Original subtitles

Episode 9

I'm here to keep you company.

Are you still in pain today?

Hold up.

Look. What is that?

What?

A woman?

What can I do to help you get better?

I want to talk to you.

It really is a woman.

Let's go.

When did the abnormalities of the camellia tree start?

Half a month ago,

the strange incidents began in the tea garden.

The woman wandered under the tree.

Her body shone brightly.

She whispered against the tree.

She was like a wandering spirit.

When I first saw her, I thought I was seeing things.

But soon, I saw her for the second time.

That's when the strange incident happened.

Strange incident?

Your Highness,

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

It's Princess Yuanzhen's favorite.

It usually grows abundantly.

But this is the first time it has bloomed this year.

We were quite happy at the time.

The princess also rewarded us.

But not long after that,

the camellia tree

started shedding leaves and bleeding.

Even…

even at night,

you could still hear wailing sounds in the garden.

It sounds like a ghost crying.

Wandering ghosts and crying ghosts.

That's all nonsense.

We were surprised too.

However, after examining it carefully,

we couldn't find the cause of the problem.

We don't know what is wrong with the camellia.

It's showing signs of impending death.

If something is amiss, why didn't you report it to the empress?

The princess loves this tree.

She's worried that if the empress finds out about this,

she will order it to be cut down.

So she warned us not to tell anyone about this.

Forget it. You may leave.

Don't tell anyone about this.

Young Master Mei, aren't you busy lately?

Are you not returning to the Bureau of Mystic Investigations?

Since it's a mystical matter,

it's my bureau's business.

We ought to investigate it.

Lady Wu,

aren't you afraid of ghosts?

I am.

Of course, I am.

But if it's a pretty ghost,

it's a different story.

I think I know who she is.

Who is it?

Are you hungry?

This is your reward for slaying the demon two days ago.

I've brought it to you.

I almost forgot about it.

Luckily, you're meticulous.

Lady Hu Zhu, thank you for referring business to me.

I must repay you for this.

There's no need for favors.

Just give me that foxtail pendant.

Is that a Seven-Colored Fox's tail?

I've never seen it before.

Well…

- Well… - What's wrong?

Do you not want to?

No.

I want to say that this is not real. It's not valuable.

Is it not real?

What do you mean?

It's a tassel made from rabbit fur.

It's dyed.

After it's made,

it looks like a fox's tail.

So Seven-Colored Foxtail is its name,

not what it's made of.

So were you so smug just because you caught a rabbit?

I caught a rabbit!

Aren't I amazing?

You're amazing.

I didn't expect you to be so nice to me

after only two encounters.

I've decided.

From now on, you're my best friend.

From now on,

I'll do anything for you as long as you say the word.

That's not necessary.

For Lady Wu and Young Master Mei's sake,

I'll take care of you.

Just because they know each other?

Don't you know?

The two of them…

don't just know each other.

What?

Do you mean those two…

have that kind of relationship?

Anyway, they're not just acquaintances.

I didn't expect it.

Lady Wu seems like a nice person.

She's actually a vixen.

What did you say?

- Huh? - Vixen?

A vixen!

Humph.

Anyway, Zhuyu won't like Lady Wu anyway.

You probably don't know Zhuyu well.

When I started learning martial arts,

I had great strength, but I couldn't master it.

So every day I practiced an unhealthy amount.

Not only during the day,

I even trained hard at night.

My other nine cousins

all thought that I could never master it.

Only Zhuyu didn't say anything.

He just stayed in his study.

He didn't warm up to me.

But he was kind to me.

Until one night,

I was still practicing in the yard.

That was the first time Zhuyu approached me.

He pointed out my faults and helped me improve.

After that night,

he came every day at that hour.

Twenty minutes.

Every day.

Because of his guidance, I was able to enter the sect.

I am very grateful to him.

I had thought he had helped me

because he had a good impression of me

or didn't want me to suffer.

But he later told me not to thank him.

Later on, I found out

that he helped me because I was too noisy

and disturbed his studies.

He helped me enter the sect

so that he could sleep soundly at night.

Did he tell you that?

Zhuyu…

doesn't seem to have a temper.

He's honest and reserved.

But in reality, he's very determined.

No one can change his mind.

If he doesn't wish to speak, no one can force him.

He's actually very hard to please.

Sometimes,

I don't think we're that close.

He always seems so calm and indifferent.

He doesn't get angry or happy.

Isn't there a phrase?

"To have no desires is to be strong."

The fewer worldly desires one has, the less weakness one has.

Therefore, no matter how many qualities Lady Wu has,

Zhuyu will never be interested in her.

Hmm?

Where did you get this?

The Imperial Kitchen.

I stole it.

Lady Wu,

now, can you tell me who that woman in white is?

The court ladies fear ghosts

and love to exaggerate the truth.

It's almost always someone playing tricks.

There are very few people who can walk freely here

in the middle of the night.

It's probably…

a young girl deep in thought at night.

Hmm?

I'm here.

I heard Mother is coming to see me tonight.

So I sneaked out to talk to you.

Princess Yuanzhen

The royal physician prescribed this medicine for me.

But I know

that you're the one who is sick.

But how can I save you?

So it's a white camellia demon.

Why do you keep pushing me away?

I'm all alone.

It's meaningless.

Meaningless?

I'll play with you.

Aunt Zhen, who is he?

Greetings, Your Highness.

He's Noble Consort Mei's cousin, my attendant.

My dear Yuanzhen, what are you doing here?

I'm in a bad mood.

I'm just taking a walk.

Are you in a bad mood?

That's right.

You were scared

by this bloody camellia, right?

I'll have it cut down at once.

No, he's my friend.

You can't cut it down.

This tree has been with me for many years.

I told him everything.

Many years?

You will surely miss it.

Yuanzhen!

What's wrong?

She caught a cold recently.

I'm afraid she's weak.

Please take her back first.

I'll get an imperial physician.

All right.

Come out.

You.

Who are you?

Cat Lord of the Demon Underworld.

Cat Lord of the Demon Underworld?

What is that?

It's not important.

But where did a white camellia demon like you come from?

I've never seen you before.

If you really care about Yuanzhen,

you have to trust me.

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

Years ago, I had cultivated my spirituality.

Later,

by chance,

the princess saved me.

The palace is lonely.

She came here every day

to talk to me about her feelings.

Six months ago,

I slowly started to look like a human.

No wonder the gardener said you only bloomed this year.

It wasn't because of their care.

I thought…

I could bloom flowers for her.

But those days didn't last long.

For half a month,

I've been pestered

by poisonous moths that came out of nowhere.

I know my days are numbered.

I am soon to perish.

Do you know that camellias have another name?

Camellia.

Also known as Decapitated Flower.

Why is it called that?

Most flowers in this world

will drop

one petal at a time.

But only camellia blooms…

at their peak…

will drop whole,

like a decapitated head.

I don't want to let Yuanzhen

see me like this.

But…

but I can't stop her.

Your Highness, you're awake.

Are you feeling unwell?

Why am I back here?

Zhuyu, I have to go back and help him.

Him?

Who do you mean?

Yuanzhen cherishes you so much.

If you die like this,

she'll be so sad.

I won't let her be sad.

It takes 20 years for Ruyi Pavilion to brew a jar

of Thousand-Flower Nectar Wine.

It wasn't easy to steal it.

These bugs are getting off easy.

It smells so good.

That camellia tree is just sick.

You must help him.

Your Highness, do you care deeply about that tree?

He's special to me.

How so?

The palace is so big.

My parents are busy.

The maids are respectful.

He's the only one keeping me company

and listening to me.

Zhuyu,

don't you have anyone you want to keep?

Commander Mei, you have long and fast legs.

How is Yuanzhen?

The imperial doctor said she's fine.

What is this?

Doesn't this look new to you, too?

Why did the poisonous moths fall into the water?

Hmm…

Maybe…

the moths flew into the water.

Moths always fly into fire. Why would they fly into water?

It smells so sweet.

Actually, I accidentally spilled this wine in there just now.

Wine?

When I went to the Imperial Kitchen,

I passed by the Office of Fine Wines and picked it up.

How careless of me.

I didn't even take a sip of this wine.

Many poisonous moths have a sweet tooth.

That's why they often destroy plants and trees.

The sweet aroma in the water has attracted them here.

When their wings get wet, they can't fly.

They can only drown in the water.

I think the moths were the reason the camellia displayed abnormalities.

Lady Wu, you did a good thing.

Young Master Mei, you're so knowledgeable.

All right.

Since there's nothing abnormal about the camellia,

we should leave the palace.

He's just a tree to other people.

But to me, he's my only friend.

He can't speak, but I can feel it.

All these years, he's been by my side,

watching over me.

He's always there when I need him.

Zhuyu, he's different from everyone else.

I want to keep him.

Harbor no ill intent.

Do no sins.

Bear a pure heart.

Be simple and true.

But I'll allow it just this once.

Your Highness, we've arrived.

Thank you for the ride.

Mm.

Young Master.

The path to your house

wasn't like this before, was it?

The road was muddy and uneven, so I had it repaired.

That is a lot of work.

It must have cost a lot.

You're making so many changes so soon after you got promoted.

It has nothing to do with the promotion.

It…

Hmm?

It was a rundown road to begin with.

It should have been repaired long ago.

At least he accepts good advice.

Zhuyu,

why are you just staring at it?

Why did you stop?

The more I read it, the more annoyed I am.

Huh?

The mind is undivided

This thing doesn't work either.

Wu Zi Pavilion

Xiaozhen, this time,

I have to scold you.

I promise it won't happen again.

If you force the white camellia demon back to the Demon Underworld,

it won't keep quiet.

Yuanzhen would be heartbroken.

That's right.

He's the young love that has always been by her side.

No one can compare to him.

That's enough.

Stop putting on an act.

Let's forget about the white camellia demon.

Don't do it again.

Wu Zi Shu,

why did you call me here?

I have to report something to Snake Lord.

My subordinates reported to me a while ago.

They said that a mortal is looking for a book on demons.

I think it's the book written by the White Serpent,

Demonic Oddities

White Serpent?

That name sounds familiar.

Wasn't that Snake Lord's human alias 200 years ago?

Oh.

This book hasn't appeared for almost 200 years.

Yet someone still remembers it.

They have good taste.

But someone suddenly asked about this book.

I'm afraid there's more to it.

What's there to be afraid of?

I'm sure we'll meet when we make a deal.

We'll find out who it is when we get down there.

If he's a Celestial Master looking for trouble,

we can end him.

What if it's a mortal who just wants a book?

Then I'll sign it for him.

What if it's Mei Si?

She runs so fast.

Young Master Mei Si.

So this bookstore

belongs to you, Lord Shu.

Wu Zhen.

Hm.

Lady Liu!

Lady Liu!

Why are you shouting?

I thought you didn't hear me.

- Bravo! - Why are you looking for me?

I've been thinking.

You probably don't believe me because you don't know

about demons.

So I found an ancient book in Chang'an City.

- I want to tell you about it. - I don't need it.

Either way, listen to me.

I heard that this White Serpent

was a famous author of strange tales 200 years ago.

Lady Liu, don't you want to read it?

The White Serpent?

- Who is that? - I've never heard of him.

He's not famous, is he?

White Serpent?

No one is named White Serpent.

He's certainly not famous.

He's quite famous.

These three spices are our bestsellers.

Lady Liu, this Demonic Oddities seems to be about demons.

If you read it carefully,

it contains the sights and sounds from all over the world

and different ways to deal with demons.

It's divided into seven chapters.

The first chapter is about demons, devils, spirits, and monsters.

The next chapter is about heaven, earth, mountains, oceans, and chaos.

There's also a Carefree Chapter.

The most incredible part is

the mountain spirits that White Serpent wrote about.

It's so lifelike.

It's amazing!

Lady Liu,

this Carefree Chapter is my favorite.

It's a story about great demons traveling through the human world.

Not all demons are evil.

They're just like humans.

They have joy and emotions.

And not all demons attack humans.

Of course, we must be wary of demons.

Young Master Mei Si.

Tell me about the scariest passage in this book.

Lady Liu, you're so bold.

The scariest one must be

the Succubus passage.

Hm.

Tell me what is so scary about it.

The Succubus is a kind of monster.

It always appears as a woman.

It has creepy long hair and doesn't show its face.

I heard that the Succubus

likes to silently appear

behind people's backs.

When they least expect it,

she grabs them by the throat.

And her fingers

are like dead branches.

Eh?

It's similar to this.

She grabs them by the throat.

Like this?

Get up.

- Hurry up! - Demon!

Lady Liu, run!

- It's me! - Help!

I'm Ling Xiao.

Mr. Ling Xiao?

Lady Liu is just messing with you.

You're so annoying!

You're so timid.

Save me some pride.

Young Master Mei Si.

After what you did today,

I think I understand what you mean.

But I have to tell you.

I'm not afraid of demons.

And I won't exorcise them.

Spirits and monsters are strange and mysterious.

It's very interesting.

Why should I avoid them?

In that case,

Lady Liu, you're interested in spirits and monsters.

Although you don't like to read,

your drawing skills are the best in Chang'an.

- Tsk. - Compared to you,

my skills truly pale in comparison.

We're so different.

We don't share the same principles.

Don't trouble yourself from now on.

- Ling Xiao. - Huh?

See our guest out.

All right.

No, you're interested in Demonic Oddities.

- Lady Liu, I have much more to tell you. - Let's go.

It's closing time.

White Serpent's stories are spectacular!

Let go of me!

- Lady Liu! - Get going.

Little snake.

I'm going to tie you into a knot.

You!

Are you scared?

Don't you think it's mean to bully Xiaosi?

I know what I'm doing.

Who tricked him into pestering me?

I'm well aware.

I'm the one who did it.

Step aside.

- Come out. - Snake Lord.

Little Kitty, come out!

Why should I? I'm not hiding.

Are you not hiding?

You'll get retribution.

- What retribution? - Let it go, Snake Lord.

It's retribution time.

Tonight, it seems…

we'll get the Heavenly Lightning.

How can this trap me?

You're just a half-human, half-demon little monster.

How can you be the Cat Lord?

What right do you have to lead the Demon Underworld?

That's right.

What right does she have?

Who is it?

Who are you?

Me?

I'm a demon who can help you.

Come here.

Let me out!

Let me out!

Shut up! What's with all the noise?

Stop it!

I don't want to be locked up here!

Let me out!

Let me out!

I don't want to stay here!

"Imprisoned for a hundred years,

escaped from the Demon Prison, and recaptured many times."

Are you Xuan Hui?

You came here quite quickly.

I built this Demon Prison.

Naturally, I know

some tricks about this place.

I know you hate that kitten.

If you can help me get out,

I can help you with this, too.

You'll help me?

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

She was the one who captured me

the last time I escaped.

I have a grudge against her too.

I see.

I do remember something about this.

I've heard about it.

Although you were ordered to repent in the Demon Prison,

you're still an elder of the Hui Faction.

You have good hearing.

As an elder, you have to be cautious.

It's inconvenient for you to do things.

But I'm different.

I don't have to be cautious

if I attack her.

So do you want to work with me?

This prison is very strictly guarded.

I'm afraid there's no way out.

I'm not done yet.

Fortunately, tonight, the two Demon Lords

will use the power of the Heavenly Lightning to destroy an evil creature.

At this moment,

we need to tear a small crack in the barrier

and let the Heavenly Lightning in.

As for me,

I can use the power of the heavenly phenomena

to boost my demonic power.

At that time, I can break down the prison door

and give you a chance to leave.

You were imprisoned for 100 years.

You've escaped

and been recaptured many times.

You must get revenge.

It's a deal.

It's true that I acted on my own accord.

By now, the case file

must have reached the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

Your Majesty.

Xu Luan, the former commander of the Bureau of Mystic Investigations,

was truly bad at his job.

I was very worried.

That's why I advised Your Majesty to take back this case file.

On the other hand,

Mei Zhuyu,

be it in the West Suburb Case

or everything that has happened after he joined the Bureau,

has shown his capabilities.

Your Majesty, this file

has always belonged to the Bureau of Mystic Investigations.

In that case, why not return it to where it belongs?

The Bureau of Mystic Investigations merely has a new leader.

Do you think he can really

take on such an important responsibility?

I think this person is upright and meticulous.

He doesn't seek merits.

He's someone you can trust.

It's been a long time

since I've seen you praise someone so highly.

It seems that your brother-in-law

is really something.

Your Majesty, you're still in the mood for jokes.

I'm just saying.

Mr. Mei is right.

Past unsolved cases

might be related to today's case.

If that Heavenly Fire 18 years ago

truly was abnormal, we should face it.

If we just avoid it like Xu Luan did,

how can we resolve this matter and keep the world safe?

So Your Majesty has the same idea.

I just haven't made up my mind.

I'm indecisive.

Fortunately, you made a quick decision.

Actually, I also want to know

if there really is a demon hiding in Chang'an City.

Is there really…

another world

that we don't know about?

Boss, the protective formation is ready.

Translated by Renee Luk