Original subtitles

[Moonlit Reunion]

[Episode 9 ]

I'm here with you now.

Are you still in pain today?

Wait.

Look, what's that over there?

What is it?

A woman?

What can I do to help you feel better?

I want to talk with you.

It really is a woman.

Let's go.

When did the white camellia tree get all strange like that?

Half a month ago.

It started right here in the camellia garden.

A woman lingers beneath the tree,

glowing with a pale light,

murmuring as she leans against it.

Like a wandering spirit.

The first time I saw her,

I thought I was hallucinating.

But soon enough, I saw her again.

That's when the weird thing began.

Weird thing?

My Lady,

this camellia tree has been in the palace for a long time.

It's deeply cherished by Princess Yuanzhen.

Though it's always grown lush and full,

this is the first year

it's ever bloomed.

We were delighted at first.

The princess even rewarded us.

But before long,

the tree began shedding leaves and dripping blood.

And even...

Eevery night,

mournful wails echo through the garden.

Like ghostly weeping.

Wandering spirits? Ghostly weeping?

Nonsense.

We were just as baffled.

After repeated inspections,

we couldn't find the cause.

The white camellia tree seems be suffering from some unknown illness.

It's clearly dying.

Since there's an abnormality,

why wasn't Her Majesty informed?

The princess adores this tree.

She feared Her Majesty would have it cut down

if she found out,

so she specifically warned us

not to spread the word about it.

Alright. You may go.

Keep this to yourselves.

Mr. Mei, aren't you swamped?

Aren't you going back to Xuanjian Division?

If it's strange,

it's Xuanjian Division's concern.

It should be thoroughly investigated.

Ms. Wu, aren't you afraid of ghosts?

Yes.

Of course I'm afraid of ghosts.

But if they're attractive ghosts,

that's another story.

I think I might know who she is.

Who?

Are you hungry?

Here's the payment for your demon-exorcising job

from the other day.

I brought it over.

I'd almost forgotten.

Ms. Huzhu, I appreciate your honesty.

Thank you

for referring clients to me.

I must repay this favor.

No need for that.

Just give me your fox tail pendant.

I've never seen

a seven-colored fox tail before.

Well...

Um...

What?

You can't part with it?

No.

It's just this isn't real.

It's not valuable.

Not real?

What do you mean?

It's a tassel made from rabbit fur,

dyed in colors.

It looks exactly like a fox's tail

after it's made.

So,

"Seven-Colored Fox Tail" is its name,

not its material.

So all that pride

was just over hunting a rabbit?

I caught a rabbit!

Isn't that impressive?

Very impressive.

We've only met twice,

yet you've been so kind to me.

I've made up my mind.

From now on,

you're my dearest friend.

Whatever

you need from me in the future,

just say the word. I won't hesitate.

No need to be so formal.

For Ms. Wu and Mr. Mei's sake,

I'll look out for you too.

Just because they know each other?

You don't know?

Them?

They're more than just acquainted.

What?

You mean they're

in that kind of relationship?

Let's just say they're not ordinary friends.

I never saw that coming.

Ms. Wu seemed nice,

but she's actually a temptress!

What did you say?

A fox?

A temptress!

Anyway,

Zhuyu would never like Ms. Wu.

You probably don't know him well.

When I first started training in martial arts as a kid,

I had raw strength

but no technique.

So I pushed myself relentlessly every day.

Not just during the day.

I even practiced late into the night.

My nine other cousins

all thought

I'd never make it.

Only Zhuyu never voiced an opinion.

He was always buried in his books.

He wasn't warm toward me,

but he was always kind.

Then one night,

while I was still practicing my swordplay in the courtyard,

he approached me for the first time.

He patiently pointed out my mistakes

and helped me improve.

After that,

he came every day at the same time,

staying for about half an hour.

Thanks to his guidance,

I finally grasped the basics.

I was deeply grateful to him.

I thought he helped me

because he was impressed by me,

or maybe he just felt bad seeing me struggle.

But later he told me

I didn't need to thank him.

Turns out

my nightly practice was too noisy.

It disturbed his reading.

He just wanted me to improve faster

so he could sleep in peace at night.

♪I gaze heavenward, treading the starry river♪

He told you that directly?

♪Rushing to the night scene of Chang'an in haste♪

Zhuyu

♪With flesh and blood, I'll slay all evil spirits♪

seems mild-mannered,

detached and ascetic.

But in truth,

he's the most strong-willed.

What he decides,

no one can change.

What he chooses not to share,

no one can uncover.

Honestly,

he's really hard to please.

Sometimes

I feel like I don't even know him that well.

He always seems so calm,

and indifferent.

He doesn't get angry, nor does he show joy.

You know that saying,

"A man of few desires is invincible"?

The fewer your worldly desires,

the fewer your weaknesses.

So,

no matter how wonderful Ms. Wu is,

Zhuyu will never have feelings for her.

♪Watch me quell these upheavals♪

Where did you get this?

From the Imperial Kitchen.

I stole it.

Ms. Wu,

will you now tell me

who that woman in white is?

The palace staff fear ghosts

and love to exaggerate.

But often, the truth turns out to be human mischief.

Very few

can wander here

so freely at night.

The reason is probably

a girl's late-night melancholy.

I'm here.

I heard Mother is visiting me tonight,

so I slipped out to talk to you first.

[Princess Yuanzhen]

This is the medicine prescribed for me by the imperial physician.

But I know

you're the one who's sick.

How can I save you?

So it's a white camellia spirit.

Why do you always drive me away?

Being alone

is so dull.

Dull?

I'll play with you.

Aunt, who is he?

Your Highness.

He's Consort Mei's cousin

and my attendant.

Yuanzhen, what are you doing out here?

I'm in a bad mood.

Just taking a walk to clear my mind.

A bad mood?

Understandable.

That blood-dripping camellia must have frightened you.

I'll have it cut down!

No! You can't! He's my friend!

Don't cut it down.

This tree has been with me for years.

I tell him everything.

Years?

No wonder you're attached.

Yuanzhen!

What's wrong?

She's caught a chill recently.

She's probably weak.

Please take her back.

I'll send for the imperial physician.

Alright.

Come out.

[White Camellia Spirit]

Who...

Who are you?

Demon Market's Cat Lord.

Demon Market's Cat Lord?

What's that?

It doesn't matter.

But where did you come from?

I've never seen you before.

If you care about Yuanzhen,

you have to trust me.

I'm her aunt. I won't harm her.

Years ago,

I developed spirituality.

Later,

by chance, the princess saved me.

It's lonely in the palace.

She came every day

to share her thoughts with me.

♪As blossoms burn to dusk♪

Until half a year ago,

♪Memories tint the heart♪

I gradually took on a human form.

No wonder the gardeners said

you only bloomed this year.

♪Candle shadows carve through grief♪

So it wasn't because of their care.

I was thinking

♪Seasons turn in silent thief♪

I could bloom flowers for her.

♪Night rain murmurs, faint and slow♪

But it ended too soon.

For the past half month,

I've been plagued

by parasitic moths from nowhere.

I know my time is running out.

♪Glancing back at time's worn scars♪

I'm fading fast.

Do you know that white camellia has another name?

They're

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

also known as the "beheaded flower".

Why that name?

Most flowers in the world

shed their petals one by one

when they wither.

♪Never could I forget♪

But only the white camellia

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

falls whole at the peak

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

of its splendor.

♪A will that never falters♪

It looks like it was beheaded.

♪Fading beneath time's quiet hush♪

I don't want Yuanzhen

to see me like this.

But...

But I can't stop her.

Your Highness, you're awake.

Are you feeling unwell?

How did I get back?

Zhuyu, I need to go back and help him.

Him?

Who do you mean?

Yuanzhen treasures you so much.

If you die like this,

imagine how sad she'd be.

I won't let her be sad.

Ruyi Pavilion's Thousand-Flower Nectar takes twenty years

to brew just one jug.

I went through all the trouble to steal it.

And now these pests get to enjoy it.

It smells so good.

♪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♪

That white camellia tree is just sick.

You have to help him.

Your Highness, do you care a lot about that tree?

He's special to me.

How so?

The palace is so big.

But my parents are busy.

The servants and matrons are reserved.

Only he stays with me

and listens to me.

Zhuyu,

isn't there someone you wish you could keep close?

Mr. Si, you move swiftly.

How is Yuanzhen?

The imperial physician said she's fine.

This is...?

Do you find this scene unusual too?

Why did these moths fall into the water?

Maybe

they were drawn to it.

Moths are drawn to flame,

not water.

It smells sweet.

Well, I

accidentally spilled this wine in there.

Wine?

I passed by the Imperial Winery

on my way to the Imperial Kitchen.

So I took it.

It was careless of me.

Didn't even get a taste.

Many moths are attracted to sweetness.

So they often damage plants.

The sweet smell in the water now

lured them in.

Their wings got wet and they couldn't fly,

so they drowned.

It seems that the unusual condition of the white camellia

that they mentioned was caused by these moths.

Ms. Wu, you've done a good deed.

Young Lord, you're knowledgeable.

Alright.

Since there's nothing unusual about the white camellia,

we should leave the palace now.

To others, he's just a tree.

But to me,

he's my only friend.

He doesn't speak.

But I can feel

that he's been accompanying

and protecting me

all these years.

He's always there when I need him.

Zhuyu,

he's different from others.

I want to keep him.

You meant no harm,

committed no wrong.

Your heart is pure,

innocent and true.

But

don't let it happen again.

My Lady, we've here.

Thank you for seeing me home.

Young Lord.

The road to your place didn't used to be like this, did it?

The previous road was muddy and uneven.

So I had it repaired.

Such a big project

must have cost you a fortune.

You've only just been promoted, yet you're already so decisive?

It's not about the promotion.

It's just...

It was a terrible road.

It should have been repaired.

You're quite adaptable to good advice.

Zhuyu,

why are you just staring at it?

Why don't you keep reading?

The more I read, the more annoyed I get.

Then this thing isn't effective, is it?

[Wuzi Pavilion] Zhen,

I really must scold you for this incident.

I promise it won't happen again.

If we'd forced the white camellia spirit back to the Demon Market,

not only would he have refused,

but Yuanzhen would have been devastated.

Yes.

The bond of youthful companionship and protection

can't be surpassed by anything.

Enough.

You two, stop putting on an act here.

Let's just drop the matter

of the white camellia spirit.

Don't let it happen again.

Wuzishu, why did you call me here?

I have something to report, Snake Lord.

A while ago, my subordinates reported

that a mortal

has been seeking books about demons.

It's likely the Chronicles of the Uncanny

written by the White Snake of the previous dynasty.

White Snake?

That name sounds familiar.

Wasn't that the human alias

used by the Snake Lord two hundred years ago?

This book hasn't seen the light of day for nearly two hundred years.

To think someone still remembers.

They have quite good taste.

But since someone suddenly asked about this book,

I fear there may be more to it.

What's there to fear?

Any transaction would require a meeting.

We'll find out who they are

when we meet them.

If it's someone like a Celestial Master looking for trouble,

we can just finish them off.

And if it's just a mortal seeking the book?

Then I'll give them an autograph.

What if it's Mei Si?

She's fast.

Mei Si.

So this bookstore is yours, Mr. Shu.

Zhen.

Ms. Liu. Ms. Liu.

Ms. Liu!

What are you shouting for?

I thought you didn't hear me.

What do you want from me?

I've been thinking.

Perhaps you don't trust me

because you don't know much about demons.

[Chronicles of the Uncanny] So I found an ancient book in Chang'an

and want to tell you about it.

I don't need it.

Whether you need it or not, hear me out.

They say this White Snake

was a renowned author

of strange tales wo hundred years ago.

Don't you want to take a look?

White Snake?

Who's that?

Never heard of them.

Must not be very famous.

White Snake?

What kind of name is that?

It really isn't well-known.

Quite famous, actually.

These three fragrances

are the best-selling ones in our shop.

Ms. Liu, at a glance, the Chronicles of the Uncanny

seems to be about demons.

But upon closer reading,

it covers local customs, the ways of the world,

and methods to deal with different demons.

It's divided into seven sections.

The first part discusses demons, devils, spirits, and monsters.

The latter part covers

the heaven, the earth, mountains, seas, and chaos.

There's also the Carefree Section.

The most remarkable part

is the mountain spirits and monsters depicted by White Snake.

So vivid

and masterful.

Ms. Liu

the Carefree Section is my favorite.

It tells the story of a great demon traveling through the mortal world.

Demons aren't all evil.

Just like humans,

they have joys and emotions.

Not all demons attack people.

Of course, it's wise to stay cautious of demons.

Mei Si.

Tell me about the scariest part of this book.

Ms. Liu, you're quite bold.

The scariest part has to be

the Temptress Section.

Then tell me what makes it so scary.

A temptress is a type of spirit.

It always appears as a woman.

Long, eerie hair.

Face hidden.

They say it

loves to silently appear

behind people

then coil around them when their guard is down.

And its fingers

are like withered branches.

Just like this.

It goes straight for the throat.

Like this?

Get up.

Get up. Get up.

A demon!

Ms. Liu, run! Run!

- It's me. - Help!

It's me. Ling Xiao.

Mr. Ling?

Ms. Liu was just teasing you.

You're so annoying!

You're such a coward.

What about my dignity?

Mei Si,

after your pestering today,

I think I understand what you're getting at.

But I have to tell you

that I'm never afraid of any tales about demons,

let alone exorcising them.

The stories of spirits are strange

and fascinating.

Why should I avoid them?

So

you are interested in spirits?

Though you don't like studying,

your painting skills are among the best in Chang'an.

My little hobby is nothing

compared to yours.

We're worlds apart.

We walk different paths.

Let's not bother each other anymore.

Ling Xiao.

See him out.

Right away.

Wait, you're interested in the Chronicles of the Uncanny.

- Ms. Liu, - Get going. Go.

I have so many more stories to tell you.

- Wait. - We're closing.

White Snake's writing is truly brilliant!

Let go of me! Ms. Liu!

Move it!

Ms. Liu!

Snake.

I'll tie you into a knot.

You...

Scared you, didn't I?

Isn't it too much to bully Si like this?

I know what I'm doing.

I know even better who put Mei Si up

to pestering me.

Sorry, it was me.

Get out of the way.

- Come out. - Snake Lord.

Cat, get out here!

Why should I? I'm not hiding.

You call this not hiding?

You... You'll get your comeuppance.

What comeuppance will I get?

Forget it, Snake Lord.

The comeuppance is here.

Looks like we'll get

the Heavenly Thunder tonight.

How can this hold me back?

You half-human, half-demon freak.

What gives you the right to be the Cat Lord?

What qualifies you to rule the Demon Market?

Yeah.

What right does she have?

Who?

Who are you?

Me?

I'm a demon who can help you.

Come here.

Let me out!

Let me out!

Shut up! Stop making noise!

Stop it!

I don't want to be locked up here!

I don't want to stay here!

Imprisoned for a hundred years,

escaping from the Demon Prison repeatedly only to be recaptured.

So you're Xuan Hui?

You came pretty quickly.

I assisted the first two lords in building this Demon Prison.

Of course, I know some of its mechanisms.

I know you hate the current Cat Lord.

Get me out of here,

and I'll help you with that.

You help me?

Isn't it that half-human, half-demon girl?

The last time I escaped, she caught me and brought me back.

I have a grudge against her too.

I see.

It does ring a bell.

I've heard about it.

Though ordered to reflect in the Demon Prison,

you remain an elder of the Hui Sect.

Your ears are sharp.

As an elder, you have to be cautious.

It limits your actions.

But I'm different.

I have no qualms about taking action against her.

So, will you cooperate?

This Demon Prison is heavily guarded.

It seems impossible.

I haven't finished.

Fortunately, tonight

the two lords of the Demon Market will use the Heavenly Thunder

to destroy an evil object.

They'll

need to tear a small breach in the barrier

to let the Heavenly Thunder in.

And I

can use the celestial phenomenon to greatly increase my demonic power.

Then I'll break through this prison door

and let you escape.

You've been imprisoned for a hundred years,

escaping repeatedly only to be recaptured.

Avenge yourself.

Deal.

I acted on my own initiative in this matter.

The case file

must have reached Xuanjian Division by now?

Your Majesty,

the former chief of the Xuanjian Division, Xu Luan,

is really not competent.

I was very worried.

That's why I advised you to recall the file.

Instead,

Mei Zhuyu has proven his capability

both in the Western Outskirts case

and through his work

at Xuanjian Division since joining.

Your Majesty,

this file belonged to Xuanjian Division.

In that case,

why not return it?

Xuanjian Division has just changed its chief.

Do you truly believe

they can handle

such a responsibility now?

I find him upright, rigorous,

and indifferent to fame.

He's trustworthy.

It's been so long

since I've heard you speak so highly of someone.

It seems my brother-in-law

is quite remarkable.

Your Majesty, you still have the mood to joke around?

I was just saying it.

Mr. Mei is absolutely right.

Past unsolved cases

may be connected to the present one.

If the Great Fire incident eighteen years ago

was indeed unnatural,

we should confront it.

If we just keep avoiding it like Xu Luan did,

we'll never solve the problem

and ensure peace.

So you share this idea too.

I just haven't made up my mind until now.

I was hesitant.

Thank you for making the decisive move.

Actually, I also want to know

if there are really demons

hiding in Chang'an,

and if there's really

another world

unknown to us.

Ms. Wu,

the Guardian Formation is ready.

♪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♪