Original subtitles

Episode 25

- Why are you clinging to me? - Where are you going?

I have to go home.

Why go home?

Is this the red-light district?

It's a place of pleasure where desire is never satisfied.

It's all the more irresistible to the Dream Demon.

Ruyi Pavilion

He's here.

My lord.

I don't get why you need my help.

This Dream Demon is a playful one.

It has a fetish for peeping and playing tricks.

The weirder and more outrageous the dream,

the more the demon is into it.

He's been feeding on the essence within dreams,

growing bigger and more selective with every bite.

I think…

only your dreams can satisfy him.

My dreams?

Why is that?

Mei Si is human.

I'm half human. You, on the other hand…

You are, after all, Chang'an's

most dashing, charismatic,

deeply enigmatic,

and glorious demon

revered by all.

Me? Really?

Of course.

You've crossed more bridges than I've traveled roads,

and you've caught more feelings than I've lost strands of hair.

You've done more in one lifetime than the two of us could in eight.

Your desires, secrets,

and dreams…

I can't imagine how interesting they are.

In any case, that demon won't let you go

as long as it's sane. Come.

My lord, you could have just let me know you wanted me as bait.

- After all, I-- - Let's begin.

Uh…

If I can be honest,

being stared at by you two is stressing me out.

There's no way I can fall asleep.

- You can't sleep? - Uh…

You have to, even if you can't.

It's here.

You're right.

Isn't that…

Ruyi Pavilion?

Is Lady Hu Zhu in danger?

Who the heck is pulling me? How rude!

So this is what you look like.

You're cute.

What are you trying to do?

You've been in my dream.

You should know that I'm Cat Lord.

Cats love to eat fish.

Especially…

demon fish like you that grow chubbier every day.

Please, I'm just a nobody.

It's merely curiosity.

Furthermore, even if you eat me,

it won't help much with your cultivation.

In that case, I'll just eat half of you to have a taste.

I'll leave you half-dead,

flailing on the ground.

You'll never swim again.

Please don't scare me.

I can lose everything but my freedom.

I became a demon to live among humans

and explore their every desire.

I enter their dreams…

to release the burdens they carry inside,

if only for a moment of comfort and freedom.

They and I mutually benefit from this.

Isn't that a good thing?

Why are you coming after me?

Freedom in a dream doesn't mean anything.

You still have to deal with the mess when you wake up.

Easy!

I'll just make sure they don't wake up and keep dreaming!

It seems that you're the one who's dreaming.

You prey on dreams to disturb people's souls

and throw the human world into disorder.

I, Cat Lord,

must bring you back to the Demon Underworld and punish you.

I refuse to obey. What are you going to do about it?

Don't you not realize that you're in a dream?

This isn't Ling Xiao's dream.

I saw his dream just now.

It was so boring. There's nothing worth seeing.

You are now in my dream.

Your dream?

The Dream Demon's dream is a dream within a dream.

It's a dream that embraces and devours all.

It's a dream ruled by me. I am in control.

Ruyi Pavilion

- Stay outside and stand by. - Mm.

This won't do.

Since this is a dream,

maybe I can use Ling Xiao's flowered branch to take down the demon.

How is this possible?

The flowered branch actually destroyed my dream!

It's a Cat Demon.

What happened?

Where is Lady Hu Zhu?

What's gotten you all worked up?

N-nothing.

I waited a long time, and you never came. So I'm just hanging out here.

Little Senior, where's the demon?

It got away.

It got away?

But it's good that it got away.

What do you mean?

I never wanted to catch it.

I was just following the trail wherever it led.

Let's go while there are still traces of the demon's aura.

- Where are we going? - The Demon Underworld.

The Demon Underworld?

Boss, it's time for you to wake up.

I've brought you back to the Demon Underworld.

You can't go out without my permission.

I didn't do anything wrong.

You can't just hold me captive!

You enter dreams without permission.

It doesn't sound like you didn't do anything wrong.

I slip into others' dreams to lift their burdens,

let them follow their hearts,

mend regrets and realize their desires.

Shouldn't they be happy?

Whether they're happy or not is their business.

You have no right to control that.

Why are you doing this?

I-- Why?

Because it's fun!

Did you know that dreams have a taste?

Some dreams are sweet…

like nectar.

Those are dreams of success,

marriage,

and a thriving family.

Some dreams taste sour.

Those are envy, deceit, and greed.

And some…

Some are bitter.

Those are dreams of those who carry secrets

they can never speak of.

For your own amusement,

you throw mortal lives into chaos.

- This is utterly outrageous. - Me? No way!

I'm clearly helping them.

People are the worst hypocrites.

They think of one thing, but won't admit it openly.

I enter their dreams

to let them experience their true desires

and do the things they want to but can't bring themselves to.

True desires?

Mm.

When I entered your dream just now…

I saw that…

you want to become a full-fledged demon

and be with that handsome young man.

You could've just stopped me from saying more!

Why did you have to get physical?

Put me down!

Seriously, have you been pretending to be human for too long?

You're so boring with all these secrets and hiding.

You know what you want,

so why aren't you admitting it?

Are you still trying to enter dreams?

No way. I wouldn't dare.

Don't be scared.

I'd like to hear about

Boss's dreams.

Are you interested?

I'll tell you--

I'll tell you next time…

You snoop on others' secrets

and interfere in their lives.

Or is it because you didn't study much?

Attend the Demon Academy from tomorrow onward.

Demon Academy?

Please don't tell me that the demons

in the Demon Underworld still go to school.

Human beings aren't the only ones who study.

I refuse!

I'd rather go to the Demon Prison.

That's not for you to decide.

Wait!

I don't want to!

I don't want to go to school.

I really don't want to!

So…

you let the Dream Demon get away on purpose?

It's just a pesky little demon.

Catching it won't make much difference.

Better to be patient and reel in something big.

Well, have we reeled in anything big?

There's no doubt…

the demon's aura is here.

So that's why we can't find the Demon Underworld.

The Demon Underworld isn't hidden in a corner in Chang'an.

All of Chang'an…

is the Demon Underworld.

The Demon Underworld…

is another Chang'an.

Mr. Chang Ming.

I've lent you a helping hand.

Please don't betray the sincerity behind my efforts.

Who beat me?

Where is this place?

How did I get here?

With the demon uprising underway,

Changxi Palace is free to descend the mountain.

What's wrong?

- Nothing. - Spill.

Zhuyu, you're scaring me.

Really, it's nothing.

I was just wondering what we should do next.

Even though we found the location of the Demon Underworld,

we don't know how to get in.

But since those demons vanished near that ruined temple,

it proves there's more to that place than meets the eye.

Are you suggesting we tear down that temple

and give it a thorough search?

We don't know how things are in the Demon Underworld.

Also, there's only the two of us.

We need to plan this out.

You're right.

That makes sense.

One day,

I will purge this land of chaos completely.

Chang'an…

will be a much brighter place.

What happened today…

will not happen to her again.

Ruyi Pavilion

How did it go?

I only fell asleep for a bit,

but your boss was gone--

Keep it down!

- We caught it. - We did?

Mm-hmm.

Boss caught that demon with a dream.

She's probably still a little stimulated "here."

Things are quiet for now.

You can go home.

Mm.

Master Shuang Jiang.

When did you come back to Chang'an?

I just got here.

Are you here alone?

Mm.

Should I get two ladies to sing you a song?

I'm fine.

I want to talk to you about something.

Hmm?

Lady Hu Zhu, you've helped me before.

I'm indebted to you.

I should repay you.

Still, I'm a cultivator.

Even though I'm not particularly outstanding,

my heart is devoted to the Tao.

There are things I shouldn't do.

However, for you,

I've committed a few grave sins.

- I-- - Wait!

That look on your face…

You're not about to offer yourself in marriage, are you?

- I-- - You don't have to repay me!

You're devoted to cultivation, while I'm devoted to making money.

Our paths don't cross.

That's not what I mean.

Then what do you mean?

Actually…

I know who you are.

I want to advise you to turn back before it's too late.

I can lead you to redemption.

Redemption?

I'm a legitimate businessperson.

You want to "redeem" me?

What do you take me for?

You're in the way of me making more money.

Did I see it wrongly?

I don't think I did, though.

Young Master Mei, you're back.

- What's the matter? - Are you really asking me that?

You were gone for half a day on your wedding day.

You left me in this mess alone.

County Princess Qinghe's people chewed me out!

Did Wu Zhen scold you?

She didn't…

Lady Mingzhuang was the one who scolded me.

She really chewed me out.

I'm going to check on Wu Zhen.

Young Master.

Young Master!

I haven't told you about how much I suffered!

Young Master!

Wu Zhen, are you sleeping?

Lady Mingzhuang.

Young Master Mei.

You left your bride alone on your wedding day

and went out by yourself

for half a day. What is the meaning of this?

What could be more important than your wedding?

I am at fault for this.

But could you tell me where my wife went?

Is Lady Wu not in the bedroom?

She said she was tired and wanted to take a nap.

She told me I didn't have to wait by the door.

She should still be asleep.

I was just about to wake her to get freshened up.

Huh?

That ugly demon

gave me this massive headache.

This is bad.

Young Master Mei, Lady Wu is gone!

Where could she have gone?

Lady Mingzhuang, please wait here.

I'll look for her at Ruyi Pavilion.

Young Master?

Wu Zhen.

Were you here this whole time?

Yes.

My apologies.

Are you shy, Young Master?

You're blushing, Wu Zhen.

You did that on purpose.

Yes, I did.

I'm sorry.

You almost ended up in danger…

on our wedding day.

How could my sleepwalking be your fault?

But I can't lose you anymore.

You won't.

I'll never leave you.

Really?

I, too, will never let anyone or anything…

cause you harm again.

Did I really see it wrongly?

Should I tell Zhuyu?

I'm so conflicted.

I'm losing my appetite.

Do you not see me sitting--

Second Brother!

What filling did you get?

This is completely unacceptable!

Other families have their daughters go home.

And yet, I'm visiting my daughter's house.

Forget the fact that I made a trip here.

Look at the time now.

It's already noon.

Where the hell are the two of them?

Isn't that a good thing?

Your Grace, it probably won't be long before you get a grandchild.

You should be happy about it.

I don't feel that way.

You've finally left your room.

Huh?

Though you're newly married

and still young…

some moderation is in order.

Huh? There should be a limit to some… things.

Father, you don't need to worry about us young folks.

I…

I'm just worried about your health.

See! What did I just say?

Moderation!

Are you all right?

I'm dizzy because I'm starving.

Right, right.

Young Master, here's a letter addressed to you.

Chang Ming

Please go ahead if you have something to attend to.

It's all right. It's nothing pressing.

Mmm!

Yum.

This is delicious.

Leader.

Is this where we're staying?

"Lianfu Changxi Palace Celestial Master"

Isn't this a bit too shabby?

They say when someone is destined for a great responsibility,

life will first challenge their willpower and spirit through hardship.

Try to bear with it.

After all, the Demon Underworld has eyes here in Chang'an City.

Don't draw attention or stand out.

We're demon hunters, and they're demons.

In what world does a mouse go after a cat?

The Demon Underworld is now a force to reckon with.

It's wise

to tread carefully.

Relax, Leader.

They don't know what we look like.

They won't notice us.

Now that you've gone blind

and your dark magic is gone,

you should take your leave. Don't come back anymore.

No!

Mr. Chang Ming.

Had that traitor not insisted

on defending the Demon Underworld

and made the others hesitate,

we would've left the mountains a long time ago.

It was such a waste of time.

And it's only the few of us.

In my opinion,

their punishment was too light.

Anyhow, we're here in Chang'an.

Different means, same end.

Luckily, the rumors in Chang'an about the Dream Demon

carried the news back.

The heavens are on your side, Leader.

I hope this turns out well.

All the effort to get you to Chang'an would be for nothing otherwise.

But Leader, I don't understand why you sent

Chi Hua to look for Mei Zhuyu.

If Shuang Jiang hadn't accidentally revealed it,

I still wouldn't know

that Mei Zhuyu already found where the Demon Underworld is.

It looks like it'll be hard to reclaim Chang'an

without him.

Also, my Changxi weapon…

Don't you already have a Changxi weapon, Leader?

Even though I've retrieved my Changxi weapon,

I haven't been able to summon it.

What? Why is that?

I'm not sure.

He must have done something.

However, Lianfu,

don't let anyone else know about this.

Mm.

The top priority now is for Changxi Palace to secure its position in Chang'an.

We cannot allow anyone's determination to falter now.

We'll talk about this…

another time.

All right.

Mei Zhuyu?

How is he involved in this?

I didn't think our next meeting

would be in Chang'an.

We heard about the Dream Demon.

Shuang Jiang has also been in contact with those on the mountain.

Once we knew that you found the location of the Demon Underworld,

Leader urged us to descend the mountain.

If it hadn't been such a pressing matter, more of us would have come.

The reason you descended the mountain is…

Leader's thinking that

since you know where the Demon Underworld is,

if we find a method to access the Demon Underworld,

we can defeat them in a single blow.

We'll slay demons and purge evil to protect the people.

What's wrong?

Do you disagree?

Of course, I also hope to see the Demon Underworld destroyed

and peace restored to Chang'an.

I have yet to avenge my parents as well.

But since we still don't know what we're dealing with,

I worry that things may not go as we hope

if we force the barrier open.

Leader hopes to end this quickly

and get rid of the Demon Underworld without delay.

I'm afraid this plan is set in stone.

Since you've made up your mind,

why did you come to me?

Even though you're no longer part of Changxi Palace,

we have the same goal.

If we work together,

I'm sure the Demon Underworld won't stand a chance.

So you want us to join forces.

We're not familiar with Chang'an after all.

We'll need your help.

I'm sure you know more about the place where the demons disappeared to.

I know that we were cold toward you

when you were being punished.

I don't blame you.

It doesn't bother me.

I can help.

It's just that my grudge against them goes back 18 years.

I can continue waiting,

but I can't fail.

All I wish is that…

when I take action,

the Demon Underworld will be eliminated.

Boss.

Hurry up and take your medicine.

Uh-huh.

Quickly, finish your medicine.

Based on the symptoms you mentioned,

Zhupo brewed this medicine with a century-old lingzhi.

But this stinks.

It smells bad, but it's super nutritious.

A lot has happened recently.

You have to take care of yourself.

I can barely swallow this.

In the Demon Underworld,

Zhupo is the second-best when it comes to pharmacology.

if you can't drink her medicine,

you should check Wu Zi Shu.

All right.

I drank the medicine.

I should go home.

I came here after lying

that I was out shopping with Lady Liu. I can't stay for long.

Why are you in such a rush to leave?

Your husband is open-minded after all.

He doesn't care if you come to Ruyi Pavilion to have fun, does he?

I have such a handsome husband.

Why would I look at other men?

Ruyi Pavilion

Snake Lord.

Where is she?

She left.

It's Xiaozhen's medicine.

What did you buy when you went shopping with Lady Liu?

Nothing.

You don't have to save money for me.

I'm not.

I have faith in your ability to earn money.

That shouldn't have happened, Young Master Sun.

Greetings, Commander Mei.

Are you here to shoot some arrows

and win a silk rosette for County Princess Qinghe?

Yes.

I'll win it myself.

Good or bad, I earn whatever comes my way on my own.

Your Highness, if you can hit the bell with all three arrows,

you'll win that silk rosette.

The bell is way too high.

It's hard to even hit it once.

Sir.

Do you have something to say to my wife?

- Amazing! - I did, but not anymore.

Shall I pass the message?

Young Master Mei, how do you know

Xiaozhen won't slip out to meet me

after you're asleep?

Between you and me,

it's hard to say who's closer to her…

or joins her in hatred and in cause.

The third arrow will miss for sure.

Xiaozhen has a stubborn streak.

She insists on trying everything herself.

It seems like she'll have to learn her lesson the hard way herself.

You are--

Young Master Mei, you came into the picture late.

You don't know what happened between Xiaozhen and me.

So it's best not to ask.

After all, it's been more than a decade.

It's not something that can be made clear in a chance meeting.

I'm not interested…

in your story.

And in the end, whether the fate runs deep or not

is up for my wife to decide.

Mei Zhuyu.

What happens between Xiaozhen and me

is none of your business.

Remember this.

If you so much as hurt Xiaozhen…

I won't let you off.

Of course, I will protect my wife.

Sir, you, on the other hand, if you've got the time,

why not focus on something that actually matters?

It's been chilly lately.

If she comes looking for me in the middle of the night,

make sure to remind her to dress warmly.

Young Master.

What were you looking at?

I saw your friend, Shu, just now.

We talked for a bit.

Translated by Scarlet