Original subtitles

(song title)

♫ I'm a mortal under the sky ♫

♫ The masses speak of my arrogance ♫

♫ I aspire to fly high ♫

♫ My hands cannot conceal the light ♫

♫ Not everything will pass ♫

♫ Looking back, I can't change everything ♫

♫ I'll become a thing of the past ♫

♫ I'm curious about what you covet ♫

♫ Accidentally, I found out a secret ♫

♫ The politics upon my lips ♫

♫ Has overthrown it all ♫

♫ It's not steadfast ♫

♫ Standing right here ♫

♫ You follow the rules I made ♫

♫ Apply skills to cure diseases ♫

♫ Eradicate the maladies in this vast land ♫

♫ I am but a commoner ♫

♫ I intended to be steady step by step ♫

♫ I am but a commoner ♫

♫ I can tell what's true and what's false ♫

♫ I am but a commoner ♫

♫ I like music and hate intrigues ♫

♫ I used to see hills full of lonely souls ♫

♫ I feel regret for my recklessness ♫

♫ Leaving future generations to review my scribbles ♫

♫ My hands cannot conceal the light ♫

♫ Not everything will pass ♫

♫ Looking back, I can't change everything ♫

♫ I'll become a thing of the past ♫

♫ We only have one life, and take it easy ♫

♫ My chessboard involves two sides ♫

♫ As I lay out my strategy, you take a hint ♫

♫ When you feel regret, it's too late ♫

♫ So many tricks and lies ♫

♫ I witness what you've done ♫

♫ May we live and die together ♫

[Guardians of the Dafeng]

[Episode 17]

Mother. Didn't you give your bracelet to Ms. Wang?

Your father said I brought it when I married him.

I kept it when I went to prison.

I can't be without it. It's more precious than my life.

Have you scolded to father again?

No.

You know that.

Your father always feels he is useless and owes us.

Where did he go?

- Who sent you? - No one.

Really, Sir, I was merely passing by. That's it.

How dare you deny it!

I don't.

Say it out or not?

Well,

- did you hit him? - No.

- You did? - No.

Is he that timid?

Wake him up.

Sir. Please spare me.

You are quite tough.

- Not at all. I am not tough at all. - Any accomplices?

No. I really don't have any accomplices.

I'll tell you everything I will hide nothing, and tell you everything.

My name is Xu Pingzhi, the Centurion of the Imperial Sword Guard.

And my nephew is also a Guardian. He's your colleague.

No way. I can't mention Ningyan.

It wouldn't be good for me to mention him now.

Guardian?

Bronze Gong, Silver Gong, or Gold Gong?

No, sir. I was just joking.

Joking?

Seeking death?

Well…

He passed out again.

Wake him up.

I'm sorry.

I don't do it again.

You are very experienced.

Not at all. I am not.

I just like someone tough and experienced like you.

Not at all. I am not experienced.

Tell me, did you really just pass by?

Yes, it's true. I just happened to pass by.

I ate a bowl of noodles right at the yamen's entrance,

and had a stomach upset midway.

I was wrong. I will never again pass by the entrance of the yamen.

Sir, please spare me.

Have you eaten garlic?

Fresh garlic.

Ten years apart, yet familiar with the ambitions.

Serve the people without claiming merit.

Riding the horse, cracking the whip, and the dust rises.

A year surpasses a moment in time.

Beyond the Haoqi Tower lies the fragrant grassland.

- The spring breeze and fine wine day and night. - Enough.

Meet on a night with a bright moon and cool breeze.

Reading by lamp in the Chunfeng Division at night.

- Enough. - Beyond the Haoqi Tower lies the fragrant grassland.

The spring breeze and fine wine accompany us day and night.

Congratulations to Silver Gong Li on reinstating to his official post.

Congratulations to Silver Gong Li on reinstating to his official post.

Li Yuchun.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by ⚔️ Champions of Justice ⚖️ Team @Viki.com

Mr. Wei. Why?

This is His Majesty's will.

Xu Qi'an committed insubordination, violating the laws.

It's a command by His Majesty,

if we do not comply, also violate the laws.

You may leave.

Xu Qi'an. Come in.

Yes.

Mr. Wei,

greetings.

I ordered Jinyu Division, Chunfeng Division and Zhenxie Division

to handle this case together.

The person in charge is you.

Beneath this Sangbo, is there something sealed away?

Tell me more.

Sangbo is a forbidden area of the Dafeng,

but to outsiders, the only thing of value is the Mighty Sword.

And this dossier says the Mighty Sword is unharmed.

This suggests the culprit's intention is not it.

I assume the Yongzhen Mountain River Temple must contain something else.

And why would this thing appear in Sangbo?

I make a guess further.

This thing might be sealed by the Mighty Sword.

What is this thing?

I think you know it.

Your task is to find out who bombed out the Yongzhen Mountain River Temple.

As for whether this thing exists, and whether it needs to be retrieved,

it is none of your business.

If you encounter any trouble,

tell Yang Yan, and he will help you.

His Majesty has bestowed a gold token.

With it, one can move around the Imperial City,

except for the imperial harem and special forbidden areas.

I got it.

Has Jian Zheng recovered?

This old folk!

[Shouhe]

Sir. Jinyu Division, Chunfeng Division, and Zhenxie Division are all here.

Please instruct.

By His Majesty's verbal decree,

I am responsible for investigating the Sangbo explosion case.

And you all will work together on this case.

Make sure to go all out and not fail His Majesty.

Yes!

- Bronze Gong Song Tingfeng. - Yes.

You lead the team to the Ministry of Works,

to check the production and use records of gunpowder in the last month.

It would take a huge amount of gunpowder to blow up the entire temple.

One can't smuggle it out without leaving a trace.

Even if the records are falsified, there would still be traces left.

Yes.

- Bronze Gong, Zhu Guangxiao. - Yes.

You lead the team to the Ministry of Justice,

to catch and interrogate all clerks who went to the Yongzhen Mountain River Temple

- before and after the Ancestor Worship Ceremony. - Yes.

The rest of you, come with me.

Yes.

- Sir, where are we going? - To the scene.

♫ The weather is dry, the night is deep ♫

♫ Only me getting excited ♫

♫ Only pursue the fairness ♫

♫ The profound mysteries in the Jianghu ♫

♫ With the chivalry and the youth as a weapon ♫

♫ The bright mirror is inlaid with frets ♫

♫ The night breeze goes with the time ♫

♫ Shallow dreams blow out my lantern ♫

♫ Looking back, illuminating the front door. The sound lingers in my ears ♫

♫ With me in this world ♫

♫ The long night is like near dawn ♫

♫ Don't bother asking how I've traveled here ♫

♫ In this world, I'm filled with passion and motivation ♫

[Yongzhen Mountain River]

The temple has been completely blown up.

And the bodies of the soldiers who perished have been brought back.

No one has passed by here since then.

It seems that there is no clue left on the surface of the lake.

How about checking at the bottom of the lake?

Okay.

Please.

Over here.

Are you alright?

You've held your breath for such a long time.

Your breath control doesn't seem like a beginner in the realm of refining spirit.

Perhaps it's because I meditate every day, practicing hard.

Did you find anything down there?

The foundation at the bottom of the lake is intact.

The break point of the high platform is at a higher position.

This indicates that the explosion point was inside the temple,

instead of under the water.

The gunpowder must have been smuggled into the temple.

There is a circle of stone pillars around the foundation at the bottom of the lake,

which are engraved with tadpole characters.

Roughly like this.

This seems to be a Heaven Domain character.

This is related to the Heaven Domain?

Not only that, the stone pillars around this foundation

seem to be arranged according to a specific pattern.

And this arrangement

might be a formation.

Being able to arrange formations in the Dafeng Capital City.

Bureau of Astronomy?

Ningyan. There seems to be a lot involved.

Mr. Sun. Mr. Chen. How is the investigation of the case going?

The Ministry of Justice is cooperating with the local authorities,

and interrogating over a hundred people involved.

Currently, we have some leads.

Leads?

So it's not settled yet?

The soldiers patrolling near Sangbo this time are a total of 312,

who are all sacrificed.

All of them died in exactly the same way,

were all drained of their blood and with no other wounds on the bodies.

Based on our speculation,

the one with such a technique must be a top-notch master.

Another top-notch master. Things get more complicated.

Sir.

That Guardian is still outside,

claiming to be on an imperial decree and demanding to get the people.

- Send him away. - Yes.

- Sir. - How's the thing going on with the Ministry of Works?

No problem. But there is a problem at Guangxiao.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

The Ministry of Justice investigates the case by imperial decree.

Those who trespass into the Ministry of Justice and obstruct the case handling,

shall be killed.

This is the Ministry of Justice. You, get off the horses at once.

Those who trespass into the Ministry of Justice shall be killed.

Heaven and Earth Single

Slash!

Guardians are handling the case.

Those who obstruct the case handling shall be killed.

He dares to fight at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice, must be a person holding an official position.

Is it really okay?

I don't care. To me, time matters.

If I don't take action, they won't fear me and would hinder the case handling.

Cheer up!

Go!

Sir.

- Sir. - What's wrong?

Those Guardians forced their way in and injured our people.

Who dares to act recklessly?

I am Xu Qi'an.

Sir.

Greetings.

I heard that the Ministry of Justice detained many officers in the Ministry of Rites,

obstructing us Guardians from handling the case.

Sir. May I ask what this means?

Xu Qi'an.

You trespassed into the Ministry of Justice and injured my officers.

What does this mean?

Guardians are handling the case. Why explain to you?

You are utterly lawless.

Guards. Arrest him.

I am carrying out duties by imperial decree.

I now suspect the Ministry of Justice is colluding with culprits

in bombing out the Yongzhen Mountain River Temple.

Someone. Get the minister back to the yamen.

Yes.

How dare you do so in the Ministry of Justice!

Are you seeking death?

I will handle the cases that the Ministry of Justice can't.

I will execute those whom the Ministry of Justice dares not.

Moreover,

if the Ministry of Justice dares to obstruct my case handling,

I will deal with the Ministry of Justice as well. Is that clear enough?

Xu Qi'an.

Good. Good.

Indeed, you are ambitious and commanding.

Just right. Let me introduce to you.

This is Xu Qi'an, the Bronze Gong standing in the middle,

is the person in charge of Guardian Yamen recommended by the Crown Prince

and appointed by His Majesty.

A few days ago,

he wounded his superior and was sentenced to be cut at the waist.

His Majesty is wise and merciful

to let him redeem his crimes through meritorious deeds.

He's the one appointed by His Majesty.

You Guardians, have arrived just in time,

saving me another trip to talk to you.

Sit down.

Xu Qi'an.

You too.

Sir. Your golden token.

- I can't eat it. - It's so sweet.

- I'm quite irritable today. - This is delicious, have some.

Go carefully record it.

I'm having a tough time.

If I don't handle the case well, I'll die right here.

Mr. Xu.

Done?

[Sangbo Lake]

[Sangbo Lake] I can't believe the Guardian

sent a mere guardian of Bronze Gong to investigate the case.

How ridiculous.

Exactly.

Since you all have finished, I will just follow up on what you've said.

Based on Mr. Sun's speculation, I have a few questions.

I inspected Sangbo Lake this morning.

If one wants to blow up the Yongzhen Mountain River Temple,

it requires a huge amount of gunpowder,

Yes.

Any problem?

That's where the problem lies.

You just mentioned

the security measures for the gunpowder are extremely strict.

It's difficult to smuggle out a huge amount of gunpowder

from the Ministry of Works.

Not to mention one has to erase the corresponding traces.

Who do you think can accomplish this?

The Minister of Works, or the two Vice-Ministers.

So it's the Minister of Works and the two Vice-Ministers.

Then it all makes sense.

However,

is it too foolish?

What do you mean?

If one wants to smuggle out such an amount of gunpowder,

no matter how clever he is,

will still leave behind traces, which won't withstand scrutiny.

In my opinions, this is just a cover-up for the culprit,

making us believe that the gunpowder came from the Ministry of Works,

thus shifting the focus of the investigation

and buying time for the real culprit to escape from the Capital City.

Apart from the Ministry of Works,

where else could one get such a huge amount of gunpowder?

Is it possible that it was transported in from outside the city?

Such a huge amount of gunpowder, how to smuggle it?

Not to mention the outside city,

the soldiers at the inner city will inspect all incoming and outgoing goods.

The Imperial City is even more strict.

It's impossible to smuggle gunpowder.

Gunpowder can't be transported into the city.

What about the raw materials?

Right. If it's just raw materials,

the soldiers wouldn't know their use,

- so they'll let them through. - Mr. Chen, you are wise.

Look.

Raw materials?

Raw materials for gunpowder,

charcoal and sulfur are common items.

There is also an item that is strictly regulated by the Dafeng. Saltpeter.

Saltpeter mine! Dahuang Mountain.

- Dahuang Mountain. - Let's analyze the route.

As previously analyzed,

from Dahuang Mountain to the outer and inner cities,

since the items being transported are raw materials,

they can thus be passed through.

Next is the most critical checkpoint at the Imperial City.

Everyone. I have matters to attend to at the yamen.

I shall take my leave. Miss Caiwei, let's go together.

Everyone, farewell.

Wait, well…

Miss Caiwei, what about me?

Sir, where are we going?

The Kui tribe drove out the miners.

It's to take control of the saltpeter mines in Dahuang Mountain

and use the saltpeter to make gunpowder to destroy the Yongzhen Mountain River Temple

and to release what's sealed at the bottom of the lake.

The one who helped them get the powder into Sangbo

must be someone who can go and out of the Imperial City freely.

Someone who can go and out of the Imperial City freely?

Imperial Guards.

The day before the Ancestor Worship Ceremony,

a minor officer was murdered.

Before the death of the officer Liu Han, he was on duty.

Liu Han was just a minor officer.

He couldn't possibly have had the capability

to smuggle gunpowder into the Imperial City without being noticed by his superior.

Unless the person who ordered him to smuggle the gunpowder was his superior.

When it's over, they killed him to silence him.

Now that you mention it, it comes to mind that his superior…

Mr. Zhou. Tell me, was Liu Han under your command?

Yes.

Has he been acting strangely lately?

No, just as usual.

During his duty in guarding the Imperial City,

were there any suspicious people or items entering the Imperial City?

No.

Imperial Guards Centurion, Zhou Chixiong?

Wait. I've sensed his qi. He's not lying.

Perhaps he's used some tricks. Anyway, let's find him first.

Boss, take my golden token to the East Gate of the Imperial City

and arrest Zhou Chixiong.

Hurry. We must act before the Ministry of Justice catches on.

Yes.

- You, come with me. - Come on.

The rest of you, come with me to the Zhou mansion to arrest the suspect.

Yes.

Mr. Chen. Where have they gone?

Dahuang Mountain? Saltpeter mine?

Mr. Chen. Do you know what they are talking about?

I know. The previous case at Jingzhao Administration.

Sodium metal can explode.

Anyway, I can't remember it very clearly.

Dossier... Go get the dossier.

Okay.

Fool, come here.

Sir.

You go get it. Take it slow.

Yes.

What's wrong with you? Hurry.

Stay calm. He'll get it soon.

[Zhou Mansion]

Open the gate, Guardians are here.

Master is ill. He's not receiving guests.

Sirs, please return.

Two people guard the door, the rest of you, go in.

Yes.

Hey you. Why don't you go in?

In the Battle at Linyuan Pass, have you seen His Majesty charge into battle?

You weren't like this just now at the Ministry of Justice.

That's for character setting.

Character setting?

Try hard to be a rash man who draws his sword at will.

With such a character setting,

if they want to claim credit again, would have to think twice.

Mr. Xu, we've searched the whole mansion, and no one's there.

All the valuable things in the mansion have been moved away,

yet all other furnishings are intact.

Where's Zhou Chixiong?

Master took Madam

and young master and lady to visit relatives.

Didn't you say he was ill just now?

This is what Master told me, and I just told you so.

- When did they leave? - Just a few days ago.

On the day the Ancestor Worship Ceremony.

Sir, what crime did Master commit?

Well, I don't know anything.

Let's go.

Zhou Chixiong has fled.

It's too early to say so.

There are no hidden bodies in the mansion and no one has died here recently.

It might have been covered up by special means.

Why don't you dig deep into the ground and search?

Sir. Mr. Zhou isn't at the Imperial City Gate.

He took a long leave after the Ancestor Worship Ceremony.

He fled?

Dead or fled...

this lead fails.

Someone, search!

Bros, let's retreat.

Yes!

Get out of the way.

Where is uncle? He hasn't come back yet?

Mother has already gone out to look for him.

I heard His Majesty has ordered you to investigate the Sangbo case.

Yes, what's wrong?

This matter... is not something you can intervene in.

I am responsible for investigating the case,

and not in charge of rooting out the major powers behind it.

I have to try at least. After all, I am accused of a capital crime.

So, did you find out anything?

We did find the culprit, but he escaped.

Escaped?

Then you…

If there's no other way, you should escape too.

I just got out of death row.

I haven't even warmed up my bed yet.

Besides, we don't have anyone to turn to.

Where can I escape to?

If there's no other way,

go to Yunzhou.

Yunzhou?

That place is rife with bandits. It's so far away.

Even if you are wanted, the imperial court can't go catch you there.

If you are tough enough, become a bandit.

It could hone your martial skills and wield power.

Many criminals wanted by the imperial court

and those desperadoes from the jianghu like to gather in Yunzhou.

You're right. The more chaotic a place, the safer it is.

Wait. Colluding with the Kui tribe and destroying the Sangbo,

it's a crime that warrants the execution of the entire family.

No matter where he flees, the imperial court will not let him go.

If you were Mr. Zhou, where would you escape to?

Qi'an, have you thought this through?

It's Yunzhou.

Take it slow.

What's going on?

How did you end up in the Guardian's jail?

It's all for Ningyan.

For Ningyan?

Yes. For Ningyan.

As long as I can save him,

then I would give it my all.

Ru, bring me my blade.

I promised his father to protect him.

- Uncle? - Father.

Ningyan?

Why are you here?

I came back after the work hour.

You're fine now?

His Majesty decreed to reinstate Qi'an to his former position

and investigate the case while bearing guilt. He's temporarily alright now.

Yes, he's alright now.

But you... should be dispelled the bad luck.

Enough. You all go rest.

It's good that you are okay.

It's good that you are okay.

Okay, I'm alright now.

It's good that you are okay.

Your Majesty. The culprit has broken into Sangbo

and destroyed the Yongzhen Mountain River Temple.

It is truly a disgrace for our Dafeng.

Wei Yuan, as the leader of the Guardians,

failed to protect the Imperial City and can't escape his blame.

[Wang Zhenwen, Chief Minister of the Cabinet] Your Majesty,

I request to dismiss and investigate him to appease the public anger.

I agree.

[Duke Cao] I agree.

Wei Yuan has always been dedicated to his duty.

The incident at Sangbo was unexpected.

Thus, the Guardians should not be blamed for this.

Rejected.

Your Majesty... the Guardian, Xu Qi'an,

injured the guards and defied of imperial power at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice.

I earnestly request a severe punishment to him

by executing his entire family.

Your Majesty.

The Ministry of Justice ordered the guards

to obstruct the Guardians from handling the case, with malicious intentions.

I suspect Mr. Sun of the Ministry of Justice is in collusion with the culprit

in destroying the Sangbo.

I beg you to dismiss him and imprison him in the prison.

And I'll be the one to conduct the interrogation.

I agree.

- I agree. - I agree.

Wei Yuan. You are slandering me.

You deserve punishment.

Your Majesty, there is a major problem in the Ministry of Justice.

[Yuan Xiong, Left Imperial Censor] We agree to dismiss and investigate the Ministry.

Don't slander me.

Mr. Sun, you are still denying.

How dare you talk nonsense in the imperial court!

You have committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor.

Be quiet.

Xu Qi'an, the Bronze Gong, is already bearing guilt.

In order to make credits,

he might act somewhat extreme.

You all should work together on the case,

instead of hindering each other.

If it happens again, I will severely punish you.

From today on, lift the lockdown of the city gate.

All officials in the imperial court of Rank Six and above

must not leave the Capital City.

Court adjourned.

We respectfully see you off, Your Majesty.

Mr. Wei.

Mr. Wei. Please wait.

Mr. Wei.

This is what we have transcribed.

Please take a look.

Thank you.

Another day, I will treat you drinks.

Mr. Wei.

Why are you smiling?

I thought His Majesty would be mad today.

Unexpectedly, I passed smoothly.

Passed smoothly?

No one took the opportunity to criticize you?

He gains all this only in one day.

He's really good at handling cases.

Good at handling cases?

Are you referring to Xu Qi'an?

You're really lucky to get such a talent.

Pity you are too late.

I've already interrogated the Taikang County Magistrate.

I have already reported it.

He said he didn't collude with the Kui tribe.

I sensed his qi and he was lying.

Did you get who was behind the scenes?

The Qi Observation Technique can only discern truth from lies.

But he refused to answer this. There's nothing I can do.

No worries.

As long as I am here, I will make him tell the truth.

The three of you, please follow me.

Old man, what is your name?

I-I am Zhang Shen from Yunlu Academy.

Okay, then I'll tell my master

that there is an old man named Zhang Shen at Yunlu Academy.

He said that Heart-Probing could be more powerful than Qi Observation.

I'll have my master talk to your dean about it.

No need. We have our own strengths.

This is the place.

Wake up to answer questions.

You! Heard me?

No matter.

Whether he cooperates or not, the final outcome will be the same.

The sage has read it, a gentleman should be honest.

The same goes for the commons.

Remarkable!

That's strange.

Open the gate.

Died.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by ⚔️ Champions of Justice ⚖️ Team @Viki.com

song credit

♫ I'm a mortal under the sky ♫

♫ The masses speak of my arrogance ♫

♫ I aspire to fly high ♫

♫ My hands cannot conceal the light ♫

♫ Not everything will pass ♫

♫ Looking back, I can't change everything ♫

♫ I'll become a thing of the past ♫

♫ The dark clouds part to see the sunset ♫

♫ To see the truth ♫

♫ Turning back to resolve the problem ♫

♫ Only I revere I am but a commoner ♫

♫ Aim to break the rules before moving on ♫

♫ Master the exceptional skills ♫

♫ I bid farewell to those stand in my way ♫

♫ Never mind the vast smog ♫

♫ I utilize every mean ♫

♫ With a lift of my arm, I open court in the heavens ♫

♫ When I stand to write, I check attendance again ♫

♫ He worships me as a spirit in heaven ♫

♫ I'm curious about what you covet ♫

♫ Accidentally, I found out a secret ♫

♫ The politics upon my lips ♫

♫ Has overthrown it all ♫

♫ It's not steadfast ♫

♫ Standing right here ♫

♫ You follow the rules I made ♫

♫ Apply skills to cure diseases ♫

♫ Eradicate the maladies in this vast land ♫

♫ I am but a commoner ♫

♫ I intended to be steady step by step ♫

♫ I am but a commoner ♫

♫ I can tell what's true and what's false ♫

♫ I am but a commoner ♫

♫ I like music and hate intrigues ♫

♫ I used to see hills full of lonely souls ♫

♫ I feel regret for my recklessness ♫

♫ Open my eyes to see through the world, taking a vacation amidst the strife ♫

♫ I am but a commoner, feeling this worldly transformation♫

♫ Leaving future generations to review my scribbles ♫

♫ My hands cannot conceal the light ♫

♫ Not everything will pass ♫

♫ Looking back, I can't change everything ♫

♫ We only have one life, and take it easy ♫

♫ My chessboard involves two sides ♫

♫ As I lay out my strategy, you take a hint ♫

♫ When you feel regret, it's too late ♫

♫ So many tricks and lies ♫

♫ I witness what you've done ♫

♫ May we live and die together ♫

♫ A promise weighs more than thousands of words ♫

♫ I'm a mortal under the sky ♫

♫ The masses speak of my arrogance ♫

♫ Leaving behind some written notes ♫

♫ Awake, where will success lies in? ♫

♫ I'm a mortal under the sky ♫

♫ The masses speak of my arrogance ♫

♫ Leaving behind some written notes ♫

♫ Awake, where will success lies in? ♫

♫ My hands cannot conceal the light ♫

♫ Not everything will pass ♫

♫ Looking back, I can't change everything ♫

♫ I'll become a thing of the past ♫