Original subtitles

Episode 8

Free Consultation on Capturing Demons

You are…

Hu Zhu.

Yes.

Lady Hu Zhu, were you…

passing by?

No, I'm here to see you.

To see me?

You demon!

Come out and face your death!

What are you doing?

Oh.

I was testing the waters.

Lady Hu Zhu.

Are you sure the demon is hiding here?

Yes.

Many stray cats

have been gathering in this ancestral hall lately.

Even the domestic cats have been coming here.

They howl day and night.

It's so creepy.

No one lives here. And it's so run-down.

What's so strange about a few cats here?

Look at all these!

You call this "a few"?

Oh.

You're right.

There's a demon right in front of him,

but he can't see anything.

Lady Hu Zhu.

If you're scared, you can go back first.

I'll wait for the demon alone.

Mmm.

I have nothing to fear with you here.

Master Shuang Jiang, I can clearly tell you're very skilled

and experienced.

No demon can hide from you.

Don't say that. I can't detect ones at far distances,

but if they're within a mile, it should be no problem.

Really?

And within 10 steps,

I can definitely kill it.

What if the demon

is in front of you?

The demon…

wouldn't be able to get close to me.

But some demons are very powerful

and great at hiding.

Hmm?

It doesn't matter.

Let me show you something.

All these years,

people have been saying that our bureau doesn't do anything.

But now, Mr. Mei has made all of us…

- Proud. - Proud.

Master Nieli, didn't you reply to County Princess Qinghe

on behalf of Zhuyu?

So?

Did you get some gossip again?

Actually, there's really some gossip going around.

There's some random fool going around,

wielding his sword and claiming he knows how to catch demons.

I'm the disciple with the most magical tools in my sect,

so I'm sure I can catch that demon.

These toys…

you sure have a lot.

But it's a demon after all.

They're vicious, cunning, and disgusting.

If I fight with the demon later,

I wouldn't want to hurt you, so you should go home.

Master Shuang Jiang.

So you're saying that not only are demons evil on the inside,

but they're also ugly?

- Of course. - But I heard

that some demons are beautiful.

Think of the fox demons in books.

Aren't they beautiful?

Lady Hu Zhu, you're wrong.

They are just made up by boring storytellers.

Take fox demons, for example.

Just look at the foxes in the wild.

They're ugly, and they stink so badly.

If they turned into demons,

there's no way they'd be beautiful.

Think about it. Aren't I right?

This is so tattered. Lady Hu Zhu…

Lady Hu Zhu, be careful!

Thank you.

Huh?

Who is it? Who ambushed me?

You scared my friends away!

This…

Huh?

Cushion Demon: Mostly Seen in Deserted Temples…

It's a Cushion Demon.

. -

Huh?

Master Shuang Jiang.

What about your profound spells?

That's right.

Do you dare to answer to my calls?

Yes, I do.

What are you again?

Right. Cushion Demon.

Cushion Demon!

Wow!

Master Shuang Jiang, you're amazing.

You captured the demon just by calling its name.

- I captured it? - Mm-hmm.

I did!

Don't be afraid.

Thank you, Lady Wu.

I wasn't…

Be good. Don't be afraid.

He won't hurt you.

Lady Wu, why are you here?

I should be asking you that.

When I invited you for a drink,

didn't you say you were busy?

I heard my cousin was sent here to catch a demon.

I'm worried about him, so I came to have a look.

Your cousin is indeed worrisome.

I was just teasing you.

Don't be afraid.

Hu Zhu said that you're struggling financially,

so Shuang Jiang has been on the streets looking for work.

The accountant of Ruyi Pavilion said

there's something strange about this place,

so Hu Zhu asked Master Shuang Jiang to come and have a look.

I see.

Then what are you doing here, Lady Wu?

You rejected my invitation, so I have a lot of free time.

I decided to come and have a look.

Hmm.

Wait.

I'm looking out for you.

There are a lot of cats inside.

It's okay. I'll take a look.

You're avoiding me.

You're right.

You were on duty

in the western suburbs,

yet I got involved.

I wasn't any help,

and I even caused you trouble.

It was rude of me.

If you feel uncomfortable…

from now on,

I'll stay away from you.

It's not your fault.

It's my own problem.

Your problem?

You weren't rude.

I wasn't innocent myself.

What do you mean?

In the past,

I always thought that I was strong-willed

and wouldn't be swayed by anyone.

Now, I realize

that I overestimated myself.

It turns out

I'm just an ordinary person.

They said he volunteered for the job.

Being a rookie, I guess he was ambitious,

but also inevitably afraid.

In my opinion,

you don't have to be so hard on yourself.

Don't be hard on myself?

I read this when I was young.

"Nurture your mind by diminishing your desires."

I don't believe it.

What I believe…

is that one must have desires

in order to live a good life.

Young Master.

Do whatever you desire.

Zhuyu!

I took care of it!

I've captured the demon.

- You caught the demon? - Yes.

I'm amazing!

Lady Hu Zhu saw it.

Ask her yourself.

Yes, he's amazing.

I'm sorry. My cousin was too reckless.

I'm glad he didn't scare you.

In that case, we'll take our leave now.

- Let's go. - Huh?

That was so dangerous.

That demon was small, but it was so strong.

It was able to lift a huge beam.

It's a good thing I'm so agile.

I almost got hurt.

But you know how amazing I am.

Why does Young Master Mei seem so awkward?

He's a new government official.

He's just not used to it.

Everyone in Chang'an is praising him today.

He's not used to it?

Maybe it's because he's just like you.

He has to worry about things every now and then.

Let's not talk about him. How was Shuang Jiang?

Forget him.

It was a waste of my time.

The Changxi Palace?

He's only slightly better than Duke Wu's mosquito-catching skills.

I bet it's the same scam that Duke Wu ran into.

If he's incompetent, there's no need to care about him.

- Just give him some money. - Huh?

We have to finish the act so we can rest assured.

As for that little Cushion Demon…

…we can't just let him be.

Don't be afraid.

I've chased away that big guy.

- How cute. - You really like kittens, don't you?

Shu.

What kind of demons are you? Let me go!

That's not important.

Who are you?

Why did you lure so many kittens here?

Why should I tell you?

Put me down!

You don't have to.

You know what?

I love eating disobedient children.

All right.

If he doesn't listen, we'll share him.

You eat the meat, and I'll eat the bones.

No! I'll tell you.

I'll tell you.

I'll tell you, all right?

I used to be a cushion spirit in this ancestral hall.

It used to be very lively here.

Many people would come to pray every day.

It was so fun.

But later on, I don't know why, but people gradually stopped coming here.

This place became dilapidated.

I felt so lonely,

so I lured kittens here to keep me company.

People used to light a lot of incense sticks here.

Later, Guanyin Pavilion was built outside the city.

Naturally, this place became quiet.

Since then,

I haven't been able to hear new stories.

No one talks to me either.

But people didn't talk to you anyway.

They were praying.

You're just a small cushion that people used.

What's there to miss about those days?

I don't know how to explain it either.

They were always sitting on me,

and it actually kind of hurt,

but I still think those days were more interesting than now.

When you feel needed, you don't feel lonely.

Kid.

If you feel lonely, why don't you come with us?

Where to?

Demon Underworld.

A place that needs you.

The Mind is Undivided

I'm done eating.

Zhuyu, what do you want to talk to me about?

We practice this when we're anxious.

Why are you looking at this?

You've never looked at it before.

I was just looking.

I asked you to come so I could tell you something.

What is it?

You're a celestial master.

I shouldn't be stopping you from exorcising demons.

But Chang'an is not Quzhou.

You'll get in trouble if you stir up attention like this.

Am I stirring up attention?

I think I'm quite subtle.

I'll keep a lower profile, then.

By the way,

why do people in Chang'an say the Changxi Palace is fake?

People all say it's a scam.

The Changxi Palace has been hidden for 100 years.

It's inevitable that some people

want to use the Changxi Palace to scam people.

Why should we hide?

Although Chang'an is expensive,

it's filled with people and demons.

We let those scammers harm people.

Master once said

that Changxi Palace didn't leave this place willingly.

It was driven away by demons.

So it was the demons in Chang'an that chased us away?

This won't do. I'm going to tear them apart.

Don't be rash.

All right.

I left the mountain to get rid of demons.

I captured one, yet I can't take credit for it.

I hate this.

So you capture demons just so you can boast?

That's right. I'm not like you.

You're so pure and unambitious. You don't care about fame.

I'm not like that.

Back then, I trained in the mountains

so I could become a great hero.

Doing good deeds anonymously is so frustrating.

Anyway,

that's how shallow I am.

What I believe is that one must have desires

to live a good life.

Young Master.

Do whatever you desire.

Shu.

It's like you're steaming my meat.

I'm reeking of ginseng now.

Does it have to be so hot?

The medicinal bath method isn't effective overnight.

It's a gradual process.

But don't worry, Xiaozhen.

After you get through this and become a full demon,

it'll all be fine.

Lord Shu.

He got kicked out.

I told you.

Ridiculous.

I told you.

Don't disturb us.

Lord Shu.

A guest wants to bathe in the hot spring,

so I wanted to go and ask you.

He can come another day.

But…

That's not appropriate.

Not appropriate?

There's an error in your accounting books.

You've violated the Demon Law.

You're closed from today onwards.

Huh?

You still want to bathe?

No, I don't. What bath? I never take a bath.

You…

Bureau of Mystic Investigations

- Mr. Mei! - Mr. Mei!

Step back!

- Mr. Mei! - Mr. Mei!

- Stop pushing! - Stop pushing!

Step back!

Stop pushing.

- Stop pushing! - Step back.

Mr. Mei! Mr. Mei!

- He's out! - He's coming out!

The county selects outstanding officers, and our prefecture recognizes talent.

Today, Mr. Mei Zhuyu of the Bureau of Mystic Investigations deserves merit

for solving a case for us.

He has been recommended

to become the commander of the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

He shall lead the bureau

to solve cases for our people

and protect our city.

The former commander, Xu Luan,

has reached an old age now,

making it difficult for him to serve the bureau.

He is permitted to return to his hometown, Yongzhou,

where he will be appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou.

He shall lead the scholars of Yongzhou

and promote the talent there,

bearing in mind the expectations of the Imperial Court.

Mr. Mei has been promoted!

He went through a lot to get this.

Congratulations!

Congratulations, Mr. Mei!

- Congratulations. - That's right.

Mr. Mei got promoted.

Everything is in Order

Commander Mei, you're young yet so accomplished!

Everything is in Order

- Let's go. - What's wrong?

- Commander Mei. - Commander Mei.

Commander Xu has accumulated so much junk in the bureau over the years.

He's busy packing up now.

If he sees us, he might ask for our help.

You're right.

We don't have time for that.

Hmm.

You're indeed a commander now.

You've learned to read the room.

Putting aside work, on a personal level,

I've indeed done you wrong.

Never mind.

I know you recommended for Minister Liu

to appoint me as the Governor of Yongzhou.

To be fair,

you didn't do me wrong.

To be honest,

that day, I came up with countless insults for you.

But when I calmed down and thought about it,

you didn't do anything wrong.

I've been in charge of the bureau for years.

Indeed, I didn't accomplish much.

I know very well

how others scold me behind my back.

I don't care anyway.

Put it there.

You, on the other hand,

you're young.

You're talented

and determined to serve the people.

It's indeed a waste for you

to be stuck in the record library.

I'm simply fulfilling my duty.

Duty?

It's easier said than done.

But when you actually try to do it…

When I was young, I was selected to work in Chang'an

as a top scholar.

I was full of ambition.

I wanted to do my duty for the country and the people.

But look at what happened.

I ended up with a bad reputation.

Eighteen years ago,

when the Heavenly Fire Disaster happened,

you were still young then.

You probably didn't see it.

It was truly what you'd call misery.

I investigated the case with my best friend.

We were from the same hometown,

and we were also classmates.

We both served as officials in Chang'an.

He solemnly told me

that the case was strange

and warned me not to get too involved.

Otherwise, our lives would be in danger.

I only found out later

that Chang'an…

is haunted.

Haunted?

Heaven's Way Unfolds in Profound Silence

Back then,

I marked all the places in Chang'an with reported mysterious cases

on this map.

I swore

I would solve all these cases one day.

Mingjian Ward

But I gradually understood…

that Chang'an is not a simple place.

It's filled with danger that outsiders wouldn't understand.

Even the famous Changxi Palace

from a hundred years ago disappeared.

How can mortals like us solve mysterious cases

or fight any demons?

I'm not making excuses.

This thing is too heavy.

I can't take it with me.

I'll give it to you as a memento.

It's yours now.

It's the first of the month.

Didn't you want to enter the palace before?

Well, Commander Mei, I wish

that everything goes your way.

Don't forget your original aspiration.

Listen to the Voices Below Even From High Above

What are you looking for?

I'm Mei Zhuyu of the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

May I ask who you are?

The Case Chamber is established in the palace.

To make it easier to administer, female officials were appointed here.

So you're an official here.

So I guess you are

Mei Zhuyu, the new commander of the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

May I ask what you're looking for?

When I was organizing the bureau's case files,

I realized one is missing.

I heard from Xu Luan, the former commander,

that it was transferred to the palace

and stored here temporarily.

So I'm here to look for it.

This Case Chamber houses a myriad of scrolls.

If you want to find a case,

why don't you ask an official here to help you find it?

That would save you time.

There are still unsolved past cases in the bureau.

Besides this case,

I'd like to look into other records.

Rather than troubling others, I'll do it myself.

I don't get it.

If it's a cold case from the past, why investigate it again?

It's only one missing case.

You're the new commander.

Was it necessary to come all the way here to look for it?

Is there no important work

for the Bureau of Mystic Investigations to do?

Noble Consort Mei.

Lady Wu Zhen, have you heard the news too?

What news?

Aren't you going to the Case Chamber?

I just played chess with His Majesty.

What's wrong?

My cousin Mei Zhuyu is in the palace.

I heard that Her Majesty has rushed to the Case Chamber

to meet him.

What is she up to now?

She's so fierce.

He might not be able to handle her.

Listen to the Voices Below Even From High Above

The duty of a commander is to serve the people.

The Bureau of Mystic Investigations was established

to solve mysteries and cases

so we can protect the people and bring peace to the world.

As the Commander of the Bureau, looking for clues, solving cold cases,

promoting justice, and eradicating evil is my duty.

Besides, past unsolved cases may not be unrelated to today's cases.

The mystery behind bizarre cases is often illogical,

but there's always a reason.

Perhaps the key to a case today

could be in something from the past.

As people say, use history like a mirror to understand success and failure.

Use history as a mirror.

Well said.

I didn't know

we had a young official like you in Chang'an.

Hearing your ideology,

it's a shame for you to be stuck in such a minor bureau.

I have some influence

in the palace.

I'm willing to help you

get promoted to a good post.

Since I'm an official,

no matter where I work, I'll do my best.

I'm an official no matter where I am. There's no shame in that.

Well, I…

uh…

I was narrow-minded for saying that.

It's my first time seeing you admit your mistake.

Why are you so rude?

Your Majesty.

It's my fault for not disciplining my cousin.

He offended Your Majesty.

It's fine.

He didn't know.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Greetings, Noble Consort Mei.

Greetings, County Princess Qinghe.

You don't seem nervous to see me.

Perhaps it's because I talked to you for a while.

Indeed, I don't feel nervous.

I didn't expect you to be so eloquent.

You've been in Chang'an for some time, but I never summoned you to the palace.

It's my fault.

When you're free in the future, you can come to the palace and talk to me.

Look at you.

Why did you come today?

I missed you.

You missed me?

Did His Majesty ask you to play tiles

or pitch-pot with him?

It was chess.

We only played for a while.

All right.

Go and see Yuanzhen.

She has been feeling weak lately.

She's bored in the palace.

She keeps talking about you.

All right.

Yuanzhen will be happy to see me.

I'll take him with me, then.

Listen to the Voices Below Even From High Above

Your cousin is an interesting fellow.

Every word he said was so precious.

He understands the purpose of the Bureau of Mystic Investigations

very well.

His attitude is also unwavering.

He's a good kid indeed.

Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty.

Zhen'er made the right choice this time.

Aren't you going to see Princess Yuanzhen? You don't need to see me off.

I'm not seeing you off. You're seeing me off.

I'm here.

Xiaotong, the flowers are like this again.

What's going on?

Don't touch it.

What's wrong?

Your Highness.

Look at this flower.

Your Highness.

Is this blood?

It's just flower juice.

It just looks strange.

Who's been taking care of the flowers?

I'm here to keep you company.

- Are you still in pain today? - Wait.

Look, what's that?

What?

A woman?

Translated by Chloe Chow