Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Guardians @Viki

♫ We are the one. We will be holding on ♫

♫ For the promise we held for life ♫

♫ For the people we love are leaving ♫

♫ Please tell my friends ♫

♫ We won’t be falling down ♫

♫ As the sun will keep on shining ♫

♫ And the story will keep on going ♫

♫ We won’t be falling down ♫

♫ As the sun will keep on shining ♫

♫ And the story will keep on going ♫

♫ We will be holding on ♫

♫ As the sea will rise upon ♫

♫ And the story will keep on going ♫

[Guardian]

[Episode 23]

I've been looking for you all day.

- Did you go foraging for food again?- I...

This is the Underworld. Be more careful.

My bad. He caused you some trouble.

Master of the Guardians, you play your cards well in Dragon City.

But when in the Underworld, please show more discretion.

Naturally, naturally.

Everybody,

this is our soon-to-be Underworld Monarch.

Wonderful!

At first glance, this incoming Underworld Monarch is a fine-looking and talented young man.

Why is it you, boy?

Enough. No need to talk.

This Regent inverts the facts and is very vengeful.

We are dead

this time.

So stubborn.

Take them out!

Execute them altogether!

I couldn't bear to see blood. Use electrocution then.

Underworld Monarch, what do you think?

Underworld Monarch has given the order. Execute it now.

Take them out.

- Move! - Move now! Faster!

Behave yourselves. Hurry up!

Such a happy ending.

What else can compare to the importance of peace and stability of the Underworld?

Out of the way!

Take my life in exchange for theirs!

- As long as you set them free, you can order me to do anything.- An Bai!

How audacious of you!

You are really willing to sacrifice everything regardless of the cost,

including your freedom and youth?

Yes!

Your eyes are sharp

and your voice is firm.

Good.

Then, I will give you a chance.

Your Majesty.

Are you surprised

that I still have something to say?

No. No.

The candidates for succession must be of noble birth,

have both good morals and talent.

Regent, your words are indeed reasonable.

However,

I find the child's determination commendable.

He also has the qualifications of a successor.

Young lad,

I hope you will obtain what you desire.

Both of you, please settle down here for now.

Aren't the lights too dim in here?

The light resources of the Underworld are limited.

Because of this grand occasion, all the lights have been diverted into the Underground Monarch Palace.

If Master of the Guardians has no other issues, I will take my leave first.

Go ahead.

I just regained my sight,

but I have to be a blind man again.

My Master Zhao,

you just came down to the Underworld once before, but why does it feel like you made enemies everywhere?

That man obviously dislikes you.

He dislikes me?

I dislike him, too!

Enough. Tell me.

Why did you behave in that way towards Shen Wei?

That hostility didn't seem feigned.

I'm afraid you might not believe what I say.

I recovered my memories,

but only just a little bit.

Boss' character has really changed recently.

The moment his eyes recovered, he rushed down to the Underworld to investigate the lead on the Merit Brush.

And Little Guo was assigned to handle the aftermath of the Aging Case.

Pitiful me has to come to the Seastar Administration to collect evidence.

What are you doing?

Didn't the lab upstairs suffer an intrusion?

We can't go up?

Professor Ouyang has gone on a research outing today.

The lab can't be opened to outsiders. Please understand.

Brother Chu!

Come here. Come here.

Forget it. We still have half an area's photos to take.

Stop making things more difficult.

Why don't you be in charge

and pay me my field salary?

Do you believe that I'll be in charge and make you go on sick leave immediately?

If you don't want to then don't.

Enough. Split up to take the photos.

So what exactly are you trying to say?

What am I trying to say?

I'm saying this fellow, Shen Wei, is untrustworthy.

This stupid Undergrounder

must still be hiding something from us.

- He knows of Kunlun's existence!- I know.

When he returned this to me, it was already spoiled.

If someone else wanted to destroy the recording,

it would be very simple. Just delete it.

But he is someone utterly ignorant about technology.

So, he could only destroy the recorder.

He doesn't want me to take an interest in matters surrounding Kunlun.

Then why are you so close to him?

I just want to make a gamble. I'm gambling that he has his own difficulties.

He is too deep a person.

He likes to suffer in silence.

So I can only wait.

Wait till the weight of it is too much,

and he tells me about it himself.

You're a real slippery fellow.

I never thought that you would believe in someone so much.

But the more you're like this, the more I want to look out for you.

What do you want to do?

What I used to do. Shadowing.

First, I'll scout him out

and see what he's up to right now.

Just tell me if you permit it.

Go then.

You have gotten thinner.

Ye Zun,

just stop it.

Are you really set on making everyone die for your wild ambitions?

Anyone can urge me to stop,

except for you.

Don't forget. You and I are not just related in that way.

I am also your benefactor.

All lies.

Whether it's a lie, you know very well.

Who returned you to glory and made you shine.

So far, yet so near.

My awakening

is a joke this world played on me.

It has nothing to do with you.

Only because I'm trapped here, neither living nor dying,

can you go on with this life.

Do you still not understand?

That's why you cannot kill me.

You are underestimating me.

As long as I can get rid of you,

so what if I sacrifice myself?

What loud, arrogant talk.

The seal is still present, so I can't get out,

and you can't come in. Get rid of me?

Be my guest!

Even if it's like this,

I will do everything in my power to confine you here.

Just like 10,000 years ago.

The moment the curtains part,

the show's not over till the music ends.

With just you alone, can you prevent this?

Stand down.

Who's there?

Since you have the ability to harm people,

why hide yourself?

You knew I was following you?

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Tell me the truth.

What are you hiding from us?

Forgive me. There are some things I cannot say right now.

But I can guarantee you,

I will never do anything that is harmful to Zhao Yunlan.

I believe

that we are the same in the desire to protect him.

Just based on these few words of yours? I'm not so easily fooled.

But based on your performance just now, I suppose it's believable.

Here, pinky promise.

Pinky... promise?

Make a pinky promise as a guarantee.

If you dare lie to me, I will not forgive you.

I went to secretly take a look in the archives.

I never thought that all the pages on the Merit Brush were ripped out from the books.

Seems like there's already a mole in the Underworld Monarch Palace,

who is one step ahead of us.

The Underworld is now in troubled times.

Once the Underworld Monarch ascension ceremony is over,

this matter must be thoroughly investigated.

But going back to it,

it was the old Underworld Monarch who chose his successor.

Why does he not come out to greet us?

That's right. I've come to this palace a few times,

but I've never seen the Underworld Monarch show his face.

Seems like he's never even left his nest.

Master of the Guardians, there's something you don't know.

All Underworld Monarchs have been busy with government affairs

and live in seclusion.

Because of this, some Undergrounders have a delusion,

saying that the Underworld Monarch is my puppet.

It's quite funny.

Regent, why do you creep about like a ghost?

That's what I am...

It's nearly time.

I will now invite the old Underworld Monarch to come out.

- No, wait! What about An Bai? - Who?

This An Bai, as the Underworld Monarch's successor,

has the impudence to be missing from the ceremony.

This is disgraceful.

I say, is it your palace's tradition to scare people from behind?

A vital area. Killed with one thrust.

The old man must have been dead for some time.

This stab wound is too common.

There's no way to find out.

Today is the grand succession ceremony,

but the newly appointed Underworld Monarch, An Bai, never made an appearance.

I think he is the most suspicious.

That isn't right.

He's about to become the new Underworld Monarch.

Why would he kill?

After An Bai was appointed as the Underworld Monarch's successor,

I heard him have many disputes with the old Underworld Monarch.

It's very likely, that in a dispute with the old Underworld Monarch,

he accidentally killed him during a disagreement and ran away to escape punishment.

Issue the order.

Search for the wanted criminal, An Bai, in the whole Underworld.

Bring him to me, dead or alive.

What do you think?

It doesn't seem fake.

The old man's face is contorted with anger.

Unacceptable.

Even if An Bai is guilty, his two companions are innocent.

If we capture and torture a confession out of those two,

we are taking things too personally.

Sir Black Robe, when you became a hero 10,000 years ago, were you this soft as well?

What are you doing?

I didn't do that on purpose.

Since we have our own viewpoints, then let us split up.

Why is that fellow's foot so hard?

An Bai, say, how did you go from being the new Underworld Monarch into a murderer?

Exactly.

I don't know either.

What new Underworld Monarch? I've no wish to become one.

Do you know what becomes of an Underworld Monarch?

What?

Child, come up here.

No need. Rise.

In the beginning, if I had been as rebellious as you,

then I would not be like this today.

I don't understand.

I haven't spoken to anyone in a very long time.

Perhaps, no one wants to listen to what I say.

Grandpa Underworld Monarch!

Grandpa?

It has only been a few years

since I took the throne.

His face was haggard and emaciated.

The moment I take the throne,

this would be my fate after a few years!

So serious?

Of course. I don't want it.

Someone's here.

What is it?

These people are the prime suspects in the murder of the old Underworld Monarch.

- Let's go! Come with us!- I didn't kill him! I didn't kill him!

You didn't kill him? Before this happened, you were the only one other

than the Deacon who exited the Palace. Could he be the one who did it?

- Let's go! Come with me!- Let me go! Let me go!

Let me go!

- Go!- Don't go!

Let him go!

Let me go!

Look! Someone has collapsed!

- What happened?- What happened?

What happened?

- What happened?- He looks dead! Dead?

Take this opportunity to escape.

Cooperate with me and you will still have a chance.

Wait!

I've remembered.

That day when I left the palace,

there was a figure who flashed past the screen.

A cornered beast becomes desperate.

- Prepare to execute them!- Wait!

There are still some questionable points in this case. Adjourn the trial.

Bring them back to the palace.

You said you still remember his features.

Then draw his appearance now.

I will look at it in a moment.

Lord Black Robe has ordered me to bring you to another interrogation room.

Very good.

You did not disappoint me.

I am fortunate to accomplish the mission.

What is it?

You never thought that this was my true face?

Rather than work under an Underworld Monarch who's in the throes of death,

I might as well follow someone who is greater.

If you had become contented to be the culprit, I could have given you a way out.

Let you escape your punishment.

But how come you couldn't just behave?

You just had to blab.

Then don't blame me.

Why is it you?

Deacon, so it was indeed you.

The one who attacked us over here last time was also you.

Blame your power for giving you away too early.

Why is this fellow's foot so hard?

It seems drawing a snake out of its hole

together with your power to pull off a hoax, means a guaranteed success.

The Regent considers you his right-hand man.

You doing this

would make him very sad.

What right-hand man?

In his eyes, we are only chess pieces!

Even the Underworld Monarch, too...

His power is to turn his whole body into steel.

He can attack and defend at the same time.

Why are you not killing me?

Because you are also a pitiful person who was manipulated.

Tell me. Why did you kill the old Underworld Monarch?

It's all that old man's fault.

He saw what he shouldn't have!

Your Majesty, you summoned me?

There's no end to bitterness. It's not too late to repent.

As long as you hand over what you stole from the archives,

I can grant you clemency

and absolve you of guilt.

Don't blame me for being cruel.

Who asked you to interfere?

Another failed mission.

Then atone for your failure through death!

I obey.

How foolish.

Let's destroy the Pillar now.

Impossible.

While someone is confined in the Pillar, it cannot be destroyed.

For him and for us, it is a permanent shield.

[Merit Brush]

I found it.

[Merit Brush]

Just for the sake of this one page,

another bloody disaster had to happen.

I am old. Old.

This era is becoming more incomprehensible to me.

The urgent task at hand

is to clean up and reorganize the Underworld

as quickly as possible.

Stabilize the administration of the Underworld.

The old Underworld Monarch, he...

left in such a manner.

A Monarch who governed the Underworld for so many years died in one short day.

It is a real pity.

Master of the Guardians,

you don't understand my difficulty.

To safeguard the operation of the whole Underworld,

the Underworld Monarch Palace must think and work with one heart and one mind.

Considering the situation at hand,

we must let An Bai ascend the throne as soon as possible.

Have you had enough?

First, you framed me, then you wanted to kill me.

Now after one big round, you're still forcing me to become the Underworld Monarch!

Do I not even have the right to refuse?

Child,

of course, you can refuse.

But don't forget,

your friends' murder charges

have not been written off.

Life is not always perfect.

If you want to save those most important to you,

you must make a sacrifice.

As the Underworld Monarch, you must make sacrifices.

The Underworld Monarch's successors

are all chosen from people who are quick thinkers

and have a strong will.

Able to conform to its royal crown

and become a tireless and heartless administrative tool.

This is the sacrifice of an Underworld Monarch.

If it wasn't so,

there would be no way to bear the heavy burdens of Underworld's governmental affairs.

When I saw your determination to save your friends

and your spirit of self-sacrifice,

I felt that you might become a good Underworld Monarch.

There's no harm in thinking this through.

Do you need to make this sacrifice

for the whole Underworld?

For the friends you protect?

It is time to start work.

An Bai!

An Bai?

Regent, what is this?

He can't hear me.

Now that the new Underworld Monarch has been crowned,

this farce has come to an end.

Haven't you people gotten what you wanted?

Shouldn't you go back to deal with your important matters?

I'm asking you what's the matter with him.

The moment he puts on the crown,

he will keep on working till his last breath.

This is our Underworld's rule.

All of this is to ensure the Underworld's more efficient operation.

No way. How can this work?

Master of the Guardians,

for thousands of years, the Underworld has established its own social practice.

It cannot be changed.

This one is not as good as the last one.

Looking at him,

I'm afraid he might only last four or five years.

"Some appreciate me, some criticize me.

Sharing the merit and questioning the sins.

Similar sounds echo each other,

same odors merge with each other.

Exploiting a situation to one's benefit.

Pushing the boat with the current.

Either you jump across the abyss,

there is nothing to blame by advancing or retreating."

Translate that for me, Professor.

What it means is

the Merit Brush's effects

are that it determines the quality of a power.

It can erase the traces of dark energy used by Undergrounders

and even increase their power.

Just like Feng Qubing from before.

He suddenly obtained the dark energy to heal people.

And when he used this dark energy,

I could not feel it at all.

Turns out,

this is because the Merit Brush was at work.

Therefore,

we cannot rely on detecting dark energy

to trace the owner of the Merit Brush.

Just a wave of the Merit Brush

is enough to enchant a small fry into the final big boss.

Seems like we are in serious trouble.

That damn Underworld.

I have no wish to stay there anymore.

Even though our trip wasn't for naught,

I never thought

that the reality is much worse than the rumors.

That's right.

This boy finally became a good older brother and a good leader.

But in the end...

Come.

Come!

I am here.

I've called for so long,

but only two children came.

Who are you?

My powers were trapped before.

It was difficult for me to even speak.

Fortunately, now the time is near for the tiger to be set free.

Are you willing to rule Seastar and seek the light with me?

Didn't they say that we voluntarily stayed here in the Underworld because resources on the surface were insufficient?

Then why do we have to rule Seastar? This person is strange.

- Let's go.- Go, go.

Voluntarily?

How many lies

were committed in thy name?

Your companion who you treated as your own flesh and blood

sacrificed himself voluntarily.

Do you not want to save him?

Do you not want to break free of the Underworld

and return to the light with him?

Then submit yourself to me

and spread the faith.

What should we do?

First, learn this saying:

"If you desire the Light,

then first revere the Night."

"If you desire the Light,

then first revere the Night."

"If you desire the Light,

then first revere the Night."

Though your eyes have recovered,

but your body still needs to recuperate.

Furthermore, you just returned from a trip to the Underworld.

Just in case, I will attend to you for one last night.

Okay.

Whatever you say.

Then just lie down on your bed.

I'll take a look at what food is available.

You... continue.

How anticlimactic that a Sacred Item has fallen into the hands of a coward like you.

If it weren't for the assistance of his Merit Brush,

would you alone

be able to go in and out of the Seastar Administration so easily?

I have no interest in that anyway.

Once I have my revenge,

you go plot your schemes, and I'll go sing my songs.

We'll be even.

I really don't understand

why Boss says that you are our new hope?

Get up. Come with me.

The Merit Brush?

Have you found the next target?

I woke up because I was hungry.

Don't you think of lying to me.

What did you do in order to heal my eyes?

You used the Longevity Dial.

You shared your life force with mine.

You used your power to neutralize the corrosion of my body.

Am I right?

I...

I...

The energy structure in my body

has suffered a severe blow.

I need to

exchange all my energy.

It must hurt a lot.

Fortunately...

Fortunately, I'm used to getting injured.

- I do not deserve what you are doing for me.- You're worth it.

Then, what do you want me to do?

Be indebted to you?

To bow to you?

You are not immortal!

Why should I so casually owe you a life?

This life is what I'm returning to you.

You should rest soon.

Hello, Deputy?

Is this really okay?

Giving me a day off when we're against a formidable enemy?

Stop droning on.

Visiting your parents' graves is a sacred thing.

If I had parents...

Enough, enough.

Do what you have to do. I'll give you a day.

Dad.

Mom.

I'm here to see you again.

I know that humans do not have souls,

but I still want to talk to you.

Because only when I am talking to you

would I not be nervous.

But if you could hear me,

I'd probably be nervous as well.

Chief said that my being like this is hopeless.

I can't get along with the living,

and I can't socialize with the dead either.

It's true that I am the most useless one.

But someone like me

is now doing some meaningful things.

Say, do you think that this is enough?

Grandma Li, I'm here to see you, too.

I brought you my grandma's favorite yogurt.

The berries are especially big. It's especially tasty.

Li Qian's psychological therapy has been quite successful.

You don't have to worry.

Then Grandma Li, I'll go back first.

I'll visit you again next time.

[Bai Suxia]

Do you want to avenge your wife?

Your wife suffered a lifetime of hardship with you.

She died before living some happy life.

And your child who never got to see the world...

Are you just going to let your enemies go

and drag out this ignoble existence?

I can help you find all of your enemies.

And then use your Merit Brush to take revenge.

Don't let your wife and child die in vain.

I say, Wei Lan, stop feeling so guilty.

Being a doctor has always been a noble yet sorrowful occupation.

It's difficult to avoid meeting and sending people off.

I was just thinking,

if only I had observed him for just one more hour,

this wouldn't have happened.

You can observe him for an hour,

but can you observe him forever?

I also feel uncomfortable about Mr. Tan's passing.

But look, there are so many people in our hospital waiting for us to turn sorrow into strength.

Isn't that so?

Stop feeling guilty.

Go on. Go back to work.

What happened to me?

Doctor Jin? Doctor Jin!

The last needle is for me.

Doctor Jin! What are you doing?

Let it go!

Doctor Jin, let it go!

There are no leads on the identity of the Merit Brush's owner.

You're right.

Before, I analyzed the material of the challenge letter the owner of Merit Brush sent.

Nothing turned up, too.

He dared to send a threatening letter,

so he won't let himself be found so easily.

Be prepared to wage a prolonged battle.

Chief Zhao, the Seastar Administration called.

There's a situation at the Dragon City Hospital.

This boy doesn't know how to tidy up.

You go first.

Don't be like this.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Guardians @Viki

♫ A year went by in a flash ♫

♫ But time is still not resting ♫

♫ Still shuttling back and forth ♫

♫ In this empty side street ♫

♫ The yesterday of past ♫

♫ Everything still looks so real ♫

♫ Remembering each part ♫

♫ And blurring my eyes with it ♫

♫ Still can recall ♫

♫ That exact scene ♫

♫ Forgive me for I only wanted ♫

♫ Another person in this world ♫

♫ To cry for you ♫

♫ We still would be separating ♫

♫ So you shouldn't have said 'I love you' ♫

♫ The me now ♫

♫ Is just too concerned ♫

♫ Is just too concerned ♫

♫ Is just too concerned ♫