Original subtitles

"One's Remaining Years" by Li Jian

♫ As flowers will bloom and wither ♫

♫ May we pass by the magnificent scenery ♫

♫ Contemplating the vastness of Heaven and Earth ♫

♫ Could it be both of us are filled with desolation? ♫

♫ As flowers bloom and wither ♫

♫ May we lead such a life ♫

♫ Contemplating the vastness of Heaven and Earth ♫

♫ Turning back again, you and I ♫

♫ Let's seize the current moment ♫

♫ The weather is warm and nice today ♫

♫ Let's go together ♫

♫ Even if the snowstorm is ahead of us ♫

♫ Even if the snowstorm is ahead of us ♫

♫ And dyes our hair white ♫

♫ And dyes our hair white ♫

[Joy of Life Season 2]

[Adapted from Mao Ni's Joy of Life on Yuewen Group's Qidian platform]

[Episode 36]

If you do this without his permission,

I fear Imperial Father will be furious.

If you want to get things done, you shouldn't be indecisive.

I don't think this path will turn out well.

But I will pretend I know nothing and heard nothing about it.

I especially won't secretly report to Imperial Father.

Thank you.

But I really don't think it's a good idea.

- What about you? - Me neither.

You don't think it's a good idea either?

No, I don't.

Superficially, it seems to harm the imperial family and benefit the populace.

He's a member of the imperial family, it's understandable he doesn't agree with it.

But why do you think the same, too?

To be honest, I don't quite understand what you have said

but I believe the choice you made must be right, Master.

Then why do you disagree?

It doesn't really matter what is right or wrong in this world.

The path you choose will affect many people's interests.

I'm worried you will make enemies down the road and many obstacles might await you.

People always say that right and wrong aren't important.

But if people always carry this thought and no one tries to make a change,

incidents like the fires in the Three Great Workshops and Shijia Town will never cease.

Master, though I disagree with this path,

I'm willing to accompany you even if I will be burned to ashes.

I won't regret it.

I think the same as Senior Brother.

Is that really what you think?

I knew you were crazy. But I didn't expect you to be this crazy.

You are even dragging the prince along with you.

You were eavesdropping on us?

I didn't mean to.

Master, we will take our leave.

Let's leave. We haven't played chess yet.

Sit.

Why? What's the matter?

Just checking on you. I'm worried Yun Zhilan might come back again.

- Thanks. - Don't mention it.

If you take the path you mentioned, I'm afraid there will be hundreds wanting to kill you.

Yun Zhilan isn't important anymore.

That's why I would like you to stay here for a few more days.

With your skills, except for grandmasters, other level-nine masters won't be able to kill you.

After the assassination attempt at the Hanging Temple, my Qi flow burst the meridians and scattered across my body.

It hasn't recovered until now. So I need you.

Finally, you are admitting this.

I never wanted to hide it.

It was a different case in your letter, though.

Well, the letter can be read by many people.

There are things I can only tell you face-to-face.

Why didn't you hide it from me?

I feel sorry.

Why is that so?

You are my friend.

We only met a few times.

You never know. Wondrous things happen between people.

Some you know for life can only be no more than an acquaintance.

For some whom you briefly meet, you would entrust your life to them.

You probably think this is sentimental.

I have encountered many people in my life,

but only a few can be considered friends.

You are one of them.

This is indeed sentimental.

I think so, too. I won't say anymore.

So you wanted The Way of Heaven Manual to recultivate your Qi?

I'm grasping at anything.

Bring that over.

What are you doing?

Grind ink.

Keep on. Don't stop.

[The Way of Heaven Manual]

What did you change?

Master did something to it.

Is this manual fake?

Not entirely. Most of it is real.

Only a few parts are altered.

What would happen to me if I followed the altered one?

You could regain your Qi but wouldn't reach level nine.

You might even become an idiot if accidents happen.

- Evil! Didn't Ku He say this was given by my mother? - It is.

How could he return an altered version to the owner?

After all, you are an important official of the Qing Empire. Please understand.

- Hold on. You knew about this. - Of course.

Why didn't you warn me?

Trust goes both ways.

I wouldn't dare be frank with you if you weren't honest.

You figured that something was wrong with my Qi flow.

You wrote to ask for the manual. Even a fool would figure that you are in trouble.

If you hid the truth from me and became an idiot, blame yourself.

Do you have to be so ruthless?

Given our identities, being friends is beyond us.

How are you going to explain to Ku He if you change this back?

I don't have to explain anything. Disciples don't always follow the master's order.

I really appreciate it. There are more good folks in the world.

How sentimental.

- Give me the brush. - Why?

I will draw some paintings for you.

What paintings?

The Dominant Qi manual I gave you earlier...

was missing some paintings.

If you force the cultivation, you might bleed from every orifice.

When can this world be less deceitful?

Same for you. Let's try to be kind.

Official Fan, look who's here.

I, Deng Ziyue, of the Inspection and Control Bureau First Division, greet you, Inspector.

Old Deng, we have known each other for a long time. There's no need for that.

- Come on and sit. - We should observe formalities.

Brother Qinian.

Where is your mustache?

Well, Official Fan ordered me to investigate the Ming family in Jiangnan.

Since this is an undercover mission, I thought I’d need a complete disguise.

Here. Have some water.

Thank you, Brother Qinian.

Let's get to business.

As per your order, I disguised myself as a refugee and went to Jiangnan.

The Ming family recruited me as expected.

However, they were very suspicious.

I was working tirelessly in the first month.

I suppose they were investigating my identity.

The First Division and Fourth Division crafted this identity for you.

It should be flawless, right?

Indeed. By the second month, their guard loosened.

I had an opportunity and showed them my skills in accounting.

Hence, they began to accept me.

Finally, I entered the Three Great Workshops.

So, the Three Great Workshops still exist.

Of course.

Official Fan, the Ming family has secretly transferred the Three Great Workshops,

the managers and builders out of the city long ago.

I knew they swapped it.

So many innocent lives were lost.

Official Fan, look at this.

[20 li southwest of Hangzhou City] The latest location of the warehouse.

Official Fan, I reckon

the Ming family has committed the worst sin by setting the fire and killing the people.

They must be punished.

The Ming family must be punished, but not now.

The Ming family isn't our only concern for now,

but also more importantly the peace of Jiangnan for the future decades.

Official Fan, what should I do next?

Did anyone notice you when you left the warehouse?

Head back now and pretend nothing happened.

Since you have already gone undercover,

continue to conceal yourself.

We don't know what variables will await the Three Great Workshops.

As you command, Official Fan.

Brother Qinian, please protect Official Fan.

Don't worry.

Old Deng, you ought to keep yourself safe.

You may go.

No need to send me off.

Did Shadow turn up afterward?

After his fight with Yun Zhilan,

he is nowhere to be seen.

Never mind him, then.

Tomorrow, we are leaving the city to reclaim the Three Great Workshops.

You see, your Qi is gone. Right?

I can only run.

Why don't we bring Miss Duoduo along?

No. She is the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi.

If she is there when I reclaim the Three Great Workshops,

people might make a fuss about it.

Old Wang, we can only rely on ourselves when it really comes down to it.

As you say.

Fan Xian left the city on horseback?

The news just came in.

The direction they are heading is the current warehouse of the Three Great Workshops.

The location of the warehouse should have been highly confidential.

Someone must have leaked the information.

Only the two of them left the city?

Initially.

- There are cavalries, too? - It's the Black Knights of the Inspection and Control Bureau.

Didn't Xie Bi'an guarantee

Fan Xian's death in two days?

Two days are up.

Even Yun Zhilan failed.

Who else could kill Fan Xian?

Yun Zhilan isn't a grandmaster.

A grandmaster is stepping in?

That's why Li Yunrui personally invited the grandmaster.

There are four grandmasters.

Which one...

is involved?

Official Shadow.

I thought you would keep avoiding me.

We will deal with that later. You should go back now.

We can't go back now.

We are getting close to the Three Great Workshops.

Ye Liuyun is heading to Suzhou now.

Ku He is in Northern Qi,

while Sigu Jian doesn't want to meddle.

Only one person is left.

Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun is a grandmaster of the Qing Empire.

Why would he attack someone on his side?

After the assassination attempt at the Hanging Temple, the Ye family was expelled from the capital.

It had nothing to do with Official Fan. That was His Majesty's order.

Right. Ye Liuyun is taking revenge against the imperial family.

Official Fan, why don’t we go back to the city?

Ye Liuyun won't attack us with many people around. Right?

If not, let's take a ship and leave Jiangnan.

The grandmaster's strength is far above ordinary people's.

Those behind you will be unable to stop him.

If I were to go back to the city now, the Ming family would transfer the Three Great Workshops again.

If they learn from this lesson, they will dismantle the Three Great Workshops and scatter them across Jiangnan.

Which means if I want to reclaim the Three Great Workshops,

I have to act fast. And now is the only chance.

But who will handle Ye Liuyun?

How soon will he arrive?

He is still far away from here.

But with a grandmaster's skill, it will only take a few hours.

It's my mother's property, I want to reclaim it.

Official Fan, I should've asked for a higher salary.

You are seeking death!

- Who are they? - Be careful.

Over here.

I got it.

Don't move! Stop!

- Don't move! Everyone stops! - Stop!

- Don't move! - Stop what you are doing!

You go over there.

Who's out there? Who are those people?

Come with me.

Come on.

Where are they?

What people? Where are they?

They are at the entrance.

- What's the matter? - Move.

- Move. - Hurry up.

Come on. Quick.

Don't move!

Don't move!

- Nobody moves. - Don't move.

Stay still first, everyone. Put it down.

You... Who are you?

This is the private property of the Ming family.

How dare you trespass by riding horses! Have you no respect for the law?

How dare you ignore the law!

What did you just say? I don't quite follow.

What is this place?

I made it very clear. This is the property of the Ming family.

Old Wang.

Imperial Treasury Transportation Bureau Case.

Are you Xiao Jing, manager of the Imperial Treasury Transportation Bureau's First Workshop?

Yes, that’s me.

This records all your crimes

from the first year of the Qing Empire until now.

What? You are imposing crimes I didn't do.

Just shut up and listen.

In the third month of the second year of the Qing Empire, Xiao Jing concealed the death cases of the copper mining accident

and embezzled the subsidies of the dead for five years.

The total is 13,700 taels.

On the ninth day of the seventh month of the fourth year of the Qing Empire,

Xiao Jing bribed the chief clerk of Suzhou

and procured 700 mu of a fine crop field at an extremely low price.

In the first month of the sixth year of the Qing Empire,

following the leadership of Xiao Jing, the other two managers

and other treasurers resulted in the Three Great Workshops owing workers over ten thousand taels in unpaid wages.

- This caused a commotion that resulted in 14 deaths and more than 50 injuries. - You!

Embezzlement subsidies of the dead and bribery are negotiable.

But death cases are unforgivable.

According to the Qing Empire's law, you should be executed.

How could you convict me without evidence?

This is the statement and evidence. Read it yourself.

[Statement]

If you want to convict me, take it to the court...

The Inspection and Control Bureau's inspector has a duty for judgment and execution.

With the witnesses and conclusive evidence,

criminals are to be executed according to the law. No trial is needed.

Can anyone tell me

what place this is?

Manager Xiao is dead.

The Inspection and Control Bureau is as rumored.

Sir, this is... this is...

The personal property of the Ming family.

Are you Ma Xiongjian, manager of the Imperial Treasury Transportation Bureau's Second Workshop?

Yes, that's me.

Listen carefully.

Ever since you began your service, out of your twelve concubines,

nine were abducted, and two were widows

whose husbands you killed.

In addition, the riot in the sixth year of the Qing Empire was planned by Ma Xiongjian and Xiao Jing.

According to the Qing Empire's law, you should face concurrent sentences of execution.

Sir! Sir, please spare my life!

Sir, please spare my life! I won't do that again!

Sir, please spare me! Sir!

Execute him.

Everyone, listen carefully.

I just arrived in Jiangnan, but that doesn't mean I know nothing.

Nothing in this world can be hidden from the Inspection and Control Bureau.

There is another chief clerk with the surname Hu. Where is he?

Here. I'm here.

I, Hu Jinlin, manager of the Third Workshop, greet Young Official Fan.

Manager Hu, right?

Can you tell me what place is this?

Answer me!

Official Fan, this is the Three Great Workshops' warehouse of the Imperial Treasury.

All goods of the Transportation Bureau are stored here temporarily.

I see. This is the Three Great Workshops.

Yes, the Three Great Workshops.

[Ming]

Inspector Fan Xian of the Inspection and Control Bureau takes over the Three Great Workshops under the imperial decree.

His Majesty sent me for this duty.

Everyone, do you have any objections?

Do you have any?

Official Fan, you are acting according to the imperial decree.

The Imperial Treasury Three Great Workshops will hand over control as decreed.

Count yourself lucky that you didn't kill people.

Are there any iron smelting tools in the Three Great Workshops?

Yes. They are all gathered in a warehouse.

- Show me the way. - Yes.

Move aside. Move!

Move!

Official Fan.

Fan Xian entered the warehouse and hasn't come out since then?

Yes. The door is closed.

But they heard the sound of hammering iron and furnace burning.

But they can't figure out what he is doing inside.

It's fine anyway.

Even if the Three Great Workshops are surrendered, as long as Ye Liuyun takes action,

Fan Xian will die.

What if he doesn't?

The person he is against is a grandmaster.

You are the head of the family.

You should know this.

Do not lay hope on others.

What will happen if Fan Xian doesn't die?

The entire Ming family will be executed for competing for the Three Great Workshops.

Who says it's the Ming family?

Right. The Ming family is a victim.

Someone betrayed the family.

If that's the case, even if we adopt another kin,

I'm afraid we can't withstand a serious crime like this.

You have lots of biological brothers.

You can sacrifice them one by one!

Calm down, Mother.

Whether they are to be sacrificed one by one or all together depends on you.

However, be that as it may,

we can't withstand the charge.

That's easy.

Between you and me, one will be chosen as a sacrifice.

Needless to say, it will be me.

No matter how much I cherish my life,

I'm still human.

How could I sacrifice my compassionate and charitable mother?

My good son.

Don't make the choice just yet.

We will see if Fan Xian survives.

Mother, you are right.

But this time, Fan Xian...

will have to die.

It has been quite a while. I don't understand.

How can he manage to create a powerful weapon to counter a grandmaster in such a short time?

Official Fan.

Black Knights, heed my command! Defend the Three Great Workshops. Without my order, no one is allowed in.

Yes!

Has Ye Liuyun arrived?

Are you that eager? He's almost here.

I will go and welcome him.

Sir!

Sir.

I have never seen someone rush to welcome a grandmaster.

Official Fan is not just anyone.

You are actually complimenting him? Are you insane?

Being insane once in a while can be quite thrilling.

Sir, wait for me!

They are insane.

Waiter, a pot of tea.

Official Shadow?

You came here, too.

One should participate in the fun.

If you don't know what to say, then don't speak.

I'm nervous. I have to say something.

Official Fan, do I have time to go to the loo now?

I don't think so.

What's wrong?

What's wrong with the horse?

Ye Liuyun is here.

♫ The bloom of waves are momentary ♫

♫ Compared to a millennia-old rock ♫

Don't follow me. I will handle it myself.

Going alone is suicidal.

♫ There is no difference ♫

Well. If you die, I will collect your body.

Collect what body?

If I really die, there won't be any remains.

Sir.

♫ Just like a drifting cloud ♫

Old Wang, you are always smart.

You can run fast.

If anything happens later, don't do something foolish.

Official Fan.

What does that mean?

I might not defeat grandmasters even with this?

Exactly.

Grandmasters are human.

How can they possibly dodge such an advanced weapon?

Grandmasters aren't held back by usual limitations.

Doesn't that make them monsters?

♫ Compared to a millennia-old rock ♫

What's going on?

Over there.

It's coming.

Amazing.

[Ye Liuyun, grandmaster]

[Ye Liuyun, grandmaster] Fan Xian.

Greetings, Sir Ye.

I owe someone a favor.

I won't kill you if you leave Jiangnan.

Sorry, I don't really take advice.

What were you looking at just now?

A powerful weapon.

Why aren't you using that?

I thought to myself and figured that I didn't need it.

How so?

You won't kill me.

I gather you are known for your Drifting Cloud Hand Techniques.

Swords can kill faster.

Why won't I kill you?

Because you don't dare to.

In this entire world, only someone ruthless like Sigu Jian

dares kill me.

Are you sure?

The Ye family is ousted from the capital, but it still stands

and hasn't collapsed yet.

If you really kill me, the Ye family will fall apart.

So this gives you confidence?

You are like a drifting cloud in the sky.

Without constraints.

But after so many years, you have left an attachment down here,

which still makes you human.

And so, you are attached.

The bloom of waves are momentary but they are no different from a millennia-old rock.

So it is with you, Sir Ye.

Who told you I care about the Ye family?

What was that?

Continue to eat the dishes.

Sir Ye, I win the bet.

You are a grandmaster, but you are still human.

You are a bold gambler. You are insane.

I wonder who you take after.

Thank you, Sir Ye.

Just this one time. It won't happen again.

I thank you for showing me

that even a grandmaster can still be human.

In my life, I pursue politics and martial arts.

If both of them lose humanity in the end,

it's pointless for me.

You are so different from your mother.

You are sentimental.

You knew her?

She was not like you.

Smart.

But not too smart.

What does that mean?

I'm human,

but that doesn't mean other grandmasters see themselves in the same way.

final credits

Chief Segmenter: bjohnsonwong

Segmenters: maria_lavendula_77, nmelova, primulad, porkypine, nazsaria, nduta, ruth_fdz, swk_367, baepsae29, grace_g, bjohnsonwong.

Chief Editor: kakashiandme

Translation Editors: shaldane168 & xiaofengcanyue

General Editor: rajv

Many thanks to all our language moderators, their editors and subtitlers.

Official Fan, everything is over. Right?

We won.

How did you know he wouldn't kill you?

I bet my life on that.

Congrats. You won.

One more question.

Since he didn't kill you, why did he wield the sword?

To show the capital.

The Ye family was exiled, which upset him.

He expressed his attitude with that slash.

But when he wielded it at me, I felt an earthquake.

At that moment, I thought I was dead.

Unexpectedly, he just cut my hair.

- What is this happening? - Why?

What... What is going on? [Gathering Ten Thousand Auspicious Clouds]

Splitting a building with a slash.

That's what a grandmaster can do.

Grandmasters are truly not human.

It sounds like an insult.

[Gathering Ten Thousand Auspicious Clouds]

You said that wrong.

Actually, they are still human.

Do you think there would be a day when we can do that?

I might.

What about me?

Young Official Fan, only if your Qi recovers.

I'm back.

[End of This Season]

It's not over yet.

Don't tell me I have to wait for years again for the end.

Library is closing.

Please take your personal items and exit in an orderly manner.

Shadow hurt Fan Xian so badly, and he's not doing anything?

What about Yuan Meng? Lives were killed because of her.

What exactly is the relationship between Emperor Qing and the Divine Temple?

[May all the endurance be worthwhile. May hardships not diminish your spirit] Can you please hurry up with the ending?

[Fan Xian chose a path without compromises. We hope the same for you.]

[Having you follow this journey has been a joy in life. See you in Season 3.]

Translation and Timing by the Joy of Life 2 Team @ Viki.com

"Excuse Me" by Zhou Shen

♫ The young man raises his face as he moves towards the moon ♫

♫ They tease him for his arrogance. How can they be so different? ♫

♫ Wearing a white robe when crossing a muddy pond ♫

♫ How can it remain unstained? ♫

♫ As long as a silver tael has a price, who can still be truly carefree? ♫

♫ You are all correct ♫

♫ He said to please make way. ♫

♫ Let me get drunk ♫

♫ and leisurely recite a few chapters of poems ♫

♫ Let me wear a white robe and cross the alley of insanity ♫

♫ to catch the moonlight in the muddy pond ♫

♫ Sir, I hope you will forgive me ♫

♫ Your words of advice, I understand but I don't want to pretend ♫

♫ Everyone searches for prosperous towns while I search for the moon ♫

♫ Why should we travel together? ♫

♫ I apologize ♫

♫ Excuse me ♫

♫ You are you. I am me ♫

♫ I apologize ♫

♫ Excuse me ♫

♫ You are you. I am me ♫

♫ Wearing a white robe when crossing a muddy pond ♫

♫ Remarkably worldly-wise yet hopelessly romantic ♫

♫ Know there's love in your heart ♫

♫ Don't ever change ♫

♫ They have seen light and darkness ♫

♫ And yet retained their innocence ♫

♫ Cloaked in moonlight ♫

♫ They travelled through the night ♫