Original subtitles

♪I'm just a common man under the sky♪

♪Among all living beings, they speak of my recklessness♪

♪Above the sky, my heart yearns♪

♪The light that these hands cannot hide♪

♪The justice gavel strikes and releases countless burdens♪

♪Looking back, it's the same old story♪

♪Time and space brought me to another yellowed page♪

♪Curious about the greed in the world♪

♪I tore the sky's curtain apart♪

♪The powerful words♪

♪Spilled this golden soup♪

♪It is not very firm♪

♪Standing here♪

♪I set the rules that shackle me♪

♪Learn to cure♪

♪Eradicating the diseases of this land♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪I wanted to take things step by step♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪Never want to be a confused fool♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪Listening to the songs without dispute♪

♪Yet I always see the lonely souls♪

♪But I always rush ahead♪

♪Leaving my scribbles behind for future generations to study♪

♪The light that these hands cannot hide♪

♪The justice gavel strikes and releases countless burdens♪

♪Looking back, it's the same old story♪

♪Time and space brought me to another yellowed page♪

♪Sunlight pierces through♪

♪One comes and goes as one pleases♪

♪My Go board holds both sides♪

♪When I set the game, learn to see♪

♪Don't be a sore loser♪

♪So many lies and deceits♪

♪I can see through every play♪

♪May I live and die with the sun♪

=Guardians of the Dafeng=

=Episode 37=

Go report to His Majesty.

The mission to investigate the case in Chuzhou

is back in the capital.

(Shiqian Gate)

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

The mission from Chuzhou has returned.

My Lords.

Greetings...

Look.

Your Majesty, you've caught such a big fish.

Your Majesty.

Slow down.

Come on, step aside.

Step aside.

I've inquired with the Cabinet.

We've never received any documents from you.

Don't you know the rules?

Your Majesty,

the current situation in Chuzhou makes it impossible to send documents.

Why are you here?

As the Commissioner of Chuzhou,

how dare you enter the capital

without permission from the court?

Chuzhou City has gone.

The Commissioner of Chuzhou

has become a mere title.

Duke Zhenbei, General Commander of Chuzhou,

collaborated with the Witcher's Sect to advance his rank

and slaughtered 380,000 commoners of Chuzhou.

I petition

to impeach Duke Zhenbei.

Your Majesty, please bring justice to the innocent people who died

and punish Duke Zhenbei severely.

I petition

to impeach Duke Zhenbei.

- Seconded. - Seconded.

Where is

Duke Zhenbei now?

Duke Zhenbei

has been executed.

Let me ask again.

Where is Duke Zhenbei?

Duke Zhenbei

is dead.

Impossible.

You're lying to me.

This cannot be.

You are all deceiving me.

Where is he?

Where is he?

Your Majesty,

please take care of your health.

Guards, protect His Majesty!

Your Majesty,

please take care of your health.

Your Majesty,

please take care of your health.

What's wrong?

Zhenbei!

Zhenbei!

Your Majesty, please take care of yourself.

Don't grieve too much.

You must know

that deep love leads to an early death.

If the people of Chuzhou knew how sad you are for them,

they would find comfort

even in the afterlife.

Duke Zhenbei slaughtered 380,000 commoners

of Chuzhou.

He deserved to die!

But now that he's dead,

his crime has not been fully proven.

How we should deal with it

is for Your Majesty to decide.

I have no objections.

Get lost.

I told you to get lost.

When do you plan to announce this to the world?

Do you truly think

I wouldn't dare kill you?

Is that so?

- I'll kill you now. - Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Do you believe

I'll kill you too?

My family has already been killed.

Everyone, get lost!

Your Majesty, please take care of yourself.

I will take my leave first.

Mr. Zheng.

Xu Qi'an,

don't you know the rules?

I didn't report back to the yamen first.

Lord Wei, please punish me.

Serve the tea.

Yes.

About Chuzhou,

is there anything else you want to add?

Yes.

When I was in Sanhuang County,

there was a scout named Cai,

who gave me incorrect information.

It was an excuse to send you away.

Chuzhou was too dangerous.

If you had gone,

it would've been like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

I once asked Li Miaozhen

to spread the news of the city's massacre to the Kui,

but later she told me

before she could spread the word,

the Kui was already at Chuzhou's gates.

The timing was right,

and there was no time for her.

Lord Wei,

you knew all along

that Duke Zhenbei massacred Chuzhou.

Lord Wei, how did you know?

I guessed.

You guessed?

Before the mission set off,

Duke Zhenbei had borrowed the Supreme Sword from the court.

Why did he borrow it?

To resist the northern wars?

There have always been wars in the North.

He was worried that the core might emerge,

and the Kui army would press down.

If he couldn't control the situation,

he planned to use the Supreme Sword

to suppress the Kui.

Duke Zhenbei

was really scheming.

But no matter how he planned,

he didn't expect that a mysterious man would come

and easily turn the tide,

causing him to lose everything.

When I had you go get The Lost in the Wilderness,

it was also to give you the power to protect yourself.

But Lord Wei,

given the situation, I had no choice.

You did nothing wrong.

But

Duke Zhenbei did not have to die in Chuzhou.

Duke Zhenbei aimed to reach the 2nd rank.

If that had happened,

who would've been able to deal with him?

He couldn't reach the 2nd rank.

You intercepted the Duchess in advance.

You...

You knew everything.

If Duke Zhenbei had won,

devoured the core,

and reached the 3rd Rank Perfection,

his next move would've been to attack the Kui

or even the Witcher's Sect.

We could've made them

enemies of Duke Zhenbei.

We could've driven the tiger to swallow the wolves

and also turned the wolves against the tiger.

On the battlefield,

there would've been countless ways to punish them.

Once we'd used them enough,

it would've been easy to eliminate them.

But Lord Wei,

if we waited until afterward

to pursue Duke Zhenbei's crimes,

does it still hold any meaning?

The meaning is different,

but the risk is much smaller.

The outcome

is still the same.

We'll still bring justice to the people of Chuzhou.

Xu Qi'an,

you must remember this:

A wise strategist

must know patience.

You were lucky not to get exposed this time.

If you keep

acting with reckless bravery,

though it's satisfying for a moment,

you will lose

much more.

I understand.

You brought Duke Zhenbei's remains

back to the capital.

What are your plans for the future?

Convict Duke Zhenbei

and bring justice to the people of Chuzhou.

Court affairs are not your area of expertise.

You should

stop right here.

Lord Wei, what do you mean by this?

(Warmth)

The unparalleled genius Xu Qi'an,

with a face like jade,

floats like an immortal

and stands eight chi tall.

Nine chi.

Yes.

Yes.

With sharp insight,

solving cases like a god,

he's often able to strategize,

winning from miles away.

When the Yunzhou rebels surged toward him,

Mr. Xu alone stood against hundreds of thousands of them

and almost died in a foreign land.

Wait a minute.

It's millions.

Yes.

Your Highness,

isn't this a bit too exaggerated?

Before, he was fighting a thousand,

then ten thousand,

and even hundreds of thousands.

But now,

he's fighting millions?

I'm afraid the entire Yunzhou

doesn't have that many people.

What's the problem with that?

I'm just helping Xu Qi'an

promote his achievements and establish his reputation.

The larger the number, the better.

But

it should still be realistic, right?

This is truly too exaggerated.

If not, how else can we help him?

Think about it.

This time he went to Chuzhou for the case.

He'll surely be caught in a dilemma.

Moreover,

he is just a viscount.

With us backing him,

first,

it will reduce potential obstacles.

Second,

even if he doesn't uncover anything,

and if Father blames him,

the whole world will defend him.

Your Highness,

you really care

about Mr. Xu.

Because he's my good guest adviser.

Besides,

he sent me a gift

despite our distance.

Of course, I have to return the favor.

It's just a piece of Butter Jade.

How many gifts have you given his family?

But I can feel his sincerity.

What do you know?

By the way,

remember to attach Xu Qi'an's poem at the end

and have someone polish

and make a thousand copies

to distribute at all the inns inside and outside the city.

- Yes. - Yes.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Why are you running in panic?

The mission has returned.

Really?

Why didn't you get the news in advance?

I...

This can't be.

I've made arrangements everywhere.

I should've received the news the moment they returned.

Xuan, what's going on?

When did they return?

I don't know.

I only know that they met His Majesty as soon as they returned.

His Majesty was furious

and locked himself in the Imperial Study.

Just now, the Noble Consort and the Crown Prince went to visit him.

What happened?

Touring the Five Mountains,

I met the host.

He is Mr. Wang, possessing books

from countless cities.

Among a crowd of thousands,

a handshake with him

leaves my sleeve scented

for three years.

How's this poem?

Prime Minister, don't hesitate to give your advice.

It's not good.

The long wind will surely

break the waves,

hoisting the sails,

to cross the vast sea.

How about this line?

Prime Minister, please guide me.

The Prime Minister is here.

Greetings, Prime Minister.

No need to bow.

The Prime Minister didn't come.

(Xiaoxiang Poetry)

It seems like the Prime Minister

still holds deep prejudice against me,

refusing to meet until now.

Father originally wanted to attend

today's poetry gathering.

He was already outside,

but he met the mission from Chuzhou.

The mission?

The mission is back?

But why didn't Ningyan

send someone to notify us?

Something happened.

What happened?

- Get lost. - Open the door.

We must meet with His Majesty.

We must meet with His Majesty.

How dare you!

Xinnian,

you may speak freely.

Though this act might offend His Majesty,

it is your chance to make a name for yourself.

Simu,

I did not come

to make a name for myself.

Open the door! We must meet His Majesty.

How dare you!

His Majesty has ordered:

If you dare to barge into the Palace,

you will be executed!

Duke Huai should be demoted to a commoner

to give the world an explanation

for slaughtering the commoners as a duke!

Exactly.

Give the world an explanation!

Duke Zhenbei

deserved to die for slaughtering the people.

We must seek justice for the people of Chuzhou!

Get up!

Let us in!

Move aside!

The rat bears teeth, yet men lack shame.

Without shame, how can men live?

Unlike locusts, kings can have no courtesy.

When kings forsake their courtesy, the nation's ruin is but a day.

Now we hear of Duke Huai's deed:

He slaughtered a city to serve his greed.

Alas!

How grievous the heavens cry!

Thus, I came here.

(Four hours later) Scholars are called of no worth,

but they never wield a blade against commoners.

You, clad in gold,

how dare you hold a spear against the dead?

Alas, as vast as Chuzhou is,

there is no one alive left.

If only the white bones could return to life,

wouldn't they cry blood for justice?

Bravo!

Well said!

Mr. Xu, clear your throat.

No more cursing.

No more cursing.

This is outrageous.

The Dafeng has stood for 600 years,

and never has there been someone like you,

blocking the door, cursing for four hours straight.

Eunuch, please don't talk with me.

I cannot bear

this nonsense.

You...

You...

Guards, arrest him!

- Wait! - Don't!

Don't!

What?

Do you also want to arrest me?

Greetings, Prime Minister.

- Yang Youde. - Yes.

Does His Majesty want to see me?

His Majesty said

only you may enter.

The rest, leave now.

Don't stay before the Palace gate.

We'll leave this to you, Mr. Wang.

We'll leave this to you, Mr. Wang.

This way, Prime Minister.

Let's go back.

(Self-disciplined and Pure)

Prime Minister,

please wait a moment.

Prime Minister, thank you for waiting.

Eunuch.

- His Majesty... - Prime Minister.

His Majesty is deeply saddened

and in poor spirits,

so he won't meet with you.

Prime Minister,

His Majesty needs time to calm down.

As you know,

Duke Huai is his younger brother.

They'd had a deep bond since childhood.

Now that Duke Huai has unexpectedly passed,

His Majesty...

Eunuch,

I understand.

Prime Minister,

please help me clear

the officials at the door.

Your Majesty,

I will

take my leave.

Your Majesty,

the Prime Minister has returned.

Who is gathering

before the Palace gate?

Your Majesty,

everyone who should've come

has come.

These scoundrels.

They usually bite each other,

but it's all just an act.

How hateful!

How detestable!

They deserve to die.

Your Majesty,

your health comes first.

Did Wei Yuan show up?

Your Majesty,

I didn't see him.

Write down the names

of those who haven't come.

For the next few days,

do the same.

Yes.

Mr. Zheng,

are you really staying at the inn?

Ningyan, don't worry.

Duke Zhenbei's massacre has

put Mr. Zheng at the center of attention.

Even His Majesty

wouldn't make a rash move now.

It'd provoke public outrage.

As we know,

the great tide

cannot be resisted head-on.

Mr. Xu,

your cousin really has sharp insight.

He's absolutely right.

With such composure,

you'll certainly have a bright future.

He reminds me of the grandeur of Lord Wei back in the day.

Don't worry.

A group of Guardians is staying at the inn.

You understand.

Goodbye.

Mr. Zheng is a pitiful man.

He's a Presented Scholar in Yuanjing Year 19.

I've heard the masters say

his father passed away early,

and his widowed mother raised him with great hardship.

It wasn't easy for him to enter the Directorate

and become a Presented Scholar.

But his mother died

due to years of suffering

and poor health

before he could return in glory.

Later, because of his compassion for the people

and the desire to seek justice,

he volunteered to serve in Chuzhou.

He spent

20 years there.

Almost half his life.

But in one night,

it all turned to dust.

20 years of hardship

and half a lifetime of ambition

has become a tale for the bones.

Let's not talk about that.

How are things

going with Miss Wang?

Ningyan, behave yourself.

It's inappropriate.

Under these circumstances,

I don't want to talk about it.

Come on, let's talk.

I miss you.

How long has it been?

I don't miss you.

Did you hold hands?

- Did you hug? - I won't tell you.

Did you upset your mother while I was away?

I've never upset her.

You're the one who upsets her.

You little brat!

Why didn't you let me know when you returned?

I was so busy.

There are barely any dishes.

It's so hot.

Ningyan, you're back!

- Hurry. I'm hungry. - Sis.

Lingyue, come here.

There are a few dishes left. I'll go grab them.

Sis, don't bother.

Ningyan,

why does it feel like you've changed

- since you returned? - Let's eat.

What's changed?

The coordination of your limbs

and how you exert force have improved.

Did someone give you pointers?

Honey, stop talking.

Let Ningyan eat in peace.

Okay, okay.

Aunt,

while I was away,

Uncle must've treated you well.

This bracelet is dazzling.

How can you laugh, Xu Pingzhi?

Have you ever thought about that?

Let's eat.

It wasn't from Uncle?

Oh no, Uncle.

Look, there's a rival.

You brat, stop making nonsense.

This was a gift from my future

niece-in-law.

Niece-in-law.

What? Wait.

Niece-in-law?

How come I didn't know?

It was from Lin'an.

Lin'an is the best.

She buys me different yogurts every day.

It's so delicious!

Oh, it's Lin'an.

While you were away,

Princess Lin'an would send gifts to us from time to time.

Princess Lin'an gave Father

the golden saber on him yesterday.

He loves it.

Last night, he was holding it while sleeping.

He didn't even hold me.

Speaking of Princess Lin'an, she'd send people every day

to ask when you'd return.

Why hasn't anyone come today?

Yes.

Lin'an must be hiding.

Come out.

She's not here, right?

Sir, your dish is ready.

Enjoy.

Plain noodles again.

Can't you give me something else?

I pay for your food and drinks.

How can you still complain?

It's not good.

Let me tell you.

If it weren't for Xu Qi'an repeatedly telling me

to safely bring you back to the capital,

I'd throw you into the bandit's den and let you fend for yourself.

Anyway, we're entering the city.

After that,

I'll make sure to repay you.

Your Highness,

His Majesty won't meet with you.

If Father won't meet with me,

I'll kneel here until dawn.

Lin'an.

The ground is cold.

Come back with me.

Be good.

Mother,

you've taught me since I was little

that a gentleman doesn't harm others

or deceive himself.

Although I am not talented,

I always remember this.

Uncle's massacre has caused uproar

in the city today.

The officials tried to advise,

yet Father avoided them.

As his daughter,

I cannot sit idly by.

Shut up.

Lin'an,

go back to your Shaoyin Palace

or return to your residence outside.

Just don't ask about this

or intervene in this.

Be good.

Take the princess away.

Mother.

The princess...

The princess is concerned about His Majesty's health,

- so she knelt here to pray. - Let's go.

Now, her knees hurt too much to stand.

Hurry.

Help her back to the Palace to rest.

Something serious happened in Chuzhou.

Today, the officials caused uproar.

Everyone's talking about it.

What happened?

What's so serious?

You're a woman.

Why are you asking so many questions?

The Dafeng actually has such a beast.

Let's go inside to play.

No wonder.

No wonder you returned to the capital so suddenly.

Mr. Zheng definitely won't allow

Duke Zhenbei to be buried as a duke.

Nor will he let him

be remembered

as the Dafeng's Protector.

Ningyan,

something seems off.

His Majesty's been cultivating for years.

His emotions have become more stable,

but today, he lost his temper and composure

in front of you all.

Is this really our Emperor?

- Your Majesty. - I'll kill you now.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Indeed.

Don't forget.

Que Yongxiu escaped,

and so did Duke Zhenbei's spies.

Could these people

have brought back the news of Duke Zhenbei's fall?

While you were full of confidence,

His Majesty might've secretly planned

how to handle this.

Could the loss of composure

be just a way

of showing weakness?

If so,

the mission's plan to catch him off guard

would have failed from the start.

Even if this is just my guess,

I still need to remind you

that His Majesty

has played political games for so many years.

If he gets serious,

there might be no one in the court who can rival him.

Cijiu, how do you think

we should fight this battle?

Since I can think of it,

those big figures

should've noticed it as well.

Tomorrow,

I'll continue to shout at the Palace gate

to test His Majesty's intentions.

If our guess is right,

within three days,

he'll definitely move.

But for now, I'm in a lowly position,

unable to attend court.

Though I can help from the outside,

the real battlefield

should still be left to Lord Wei,

Mr. Zheng,

and those officials who care for their name,

and perhaps,

still harbor some sense of justice.

I heard Duke Zhenbei died in the North.

This is a godsend opportunity,

yet you lock me away underground.

It should have been me avenging the people,

pursuing the culprit,

and killing the Mighty Bone.

The thought of this

has made my hair

stand on end.

Why?

Why was it that mysterious man?

Why?

The Supervisor held me back!

However,

it wasn't Xu Ningyan

who did those heroic acts after all.

I feel much better.

That kid

took my chance away.

How hateful.

He must've watched

that mysterious man strategize in Chuzhou.

He must've been very envious.

Master, are you ashamed?

Aren't you supposed to use magic?

Activate the portal.

Deactivate.

Activate again.

It's too late.

Master, I feel incredibly lucky

to see you get upset.

My disciple is rude.

Sorry, Your Highness.

The mission's arrival in the capital

has enraged Father.

The current situation

will definitely lead to bloodshed and chaos.

I don't know

how it will all end.

Everything is decided by fate.

Your Highness, do not worry.

However,

things are getting interesting.

The Duke Zhenbei is dead.

The world is about to descend into chaos.

Some people

must be laughing even in their dreams.

Congrats, My Lord.

Your great achievement is near.

The time has not come yet.

At the end of Yin hour,

the sun will rise.

Reports say

there are assassins in the Palace.

Imperial Guards are ordered to enter the Palace,

seal off the inner Palace,

and protect the Empress.

Yes.

(Dew) His Majesty has ordered

to send these to the officials' mansions

and carefully record

their reactions and words.

Yes.

As the saying goes,

positions bring responsibilities.

Mr. Xu is just a student from Yunlu Academy.

How could he understand His Majesty's thoughts?

This is absurd.

(South Gate)

(Calligraphy Studio)

(Charity Hall)

(Dafeng Capital Map)

What do the officials think

of Duke Zhenbei's massacre?

Your Majesty,

except for the few at the Palace gates

and a few senior officials,

the others

have made their stances clear.

What about Zheng Xinghuai?

I've heard that he speaks openly on the streets every day

and connects with many officials.

However,

only a few

agreed to meet him.

On the court,

only Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen seem to care.

The others seem indifferent.

Summon the Cabinet

to the court immediately

for Duke Huai's Bloodshed Case.

Yes.

♪Heaven and earth gave birth to me♪

♪With determination, the wind can't sway the shadow♪

♪Errant thoughts entangle the dark world♪

♪Out of fury, I wield my saber♪

♪To cut down injustice and triumph over evil♪

♪Across eternity, this realm feels like an endless night♪

♪Only my steadfast heart remains unchanged♪

♪Stars and constellations scattered like murky smoke♪

♪Yet my resolute will shines through to dispel the peril♪

♪The tree longs for stillness, but the wind will not cease♪

♪Darkness disintegrates before me♪

♪Entwined with injustices again and again♪

♪Heaven and earth gave birth to me♪

♪With determination, the wind can't sway the shadow♪

♪Errant thoughts entangle the dark world♪

♪Out of fury, I wield my saber♪

♪To cut down injustice and triumph over evil♪

♪Across eternity, this realm feels like an endless night♪

♪Only my steadfast heart remains unchanged♪

♪Stars and constellations scattered like murky smoke♪

♪Yet my resolute will shines through to dispel the peril♪

♪The tree longs for stillness, but the wind will not cease♪

♪Darkness disintegrates before me♪

♪Entwined with injustices again and again♪

♪Across eternity, this realm feels like an endless night♪

♪Only my steadfast heart remains unchanged♪

♪Stars and constellations scattered like murky smoke♪

♪One's arrogance deserves execution♪

♪Slaughter all confusions♪

♪The moonlight illuminates the sky♪

♪Bringing justice back to the world♪

♪Demons and spirits♪

♪Born and perish as one♪

♪A resolve hangs high in my heart♪

♪Worlds apart, yet sharing the same origin♪