Original subtitles

[Moonlit Reunion]

[Episode 13]

Leaving the door wide open,

are you planning to give me a cold?

It's summer.

Nights after the rain are perfectly cool and comfortable.

Honestly, if you hadn't been drenched last night,

you probably wouldn't have spiked a fever.

You didn't sit with me all night, did you?

I read a little. Passed the time.

What kind of books?

Any good?

Not really.

Why is that?

I just don't get it.

Why do all these romance tales end the same way?

With the perfect couple, the lavish wedding,

and a whole lifetime of love until they're old and gray?

But isn't that how these stories

are supposed to end?

Is marriage always happy and fulfilling?

If the whole point is just to end in marriage,

and the woman has no purpose beyond that,

her entire future brushed over in one line,

doesn't that make her whole life

seem carelessly told?

You know, if some people heard you talk like this,

they'd call you

arrogant, even a know-it-all.

I'm just saying this to you, that's all.

Are you feeling better?

Is the fever gone?

Yes.

Hurry up.

That's enough.

What are you smiling about?

Nothing.

I just think this is really nice.

If it's nice, have some more.

Seems like you're quite busy, Ms. Wu.

Why don't you join us?

I'm afraid I'm not in the mood.

It just occurred to me

I have business at Ruyi Pavilion.

Mingzhuang,

make sure Mr. Mei takes his medicine.

Don't worry, Ms. Wu.

Oh, and Mr. Mei,

when you leave,

be careful of the second step at the entrance.

It was damaged back when I practiced archery with Zhen.

Although it's been repaired,

it's still not very sturdy

and often trips people.

I need to take care of something, too.

What's going on?

There's a significant breach in the barrier.

Since last night up to now,

mortals have already stumbled through several times,

and some demons have also escaped.

Snake Lord is swamped

and asked us to come help.

Mr. Mei, this is the medicine the Princess prepared for you

and the candy to take afterward.

Then I'll take this candy.

Sure.

But

try not to overdo it.

Senior Zhuyu.

Chang'an has always been bustling and prosperous.

Do you really believe

the Demon Market exists?

Though the legend of the Demon Market is vague and elusive,

there's no smoke without fire.

If it does exist,

then its secrecy and difficulty to find

would make perfect sense.

But if it's so hard to find, where do we even begin?

Didn't you notice

something is off in Chang'an today?

Seems pretty normal to me.

It's late. Everyone's probably home sleeping by now.

I mean,

the heavens were amiss last night.

I fear demons may be near.

Demons?

Impossible.

I've walked all over Chang'an today

and didn't sense anything unusual.

But didn't Si say

he's seen one before?

[Pleasure Lane]

Is this really the place?

Mr. Mei.

Mr. Huang.

Mr. Mei, where are you headed?

My cousin just arrived in Chang'an.

I'm showing him around.

Taking him to Pleasure Lane, huh?

It's part of Chang'an's charm.

I understand.

However,

I'd advise you both

to go somewhere else.

Why is that?

Pleasure Lane is plagued by a forbidden drug.

It's harmful,

but despite repeated bans, it refuses to die out.

We intended to shut down Pleasure Lane

and investigate thoroughly.

But we didn't expect

so many scions of powerful households

to be involved.

It's been impossible to stop them.

In that case,

we won't intrude further.

Farewell.

Farewell, Mr. Mei.

Didn't Mr. Huang say

this lane isn't guarded?

We could've just walked right in.

Why go through the act of pretending to leave,

only to sneak back in?

It's not that they don't want to.

They just can't.

Mr. Huang is a friend of Ms. Wu.

I didn't want to bother him.

That bewitching woman again.

Where are the items I asked for?

Why the disguise?

I'm the Chief of the Xuanjian Division.

My presence in a place like this

is difficult to explain.

Got it.

What's this?

A Voice-Shifting Pill.

Once taken,

it alters your voice for four hours.

No one will recognize it's you.

It's one of my prized possessions.

I...

What's going on?

Didn't it say it would change the voice?

Why did it make you mute instead?

Forget it.

Your precious treasures

always catch me off guard.

What about the other items?

Don't worry, Shi.

This time, nothing will go wrong.

See?

Simple, effective, instant results,

and

guaranteed to be foolproof.

That makes 18, doesn't it?

What kind of art is that old rat using?

It's truly a nuisance.

What orders has the Snake Lord given?

As per usual,

first, to erase the mortals' memories.

Ling Xiao and Zhu Ying

are also working to recapture the escaped demons.

OK.

Now we just wait for the barrier here to mend,

so mortals can't enter.

Then we'll return to the Human Realm to patch things up.

That makes things easier.

Yes.

Greetings, Cat Lord, Ms. Huzhu.

Reporting to you both,

we've found another suspicious location.

The Husk House.

A place that sells human skins.

Alright, go search elsewhere.

Yes.

Where has that brush demon gone off to nap again?

The texture feels so real.

Indeed.

Each one is hand-painted,

enhanced with demonic arts,

making it indistinguishable from the real thing.

Among the low-level spirits

whose bodies have yet to form,

some yearn for beauty.

So, they come here to rent or buy

a handcrafted skin.

Those willing to spend lavishly can even custom-order one.

Exactly.

From hair color and skin tone to facial features and limbs,

everything is customizable.

One can even try it on in the Donning Room,

and only pay if satisfied.

Ms. Wu, since you naturally took human form,

you may not know this place.

For us, transformation is a struggle.

Some, even after transforming,

still look awkward and unnatural.

A sight so ugly it defies description.

After all, not every demon is as lucky as I am.

Alright, leave this to me.

Go check

if there are any other breaches.

By the way, Ms. Wu,

you'd better stay alert.

Across the street is a brothel in Pleasure Lane.

You're quite the famous figure.

Don't let anyone catch sight of you.

Which one is that?

Yu'nong Pavilion.

Their business has never been exactly proper.

Crooked dealings, all kinds of shady stuff.

Are you sure you won't wear one?

No. It's too stuffy.

Besides,

as a roamer of the jianghu,

I absolutely love being seen.

Did the demon shadow Si mentioned

show up near Pleasure Lane too?

Exactly.

Where is everyone?

Where did they go?

This is odd. Where could they be?

Where are all the girls?

What a striking young man.

I'm not here to have fun.

Seriously. This isn't about fun.

Beauty, here I come!

Beau...

Where are you, pretty?

Beauty.

Here you are.

This is...

Five Minerals Powder.

Looks like you have taken a wrong turn.

Where am I?

This place

is just an empty room of Yu'nong Pavilion.

What's that noise?

Nothing.

I'll go take a look inside.

You mustn't.

Why not?

You're a demon.

Did you see the fan he gave me?

Why is Mr. Sun collapsed here?

Someone, help!

Mr. Sun!

Wake up, Mr. Sun!

Can you hear me? Are you alright?

What beauty?

He must've overdosed on Five Minerals Powder again.

Help him up first.

Come on.

Careful.

What happened?

A mortal wandered in by mistake and grew suspicious.

Zhen, what are you trying to pull?

I'm not pulling anything.

Are you alright?

How was the mortal dealt with?

No trouble.

I wiped his spiritual sense and threw him out.

Whoever kicked me

is dead meat!

Chang'an is way too terrifying.

Good thing I ran fast.

Senior Zhuyu,

let's go back to the mountain.

This place really isn't somewhere humans should be.

Indeed.

It truly isn't meant for humans.

After patching all night, it's finally fixed.

I tried a new weaving technique,

and the result turned out way better than before.

Ms. Wu.

Ah, Mr. Shu.

Huang Yi, why are you here?

Five Minerals Powder has resurfaced in Chang'an.

So,

I've been leading a search for several days.

Five Minerals Powder.

I'll get back to work.

Be careful.

Oh right.

Ms. Wu,

I have something to tell you.

Go ahead.

Has Mr. Mei still been

staying at your residence?

Yes.

Then do you know where he was yesterday?

Of course he was at Duke's Mansion.

Still so naive, huh?

Last night,

he wanted to stroll down Pleasure Lane.

Luckily, I stopped him.

Good thing I kept him from straying off the path.

I'm a good friend, aren't I?

You mean to say

he was going to visit a brothel?

I don't believe it.

Zhen, you actually trust him?

He's not that kind of person by nature.

He wouldn't do such a thing.

Ms. Wu,

over the years,

you've met plenty of young men.

Have you ever trusted anyone like this before?

Why is he the only one

you trust without question?

Men are fickle by nature.

Fickle, is that it?

So, you two are already tired of me?

I...

Human nature

shouldn't be judged by gender.

That's true enough.

Forget it.

So long as your heart is clear.

I'll get back to work.

Zhen,

do you really trust him that much?

I do,

just like I trust you.

Shu.

Wuzishu.

Wuzishu.

What is it?

What are you doing?

Together, we can do whatever we want.

Qiangyijun.

I'm not. I have nothing to do with you.

Is that what you really think?

Have you forgotten the past?

Back then,

my bones sank into the earth

and vanished without a trace.

I poured out all my strength,

dragging myself forward, bit by bit,

until I broke through the soil once more

and returned to this world.

It's raining outside. Let's go in.

Alright.

Take it!

Excuse me, I'd like a chopped duck.

All of this was destined.

I am fated to return to this world.

And you are an ancient military codex.

Your destiny must be fulfilled.

Elder Senior has sent a letter.

[Xuanjian Division]

Since Chang'an is in chaos and Zhuyu is wounded,

return quickly to plan our next move

and purge the demons from Chang'an.

What do you think, Shi?

Let's head back as soon as we can.

We'll strike back with our senior brothers

and help you vent your anger.

Changxi Palace has remained secluded for ages.

Returning to Chang'an now

won't be easy.

But since he brought it up,

he must have thought it through.

Besides, demon-slaying has always been

the duty of Changxi Palace disciples.

Even after years in seclusion,

we still have no excuse

to turn away now.

I did enter the Demon Market last night,

but it was too rushed.

I'm still unsure

what's really going on inside.

So, what now?

I'll stay in Chang'an for now,

keep investigating the Demon Market,

and decide our next move from there.

Is Chang'an really in such chaos?

Did anything feel off last night?

Actually, yeah.

- What is it? - What is it?

Last night,

I don't know if I was drunk

or just hallucinating,

but I swear I saw a crack open in my bed.

There was a flash of white light,

and when I opened my eyes again,

the air was filled with sweetness

like I'd fallen into a dessert shop.

You wouldn't believe it.

The bowls and spoons inside

were clinking and clattering everywhere.

Then I turned my head and saw

a bee bigger than a person!

Same here.

I felt like I'd wandered into the strangest place.

There was a tavern,

but the owner wasn't even human.

- What was it? - What was it?

It was

a tiny, scrawny monkey!

What I saw was terrifying.

Demons were everywhere on the street.

What Zhu Ying said

about the Human Realm is indeed true.

The barrier was breached last night.

Many claimed they entered some kind of dream

and saw strange spirits.

Though the barrier has been repaired

and the Market stays hidden,

rumors are spreading fast,

and suspicion is hard to avoid.

Mortals forget easily.

Even when mistakes were made,

their spiritual senses would be clouded,

and memory would fade in days.

But this time,

why has it caused such a stir?

Truth is,

the barrier was never perfect.

Just a few cracks.

If patched in time,

they wouldn't be noticed.

As for Elder Hui...

Had the old rat not played his tricks,

the damage would've been far less.

Strange things are happening, and the rumors won't stop.

Isn't that so, Elder Bai?

Go on, I'm listening.

So, after all that talk,

none of you has a single solution?

You're always so eager to criticize Cat Lord,

but now that you have caused

a disaster beyond measure,

why is everyone suddenly backing away?

Mr. Shu, please ease your anger.

What the Hui Sect did

was a moment of madness on his part,

and truly has nothing to do with the three of us.

We're not shirking duty.

It's just a problem beyond easy fixing.

Indeed.

Cat Lord's always sharp with words,

and Mr. Shu's no fool either.

You two will figure something out.

We're listening.

Just tell us what to do.

Thinking's not really my thing.

My Lady, I humbly suggest

we be thorough,

to avoid oversights by trespassers

and prevent disaster.

What do you mean by that?

More people, more talk.

Anyone at Pleasure Lane that night will be...

Muted?

Eliminated.

Do you hear yourself?

It's the fastest method.

I have a type of demon poison,

colorless and tasteless.

One drop in the well

and the mortals will poison themselves.

It's untraceable by any authority.

Nonsense!

Do you know how many people

passed through the Lane yesterday?

Fifty-seven.

And how many shops are around there?

One hundred and twelve.

Are you saying we should kill them all?

Exposing the Market would imperil

its ancient legacy and millions of demons.

This is for the greater good.

But as you just said,

this was Elder Hui's fault.

How can we pass the blame to innocent mortals?

A mere few hundred?

Their own rulers spill more blood

in a single palace coup.

If mortals value their lives so little,

why should we cling to rigid rules?

You, as my deputy,

think demon law is too rigid?

Demon law explicitly forbids wanton killing.

I'm well aware of that.

How can a mere hundred or two lives

be considered wanton killing?

A mere hundred or two lives?

Even killing one innocent person is wanton killing!

Zhen...

In the Demon Market, address me as My Lady.

My Lady,

if mortals were to discover the existence of the Market,

things would spiral out of control.

I'm saying this for the Market as well.

What Mr. Shu said is not without reason.

I suppose...

I believe I'm still in charge here.

In any case,

I won't support mass killing

over a possibility.

As the Cat Lord of the Demon Market,

I urge you all

no one

may commit reckless slaughter.

This is the rule.

Mr. Shu,

please remember that.

Very well.

As you command, My Lady.

I will go and review the demon law.

Though meant

to help the Demon Market,

his proposal is a bit excessive.

It may cause unrest.

I'll take charge

and make sure it's done right.

Everyone, you may leave now.

Are you really angry at Wuzishu?

His temper has always been like that.

He's often sharp

with everyone except you.

I always thought I understood him.

I never thought...

he'd see human life as worthless.

And to humans,

our lives

are just as worthless.

Two hundred years ago,

I walked among mortals under the name White Snake.

That was when I met Duan.

We met through our writing.

He wrote about justice and court cases.

I wrote tales of demons and spirits.

It felt like a perfect match.

He said he was drawn to me.

And I believed him.

He said he accepted me, flaws and all.

I believed that too.

He promised a lifetime by my side.

And I still believed him.

Then what happened?

Later...

He found out I was a demon

and fled in fear.

- Demon! - Duan!

A demon!

I thought I would never see him again.

Unexpectedly, he came back

and said he wanted to set things right.

My love, let's get married.

Duan,

what did you put in the wine?

You drugged the wine?

Getting married?

You think you deserve to be human?

Die!

I will never forget the way he looked.

The twisted grin

and vicious face.

A man of quiet dignity?

How shameless.

You've never shared your past with me.

So why open up now?

I'm not telling you this

to stir up my old wounds.

I just need you to understand something.

Cat...

stop trying to read everyone.

Every truth has its opposite.

And the closer you get to someone,

the more their hidden side can cut deep.

♪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♪