Original subtitles

♪Through dust and storms, I press on alone♪

♪Winds arise, sands stretch far and wide♪

♪Trials of the world test my resolve♪

♪Forged in fire, I chase the light beyond♪

♪Facing challenges, fate ever shifts♪

♪A journey through the wilderness of time♪

♪Fearless like armor, through thorns I grow♪

♪Breaking through darkness, my name will shine♪

♪Never in vain♪

♪Guarding my fleeting light, tempered to shine bright♪

♪Cherished past♪

♪A lifetime treasured, through a thousand waves we ride♪

♪To fight with fury, to love with passion♪

♪True to my faith♪

♪I greet the frost and the prize with pride♪

=Love and Sword=

(Adapted from Shen Cangmei's novel Sleeping Beside Yan Shao)

=Episode 8=

I don't doubt you.

I never have.

Thank you, Young Lady Rong.

Can you give me

the flower ball?

What is he...

No!

That's beautiful.

(Secrets of Fate Revealed)

Who's there?

Someone is causing trouble at the flower fair.

Go and check it out.

(Blossom's Smile)

It's the Tang Clan's hidden weapon.

What did you add to the wine jar?

When did you find out

that I'm from the Ghost Valley Sect?

Jade Leaf Golden Blossom Wine?

You

drank the poisoned wine you brew...

It is fine

for me to repay with my life

to those who perished

at your hands.

That jar doesn't contain wine.

It's poison.

The Celestial Maiden's Blossom.

Thank you for granting my request.

So this was all part of your plan.

On Zhonghe Festival,

it's a sign of good fortune when the sky lanterns light up the land.

Consider this my gift to Yuchi Manor.

Who are you?

A friend, not foe.

That's all you need to know.

How is someone like you

willing to serve as a mere guard?

Everyone has their own path.

Tonight, Yuchi Manor was careless.

With Young Lady Rong here,

not necessarily.

She sees everything, quick-witted and sharp.

Even without her martial skills,

her skills in strategies are truly impressive.

Since we're all safe now,

shall we take this wine downstairs

and drink it while we chat?

Sounds great.

Yuchi Manor isn't being very honest.

This festival is a trap!

It's an ambush by Ghost Valley Sect!

Everyone, be careful!

Brother!

The wine!

They are targeting the wine.

It's not wine inside.

It's likely poisoned.

I'll take it away from here.

Tell everyone to evacuate.

All right.

The wind direction! Go against the wind direction!

Evacuate the people immediately!

All right.

(East Market)

- Go! - Get out of here!

Hurry! Get out of here!

Stay safe!

Hurry!

(East Market)

(East Market) Yan Shao!

Rong Shukuang.

If I die from poisoned,

will you cry for me?

Stop spouting nonsense.

You won't die.

I won't allow you to die!

Sister Rong.

The wine jar contains

Celestial Maiden's Blossom!

All right.

Celestial Maiden's Blossom can be neutralized with water.

Evacuate the people.

Move upwind.

Yan Shao,

you have to come back alive!

Help!

Are you all right?

(Red Banner Flower Fair)

Is everyone all right?

Someone.

Master Lin,

how do you explain what happened tonight?

Rest assured, I'll handle the aftermath

and get to the bottom of this.

Father,

the city is still in chaos.

I ask that you and the elders

help protect and evacuate the people.

I'll take a team to track down

the remaining Ghost Valley Sect infiltrators.

Since that's your plan,

the Junshan Sect will lend you a hand.

Thank you, everyone.

Chief Jiang,

your son was seen with the Ghost Valley Sect.

If he really has sided with them,

the Seven-Star Hall won't stand by and do nothing.

Shaoci,

I leave this place to you.

Yes, Father.

Let's go.

Someone.

Yes, Young Master.

Count the injured and help the people settle down.

Yes, Young Master.

♪Through dust and storms, I press on alone♪

♪Winds arise, sands stretch far and wide♪

♪Trials of the world test my resolve♪

♪Forged in fire, I chase the light beyond♪

♪Facing challenges, fate ever shifts♪

♪A journey through the wilderness of time♪

♪Fearless like armor, through thorns I grow♪

♪Breaking through darkness, my name will shine♪

♪Never in vain♪

(Blossom's Smile)

(Blossom's Smile)

Do you know who I am?

I'm the heartless swordsman, Rong Shukuang.

Don't say I never give you a chance.

Once I draw my Cloud-Slicing Sword,

there's no turning back!

Listen up!

I'm really skilled.

I've cut down countless foes without mercy!

My sword knows no mercy!

Sister Rong!

Sister Rong is over there!

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

Now go! Get moving!

Where's the jar of Celestial Maiden's Blossom?

I threw it into the river.

Then why are you here?

When we were at the pavilion,

the arrow came from this direction.

That's when I suspected Shen Zuitian.

Unfortunately, he got away.

What about the flower fair?

The people are safe.

But my father saw Qianjin Xiao,

the owner of Blossom's Smile,

trying to set fire to the scene.

Unfortunately, he got away too.

Qianjin Xiao...

He's with Ghost Valley Sect.

And Madam Lihua

is definitely no ordinary woman.

I think Qianjin Xiao must have felt regret

before he died.

But he never got the chance to make amends.

Even if you could forgive them,

they would never be able to face each other again.

In love and in duty,

their only path was death.

Was it you?

Why?

What do you think?

The Six Great Sects won't let you go.

Your uncle has already ordered your capture.

You can't escape now.

What are you going to do?

I'm taking you back to Yuchi Manor.

It's been ten years.

I think about you all the time.

Do it.

I swore to help Ghost Valley Sect

wipe out the Six Great Sects.

Do what you think is righteous now.

Just go.

It's my fault.

Last night, I couldn't catch my breath well.

So I stepped out of the carriage for some air.

I didn't expect the streets to be in chaos.

Sorry for making you all worry.

As long as you're back, that's all that matters.

How should we appease the five sects now?

They might suspect we had ulterior motives.

Father, people from the five sects are in the Boardroom,

waiting to see you.

Don't worry about anything.

Just focus on recuperating.

I'll take care of them.

Master Lin,

why did you suddenly disappear last night?

Wanci went missing.

In a moment of panic,

I fell into their trap and was lured away.

How convenient for you to leave at the time of disaster.

What is Yuchi Manor really up to?

Are you trying to eliminate us and keep the treasure for yourselves?

That so-called treasure was nothing

but a false lead planted by Ghost Valley Sect

to turn the Six Great Sects against each other.

Do you have proof?

I trust Master Lin.

I swear

to everyone here

that I will investigate this matter thoroughly

and ensure there are no further threats.

Please explain what happened

on the night of the Zhonghe Festival.

It can represent the pavilion at the flower fair.

Here is the viewing platform.

Over there is Blossom's Smile.

The distillery on the city outskirts.

Ghost Valley Sect

had captured the distillery owner and workers,

(using it as their hideout.)

(They filled wine jars with kerosene)

(and mixed them into the delivery carts.)

(That distillery was their gathering point.)

Before the oil could be ignited,

sky lanterns were released all around the city.

Was it your people who secretly switched the jars and avoided the crisis?

That's right.

You knew about the kerosene.

But you didn't know the wine contained Celestial Maiden's Blossom.

The real question is,

when was Baihua Brew swapped?

Someone saw

Young Lady Lin nearly crash her carriage into someone

on the way to the flower fair.

She stopped for a moment on the street.

I believe

that was when the switch happened.

Are you hurt?

It hurts!

It hurts so bad!

Which part of your body is painful?

You bumped into me so hard.

You have to compensate me!

How about we go see a physician first?

What do you say?

It hurts!

Ghost Valley Sect won't stop here.

This plan has failed,

so they'll try something else.

And after what happened,

doesn't that make you suspect

that Ghost Valley Sect members

are hiding inside Yuchi Manor?

That was what happened that night.

If not for Yan Shao and his friends in the city,

the Six Great Sects

and countless civilians would have suffered great casualties.

Thank you for your help, Yan Shao.

Master Lin, it was nothing.

A man of your talents

shouldn't be stuck as a mere guard.

It's a waste.

I've been too discourteous.

Don't worry about it, Master Lin.

Father.

Ever since Shukuang returned to the manor,

Ghost Valley Sect's spies have been watching us closely.

What do you mean by that, Wanci?

I'm worried

that Ghost Valley Sect won't let you go.

But fortunately, you have a guard like Yan Shao,

who is skilled in martial arts.

If you were in danger,

I would help as well.

Wanci is weak and constantly anxious.

You should go back and rest.

I'll take her to her room.

Father, what should we do next?

Such a shame.

- Young Lady Lin... - What is?

I put so much effort

into brewing the Baihua Brew.

A good drink reflects

the heart of its maker.

Losing it

is indeed a shame.

But with your skills,

I'm sure it's not the only fine wine you can create.

If given the chance,

I'd love to try another.

You flatter me, Yan Shao.

It's just a minor craft.

There's nothing worth bragging about.

You're intelligent and full of surprises.

Every skill you possess is worth anticipating.

Oh, great, now we're showing off with fancy words?

Why don't you two just play a game of idioms?

I'm leaving.

Shukuang never used to be so impatient.

She was always the calmest among us.

Sometimes even more composed than Shaoci.

I heard Shaoci interrogate a Ghost Valley Sect member last night

and got nothing.

He said he was just a child.

I need to see who this person is.

By the way,

my father is best at using

the Mountain Shifting Palm.

His internal energy flows endlessly,

often injuring opponents from the inside.

Master Lin's palm technique is indeed powerful.

We didn't get to spar properly today.

But I look forward to learning more from him later.

You truly are different from the rest.

I'll take my leave now.

Hold balance.

No, no. That's not right.

Azure Dragon Claw.

What kind of idiom dictionary is this?

At least give me an explanation!

Yan Shao.

Yan Shao.

What's the matter?

Come with me.

No, I'm meditating.

Oh, come on. I have a surprise.

Just come with me.

What are you up to?

Hurry.

Walk faster.

We're almost there.

As per tradition,

I offer this gift to my master.

I, Rong Shukuang,

sincerely bow

and request Yan Shao to take me as his disciple.

Why the sudden decision to become my disciple?

After what happened that night, I finally understood.

Without martial arts,

there's no way to survive in this world.

Besides,

my sword technique manual is full of complicated idioms

that I don't understand one bit.

Fair point.

You may rise.

All right.

You can't just stop eating and drinking.

You still need food to survive.

You're still just a child.

I once had a rabbit.

It had long ears and was very obedient.

Its fur was soft

and felt smooth to the touch.

But one day,

it suddenly threw a tantrum.

It refused to eat or drink

and was so stubborn.

So someone took a needle

and thread and stitched up its orifices.

It suffocated to death.

The saddest part is

that right before it died, it went mad.

It kept scratching at its belly over and over

until it tore

a hole right through its own skin alive.

Tell me.

Wasn't that rabbit pitiful?

Who did it?

Come on, Master. Hurry up.

I'm already up.

But why are you slacking off, Master?

How are you up even earlier than the roosters?

Master, you need to address me as your disciple now.

The morning is the best time for practice!

I'm all set, Master.

Let's begin.

All right.

Come on.

What are we practicing?

The first move is the Starlit Descent.

Let's get started.

Your stance is wrong.

Ouch, Master.

Again.

Lower your stance.

Straighten your arms.

Keep them firm.

Relax your shoulders.

Keep them level.

Okay, now do it again.

What's this?

A real punch!

Now, understand why protecting your head is important?

(Oh, Rong Shukuang.)

(You're so unlucky)

(to have ended up with such a useless successor like me.)

Master,

every time I try to gather energy and exert force,

I feel this strange pressure swirling around my chest and stomach.

It leaves me feeling weak all over.

That's probably because of the injuries you sustained from Shen Zuitian.

Don't use your internal energy for now. Just focus on perfecting

the Starlit Descent.

Watch carefully.

(Did people in ancient times use perfume too?)

(Every time I catch a whiff of Yan Zhao's scent,)

(my heart starts racing.)

Relax

and focus.

Gather your strength in your hands.

(Rong Shukuang,)

(could it be that you have)

(improper thoughts about Yan Shao?)

(No, that's not right.)

(Since I have sought him to be my master,)

(I must respect him)

(and not overstep my bounds.)

Calm your mind.

Don't let it wander.

Starlit Descent.

♪A journey long, yet life is but one ride♪

♪Blades in chaos, the world in turmoil, tangled ties♪

♪A fleeting warmth to shield me from the ice♪

♪Ah, as spring awakens love's delight♪

Moonlit Tide.

♪One single glance, my heart takes flight♪

♪I've heard tales of love and vengeance, left forgotten in the tide♪

♪And the first sight of starry rain in desert brings a profound heartache♪

♪But I don't know, I don't know, how long this moment will abide♪

You need to regulate your breathing, allowing your sword

to move as your heart commands.

♪I understand, love and longing, how much truth, how many lies♪

♪Yet my swift blade cannot sever, cannot sever these endless ties♪

♪I have known, the lonely journeys, wandering years without goodbyes♪

♪Yet this moment stirs the ache inside♪

♪One turn through this dream of Jianghu, one heartbeat lost in time♪

♪No dream compares to a fateful meeting so divine♪

♪Love needs no hero, only a foolish mind♪

♪Trapped in Jianghu's ruthless tides, once, let me defy♪

(My heart...)

(My heart feels like it's about to explode.)

(Master-disciple relationship sounds forbidden and thrilling.)

(It's like something straight out of those comics.)

(Hey, Rong Shukuang.)

(Get a hold of yourself)

(and stop being obsessive.)

A martial artist must never let stray thoughts cloud their mind.

What were you thinking about?

You.

No,

I meant the technique.

Master, you are right to scold me.

I won't let my mind wander again.

That's enough for today.

Master.

Why do you look like you're about to say

I am pregnant?

It's just exhaustion.

Go and get some rest.

What? Not pregnant?

There's no plot twist at all?

How boring.

♪Spinning through my heart, my dreams, the endless Jianghu♪

♪A fateful turn, where love and hearts collide♪

♪Ah, such a blissful tide♪

♪A journey long, yet life is but one ride♪

♪Blades in chaos, the world in turmoil, tangled ties♪

♪A fleeting warmth to shield me from the ice♪

♪Ah, as spring awakens love's delight♪

♪One single glance, my heart takes flight♪

♪I've heard tales of love and vengeance, left forgotten in the tide♪

♪And whispers of desert stars and rain, where love at first sight fades to cries♪

♪But I don't know, I don't know, how long this moment will abide♪

♪Yet here and now, for this one soul, I stand beside♪

♪I understand, love and longing, how much truth, how many lies♪

♪Yet my swift blade cannot sever, cannot sever these endless ties♪

♪I have known, the lonely journeys, wandering years without goodbyes♪

♪Yet this moment stirs the ache inside♪

♪One turn through this dream of Jianghu, one heartbeat lost in time♪

♪No dream compares to a fateful meeting so divine♪

♪Love needs no hero, only a foolish mind♪

♪Trapped in Jianghu's ruthless tides, once, let me defy♪

♪A single touch, a fleeting smile, is enough to shake the sky♪

♪Stirring the stillness, where the winds rise high♪

♪Though fate may part our paths, we walk the same road♪

♪A crescent moon, a crimson glow, a love untold♪

♪Like passing winds, like aching souls, never to meet once more♪

♪Then what is fate even for♪

♪Just once, to fall into your arms, not lost, nor torn, nor bound to strife♪

♪Amidst the storm of masters' might, hidden deep, a love so bright♪

♪Standing apart from all the fight, only one embrace so right♪

♪A dream of Jianghu's light♪

♪One turn through this dream of Jianghu, one heartbeat lost in time♪

♪No dream compares to a fateful meeting so divine♪

♪Love needs no hero, only a foolish mind♪

♪Trapped in Jianghu's ruthless tides, once, let me defy♪

♪A single touch, a fleeting smile, is enough to shake the sky♪

♪Stirring the stillness, where the winds rise high♪