Original subtitles

[A Moment But Forever]

[Episode 25]

Can you represent fairness and justice?

I cannot.

But the Six Realms have their own laws and regulations.

Both the human race and the immortal race

have their own laws and rules.

If someone goes against them,

disregarding all life, insisting on turning to the demonic path,

and bringing great harm to the world's harmony,

then heaven's laws will definitely deal with them.

Even if that person has many reasons,

they still must pay the price

for their actions.

Here's your dish, sir.

It tastes good.

Try it.

Bravo! Bravo!

Where are we?

Up ahead is the Years Well.

An old man once told me that

[Years Well]

during the Lantern Festival in Yandu,

many young people come here.

If you pray with sincerity,

you'll catch a glimpse of your future.

I didn't know that Yandu

had such a place.

Let's go and take a look too.

Before praying,

put these three kinds of leaves

into a red cloth strip

and hang it by the well.

Legend has it this brings good luck.

Locust leaf, elm leaf, and willow leaf?

Yes.

The word "locust" sounds like "first."

People always hope that their children

pass the imperial exams

and become officials in the court.

In March, people have fresh elm seeds

steamed with sugar

and call it "elm seed cakes."

Elm trees symbolize favorable weather for crops

and food for the people.

And the word "willow" sounds like "stay,"

carrying the meaning that those in love will not be separated.

It is indeed a good omen.

What did you see?

Nothing.

Maybe I wasn't sincere enough,

so I didn't see anything.

What about you?

What did you see?

I...

I saw your future—

your good days

50, 80,

or even two or three hundred years from now.

By then,

you will have white hair but a youthful face,

surrounded by your children and grandchildren.

You will be full of kindness and ease,

joy and peace.

You will grow old together with one person.

And many others will envy you.

That's all?

In the end,

you will find fulfillment

and live a life that, when you look back on it,

is filled with endless happiness.

But with whom will I

spend a fulfilling life?

The rich fragrance fills the heaven and earth.

This scent reaches the Gate of Heaven.

Crossing a thousand miles, we offer incense in prayer,

hoping for the true god to appear at this altar.

Oh god,

I am your most faithful servant.

I have an important matter to report to you.

I have an important matter to report to you!

You are truly useless.

Goddess, please forgive us.

It was all my fault.

Goddess, please help me

and give me another chance.

Haven't I given you enough chances?

Give me one last chance.

Either Yuanzhong dies,

or,

I die.

If you War Demons

want to become perfect War Demons,

you must understand

the true meaning of life and death

through countless fierce battles.

Break down and then rebuild;

accumulate thoroughly, then release gradually.

Only then can you be reborn from the fire

and awaken the power in your bloodline.

This combat power is no different from divine power.

And it was the very foundation upon which

your ancestors once stood in the Divine Realm.

My concerns for my clan

have led to many distractions,

preventing me from comprehending

the final level.

This Picture of Hundred Ghosts

can help you

quickly achieve perfection.

While it's not as powerful

as a truly perfect War Demon,

there are enough of you,

so that should be enough to deal with him.

That's it?

No.

You still need to open the gate

of the Picture of Hundred Ghosts.

Follow me.

Bring in the corpse of Granny Gu.

You came here late at night.

For what?

You haven't answered the question

I asked you today.

Haven't you already seen

my future?

Why are you still asking me?

When we were at Gushan,

I didn't enter

your ninth layer of dreams.

What exactly is in there?

You want to know,

so I have to tell you?

If you don't tell me,

I'll just have to see it for myself.

Why is it different here from before?

You're really ridiculous.

I just wanted to confirm something.

Are you trying to confirm whether I'm a good person?

Or whether I can live out my days

as a kind old man?

What if I'm not?

Are you going to kill me?

Don't say that.

Don't?

It's because you haven't seen

a reason to act yet, right?

I believe what I see

with my own eyes.

So,

please let me take a look.

What if I don't?

That means

you're hiding something from me.

Hiding something from you?

How ridiculous, Ji Tanyin.

Don't you have anything you're hiding from me?

I've already felt the presence

of that dragon.

So today,

I must enter your

ninth layer of dreams to take a look.

That's not up to you.

At the Years Well,

you said I would

grow old with one person.

Who is that?

Who am I going to

have many children and grandchildren with?

I've told you before, Yuanzhong.

Told me what?

Your third rule?

Absolutely not

to fall in love with you?

I have my reasons.

Then tell me your reasons!

Ji Tanyin,

you told me to live a carefree life.

Let me ask you.

♫Time never defeats the fleeting world♫

I'll ask you one last time.

♫Stars turn, shining upon the passing traveler♫

Where do you want me to go?

What kind of life do you want me to live?

♫The wind rises, flowers fall and bloom again♫

And who do you want me to spend it with?

♫Awaiting what's lost to be regained♫

This is the last time I'm asking you.

♫These countless sorrows and joys♫

♫Dusk and dawn, only you make parting hard♫

You still won't tell me anything?

♫I'm willing to risk my life for this♫

♫Wind chimes beat with my heart♫

♫Harmonizing, can you recognize it?♫

♫Fingertips tracing your outline♫

Fine.

♫I wish to see through you♫

Don't say anything from now on.

♫Whether near or far♫

I don't want to hear it anymore.

♫We can still gaze upon the same galaxy♫

♫Knowing we've never been apart for a moment♫

Yuanzhong, what's wrong with you?

What are you going to do?

♫If our promise♫

Even you think

I'll definitely do something,

♫Is to share this land and rivers♫

don't you?

Don't look at me

♫If fate leads us astray♫

like that.

What do you think I'm going to do?

♫Life and death become our bond♫

What do you think I can do?

♫Storms heal with time♫

In your heart,

you've already sentenced me.

♫Memories will shine in the end♫

Why are you pretending

to be surprised?

♫That very first heartbeat, I will remember until the last♫

I didn't.

You didn't?

You're not?

You never have?

Ji Tanyin,

when will you be honest for once?

Open your eyes and take a look.

Look at this ugly world.

It's full of endless resentment,

complete with hatred.

No one is exempt.

Why can't I be the same?

Why do I have to forgive

all of this magnanimously?

Why?

I'm not forcing you to forgive.

♫Wind chimes beat with my heart♫

Then what are you doing?

♫Harmonizing, can you recognize it?♫

You keep saying you're not forcing me,

keep saying you don't doubt me.

Then why did you enter my sea of consciousness?

♫Fingertips tracing your outline♫

Just to enjoy the wind?

♫I wish to see through you♫

♫Whether near or far♫

Go ahead.

♫We can still gaze upon the same galaxy♫

Enjoy this whispering wind.

♫Knowing we've never been apart for a moment♫

Listen.

The wind is speaking.

Yuanzhong, you must be strong.

♫If our promise♫

Yuanzhong, you must become a god!

Yuanzhong, you must be free of hatred!

♫Is to share this land and rivers♫

Yuanzhong, you must repay hatred with kindness!

Listen! Did you hear that?

♫If fate leads us astray♫

Don't be like this, Yuanzhong.

I've already

♫Life and death become our bond♫

heard enough of this nonsense!

I'm sick of it!

I'm completely fed up with it!

Ji Tanyin,

♫Storms heal with time♫

I've been stuffed full of these words.

I can't take it in anymore.

♫Memories will shine in the end♫

I'm already at my limit.

I'm about to explode!

♫That very first heartbeat, I will remember until the last♫

I know you have resentment.

But please believe me.

Heaven will treat

everyone fairly.

The wicked will surely be repaid with retribution.

♫When we hold hands, we fear no hardship♫

Then how do you know

I'm not their retribution?

♫When we are devoted to each other, we fear not separation♫

♫If there's no turning back♫

♫And no chance to meet again, then this moment alone is enough♫

♫At least we have once touched♫

♫A corner of eternity♫

♫If our promise♫

Yuanzhong,

♫Is to share this land and rivers♫

ask yourself.

In all the years you've been in this world,

♫If fate leads us astray♫

besides hypocrisy, betrayal,

♫Life and death become our bond♫

coldness, and obsession,

haven't you ever felt

even the slightest bit of beauty?

♫Storms heal with time♫

Is this world really not worth

♫Memories will shine in the end♫

even the slightest bit of your attachment?

♫That very first heartbeat, I will remember until the last♫

Do you really understand?

I think

the one who doesn't understand

is you.

I understand that I must stop you.

♫That very first heartbeat, I will remember until the last♫

Ji Tanyin,

in which identity

and stance

are you stopping me now?

I will always be with you.

I really will always be with you.

Looks like

the Mute Lady of Wu Mountain

is going to save the world again.

No.

I've told you, Yuanzhong,

that if reasoning doesn't work,

I'll use

my own methods.

Alright.

Ji Tanyin.

Bring it on.

Qian Lin?

Qian Lin, Qian Lin!

Look.

Does it look nice?

A rabbit-shaped one.

Why are you always so quiet?

Let's chat.

It's so lively today.

Last time, you said

your home is in a place far to the north.

Where exactly is that?

It's just a very distant place.

Is it cold there?

Yes.

Is it lively there?

Any festivals?

Do you have Lantern Festivals?

We don't do that.

What's the point of celebrating this festival?

How could it be pointless?

We humans

often celebrate the Lantern Festival.

So many times

that the organizers are tired of it,

and the people who watch it are tired of it too.

But it still keeps going on.

Because it carries

a lot of our beautiful hopes.

We hope for harmony, peace,

and good fortune throughout the year.

We pray for the blessings

of the gods in heaven.

What's the point of all these

hopes

and prayers of yours?

You work hard from dawn to dusk,

or else you won't even get three meals a day.

When you're injured or sick,

you have to seek out doctors and medicine.

Your lives are filled with busyness,

but before long, you grow old,

reaching the end of your lives.

Do these prayers to the gods really help?

Do the gods help you?

You're such a killjoy.

Fine.

I admit.

You have a point.

Praying to the gods

doesn't have any real effect.

But it gives us

inner strength.

It's like a light

far in the distance.

That light

is the hope of the human race.

At least it lets us know

where we should go.

So many lanterns! They're so beautiful!

Let's go.

Come on, let's go.

Let's take a look.

Look.

How beautiful they are!

That one is just like mine.

The rabbit shape.

There's also one in goldfish shape.

See? I told you they're beautiful.

Tanyin, what's wrong?

Tanyin, what's going on with you?

Why are you crying?

Did someone bully you?

Or did the High Priest scold you?

I guess that's it.

Well, as a handmaiden,

it's unavoidable to face some hardships.

It was the same for me when I was on the tower ship.

But I don't think the High Priest

is the type of person who scolds others

without reason.

I think I did something wrong.

Well, just fix it.

It can't be fixed.

Why?

Because we're not on the same path.

Then why don't you take another path?

But I can't bring myself to do it.

Tanyin.

Alright, Tanyin.

Don't cry.

I don't understand

what path you're talking about.

But since they are paths,

if we take the wrong one,

we can always change to another, right?

Even if, hypothetically,

we can no longer

walk a different path,

can't we just

treat the path we're on

as part of

our journey?

Anyway, on the path you took,

there must be moments of joy

and times when you felt it was the right one,

right?

Anyway, Tanyin,

stop being so sad.

I feel really bad seeing you cry.

How about you sit here,

and I'll go to the kitchen

to make you something delicious?

Once you're full,

you won't be so sad.

What are you doing here?

Nothing.

Tanyin is feeling down.

Go inside

and help me take care of her.

Hurry up.

Don't leave her alone.

Go.

Go!

Get some sleep.

I can't fall asleep.

Because of Yuanzhong?

You've already confirmed something, right?

What did you see?

You should have guessed it.

I haven't.

The High Priest of the Youhu Clan

is more multifaceted than expected.

I really didn't expect it.

I must find a way.

I will definitely come up with a solution.

Ji Tanyin,

the children of the War Demons

were taught from a young age

to not fear death.

But when they hear the words

"High Priest,"

they can't help but shiver.

Do you know why?

Why?

In our clan, there's a legend

that says he is a monster

who can hear a thousand miles away, see a hundred yards,

has a green face and sharp fangs, devours hearts and eats people,

and moves like a ghost.

And that he is the devil who leads the Youhu Clan

in frequently invading our clan.

When we were kids, we all believed it.

But when I actually saw Yuanzhong,

I felt that,

on one hand, he resembled the legend,

and on the other hand, he didn't.

What do you mean?

He's a solitary person

with a weird temper

and shows no mercy when killing our people.

Isn't this the behavior of a monster?

That's on the battlefield.

Yes.

The War Demons fear his divine power.

But we didn't expect

that the Youhu Clan and the human race

also see him as a great threat.

He's the one leading

and protecting the Youhu Clan.

But the Youhu Clan is suspicious of him

and even resents him.

Though we don't know

where this resentment comes from.

I really don't know

if this is Yuanzhong's karma.

He is a hero of both the human race

and the Youhu Clan.

Yet, he has not received

the glory and admiration that heroes deserve.

Instead, he is constantly restricted

and subjected to harm.

If it were me in his place,

I would go mad too.

He's not just being suspected

and having his actions restricted.

What he's gone through

is a hundred times worse than that.

What exactly are you trying to say?

I just want to tell you

that he has his own karma.

His world

is already in ruins.

Those who are abandoned by the heavenly way

do not believe in it.

Whatever he wants to do,

you alone

cannot stop him.

Since you can't change anything,

don't dwell on it too much

and suffer for nothing.

It's not that easy.

Yes, but...

Alright.

I'm tired.

I want to be alone for a while.

Well, get some rest.

Mr. Jin, Mrs. Jin, congratulations

on your son's birth.

The Young Master really looks cheerful.

You're a sensible one.

Leave us and collect your reward.

Remember,

don't say anything you shouldn't.

Yes.

Look, this child is so easy to manage.

You can't eat this.

Go to the private kitchen and get some pastries.

-Anyway, -Yes.

we now finally have an heir in the family.

I'll see who dares

gossip behind our backs in the future.

Indeed.

Our ancestors are blessing us

by having us buy—

give birth

to such a good boy.

We'll hold a banquet tomorrow.

Inform the family elders

and the nephews from all branches.

Let's gather together.

Hubby, how could you not understand it?

Didn't the second son

of the Wang family say?

This child's parents

aren't locals.

Let's wait a few more days.

It won't be too late to hold the banquet

after they leave the town.

You are more thoughtful than i am.

I got carried away with my excitement

and lost my rationality.

What's important now

is to give our son a name.

What should we call him?

Hubby, look.

The other day, on the street, this child

wanted Beanie's longevity lock.

And now,

he's taken a liking to my gold necklace.

This child

is definitely one of our Jin family.

He recognizes gold.

Here.

Take it.

I'll give you

whatever you like.

Here.

Why are you still awake so late?

I can't sleep.

Who stripped your magic source?

Our chief.

Why?

I offended her.

Just because you offended her,

you received such a severe punishment?

Do you understand the War Demons?

I only know that

the War Demons used to belong to the divine race.

But that was thousands of years ago.

Later,

someone in our clan made a mistake,

and the whole clan was punished and sent to the mortal realm.

The heroes in our clan were determined

to make military merits in the war

between gods and demons

so that we could rejoin the divine race.

So, in that war,

they were especially brave.

Unexpectedly,

the sacrifice of our clan members was extremely heavy.

But after that,

you did not receive any official titles.

The divine race did not fulfill

their promises made before the war.

The celestial ladder was broken.

And we lost contact

with the gods.

In desperation,

the War Demons had no choice

but to stay in the Mortal Realm.

For survival,

we frequently clashed

with the human race and the Youhu Clan,

who had lived and multiplied in the Mortal Realm for generations.

That's why

the Battle of Pinghu broke out?

Yes.

In the Battle of Pinghu,

the War Demons were suppressed by the High Priest's

divine power.

During the two major wars within a thousand years,

nearly 90% of the War Demons' young men

died on the battlefield.

This crisis of annihilation

continued until now.

The War Demons gradually faded into

hiding in

the isolated hidden towns.

The resources available for survival

are simply too few.

Even having offspring has become a problem.

In order to have more children,

the clan began to implement a system of fluid marriages.

What is the fluid marriage system?

All adult men and women

are matched by the Chief.

If they fail to have children

within two years of marriage,

they will be forcibly separated

and paired with someone else.

After having one child,

if they fail to conceive again

within three years,

they will also be separated.

Doesn't this rule

treat all the women

among the War Demons

as mere breeding tools?

Yes.

They have to be breeding tools

that can endure the pain of separation

from their flesh and blood.

Then you...

My mother was such a woman.

My father fell seriously ill.

In order to let him see her one more time

before he died,

I had to go to one hidden town after another

to search for her.

Did you find her?

I guess you could say I found her.

But to let them meet,

to take her away,

I needed a merit.

So, all those times

you tried to assassinate Yuanzhong

were to gain merit?

You almost succeeded.

But,

before I could see my mother,

she died.

The War Demons originally belonged to the divine race.

Even living to a thousand years

is no problem.

But according to the current clan rules,

women who can't bear children

must be killed.

Only through their death

can they give more hope of life

to the newborns.

Ji Tanyin,

they all say

that to survive,

sacrifices must be made.

They say I'm wrong.

Is that true?

If you thought that way too,

you wouldn't be

suffering like this now.

You don't have to force yourself

to agree with others' opinions.

You're still young.

Don't trap yourself

in hatred.

But...

the War Demons did become stronger

through her methods.

So, do you think

this is sacrificing the less important

for the greater good?

Isn't it?

Are you "the less important"?

Who decided that you are "the less important"?

What is "the less important"?

And what is "the greater good"?

Qian Lin,

perhaps the individual

should obey the collective.

But the premise for obedience should be

that the collective

can better protect the individual.

If the individual is already shattered,

forever living in darkness

and tragic despair,

then such a collective

no longer needs to exist

or to be protected.

You didn't do anything wrong.

What about Yuanzhong?

Did he do anything wrong?

[Gold and Jade]

Who are you?

Thief!

Catch the thief!

Guards!

Catch the thief!

Xiu?

Where's Ji Tanyin?

She's gone.

Where did she go?

Why are you asking this?

Which noble family did you rob

to grow so tall?

That family stole a child.

They're not good people.

Moreover, they're all going to die.

What's the point

of keeping their wealth?

That makes sense.

Let's drink.

I can't eat anything else.

That's true.

It's a pity that Zi Fei and Kai Shan

aren't here.

There's no one here to drink with me.

Yuanzhong,

can you bear to part with Ji Tanyin?

Whether I can bear it or not,

what difference does it make?

I don't know the real her,

and she doesn't know the real me.

If we were to be completely honest with each other,

I'm afraid we'd immediately

draw a line

and go separate ways.

Are you afraid?

The five of us

are the weapon spirits of the Divine Left Hand,

formed by the primordial power,

and created from the void.

Our understanding of life and death

is different from that

of mortal beings.

We coalesce because of you

and dissipate because of you.

So, when you hate,

we hate;

when you are afraid,

we are afraid;

when you hesitate,

we hesitate;

when you let go,

we let go.

So, Yuanzhong,

why do I

want to see Ji Tanyin so badly?

Found it!

Ling Yao's seal is about to be broken.

♫Ask the heavens♫

♫I don't know why I'm without a home♫

♫I'm at a dead end♫

♫And I have to surrender and accept my destiny♫

♫I'm the wandering one♫

♫My body and mind, falling into dust♫

♫Only the moon in the sky♫

♫Shines upon the lifelong decay♫

♫The scars you can't see♫

♫Are the proof of my struggle♫

♫Be your own last straw of hope♫

♫Why do you have to go alone?♫

♫Let me learn to be fearless♫

♫I live with no regrets♫

♫Who deserves to be crushed?♫

♫Don't tell me what's right or wrong♫

♫I rebel against fate♫

♫I'm willing to risk my life♫

♫No matter how dangerous it is♫

♫I will travel the world and scatter the fog♫

Elder, this...

♫The flowing water does not compete for the lead♫

♫For millennia, all will turn to dust♫

♫With our feet on the earth and the sky above♫

♫We, the heroes of our time, are no ordinary beings♫

♫The flowing water does not compete for the lead♫

[Ningrui Pavilion]

♫In my heart, there are no ripples, as if a god resides within♫

♫I ride the wind and embrace the moon♫

♫The raging river in my dreams has never ceased♫

Could it be that Yuanzhong

has broken all the seals of the weapon spirits?

It's the primordial power.

It seems

that the High Priest of the Youhu Clan

has broken all the seals

of the Divine Left Hand.

With Taihe not here,

he is now the only one

with the primordial power in the world.

No one can lay a finger on him anymore.

Not necessarily.

Sixty years ago,

he was as powerful as he is now,

but in the end,

he was tricked into sealing his power

and became useless.

Having the power alone,

without the matching wisdom,

he may not be able

to hold onto this power.

What I mean is that

the primordial power

is not that easy to control.

Even someone as powerful as Deity Taihe

was once harmed by a demon.

If one is not steadfast enough,

their power can instead become a curse.

I hope he can use this power wisely

and live out his life under the care

of Goddess Wushuang,

without wasting

the opportunity we have given him.

Why did the sky suddenly brighten?