Original subtitles

[Legend of Zang Hai]

[Episode 10]

This is the place.

It's so well hidden.

After more than ten years, you still found it.

Have you forgotten everything my father taught you

about geomancy?

I never really learned properly.

Right beneath our feet

is the tunnel my father used

to sneak me out back then.

It connects directly to the tomb passage,

which is closest to the diamond wall.

When I left, my father told me

to fill it up again,

to keep tomb robbers out.

If it's sealed off,

how did Master get inside?

My father was away in Dongxia for so long.

Other tomb robbers must've discovered this place.

Here's what we'll do:

Split up and search.

Guanfeng!

Come here.

Here.

Father,

this tomb is actually for a married couple.

Check around and find out

who they were.

The coffin decorations are very detailed,

and the materials are high quality.

This isn't an ordinary family's coffin.

But why isn't there an inscription?

This tomb owner is so strange.

The gold, jade, and coffin here

are all top-quality,

but there's no inscription.

Could it be...

they didn't want their identity known?

Both sides of the coffin are full of books.

The owner was clearly a civil official,

and a very high-ranking one at that.

What kind of high official

would need to hide their identity?

I suspect the inscription

is hidden inside this stone turtle.

Then why didn't he

carve it openly on the outside,

but hid it instead where no one would find it?

When Mom taught me,

she mentioned a person

who traveled everywhere,

using money to stir conflict among nations.

And if that didn't work, he'd assassinate them.

That man was Liu Xian, the former Senior Secretary.

He always hid his true identity,

so naturally, he'd hide his inscription too.

Let me check

if it's really him.

It really is Liu Xian!

[Liu Xian] It's really Liu Xian's tomb!

Master.

We've finished checking

Liu Xian's tomb tunnels.

It seems like

they've been digging for several days.

They'll probably break through

to the rear chamber in less than two days.

And the tunnel we used to get in

is connected to the passage.

Luckily, the robbers died in the traps.

Otherwise, this place would be ruined.

They'll definitely keep digging.

Wait here and catch them all.

And don't forget to fill up

every single tunnel.

Nothing here should be disturbed.

Yes.

The Imperial Astronomers are responsible

for restoring and protecting important tombs,

but we're forbidden from excavating on our own.

Understood.

There are burnt torches on the ground.

All cleaned out.

Judging from the tunnels,

three groups of robbers came here.

Some died in traps,

others died fighting each other.

Then could what we're looking for

already be gone?

Split up and check around.

If you find anything strange,

tell me immediately.

Alright.

Be careful!

What's this thing?

Don't worry.

This is Liu Xian's inscription.

The coffin is empty.

Shilei, give me a hand.

What are you doing?

My father always said

Imperial Astronomers

must show respect for every body.

Even if we don't find

what we're looking for,

we should still give them a proper burial.

Before we leave,

restore the coffin to how it was.

Why is this pattern reversed?

[Inscription]

Not even tomb robbers realized

there's another secret

hidden in Liu Xian's tomb.

This carving knife

was my father's favorite.

The handle of the knife

has a chipped corner.

My father felt bad about it for a long time.

It seems this carving

was secretly made by my father.

But if Master carved this,

why did he

leave one character blank at the end?

"The way of the sage

can be summed up in one word..."

"Human"?

Or...

"Victory"?

Hey, stop!

What's wrong?

There are so many scattered characters here,

but he left only one blank.

I'm afraid if we choose wrong,

we won't get another chance.

Then which character should we choose?

A word that can summarize

Shan Yizi's entire life...

Shan Yizi?

Not Liu Xian?

Look carefully at this carving.

It describes a sage

who cared deeply for the people.

These words couldn't describe

Liu Xian.

They can only refer to his master, Shan Yizi.

Liu Xian wasn't capable

of traveling to many states

and preserving peace,

like Shan Yizi.

All Liu Xian could do was create conflicts

through schemes and assassinations,

seeking his own benefit.

The thing he never understood

is precisely this missing character.

"Virtue."

"Benevolence."

"Mercy."

"Harmony."

"Balance."

"The sage's way

in one word is..."

Zhinu,

is this the thing

Master hid?

The one they fought over,

the thing that led them

to destroy my entire family,

is it this?

Quick, take it out and see!

Shilei, help me with this.

Be careful!

What... what is this thing?

This isn't what

we were looking for.

This is a bronze tube

my father made.

Father,

didn't you always

want to make this?

Now that it's finished,

why aren't you happy?

This bronze tube

holds our ancestors' wisdom.

I studied ancient texts

to find out how to make it.

But when it was finally completed,

I suddenly realized

I was too focused on its clever mechanisms

and overlooked that it's actually a weapon.

If it falls into the wrong hands,

the consequences could be disastrous.

Then let's hide it

so no bad guys can find it.

Zhinu, you're very clever.

All right.

We'll put it away for now

and find a place

where no one will discover it.

After that,

I never saw this bronze tube again.

Only today did I realize

my father

had hidden it here long ago.

Was it the day he returned from Dongxia?

No.

It must have been when I was young,

the time he brought me here.

But if Master

didn't visit here that day,

why did he

take a detour home from the southwest?

Anyway,

since Father didn't take the bronze tube,

the thing he brought from Dongxia

won't be here either.

Let's go back.

No need to search here anymore.

Come on.

Zhinu,

we didn't find

the thing you're looking for.

What should we do next?

We didn't come away empty-handed.

This bronze tube is extremely powerful.

Compared to poisoning someone directly,

this tube gives us

better chances to succeed.

Then let's kill him together.

I... I can help you.

No.

We've only just reunited,

and you're my only family now.

I can't let you risk your life with me.

But I can't

let you go alone

on such a dangerous mission!

Guanfeng,

trust me.

I've already made a plan to escape safely.

Are you sure?

Once I'm done,

we'll leave together.

We'll find

a beautiful place,

where no one knows us.

Zhinu,

you've always been smarter than me.

Your plan must be a good one.

But you must promise me

to come back safely.

Don't worry.

There's one more thing for you two.

Fill up this tunnel

and pack it tight.

See you.

[Book]

Sir,

please deliver this letter

to the gentleman in your storeroom.

All right.

[Zhuang Clan Ancestral Hall]

Place it closer to the center.

Put the fruits on the sides.

Butler.

Mr. Zang.

Are the offerings for the late Marquis

all prepared?

Everything is ready.

We're just waiting for the evening ceremony.

Good.

You can continue your work.

Yes, sir.

Father, I know

you made

this incredible device

not to kill people,

but because you didn't want the technique lost.

You cherished this skill deeply

and never wanted it

tainted by evil intent.

But Father, I have no choice now.

It's in my hands,

and I will use it to kill the Marquis of Pingjin,

to avenge you, Mother, my sister,

and all my fellow disciples!

Mr. Zang.

What are you doing?

I was reconsidering the timing.

Tonight's ceremony is at sunset.

Sunset corresponds to wine vessels

and symbolizes a good harvest.

So I moved the wine vessel

to the left, to show respect.

I got some ashes on it.

I was just cleaning them.

There's even a custom for this?

You're truly meticulous, sir.

It's my duty.

[Zhuang Clan Ancestral Hall]

My Lord,

it's time to light the incense.

Father,

everything at home is well.

The Emperor still favors us greatly.

A few days ago,

he praised Zhifu for his good work.

You can rest easy in the afterlife.

In a few days, on your death anniversary,

I'll take the family to the ancestral tombs

to offer wine and burn incense

in honor of our ancestors.

I promise not to let you down.

I'll preserve our legacy

and ensure our family's future.

Father!

Father!

My Lord!

Father!

My Lord!

- My Lord! - Father!

My Lord!

Father!

My Lord!

Father!

Father!

Why isn't Zhixing here yet?

My Lord,

I've sent someone to find him.

Zhixing hasn't been home

since yesterday.

He probably went somewhere to play.

Why isn't the mechanism working?

When he returns, he'll answer for it.

My Lord!

My Lord,

honoring ancestors

is a serious family tradition.

Perhaps we should wait for Zhixing

and do it together?

Why wait for him?

I don't want to see someone who has no respect.

Without him today, our numbers are off.

The incense sticks in the burner

aren't the lucky number nine.

Nine returns to unity.

I'm worried the late Marquis might find it

inauspicious in the afterlife.

My father

was fearless in battle, bold and free.

He never believed in superstitions.

Even in the afterlife,

he wouldn't care about lucky numbers.

However,

why are you so nervous?

You've been staring at the burner

since just now.

Is something wrong?

My Lord...

My Lord,

Mr. Zang always plans carefully.

He just took care

of arranging the ancestral hall

and specially selected the incense.

What's special about this incense?

My Lord,

these incenses were chosen by Mr. Zang.

I noticed

there are unusual.

There's a golden thread inside each.

So I took the liberty of replacing them.

Mr. Zang,

what is your intention here?

Forgive me, My Lord.

Today's ceremony honors the late Marquis.

These incenses contain golden threads.

Fire melts gold,

which can dispel the killing energy

and military violence.

I boldly chose them for the prayers,

hoping the late Marquis will bless us,

ward off misfortune,

and ensure our family's prosperity.

Zhuang Shan.

Yes?

Check the incense burner.

Yes, sir.

If it's for the family's well-being,

why did you act on your own

without consulting anyone?

My Lord, you're strong-willed and decisive.

I feared you wouldn't believe

in these feng shui things and be annoyed,

so I acted on my own.

Please punish me.

I was born with the fire element.

Why else could I achieve so many victories?

Zhuang Shan.

My Lord.

Zang Hai was thinking of our family's welfare.

You disrupted his good intentions.

You deserve punishment.

It was my fault.

I acted foolishly.

Carry on.

[Yu Garden]

If the mechanism isn't in the burner,

where could it be?

I placed it there at 3 p.m.,

but by 5 p.m., it was gone.

That's only two hours.

How could it just vanish?

Someone must have noticed my plot,

but clearly the Marquis doesn't know yet.

Could a servant have seen it

and thrown it away as something useless?

Or did someone take it,

waiting for the right moment

to inform the Marquis?

Sir, you're back.

Would you like some snacks?

No, I don't eat sweets.

You can take them and share.

Thank you, sir.

Has the ancestral hall altar

been cleaned up?

Yes, sir. It's all done.

The offerings were already shared out

among the servants.

All ritual items are neatly stored.

The leftover garbage

was moved to the backyard.

It'll be carted away soon.

All right.

Understood.

You may leave now.

Yes, sir.

Looking for something?

Is this what you're after?

Why do you want to kill him now?

I saw my parents.

They were skinned and tortured by the Marquis.

Their bodies were hidden in a secret chamber,

trampled underfoot.

They can't rest in peace even now.

Have you thought about how you'll escape?

My original plan

was to flee in the chaos

before the guards sealed off the mansion.

But unexpectedly,

the steward swapped my incense.

If you hadn't stepped in,

the Marquis would have discovered my plot today.

A mere steward wouldn't dare act alone.

The Marquis

must have planned this long ago,

just waiting for you to fall into his trap.

Have you never considered

the person who wants you to kill him

could be the Marquis himself?

In a few days, it'll be my father's anniversary.

We'll hold a private ceremony first,

[Zhuang Clan Ancestral Hall] then visit the tombs.

Make your preparations.

Why the Marquis moved me into the inner courtyard?

Aides usually live in the Scholar Hall.

Even at Yang Zhen's peak,

he didn't get to live in the inner courtyard.

Those seated at this table

are my most trusted men.

[In the vial is deadly poison. Use it to kill the Marquis.] My Lord, lately in town,

there are rumors about me.

I've heard plenty of rumors.

They're just nonsense.

Don't pay attention.

These are all blueprints from the Ministry of Works.

The Marquis means

in the future,

he wants you to assist Zhifu more.

It shows he trusts you.

Getting close to him is easier now.

After serving the congee,

go directly to my study

and fetch the "Wei Liao's Art of War."

From now on,

you may freely enter my study

without needing permission.

So, the Marquis is testing me.

He lets me freely enter the treasury and study

just to make me lower my guard.

If you calm down now,

you'll see it clearly.

The Marquis of Pingjin has many enemies.

Now you're his closest aide.

He just wants to see

if you'll betray him under pressure.

Don't underestimate him.

And don't think

you can easily outsmart him.

If he dies, you're doomed too.

Killing the Marquis of Pingjin

is the only reason

I'm still alive.

Come in.

My Lord.

My Lord,

I've made a huge mistake.

Please punish me!

What happened?

I received this recently.

I'm afraid someone believes the rumors

and is trying to blackmail me into harming you.

I was overconfident,

thinking I could easily expose

this small-time trickster

within two days.

I didn't want to trouble you

with something so trivial.

But...

But I'm useless.

Two days have passed without any clues.

Now,

the three-day deadline written on this fan is near.

I'm worried they mean real harm,

and someone truly intends

to hurt you.

So I must inform you in time.

Since they could reach me,

they might target others too.

My Lord,

please be extra cautious these days.

You're worried they'll hurt me,

but more afraid that they'll punish you instead

if nothing happens in three days.

Forgive me, My Lord!

I...

I'm indeed afraid to die,

but I'm more afraid of putting you in danger.

You smart people

always overthink things.

I've told you before,

don't worry so much.

Forget these silly rumors.

The number of people wanting me dead

is too many to count.

But these cowards who hide their faces

can't possibly harm me.

Now you're one of my trusted aides.

Naturally, they'll target you first.

Remember,

I'm backing you now.

If anything comes up,

don't keep it bottled up.

Just speak up.

Thank you, My Lord!

Then about this matter...

Enough.

You can leave now.

I'll investigate this myself.

Yes, My Lord.

[Reflect Deeply, Grow Endlessly]

Killing the Marquis of Pingjin

is the only reason

I'm still alive.

If you're blinded by hatred,

you'll never get revenge.

Even if the Marquis dies by your hand,

you won't get another chance

for a second or third strike.

You mean...

What if I told you

The Marquis of Pingjin isn't your only enemy?

And there are others involved?

I've investigated in the Capital for years,

and found out the true masterminds

behind the destruction of the Kuai family.

Besides the Marquis of Pingjin,

include two others.

These three conspired to seize the item

your father brought back from Dongxia.

So, your enemy isn't one person,

but three.

Sir,

I found a bronze fish

in the Marquis's secret chamber.

A bronze fish?

I saw him take it from my father

on the night my family was slaughtered.

But as I remember,

there were three fish linked together.

That means

each of the three conspirators

probably took one fish.

Who are they?

One is the Seal-Holding Eunuch Director,

Cao Jingxian.

With immense power in his hands,

he does whatever he wants.

He often frames court officials

to eliminate political rivals

and expands his influence.

The Marquis of Pingjin allowed Qu Jiao to kill openly.

Guess why all the petitions against him

ended up in his mansion?

Cao Jingxian suppressed them?

They cover for each other.

Who's the third one?

I've been wondering for years

how two unrelated people

suddenly allied overnight.

Ten years ago,

the night the Marquis of Pingjin returned from Dongxia,

both he and Cao Jingxian

left their residences.

The next day, the Kuai family was destroyed.

I'm certain they met the third conspirator

that night.

But this person is deeply hidden.

I've never found

any clues about him.

The bronze fish you mentioned

confirms he exists.

Please teach me what I should do.

If it were me,

I'd lay low

and wait for the right moment.

I'm sorry, sir.

I can't do that.

It seems Gao Ming didn't teach you

how to keep calm.

Your mind is too restless.

Sir, you overestimate me.

I've hidden myself for ten years

just to kill the Marquis of Pingjin.

I thought I'd finally gotten close enough,

and only needed one last strike

to succeed.

But now,

instead of gaining his trust,

I've gained two more enemies.

Every night, in my dreams,

I see my parents' longing eyes.

Every day I live

is unbearable torment.

I don't want them to wait forever.

But what I fear most isn't the waiting.

It's wasting my whole life,

only to fail at revenge.

You could, of course,

use all your strength to strike once.

But if the Marquis dies,

the other two will know immediately.

Then you'll have no chance

to approach them again.

You can kill the Marquis now

and die afterward,

or swallow your anger for a bigger plan.

It's your choice.

[Grace of a Gentleman, Judgment of a Scholar]

♪Conceal the ambition in my eyes♪

♪In my palm, I hold a dangerous desire♪

♪Turbulent waves hidden in my sleeves♪

♪Silent thunder echoes around♪

♪However cunning you are♪

♪I can see♪

♪Right through you♪

♪Schemes are my armor♪

♪Overt plans are my weapons♪

♪With restrained fury♪

♪I purge the world's corruption♪

♪The night is not dark♪

♪Because♪

♪My heart burns bright♪

♪I control the shifting clouds♪

♪I command the falling rain♪

♪The compass of the human soul is unpredictable♪

♪There will always be ups and downs♪

♪I hold the power of life and death♪

♪I grant and I take away♪

♪When faith burns like the scorching sun♪

♪I will sing aloud with you♪

♪I am the sowing season♪

♪I am the autumn harvest♪

♪I am the world♪

♪I am the people♪

♪And you are also me♪