Original subtitles

♪The top of the mountains where the snow never melts♪

♪The plains where the wind blows♪

♪What find me in my sleep♪

♪Are the nightmares about you♪

♪In the endless abyss♪

♪Your face gradually emerges♪

♪A love that budded unknowingly to us♪

♪Continues to grow and blossom♪

♪Who risked his life♪

♪For mine?♪

♪I had braced myself for the end♪

♪But my heart frets for you♪

♪It turns out there is an end♪

♪To my waiting for you♪

♪At the hills where the grasslands end♪

♪Where it will always be spring♪

♪I find the boundless river of stars♪

♪In your eyes♪

♪Only with your hand in mine♪

♪Is this life worthwhile♪

[SHINING Just for You]

[Episode 17]

But there have been words going around the court

saying that while Bai Lu is proficient in astrology

and competent in her work,

Your Majesty's fondness for her

has exceeded that of an emperor and a subject.

If Your Majesty favors her romantically,

perhaps you should make her part of your harem

to prevent the officials from speculating

and risk damaging your reputation.

Who is saying

such things?

We all share the same thought.

You shouldn't delve too much into it.

You're the first one to make speculations, Fan Ruhui.

I merely share the same concern.

Bai Lu will not enter the harem.

I just want to treat her kindly.

Is there a problem?

Come on.

Have a seat.

You sit when I tell you to.

Ruhui.

If I don't trust you,

I wouldn't ask you to handle the royal court.

And I wouldn't ask you to look after Tianqi,

look after my back,

during my tour of inspection.

You

should focus on the royal court.

Don't overthink.

And don't ever think that my preference for Bai Lu

will pose a threat to your position.

I don't even need to use Bai Lu

if I truly want to get rid of you.

You're a wise ruler, Your Majesty.

I dare not deceive you.

I am wary of Bai Lu

because my son, Fan Zheng, is on bad terms with Bai Lu.

As a father, I wish to protect my son.

I'm worried that if Bai Lu earns your favor,

she will exact vengeance on my son.

I see.

No need to confess.

I do not want to know or hear

what you are doing.

Just remember one thing.

Every decision I make

comes with a reason.

Every man I use also comes with a reason.

Stop speculating about what is on my mind.

If it's rightfully yours, I will give it to you without any hesitation.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Here, please, Gu.

Gu.

Do you remember I told you

that when I go on the inspection tour,

I would need you to take care of my friend?

Right.

Where is he?

Have a seat.

Okay.

Gu.

Have some tea.

Give me a moment.

All right.

Gu.

Please take care of my friend here.

He...

He...

Greetings, Mr. Gu.

Wait... How did he become like this?

Bring him with you

and he'll explain how.

Wait.

It's such a huge mirror.

Do I...

Carry it back home?

Oh, dear.

I wasn't thinking straight.

Here.

Take this with you.

He can appear in any mirror.

Does he need to be fed?

No.

No need to waste your resources.

However,

he can be quite talkative.

Just talk to him when you're free.

Nice to meet you.

I am Gu Wangran.

Don't call me Mr. Gu.

Just call me Gu

like Miss Ye does here.

To be able to learn from you in person

is such an honor.

Learn from me?

I don't know either.

He is arrogant toward me

and usually ignores me.

But he's very docile

when he sees you today.

He's putting on an act.

He must be putting on an act.

No, you!

See?

That's his normal self there.

Mr. Gu...

Be patience. There's enough for everyone.

Take this.

Give it to me.

Mother, she took my food!

Thank you.

Lang.

Here.

Be careful.

Thank you.

How can your daughter steal someone's food?

Everyone knows it anyway.

You're lucky

because the Yuezhou Army is taking care of you.

Indeed.

Right.

Exactly.

They look after you.

Not like us.

Some people were born lucky.

Those unlucky ones are either dead on the battlefield

or during the exodus.

They can't even ask for food.

Stop gawking. Shoo.

Move along now.

All right. I'll distribute the food again.

Let's go.

Let's continue rationing.

Give me some food already if you have the time to gawk.

Mother.

Don't cry.

I won't eat as much.

Thank you so much.

Sang Dan.

Su can bring Lang to my home.

I still have food.

Next!

Lang, come with me.

Okay.

Sang Dan.

Don't take it to heart.

Fate has willed it so that General Cheng

takes care of you and your son.

No need to compete with others for food.

Did you two find

any food or fruits out there?

The soil here is fertile,

but it's too remote.

We only found kugu here.

It's a plant like this.

They are everywhere,

but even the horses won't eat them.

If they could serve as fodder,

we could at least trade them with the Heluo Clan in Wanzhou

for some food.

We can cultivate crops,

and we should have food by autumn.

But the surplus

won't last the entire winter.

[Tianqi City]

(They say only a wise emperor will ride with a capable minister.)

(This...)

(This is not right.)

(His Majesty ordained it.)

(Isn't Director Bai a capable minister?)

It's getting bumpy.

I bet we're

at Liaoyang, Zhongzhou now.

Your Majesty,

I have a question.

Why didn't we take

the proper path,

and instead, we took the mountainous one?

What do you mean by the proper path?

As in the shortest path.

There is no shortcut

in this world.

How eccentric.

Protectorate General.

[Liaoyang, Zhongzhou] Great Steward Fan wrote

and said His Majesty

is aware that people in Zhongzhou are subjected to intense forced labor.

He accused you of labor exploitation.

If we do not launch a counterattack now,

we will face serious trouble.

Protectorate General.

No.

Your Majesty.

Let's revolt.

Let's revolt.

Uncle,

I do not think

that we should act recklessly now.

[Cai Chen, Son of Cai Can's Second Brother]

Fan Ruhui

is getting more powerful by the day.

We do not yet know

what his goal is.

Uncle.

We need to remain calm.

Where is

the Zhongzhou Army?

Your Majesty.

Our 30,000 troops are stationed

outside the city.

Another 30,000 have also been mobilized

and are coming from Ju City.

What?

Who said you could act on your own?

We have 60,000 soldiers.

Fan Ruhui mentioned in his letter

that Yu Xiuming only brought 2,000 imperial soldiers with him.

He won't be able to defeat us even if he receives help

from a Truth Master.

We are willing to serve you, Your Majesty.

Reclaim what is rightfully Cai's.

We will serve Your Majesty

and unify the world.

We will serve Your Majesty

and unify the world.

Everyone here thinks we have the victory.

But

the Emperor's military tactic is secretive, to say the least.

Who knows if he has any backup plan?

Cai Chen

is right.

Once our army enters Zhenxia Mountain

and severs

all ingresses,

then it's either he dies

or I die.

My life is yours, Your Majesty.

Old Master.

I just received the news

that Cai Can has asked his subordinates

to assemble the army.

I suppose they are on the move now.

Tell your people to get rid of all traces.

Don't let anyone find out we sent a letter to Cai Can.

Don't worry, Old Master.

[Temporary Palace]

I am Cai Chen, Director of Chuzhou under Zhongzhou's jurisdiction.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Where is Cai Can?

Allow me to apologize

on behalf of the Protectorate General of Zhongzhou.

Zhongzhou is rife with bandits.

In case they threaten Your Majesty's safety,

he is now leading an army to raid their hideout.

He thus relegated the reception to me.

Rife with bandits?

And why is that?

At ease.

Thanks, Your Majesty.

You are

Cai Can's nephew?

Yes, I am Cai Chen.

My father is Cai Can's second brother.

I remember you.

I have read your memorandum.

The Cangjin Jade Mine in Jiuyu Mountain.

It was you who found it, wasn't it?

It's just a trivial matter.

I am surprised to hear that you still remember it.

Your Majesty, it's getting late.

Zhongzhou Protectorate and Liaoyang ministers

are organizing a reception banquet for Your Majesty.

On behalf of the Protectorate General, I would like to invite you cordially.

I don't think

it's Cai Can's handwriting.

Your Majesty,

the Protectorate General asked me to write it.

All right now.

No need to coddle me.

I know

Cai Can doesn't have this level of mindfulness.

If a banquet has been held,

I shall attend it.

But

please remind your uncle

that Zhongzhou has been owing the royal court its annual tribute.

And don't

beg Fan Ruhui for mercy this time around.

Of course.

[Temporary Palace]

The Zhongzhou Protectorate

and Liaoyang ministers have prepared a simple banquet to welcome Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

I came

because I miss home.

I know Zhongzhou is proud of its picturesque nature,

but I

do not intend to stay here for long.

I shall leave tomorrow.

Noted.

All right.

At ease.

Thanks, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, your southbound trip

will bring honor to your hometown.

Allow me

to propose a toast to you.

May your governance last for an eternity.

Come.

Bring them here.

Yes, sir.

Your Majesty.

A souvenir for you

from the officials in Zhongzhou.

They are a brush, inkstone, and a book box

made from the Cangjin Jade in Jiuyu Mountain.

They say documents kept in jade containers like these

can last for a millennium.

Do you like them, Your Majesty?

What the heck are these?

I am a warrior.

Delicate but impractical things

are for spoiled noblemen like you

who seek the ideal of elegance.

I don't have a use for them.

Your Majesty, your unification of the nine states

should be sung forever.

We know

hardly any treasures in this world

will be able to please you,

but we still wish to convey our gratitude.

Lying

truly flows

within the Cai's blood.

Gratitude, you said?

Our laws forbid forced labor,

but to mine Cangjin Jade,

you imposed a harsh taxation system.

People who can't afford to pay their taxes

are required to work in the mine.

And that's why Zhongzhou

is in turmoil

and it's rife with bandits.

Do you even respect

the laws of Chao

or me?

Your Majesty.

I do not harbor this intention.

I have no idea about the forced labor

in Jiuyu Mountain.

You have no idea?

Ling Yun.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Tell him whose pocket

the money went to.

Wo Wu,

an ex-official in Zhongzhou.

He was almost beheaded for releasing those laborers.

He then escaped to Tianqi to seek justice.

According to him,

the Cangjin Jade was sold for more than 100,000 gold zhu.

All of which went to the Protectorate Cai's Residence

to forge weapons

and to recruit soldiers.

Your Majesty, if my life is what you want,

just issue an edict.

I

will gladly accept my death.

Why would you buy into someone else's lie

and accuse me wrongly so?

If I want to take your life,

I won't need a reason.

I did all this today

to show you

that I know what you and your cohorts

are up to.

This

is a warning from me.

If you

make the same mistake again,

I will punish you

right away.

Ling Yun.

Is the divine hall of Zhenxia Mountain still there?

Yes.

It is still standing firm.

You mentioned the sights in Zhenxia Mountain in Tianqi,

so I had people investigate it prior.

Well done.

Let's head to Zhenxia Mountain now.

Noted.

You're all dismissed.

Prepare to attack.

How did they build a divine hall

on a precipitous mountain like this?

I heard it was the Heluo Clan on Mount Beimang

who prepared the stones

before

delivering them one by one.

The stones here might look plain,

but they contain gold inside.

They do?

So, Bai Lu?

You have never seen a divine hall like this, have you?

Never.

You seem to be familiar with this place.

Why?

You have stayed here before?

I have fought many wars in Zhongzhou,

so I am well-acquainted with the geography

of Zhongzhou.

And this place is no exception.

Your Majesty.

Zhenxia Mountain is dangerous,

with only one exit.

In case we are besieged here,

we should split the imperial army and have them camp by the foot of the mountain.

The path to the mountain is dangerous.

Let them camp right there.

Noted.

What is on your mind?

Nothing.

It's just

that you are acting weird today.

How so?

I can't put it into words.

I think you're just exhausted from the trip.

You should go to bed early today.

Thanks, Your Majesty.

(Why are the ants here carrying brick powder?)

(Glutinous rice powder?)

(Glutinous rice powder dissolves in water)

(and can be used as a field ration.)

Official Bai.

General Cao.

What are you staring at?

Nothing.

I'm taking a stroll because I can't sleep.

It's bleak here and it scares me.

Official Bai.

Worry not.

Although the mountain is bleak,

the imperial army is guarding the place.

Please put your mind to rest.

Where is General Xie? I want to talk to him.

General Xie?

I did not run into him

after I left Tianqi City.

Is there anything, Official Bai?

You can talk to me.

(Everything is unusual.)

(Yu Xiuming attended a banquet in armor.)

(Then, he came to this divine hall that shoehorns him into a defensive position.)

Official Bai,

is there something wrong?

Unless...

News!

Sir,

there is an invasion.

How many of them? From where?

It's a sea of enemies.

I can't possibly count.

Among the cavalry, only I managed to escape.

The enemy is carrying the Cai banner.

Continue scouting.

Noted.

Your Majesty.

Ling Yun.

What is the situation?

The Yangwei Division of the imperial army puts up a great fight,

but they are outnumbered

and suffer many casualties.

Their morale is low.

Where is Xie Yu'an?

No news

about him yet.

I thought he would arrive

when Cai Can reached halfway up the mountain.

We can then subdue everyone.

He has always been a reliable person.

Something

must have come up.

We know nothing about our enemy.

But judging from the situation, their number should be several times ours.

The imperial army did not set up defenses by the foot of the mountain.

We can't break out

with just a few thousand of us.

Where is the nearest encampment?

How long will they arrive?

As for the nearest encampments,

although their commanders do not side with Cai Can,

they must have been taken over by others.

Other encampments further than that

are too far for us

since we have no food here.

I see.

All of you are dismissed.

-All right. -All right.

Bai Lu.

Stay here.

Your Majesty.

If General Cao is right

and we are outnumbered,

with no backup in sight,

we need to come up with a solution.

Bai Lu,

do you fear death?

I...

I do.

Now, you're honest.

Do you know Cai Can

well?

I do.

At the end of the previous dynasty,

the Cai Clan grew influential among the ministers.

Cai Can then ascended to the throne.

Many people thought

he could overthrow the Xian Dynasty,

but your army rose from nowhere

and defeated Cai Can

in one fell swoop.

But as to the assassination

you mentioned...

That, I do not know.

Seven years ago,

I conquered 11 cities under Cai's rule in a row.

Cai Can was forced to surrender.

But

when I arrived at Liaoyang,

he asked

his guard commander to assassinate me.

It was

a piercing arrow,

laced with a potent poison.

If someone else was at my spot,

he

would have been dead.

I see.

Cai Can was still powerful back then,

so you couldn't retaliate blatantly.

The guard commander

was but another scapegoat.

For many years,

you two got along

in mutual respect,

but in fact, you two are plotting something in secret

and are wary of each other.

Right?

Yes.

I have been trying

to sway his previous followers.

Cai Can hates me to the core.

The person Qihai Lian met,

Huo Lu.

He used to work for Cai Can.

I was planning to use

this tour of inspection

to test him.

But

I was careless.

I gave him

a golden opportunity instead.

I suppose

this is my end.

But aren't you immortal?

Do you know what this is?

This dagger is called Zhuoyun.

It is said

to contain the power to disrupt the galaxy.

It is the only weapon that can kill me.

If you bring my head to him,

you may still live.

When Cai Can is here,

none of the people beside me will be spared.

So?

If...

If he manages to reach here,

I will kill myself with this dagger.

If he's able to kill you,

he'll be able to kill me easily,

am I right?

You want to die with me?

Hurry up.

General Li.

Yes, sir.

Is this the only path?

Yes, sir.

How long do you need to repair it?

Four to five days.

Attention!

Repair the path before us at once.

His Majesty needs us

to be in Zhenxia Mountain in three days.

Yes, sir!

Look.

We're here now.

Cai Can and his troops

are over here and here.

What do you think we should do?

Zhongzhou Army here

is the Frontline Army of the Five Armies.

Cai Can is the commander of the Frontline Army,

but

you still command the Five Armies.

Does that mean

someone within the Frontline Army

might still be loyal to you

and is just pretending to be obeying Cai Can?

There is.

Then maybe we can write to Wanzhou

and ask them to intervene.

We can't write a letter.

We can't write because a military coup to help an emperor in danger is a crime.

So even those

loyal to you

cannot act freely.

The one who's after me now

can be the Yangwei Division

or the Winged Guards.

It can be Ling Yun or you.

Without the military token,

no one will make a move.

So you want to descend and get help alone.

And Cai Can cannot know this.

I see.

I will stay here and keep Cai Can at bay.

Okay.

When you have finished admiring the view here,

I will be here with backup.

Ling Yun.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I have this armor made for you.

So you predicted that I would stay here to defend

and you even prepared the armor for me.

I will put it on you myself

to make up to you.

Official Bai, let us help you get changed.

Your Majesty, I can do it.

This is my first time helping someone put on armor.

Make me look good at least.

Now that you have it on,

make sure you live.

♪Maybe I should continue to squander my life away♪

♪Or maybe once you leave, there'll be no more news of you♪

♪I had witnessed the grand fireworks several times♪

♪Flashing in the air♪

♪I had witnessed several beautiful sunsets♪

You look like a female general

in my armor.

What if I leave you here and won't come back?

Impossible.

You unified the world

and never lost a battle.

You won't abandon us here because of one Cai Can.

Good.

Well said.

But this time, it's not just because of that.

It's because when I promise you something,

I will deliver it.

I won't break my promise.

♪A cold and lonely moonlight♪

♪That dissipates with the night breeze♪

♪I'm willing to lie in your arms♪

♪So, I was gazing♪

♪At the nearest distance all along♪

♪Pouring everything into your heart♪

General Cao.

Director Bai.

What is the current situation?

The Zhongzhou Army is relentless in its advance.

I just sent a trap specialist from Yangwei Division

to lay traps down the mountain

for the eventual defense.

Don't call them Zhongzhou Army anymore.

If they serve Cai Can, they are the rebel army.

Ask our soldiers to yell this loud and clear.

Tell the enemy that His Majesty is ready to pardon soldiers who wish to quit

the rebel army.

And if they kill an enemy, they will be promoted two ranks above.

Will it work?

Cai Can must have mobilized

his most trusted men here.

The commanders are loyal to him,

but the lieutenants and the soldiers

aren't necessarily.

If we can cast doubt on 30% of them,

we can defend for another two to four hours.

Okay.

Thank you.

(We have suffered huge losses)

(and soldiers have lost the will to fight.)

(We might not be able to last till tomorrow.)

(I need to figure out a solution.)

Director Bai.

Commander Feng.

Why are you here?

His Majesty asked me to stay here to protect you.

So,

he is in danger now?

His Majesty just told me

that his path was blocked by boulders.

He wants me to take you away.

But what about this place?

You're not a soldier.

You do not need to defend the land

nor die with the imperial army.

I can't leave.

I have been with them for this long already.

There is camaraderie.

I cannot abandon them here.

Director Bai,

you...

If you have the time,

can you help me

improve the soldiers' morale?

Maybe that will buy us more time.

But the task given to me by His Majesty

is to protect your safety.

If the rebel army is gone,

I will be safe.

All right.

I will do my best

and fulfill your request.

That's right.

But when the rebel army reaches here,

you have to follow my order.

We'll see.

Help me do this too.

Come.

Official Bai.

Tell us the truth already.

We fought for a day,

but we haven't seen His Majesty.

Where is he?

Has he left?

Exactly.

Has he left?

Official Bai, tell us the truth.

Official Bai.

Official Bai.

His Majesty

did leave the mountain this morning.

Our duty is to protect His Majesty.

If he is gone,

we can retreat, can't we?

Indeed.

Why should we stay here?

This is just a meaningless battle.

We can't leave.

If we do,

the seditious Cai will attack Tianqi

right away.

By then, the people of Tianqi

will be caught in the crossfire.

Your families are going to be implicated!

But we

can't defend this place for long.

Exactly. We can't.

We don't want to die.

We want to live, Official Bai.

Therefore,

we're not fighting for His Majesty.

We're fighting for ourselves.

We're fighting for our lives!

We're fighting for our families!

♪The earth as a plaque♪

♪The sun and the moon as poems♪

♪Turn the skies into the palace under the plaque♪

♪Time as a scroll♪

♪The stars as the inkstone♪

♪Writing with the light of the sea♪

♪Through several lives and reincarnations♪

♪I search the world for wisdom♪

♪To smooth the folds of the years♪

♪There is a hole in my heart♪

♪Void of someone♪

♪Now I know what forever tastes like♪

♪I'll trade my youth for yours♪

♪I'll trade my youth for your kiss♪

♪We enter the battlefield for the peace♪

♪Of the world♪

♪Draw the lines of fate♪

♪Carve destinies♪

♪And our roles in the world♪

♪With me♪

♪All worldly desires♪

♪Fall from your fingertips♪

♪The mountains and rivers between your brows♪

♪Orbit the seas like a song♪

♪I'll trade my youth for yours♪

♪I'll trade my youth for your kiss♪

♪We enter the battlefield for the peace♪

♪Of the world♪

♪Draw the lines of fate♪

♪Carve destinies♪

♪And our roles in the world♪

♪With me♪

♪All worldly desires♪

♪Fall from your fingertips♪

♪The mountains and rivers between your brows♪

♪Orbit the seas like a song♪

♪The stars shine brightly♪

♪For you and me♪