Original subtitles

♪The tempestuous northern wind, the tempestuous martial arts world♪

♪Blades and bows drawn♪

♪What is youth without bravado?♪

♪With a wave of my hands, the world flows through my fingertips♪

♪Traveling the world with a damsel♪

♪The wind blows, the moon's reflection on the water♪

♪The night has been cut short♪

♪Who there is hiding in the shadow?♪

♪Oh, the long journey. Fate wills if we live or die♪

♪But let's give our shot at this world♪

♪Fight together as two♪

♪Right or wrong, I'll brave the storm, watching as things rise and fall♪

♪Black and White, as the drum sounds, it's for passion and justice♪

♪The fury, the wavering blades♪

♪I catch a glimpse of the divine beauty♪

♪How can we determine if the soul is flawless?♪

♪Let's see who can rule the world♪

=Who Rules The World=

=Episode 5=

How far are we from the Hot Spring Palace?

Not far, Father.

Twenty li at most.

How much further?

At least fifty li.

Welcome, Your Lordship.

(Hot Spring Palace)

Rise.

Thank you, Your Lordship.

I heard Lanxi is unwell.

I came to see him.

His Highness has just taken his medicine.

I'm afraid His Highness is asleep now.

Lanxi's health is poor.

That is why he came to the Hot Spring Palace to recuperate.

Why has his condition worsened instead?

How did you take care of him?

It is my incompetency.

Please punish me, Your Lordship.

I'll let Lanxi

decide that matter.

Let's go.

Father, what should we do?

Lanxi.

Father has come to see you.

Xi.

Lanxi.

Father.

Why are you here?

No need to get up.

Ju said

that your condition had worsened.

I come to see how you are faring.

I made you worry.

Ju saw me

undergoing treatment yesterday.

He must have been worried.

Even so,

you shouldn't have alarmed Father, Ju.

Father.

I was just worried about Lanxi.

I'm glad that you're all right, Lanxi.

Why is your condition getting worse?

I brought the physician.

Let him take a look at you.

Physician Wu.

Present.

Check Lanxi's pulse.

Yes, Your Lordship.

How is it?

His Highness' pulse is weak.

His Highness is indeed in poor health.

His Highness must have overexerted himself,

causing the cold air to enter his body,

triggering former afflictions,

and hurting his cardiopulmonary.

Got it.

Physician Wu.

Your skills are poor.

Lanxi has been recuperating here.

With the hot spring to nourish him,

how could the cold air enter his body?

Besides, he has been meditating and resting.

How could he have overexerted himself?

Are you sure it wasn't a misdiagnosis?

I am certain.

That is indeed what His Highness' pulse shows.

Please understand, Your Lordship.

What's going on?

I know my mistakes. Please punish me, Father.

What mistakes?

I...

I haven't always stayed here.

I had you come here to recover.

But you left without permission.

You deceived the lord.

I know I am at fault.

Tell me.

What did you do?

Lanxi.

There is no point

in hiding it any longer.

Just tell Father the truth.

I'm sure Father won't be too harsh on you

as you are his son.

Go on.

Chuanyun. Chuanyu.

Bring the items.

- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.

Your writing

has certainly improved over the years.

But what do these

have to do with your worsening state?

I'm very happy that you can

still recognize my writing, Father.

Actually, I had lied to you

when I requested

to come

to the Hot Spring Palace back then.

So what was your purpose for coming here?

To copy scriptures?

Because Mt. Anyu

is located behind the Hot Spring Palace.

Mt. Anyu?

The late queen's cemetery?

If you had wanted to mourn your mother,

you could've just told me the truth.

Why do you hide it from me?

Father...

Do you remember

how this place came to be?

After Mother passed away,

she was buried in Mt. Anyu.

You often came to mourn her back then.

And you found a hot spring in the mountain.

That's why you built

the Hot Spring Palace.

For the following two years,

you visited often.

But have you

ever come here since then?

For so long,

Mother's grave and this palace

have been left with only each other.

You are blaming me.

I don't dare.

I am aware

that the world is turbulent.

Father has always been thinking of Yongzhou

and dedicated everything to it.

This was all to protect the people of Yongzhou

and the Feng family's legacy.

I dare not blame you.

I'm sure Mother wouldn't as well.

But...

fifteen years have passed.

I miss her so much.

That's why I used the excuse of recuperating my health

to come to Mt. Anyu.

I copied scriptures and burned them

as an offering to Mother

to help her soul find peace

and to pray for your well-being.

That is nothing bad or wrong.

Why did you not tell me?

I couldn't bring it up.

Why?

If I had made the request

to mourn Mother,

I would've brought up sad memories for you.

Moreover,

if I had brought it up,

I feared

that rumors might have spread in the court and the people.

Get up.

I have done wrong.

You have a heart of filial piety

and consider the bigger picture.

What is wrong with that?

You have done nothing wrong.

Don't stay here anymore.

Come back with me to the capital of Yongzhou.

In a few days,

the autumn hunt will be held.

Yes, Father.

Pack your things.

(Hot Spring Palace)

If His Highness hadn't made it back in time,

our heads would've rolled by now.

His Highness wouldn't let that happen.

I've always had faith in him.

Zhong Li.

Did His Highness make it back in time?

Of course.

Otherwise, we wouldn't be standing here right now.

That's good.

How did you get separated from His Highness?

Where's the carriage?

We were in a rush.

The rut broke.

(Once we got the message from Cangyi,)

(we took the shortcut to hurry back.)

(But the rocky terrain caused the rut to break.)

(Thankfully, His Highness pulled me to safety.)

(After that,)

(His Highness left ahead to get back here.)

His Highness has always managed to turn the situation around.

The deities must be helping him.

You even got a bird from your trip.

You are really addicted to training birds.

Miss Feng entrusted this bird to His Highness.

Miss Feng?

Bai Fengxi?

Yes.

His Highness has been with her all this time.

Yes.

Miss Feng

has been with His Highness throughout this trip.

We only separated

after the incident in Yucheng.

Remember.

Pay closer attention to the people around His Highness.

Father.

A while ago,

you were just telling us not to interfere with His Highness' matters.

This matter concerns His Highness' safety.

It's an exception.

Understood.

Let's go.

Come on.

Your dark appearance

does make you look like that foxy.

Xi.

Master.

Something has happened to the Luoyan Sect.

The Soultaker Sect attacked them.

Only three of the entire sect's 57 members

made it out alive.

We will seek justice for them.

Gather the best fighters in our sect.

Tomorrow, we will head down the mountain together.

Yes, Master.

Your Highness, everything has been packed.

Master.

Do you think my father wanted me to be there today?

Or would he rather I was not?

A subject can't speculate on his lord's thoughts.

Can't or daren't?

Both.

When I opened my eyes,

I saw the expression flash across his face briefly.

He looked a little surprised,

and even a little disappointed.

If I weren't in my residence today,

I believe he would've punished me,

regardless of the reasons.

And the title of the heir of Lord

would fall into Feng Ju's hands.

He might even be relieved.

Perhaps His Lordship simply didn't wish to see Yongzhou's foundation

be threatened by the succession war.

Hasn't that always been the case

for imperial families since ancient times?

From the moment

he brought Feng Ju to the Hot Spring Palace,

the war has been sounded.

Your Highness need not worry about this for now.

The matter at hand

is the autumn hunt that will be held in three days.

What's different about this autumn hunt?

I heard Feng Qiwu of the Feng family

would be attending as well.

The true leader of the Feng family.

As a woman, Feng Qiwu rules the Feng family.

She also holds the position

of the Minister of Civil Service Affairs.

That's enough for her to influence the court.

It's not a surprise that she will be attending.

She is of marriageable age.

The elders of the Feng family

are urging her to get married.

Marrying Minister Feng

will mean gaining the support of the Feng family.

What do you think, Your Highness?

I understand what you mean.

I will consider this matter later.

Is Your Highness refusing

for that young lady's sake?

You overthink, Master.

We do need

to secure Feng Qiwu's support.

But if we form a marriage alliance at this time,

we will draw unwanted attention

from Feng Ju and Queen Baili.

As for how we may cooperate with her...

I'll think of something.

We will do everything according to Your Highness' plan.

(Yongzhou)

Welcome back, Your Highness.

Rise.

Thank you, Your Highness.

You did well.

Have you recovered?

I've already mostly recovered.

I am a lowly servant.

I thank Your Highness for your concern.

This is for you.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Take good care of Huan.

Yes, Your Highness.

All of you may leave now.

Yes, Miss.

Miss Huan.

This must be a hairpin from Tiangong Workshop.

His Highness treats you well.

His Highness only gave this to me

because I was injured.

His Highness has never cared

about accessories and jewelry.

His Highness must have specifically bought it for you.

Don't talk nonsense.

Your Highness.

Early this morning,

His Lordship sent someone

to deliver the rule book for the autumn hunt this year.

The hunt? Isn't it the same every year?

You will know once you read it, Your Highness.

This is not a hunt.

It's an exam.

To be precise,

it's a test to select a husband.

The chief of the Feng family

does indeed hold a lot of influence.

Major changes have been made to this year's autumn hunt.

The hunting ground will have three entrances.

Each participant may bring ten subordinates with them

and enter the grounds accordingly.

It is to assess each prince's ability

respectively.

Secondly, the winner is no longer decided

by the amount of game they manage to hunt.

The prey is divided into different tiers.

Pheasants, hares, and other small creatures

are of the lowest tier.

Each animal in this category is worth only one point.

Deer, mountain goats, and other larger prey are of the third tier.

Each of them is worth five points.

Jackals and other ferocious beasts make up the second tier.

Each will be worth ten points.

Eagles and falcons are of the highest tier.

Each of them will earn you 15 points.

This is

to test the three princes' calculation.

His Lordship has also stated

that those presenting the gifts

will have to prepare words of dedication as well.

This turns into a literary test.

As expected of a test set by the chief of the Feng family.

Feng Qiwu is clever indeed.

I'm afraid she herself is worth more

than what the Feng family can offer.

The one who excels in both will earn her favor, making the tale

of the phoenix that only resides in the Chinese parasol tree true.

The one who acquires her support will gain the world.

So

what will be Your Highness' course of action this year?

It's never too high for mountains, and too deep for seas.

It is time.

The Tie family of Peicheng was massacred yesterday.

They should be the Soultaker Sect's latest targets.

We will split up into two groups

and see if we can find any leads.

Understood.

Understood.

Whether you find anything or not,

we will meet up

at the Xuanyi Inn in the east of the city when it is dark.

Yes, Master.

Sir.

Has she returned to Tianshuang Sect?

Yes.

Miss Feng has returned to Tianshuang Sect.

However,

things have not been peaceful in the martial arts world lately.

Ten sects, including Lieyang Sect, Luoyan Sect,

and Xuanyuan Sect,

have all been eliminated by the Soultaker Sect.

Some from the Luoyan Sect escaped.

They have asked the Tianshuang Sect for help.

They are persistent.

Send someone to keep an eye on them.

Yes, sir.

Wait.

Also,

send Cangyi to keep an eye on Tianshuang Sect.

As the leader of the righteous sects,

they wouldn't sit idly by and do nothing.

We might make

more discoveries by following them.

Understood.

Thank you, Fei Yu.

Master Bai.

Why did you suddenly ask to see the Tie family's bodies?

A mysterious force suddenly appeared

in the martial arts world.

The Soultaker Sect.

Recently,

they've been conducting mass killings throughout the martial arts world.

I led the members of my sect

down the mountain to investigate this matter.

They appear

to be connected to the massacre of the Tie family as well.

That's why I came here.

All the bodies of the Tie family are here.

Examine the bodies.

Master.

I have confirmation.

It is their deed.

Was it really the Soultaker Sect?

Such evil characters...

I will write to the capital

and send someone to investigate this at once.

Thank you, Governor Cheng.

The martial arts world and the court are connected.

I will do my best.

Where the Soultaker passes, nothing is left behind.

These villains are not humans.

Lives mean nothing to them.

Their hearts are not in the mortal realm either.

"Hell is empty, and all the devils are here."

As long as they are not eradicated,

more lives will be lost,

and more tragedies will occur.

This time,

no matter how hard it will be,

we have to find traces of the Soultaker Sect.

We need to purge them

and send them back to hell.

They are scary and detestable.

But what I fear more

is the resurgence of the force behind them.

If they can use the Soultaker Sect as their vessels today,

they can use someone else as their vessels tomorrow.

No matter where they are,

I will not

leave a single one of them alive.

Master.

(Disicple of Tianshuang Sect, Gu Yu) I led my group

(Disicple of Tianshuang Sect, Gu Yu) to check all the inns in the city.

We didn't find anything suspicious.

A few of the junior disciples and I

investigated

all the restaurants and eateries in the city.

We didn't find any clues either.

It's as if these people never appeared in the city.

Master.

Father.

Master, the three of us searched

the abandoned houses in the city.

We found one that had signs of someone living there.

That residence

should be their hiding place.

It's a pity that we were late.

They had already left.

These people are secretive and cautious.

If they get away,

it'll be difficult to track them down again.

It is imperative

that we find out

who their next target is.

That's the only way

to get ahead of them

and follow the trail to find them.

Based on the order of their attacks,

they should be moving from Beizhou all the way down south.

That means they should be headed to Youzhou next.

Who will be

their target in Youzhou?

Are they really

just moving from the north down south?

What is their objective?

(What is the Soultaker Sect)

(trying to do?)

If only that Black Foxy was here.

At least he could come up with some ideas.

If it were him, what would he think?

To find out where the problem lies...

One must eliminate the false and retain the true.

The riff-raff...

Of the Soultaker Sect...

Never do something for nothing.

Everything they do...

Everything they do...

- must be for a purpose. - must be for a purpose.

I do think

I have some of his verve when I imitate him.

Talk is easy.

But what exactly is their purpose?

They're definitely not doing that to take advantage of the situation.

Ten families.

These ten...

No!

Eleven families.

Eleven families were brutally murdered.

This is no mere coincidence.

The Han family.

The Tie family.

Luoyan Sect. Yueyang Sect.

Their goal

must lie within these sects.

But these sects have no ties to each other.

There must be

a smokescreen among these sects.

Mohan Palace.

The Han family.

Tengjiang Sect.

Xuanyuan Sect.

The Tie family.

The Yuan family.

That Black Foxy once said

the Soultaker Sect went after the Han family

for their prescription.

The Han family is an expert in medicine.

They could use them as their rear supply.

So this is what they were after.

The Xuanyuan Sect is good at setting up formations for the troops.

The Tie family is skilled in smithing.

All of those, along with the forces behind the Soultaker Sect...

They're not just after the martial arts world.

The Soultaker Sect

is building a formidable army.

(If we follow this logic...)

(Who will be their next target?)

- The Ma family of Jizhou. - The Ma family of Jizhou.

Zhong Li!

Yes, Your Highness.

Have Cangyi send a message to Fengxi immediately.

Tell her the Soultaker Sect's target

is the Ma family of Jizhou.

Have them go to their aid at once.

Also,

have our people at the Jizhou division

be ready to support them at any time.

Yes, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Lordship.

All of you may rise.

Thank you, Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

It is time.

Sound the drum.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Sound the drum!

(Yong)

Straight to the depths!

We are not after pheasants or hares!

We are going to hunt jackals!

(Rainwater from Jiangnan)

(Snowwater from Plum Blossom)

(Spring Water)

Your Highness.

This is water from the spring.

This is rainwater from Jiangnan.

This is water from the snow collected from plum blossom trees.

Snow water from plum blossom trees?

I'm in luck today.

I can't believe I came across a top-tier gyrfalcon.

What are you standing around for? Go after it!

Chuanyun. Chuanyu.

Go on.

- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness! Slow down!

Stop, Your Highness!

Your Highness, let's not give up the entire hunting ground

for a few gyrfalcons.

Let's go!

Let's go.

My Lady,

these princes have some skills in archery.

(Chief of Feng Family, Feng Qiwu) Who knows how much captive prey

the guards have released into these grounds beforehand?

They're dull-witted.

If you join the hunt,

you might even

be able to shoot with unfailing accuracy.

(Feng Family Elder, Feng Yanshou) If you were to join the hunt, My Lady,

I'm afraid not even half of these young men

are a match for you.

But I must remind you.

Your priority today

is to find a suitable husband.

I would like to do that.

But which of those on your list

is worthy of becoming the husband of the chief of the Feng family?

It's mainly His Lordship's sons

that we're observing, My Lady.

They are inside the hunting ground too.

The Feng family

is one of the most important families in Yongzhou.

If it weren't for the fact that since the late chief's generation,

we've often been stationed at the western frontier,

our ancestors often married members

of the royal families of the Six States as well.

The eldest and legitimate sons of affluential noble families

may not be willing to marry into the Feng family.

But if you become the consort

of the future heir of Lord,

it will bring nothing

but benefits for the Feng family.

Not to mention

those three princes

are some of the finest among men as well.

Is that so?

That must be the eldest prince.

He is handsome.

But look at what he is doing.

He used fawns as bait

to lure out the king of deer.

He is really ruthless.

If I marry him,

I might die in his hands one day.

As for the Third Prince...

He is determined to track down the jackals.

It's obvious from first glance that he is ambitious

but possesses mediocre skills.

All he has going for him is that he is the legitimate son

of the second queen, Queen Baili.

What about the Second Prince?

He is the legitimate son

of Princess Yige from Imperial Family, His Lordship's first queen.

Not only is he talented and knowledgeable,

but he is also one of the Four Gentry in the world.

He has a high status and lineage.

But he is the type of man

I dislike the most.

Weak and even fussier about minute details than a woman.

Your words may be harsh,

but they also hit the mark.

Perhaps it is because all three princes

each have their strengths and weaknesses

that His Lordship

has yet to name his heir.

If Young Chief hadn't left us so soon,

the Feng family wouldn't be left without an heir.

Without an heir?

Is my surname not Feng?

Have I ever made a mistake in all these years

that I have been leading the clan

in place of my late brother?

I misspoke.

You can stop pressing the issue.

At worst, I'll stay unmarried for the rest of my life.

When I'm old, I'll just adopt an heir

from a branch of the family.

Chang.

You certainly know how to enjoy yourself.

Do you want to join me for a cup of tea?

Have you forgotten

why we are here?

You know my health.

Besides,

I'm not good at riding and archery.

Aren't you worried Father will be angry?

I've already sent Chuanyun and Chuanyu

to hunt some prey for me.

That should satisfy Father.

What could they hunt?

Don't let Feng Ju know.

I don't want him to say things to Father again.

Later, get on your horse and ride around for a bit as well.

But don't go too fast.

Lest your asthma acts up.

I'm off.

It seems

the First Prince isn't all that useless.

At least he cares about his brother.

Your Highness, it's almost time.

Has the gyrfalcon reached?

It should have.

I hope Ju will like the gift I prepared for him.

I'm in luck.

I didn't expect you guys to know how to use tactics.

Closing around me is a nice plan.

Unfortunately,

one of you is too weak.

Your Highness, how did you...

I heard that the Feng family is best at keeping secrets.

Chief Feng.

Is that right?

Chief!

Chief!

Did you kill all of these?

Yes.

You're too reckless.

His Lordship

has summoned you to the viewing platform.

Got it.

Bring these with us.

(Yong)

Greetings, Father.

Rise.

Thank you, Father.

Yongzhou was founded upon archery and horse riding.

In the past,

our ancestors followed Emperor Weilie to conquer the lands,

and they made great achievements.

That is how Yongzhou came to be.

In today's hunting competition,

all of you have demonstrated courage and determination.

I am most pleased.

The hunting competition is now over.

I will reward the winner handsomely.

Father.

How handsome would that reward be?

Don't try to send us off

with pearls, jade,

or some other precious stones.

You greedy child.

I will give the winner

the Cloud Cutter Sword passed down from our ancestors as a prize.

What do all of you think?

Thank you, Father.

Chang.

You're the eldest. You go first.

I present my gift to you, Father.

Prince Chang presents

two deer and ten small creatures to His Lordship.

His Highness earns 20 points.

Chang.

What is the significance of your gift?

The mountains and the forests are lush. Animals are abundant.

All beings are thriving in Yongzhou.

I would like to present this abundance to Yongzhou.

May all matters in Yongzhou prosper and flourish.

May all matters thrive in Yongzhou.

Good.

What about you, Xi?

Father, my spoils require a bit more effort to gather.

I've sent Chuanyun and Chuanyu to bring them.

Do they require more effort, or did you not catch any?

Never mind.

You've just recovered.

I won't ask too much of you.

What about your spoils, Ju?

I present my gift to you, Father.

Prince Ju presents

two deer and two jackals to His Lordship.

His Highness earns 30 points.

Father, I have a wish that follows my gift as well.

In the woods, the wolves hunt the deer.

With a bow and arrow, you can seize them all.

May Yongzhou be blessed with strong soldiers, horses

and successful military expeditions.

Good. Very good.

Thank you, Father.

It looks like it's my win.

Your Lordship.

I would like to join the fun as well.

Feng Qiwu of the Feng family presents four jackals to His Lordship.

Feng Qiwu earns 40 points.

You prove that women are as capable as men, Minister Feng.

What is the significance of your gift, then?

The jackals strive to hunt the heart of the deer.

The wise leader observes and rules his nation.

May

Your Lordship's wishes come true.

Well said.

It looks like this sword will be going to Feng Qiwu.

Is Your Highness' gift not here yet?

What is going on?

My gifts are here.

Prince Lanxi's gifts?

Well...

Your Lordship, Prince Lanxi presented 20 deer.

That would be a perfect score.

I...

You didn't hunt them down.

This is cheating!

Father.

Sparing the lives of animals is a good virtue.

I've been in poor health since young.

Therefore, I do not wish to take the life of another.

Father ordered me to participate in the hunt.

I had no choice but to obey.

I've been ill for a long time.

Somehow, that has turned me into somewhat of a physician.

While I was studying medicine,

I discovered that the sap of Lanwei flowers

could temporarily tame wild animals.

That's why I had Chuanyun and the others use this method

to lure the prey.

What about your wishes?

My wishes

are similar to Minister Feng's.

I am willing to hunt for you,

Father.

♪Like the dissipating fog, you become clearer♪

♪Like the hawk that soars freely, you reject the shackles♪

♪Your white silk is as light as a feather and yet it moves my heart♪

♪Ripples come at me but I don't want to dodge♪

♪Wind is just the outline of the cloud♪

♪Black is the lock of the White♪

♪Night is when the Day sleeps♪

♪You are a part of me♪

♪Right or wrong, don't worry about the why♪

♪Pain or joy, they are from our obsession♪

♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪

♪Let tears run dry♪

♪Let's stop in another place♪

♪Let love sever all happiness and sadness♪

♪And pierce through the vicissitude of life♪

♪With a merry start, don't worry about a sorrowful end♪

♪A full moon will be more intertwined♪

♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪