Original subtitles

[Moonlit Reunion]

[Episode 7]

Shanposuo

was slain by such a powerful spell.

Who could it be?

I must've really let my training slide lately,

even dreaming of something like that.

How

disgraceful.

I've let down my master's teachings,

and I can't even look Ms. Wu in the eye.

Desire fades, and the spirit rests.

A quiet mind brings peace.

Heaven and earth become one.

All is still, clarity within.

[Pure at Core, True Evermore]

Elder Hui, still composed as ever, huh?

You sent for me, Cat Lord?

Had a good time

up in the western outskirts, did you?

I've no idea what you're talking about.

You're no fun at all, old rat.

Brave enough to do it, but not to admit it.

And what are you supposed to be?

Just a half-demon freak.

What gives you the right to lecture me?

If I had been the one to gain that power 18 years ago,

the one sitting in that seat right now

would've been me.

You've got some nerve.

How dare you show such disrespect to Cat Lord?

Mr. Shu, what are you even talking about?

You'd better watch your words.

Don't go slandering me without a shred of proof.

Slandering you?

Everyone,

am I slandering him?

- Cat Lord. - Cat Lord.

You set me up.

You had all the demons gathered here from the start

and didn't even tell me.

Elder Hui.

You never asked.

Elder Hui.

For someone your age, you really haven't learned much.

So clueless.

So what

if I threw my weight around?

So what if I disrespected Cat Lord?

I'm still an elder of my sect.

What are you going to do about it?

Elder Hui, you really are losing it.

This meeting

isn't about your attitude,

but about you using the Art of Spirit Wandering

to break out of Demon Market.

Got any proof?

Ling Xiao.

My Lady.

Go on, tell us.

At the barrier yesterday,

I did see Elder Hui use the Art of Spirit Wandering.

That art

takes a serious toll

on the caster.

Elder Hui isn't exactly in his prime anymore.

Would he really risk using a forbidden technique like that?

That's right, Cat Lord.

Maybe he was mistaken.

Yeah. Maybe we should just drop it.

Forget it.

Let it go.

Seriously, just drop it.

If we really want to know

whether Elder Hui used a forbidden art...

there's a simple way to find out.

Wait, what?

Really?

Does Cat Lord have another way?

Either way,

looks like Elder Hui

is in for a rough time today.

Cat Lord. What?

Why is she bringing out the Whip of Glimmerlight?

Don't tell me she's planning to use it

to test Elder Hui's spiritual sense?

That's going too far.

Elder Hui.

Let me make you a wager.

If the test shows your spirit sense has left your body,

you'll accept punishment.

If it turns out you're clean,

I'll take ten lashes

for every strike I give you.

Cat Lord,

are you really going to whip me

based on the word of the flower demon?

This is nothing but your plot.

♪Eyes the world has cast aside♪

♪Yet they pierce through truth and lies♪

His spiritual sense shows signs of disturbance.

It's the Art of Spirit Wandering.

The first lash

is for using a forbidden technique.

♪Wandering through a world so cold♪

♪Who would trade their soul to die unknown?♪

The second lash

is for leaving the Demon Market without permission.

♪Brave the storms till break of day♪

♪Calling stars to light my way♪

The third lash

is for framing your superior and harming the innocent.

♪Born to rise, not crushed by scars♪

♪Don't ask why I won't belong♪

From this day forward,

Elder Hui shall be confined to the Demon Prison

to reflect on his actions in solitude.

♪I won't obey. I seek what's been lost♪

♪Midnight turns to phantom light♪

What?

♪If right and wrong begin to blur♪

♪Just wait for my command to sound♪

♪And fate itself will unravel♪

♪Reborn, pure, unbound♪

Elder Hui, you seem awfully calm.

You've caused her enough trouble,

and now you dare lay hands on her?

You've got some nerve.

I'm still the leader of the Hui Sect.

You dare kill me?

Of course I won't.

That would be far too kind.

I'll come torment you day after day,

until you remember your sins

and regret everything you've done.

But Elder Hui, you're not young anymore.

Who knows when your demonic power will fade?

Your wounds may never heal,

and in the end,

you'll die from illness and pain.

I know exactly

what you did to Qishi.

You killed one of my underlings,

then shattered my spiritual sense in the western outskirts.

Mr. Shu. Such impressive tactics.

When it comes to scheming,

I'm nowhere near your level.

But I must say,

back in the mountains of the western outskirts,

killing Cat Lord

wasn't my real goal.

What I truly wanted

was to keep her from obtaining the Thunderwood.

What do you mean by that?

As long as she fails to get the Thunderwood,

I can protect the Wight.

Why protect

such a wicked thing?

Wuzishu,

even if you came into this world

as pure as a blank page,

can you truly admit you have no desire

or ambition?

Maybe one day,

you and I

will walk the same path.

I have only one true companion

on this path.

[Liu Mansion]

So you usually fish here?

More or less.

What do you mean by "more or less"?

Fishing helps me find peace.

When my mind is unsettled,

I sometimes sit here and cast a line.

It's not about the fish, but about the state of mind.

Then tell me, what kind of state of mind leads you

to bully a young man in his twenties?

Zhen, you can't blame Ms. Liu.

So what if I bullied him?

I couldn't get a moment's peace at home because of him.

Ms. Liu. Watch who you're messing with.

Whenever he sees you,

his brain stops working.

Heading west to find some mystic herb?

Do you even believe that nonsense yourself?

I do.

You believe my foot.

If you don't like Si, fine.

But you don't have to bully him like that.

A little exercise is good for his health.

Hardly counts as bullying.

Ms. Liu,

so the master you mentioned,

and the mystic herb,

you were just lying to me?

Yes.

Ms. Liu,

if it were something else,

I wouldn't mind you messing with me.

But how could you do this to me?

Making me heading westward.

Who knew you'd actually go?

If I end up too far away,

there'll be no one left to drive away the evil for you.

What would you do then?

Did you put a spell on him?

Mei Si, there's no demon in my mansion.

I saw it.

Just because you didn't see it doesn't mean it's not there.

That serpent demon

could be in the trees, in the pond...

or maybe on you right now.

Is that so?

Since you're so worried,

why don't you hop into the pond

and see if that serpent demon is hiding down there?

For you,

I'll go in and take a look.

Liu Taizhen, that's enough.

He offered to exorcise the demon.

I didn't force him.

He'd do anything you say.

That's on him.

Just drop it.

None of your business.

Well...

I didn't see anything.

I really didn't.

Easy.

Shouldn't you be shielding me?

Come on, you're the elder here.

Just let it slide.

Don't get worked up over him.

I didn't see a thing,

honestly.

Scram.

OK, scramming now.

What are you doing?

- Nothing. - Nothing.

- What's up with you? - What's up with you?

Ms. Wu,

there's a problem.

What exactly is going on?

I did as you asked and brought

the best physician on the west side of the city,

but the situation seems more difficult than we thought.

It's been days.

Why hasn't he woken up?

Why won't my husband open his eyes?

[Guangju Tavern] Why? When will he wake up?

- What are you doing here? - What are you doing here?

I'd planned to report back to the Xuanjian Division at dawn,

but word came that the patient had taken a turn for the worse.

I only just learned of it.

By His Majesty's order, I'm here to assess the situation.

The Princess has arrived.

Make way. Her Ladyship is here.

My Lady.

Mr. Mei.

My Lady.

No need for formalities.

How are they?

I have just examined the pulses of the three.

Their lives are not in peril,

yet their signs are faint.

I fear my skill is wanting.

Though I have used every herb and needle,

they remain beyond waking.

Sir, what do we do now?

Please, you must save my husband.

Ms. Wu,

thin wisps of miasma are still coiling within them.

If we cannot draw it out,

they may wake only to be laid low by a grave illness.

Sir.

I never expected

the physician of Chang'an

to have no answer for this miasma.

Someone! There's a lecher! Get him!

A lecher?

Where is he?

Where?

Let's go.

What happened?

A lecher,

disheveled and half-dressed,

who suddenly climbed in through the window.

He meant to violate us.

He saw every inch of me.

How am I supposed to find a husband now?

In broad daylight?

This scum is fearless!

He's flat-out lawless.

Brazen lecher, you've gone too far!

[Shuangjiang, Changxi Palace's Celestial Master]

Knock him flat!

Beat him to death!

Wait.

It's a misunderstanding.

I'm no lecher.

I am a Celestial Master from Changxi Palace,

named Shuangjiang.

What?

Changxi Palace?

Changxi Palace?

Never heard of it.

Legend says the Changxi Palace vanished

from Chang'an a century ago.

Since then, many claimed to be from there,

but they were all fakes.

We've seen this trick too many times.

Claiming "I'm from Changxi Palace"

won't wipe away the fact you vaulted the wall

and came in with ill intent.

It was

an accident.

- A lecher! - A lecher!

So you're telling me

you were headed to Chang'an to find someone,

took a wrong turn,

lost your bundle down the mountain,

wandered into the wrong house

looking for a bite,

then choked on your food

and couldn't get a word out to explain yourself?

Pretty

much.

Well said, miss.

Your story's a little too neat,

don't you think?

I...

- Exactly. - Indeed.

You liar!

You shameless cheat!

Liar!

Though he is large and dull of wit,

if he truly hails from Changxi Palace,

then that palace must have fallen into disgrace.

One trial reveals all.

Sir,

if you truly are a disciple of Changxi Palace,

show us.

How would I do that?

Legend holds that the arcane arts leave nothing beyond reach,

and disciples of Changxi Palace are steeped

in banishing illness and evil.

We happen to be facing such trouble right now.

Exactly.

The physician said He San and the others

seemed possessed.

If you can wake them,

we'll believe you're no fraud.

If not, you're nothing but a lecher.

- Precisely! - That's right.

Then

I'll take this on.

- Excellent! - Good!

Let him try.

What's that?

What is he doing?

Resorting to the Sevenfold Exorcism Array?

A grand art for a petty task.

This is the Sevenfold Exorcism Array.

I will draw every trace of evil

from the three wounded.

Everyone, stand well back.

Do not let the backlash reach you.

It's only a wisp of miasma,

hardly worth all this fanfare.

Mortals do love their pageantry.

I suppose that's understandable.

The Five Beans and the censer are all misplaced.

Such recklessness will only hinder the art.

Heaven's breath,

earth's truth.

Arts shift,

and evil yields.

Rise!

It's rising!

Is my cultivation still lacking?

No, that's not it.

Let me try again.

Such a fraud.

- Heaven's breath, - Heaven's breath,

- earth's truth. - earth's truth.

- Arts shift, - Arts shift,

- and evil yields. - and evil yields.

- Rise! - Rise.

They're awake!

I appreciate it a lot, sir.

It worked?

I'm incredible!

I never knew I had this in me!

Master, forgive our doubts.

- That was impressive! - Thank you, truly.

I appreciate your help, Master.

No trouble at all, just doing my duty.

Remember

to spread my name far and wide.

He really knows Celestial Master arts.

Ms. Wu,

if he is indeed tied to Changxi Palace,

we may have a real problem.

No big deal.

Where's Mr. Mei?

No idea.

Haven't seen him since earliar.

Shuangjiang is already here.

If I show myself,

my identity will be exposed.

I must stay out of his sight.

Master Shuangjiang, thank you for stepping in

and letting us witness true arcane arts,

a rare sight indeed.

You surprised me too.

Until today, only one person had ever bested me.

Never thought

you'd fight me to a draw.

If word gets out,

I'll never live it down.

No,

we need to finish this

and settle who's on top.

You're tall as a tower

and you're throwing down the gauntlet to a woman?

Where's your pride?

So what if she's a woman?

We're all martial artists. Gender doesn't matter.

Exactly.

Crossing blades with you, Master Shuangjiang, is fate's gift.

Since you're bound for Chang'an,

shall we travel together?

The journey would be pleasant with company.

Very well, let us travel together.

Come aboard, Master.

How unusual.

So that's why you were absent these past hours, Mr. Mei.

What is this about?

Were you waiting here for me?

No.

It was me he awaited.

Found you at last.

- Senior... - Shiyi.

Ms. Wu,

you really don't need to escort us home.

It's not your first time riding in my carriage.

When we stayed overnight in the mountains,

you weren't this formal with me.

Shi, what is your connection to her?

You've misunderstood the situation.

Here, have a bite, Master,

Mr. Mei.

Thank you, Ms. Wu, but that won't be necessary.

Since coming down the mountain,

you have become much more polite.

So it seems the friend Master Shuangjiang

is seeking in Chang'an

is you, Mr. Mei.

Might I ask when you two became acquainted?

Shuangjiang and I are both from Qu.

Since childhood, he had a passion for the arcane arts,

hence his cultivation path.

When I arrived in Chang'an,

I sent letters to Shuangjiang.

I suppose he's seeking to reunite with me.

Our meeting here today

is truly a serendipitous coincidence.

I never heard before

that you had such an accomplished townsman.

Truly, dragons hide in still waters.

Indeed.

Had I not worked in the Records Repository,

I wouldn't have known

that your father

shared Shuangjiang's interests.

How do you address each other?

Shi? [*Meaning "Tenth"]

Shiyi? [*Meaning "Eleventh"]

You have so many people there?

Yes,

our hometown is quite lively.

But how come the younger brother

appears older than the elder?

We are of the same age.

I'm only slightly older.

Moreover,

they rank by age,

and we rank by seniority.

What do you mean by that?

We're distant cousins.

There are eleven of us brothers.

The first ten are ranked by age.

Shuangjiang and I

met last.

I actually wanted to contest my position,

but after fighting with Shi,

I lost.

So I ended up last.

Master Mei, your martial prowess is indeed remarkable.

My own skills aren't entirely lacking.

What's that?

You mean this?

This is my prized hunt.

Custom-made for my sword.

A fox-tail ornament in seven colors.

Matches perfectly, right?

What's she...?

Your heroic stories

seem to have scared her.

Didn't realize she couldn't handle such talk.

[Chang'an]

Thank you for bringing us back, Ms. Wu.

We'll take our leave now.

Ms. Wu.

You're acting odd today.

It's Mr. Mei who's odd.

Odd?

Normally, Mr. Mei is so composed,

but today he seemed...

somewhat uneasy.

Now that you mention it,

he did seem a bit off.

They were acquainted in the past.

If Shuangjiang truly has ties to Changxi Palace,

then Mr. Mei must be involved as well.

So you're suspecting Mr. Mei?

Better suspicious than sorry.

Keep watch on Mei Mansion

and that Celestial Master too.

Understood.

Then let me ask one more thing.

If Mr. Mei truly is connected

to Changxi Palace,

what will you do?

With Elder Hui now imprisoned,

the other sects and workshops all walk on eggshells.

I've heard many demons discussing

how your methods

are rash and improper.

I know what I'm doing.

Senior...

Zhuyu,

so this is your home?

Why suddenly come to Chang'an for me?

There's never been much excitement on the mountain.

Ever since you left Changxi Palace,

my days have become unbearably dull.

Elder Brother, as you know,

is strict and severe.

Especially since becoming the sect leader,

he examines us every day.

I get punished left and right.

Don't tell me you fled the mountain

to avoid punishment?

Of course not.

Elder Brother said since I'm poor at book learning,

rather than memorizing texts with my nine seniors,

I might as well visit you.

Through practical experience,

I may better comprehend the arcane arts.

Besides...

Besides what?

Well... they said

my sword training on the mountain

was nearly laying the hillside bare.

You can stay

in Chang'an.

But there are three conditions.

Conditions?

Fine, what are they?

First:

We'll pretend to be cousins in Chang'an.

Second:

Don't tell anyone about me and Changxi Palace.

Third...

Hold on,

why?

You know why I came down the mountain?

No clue.

I'm back in Chang'an to find out

what really happened to my parents.

Something's not right,

maybe demon involvement.

Demons?

Are you saying

demons started the Heavenly Fire?

Can't say for sure.

Until I'm sure,

I need to stay hidden

and quiet.

Right.

Third...

Do Elder Brother and others know about this?

Probably not.

Third...

Does our master know?

He does.

- Third... - Well...

Senior Zhuyu, continue.

You must keep a low profile.

Speak little, and ask less.

Then, Senior Zhuyu.

May I ask one more thing?

Just one.

Is there any food?

Didn't you eat the whole way here?

The kitchen has some.

I got in late last night

and forgot to introduce you two.

Meet Shuangjiang.

This is Wenhua.

Pleasure to meet you.

I'm from Qu,

Shi's relative.

I came to Chang'an to broaden my horizons.

And you?

I'm Mr. Mei's personal attendant,

guard and steward.

The dignified second-in-command at Mei Mansion.

But

there are only two of you?

Fugui makes three.

Changxi Palace may be for cultivation,

but we eat well and want for nothing.

Why'd you trek

all the way to Chang'an

for this poor life?

Mr. Mei, your favorite!

Blanched greens.

What?

Is my cooking not to your taste?

Not exactly.

Just a bit too bland.

Honestly, it's

hard to swallow.

Not working, eating for free,

and still complaining?

Say that again, boy!

I...

Enough.

I'm just teasing him.

Right, Mr. Mei.

We're joking.

No meat in meals.

No coins at home.

- Shi. - Mr. Mei.

- Where are you off to? - Where are you off to?

To get money for meat.

[Xuanjian Division]

Why aren't you...?

Greetings...

Mr. Liu.

About the western outskirts' incident,

still no progress from you?

The case is thorny indeed.

Then why so few men assigned, Mr. Xu?

More men?

You're lounging with foot baths

and sun-gazing?

When your man went missing for days,

you sent no one to investigate?

Mr. Xu,

so effortlessly light, inside and out.

Does your men's safety mean nothing?

What?

Do you mean...?

Mr. Mei has

fallen into danger?

Mei Zhuyu.

You should have listened.

Mr. Xu.

Mei. You made it back.

Are you all right?

Mr. Liu.

The western outskirts case was truly challenging.

We worked three days to crack it.

We apologize for the delay.

Mr. Mei.

Both His Majesty and Her Majesty

have heard of the case.

Mr. Mei, you saved the Princess.

Her Majesty is deeply grateful.

What's the situation?

The case is truly resolved?

I dare not lie.

The western outskirts case

has indeed been solved.

The incident

was caused by miasma in the mountains.

I've temporarily cleared the miasma.

The unconscious villagers were revived by the physician.

Mr. Liu, you may send someone to verify.

The western outskirts' dense forests easily breed miasma.

We'll need additional mountain wardens

to regularly clear the foul substances,

and tame the flora and fauna,

to prevent recurrence.

Good!

Achieving so much at your age,

and even outshining your superiors.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

A fraction of this commitment

would have spared the Xuanjian Division

its decade-long reputation as "titled loafers."

Mr. Mei,

since you've accomplished this,

I must reward you properly.

Don't refuse.

You've earned this recognition.

I'll let everyone in here see

this isn't

a place for idlers soaking their feet.

Those who serve the people sincerely

will never be treated unfairly by the court.

Mr. Liu.

I wasn't refusing.

Then speak,

what reward do you seek?

I wish for a promotion.

Naturally!

Then I'll promote you to...

I'd prefer to remain here.

Here?

Then the only position

would be Supervisor.

That would be wasting your talents.

Yes.

Mr. Liu.

I, Mei Zhuyu,

request the position

of Chief of Xuanjian Division.

Who would have thought

Mr. Mei actually has such audacity!

I'd say

not audacity,

but ambition!

Exactly!

Demanding his position

right in front of Mr. Xu,

he's utterly out of line.

Mr. Liu has left.

Mr. Xu didn't scold me.

Unbelievable.

You practically stepped on his head,

yet he didn't berate you?

What exactly did you two discuss afterward?

Move it.

Hey, Mei.

I'm just the messenger.

The Princess invites you

to Ruyi Pavilion at noon.

A modest banquet is prepared,

awaiting your honored presence.

[Ruyi Pavilion]

Aren't you supposed to meet Mr. Mei for lunch?

He said he's swamped with official business,

claims to be a poor drinker,

and declined the invitation.

In all of Chang'an,

who would dare refuse your request?

He must be the first person ever.

This is historic!

See?

Her way of speaking

has become increasingly irritating.

As long as she fails to get the Thunderwood,

I can protect the Wight.

Why protect

such a wicked thing?

Wuzishu,

even if you came into this world

as pure as a blank page,

can you truly admit you have no desire

or ambition?

Shu.

What?

Is there a problem?

You've been spacing out lately.

It's nothing.

Just exhausted from the workload

at the Demon Market these days.

Right.

Speaking of Mr. Mei,

that cousin of his set up a stall downtown,

advertising demon-hunting services.

That big fellow is quite odd

and suspicious.

But

do you think people from Changxi Palace

could really be that stupid?

For centuries,

Demon Market and Changxi Palace have stood opposed,

irreconcilable, unrelenting.

If Changxi Palace truly returns,

Demon Market won't escape unscathed.

Perhaps the only way

to know what he's truly capable of

is to test him again.

Test?

Ms. Wu, how do you plan to do that?

Let's see what favorable tides

we can ride in Chang'an.

♪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♪