Original subtitles

Beast, die now!

Nezha!

Nezha!

Dragon King,

Chentang Pass has never offended you, the dragons of the Eastern Sea.

Why do you attack my city?

Li Jing,

your son, Nezha, has killed my son.

If you don't punish him for his sin,

I will have the entire Chentang Pass buried with my son.

Dragon King,

I believe there must be some misunderstanding here.

Although my son Nezha is naughty,

he...

How dare you still quibble!

You're seeking death!

Nezha!

How audacious you are!

Dragon King,

it's my fault for not teaching my son properly.

I hope you can give me a few days.

I will give you a proper explanation.

An explanation? Fine.

Then kill Nezha today.

Dragon King,

I was merely disciplining your son for you.

You don't need to be so polite

and bother to thank me in person.

What did you say?

Shut up!

Take Nezha away

to await punishment.

Let's see who dares.

How insolent!

Admit your mistake now.

What mistake have I made?

What mistake?

We, the dragons, are deities from ancient times.

Even the Jade Emperor would show us respect.

Yet you, a mere mortal, killed my son.

I don't care if you are a dragon or a deity.

I am Nezha of Chentang Pass himself.

You really are lawless.

Then I'll make Chentang Pass disappear.

You think things will go as you wish?

What a big talker!

You rascal!

Do you want the entire city

to go down with you?

I truly regret having a son like you.

In your eyes,

I am just a jinx, aren't I?

Since I was little,

have you ever looked after me?

Have you ever cared about me?

You...

Since you all want my life,

I'll give it

back to you.

Nezha!

Nezha!

Mother, I'm sorry...

Nezha!

[Nezha: Demon Child is Back]

Little guy.

Am I that annoying?

Fire-Tipped Spear!

What in the world is this place?

I never thought I would be bullied by such a demon, even after death.

Let's see how you take this.

Nezha.

No matter what,

you are my son.

General Li,

I've already given my life back to you.

From now on,

you can become a deity,

and I'll continue being a ghost.

Seven...

One?

Seven?

One?

Can you read?

There is a Buddhist pagoda

called Linglong.

It has seven levels,

with each featuring a phantom realm

where a demon dwells.

They represent seven precepts. First, no killing.

Second, no stealing.

Third, no lasciviousness.

Fourth, no intemperance.

Fifth, no luxury.

Sixth, no lies.

Seventh, no idleness.

Only by slaying all the demons in the pagoda

can one leave the pagoda.

The mortals can become saints,

and the imprisoned souls can come back to life.

Immortal, do you mean

that Nezha can still be saved?

Nezha is the reincarnation of the Spirit Seed.

A wisp of his soul remains after his death.

This is the Linglong Pagoda

that can preserve his soul.

But that can only last for a few days.

If Nezha can pass through the seven dire levels

before his soul perishes,

his soul can return to his body.

However, if he is trapped on any level,

he will become a wandering ghost.

General Li, please don't follow me.

This is the only path out of the pagoda.

If I hadn't appeared in time just now,

you wouldn't have passed even the first level.

I'll say it again.

Don't follow me.

If it weren't for your mother,

I wouldn't bother with you.

My mother...

How is my mother?

Inside here...

The Traceback Mirror?

Contains your mother's message to you.

Nezha.

Mother.

I'll give it to you when we reach the seventh level.

Don't touch it.

Don't touch my treasure.

Don't touch my treasure.

Nezha!

Nezha!

Nezha, have you had your fill of the spectacle?

Not yet.

Nezha!

Nezha,

get out of the way!

Did you set me up?

That's it?

General Li,

with your skills, you're thinking of venturing through the pagoda?

Don't touch my treasure.

Nezha!

Don't touch my treasure.

I have never lost a single battle.

Let's see how you'll revive this time.

Nezha!

Nezha!

Don't touch my treasure.

Are you alight?

Do you still think you can storm the pagoda with brute force alone?

That was just sheer luck.

Nezha!

Nezha?

Nezha?

You're awake.

Don't get me wrong.

I just want to get out of the pagoda to see my mother as soon as possible.

Don't worry.

I'll definitely get you out of here.

I don't need you.

I can get out on my own.

If it weren't for the fact that there's only one boat,

I wouldn't have...

You wouldn't have shared the boat with me.

You are as impetuous in speech and action

as you were when you were little.

You don't need to meddle in my affairs.

Did you ever teach me when I was little?

Look at the scenery ahead.

Doesn't it resemble

Peach Blossom Recess I took you to when you were little?

It's been so many years.

Do you still remember it, General Li?

I remember one year on your birthday,

your mother and I took you to Peach Blossom Recess to celebrate.

Don't mention my mother.

You have no right to mention her.

Ever since you became a general,

have you ever cared for my mother?

You have no idea how my mother and I

have lived over these years.

As the commanding general of Chentang Pass,

I bear the duty of protecting the people.

How could I...

What a lie!

Serving the multitude?

And safeguarding the nation and people?

In the end, isn't it all for the sake of becoming a deity?

You rogue!

Do it.

After all, you have already hit me

in front of the people of Chentang Pass.

It's all your mother's fault.

She has spoiled you from a young age,

raising you to be so insubordinate.

That's right.

My mother and I are both burdens to you.

This demon is quite talented.

Nezha.

Demon, come out!

I am in a hurry to leave the pagoda.

Come out and meet your doom.

Nezha.

Nezha?

Nezha.

Nezha.

Who's calling me?

Mother?

Nezha.

Mother, I miss you so much.

I miss you too.

Mother,

why are you here?

Your father has been in the pagoda for several days.

And still, you have not returned.

I'm worried about you two.

So I came here.

I didn't expect the pagoda to be so perilous.

Thankfully, I was rescued by Lady Mirror here.

Mother,

I'm sorry.

I have been unfilial.

I've made you worry.

Silly you.

What are you talking about?

Mother,

I will never leave you again.

Nezha?

Nezha?

Nezha?

Nezha?

Nezha,

I'm here.

Father!

Mother!

You rascal!

Unfilial son!

Admit your mistake.

Quickly admit your mistake to your father.

Unfilial son!

Nezha, quickly admit your mistake to your father.

- Admit your mistake! - Admit your mistake!

Honey?

Li Jing.

Honey,

why are you here?

Ever since you entered the pagoda and did not return for a long time,

I was worried about your safety.

So I asked Taoist Randeng to help me enter the pagoda.

You were so reckless.

The pagoda is extremely dangerous.

If anything untoward happened to you,

how could I...

How could I explain it to Nezha?

Seeing you safe and sound,

I am relieved.

No matter what,

in times of danger,

I would risk my life

to escort Nezha

out of the pagoda safely.

Nezha is exceptional in martial arts.

He surely won't be in danger.

Compared to Nezha,

I am more worried about you.

I know

you sacrificed Nezha's life

for the people of Chentang Pass.

I know full well

it was for the profound righteousness in your heart,

but Nezha...

Honey.

Though Nezha

is naturally mischievous,

his nature is not bad.

On the contrary, he did the brave thing I couldn't do.

Back then, if it hadn't been for the Dragon King's insistence,

things would not have turned out this way.

Then why didn't you listen to Nezha's explanation?

What right do I have to hear his explanation?

To give birth and not nurture is unworthy of being a father.

For so many years,

I have never cared for Nezha as a father.

In fact, I already knew what the Third Dragon Prince,

Ao Bing, has done.

He got what he deserved.

It's just

that they threatened me with the lives of all the people of Chentang Pass.

I simply wanted Nezha to admit his mistake

and thus settle the matter.

But I didn't expect

Nezha to be so strong-willed.

If there were a chance to do it over,

I wish I could

stand up for him

as a father.

It's my fault for not protecting Nezha.

Now that Nezha is also in this pagoda,

perhaps we should stay here

and never be apart again.

What about the people of Chentang Pass?

The people?

Why is it 'the people' again?

For the people,

you even sacrificed your own son.

Isn't that enough?

I...

I finally understand.

To you, there's only the people.

But why must we

make such sacrifices for their safety?

I just want our family to be together happily.

Is that so difficult?

Honey,

I'm sorry.

For the sake of the people

and morality,

you've neglected me so many times.

I stand by your side without resentment or regret.

Have you

ever felt a trace of guilt toward me?

No.

You're not my wife.

How can I not be your wife?

My wife has always been sensible and considerate.

She would never say anything like that.

I had a feeling that you do not resemble my wife.

Moreover,

Taoist Randeng wouldn't possibly help my wife enter the pagoda.

It was Taoist Randeng who let me in to help you.

I am right here now.

What's wrong?

Do you no longer recognize your own wife?

Although sometimes

my wife and I are not together day and night,

we've always shared each other's thoughts as a couple.

To seek peace for the land under my command,

we have never craved selfish gains.

What nonsense are you talking about?

I am your wife.

I care about you and worry about you so much.

And you're doubting me now?

Is it because

I'm aging,

and you don't want me anymore?

Stop pretending.

Show your true form.

Honey,

why are you being so rude?

Do you really not want me anymore?

Nezha?

Father,

let's stay here as a family in Peach Blossom Recess.

Nezha,

what on earth happened to you?

Who are you?

What have you done to my son?

Who am I?

I am your wife.

Aren't you looking for your son?

Nezha,

have your father reunite with us quickly.

Li Jing, don't believe her.

I didn't expect this little guy to have such a strong will.

Nezha, what are you doing?

What are you doing?

I am your father.

It's useless.

His primordial spirit has been sealed by me.

He can't hear you.

Nezha, don't listen to her nonsense.

She is not your mother.

Don't be deceived by her.

My Star Pavilion is now like a fairyland.

Why not stay here and keep us company?

It would also count as compensation for us.

Nezha,

don't listen to her.

Quickly wake up.

I promise you.

Once we leave the pagoda, we'll go to Peach Blossom Recess.

What a lie!

Nezha,

your father made so many promises to you

yet fulfilled none of them.

They were just excuses to put you off.

Nezha,

don't you want to see your mother anymore?

Quickly wake up!

Nezha,

let's go.

I miss my mother.

It won't be long.

Once we're out of the pagoda, you'll be able to see your mother.

I heard what you just said.

This time, you'd better keep your promise.

Grand Master Beacon Fire.

Thunderous Quintuple Whip.

Take this

transforma...

Oh, no.

I was careless.

[Wine]

I didn't dodge.

♪ Since Chentang Pass was breached on a rainy day, I became homeless ♪

♪ True or false, this is the price of justice ♪

Let's go.

♪ Severing all ties, I swear to fight till death ♪

♪ Without any armor, I am clad by a blooming lotus ♪

♪ Armillary Sash protects me against all stormy waves ♪

♪ With Wind-Fire Wheels under my feet, I'll live up to my years ♪

♪ Fearing no demons or monsters, I have three heads and six arms ♪

♪ With Heaven-and-Earth Circle in hand, I'm with keen determination ♪

♪ Fire-Tipped Spear obliterates even the strongest enemy's vain attempts ♪

♪ Burying all injustice, I never get lost ♪

♪ With flames of war raging everywhere, I can't have inner peace ♪

♪ Common people suffer, while flowers turn into dust ♪

♪ In the downfall of cities, the armies assemble ♪

♪ In the fight between good and evil, I stand firmly ♪

♪ Armillary Sash protects me against all stormy waves ♪

♪ With Wind-Fire Wheels under my feet, I'll live up to my years ♪

♪ Fearing no demons or monsters, I have three heads and six arms ♪

♪ With Heaven-and-Earth Circle in hand, I'm with keen determination ♪

♪ Fire-Tipped Spear obliterates even the strongest enemy's vain attempts ♪

♪ Burying all injustice, I never get lost ♪

Mother,

when will my father be back?

What are these characters?

If you are interested,

I will teach you to read after we leave the pagoda.

Really?

But you're always so busy.

We can always find a couple of hours each day.

How do I know if you're not just fooling me?

Alright.

But you have to play with me for two hours every day.

Also,

you have to accompany my mother

for four hours each day.

Okay.

A true man's word is his bond,

which is irrevocable.

Then you must honor your word.

Remember to honor your word.

As I said,

a true man's word is his bond, which...

Nezha?

Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

I just can't seem to exert myself.

Let's rest up ahead.

Nezha,

let's take a break here.

What a deep bond between father and son!

Demon, show yourself!

Demon, come out and meet your death.

Chains of Proverbs aren't something that mortals can break.

Welcome to the Hall of Proverbs.

Ao Bing, you're not dead?

How can I precede you in death

until I see your soul perish?

We, the dragons, have flourished for thousands of years.

The importance lies in both kindness and severity.

I was just giving a small punishment to some unruly folks that day.

Yet you defied the heavenly laws.

My father warned me since I was young

that if the world is always peaceful and prosperous,

mortals will not be in awe of us.

The weather today is so foul.

You all should have quit sailing.

Yet you went against the forces of nature

and toiled at sea.

Life must be hard, I suppose.

Your Highness, please spare us.

Your Highness, please spare us.

I just want to play a game with all of you.

All the buckets are filled with hot oil,

except one.

Take your turns to pull the rope.

If you are not scalded,

you can go home.

Pull now, or I will eat you alive.

Mother, I want to go home.

I will take you home.

It smells so good.

You think I'm cruel?

Continue.

You beast, die now!

You crucified the people that day.

Flaying you and rupturing your tendons didn't appease my anger.

I must kill you once more today.

You fool!

You don't even know you're being used by your father.

Do you truly think you can leave the pagoda?

Ao Bing,

what do you mean?

What in the world

are these so-called Chains of Proverbs?

Tell us how to break them.

Otherwise,

don't blame me and Nezha for being ruthless to you.

You truly are boastful, without shame.

Aren't you aware of your current situation?

Li Jing, tell me.

Have you ever regarded Nezha as a demon?

Good for you, Ao Bing.

At death's door,

you're still trying to turn us against each other.

Father, how could I possibly be a demon?

Right.

How could I consider my son a demon?

Nezha?

Nezha!

Nezha!

One more question.

Have you ever thought that the people are more important than Nezha?

You're talking nonsense.

I did not!

Nezha!

I forgot to tell you.

Fettered by Chains of Proverbs,

every time a lie is told,

the other person bound by the chains

will suffer the agony of a thousand cuts.

And with more than three lies,

their soul shall perish.

Nezha,

don't listen to his nonsense.

I have never thought that way.

Nezha!

How heartwarming!

I'm so moved that I'm almost in tears.

Nezha!

I admit it.

I admit

that I treated Nezha

as a demon.

I admit

that I put the people of Chentang Pass

above Nezha in importance.

Nezha, do you know that even if you pass through

all seven levels of Linglong Pagoda,

only one of you may leave alive?

Not only can one be revived in this pagoda,

but they can also become a deity.

I don't believe it.

Father, aren't we supposed to leave the pagoda together?

Li Jing,

you only have this one chance.

Did you actually never intend

to get out of here with Nezha?

That's true.

All true.

Li Jing, rest assured.

Nezha will soon become a wandering ghost in this pagoda

who will never see daylight again.

Nezha.

Liar!

Nezha,

listen to me.

I don't want to listen.

You promised to teach me how to read after we get out.

It turned out to be another lie!

It was all for yourself!

Nezha.

Nezha!

Li Jing,

wait for the revenge of the dragons.

Chentang Pass?

So this is the seventh level.

Li Jing,

your son, Nezha, has killed my son.

If you don't punish him for his sin,

I will have the entire Chentang Pass

buried with my son.

Dragon King,

it was your son, Ao Bing, who committed evil first.

What has it to do with my son?

Li Jing, I never thought you would be so foolish.

How dare you overestimate your abilities and oppose a deity?

I am indeed foolish.

If I were wiser,

I should have joined Nezha earlier

to vanquish you, an evil dragon,

instead of having waited until today.

How audacious!

Dragon King,

for many years,

the floods have been incessant,

and the people

have suffered endless hardships.

As the Dragon King,

you have failed your duty,

indulged your son in his brutality,

and obstructed justice for personal gain.

Do you have any sense of law and justice in your heart?

Now

you have marshaled a great force to attack Chentang Pass,

treating human lives as mere dust.

I will not

tolerate your wantonness.

Kill Li Jing!

Soldiers!

- Yes! - Yes!

Follow me to exterminate the dragon clan,

defend Chentang Pass,

and carry out the will of heaven!

- Kill! - Kill!

Liar.

Nezha, I miss you so much.

Nezha!

Nezha!

Nezha has no divine position.

You privately set up a temple for him,

letting him accept people's offerings.

It can only add to his karmic obstacles

instead of saving him.

Even if he could be resurrected,

he would become a demon

and suffer for all his life.

Even if he became a demon,

he would still be our son.

Honey.

Honey,

rest assured.

I will certainly bring our son

out of the pagoda.

No mortal has ever left the pagoda alive.

Going there rashly like this

will put you in danger too.

Why don't we plead with Taoist Randeng again

to think of some other way?

There's no need.

Honey,

I am a failed father.

This time,

just let me be selfish for once, okay?

I promise you

that I will surely

bring our son

out of the pagoda safe and sound.

This is the Linglong Pagoda

that can preserve his soul.

But that can only last for a few days.

If Nezha can pass through the seven dire levels

before his soul perishes,

his soul can return to his body.

However, if he is trapped on any level,

he will become a wandering ghost.

It's just

that once the pagoda's gate opens,

it can only allow one person to leave.

Why didn't you tell me this earlier?

Father,

I have arrived late.

Nezha.

Father,

rest now.

Leave Dragon King

to me.

Nezha.

Nezha,

I didn't expect that you would exhaust the power

of the Spirit Seed inside your body to save Li Jing.

Nezha.

Nezha.

Father.

Silly boy.

Why did you come for me?

Because

you are my father.

Don't worry.

I'm here.

You will be fine.

The Spirit Seed is the incarnation of vitality.

Nezha is now nothing but an empty shell.

He will certainly die.

Father...

Father,

did you

really treat me as a demon?

Now is not the time to talk about this.

I want to know.

Your mother carried you for three years before you were born.

When you were born,

you were a meatball, different from ordinary people.

Of course, I took you for a demon.

Then,

do you still acknowledge me as your son?

Silly.

In my heart,

my son

is a great hero who saves the people

and a real man who stands tall and upright.

How could I not acknowledge you?

The things I scolded you about before

were all said in anger.

Li Jing,

hand over Nezha to me.

Never!

Haven't you always wanted to become a deity?

Leave Nezha behind,

and I will let you out of the pagoda.

Father,

just leave.

I won't blame you.

My boy.

Dragon King,

I have been a fighter for half my life,

traveling far and wide to seek teachings,

just for a chance to become a deity.

However, for me,

becoming a deity is for the sake of the people

instead of bringing disaster to the world

and killing innocent people like you did.

At death's door,

you're still preaching about so-called justice?

The one who's about to die

is you.

Father.

You're mad.

You're using your own life to restore the Spirit Seed.

Nezha,

that day, you took your own life here.

And it was my fault.

Now,

I want you to guard the people of Chentang Pass

and take good care of your mother for me.

Nezha,

I have failed you.

Do you want the entire city

to go down with you?

No matter what,

you are my son.

Nezha, have you had your fill of the spectacle?

Not yet.

Admit your mistake now.

Do it.

After all, you have already hit me

in front of the people of Chentang Pass.

If you are interested,

I will teach you to read after we leave the pagoda.

Really?

Nezha.

Father?

Are you calling me?

Li Jing, in your journey in the pagoda, you sacrificed your life to save Nezha

and resolved the difficulty of Chentang Pass,

which moved the heavens.

Given all your past meritorious deeds,

the Heavenly Court now bestows you a deity rank.

But I have never seen a mortal like you

who chooses to give up the chance to become a deity.

Have you thought it through,

Li Jing?

I have been slow from a young age.

I've respected my parents' words since childhood

and aspired to become a deity

to protect the people.

In order to become a deity,

I have served the country,

traveled far and wide to seek teachings,

and done good deeds diligently and earnestly.

But I have never asked myself

why I wanted

to become a deity.

Now,

I finally understand

that all I want

is to protect the most precious thing in my life:

my family.

You exchanged the position of a deity

for the affection between father and son.

I can only say

it's destiny.

It's destiny, indeed.

Father.

Father,

it's really you.

You are not dead.

Silly you.

How could I die?

What?

Did you wish for me to die?

Father,

where are we?

We are in the Primordial Realm.

Before any mortal becomes a deity,

they must all pass through here.

Are you going to become a deity?

No.

I've given it up.

Why?

I still have to teach you to read.

Father, thank you.

Since when have you been so polite?

Father, do you really have no regrets?

It's becoming a deity.

If it were me,

I might have agreed right away.

Is that so?

Then it's still not too late to have the Taoist back now.

No.

I was joking.

It was a joke.

You brat.

Father,

do you think we still have a chance to become deities?

Who knows?

[Li Jing resigned from office and lived in the mountains with his family.]

[At the end of the Shang dynasty, King Zhou was fatuous and tyrannical.]

[Invited by Jiang Ziya, ]

[Li Jing and his family joined the campaign against King Zhou.]

[When the campaign succeeded, Li Jing and his family became deities.]