionately?

This is the handkerchief

left by that immortal lady who came last time.

You're such a creep.

What do you know?

The scent of this immortal lady

fills my heart with content.

You know nothing.

Liu!

What's wrong with you?

Liu!

Liu!

Get up, please!

Liu!

Lu.

What did Liu do to offend you?

You almost killed him.

Couldn't you

wait until nighttime to do it?

In broad daylight like this,

even blaming it on ghosts wouldn't convince anyone.

Also,

for that green lotus jade pendant,

you just gave it away to her?

That was a high-class magical talisman.

Don't you feel any regret?

She's marrying me.

She's the one making the sacrifice.

It's just my compensation.

How generous of you.

Auntie.

Please rest in peace.

People

become useless when they get old.

Cultivating immortality is much better.

It gives you a long life

and a robust body.

If there were

a chance to do it all over again,

would you choose to leave home to cultivate immortality?

Of course.

Who wouldn't want to be an immortal?

Not necessarily.

Everyone has their own destiny,

yet we should learn to be happy with what we have.

Ordinary people seek fulfillment in life;

immortals seek fulfillment in their cultivation.

But in the end,

what truly counts as fulfillment?

I've entered the immortal sect,

but

because my mind isn't steadfast,

I can't make any breakthroughs in cultivation.

My family raised me,

yet I couldn't take good care of them.

I couldn't even

be by their side in their last moments.

So they should blame me,

and rightfully so.

The strongest bonds in this world

are those of blood and family.

You're family.

How could they bear

to blame you?

Do you see that plot of land?

That's the burial site

your grandfather reserved for you.

Before he passed away,

you were his greatest concern.

He feared that when you returned from your cultivation,

you couldn't find your family.

So he specifically kept this burial plot for you

to return to your "home."

[Here rests the late Mrs. Xin, Chen Yunci]

My Lady, welcome back.

Just now, several shops

delivered items for you.

They said you ordered them.

They looked quite valuable,

so I put them in the inner room.

Thank you.

Mr. Lu,

here are the wedding clothes sent by Immortal Xin.

They look so festive.

I'll leave them here.

It's a pity that you can't see the colors.

Bride,

the sedan chair has arrived

and is waiting outside.

You can get in now.

I'm coming.

♪ Honor and disgrace; rumors and prejudice ♪

♪ Everyone has their own take ♪

♪ Fingers coated in blood and disasters brought about ♪

♪ Were never what I wanted ♪

♪ The great way is fading away, besieged by mysterious traps ♪

♪ Who dares to treat life and death as nothing? ♪

♪ In the blink of an eye, the body collapses, and the soul is destroyed ♪

♪ The fire starts raging across the land ♪

♪ What do you think is ♪

♪ The most impressive farewell in the world? ♪

♪ The endless slaughter and massacres ♪

♪ Do not wait until that thin snow on the eaves ♪

♪ Turns a young man's hair white before you regret it ♪

♪ When you think ♪

♪ The bloody strife would come to an end? ♪

♪ Burn myself to prove it without looking back ♪

♪ Holding the morning glow in hand, I paint the world ♪

♪ The dawn light illuminates the vast sky ♪

Alright,

you may stop here.

♪ Honor and disgrace; rumors and prejudice ♪

Bride,

I'll see you off here.

May your life ahead

♪ Everyone has their own take ♪

be filled with happiness and good fortune.

Thank you.

♪ Fingers coated in blood and disasters brought about ♪

♪ Were never what I wanted ♪

♪ The great way is fading away, besieged by mysterious traps ♪

Take it slow.

♪ Who dares to treat life and death as nothing? ♪

Follow me.

♪ In the blink of an eye, the body collapses, and the soul is destroyed ♪

♪ The fire starts raging across the land ♪

♪ What do you think is ♪

♪ The most impressive farewell in the world? ♪

♪ The endless slaughter and massacres ♪

♪ Do not wait until that thin snow on the eaves ♪

♪ Turns a young man's hair white before you regret it ♪

♪ When you think ♪

♪ The bloody strife will come to an end? ♪

♪ End these everlasting battles ♪

♪ Holding the morning glow in hand, I paint the world ♪

♪ Someone's got to clean up this mess ♪

A strand of your black hair is entwined,

bound together for life.

This wedding ceremony

should have parents and family present,

with friends and relatives in attendance.

But you two are

both alone in this world,

with neither parents nor relatives.

Therefore,

you can only bow to the matchmaker deity.

It's the auspicious time.

A promise to grow old together,

with a good marriage forever bound.

A complementary pair,

a perfect match.

First bow to heaven and earth.

Second bow to the parents.

The couple bows to each other.

Xin Mei,

thank you.

I should also say thank you.

[Lu's Mansion]

[You deserve a terrible death!]

[Treacherous, corrupt official]

I need to go now.

Going back to your sect?

I'm leaving Wei County.

I came down from the mountain this time

to handle some important matters.

Now that my personal affairs are settled,

I should set off soon.

Take care on your journey.

How much time do you have left?

Not long.

Just a few days.

Aren't you scared?

Of course I am.

It's death by 1,000 cuts.

How could I not be afraid?

But what's the point of fear?

On this joyous day of mine,

I can't just cry, right?

Do you regret it then?

What?

The things you've done,

like taking bribes, inflating grain prices,

defying orders, and harming the people.

Do you regret

what you've done?

You've been asking about me.

Everyone should take

responsibility for their actions.

Perhaps

this is my karma.

Mr. Lu,

do you have any unfulfilled wishes?

As your wife,

is there anything I can do for you?

There's a pot of flowers under the corridor of my house.

If it's okay,

please take it with you.

Give it some water.

Don't let it wither or die.

I will.

I'll take good care of it.

Stay back!

Who are you?

[Lu Jiujiu, Lu Xiaodao]

Don't come any closer!

Chubby?

What brings you here?

My wife

heard that you're leaving Wei County.

She prepared

some pastries specifically for you

to eat on your journey.

Please pass on my gratitude to your wife.

It tastes good.

Where have you been?

I've been to the Lu's Mansion.

The Lu's Mansion?

Lu Huai's house?

What were you doing there?

Do you really know him?

It's a long story.

You know a bit of my situation.

Do you remember that?

Since birth, I've been told I have a cursed fate,

a fate of widowhood

that's bound to bring misfortune to my husband.

[Xin's Mansion]

[Song Qingbao, Head Clerk of the Central Secretariat]

Lu Huai,

your execution is in 2 days.

Although your case

was handled by the Court of Judicial Review,

and it's already set in stone,

according to the rules,

I still should ask you this.

Lord Lu,

do you want to declare any grievances

or challenge the verdict?