Original subtitles

Episode 2

Father!

Sister!

Where are you?

Little girl.

Who are you?

I'm Wu Zhen.

What are you doing here?

There was a fire on the street.

It was burning everywhere.

I got lost.

You came here at this time.

This might be our fate.

Who are you?

You're going to die soon.

And I'm the one who's going to change your destiny.

It's a shame that changing fate

doesn't come free.

There's a price to pay.

What's the price?

The price is…

This young man is quite considerate.

You're here.

Did I wake you?

No, I happened to be up.

Did you find any clues?

You fought with the female bat two days ago.

The girl she possessed was sent to the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

Upon investigation, the girl is Bi Tao,

a dancer at Xiangsi House.

Xiangsi House?

And the good friend she lives with is

a dancer at Xiangsi House, too.

She's been dancing at Ruyi House lately.

Her name is Zhe Liu.

I knew it.

She's here.

We can't let her get away.

Let's go to Xiangsi House.

Xiangsi House?

Who are you talking to?

You.

Me?

I suddenly recalled

that many Xiangsi House dancers came last night.

Maybe someone saw something.

I'm free, so I want to go and ask.

If anyone knows where my stuff is,

I won't bother you.

In that case, I'll go to Xiangsi House.

Your Highness is going to Xiangsi House too?

Why don't you bring more people?

There's no need. Isn't Young Master Mei going?

Investigating is an official duty.

It's inconvenient for you to come along.

That won't do.

It's a red-light district.

What if you use your authority for private gain?

After all, you're the man I chose.

I have to keep an eye on you.

Go with Her Highness... Eh?

Where are you going?

To the carriage.

The carriage?

You call it a carriage?

Wenhua, Mei family servant

It looks like my horse carriage's baby.

Why don't you ride with me?

There's no need. My carriage is fine.

Slow down, Young Master.

Young Master! No, Fugui!

Fugui!

Fugui.

Fugui!

The carriage is gone.

Lady Wu, what you did was inappropriate.

Longing Pavillion

Zhe Liu, Xiangsi House dancer

Where exactly did you go?

Don't leave me.

No.

No.

Zhe Liu.

Come in.

Why didn't you practice dancing today?

We've been looking for you.

I'm not feeling well.

Today's guests are waiting.

Come with me.

Come and take a look!

Look, isn't that County Princess's carriage?

As the saying goes, throw fruit until the carriage is full,

look until Wei Jie is dead.

You're prominent now.

There's no harm in enjoying that.

This carriage is Lady Wu Zhen's.

Who is this young man?

Could he be Lady Wu Zhen's new lover?

New lover?

Let me see what he looks like.

His appearance is really…

Look at his head shape.

He's so handsome!

Not as handsome as you.

Bai Xuanchen…

Free-Spirited Princess and Handsome Scholar.

Do you like this?

There's also Female General and Little Guard,

Female Official and Young Master,

Lady Boss and Waiter.

I know. Don't be anxious.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Sir, are you here for fun?

Longing Pavillion

Lady Wu Zhen.

You haven't been here for a while.

Yes.

This is Mr. Mei from the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

He's here today to ask you something.

Young Master.

What a handsome young man.

What do you want to ask?

Yes.

Do you want to ask me or her?

Longing Pavillion

Sleeves Dancing in the Wind

- My lord. - Wait.

What are you doing?

How dare you!

Get out of the way.

My lord?

Lady Wu.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to…

Pick a fight?

Are you looking for trouble?

I'm telling you, don't come near me.

Let me tell you.

I'm not interested in you at all now.

We don't mind each other's business.

Well… Look.

I have someone new now.

It's too late to regret it.

I might not agree to it.

- Are you all right? - Wu Zhen, this isn't over!

Shu.

My lord, keep it down.

Don't bring Lady Wu back.

What are you afraid of?

My lord.

Fu Xi.

You came here with Wu Zhen, didn't you?

Why did she kick me and leave?

You...

What's that sound?

You…

So you're here.

Be careful!

It's me. Don't you remember me?

She's really possessed.

This is bad.

This isn't right.

These aren't real bats.

It's demonic magic.

Let's go.

We meet again, Bat Demon.

Don't waste your effort.

Fu Xi

Cat Lord!

She made many mistakes,

but please, at least spare her life.

I won't kill her.

Cat Lord.

What's wrong with her?

After you left,

she probably contracted something unclean that corrupted her, causing evil thoughts.

That's why she hurt someone.

Someone cast a spell on her.

Demon-Slaying Spell?

Young Master, are you all right?

Are you hurt?

Did someone bully you?

Tell me, I'll avenge you.

I'm fine.

Who is it?

Young Master, don't worry.

I'll just chase her away.

Don't hit her.

Don't worry, I'm also fine now.

So you don't like cats.

Please take her away.

My young master hates cats.

I guess

the cat will be sad.

Sir, you're here too.

I heard a bunch of bats flew here for no reason.

Is everyone all right?

- Lady Wu… - Lady Wu was shocked.

She left a long time ago.

It's getting late.

I'll go back and rest then.

Who is he?

Lady Wu's good friend Mr. Shu, who runs a bookstore in Chang'an.

But Wu Zhen gets shocked too.

Xiaozhen.

Here, have some candy.

Shu.

When will she recover?

You're still so impatient.

I'm not impatient.

He is.

Fu Xi.

Fu Xi, don't be angry.

I didn't really want to abandon you.

We've been together for 100 years.

It's just a bit boring.

I just wanted to go out for a while.

Fu Xi.

It's only been two days since he left, and you're already upset.

Why are you so impatient?

Earrings come in pairs.

One can't be missing from the pair.

Since we are a pair of earrings, we should be together all the time.

Being together and inseparable

is touching.

In this world, not many things are matter-in-fact.

Having souls and developing wisdom

are already very rare.

How can it be meaningless

just because your partner's gone?

Bat Demon.

Our existence in this world

aren't controlled by others or by destiny.

Even if you're just a little earring,

you should have significance.

Being alone in the world

and having company

are beautiful in their own way.

Fu Xi still has her divine senses.

After she recovers and Demon Underworld punishes her for hurting others,

you two can stay in Demon Underworld

and live the life you want.

Thank you, Cat Lord.

Wait.

Cat Lord.

I wasn't possessed

just because I lost my partner.

Maybe there's another reason.

- What is it? - When I first came to Chang'an,

I looked for him in the form of a bat.

Unexpectedly, I returned to my form one day and fell to the ground.

A Xiangsi House dancer found me.

As I was a bit damaged,

she brought me to a jewelry workshop in the city.

A jewelry workshop?

Yes.

At the jewelry workshop,

I felt an evil energy.

It made me become unlike myself.

Why would there be an evil energy in Chang'an?

I remember that evil energy's source was

a stone, a red stone.

A stone?

Could it be the Bone Relic?

Bone Relic?

What's that?

Bone Relic is the remnant of someone with a grudge.

Wherever it is, it often causes demonic changes.

No matter whether you're human or demon, you're easily bewitched by it.

That means

we have to find the Bone Relic.

Mei Residence

Memorial tablet of Yi Xuanqing and Mei Yuheng

Father.

Mother.

It's been 18 years.

Memorial tablet of Yi Xuanqing and Mei Yuheng

Why isn't Father back yet?

Your father?

Mother of Mei

Maybe he has other matters to attend to.

I'll only sleep after he reads to me.

Be good and go to sleep now.

You'll see him when you wake up.

Zhuyu.

I've told your father.

He's not allowed to go anywhere this New Year's Eve.

Both of us

will play with you in the snow in the mountains.

All right?

All right.

I'll sleep now.

It's been 18 years.

I've now entered the Bureau of Mystic Investigations' record library.

I wonder if I can find any clues…

to uncover the truth

behind the Heavenly Fire Disaster back then.

Mother.

Think about it.

If I hadn't gone to Quzhou,

Master wouldn't have taken me as Changxi Palace's disciple.

I should've stayed away from worldly affairs.

But before Master died, he said

that your deaths probably weren't from natural causes,

but caused by demons.

I came back to Chang'an

to find the truth for you.

No matter how hard and dangerous it is…

I'll surely avenge you.

What?

Zhen'er chose someone?

Hey.

This is great news.

It's that easy?

Why do I feel like there's something fishy about it?

At the birthday banquet two days ago, Lady Wu chose him in front of everyone.

I heard

she even dragged him in private

and spent a long time with him.

In private?

He's so capable?

What's his background?

He just came to Chang'an.

His name is Mei Zhuyu.

His surname is Mei?

Ah! He's from the Mei family's side branch.

He should be

Noble Consort Mei's distant cousin.

Zhen'er has been free-spirited for so long.

How can a young man

who just came to Chang'an manipulate her?

- Well… - I don't believe it.

What's his strength?

That's right. What's his strength?

His strength? Ah!

Come on.

You have such a handsome man in your family?

We have such a good-looking man in our family?

I knew it.

I know my sister quite well.

Why did she focus on one person so quickly?

She's just

being playful and lecherous.

That's what she would do.

Lady Wu might just be playing around for a couple of days,

but there's one thing I dare not report.

What is it? Tell me.

He works in the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

Bureau of Mystic Investigations?

He's just a mediocre official.

He relies on his looks, and he's also a freeloader.

Noble Consort Mei.

Discipline your family member.

Boss.

Don't worry, Boss.

Zhe Liu is all right now.

She'll be fine after taking some calming medicine.

Did the Bureau of Mystic Investigations suspect anything?

No. They said bats hidden on Xiangsi House's roof

stole the earrings.

Bureau of Mystic Investigations' Xu Luan is frightened by the bat rumors.

He said since no one was killed, he doesn't want to investigate further.

By the way, Boss, I just got some news.

I'm afraid you won't like it.

- What is it? - Eunuch Feng left the palace

to head to the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

Her Majesty is summoning Young Master Mei.

- What? - Mm.

Young Master.

Young Master!

Young Master.

The Hu cake shop next door is popular indeed.

I woke up early to line up and only got this much.

It's enough.

Young Master.

Since this is for the Bureau of Mystic Investigations,

that Xu guy

will reimburse it, right?

Don't worry.

That's good.

We're already poor.

I give you two-thirds

of my monthly salary.

How can you say we're poor?

What do you mean, Young Master?

I work so hard every day without complaints

to serve you well.

Aren't you touched at all?

It's not that.

Then are you going to deduct my salary?

No.

Mr. Mei, bad news!

Hurry, go to the Bureau of Mystic Investigations!

- What's wrong? - Something big happened.

The Bureau of Mystic Investigations is trashed!

Bureau Of Mystic Investigations

Go.

Lady Wu, what are you doing?

Don't you understand, Mr. Mei?

I'm angry.

Why are you angry?

I'm angry at you, of course.

Because of you,

I came to this lousy Bureau of Mystic Investigations

and almost got hurt by a bat.

But you're ungrateful.

You've ignored my advances.

Forget it if you don't want to be with me.

I won't force you.

From now on, I have nothing to do with you.

Don't let me see you again.

That's enough.

Stop looking. Go.

Stop watching. Go home.

It's all your fault!

You're short-sighted!

You're a troublemaker!

You…

My treasures.

Don't force relationship matters.

No wonder they say County Princess Qinghe

is vain and overbearing.

She caused so much trouble just to get close to you.

It's fine.

Maybe Lady Wu just likes to tease people.

We'll just stay out of each other's way.

If you ask me,

why rush to put on this show?

Just let the Empress summon him.

I didn't want to get deeply involved with that mortal anyway.

And my sister is impatient.

If I wait any longer,

I don't know how much trouble it will cause.

Better to end it as soon as possible.

Young Master Mei might be weak,

but he's so good-looking.

Can you really bear to part with him?

Flowers don't bloom forever.

Just admire and play with the pretty flowers,

no need to trouble yourself to pick them.

Hmm…

What's going on?

My lady, the road is blocked.

Who dares to block Lady Wu's way?

She's back.

Liu Taizhen, Daughter of Liu Manor, Demon Underworld Snake Lord

Long time no see, Lady Liu.

It has indeed been a while.

I missed your show.

What should we do then?

I'll perform again for you.

Sure.

Young Master, Young Master Mei Si is here.

Mei Si? Why are you here?

Everyone in Chang'an is crazily talking about you.

What are they saying?

They said

it was love at first sight for Wu Zhen at the birthday banquet.

To get involved with you, she pretended to report a case

to come to the Bureau of Mystic Investigations to give herself to you.

But you didn't know how to cherish her.

You'd rather die than submit.

You disregarded County Princess Qinghe

and laid an ambush in Xiangsi House

to investigate the bat disaster.

And Lady Wu's advances never worked,

so she was furious and made trouble at the Bureau of Mystic Investigations,

saying she wants to cut ties with you.

How can they speak such nonsense about a woman's chastity?

It doesn't matter. Chastity?

Wu Zhen doesn't care about that.

Yes.

I just heard

that County Princess Qinghe and her rival,

Lady Liu,

got into a fight on the street over something trivial.

People are gossiping about them.

Lady Liu?

- She's back in Chang'an? - Yes.

Who is Lady Liu?

The daughter of Minister Liu Gongshen.

My…

fiancée.

Ruyi House

Don't scare me.

I haven't seen you for a few days,

and this is how you welcome me?

What's the matter?

You went to pray with the Liu family,

but were so bored at the temple,

so you've become lively since you came back?

Is there really nothing going on between you and Young Master Mei?

What could be going on?

If you really don't like Young Master Mei,

why would you trade your good reputation for his?

I have a good reputation?

I used him once, after all.

As demons, we should have some conscience.

Besides, I don't care about this.

I heard that yesterday,

someone secretly used a talisman

to disperse the bat colony and hurt the mother bat.

You heard about it too?

It's such a big deal.

The demon slayers that have been gone for years are lured out.

It's really interesting.

We need to be careful then.

It's a big world.

It's normal that there are still cultivators.

As long as they're not Changxi Palace's scoundrels.

Changxi Palace has been gone for a century.

You're always thinking about them.

The Changxi weapon can slay all demons in the world.

This wound

constantly reminds me to be alert.

If they are still around,

the Changxi Palace and Demon Market

will surely have a life-or-death battle.

Who is it?

Who is it?

Who is it?

Stop hiding.

Stop!

Ghosts!

County Princess is so generous.

She only broke a corner of my front hall,

but is repairing the entire Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

Good job trashing the place.

Do it again next time.

Good job trashing the place.

Do it again next time.

Commander Xu.

If I weren't so lucky,

I would have been killed by that demon last night.

Commander,

Bureau of Mystic Investigations, please save me.

What are you talking about?

You're alive and kicking, aren't you?

- I... - Who wants to harm you?

- I get it now. - Huh?

You must have heard that

The Bureau of Mystic Investigations recently solved a bizarre case.

That's why

you came up with this weird rhetoric

to make a big deal out of it

and cause trouble at the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

Your goal is to attract customers for your little workshop. Am I right?

What are you talking about?

- I... - That's enough.

Ever since I solved the bat case, right?

I've met a lot of strange people like you every day.

- No. - How can I not see through

- this minor trick? - I…

People like you are despicable!

I can't stand it!

- But I... - But what?

If you don't stop nagging, I'll arrest you!

I…

Yuzhen Pavilion

Living in the Wild

Little Kitty.

Smell this.

Its incense is made from a 100-year-old agarwood bone.

It refreshes the mind.

It's also made into a balm.

Apply it on your forehead to relieve fatigue, very energizing.

Boss.

It is refreshing.

But this smell is too strong.

It is quite hard to sell.

Since it's energizing and refreshing,

say it's a good product for candidates preparing for the exam.

For candidates preparing for the exam?

Good idea.

Since it's my boss's idea,

shouldn't you give us 20% of Ruyi House?

Dream on.

"Dream on."

Beauty Ling Xiao.

Your Snake Master is so petty.

There's no future with her.

Why don't you work for me?

Cat Lord favors me so much.

I am…

so unmoved.

Because only my lady is in my heart.

Young Master Mei Si has arrived.

If Ruyi House is for food and fun,

Yuzhen Pavilion is for elegance.

The literati and scholars come here to enjoy incense and meet friends.

I buy all my incense here.

Young Master Mei Si.

The usual seat.

I'm sorry, Mei Si.

The second floor's private rooms are full.

Wait, someone even reserved

my private room in advance?

Please wait at an open table first.

Little Zhuyu.

Wu Zhen.

Lady Liu?

Is that my Lady Liu?

Wu Zhen, I think I just saw Lady Liu.

Lady Liu's not here.

Lady Liu.

Lady Liu.

I'm hallucinating again.

Stop searching.

Can she hide underground?

Wu Zhen.

By the way, Wu Zhen, what brings you to Yuzhen Pavilion?

Don't you dislike rouge and powder?

Besides, this is Lady Liu's shop.

You know it's my rival's shop,

yet you keep spending money here.

It seems like Lady Liu

is more important to you than me.

Wu Zhen, I was wrong.

After all, Lady Liu is my…

Wu Zhen, I swear.

I'm completely loyal to you.

All right. Wrap it up for me.

Isn't this the Mei family's young master from the Bureau of Mystic Investigations?

What's your name?

Mei Zhuyu.

It's hard to remember your name.

If you can't remember it, it means you're not smart.

Just forget about it.

Young Master Mei,

I heard County Princess Qinghe used and abandoned you.

How pitiful.

But it makes sense.

She has seen a lot of men.

And you're inexperienced.

How could she not dump you?

What's the matter?

Did you come to Yuzhen Pavilion today to buy some incense

to win Lady Wu's favor again?

Why don't I give you a tip?

I heard that Yuzhen Pavilion

also has an aphrodisiac incense.

Why don't you buy some?

You…

Living in the Wild

Translated by Coleen Chua