Original subtitles

[Moonlit Reunion]

[Episode 8]

[The Case of the Demon: No Money for Advice, So DIY]

Oh, you're...

Huzhu.

Yes.

Ms. Huzhu, are you

passing by?

No.

I came specifically for you.

Me?

Hey, you demon!

Come out and face your doom!

What are you doing?

Just testing the waters.

Ms. Huzhu,

are you sure that demon's hiding here?

Yes.

Lately,

this shrine has been swarming with stray cats.

Even house cats were attracted here,

yowling day and night.

Gives me the creeps.

This place is abandoned

and in such disrepair.

Having a few cats aren't that weird.

A few?

Does this look like a few to you?

Well, maybe not.

The weirdness is right in front of us,

yet you see nothing.

Ms. Huzhu,

if you're scared, just go back.

I'll wait here for the demon.

With you here, I'm not scared.

You're a seasoned demon hunter who possesses

formidable skills.

I'm sure no demon could escape your notice.

You flattered me.

From afar, maybe not,

but within a li radius,

I can definitely sense it.

Really?

And within ten steps,

I can take it down in one strike.

What if the demon

walks right up to you?

A demon

wouldn't get that close to me.

But some demons are powerful

and masters of concealment.

I can still take it down.

Let me show you a few things.

All these years,

people said the Xuanjian Division did nothing useful.

But now,

Mr. Mei has made us all

proud.

Nieli,

didn't you go report

to Her Ladyship for Mr. Mei?

What,

you eavesdropped gossip again?

You won't believe it.

There's some fresh gossip on the streets.

Some fool

was waving a sword around,

claiming he could

hunt demons.

I'm the one with the most magical tools in my sect.

So I can definitely catch that demon.

So many toys...

I mean, tools.

But it's still a demon.

It's vicious, cunning, and hideous.

If I end up fighting it,

I'd hate for you to get hurt.

Maybe you should go back.

Master Shuangjiang,

are you saying

demons aren't just evil,

but ugly too?

Of course.

But I've heard

some are stunningly beautiful,

like the fox demons in legends.

Aren't they supposed to be gorgeous?

Ms. Huzhu, you've got it wrong.

Those are just tall tales by ignorant storytellers.

As for the foxes you mentioned,

the ones in the wild

are pointy-faced, reeking of musk.

How could creatures like that

ever be beautiful in human form?

Think about it. Doesn't that make sense?

This place is rundown, Ms. Huzhu.

Ms. Huzhu, watch out!

Thank you.

Who is it?

Who ambushed me?

[Cushion Demon] You scared all my friends away!

Oh, this is...

[Cushion Demon]

It's a cushion demon.

Master Shuangjiang,

where's your mystic magic?

Right!

If I call your name, dare you answer?

Duh.

What was it again?

Ah, cushion demon.

Cushion demon!

Master Shuangjiang, you're amazing!

Just saying its name sealed it.

Did I?

Yeah, I did.

Don't be scared.

Thanks, Ms. Wu.

I'm not sca...

Shh, it's okay.

He won't hurt you.

Ms. Wu, why are you here?

I was about to ask you that.

I invited you for drinks,

but you said you were too busy.

I heard my cousin came here to hunt a demon.

I got worried,

so I came to check.

Your cousin is a bit concerning.

Just kidding.

Don't worry.

Huzhu mentioned

you're tight on funds lately,

so Shuangjiang is out hustling

for work.

The Ruyi Pavilion's accountant said

this shrine felt off,

so Huzhu brought him

to take a look.

I see.

But why are you here, Ms. Wu?

You stood me up.

I was bored,

so I came to check them out.

Wait.

I'm saying this for your own good.

There are a lot of cats inside.

It's fine.

I'll go take a look anyway.

Hey, are you avoiding me?

Yes.

The trip

to the western outskirts was your duty,

yet I forced my way in,

only to cause trouble

instead of helping.

My bad, that was out of line.

If it makes you uncomfortable,

from now on,

I'll keep my distance.

It's not about you, Ms. Wu.

It's my problem.

Your problem?

You didn't overstep.

I'm the one to blame.

♪The wind chimes sway, hearts astray♪

What do you mean?

♪It whispers dreams I can't bear to hear♪

Before,

♪Petals fall, though it means no harm♪

I thought my resolve was unshakable,

untouched by the world.

Now I see

I overestimated myself.

♪The wind never rests♪

In the end,

I'm just an ordinary man.

♪The moon clings to the window, refusing to leave♪

I heard he requested this promotion himself.

In my eyes, he's just a rookie

in the official circles,

ambitious yet uneasy.

In my opinion,

you don't need to

be so hard on yourself.

♪The moon is cold, the moon is kind♪

Why do you think so?

♪It embraces the clouds♪

I read a saying when I was little.

"He who desires least, lives best."

I never believed it.

What I believe is

♪Later, the wind stills, the moon sets♪

that desire is

what makes life vivid.

♪Long nights lost in dreams♪

Mr. Mei,

do what you wish to do.

♪The scenery that follows♪

♪I search for you in the seasons' glow♪

Shi,

I did it!

I captured that demon!

You did?

Yeah.

I'm seriously skilled now.

Ms. Huzhu saw it.

Ask her!

Yes, very impressive.

My apologies.

My cousin never looks before he leaps.

Hope he didn't frighten you.

Since he got the demon,

we'll take our leave.

Let's go.

That was so dangerous just now.

That demon was tiny

but crazy strong.

It lifted a whole roof beam.

If I weren't so nimble,

I'd have been hurt.

But you know how capable I am.

Why does Mr. Mei seem off?

He's new to the bureaucracy,

still adjusting.

Everyone in Chang'an is praising him today.

How is he not adjusted?

Maybe he's like you,

prone to melancholy every now and then.

Enough about him.

Is Shuangjiang skilled?

Ugh, don't ask.

He wasted my time.

He's about as useful

at catching demons as a toddler with a butterfly net.

Honestly?

He and Mr. Wu probably fell for the same scam.

So he's an amateur.

Don't dwell on it.

Give him some money,

finish the act,

and we can wash our hands of it.

As for that cushion demon,

we can't just leave it be.

Don't be scared.

That big oaf is gone now.

So cute.

You really like cats, huh?

Shu.

What kind of demon are you? Let me go!

What we are doesn't matter.

Who are you?

And why lure all these cats here?

Why should I tell you?

Put me down!

Fine, don't tell me.

You know what?

I love eating naughty kids.

Good idea.

If he won't talk,

we'll split him.

You eat his meat, and I'll have his bones.

No, no!

Listen,

I'll talk!

I'll talk, okay?

I was just a cushion in this shrine.

Back then, it was lively here.

People came daily to pray and make wishes.

It was so much fun.

But then, for some reason,

they stopped coming.

This place fell apart,

and I got lonely.

So I lured the cats to keep me company.

This place was popular once.

Then they built a Guanyin Pavilion outside the city,

and it faded into obscurity.

After that,

I hear no more new stories.

And I have no one to talk to.

They weren't talking to you, though.

They were praying.

You're just a cushion.

People kneel on you.

Why miss those days?

I don't know how to explain it.

Sure, they squished me,

and yeah, it kinda hurt.

But I feel those days

were more alive and interesting.

Being needed

keeps the loneliness away.

Kiddo,

if you're lonely,

come with us.

Where to?

The Demon Market,

a place that needs you.

I'm done eating.

Shi,

what did you want to talk about?

This is for calming restless minds.

Why are you reading it?

You never even glanced at it before.

I was just browsing.

I called you here

because there's something you should know.

What is it?

As a Celestial Master,

slaying demons is your duty,

and I shouldn't stop you.

But Chang'an isn't like Qu.

Flashing your skills in public

will bring trouble.

I don't think I flashed them.

I thought I was low-key.

Should I be lower-key?

But Shi,

why do people in Chang'an

say Changxi Palace is a scam?

Mention "Changxi",

and they call it fraud.

Changxi Palace withdrew from the world for a century.

Inevitably, opportunists

used its name

to swindle others.

Why did we seclude ourselves?

Chang'an's expensive, sure,

but many people and demons are here. There is plenty of work.

We just handed crooks an opening.

Master once said

we didn't leave by choice.

Demons drove us out.

I can't believe demons here

bullied us away.

That's insane.

I'll tear them apart!

Don't act rashly.

Fine.

We came to Chang'an to slay demons,

but now,

we can't even claim credit.

What's the point?

You hunt demons just for fame?

Yeah.

I'm not like you.

You're all about austerity

and don't care for reputation.

I can't do that.

I joined Changxi Palace to train

because I wanted to be a hero.

Doing good in secret

is miserable.

Look,

I'm just that kind of guy.

What I believe is

that desire is

what makes life vivid.

Mr. Mei,

do what you wish

to do.

Shu,

I feel like I'm being steamed.

I reek of ginseng now.

Does it have to be this hot?

Medicinal baths can't rush results.

It takes time for the progress.

But don't worry, Zhen,

just endure this.

Once you become a real demon,

everything will be alright.

Mr. Shu!

I said

no disturbances.

Mr. Shu,

a guest wants to use the hot springs.

So, should we let him?

Tell him to come back later.

But

that's not appropriate.

How so?

The springs' ledgers are faulty,

and that violates the demon law.

It's closed indefinitely.

Still wanna bathe?

Nope.

You know what? I never bathe.

Hey, wait, you...

[Xuanjian Division] Mr. Mei! Mr. Mei! Mr. Mei!

Step back!

Stop pushing!

Step back!

Stop pushing!

Mr. Mei! Mr. Mei! Mr. Mei!

By county recommendation for integrity

and state selection for talent,

Mei Zhuyu, Superintendent of Xuanjian Division,

meritorious in solving cases

and endorsed for excellence,

is hereby appointed Chief of Xuanjian Division.

May he lead our division,

solve cases for the people,

and safeguard Chang'an's peace.

The former chief Xu Luan,

in light of his advanced age

and inability to fulfill his duties,

is permitted to return to his hometown, Yong,

as its new Prefect.

May he guide Yong's scholars,

nurture talent,

and uphold the court's expectations.

Mr. Mei got promoted!

Took long enough!

Congrats, Mr. Mei!

Yeah, congrats!

Mr. Mei got promoted!

Mr. Mei.

He's truly a rising star!

Let's move faster.

What's wrong?

Good day, Mr. Mei.

Mr. Xu accumulated

decades of junk here.

Now he's scrambling to pack.

If he sees us,

he'll rope us into helping.

You're right.

We've got better things to do.

So promotion

did teach you tact.

On official matters, I remain silent.

But personally,

I owe you an apology, Mr. Xu.

It's nothing.

You recommended me

to Mr. Liu for Yong's Prefect.

Honestly,

you've done right by me.

I admit

that on that day,

I'd prepared reams of insults for you.

But after thinking it through,

you weren't wrong.

I've been the chief for years,

yet achieved nothing substantial.

I heard all the whispers

and scorn

behind my back,

but I just don't care.

Put it there.

You're

young,

talented,

with actual conviction to serve.

Working in the Records Repository

is a waste of your talent.

I merely did my duty.

Duty.

That's easy to say

but harder to live by.

When I was young,

I aced the exams,

came to Chang'an,

brimming with ambition

to serve the nation

and its people.

And where

did it land me? In infamy.

18 years ago,

you were still a kid

and might not remember

the Great Fire of Chang'an.

The devastation was unimaginable.

My dearest friend and I investigated it.

He's from my hometown.

We were classmates

and fellow officials.

He warned me gravely,

saying, "This case is sinister.

Don't dig too deep,

or it'll cost your life."

It wasn't until later that I realized

Chang'an

is haunted.

Haunted?

Back then,

I marked all the sites of unsolved supernatural cases

on this map,

thinking

one day, I'd crack every single one.

But gradually, I came to understand

that Chang'an is no ordinary place.

Its undercurrents run deep,

too treacherous to explain.

Even the legendary Changxi Palace, renowned a century ago,

vanished without a trace.

What can mere mortals

like us achieve?

There's no way we can catch any demon.

I'm not shirking responsibility.

It's just that it's a heavy burden.

I can't carry it anymore.

So I'll pass it to you

as a keepsake.

It's yours now.

Today marks a new start.

Didn't you once wish to rise to power?

I wish you a life where all things

go your way.

Stay true to yourself.

What are you searching for?

I'm Mei Zhuyu from the Xuanjian Division.

Might I ask who you are?

The Archives Pavilion is located within the palace.

To facilitate management,

female officials are assigned to assist.

Ah, you're from the Archives Pavilion.

So, you're the newly appointed

Chief of Xuanjian Division.

What are you looking for, Mr. Mei?

While organizing our records,

I noticed a missing case file.

The former chief Xu Luan mentioned

it had been transferred here

for temporary storage.

So, I came to retrieve it.

You know, the Archives Pavilion

contains a sea of files.

If you want a particular one,

why not ask the archivists

for help?

Wouldn't that be easier?

We still have unsolved cases.

Besides this file,

I'd like to review other records, too.

Rather than troubling them,

I might as well do it myself.

Well, I just don't get it.

[Listen Beneath Your Stature] If it's an old cold case,

why reinvestigate?

It's just a missing file.

As the new chief, do you

really need to hunt it down?

Don't you guys

have something more pressing to attend to?

Lady Mei.

Ms. Wu, you've heard the news, too?

What news?

Weren't you going to the Archives Pavilion?

I was playing chess with His Majesty.

Lady Mei, what happened?

My cousin Mei Zhuyu came to the palace today.

I heard

Her Majesty has gone to the Archives Pavilion

to meet him.

What's she up to?

With her temper,

Mr. Mei probably can't handle her.

My duty is to serve the people,

respect spirits, but keep them distant.

The Xuanjian Division was established

to solve mysteries, crack cases,

protect the populace,

and safeguard peace.

As the Chief of Xuanjian Division,

pursuing clues, resolving cold cases,

and upholding justice

are my duties.

Moreover,

past unsolved cases may relate to present ones.

Supernatural cases

often defy logic,

but their motives can be discerned.

What baffles us now

might find its key in days long gone.

We should take history as a mirror

to see the rise and fall.

Take history as a mirror.

Well said.

I didn't know Chang'an had

such a young chief like you.

Judging by your insight,

staying in the Xuanjian Division

seems a waste of talent.

My words carry

some weight in the palace.

Should you wish to rise,

I'd gladly help you find a better post.

As an official,

wherever I serve,

I'll give my all.

There is no such thing

as wasted talent.

That's true.

Guess I was narrow-minded.

It's my first time seeing you admit you were wrong.

Zhuyu, show some respect to Her Majesty.

Your Majesty,

I'm sorry

if my cousin offended you.

It's fine.

He didn't know who I am.

Greetings, Your Majesty,

Lady Mei,

My Lady.

You don't seem nervous in front of me.

Having spoken with Your Majesty for so long,

I no longer feel tense.

Didn't take you for a smooth talker.

You've been in Chang'an a while,

yet I never invited you here.

That was inconsiderate.

When duties permit,

come visit me in the palace.

Look at you.

Why are you here today?

I missed you.

Oh, really?

Did His Majesty call you for cards

or archery?

For chess.

We played it briefly.

Alright.

Go see Yuanzhen.

She's been frail lately,

cooped up and bored,

and keeps asking for you.

Gladly.

Yuanzhen will be thrilled to see me.

I'll take him with me.

Your cousin is upright.

Every word he spoke was measured.

His grasp of the Xuanjian Division's purpose

is very precise.

His demeanor is neither servile nor overbearing.

He's a fine young man.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Zhen's taste in men has improved.

Ms. Wu, you're here to see Princess Yuanzhen.

No need to escort me.

No, you're escorting me.

We're here.

Tong, this flower looks strange.

What's going on?

Don't touch.

What's wrong?

My Lady,

look at the petals.

My Lady,

is that... blood?

No, it's sap

with unusual coloring, that's all.

Who's been tending these lately?

I'm here to see you.

Still in pain today?

Wait.

Look, what's that?

What?

It's a woman.

♪Blossoms drift, and the world grows pale♪

♪Memory brews a bitter tale♪

♪Vows of forever fade in the breeze♪

♪Without you, all fades into nothing♪

♪Past joys and sorrows tangle in dreams♪

♪The deepest pain is parting's gleam♪

♪A lifetime vowed to share with you♪

♪Yet still beyond my reach, it flew♪

♪Petals drift, then fade from sight♪

♪How is falling for love not right?♪

♪Moonlight chills the breath I keep♪

♪I hold you close, but silence runs deep♪

♪Petals drift, then fade from sight♪

♪How is falling for love not right?♪

♪Your glance flickers, memories bloom♪

♪How can I find you through the gloom?♪

♪What hope survives beyond the doom?♪