Original subtitles

[A Moment But Forever]

[Episode 9]

Hello.

Have you bought the ticket?

Are you still planning to buy one?

Yes.

I'm not a bad person.

I'm just here to find someone.

You won't report me, will you?

Really?

My name is Tanyin.

I'm your fellow villager and neighbor.

We're good friends,

the best kind.

You're Tanyin,

my fellow villager and neighbor.

We're good friends,

the best kind.

Xue,

this is my hometown friend Tanyin,

a good friend I grew up with,

the best kind.

Here.

Take a look.

How is it?

It's pretty good, right?

From now on,

you can stay at my place.

No need to trouble you.

How can you say that?

We're good friends,

the best kind.

Since we've met,

there's no reason for you to leave.

Just listen to me

and stay here.

It's you who killed Ji Tanyin,

but why am I the one getting the bad luck?

My misfortune is your misfortune.

What's the difference?

Luckily,

I was prepared.

Wait,

how did it get lost too?

Yuanzhong,

I told you before that

Ji Tanyin could

being able to survive under the Divine Left Hand

means her bloodline is not ordinary.

The War Demon was once a member of the divine race.

Killing her

is like killing a god.

There's always a price for that.

The War Demon was already

exiled from the Divine Realm.

What kind of divine race is that?

Don't worry.

It'll be fine after a while.

After the Battle of Pinghu back then,

you were unlucky for many years.

Many War Demons

died in the Battle of Pinghu.

How can Ji Tanyin alone

be compared to them?

That's different.

This divine retribution has struck with overwhelming force.

You'd better do some good deeds

and build up some merit

to lessen the consequences.

Where are you going?

To make some money.

Accountant Liu,

can you read this for me?

It's a letter

from my little brother.

I've got a lot to do here,

let's do it tomorrow.

You said yesterday

that you'd read it to me today.

Tomorrow.

Come here.

I?

Yes, come here.

Let me read it for you.

This... This is too much trouble.

It's no trouble.

Greetings, elder brother.

It's been months since we last met,

and I miss you very much.

Everything at home is as usual.

Our parents are in good health.

Little sister has grown taller.

Uncle Hui's tailoring shop is expanding,

and he took me on as an apprentice.

I'll work hard to learn the craft

and take care of father, mother, and little sister.

Brother, don't worry.

The old yellow dog at home is getting old...

I'm going to work now.

Stay in the room and don't wander around.

You don't have a ticket,

and you might get caught.

I'll go buy a ticket later.

With me around,

why waste your money on that?

Be good, okay?

I'll bring you something tasty when I come back.

I'm off.

Grandpa,

is the Grudge Bird fiercer than an eagle?

If you really compare them,

the eagle

is like a little bunny—so gentle.

It's no match

for the Grudge Bird.

That sounds so impressive.

I'd love to have one.

The Grudge Bird, according to legends,

is formed from the resentment

on the Pinghu battlefield.

It's the embodiment of the dead War Demon.

It's not so easy to tame.

If it smells blood,

it'll swoop down

and eat us both,

leaving nothing but bone fragments.

I'm not afraid.

We have the craftsman uncle on the ship.

Mom said that our clan's craftsmanship is the best—

we'll definitely be able to kill them.

It's not that easy.

It's said that the Grudge Bird

is over a person tall,

fast,

and tough.

They're really hard to kill.

Its body may be tough,

but its head is extremely soft.

If you attack its head,

you can kill it.

Moreover, Grudge Birds are not

the transformed spirits of the deceased War Demons.

Instead, they are ordinary birds

that accidentally consumed the dense, lingering death energy

left after the Battle of Pinghu,

which turned them into what people now call

Grudge Bird.

I've learned something today.

Father, it's easy to catch a cold out here.

Why are you out here again?

The scenery is so beautiful...

I won't get to see much more of it.

Father, you're talking nonsense again.

Let's go back.

Alright.

Grandson, let's go.

Let me help you pick those up.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Never mind.

Here you are.

Thank you, Sir.

Thank you, Sir.

Let's go.

It's not that simple, huh?

You've run into such bad luck.

Could it be that Ji Tanyin is

the daughter of the leader of the War Demons?

I've even killed the leader of the War Demon before;

why would I be afraid of his daughter?

You'd better do some good deeds

to balance the backlash.

The guards on the tower ship

are looking for you,

aren't they?

My men are waiting for me to return.

If they realize

I've been gone too long,

they'll definitely come looking.

You won't be able to run then.

By then,

I'll kill you first.

Young man,

we have no conflict.

There's no need for this, right?

What are your conditions?

What's in here?

I'm not sure.

It's An's order.

He said it's cargo for a merchant group.

It's been checked already.

Where's An?

An?

I don't know. I haven't seen him.

Let's leave.

So you're afraid of being found out too, huh?

Neither of us are good people;

no need to scare me.

Who's used this water pouch

these past few days?

You haven't been spotted, have you?

Do they all know

I'm your fellow villager?

Do I have some face?

Yes, you do.

Here, have some water.

What's wrong?

Do you remember I told you

I came on board to find someone?

That person

used to be really good to me,

so I always thought

he was a good person.

But later,

some things happened,

and I started to think

maybe he wasn't so good after all.

So what?

So,

I originally came to

settle things with him,

but then I noticed

he seems to treat everyone else

quite well.

And then?

Then,

I got a bit confused.

Is he a good person

or a bad person?

What's the big deal?

People change.

Someone

might do good today

and bad tomorrow.

We can't say he's

good today

and bad tomorrow.

You can't judge someone

based on just one thing.

It takes time to truly know someone's heart.

Take me for example.

You see me

cheerful every day, right?

But actually, I'm not

very happy here either.

If you're not happy,

why don't you leave?

My home is in Yandu,

where it's already hard to make a living.

Our house is small.

After my elder brother got married

and had a son,

they're still all sleeping in one room

even though my nephew's grown up now.

My mom hopes I'll marry soon

to free up space at home.

So when the tower ship was hiring,

I came here.

Do you resent your family for that?

I don't blame them.

My sister-in-law always scolds my elder brother

for being incompetent.

My parents are in poor health,

and he's the only one earning money.

It's actually quite tough for him.

Life is hard for everyone.

The powerful have their struggles,

and ordinary people

have theirs too.

Wait, that's not right.

Aren't you my neighbor?

How could you not know about my situation?

Of course I know.

I just

didn't recall it for a moment.

Here, have something to eat.

I prepared it especially for you.

It smells so good.

Doesn't it?

Once I

find the right man,

I'll have a home,

and I won't work on the tower ship anymore.

But with so many people on the ship,

isn't there anyone you like?

I guess the right one hasn't come yet.

It's not like there's no one at all.

Yesterday, a gentleman came on board.

He's kind,

good-looking,

and I quite like him.

What's so good about him?

He's just good—

friendly,

helpful,

and speaks in a gentle manner.

I heard from Uncle Guan that

last night

he even read letters from home for the crew.

He didn't charge them,

and was very patient.

But judging from his clothes and appearance,

he's clearly from a wealthy family.

He probably wouldn't fancy someone like me.

It seems like I and Mr. Yuan

just aren't meant to be.

Mr. Yuan?

Is his surname Yuan?

Does he

have an attendant

with him?

Yes, he does.

His attendant is also very good-looking.

Do you think

I'd be a good match for that attendant?

It's right there.

We've searched the entire tower ship.

Only this cabin

refuses to let us in.

I suspect the person is inside.

Go knock on the door.

What if he doesn't open it?

Then we'll break it down.

Yes.

Is anyone there?

We're the tower ship's guards.

We have urgent business.

Please open the door.

What exactly happened?

Here's the thing.

A guest on the ship

lost something valuable.

I suspect there's a thief on board.

You suspect I'm the thief?

That's not what I meant at all.

We just want to search around.

Search around?

This is Shen Ying's ship, isn't it?

Let him come and search himself.

No.

He's so rude...

He's Mr. Tanghua,

from the Youhu Clan.

Go!

Go!

Did you say Mr. Tanghua is on the ship?

Is he here to chase the medicine?

I don't think so.

In any case,

he's the Commander of the Youhu Clan's War Division.

Since he's here,

we should at least show some hospitality.

Well,

prepare some gifts

and deliver them on my behalf.

While you're at it, try to gauge his intentions.

Yes.

Tanyin,

it's not that I don't agree,

but you said yourself

that he knows you.

If you go over like this,

won't you be recognized at a glance?

Don't worry.

I have my ways.

What's this?

It looks pretty nice.

Bear with it for a moment.

Why are you pinching me?

Tanyin!

You...

How did you turn into me?

I didn't turn into you.

It's just an illusion.

As long as I wear this,

others will

see me as you.

So magical!

Tanyin, have you become an immortal cultivator?

Are you a cultivator?

Is this magic?

It's not magic,

just a trick.

But you can't touch it.

If it gets rubbed off,

it won't work anymore.

Anyway, for now,

you stay here and rest.

I'll go out and work for you.

What are you going to do?

I want to see

if he's really

as helpful as you say.

Sir.

How did it go?

Mr. Tanghua said

he doesn't need to be served

and doesn't want to be disturbed,

so he sent me back.

That's good.

Why what?

Why not stop you?

Weren't you trying to save me?

How could I ruin your plans?

Tanghua,

why are you still like this?

If you're going to act, be decisive.

If you're going to take a side, commit fully.

How can you lead the War Division

if you keep hesitating

and wavering like this?

Good morning, Xue.

Morning.

Xue, hurry up.

Everyone's waiting for you.

You're almost late.

I know, thank you.

Hurry up!

Here.

Such a small wound.

Normally,

the Divine Left Hand could heal it instantly.

Yuanzhong,

you're in for some serious bad luck.

Ji Tanyin

is definitely no ordinary War Demon.

She must be someone of higher status

than the leader of the War Demon.

Higher than the clan leader?

Who could that be?

Maybe a saintess,

or a priestess who communicates with the gods.

Anyway, she's very powerful.

Yuanzhong,

killing her would be like killing a god.

You'll be rejected by the heavenly way

and face terrible misfortune.

Those War Demons

were expelled from the Divine Realm long ago.

If they count as gods,

then I've killed plenty of gods.

Who is it?

The meal delivery.

What delicious food do we have today?

You'll know when you open it.

Come in.

Put it here.

How should I test him?

Do you have any troubles

that you need help with?

Do you have letters from home?

I can read them for you.

Well,

is there any work I can help you with?

Just pick up

the broken teacup pieces on the floor.

Fine.

Your hand is injured?

It's nothing.

Where should I put them?

Put them here.

Is there anything else

you need help with?

Why are you always

so eager to help others?

Doing a good deed every day

is a requirement I set for myself.

If there's nothing else, you can go now.

Let go of my father!

Don't touch my father!

Miss Yu,

Don't touch him!

Your father has been dead for a while.

You kept it hidden,

but the other passengers in the cabin

found out.

Who wants to share a room

with a dead body?

Good thing you're in the sky.

If this were on the land,

you would've been thrown off the ship already.

We're just

moving him to the cargo hold.

Is that not okay?

I don't want to make things difficult for you,

but the cargo hold

is where you keep live chickens and ducks.

It's filthy and chaotic.

How can I let my father's body

stay there?

All the other cargo holds are full.

Please try to understand our situation.

Why are you wasting time talking to her?

Just move him quickly.

Aren't you afraid of bad luck?

Move him to my cabin.

I have a private cabin,

and it won't bother anyone.

Is that not okay?

If you're willing,

then there's no problem.

Then bring him in.

Take him away.

Mr. Yuan is such a good man.

Yesterday, he even read my family letters for me.

Indeed, doing so many good deeds

will surely bring him a long life.

Thank you, Mr. Yuan.

Thank you, Mr. Yuan.

No need to be so polite.

Please, rise quickly.

So, you

want to cooperate with me?

Yes.

Our goals don't conflict,

and I can provide you with

information about Mr. Yuan.

Do you know who I am?

I don't care who you are.

As long as you don't interfere with our plans,

you're not our enemy.

Interesting.

They say the human race is timid and cowardly,

but you're different.

Fine,

then tell me everything

about Mr. Yuan.

Boss,

could this guy mess things up?

He said that Mr. Yuan

is from the Youhu Clan.

Knowing the other's identity,

he still dares to act.

He's got guts.

So what should we do?

Should we wait a bit longer?

Maybe he can really succeed.

Let him do his thing,

and we'll do ours.

Whether he succeeds or not,

once the fire bomb goes off,

everyone

will head to the underworld.

Well...

There's an immortal from the Youhu Clan on this ship.

Could something go wrong?

So what if they're from the Youhu Clan?

Do you really think they're gods?

From this height, if they fall,

they'll be lucky

to save their own lives.

Success or failure hinges on this moment.

When the time comes,

everyone

will remember our names.

You're back.

Did you do all this?

Yes, I did.

When I'm in a good mood,

I like to tidy up.

Come, have a seat.

That's a great habit.

I'm exhausted.

Are you particularly tired today?

Well, it's the Sea Lantern Festival.

Many guests

took the ship

for the holiday.

So we had to decorate

and clean everywhere.

It's inevitable to feel a bit tired.

What's the Sea Lantern Festival?

You don't know?

The Sea Lantern Festival?

Yes.

The Sea Lantern Festival is a holiday

where the human race pray to the gods.

Because this place is the highest

and closest to the heavens,

many people

take this ship specifically

to release lanterns.

We believe that as long as we write our blessings

on the lanterns

and release them into the sky,

the gods will hear

our prayers

and grant our wishes.

We usually commemorate our departed loved ones

on the day.

During the Sea Lantern Festival,

guests release lanterns

filled with their blessings

into the wind. They soar through the sky,

nearly illuminating the entire night—

a rare and breathtaking sight.

I suppose the old man you mentioned

came for this reason too.

It's just a pity

that he'll never see it again.

But

have you ever thought that

maybe the gods

don't actually hear

your prayers at all?

It doesn't matter.

As long as we believe, that's enough.

Take it slow.

Go in.

Go.

Go.

Go in.

My friend!

Who are you?

You've been hard to find.

Look at that one,

so beautiful.

It's flying, flying high!

May the gods bless me

to grow up quickly.

It's flying, flying high!

Be careful!

Don't fall.

I know.

Go play.

Miss,

could you tell me how to get to the first-class cabins?

What did you say?

I... I was asking

how to get to the first-class cabins.

It's my first time on the ship,

and after walking around a bit,

I can't remember the way back.

First-class cabins...

Go upstairs from there,

and you'll reach the first-class cabin.

Wait.

Is there anything else?

I just wanted to say

thank you.

Who is the host inviting to the banquet

at the Dragon Hall tonight?

It's quite a grand affair.

You don't know?

It's an immortal from the Youhu Clan.

An immortal?

Really?

Haven't you noticed

what kind of person our host is?

An ordinary person wouldn't deserve

such careful and attentive treatment.

I heard that person

boarded at Hulu Port.

Isn't Hulu Port

very close to Fangwai Mountain?

And I caught a glimpse of

that young master from afar.

He had an immortal aura—no mistake about it.

Really?

What's the matter?

That father and daughter got off the ship

at Xing'an Port at noon today.

Miss Yu couldn't find you,

so she asked me to pass on

her gratitude to you.

What's wrong with this lantern?

Let me take a look.

This thin string isn't just for decoration.

You need to tie it tightly,

or

the hot air will escape from here.

Without enough upward force,

the lantern won't fly.

Look, it's fixed now.

Aren't you going to make a wish?

When you release the lantern,

you need to say your wish out loud

so the gods can hear it

and help make it come true.

Can they hear it?

I don't know about others,

but if you make a wish,

the gods will surely hear it.

Make a wish.

There's no need.

I don't have any wishes.

That can't be.

Everyone has wishes.

Do you have a wish?

Yes, I do.

I hope

I can complete

my mission

smoothly, steadily,

and with a clear conscience.

I also hope for peace across the Six Realms,

love in the world,

and the endless cycle of life for all things.

You're just a handmaiden,

yet you think quite a lot.

Mr. Tanghua,

the banquet is ready.

Let's take our seats.

Look,

there's a lantern

that looks like a fish,

and another like a butterfly.

What does that one look like?

A steamed bun?

Why is your sea lantern

so plain?

I just bought anything.

Let me make you a new one.

I'm quite skilled.

Do you have

a style you like?

Don't you believe me?

I've been learning the craft from my teacher since I was a child.

My teacher is very skilled at

making lanterns.

The sea lanterns he makes

will never fall.

They keep flying

and can even cross the Sea of Flux,

all the way to the Divine Realm.

Have you been to the Divine Realm?

How do you know your teacher's lanterns

can fly through the Sea of Flux

and reach the Divine Realm?

Maybe they

just burned up or fell somewhere

out of sight,

tumbling into a filthy ditch

and shattering to pieces.

Anyway, I just know.

Take it back quickly!

Be gentle!

Useless.

Its life is more precious than yours.

Yes.

Let's go.

It's gone.

You don't have to be afraid anymore.

Why should I be afraid?

You're a handmaiden on the tower ship?

What's your name?

Xue.

How long have you been working here?

Over two years.

Then you must know the people and happenings

on this ship pretty well?

I guess so.

Okay.

Then let me ask you,

who is the guest

being entertained in the private room on the second floor over there?

You don't know?

Aren't you

the handmaiden on the tower ship?

Well...

Even a handmaiden doesn't

know everything.

Look at how many people there are,

and how big this tower ship is.

I'm very busy every day,

with so many things to do.

I don't see you being busy.

I'm just stealing a moment of leisure.

I can't always be busy;

I need to balance work and rest.

Why do you keep following me?

I'm not following you.

Alright.

I heard that you

are generous and kind-hearted,

and enjoy helping others.

So I have a favor to ask.

What is it?

I want to follow you

and be your personal handmaiden.

Actually, here's the thing.

My family lives in Yandu City,

and it's hard to make a living there.

After my elder brother

got married and had children,

our house became too small.

So I thought of

coming here to the tower ship to find work.

But as you know,

the tower ship is full of all kinds of people,

and I don't get along well with them.

So I wanted to find a kind,

gentle,

and easy-to-get-along-with master to serve.

Coincidentally, you showed up.

I've also heard

that you are kind-hearted

and treat laborers and servants

all equally.

So...

Neither disguise

nor illusion.

Then what is it?

What are you doing?

You said your name is Xue, right?

Yes.

Do you also know craftsmanship?

No, I don't.

Then why do you know how to fix sea lanterns?

Sea lanterns?

Aren't they just lanterns?

It's very simple.

It has nothing to do with craftsmanship.

Do you know Ji Tanyin?

Who?

Whatever your purpose is,

stay away from me.

I'm not a kind-hearted person,

and I don't need a handmaiden.

Don't follow me.

He's quite alert.

Watch out!

Mr. Tanghua,

please.

I tried to visit the mountain

several times recently

but never had the chance to meet you.

Who would have thought that leaving

would finally make it happen?

This is truly my luck.

There are many affairs in the mountains

that require my personal attention,

so I couldn't fulfill my duties as a host.

Please don't blame me, Mr. Shen.

Mr. Tanghua, you're too polite.

As a leading figure among the immortal race,

responsible for the safety of the world,

you're bound to be busy.

But no matter how busy you are,

you must find time to rest.

Now that the world is at peace

and the people live and work in contentment,

it's all the merit of the Youhu Clan

and you.

I know

that immortals are compassionate

and care deeply for the people.

But to truly transcend the world,

one must first engage with it.

Isn't it a waste

of this beautiful world

to focus solely on arduous cultivation?

Sir, look,

the full moon hangs in the sky.

We soar through the clouds,

raising our toasts to the moon

and enjoying wine and conversation.

Isn't this kind of ease

also a great life?

Mr. Shen, you have a silver tongue.

You are right.

Peace across the land and the people living in contentment

is indeed a great life.

It's just a pity that

such good days

may not last long.

Everyone knows that

the Youhu Clan

is descended from the spirit foxes of Fangwai Mountain.

But the War Demon is different.

They come from the Divine Realm,

and have always taken pride in this

for thousands of years.

But Mr. Shen, do you know

why these descendants of the divine race

came to the mortal world?

Well...

I don't know.

Legend has it that the War Demon

once committed an unforgivable crime

and were exiled to the mortal world as a whole clan.

But after all, they are of divine race descent—

invulnerable to blades and fire.

Thus, the War Demons are incredibly powerful in battle,

often able to fight one against a hundred.

During the Battle of Pinghu back then,

our clan suffered heavy losses because of this.

Fortunately, the High Priest was talented,

turned the tide and annihilated the War Demon

with the power of Divine Hand.

But the War Demons were not completely wiped out.

A few days ago,

sorcery descended

upon Fangwai Mountain,

and I saw it with my own eyes.

Mr. Shen, you've sent so many

handmaidens from the human race up the mountain.

Haven't you heard even

a whisper about it?

Sir,

you must be mistaken.

Our clan sent handmaidens up the mountain

to express our admiration,

and gratitude for the Youhu Clan's kindness.

The handmaidens who went up the mountain

have no connection to us.

Mr. Shen, no need to be nervous.

I came here to meet you

to ask for an important favor.

Since the Battle of Pinghu,

our clan has been tracking the remnants of the War Demons,

but they've seemed

vanished without a trace,

leaving us searching in vain.

Now that they dare to return,

they must have some backing.

Our two clans have always been closely connected.

I hope we can join hands once again

and face this together.

The War Demons

are our common enemy.

But this matter is too significant

for a mere envoy like me

to decide.

Rest assured, Sir.

I will report this

to the City Lord as soon as possible.

Later,

I will personally go to Yandu

to meet with the City Lord

and discuss this matter with him.