Original subtitles

[Shadow Love]

[Episode 19]

[Sixu Clinic]

I'll first slow down the flow of blood and qi

in Your Highness with acupuncture.

I need some time to figure out

the one last ingredient

of this poison.

Your Highness,

sorry for the discomfort.

This is going to hurt a bit.

The therapy has provided some relief.

I'm feeling better now.

You two may leave.

This assassination attempt

was not arranged by me.

I only bribed the assassin.

Despite the thorough plan I made,

an accident still happened.

Will you forgive me?

As a humble subject

of Your Highness,

who am I to give forgiveness?

I know...

over the past 3 years,

you've always blamed me for failing you.

But, Shuang,

how do you know

I didn't beg my father

for you?

Father,

my heart belongs to another woman.

I can't marry Chancellor Ji's daughter.

So, Father,

please withdraw the decree.

A king must keep his word.

I can't revoke that command just because you say so.

Marriage is a lifelong commitment.

Don't I even

have the right to marry

the woman I love?

You would have that right, if you were a commoner's son.

But you're the Crown Prince.

Even your marriage has to

serve the kingdom's interests.

Father,

I'm neither capable nor knowledgeable.

People are not convinced of my competence.

I'm hardly qualified for the role of Crown Prince.

If being the Crown Prince means

I must give up on my beloved woman,

then

I beg for your imperial edict

to relieve me from this position.

You're throwing away

the throne of Taijin just for a woman?

I'm well aware

that you're in love with Li Shuang.

But don't forget that you're my son

and my liege.

You don't get to decide

your future spouse

or your own dismissal.

But, Father...

A father's love runs deep.

If you defy my orders,

I won't kill you,

but I will definitely kill Li Shuang.

As a royal member,

I have to do things against my own will.

I failed you

only to protect you.

For me,

that decision

also tore my heart apart.

Prince Annan?

Prince Annan...

Who's there?

Prince Annan...

Prince Annan...

That man is clearly Prince Annan.

Why is he

with the Crown Prince of Taijin?

I must bring this message

back to Yao State.

Who are you?

After following you guys all the way here,

I still can't find Jade Linglong.

What's worse,

the trail has entirely gone cold.

Why did you kill him?

Mister,

that's not a fair judgement.

There is no roof or wall around.

All the animals here

can come and go as they please,

not to mention humans. Don't you think?

You smell of the poison that was inflicted on the Crown Prince.

Was it you who meant to poison His Highness?

How come you accuse me of

a new crime with each move I make?

Can't you be reasonable?

You must come with me.

If you're innocent,

you'll have your chance to defend yourself.

I have urgent matters to attend to.

I'm done with you.

Stop it! I yield!

You're so reckless, Mister.

This hurts yourself and others.

Please refrain from doing so.

I'll go with you

to wherever you want.

[The flame patterns...]

[He is exactly]

[the shadow puppet.]

Your Highness,

I've never blamed you

during these 3 years.

Now,

all has been decided for us.

Let's

put the past behind.

But why?

How could we just erase

those beautiful memories?

Your Highness...

You're right, though.

My life is coming to an end.

What can I hold onto now?

It was no secret to you

that I bribed the assassin,

yet you never questioned me about it.

I don't know

why Your Highness did that,

but I have faith in you.

I believe you had your own reason

for making such a move.

My brother wanted to kill me.

I thought I could escape that fate

by bribing the assassin.

But to my surprise,

my brother had already seen through my plan.

I had a messenger come over

to tell you not to attend the reception

because I hoped

you could stay away from this strife.

Little did I expect

that

you'd still be dragged into it in the end.

Shuang,

I know

I can't do much for you,

though I owe you a lot.

This time,

I'm finally relieved of guilt.

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Lu Xin!

Your Highness!

His Highness fainted.

How is he?

Shuang,

embrace yourself for the worst.

It's not a dead end yet!

Ladies,

nice to see you again.

You know each other?

What's

going on here?

An assassin appeared,

so I chased after him.

But by the time I caught up,

he had been killed.

This man happened to be at the scene.

I also smelled the scent

of that mysterious poison on him.

Give us the antidote now.

Then I'll implore the king to spare you

from capital punishment.

Did you hear that?

You two make quite a great couple,

as you falsely accuse someone

in the exact same manner.

It's too late.

His Highness is at death's door.

Even if there is an antidote,

there won't be time for it to take effect.

Arsenic.

Curculigo.

Ruojian.

Toxic toads.

Whoever poisoned him

must have nefarious motives.

How do you know the ingredients?

I can tell the formula

of any poison with a simple glimpse

of the symptoms.

Nonsense.

Except those from Wuling Mountain,

nobody in the world is able to do that.

So you're from Wuling Mountain?

In just a moment,

His Highness will be gone forever.

Instead of probing into my origins,

why not let me save his life first, General?

Under such circumstances,

we might as well let him try.

A guiding ingredient of this poison

is called Snow Golden Lotus,

which carries rare toxins.

Fortunately, everything has its antagonist.

This Icy Jade Worm of mine

specifically feeds on that lotus.

What you smelled earlier

was the scent of this worm.

Why didn't you explain it?

Did you give me a chance to speak?

How did I not?

Hold his arms! Don't let him hurt my worm.

Your Highness...

Now my worm is finally fed.

The toxins have really been cleared.

His Highness will recover after a few days' rest.

Thank you.

Sir, for your commendable contribution,

the Crown Prince will surely

reward you when he wakes up.

It was a small favor.

Don't mention it.

How noble of you.

I'd deeply impressed.

But I'm afraid you'll be troubled with the Crown Prince's

medication

before His Highness recovers.

If you don't mind,

why not stay a few days at my place?

It can also be a chance for me

to repay your generous help.

General, young though you are,

you're already an expert in telling lies.

You're not being hospitable,

but seeking

an excuse to interrogate me.

That's right.

You'll be interrogated.

It's non-negotiable.

The grand General's Residence

must be magnificent.

Not everyone gets to see it.

Given your cordial invitation,

General,

I'd like to accept this kind offer.

What's that guy's background?

Shuang,

you're a general,

and Jin'an is too aggressive.

Why not let me

talk to that man?

Sounds nice.

Have Cuiyun accompany you.

Stay cautious.

This way, sir.

Miss Li appears rough.

But who would know

she actually has such good taste?

General Li told us

that you're a distinguished guest,

to whom we must offer the best service.

You're not needed here.

Go get some rest.

May I have a look

at your worm?

It bites.

It really amazes me

that you're from Wuling Mountain.

Since we both practice medicine,

why not exchange

opinions on our expertise more often?

You must be thirsty.

Have some tea.

Are you really going to stay here?

Why not?

I've never had a stay at the General's Residence.

All seems fresh to me.

What's more,

I'm an honored guest here now.

I wonder if you're genuinely naive

or just pretending to be.

They call you an honored guest

only to sugarcoat

their real purpose of confining you here.

If the Crown Prince's conditions worsen,

you'll be the first one to be held liable.

The silver lining is,

I can put in a good word for you with Shuang

and plead for leniency.

Then all problems will go away.

However, as you know,

I am a renowned physician after all.

Acting as someone's advocate

is beneath me.

How about you teach me some of your medical skills?

Then we'll be even. What do you think?

Miss, is this

a threat?

You can put it that way.

Medical practitioners

must have moral probity.

I'm impressed by the fact that you completely ignore

the code of ethics, Miss Lu.

You're the one lacking morals.

To be honest,

I slipped deadly poison

into the tea you just drank.

If you want to live,

you'll have to ask me for the antidote.

You call that speck of dust

poison?

In fact, Miss Lu,

don't you feel

itchy and prickly in the throat,

and pain in the stomach now?

Not at all.

Are you not feeling sick?

How despicable of you.

Let's see...

Let's see how long it'll take...

b-before you collapse...

Miss Lu,

when you poison someone next time,

try not using laxatives again.

Master,

Mo Yin is staying at the General's Residence now.

What a resourceful junior I have.

He managed to enter the impenetrable General's Residence

with such ease.

The credit goes to your marvelous strategy, Master.

Mo Yin has become part of the game now.

But I'm afraid...

the Empress Dowager's patience is wearing thin.

What should

we do next?

Qiao is remarkably strong.

Although I managed to weather through

all adversities by transformation,

Shuang would be hurt

every time I resorted to the supernatural strength.

It'll be perfect

if I can protect Shuang

without changing forms.

Thanks.

Qiao,

you have extraordinary skills

and limitless strength.

I am

truly in awe.

Now that you know I'm good,

you'd better go away.

Or you might get hurt

and have no one to blame.

I have an idea.

Look,

you're an amazing martial fighter.

Could you be my tutor?

Think about it.

If I'm half as formidable as you are,

the General's Residence

will be much safer, won't it?

Are you doing this to protect the General's Residence,

or just to please the general?

What...

What's the difference?

The Crown Prince is visiting Lucheng.

The general is with him all the time.

Your provocative moves aren't working now.

So you're looking to learn new tricks?

Look how frivolous he is.

You must've said it right.

A rat! Qiao!

Qiao!

It's okay.

I'm not afraid.

Indeed.

You all have excellent skills,

but you're not vigilant enough.

I stood back there for a long time,

yet you didn't notice me at all.

How about this?

Let's make a trade.

You teach me martial skills,

and I'll instruct you

on sharpening your 5 senses.

Okay.

The first lesson for you

is to defeat me.

Help...

He sure knows how to keep his cool.

He shows no curiosity

about his origins at all.

Come in.

You're in luck, Mister.

I've specially brewed a nice pot of tea for you.

Why not sit down

and enjoy it with me?

It seems you've anticipated my visit.

You didn't plan for the assassination attempt

or poison the Crown Prince,

but you oddly appeared beside that dead assassin.

What exactly are you up to?

Don't be so tense, Mister.

I'm interested in no one,

but you

and the flame patterns on you.

You're thirsty for blood

and loyal to your master,

with the abilities to transform and heal automatically.

Am I right

about all that?

A shadow puppet's power

is really something to be reckoned with.

You claim to be from Wuling Mountain.

You also know perfectly well about

my peculiar traits.

So, I'm sure this state I'm in

is somewhat related to you.

Is it correct?

Don't be so rude.

Since you know of Wuling Mountain,

haven't you also heard of

the treasure of it,

named Jade Linglong?

Are you saying

these anomalies are associated with

the Jade Linglong in me?

Yes.

It is both a medicine and a poison.

Once it is planted inside a human,

this person

will become a shadow puppet,

with infinite strength

and self-healing ability.

But Jade Linglong's power

is sustained by blood.

The blood provider

becomes the blood master.

The blood pact formed between the puppet and the master

makes the former completely obedient to the latter,

with an instinctive urge for intimacy.

Being well aware of

Jade Linglong's terrifying power,

those in Wuling Mountain

made a rule that this item must be strictly guarded.

Unexpectedly, years ago,

Jade Linglong was stolen.

We searched extensively but couldn't find it,

until recently,

we heard a man in black showed up in Lucheng.

That was what led us here.

If I'm not mistaken,

Miss Li

is your blood master, right?

The blood pact between me and Li Shuang

was formed entirely by accident.

I understand that, of course.

I bet the person who stole Jade Linglong

intended to turn you into a shadow puppet

for his or her own use.

However, something went wrong.

You lost control, fled,

and took Li Shuang as your master by mistake.

If what you're saying is true,

this person will go after Shuang

in order to regain control

of Jade Linglong.

You've lost all your memories.

Shouldn't you be curious about your own origins first?

I was curious before.

But now...

My home is

wherever Shuang is.

It's good enough if I can protect her for a lifetime

with my current abilities.

I'm afraid it's just wishful thinking on your part.

The anomalies happening to you

are still evolving till this day.

Can you deliver any lifelong commitment?

As Jade Linglong merges with you,

it'll gradually corrode your will.

Eventually,

you'll completely lose control

and become a killing machine without feelings.

When that happens,

not only will you forget Li Shuang,

but also probably hurt her,

or even kill her.

I'd sooner end my own life

than cause any harm to her.

I understand your overconfidence, since the worst is yet to happen.

But I doubt if you can take your own life

with Jade Linglong in your body.

That aside, I have a question.

Every time you released the power of Jade Linglong,

did Li Shuang

feel unwell and fatigue?

Her blood and qi

are the very source of Jade Linglong's power.

The deeper you integrate with Jade Linglong,

the worse her health will be.

Even without you killing her,

she'll inevitably perish due to depletion of blood and qi.

How is she?

How long have you been experiencing these dizzy spells?

Probably...

since the Battle of Lucheng.

You're suffering from melancholy,

combined with deficiency in both qi and blood.

Shuang!

If this continues,

there will be serious consequences.

You really need to recuperate properly.

Leave with me

for the removal of Jade Linglong.

Only in that way

will she and you stand a chance of survival.

You think this supernatural nonsense

can fool me?

Overestimating yourself, aren't you?

I saw your good nature, so I decided to tell you the truth

instead of pushing you into anything.

But you misinterpreted what I said with that petty mind of yours.

Suppose you did tell me the truth—

I swear

I won't transform anymore,

or use the power

of Jade Linglong.

It seems

you've finally got the gist.

In our previous fight,

you were already much stronger

than ordinary people

even without transforming.

This is proof that Jade Linglong

is becoming a whole with your body.

Before long,

you'll entirely morph into a shadow puppet

that can harness Jade Linglong's power anytime

without pressing acupoints to induce transformation.

When that comes true,

every simple movement of yours

will cause harm

to your blood master.

The facts are right in front of you,

yet you wouldn't accept them.

Or is it because you simply refuse to admit

the close bonds between you and Li Shuang now

are merely attributed to Jade Linglong's effects?

Provoking me will get you nowhere.

Besides,

Jade Linglong

originated from Wuling Mountain,

which you're part of.

So you're not innocent.

Unless...

Unless you find

the one who started all this,

I have no reason to believe you.

In addition,

I'm sure you're aware

that the power I have now

is strong enough to protect Shuang

and to crush you.

So, rid your mind of shady ideas.

Do not wag your tongue

at Li Shuang.

If you're in for a losing battle,

I'll oblige you to the end.

What a stubborn man.

The firewood is ready.

Send it to Cuiyun.

Got it, Qiao.

The changes of my power

had better be kept secret.

Jin'an...

Qiao,

Jin'an is here!

Why sneak around?

Qiao.

Don't try to butter me up.

Did you do your morning practice?

He didn't.

I saw it.

The martial training

is just too arduous.

I don't think I can keep it up.

I'm terribly sorry.

Goodbye.

Fine, I'll stay. Alright?

Why the rush?

The key to martial practice is perseverance.

Once the process begins,

you can't quit halfway.

That's right.

Beat him up!

Yeah. Go at him!

Dodging?

Strike him!

As expected of the elite guardians of the General's Residence,

you all started your martial practice in early morning.

Miss, you're full of vigor and strength.

I'm impressed.

I...

You're not bad yourself.

The air is filled with spring chills,

yet you're strolling with a fan.

Aren't you worried to catch a cold?

I happen to know a bit about martial arts.

Jin'an, if you don't mind,

shall we have a friendly match?

I'm not interested.

What do you want?

Are you not fighting back

out of fear of giving yourself away?

I'd love to see how long your disguise can last.

Qiao!

Though you're the general's guest,

as an outsider,

you're not allowed to bully Jin'an,

since he's one of us on the general's team.

Honored guest,

watch your behavior.

You're right, Miss.

That was rude of me.

I shall take my leave.

My back...

Jin'an,

are you alright?

Qiao, Ling,

despite your harsh words,

you're big softies.

Why that gaze?

Pick up the firewood

and send it to the woodshed.

Get a move on!

General,

word from the capital

says Prince Li is on the way.

He will reach Lucheng

in just a few days.

That assassination attempt on the Crown Prince was a serious matter.

I knew it'd be revealed sooner or later.

Why didn't

His Majesty assign

someone else than Prince Li

to ascertain the truth?

General,

does His Majesty really not see

the hidden reality?

It's a power struggle.

What's between His Majesty and the princes

is beyond our understanding.

Now that Prince Li is coming here with a fanfare,

we might as well get ready to welcome His Highness.

As for the rest,

we'll do what we can

under specific circumstances.

Yes.