Original subtitles

[Moonlit Reunion]

[Episode 5]

Who's there?

My Lord, what's wrong?

My Lord, do you need anything?

Nothing. Must have been my imagination.

Alright. I'll wait outside then.

Eerie phenomena flicker through Chang'an like shadows.

Yet whenever we get close,

all traces vanish,

always just beyond our grasp.

What is

the mystery behind all this?

Why hasn't Ms. Wu returned yet?

Did she find it?

Ms. Wu, how did it go?

Hey furball,

must you make a fuss?

Sit down first.

How can I possibly sit still?

That old rat just sent the young one again,

inquiring about our progress.

These demons really can't wait a single moment longer.

They're just waiting for you to slip up.

If we don't find the Wight soon,

we'll lose all credibility.

Who's there?

My Lord, what's wrong?

Shu.

What's wrong?

By the laws of the Demon Market,

the Wight must be destroyed on sight.

We must destroy it at once.

This will also satisfy the Four Sects.

Lords, you must stop this!

If this continues, the Demon Market will be destroyed!

Elders, won't you lend a hand?

This is...?

Not resentment energy.

This is malice.

Exactly.

This isn't an ordinary wight.

It's the bone of that thing.

Whose?

It's that thing.

Eighteen years ago.

The Malevolent Phantom.

Sir, it's wonderful to see you.

The mountain fog's too thick.

I've lost my way.

Do you know which path leads downhill?

Don't you recognize me?

Recognize?

Have we met?

Mother?

Mother.

Why... Why are you here?

It's been three years.

I've missed you every day.

My boy, I've missed you too.

Mother,

every day I dream

of seeing you again.

I've missed you so much, Mother.

I've missed you so much.

[Shanposuo]

Mother.

Mortals are so easily fooled.

It's a pity

there are so few here.

If only I could enter Chang'an

to cultivate, have fun,

and act without restraint...

Wouldn't that be great?

Is this really Records Repository?

It's so clean and organized.

Even the old scrolls

are properly categorized.

Why did you arrange everything so neatly?

Duty demands diligence.

Fair enough.

I brought the latest case files.

These need archiving too.

What kind of case?

A villager from the western outskirts went to gather firewood in the mountains

and got lost.

His family eventually found him,

but he wasn't quite himself anymore.

Not quite himself?

Anyway,

his eyes were open

but he had no consciousness.

Yet despite that,

he was smiling

and kept muttering "Mother" over and over again.

But his mother had died of illness long ago.

Where exactly did he get lost?

The western outskirts. Why?

The western outskirts.

In just one month,

Xuanjian Division has received six reports

of villagers lost in those mountains.

All in the western outskirts.

I need to investigate soon.

No need.

Mr. Xu already sent deputies to look into it.

We'll have answers soon.

This mountain path is brutal.

It's only been a while.

But my feet are killing me already.

More exhausting than my usual duties.

Maybe we should turn back.

Yeah.

Mr. Xu didn't even take this seriously.

He sent us just for show.

No point in overdoing it.

Come on, we're already here.

Might as well see it through.

If there's nothing unusual, we'll go back and report.

Honestly,

those villagers probably just got lost.

At worst,

they might have eaten some poisonous mushrooms

and hallucinated.

That's what I think too.

And if they can get lost so easily,

we'd be even more prone to wandering off?

Here come more fools.

Weren't these days supposed to be sunny?

Why is there such thick fog in these mountains?

We can't go on.

Can't even see the path.

Which way were we heading again?

Shao Heng.

Excuse us.

We are from Xuanjian Division.

We're here to investigate a case.

We got lost.

May I ask...?

Don't approach. Something's wrong.

What is this...?

Could these be the missing villagers from a few days ago?

They seem a bit strange.

Are they really human?

What nonsense are you talking about?

If not human, then what? Ghosts?

Who knows?

It's broad daylight.

There are no ghosts around.

Well...

Should we go check?

Fine. Let's take a look.

Did you all get lost here too?

Can you hear me?

Run! Get out of here!

Don't come over.

Stay back!

Who dares interfere?

I did you a huge favor.

You haven't even said thank you.

A rat demon.

You did me a favor?

I've been feeding on human essence

in these mountains for my cultivation.

My prey lay within my grasp.

You let them slip away.

And you call that a favor?

Are you trying to draw the attention

of Chang'an's Demon Market with such a big commotion?

Once they hunt you down,

your freedom's over.

You're from the Demon Market?

Your actions in the western outskirts have reached Chang'an.

The Demon Market will probably find out soon.

When the two lords of the Demon Market make a move,

you won't be able to escape.

I came to warn you

to help you.

Help me?

Why would you help me?

Because you can help me in return.

[Xuanjian Division]

Why is the volume on the Heavenly Fire disaster

from eighteen years ago the only one missing?

Sir.

What is it?

I've reorganized all the case files

chronologically.

Please review them.

No need for review.

I trust your work.

But there's one thing I don't understand.

Go ahead.

There seems to be a missing volume.

It's the record from eighteen years ago.

Oh?

What of it?

There are still many unsolved old cases.

Perhaps we can find clues

from the previous files.

No need to go back eighteen years for that.

How old were you back then?

Some cases are just too old.

Leave them be.

As officials,

our duty is to resolve the people's worries

and solve cases for them.

There is an Archives Pavilion in the palace.

They often send people to take some files away.

Perhaps the volume you mentioned

was borrowed by them.

Then how do we...?

There's no way.

You want to go to the palace and demand it back?

With your status, it's impossible.

Even I, Chief of Xuanjian Division,

can only report to the palace once

at the beginning of each month.

What are you thinking?

Chief...

Mr. Xu!

What now?

Mr. Xu.

Disaster!

What happened?

It's about the western outskirts case.

Didn't Mr. Xu send someone to investigate?

Yes.

But after hearing the details, he refused to handle it.

But today

villagers from the western outskirts came to Chang'an,

kneeling and pleading for help.

Before the case's jurisdiction

could even be determined,

it had already reached Mr. Liu's ears.

Just assign it to Zhu Ying,

as Shu suggested.

Cat Lord, you're quite comfortable using my deputy.

Open the gates!

We demand to see Mr. Liu!

Open up!

[Liu Mansion]

What are you doing? Back off!

Step back! Stay back!

What are you doing?

- Silence! - Quiet down!

Mr. Liu.

Well, this...

- Step back! - Back off! Don't push!

Mr. Liu, I pay my respects.

Mr. Xu,

I assume you know

why I summoned you here today.

Forgive my ignorance.

What else could it be

but the western outskirts case?

Shouldn't that be handled by the Yamen?

Within half a month,

six villagers got lost in the mountains.

They were later found,

but their minds were gone, their eyes open yet vacant.

This matter is eerie and illogical.

Who else but Xuanjian Division should handle it?

How are those six people now?

Are their lives in danger?

All of them have regained consciousness.

Mr. Liu,

Xuanjian Division handles cases with no leads.

Now that these six people have woken up,

you have six witnesses.

You should arrest the culprit now.

What do you mean, the culprit?

Are you suggesting

I arrest the fog?

It's normal to have some fog in the rainy mountains.

Instead, as officials,

you should put up some road signs

to guide the people.

Those people have lived in the western outskirts for generations.

The mountains are like their backyards.

Mr. Xu,

do you get lost in your own mansion?

It's not impossible!

- You're talking nonsense! - County Magistrate!

Are you saying

the Yamen can't handle this case?

First you say you can't handle it,

then you refuse to take on it.

Are you all so evasive

and picky?

Must I personally investigate the case?

- Sir, please calm down. - Sir, please calm down.

So, what do you plan to do now?

You...

Mr. Liu.

Your Young Lord.

Mr. Mei?

Mr. Liu.

Rise.

Mr. Mei,

speak your mind.

Mr. Liu,

the western outskirts cover a vast area.

Xuanjian Division lacks manpower

to investigate this matter.

If another case arises at this time,

we'd be stretched too thin.

Yet this matter defies logic.

Even the Yamen

would struggle to proceed.

Well then...

So,

I have a plan

that might solve this dilemma.

What plan?

I'm the Superintendent of Xuanjian Division's Records Repository.

With the files now properly organized,

I'm currently free.

Let me go to the western outskirts to investigate this matter, please.

Silence!

Mr. Liu, I...

This is too dangerous.

Don't be reckless.

Listen to me and leave.

Mr. Xu, I appreciate your concern.

But my mind is made up.

You don't need to persuade me further.

Mr. Liu, what do you think?

Mr. Liu.

Mr. Mei,

Xuanjian Division is already overwhelmed.

We can't spare anyone to assist you.

Let's just drop this matter.

I'll go alone.

Mr. Mei,

have you thought this through?

No regrets?

Absolutely no regrets.

He's quite fearless.

Different from others.

He's a bit bolder.

Zhen, stop worrying.

How can I not?

Who would have known

that a piece of bone from the Malevolent Phantom still remained?

Though I don't remember what happened eighteen years ago,

I've heard

how formidable the Malevolent Phantom was.

She came to Chang'an alone,

plunged the mortal world into chaos,

and nearly toppled the Demon Market.

If not for the previous Cat Lord sacrificing his life,

the Demon Market would have...

She's back.

[Zhu Ying, Snake Lord's Deputy]

Cat Lord.

Snake Lord.

Zhu Ying, long time no see.

Do you have news of the Thunderwood?

He guessed right.

Where is it?

The western outskirts.

Be more specific.

In a cave.

Shu, tell us more about the Thunderwood.

The Thunderwood is a natural treasure

forged by heavenly thunder.

It can dispel the malice of the Wight.

But

ordinary demons can't get near it.

In that case,

this task seems tailor-made for me.

If I approach it in human form during the day,

I can retrieve it.

But you have no magical powers during the day.

Going to the western outskirts alone is too risky.

Maybe we should...

It's just going into the mountains.

No big deal.

Zhen...

I'll go get the Thunderwood.

My Lord, are you really going there?

Everyone says those mountains in the western outskirts are haunted.

Don't worry. It'll be fine.

Those from Xuanjian Division are so unhelpful.

Everyone is so scared

that no one is willing to join you.

This was my decision.

No one else is to blame.

How much money do we have left?

About thirty guan in total.

Alright.

Planning to propose to Princess of Qinghe County

with a betrothal gift?

You seem thrilled.

Didn't you dislike Ms. Wu before?

But lately I've noticed.

Though she has a reputation for being unrestrained,

she rarely loses her temper.

She even appreciates my cooking.

She's easy to please.

Best of all, you're poor,

she's rich.

You two are a perfect match.

On my way here, I heard

that the road to your place is broken,

long, narrow, and muddy.

Even a carriage can't get through.

And this carriage granted by His Majesty

requires two horses to pull.

I knew you were off duty today,

so I came to find you for some fun.

Never expected

the road to your place to be so terrible.

I twisted my ankle

and got my shoes dirty on the way here.

What are you going to do about it?

This muddy and uneven road is truly inconvenient.

I advanced some of my salary from Xuanjian Division.

Have someone fix it in the next couple of days.

So you've been saving money recently

to fix the road?

Also,

take down this shed.

The shed?

What's wrong with the donkey shed?

If... If we take this down,

where will Fugui live?

Find another place for it.

The road's too narrow for carriages.

But... We don't have to take down the donkey shed, do we?

Our donkey cart is small.

It can squeeze through.

Just take it down.

After all, not all carriages

are as petite as ours.

Well...

Stop eating. Let's go.

Move, move.

- Let's go. - Let's get out of here.

My sister sent you, didn't she?

Huai'an, Linyuan.

- Yes! - Yes!

- My Lady. - My Lady.

Mingzhuang reported to the palace again, right?

It's not my first time going to play outside the city for a day or two.

Why did my sister send you here?

My Lady,

it's not peaceful outside the city recently.

Her Majesty knows you're stubborn

and probably won't change your plans.

So she specially sent us to protect you.

We beg your understanding.

Don't make this difficult.

You two are making things difficult for me.

My Lady, what did you say?

I said

you're blocking my mount.

Dear, dear, wake up.

Wake up, please.

Sir, please help us.

He San hasn't recovered.

Two more people collapsed this morning.

And they're the strongest in our village.

Exactly.

Sir,

what does the higher-up mean?

All of us in this village

make a living by logging and hunting.

Now no one dares enter the mountains.

How are we supposed to survive?

- Yes. - We can't live like this.

I'll go into the mountains to check it out.

You'll have answers.

Don't joke around.

With that frail frame?

Go into the mountains alone?

I bet he was forced to come here.

No idea how dangerous it is.

He's kept in the dark.

Might not even make it out alive.

Exactly.

Has the government given up on us?

Who said the government only sent him?

Who are you?

Princess of Qinghe County from Duke of Wu's Mansion,

Wu Zhen.

I'm here to help Mr. Mei solve the western outskirts case.

Princess of Qinghe County? She seems to be the Empress's sister.

That's royalty.

Yes.

But what's the use of sending a county princess?

Aside from her fancy title,

she's still just a woman. Look.

What's wrong with being a woman?

In terms of rank, a county princess holds the second-highest rank.

I outrank many men in terms of power and status.

In terms of skill,

Xu Sanlang from Chang'an Central Protectorate Army,

Commander Zhang of the Militia,

Commander Gu of the Imperial Guard,

and Commander Huang of the Jinwu Guard

Who are these people she's talking about?

all lost to me.

Yeah. Who are they?

We've never heard of them.

Well, they sound like

big names.

Then she must be really powerful.

It's fake, right?

She's probably quite powerful.

By the way, there are also two Jinwu Guards here.

They were personally sent by Their Majesties.

They'll arrange physicians for you shortly.

If you don't believe me, check their waist badges.

- Should we go check? - Let's take a look.

- Let's go check it out. - Let's go.

Let me take a look.

[Jinwu Guard] Is it real?

- It's real. - It's real.

They really are Jinwu Guards.

Really.

Yes, they are Jinwu Guards.

- Our thanks to Their Majesties! - Our thanks to Their Majesties!

The three of us are just here to assist.

We're nowhere near

as capable as Mr. Mei here.

Well...

But this gentleman looks so delicate and fragile.

What of it?

We may have martial arts skills,

but we can't solve cases.

Mr. Mei Is different.

He's a scholar by background.

He's well-read, knowledgeable,

extremely talented, and profoundly learned.

His personal investigation in the western outskirts

will surely solve this cold case.

If that's really the case,

then it's wonderful.

Mr. Mei, we heard

you rushed here

despite your frail health

upon learning of the new case here,

just to see the injured sooner.

We deeply admire you.

Sir, you must be careful heading into the mountains.

Yes. You must be careful.

We appreciate your efforts.

If my sister asks,

just tell her

Mr. Mei is delicate and frail.

I'm not at ease with him entering the mountains alone.

Mr. Mei, don't burn your bridges.

Mr. Mei, thank you for being my guide.

I should be the one thanking you

for helping me out just now.

Then remember you owe me one.

So why are you heading to the western outskirts?

I told you, for your safety.

You're delicate.

You wouldn't last an hour in the mountains

before collapsing.

And by then, since I'd still be full of energy,

I'd definitely have to save you.

I thought you'd drive me away.

I did consider it.

But since I owe you,

I couldn't come up with a good excuse.

Good thing I stepped in just in time

to shut you up.

Earlier, you said those men

all lost to you.

Is that true?

Of course.

I've fought with all of them.

None of them could beat me.

Why did you fight them?

Did they offend you?

No. They were my setup dates.

But none of them had the skills that impressed me.

I see.

But why didn't you

care about my skills back then?

You won with your face.

You don't need to compare with them in that regard.

Thank you.

You can rest assured.

With me around, this trip will go smoothly.

Mr. Shu,

I haven't seen Qishi for days.

I've sent demons to search the entire Demon Market,

but I haven't found any trace of the rat demon

you mentioned.

Why don't you go ask the workshop masters

under your command?

Or search within the Hui Sect

for other leads?

Mr. Shu, are you sure you've searched everywhere?

Elder Hui,

the Demon Market is divided into Four Sects and Eight Workshops.

Workshop affairs fall under the workshop master.

Difficult cases go to the four sect elders.

Only the most intractable matters reach the two lords.

I'm helping you this time

out of our friendship.

I haven't held you accountable for your negligence,

yet you're the one pressing me.

That's probably against the rules.

No, I wouldn't dare to offend you, Mr. Shu.

It's just that a demon has gone missing from the Demon Market for no reason.

I can't bear this responsibility.

It seems we'll have to go to Cat Lord

and let her make the decision.

Elder Hui,

are you saying I'm not qualified?

Mr. Shu, why would you say that?

We're at a loss about this matter.

According to the rules,

shouldn't we report it to the two lords?

Cat Lord has been busy recently.

No need to trouble her with such a trivial matter.

I'll personally comb through the Demon Market

and help you look for Qishi.

Thank you, Mr. Shu.

Mr. Shu, you and Cat Lord go way back.

You grew up together,

and you taught her demonic arts,

and helped her govern the Demon Market.

That bond is special.

But

here's a piece of advice.

The Demon Market belongs to demons.

And Cat Lord is a half-demon.

Mr. Shu, you've always been wise.

Don't let your loyalty ruin your future.

Elder Hui, thanks for the reminder.

I'll be leaving.

I'd planned to

end you once you were older,

so you could enjoy more time in the cauldron.

But Elder Hui wouldn't leave me alone.

Then you can't blame me for this.

You

never should've

have tried to fish for information from that fool Ling Xiao,

causing trouble for Zhen.

But

I'll give you a worthy end.

I'll turn you into a demon core

to make Cat Lord a real demon.

A meaningful death.

Don't kill me. Don't kill me, please.

Don't kill me!

I don't want to die!

Who would've thought such wilderness trails

would be in full bloom?

We came at just the right time.

Young Lord.

Pretty, isn't it?

It is.

Let's go.

Do you know what that is?

I've seen similar miasma back in Quzhou.

You ignorant mortal indeed.

This miasma, appearing in the form of fog,

has already become a spirit.

It must be Shanposuo.

Most people

don't pay much attention to this kind of miasma.

But once infected,

one will fall ill.

It seems...

It seems this is what Xuanjian Division is looking for.

In Quzhou, I heard

that to dispel this kind of miasma,

you need to find its source

and clean it up thoroughly.

You've learned quite a lot in Quzhou, Young Lord.

Ms. Wu,

there might be dangers ahead.

You...

Aren't you here with me?

If the miasma's harmful,

just cover your nose and mouth.

Let's go that way.

The mountain fog is thick here,

but fortunately the miasma has dispersed.

But why didn't you ask me

why I took this path?

You walked too fast. I didn't have time to ask.

Then why not ask now?

We're already on it. No point asking.

I can't leave you alone anyway.

Besides, this path

might lead to the source of the miasma.

I just think the scenery by this mountain stream is nice.

Didn't expect you to be so obedient.

This path is rough. Be careful.

Is your foot alright?

You're such a jinx.

Get on my back.

♪A sigh for mortal dust♪

♪As blossoms burn to dusk♪

♪Memories tint the heart♪

♪Carved in silence, fading unseen♪

♪Candle shadows carve through grief♪

♪Seasons turn in silent thief♪

♪Night rain murmurs, faint and slow♪

♪Tears fall quiet, lost below♪

♪I drift away with scattered stars♪

♪Glancing back at time's worn scars♪

♪You're the longing that defies the end of days♪

♪If the tale could turn anew, and reshape the skies♪

♪I would spend my life on you, in patient sacrifice♪

♪Let fate rise through the storm, as love begins again♪

♪Never could I forget♪

♪When oaths dissolve into oceans, drifting through the years♪

♪Memory walks beside me, ever close, forever clear♪

♪A will that never falters♪

♪Fading beneath time's quiet hush♪

♪If the tale could turn anew, and reshape the skies♪

♪I would spend my life on you, in patient sacrifice♪

♪Let fate rise through the storm, as love begins again♪

♪Never could I forget♪

♪When oaths dissolve into oceans, drifting through the years♪

♪Memory walks beside me, ever close, forever clear♪

♪A will that never falters♪

♪Fading beneath time's quiet hush♪