Original subtitles

[Mysterious Lotus Casebook]

[Episode 19]

Director Di, you covered up for me.

I owe you one.

Why did you bring him here?

You believe the Jinyuan Alliance

is to blame for your senior's death, don't you?

Director Di brought me here to tell you

that ten years ago,

Shan Gudao issued a challenge to me,

Four-faced Qingzun, and the King Bai of Fire.

We didn't take it seriously.

When we arrived at the place he told us,

we found Shan Gudao already dead.

It's my senior who issued the challenge.

This is the letter he sent them.

[Shan Gudao] [I, Shan Gudao from the Sigu Sect, hereby issue a challenge to the Three Great Fighters from the Jinyuan Alliance. We'll fight to the death in the Yangsha Valley with heaven and earth as witnesses.] [The Jinyuan Alliance and the Sigu Sect have been at odds for years. A showdown is needed to put an end to the dispute.]

This is not my senior's handwriting.

My Lord.

How's that possible?

At this point,

there's no need for him to lie.

Shan Gudao's death was very strange.

That's why I took his body away

and let Shi Hun examine it.

Maybe someone deliberately sowed discord

between the Jinyuan Alliance and the Sigu Sect.

And the aftermath

didn't stop with the demises

of the Jinyuan Alliance and the Sigu Sect.

Who is behind it?

The death of my senior

may be the key to answering that question.

So you don't want to die now?

I won't prove you wrong.

Director Di,

don't you want to know what happened

ten years ago?

Of course I do.

The truth will eventually come to light.

But our competition

concerns my dignity.

After I find the Styx Flower

and you eat the Yin Grass,

you can regain your strength and fight me again.

I can help you find out the truth

after that.

First of all, I need to know

the relationship between the Jinyuan Alliance and Nanyin.

What on earth has the Jinyuan Alliance done?

Nanyin?

Doesn't ring a bell?

You forgot it so soon?

In the Yipin Tomb,

the wooden box you took away

was Princess Nanyin's dowry.

Don't you know that?

I was there for Weeping Guanyin.

Why would I take a wooden box?

I just learned that ten years ago,

it was Nanyin people who bought large quantities of gunpowder

from the Thunder Hall in Jiangnan.

I want to know

what makes you think the Jinyuan Alliance

is involved with Nanyin.

What else do you know?

Why don't you be honest with me?

Someone from Nanyin

bought gunpowder

and blew up everything you had in the East Sea.

Do you know

that Jiao Liqiao is from Nanyin?

Are you sure of that?

Director Di,

you got some family issues to attend to.

I'll come to you

after getting to the bottom of it.

I've been looking for you

yet you're hiding here drinking alone.

So you weren't the one who spat up blood

on the ground a while ago?

I'm much better now.

But you're not well enough to drink.

Here.

Take the medicine.

You're so clumsy.

I can do it myself.

You saved me despite our dispute.

Your attitude has changed a lot.

Thank you.

Don't thank me.

Maybe I should call you Mr. Glib.

You say lots of pretty things

and have a silver tongue.

But you barely mean

what you say.

You thanked me for saving your life,

but I don't think

you've ever

taken your life seriously.

I'm just afraid of death.

Thank you.

I mean it.

That can't change the fact

that you ratted me out.

Let me tell you something.

When I was in the villa these days,

I read lots of books and did some research.

Research?

About what?

About you.

Fang Xiaobao.

Don't you have something better to do?

I think

you used to be quite arrogant

and very talented.

Apart from being arrogant,

we're very alike.

You made a lot of friends,

but few of them were true friends.

Later, something big happened

and you ended up all alone.

Maybe you were betrayed by your best friend,

which made you mistrustful

and believe that you're better off being alone.

What do you say?

I guessed it right, didn't I?

No.

Alright.

You're so pitiful.

I'll be the bigger man and forgive you.

Here.

Finish the rest of the medicine

so that we can venture into

the martial world again.

Fang Xiaobao.

I remember you

bidding me farewell

and swearing never to talk to me again.

Shut up and take the medicine.

Drink it!

[Wulin Inn]

Here.

Have some more.

What's wrong?

You have no appetite?

Are there remains of poison in your body?

I'll ask Physician Xue to check on you later.

Let me check your pulse.

No need.

I…

Ms. Qiao.

Ms. Qiao.

Mr. Ji.

Are you feeling better?

Thank you for your concern.

I've fully recovered.

I was about to tell Zijin

that there was no need to send for a physician.

Zijin cares for you very much.

He was worried sick

when something happened to you.

It was chaotic yesterday

and I didn't get a chance to talk with you.

Ms. Qiao,

have you met Jiao Liqiao?

Is that woman more skilled in martial arts now?

She flicked the Iced Cicada into my mouth.

I could hardly fight back.

What's worse

is that the Jinyuan Alliance

is coming for the 188 prisons.

I heard that the Baichuan Court has 188 prisons

and the Jinyuan Alliance has broken into many of them recently.

The prison at the old address of the Sigu Sect

has been found by Di Feisheng.

It's not a coincidence.

The locations of the 188 prisons

are only known by me, Biqui, Bai, Shi,

and my most trusted disciples.

Someone must have spilled the beans,

or there wouldn't have been so many breaches.

Do you suspect anyone?

Without evidence,

I don't suspect anyone arbitrarily.

We just need to be more vigilant

and wait for the mole to give themselves away.

Mr. Ji.

The Sigu Sect fell into pieces ten years ago.

Only the Baichuan Court

still has its essence.

The last thing I want to hear

is that there's a traitor in the Baichuan Court.

If…

If Xiangyi were still alive,

he wouldn't want to see

this branch of the Sigu Sect fall apart.

Wanmian.

Li Xiangyi is gone.

The Sigu Sect is long gone as well.

Just leave this matter to Mr. Ji.

The Sigu Sect is gone.

But

as long as we're still dedicated to maintaining peace in the martial world,

and as long as we can join hands together,

the Sigu Sect can be back.

You want to revive the Sigu Sect?

Is that what the Baichuan Court wants?

No.

That's what many people want.

For many years, Jiao Liqiao

has been causing disturbances everywhere with the remnants of the Jinyuan Alliance.

Di Feisheng has returned

and openly challenged us yesterday.

Everyone present was indignant.

They all hope

that the Sigu Sect can get back on its feet

to unite the martial world,

suppress Di Feisheng,

and wipe out the Jinyuan Alliance.

It seems

that you support this idea too.

For the Sigu Sect to come back,

a new Sect Leader is needed.

So I came to discuss it with you.

I've thought about it.

Zijin was the Left Guardian of the Sigu Sect.

You're the best suited for this position.

No, he's not.

I…

Reviving the Sigu Sect

can't be achieved overnight.

Mr. Ji, let me think about it.

OK.

I'll leave now.

Zijin, don't be angry.

You said

you're not interested in the affairs in the martial world.

That's why I…

Wanmian.

You seldom lie.

So when you do,

you make small gestures.

I know you very well.

Zijin.

-I don't mean… -Of course you think

that I can't be the Sect Leader.

Because in your eyes,

only Li Xiangyi can be in that position.

You have never

gotten over him.

When I saved you from Di Feisheng,

you were groggy

but kept

calling Xiangyi.

For so many years,

you've been thinking about him

day and night,

haven't you?

It's not like that, Zijin.

Okay.

Let me ask you.

Why did you go to find Li Lianhua

right after you felt better?

Do you find him

familiar too?

You're not the only one.

Sometimes when I looked into his eyes,

I couldn't help but think of Xiangyi.

So,

you tried to see Li Xiangyi

in Li Lianhua,

didn't you?

Zijin.

I never saw Xingyi in anyone.

My feelings for Xiangyi have changed.

He was a friend from the past.

A memory.

He

will never be the obstacle between us.

Trust me.

Okay.

I trust you.

I believe everything you say.

But

I have to change too.

Change?

I wasn't interested in reviving the Sigu Sect.

But now,

I've decided

to lead the Sigu Sect.

I'll prove to you

that I can do whatever Li Xiangyi could

and I can do better than him!

Share your wisdom,

contribute to the society,

and uphold justice.

Yes.

Well said.

Yes, well said.

Good.

Mr. Jiang,

are you going to Qingfeng Peak

to attend the reviving ceremony of the Sigu Sect too?

Yes, Fu.

I knew

you'd come for fun as well.

Not for fun.

We're going to shed blood and sweat for the Sigu Sect.

Nothing is more honorable

than dying for justice!

Great.

You young people are the future of the martial world.

Back then,

when Li Xiangyi became successful,

he was around your age.

The ceremony will start soon.

Let's go.

Let's go.

[The Sigu Sect, August 25th] [At this critical moment, we earnestly appeal to all our esteemed friends, both old and new, to share your wisdom, contribute to the society, and uphold justice alongside the Sigu Sect.] [Announcement: The martial world is afflicted by nuisances like the Jinyuan Alliance. The revival of the Sigu Sect is imperative.]

I was waiting in line to buy pork wontons.

Why did you bring me here?

Forget about wontons.

The revival of the Sigu Sect

is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Without me, you can't even come in.

Hero Zhang, please.

Everyone,

during the decade when the Sigu Sect was defunct,

the martial world changed a lot.

The remnants of the Jinyuan Alliance

have bounced back

and become a nuisance again.

It's our duty to eliminate them and restore order.

By reviving the Sigu Sect,

we want to unify our friends, new and old,

to get rid of the evil forces together.

I won't flatter myself by thinking

that I deserve to be the Sect Leader.

I'm grateful to those who recommend me

and don't want to let them down.

So I'll lead the Sigu Sect for the time being.

I hereby announce this decision

and expect support from all of you.

Congratulations.

We'll do our best to help.

We want to join the Sigu Sect

to continue our predecessors' legacy.

It's a noble cause that's worth dying for!

Count me in.

-I'm in! -Count me in.

Count me in.

Me too.

Count me in.

I'm in!

Me too.

-Great. I'll join… -Here comes the Wanshen Clan.

Director Feng.

Welcome, Director Feng.

You tided us over

at a difficult time.

As the leader of the Nanshan Sect, I'm very grateful to you.

Everyone,

after Sect Leader Li passed away,

the Sigu Sect fell apart.

It was a great pity.

The news that Sect Leader Xiao and his friends

will pick up the pieces and revive the Sigu Sect

has spread throughout the martial world.

You have the full support of the Wanshen Clan.

We have allies all over the martial world.

Sect Leader Xiao,

if you need any help,

just say it.

Director Feng is right.

Yes.

He's not here to say congratulations.

He just wants to establish dominance.

Thank you, Director Feng.

In the past few years, I've stayed out of the martial world.

When I heard about the rising of the Wanshen Sect,

I was very relieved.

The martial world

needs new forces

to uphold justice.

The Wanshen Clan was established at a perilous time

and has since then been doing whatever we can

to keep order in the martial world.

We didn't expect

to get so many people's support

and become stronger and stronger

over the past decade.

More power means more responsibility.

I came here,

first, to congratulate the Sigu Sect.

Second, I want to tell the martial world

that if anyone meets any difficulties,

turn to the Wanshen Clan.

We'll do everything we can

to help you.

Director Feng is so nice.

The Wanshen Clan is a righteous organization

just like the Sigu Sect.

I believe that if we join forces,

we can definitely defeat the strong enemies

and eliminate the Jinyuan Alliance and Di Feisheng.

Of course,

you won't be helping us for nothing.

The Sigu Sect's secret books on martial arts

and exclusive elixirs

will be shared with you guys.

That's great.

Great.

That's great.

If Li Xiangyi were still alive,

would he be happy to hear that?

What's wrong?

They're not gathered here for justice.

They just want a share of the profits.

If the revival of the Sigu Sect

can't bring everyone together

for the cause of justice

and makes the martial world even more divided,

what's the point of reviving it?

That's nonsense!

Mind your own business.

You…

Am I wrong?

Fang Xiaobao.

In my opinion,

we now don't know what the Jinyuan Alliance want.

So in the current situation,

if we pit ourselves against them,

many sects will get involved in conflicts.

Therefore, I suggest

staying our hand for now.

Evil forces

must be wiped out.

If we don't do it now,

should we wait until they rule the martial world?

The late Sect Leader Yi Xiangyi

established the Sigu Sect

to keep order in the martial world.

Do you have objections to that?

No.

I dare not.

[Yuanbao Villa]

[Mysterious Lotus Casebook]

Are you leaving?

Mian.

It's time for me to leave.

The ceremony has just begun

yet you're leaving.

Have you really given up on the Sigu Sect?

I no longer belong in the martial world.

Besides,

the Sigu Sect

has its new leader now.

So,

you have no objection to Zijin being the Sect Leader?

I don't and never did.

Mian.

All this time,

I've meant what I said to you

and never lied to you.

Then

where will you go?

No need to worry about me.

Have you forgotten

that I have a mobile house?

I can go wherever I want.

There's such a big world

out there.

I can sail out into the sea

or climb up a mountain.

I have savings and a dog.

So don't worry about me.

That sounds good,

but you're all alone.

You know what?

In a blink of an eye,

ten years have passed.

Perhaps

it's not so bad an idea

to live like that.

Moreover,

it's a little cold on the mountain.

You feel cold?

Mian.

I'm a human, not a ghost.

Of course I feel cold.

You never talked about things like this before,

so I was…

I was surprised.

You're so different from Xiangyi.

He never appeared tired.

He was always busy

and barely slept.

Although he was a spendthrift

and liked

to order people around,

he could always make great achievements.

And Xiangyi never forgave anyone.

Unlike him,

I'm very poor

and just have enough to get by.

I love sleeping somewhere quiet.

It's relaxing.

I don't have any enemies.

I forgot to tell you this.

In the past decade,

I've learned to cook,

plant flowers,

and even sew.

I really like my life now.

I…

I need to go help Zijin.

Hope I can

get a chance to see your flowers.

I'll be waiting for you.

Yangzhouman.

It's really him.

[Here lies the late Sect Leader of the Sigu Sect, Li Xiangyi]

I wrote you a letter in Wanmian's handwriting to invite you here.

You really came.

Li Xiangyi.

Li Xiangyi is dead.

His grave is here.

Since you're dead,

why did you come back?

Can't you just leave Wanmian alone?

She mourned over you for ten years.

That's ten years of youth.

Do you know

how hard it was for her to move on?

Do you know how long I waited for her to come around?

Once you came back,

you ruined everything.

Zijin.

I'm just here to say congratulations.

I was about to leave.

So don't get me wrong.

I know

you and Mian are very close now.

I want to give you two my best wishes.

Close?

You're alive

and have come back.

How can we still be close?

The moment you let her recognize you,

you took her away from me.

Best wishes?

You actually came back to laugh at me, didn't you?

You think too much.

Li Xiangyi.

You're so famous.

People are still telling your story now.

Now that Jiao Liqiao and Di Feisheng have reappeared,

of course you want

to reclaim your reputation too.

That's why you contradicted me

during the reviving ceremony.

I just gave you a piece of advice.

As for what the Sigu Sect

and other martial sects will do,

I won't interfere.

You and Mian love each other.

Even if I'm back,

your relationship won't be affected.

I'm worried

that Mian will abandon me for you.

Zijin.

Don't you trust Mian?

As long as you're alive,

I can't trust her.

You said you don't care about anything here.

Then promise me

that you'll never come back

and never see Mian again.

If I promise that,

will you believe me?

No.

Li Xiangyi is so willful.

He does whatever he wants.

If you want to steal Mian from me

and take the Sigu Sect back,

how can I stop you?

So?

Jump off.

I don't want to kill you.

The cliff is dozens of meters high.

If I jump off it,

I'll die for sure.

Bring it on.

Do we have to do this?

You know me.

I mean what I say.

Fast and clean.

You're still as arrogant as you used to be.

Zijin.

I don't want to fight you.

What if I insist

on fighting to the death?

Wait!

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Mian.

Zijin recognized me.

It's been so long since I last sparred with him.

So we just had a match.

He has improved a lot.

Okay.

I see.

Zijin.

I wanted to tell you that he's Xiangyi,

but he wouldn't stay

and doesn't want to bother us.

Yes. It's time for me to leave.

Take care.

Zijin.

Even if he's back,

things have changed.

He left,

but I'm still by your side.

Can you be relieved now?

From now on,

let's forget about the past.

Stop seeing him as an enemy,

will you?

Welcome back.

Have you taken this place as your home?

I feel hungry

and saw the Lotus Tower when I went down the mountain.

I seldom cook.

You're lucky today.

Come, sit down.

Eat while they're hot.

What are you waiting for?

Eat before they get cold.

Come. Sit down.

Help yourself.

Come on.

Why did you go down the mountain?

The Sigu Sect needs all the help they can get.

I thought you'd stay there,

do your job,

and make some great achievements.

Isn't that your dream?

That's not the Sigu Sect I want to revive.

They should give it a new name.

Maybe the Revenge Sect.

You can't expect everyone to meet your standards.

I know.

But the Sigu Sect now

is encouraging big sects to merge and expand

in the name of annihilating the Jinyuan Alliance.

No one gives a fig

about those small sects.

It's so unfair.

The Sigu Sect back then would never do this.

In my opinion,

Li Xiangyi and the Sigu Sect

have become empty words they use to justify their wrongdoing.

Li Xiangyi wasn't always right.

I'm older than you.

I've heard a lot about him.

When he was young,

he was very petulant.

The downfall of the Sigu Sect

was partly his fault.

Someone said that

to me before.

But I've studied him,

he should be proud of himself!

There's a fine line

between proud and arrogant.

Arrogant is not a good word.

He was proud

because he had faith.

Faith is a great word.

No one is perfect.

Neither was he.

There are shadows

wherever there is light.

Yes.

Maybe Li Xiangyi was too proud.

But he established the Sigu Sect

to make the martial world a better place

where the strong didn't prey on the weak.

Look at those guys.

They're just a bunch of selfish posers!

If Li Xiangyi knew that someone could understand him

so well ten years later,

he'd be very glad.

Fang Duobing.

It's a pity that you're not a cook.

This is just one of my knacks.

Don't underestimate me.

Cherish me.

I didn't underestimate you.

To be honest,

I'm determined to make my own way in the martial world.

It's fine that you don't see me as your friend,

but don't see me like a kid either.

I only have one request.

Don't play tricks

to send me back to the Tianji Hall again, will you?

It was hard for me to escape.

Give it to me.

Let's put an end to the past.

Here.

To my new friend.

What?

Your new friend?

My best friend.

Wait.

Did you put something in the wine?

I've drunk it.

You've played me so many times.

I can handle it one more time.

You drink like a fish.

Since we're best friends now,

I won't keep anything from you.

I have to tell you something.

I just learned that Shan Gudao was not my uncle.

He was my father.

You've found out about that?

Y-You knew it?

What else are you hiding from me?

I just found it out.

When I was investigating the real cause of your father's death,

I learned that by accident.

The real cause?

Shan Gudao

was not killed by the Jinyuan Alliance.

But his death

started the dispute

between the Sigu Sect and the Jinyuan Alliance.

I think someone is pulling the strings

for a bigger goal.

It involves the Yu City,

the Yipin Tomb,

the Yuanbao Villa,

and the ice shard.

Nanyin played an important role in it.

But that's not all.

My biological mother

gave me a painting

of the ice shard.

Look.

How did your mother

get the ice shard?

Maybe it had something to do with Shan Gudao.

I've studied it carefully.

It's a key to some device.

There's probably more than one of them.

Perhaps someone wants to gather them

to open something.

My Lord.

Since you came back from Qingfeng Peak,

you've been so busy

that you haven't gotten time

to have a proper meal.

I prepared those dishes for you.

I've been thinking

if you're so busy

because I didn't

do my job well.

You've been doing great.

You helped me a lot by poisoning Qiao Wanmian

at Qingfeng Peak.

Sorry that I took action

without your permission.

I said you helped me a lot.

Why are you so nervous?

You're a better tactician

than me.

With you looking out for me,

I feel at ease.

I'm so happy

to get your recognition.

I'd like to drink to you

to thank you for your appreciation.

Gongyang Wumen said

only Yangzhouman can detoxify

the Iced Cicada he made.

I didn't expect that your inner power could detoxify it too.

Are you saying that Li Xiangyi's inner power is stronger than mine?

That came out wrong.

I'll drink as a punishment.

How many years have you been with me?

13 years.

All these years,

I've never asked you what you want.

I don't want anything.

I love you wholeheartedly.

But

the time has come for you to get married.

All I want

is to become your last

and only woman.

I'll get married,

but not to a woman whose background is a mystery.

You're a descendant of the royal family of Nanyin

but you never mentioned it.

How did you…

How did I know?

You're smart,

but you should know better than to get smart with me.

You misunderstood me, My Lord.

Since I started working for you,

I've believed that I belong with you.

That's why I never mentioned my motherland.

Fine.

Let me ask you.

Is there anyone else from Nanyin in the Central Plains?

My Lord.

I'm loyal to you

and have given you all my attention.

I don't know any other people from Nanyin.

Jiao Liqiao.

You never learn.

You never understand

what I really want.

From now on,

you can't interfere with anything in the Alliance.

My Lord.

Listen.

You don't belong with me,

but you may belong

with the traitors I killed with my sword.

He has found out

that I'm a descendant of the royal family of Nanyin.

What else does he know

besides that?

Don't let me find out who tipped him off

and made him suspicious.

Or I'll make them wish they were dead.

Don't panic, Saintess.

Go tell Feng Qing

to clean up the Thunder Hall.

Director Di can't know anything

about the gunpowder purchase.

Saintess,

I think

you should look out for yourself now.

Saintess, why don't you

rally your supporters in the martial world

and use them as your backup?

You'll have no worries then.

In my eyes,

those people are just a bunch of nobodies.

They're useful,

but all of them combined

are not comparable to Director Di.

Director Di is very powerful,

but you need to harden your heart

to get him under your control.

Just doing whatever he says

may have the opposite effect.

Do you know how they tame an eagle

on the prairie?

They crush its pride

and shatter its ego

to reinvent it.

The eagle will still be aggressive

and very fierce

when released,

but it'll only take orders from one person.

Snow Master.

Bring me that incense.

Yes.

What are you eating, Fox Spirit?

Li Lianhua.

You said my father's death

may be related to something he did.

I found

that he used to have four capable assistants

called Four Tigers with Silver Spears.

Two of them died on the battlefield.

One is missing.

The last one Liu Rujing

is a guard at the Ma Fortress in Fengzhou now.

It's not far from here.

If it's not far,

why didn't he come to Xiao Zijin's wedding?

Since the Sigu Sect disbanded,

he's been holding a grudge against Xiao Zijin.

Sounds like we need to go visit him.

Now?

Can you handle that?

I'm fine.

Well,

Ms. Qiao hasn't finished her wedding.

Won't you stay for her wedding?

No need.

Why are you looking at me?

Is there something on my face?

Look at you.

You look weak

and are just ordinary-looking.

What does

the most beautiful woman in the world see in you?

Shut up. You know nothing.

I know a lot!

The way Ms. Qiao looks at you

is very different.

Fang Xiaobao, how old are you?

You can already read women's minds?

She's just grateful to me for saving her life.

Understand?

Don't you miss Ms. Qiao?

If you want to take her away,

I can help you.

Let me repeat it.

We're not right for each other.

I mean it.

Many people oppose

their marriage.

They all say that Xiao Zijin

used to be Li Xiangyi's subordinate.

Everyone thinks the two of them are indebted to Li Xiangyi.

That's what Mian wants.

She deserves the best in the world.

Li Xiangyi

was not a good match for her.

Let's go.

Pack your things.

Are you a detective or not?

What have you been thinking all day?

Mock yourself all you want,

but you can't speak ill of my Master!