Original subtitles

(Moonlit Reunion)

(Episode 28)

They realized Chang'an wasn't safe for them.

So they found an abandoned house on the outskirts,

where they're now recovering their strength.

What about Chang Ming?

Has he made any moves?

Actually, we found their trail

thanks to Sect Leader Chang Ming himself.

How so?

I suspect Sect Leader Chang Ming grew impatient.

When he sneaked out to practice the Life Transforming art,

the foul aura around him was impossible to hide.

That's how I tracked them to that abandoned house.

Well done.

You remain as sharp and capable as ever.

Humans often speak of rats

with contempt,

but only we rats

can penetrate any barrier,

reach any place.

Since ancient times,

how many have really achieved greatness?

Yet in the end, only we rats prove impossible to eradicate.

Spoken like a true visionary.

Your words never fail to be persuasive.

You never sided with me before.

Seems even my silver tongue

falls short of Cat Lord's.

How dare you compare yourself to her?

Enough.

You may leave.

Don't let anyone see you.

What are you doing here?

I've been thinking,

Demon City has been on high alert against those exorcists,

but no matter how tight the net, some fish always slip through.

What do you mean?

There's still one person in the city claiming to be an exorcist.

His behavior is highly suspicious.

And this person happens to be someone you know well.

Shuang Jiang?

I'm starving.

I'm about to keel over from hunger.

I'm so hungry the world's spinning.

Seniors!

I brought you food.

Where is Sect Leader?

I haven't seen him.

He's probably somewhere around.

I-I'll go look for Sect Leader.

Go on.

Lady Hu Zhu, it's too dangerous for you here.

You'll be in danger if my senior brothers discover you.

Especially my eldest senior brother, he shows no mercy to demons.

You know I'm a demon?

Sort of.

Since when?

Well...

Since that time we caught the dream demon.

You were there that night?

That's not important.

You have to get out of here now.

I'm a hundred years demon,

yet I was actually fooled by a half-baked exorcist!

I never fooled you.

Tell me then,

what are you and your people doing in Chang'an?

Sect Leader...

Exterminating demons has always been Changxi Palace's sacred duty.

Sect Leader...

Shuang Jiang.

How long have you been mingling with demons?

I...

Changxi Palace...

You really are one of them.

I...

A weak fox demon.

Sect Leader! She's my closest friend.

Please spare her life.

Nonsense! Demon hunting is not child's play!

Move!

I'll rid Demon City of its greatest threat today

even if it will cost my life!

Oh Shuang Jiang...

You were such a nuisance.

But even fools have their uses,

as long as they serve my purpose

and help me achieve my goals.

Mei, what are you looking at?

The weather's not good today.

I heard it might rain for several days.

You don't like thunderstorms?

It's not about like or dislike.

Even thunder serves its purpose.

I mean,

the sky looked ominous last night.

There might be demons.

Demons?

On two occasions when lightning struck,

once it led me into the Demon City,

and once it let Si witness a demon.

The barrier must be connected to the lightning.

Purpose?

I've heard of people enjoying the rain, but never the thunder.

Your preferences are unique.

If your duties are done,

you should go home early.

How come it's just a wisp of a remnant soul?

Such a familiar scent...

So familiar...

Just as I suspected, you've been hiding in Chang'an all along.

Lady Hu Zhu? Lady Hu Zhu?

Lady Hu Zhu, are you alright?

I...

No, I'm not.

Hang in there, Lady Hu Zhu.

I'm coming to get you.

Shuang Jiang fell off a cliff?

Yes. He went out to find Sect Leader after dropping his bags.

He must have exposed himself and drew the fox demon's attention.

A fox demon?

I heard the fox demon is immensely powerful,

and extremely cunning.

Luckily, Sect Leader arrived in time and severely wounded it.

He meant to capture the creature,

but then Shuang Jiang actually begged him

to spare the demon.

He claimed the demon was his closest friend.

But the demon showed no gratitude.

Knowing it couldn't escape,

it dragged Shuang Jiang down the cliff with it.

At the end of the day,

this is all my negligence as your eldest senior brother.

I've been too indulgent with all of you,

letting you experience the mortal world,

succumb to its temptations,

and stray onto the wrong path.

It is indeed your negligence.

You shouldn't have left the formation

before the foul aura was cleared.

Are you saying it was my mistake that revealed us,

that brought the demon to us?

I'm going to look for Shuang Jiang.

The rest of you, please don't act recklessly.

Lady Hu Zhu? Lady Hu Zhu?

Lady Hu Zhu?

How dare you hit me!

Even badly injured,

you're so fierce.

Tell me this.

Why did you save me?

Why did you fall off the cliff with me?

I couldn't think of anything else at the time.

I just didn't want you to die.

Didn't want me to die?

I'm a demon.

You're an exorcist.

Wouldn't you kill me?

I...

At most, I'd seal you.

Did I hurt you?

You make my liver ache with anger!

Fox demons have livers?

You...

I left the city in a rush.

This flatbread is all I have on me.

You can have it.

Don't worry, it's not poisoned.

I'm a righteous exorcist.

I won't torture an injured demon.

I'm hungry too.

I have to follow Changxi Palace's rules.

Even though we have known each other a long time,

when we return to Chang'an,

I have to follow protocol.

I can't defy the rules.

Enough talk.

Just hurry up and take me back already.

Fair enough.

I suppose Zhu Yu and Lady Wu must be worried sick now.

Lady Hu Zhu, you're a fox demon.

Does that mean my sister-in-law...

Does that mean Lady Wu is one too?

No!

She's not a fox demon.

Really? Swear it.

I swear on my cultivation,

she is definitely not a fox demon.

Thank goodness. I was so worried.

Since you're from Changxi Palace,

does that mean Mr. Mei is an exorcist of Changxi Palace too?

He's not.

Cultivators do not lie.

Are you telling the truth?

Yes, I swear!

Changxi Palace has ten registered exorcists,

and Mei Zhu Yu isn't one of them.

Come on.

How are you going to taunt me today?

Where is it?

Up ahead is Chang'an.

Shuang Jiang, I'm injured and weak now.

If you really want to capture me,

now is your best chance.

Steamed flatbreads! Delicious steamed flatbreads!

The one and only steamed flatbreads!

- It's steamed flatbreads. - Come on!

Care for some steamed flatbreads?

- Two, please. - Alright!

Here.

Two flatbreads.

That'll be two coins.

Maybe you could let us have these for free?

We didn't bring any money.

No money?

No money, no flatbread!

- Wait. - What?

Thank you, beautiful young lady.

Here you go.

Please enjoy.

Lady Hu Zhu, you helped me.

I won't forget that.

But you're a demon, and I'm an exorcist.

So...

I've come up with an idea.

I will count to ten, and you may flee.

But when I finish, if I see you again,

I'll have no choice but to do my duty.

You mean it?

You'd really let me go?

Yes.

Alright.

Keep your word.

One... Two...

Three...

Four...

Five...

Six...

Seven...

Eight...

Nine...

This is bad.

I'm turning back to my true form.

My lady,

it's noon now.

Surely you haven't forgotten what day it is today?

How could I forget?

First day of the tenth month, the Ghost Festival.

Quite the birthday my husband chose.

Are the preparations complete?

Rest assured, my lady.

It's such an important day.

I shall ensure everything is flawless.

Young Master, His Grace delivered your birthday gift.

I've placed it in the study.

Alright.

Mei! Mei!

- We have a problem! - He's here!

What happened?

I know we shouldn't disturb you today, but...

Go on.

A vicious wolf has broken loose in the city

and nearly attacked passersby.

It's vanished for now.

The yamen fears it may strike again,

so they've ordered every bureau to join the hunt.

- A wolf? - Yes.

I heard the beast is small in build but unusually fierce.

And it has an unusually large tail...

An unusually large tail...

That sounds more like...

A fox.

Come on, let's go help them.

Alright.

Commissioner Mei, you came.

I heard the city is hunting a wolf. I've come to assist.

Excellent.

We've scoured eight streets,

but there's been no sign of it.

Who knows where it's hiding.

Where do you plan to look?

The Liu District.

Come on.

What happened to her?

Hu Zhu must have stumbled onto the exorcists' trail

and was wounded by them.

No time to bring her back to the Demon City.

I have to treat her right here.

Search!

Wu Zhen?

What are you doing here?

Just taking care of some business.

You, on the other hand,

you brought quite a squad.

What is this, a raid on the Ruyi Pavilion?

Official duty. A wolf is loose in the city.

It may harm people, so we're searching door to door.

It's a fox.

According to witnesses,

Witnesses described thick fur and a great long tail.

Sounds far more like a fox.

I haven't seen

any wolves or foxes in my room.

I see.

I'll take your word for it.

Let's search elsewhere.

Just to be safe...

We should check.

You don't trust me?

Wu Zhen.

Are you really alright?

Yes.

It's your birthday today.

I'll see you at home later.

Princess Qing He is meeting a man at Ruyi Pavilion!

My dear.

You should go attend to your duties.

Come on.

Aren't you ashamed to resort to such childish tricks?

I've never been ashamed of my feelings for you.

Is Mei Zhu Yu really worth your hesitation?

Why do you think he insisted on coming in just now?

There was a wolf loose in the city. He was worried.

Worried?

You've really never once suspected otherwise?

Foxy...

Boss...

Shuang Jiang...

Shuang Jiang is one of them.

I followed them to the outskirts of the city.

There are five in total.

They must've used a formation to mask their presence.

That's why they vanished for days.

These aren't ordinary exorcists.

They're from Changxi Palace.

If they're really from Changxi Palace,

then his "Tenth Brother" must be...

Shuang Jiang swore

that Mr. Mei isn't

among their ten disciples.

He's my husband.

If he's involved,

I cannot overlook it.

I'm afraid our happiness...

Will come to an end soon.

Commissioner Mei.

What's going on with Commissioner Mei?

No idea.

Zhu Yu...

- Zhu Yu... - Shuang Jiang!

I thought I'd never see you again.

What happened to you?

I'm fine. I'm just...

Hungry.

Get up.

Easy.

What really happened?

Did you escape from that fox demon?

No. Actually, she escaped from me.

So Hu Zhu really is a fox demon?

She has been running a business in Chang'an all this time

without anyone finding out.

Looks like the Demon City harbors many powerful demons.

Perhaps they've been hiding among us all along.

Hiding among us...

I'm not a demon, though!

Don't worry.

The ones around you are mortals.

I confirmed with her today.

Lady Hu Zhu swore on her cultivation

that your wife is definitely not a fox demon.

She knows you're from Changxi Palace,

yet she still spared your life.

Why would she want to kill me?

Sect Leader was the ruthless one.

When I parted with Lady Hu Zhu today,

I could feel his power lingering inside her.

I wonder how her injuries are now.

How could his power stay in her so long?

It's a Demon Tracking technique.

(Ruyi Pavilion)

Boss?

Wu Zi Shu?

Are you here?

Look at the hour.

Ruyi Pavilion's doors are still shut tight.

This is a first.

Haven't you heard?

Lady Hu Zhu, the owner of Ruyi Pavilion,

seems to have offended someone.

There were Jinwu Guards swarming all over the place earlier today.

Where'd you hear that?

The place is full of pretty women,

singing and dancing all day.

Who could they possibly offend?

You don't believe me?

If that's really the case,

I'll take her under my wings.

I won't let anyone bully her.

You? Come on.

Yes, me.

Just drink your tea.

Take a good look in the mirror.

(Ruyi Pavilion)

Lady Hu Zhu...

Lady Hu Zhu...

This is my fault.

If I had captured you myself,

you wouldn't be suffering like this.

This power...

What's wrong with my power?

Nothing.

I'm just worried if she dies,

it might ruin your plan.

What?

Do you really think we couldn't enter

the Demon City without you?

So, did she talk?

No.

It doesn't matter.

The tighter her lips,

the more useful she is to us.

What do you mean?

The more silent she is,

the more it proves her high status in the Demon City.

With such perfect bait,

the big fish will come biting.

They're here.

Get ready.

Didn't Lady Hu Zhu tell you?

It's so dark in here.

You'll need more lights if you want to see anyone clearly.

Who are you?

Really?

Surely you're here because you've known who I am.

So the Ruyi Pavilion employs male courtesans now.

Though not very attractive ones.

You're courting death.

Tell him to get out here.

You expect to get her with that tone?

Well, what tone should I use to demand my husband?

Your husband?

It's my husband's birthday today.

Instead of coming home to celebrate,

he'd rather be here fooling around.

I'm here to catch him in the act.

Wait.

Who is your husband?

Mei Zhu Yu.

So this is your wife?

Yes.

You're Princess Qing He?

Yes.

I've heard of you

My dear,

who are these people?

My old friends from Quzhou.

We just arrived in Chang'an.

We don't know our way around yet,

so we rented the Ruyi Pavilion for a few days' diversion.

You rented the place for a few days' diversion?

Yet you stand here in the dark,

neither eating nor drinking.

Quite a novel way to enjoy yourselves.

If you're finished,

may I take my husband home?

Of course.

By the way, I was unaware you were coming.

Had I known,

on this of all days,

I would have invited you to our home.

You are too kind.

It's only proper.

Important guests like yourselves

deserve nothing less than a grand welcome.