Original subtitles

[Blood River]

[Based on the novel of the same name from Zhou Munan's Youth in Jianghu series]

[Available on fanqienovel.com & bkneng.com]

[Episode 22]

Keep your dirty dealings hidden.

If you expose yourself

in Wushuang City,

I won't be able to keep you safe.

I...

Haoyue,

mind your manners!

I, Haoyue,

offer my greetings, sir.

So, you're the head of Tianxia House?

Yes,

I am.

I know all about the deals

you made with my foolish disciple.

The reason I didn't interfere

is not because I approved of them,

but because the matter

was too trivial

to be worth a fuss.

Master...

I know full well that you're useless.

Even though you can't protect

this city with martial skill,

you can still serve it

in other ways.

But don't waste

what little wit you have

on greed and profit.

Do you understand?

Yes, Master.

Do you still remember

how you became my disciple?

Of course.

That year, a flood struck my hometown.

Everyone died

except me.

I clung to a tree and survived.

It was you who passed by and saved me.

Though I

was slow to learn martial arts,

you kept me

by your side,

and I've followed you

ever since.

I know

you grew up in the wild

and never took to life in Wushuang City.

But I saved your life,

so you must repay me

and serve Wushuang City.

Yes, Master.

Rise.

Little Wushuang.

Master.

Come here.

From now on,

you must take good care of your junior brother.

I've always

treated him well.

When he becomes the City Lord,

you must be loyal to him.

Yes, Master.

Serve him with your life.

I will, Master.

Send word:

for the upcoming sword duel,

Wushuang City

welcomes heroes from all lands to witness it.

Have every visitor

registered by name

and make this clear to them:

a sword shows no mercy;

life or death is their own to bear.

But

there's never been

such a precedent before.

I know

they all want to see Wushuang City fall,

so I will let them come and see.

They will learn

soon enough that it will never happen.

Wushuang City

may not rival Xueyue City,

but

it is not to be taken lightly.

Not to be

taken lightly?

Master!

Master!

Why is Master in such a temper today?

Did he take the wrong medicine?

Could the City Lord just be bluffing?

How could he have chosen

the next City Lord already?

And it's a child?

Don't underestimate that child.

Master is already the finest martial artist

Wushuang City has seen in generations.

But that boy's

gift for swordsmanship

surpasses even his.

By contrast,

I was never suited for martial arts.

Yes, I am the chief disciple,

but that title means nothing at all.

If that child

really becomes the City Lord,

then we only need to get rid of him,

and the whole city will be...

Useless wretch!

At least I know I am useless.

You don't even know your own place.

People like us

must rely on the strong.

We cannot command them.

We belong in the shadows.

If you can't even understand that,

Tianxia House does not need you.

Understood.

Understood.

Useless.

If even you know we must rely on the strong,

do you really think I see you as my backer?

I will wait

for the day you and Wushuang City

fall together.

Master, look!

It's so lively here!

Are you happy?

Yes, I am!

Little Wushuang,

what do you

think of Senior Brother Lu?

He is a bit slow.

Indeed.

He is slow in martial arts.

But remember,

everyone has their strengths.

Though he's not a good fighter,

he is very smooth

at getting by in the world.

In some ways, he even

outshines me.

Master,

why are you acting so strangely today?

Tanghulu! [*candied fruit]

Big and sweet tanghulu!

Master.

Would you like a stick?

It'll be one wen.

Thank you.

Do you want this one?

This one?

Thank you.

Did you think I acted strangely

because I didn't buy you

tanghulu today?

Here.

Thank you, Master.

Though I'm only 30 years old,

compared to Baili Dongjun and the others,

I'm more like one from their elders' generation.

I lack their pride

and their drive.

That's not how it should be.

Do you understand?

If I die one day,

you must trust

Senior Brother Lu.

He may be greedy for small gains,

but

he is an honest and kind boy.

He will take care of you

just as I have,

and he'll buy you

sweet tanghulu too.

In the days to come,

if you love sword practice,

train as much as you wish.

With your talent,

you can surely become known as a sword deity.

But if you don't wish to train, that's fine too.

Travel the world,

and see

its mountains and rivers.

As for me,

I will not have that chance in this life.

Master.

Master, you can't die yet!

You still have to

buy me more tanghulu!

All right.

I will buy you tanghulu,

and your senior brother will too.

All right?

All right!

Let's go.

Miss Bai.

Mr. Su.

Mr. Su.

Miss Bai.

Mr. Su.

Mr. Su, please take this tobacco.

Miss Bai.

The medicine you prescribed for my mother

worked wonders.

She's much better now.

Don't mention it.

The clinic is closed today.

Bring her back

for a return visit in a few days.

All right.

I won't keep you any longer. See you.

Before we left,

didn't you tell the maid

you wouldn't return

without buying a carriage full of things?

Why haven't you bought anything?

Nothing has caught my eye.

Sir.

Coming!

It's you, Miss Bai.

What would you like?

A pot of Longjing tea

and a plate of mung bean cakes.

Coming right up.

Waiter,

bring the tea.

Here, Miss Bai.

Our finest tea

and freshly baked mung bean cakes.

Please enjoy.

What's wrong, Miss Bai?

Is our tea or our dessert

not to your liking?

It's not that.

It's just me.

I set out today

hoping for a pleasant outing.

I felt cheerful at first,

but after walking half the day,

everything felt dull.

But Nan'an City is famous far and wide

for its curious

and delightful trinkets.

That said, you've been here

for some time now.

Even the most exciting place

grows dull

after a while,

don't you think?

Maybe

you can try seeing it as your home.

Then

you may view

this city differently

and feel different about it.

That makes sense.

But maybe I should travel farther

and see more of the world.

That might be a good idea.

Please enjoy.

You find it boring

because you think

the person beside you is boring.

Just eat your food.

Have you heard?

Something big

happened recently.

What big thing?

Do you mean the orphan from No-Sword City,

Zhuo Yue'an,

challenging Wushuang City?

That's right.

I heard he defeated

several elders

and even the old City Lord.

Father,

did you hear that?

It sounds like they're talking about Su Muyu.

Be quiet.

Let me hear how Su Muyu is doing.

Everyone's talking about it.

This news has probably spread

throughout the martial world.

Sir,

check, please.

Take care.

Please.

You can rest easy now.

He came out of his duels in Wushuang City unscathed.

He'll probably be back

in a few days.

Father!

Don't be rash.

How many days will it take to reach Wushuang City?

Half a month.

If you run into storms

or snow,

it could take at least a month.

What if I ride hard and change horses

along the way?

It will take at least seven days.

Heading to Wushuang City?

There's a ship docked at the east pier today.

It will sail east and reach

Luoyang tomorrow.

From Luoyang, Wushuang City

is only 100 li away.

Mind your own business!

Master Ji,

the news has already spread.

Except for Zhao Yuzhen, the Profound Sword Deity,

all the other sword deities

will go to Wushuang City.

Do you really need

to come report something like that

to me in person?

There is another piece of news.

It is related to the rule

you set before.

Blood River's Spider Woman

has been hiring agents

to search for a certain person.

She's looking for Lianyue, isn't she?

He has been missing for quite some time.

Since he visited the Tang Clan,

there's been no word from him.

Most of our agents in Shuzhong

have also been discovered

by the Tang Clan.

Since that's the case,

let's see

whether this beauty from Blood River

will make a move

and what

new information

she might bring us.

But

our own people must not relax.

Keep investigating.

Then should I give her

information about the Xuanwu Guardian?

Give it to her if she asks for it.

Remember,

take no payment.

Understood.

[Tianxia House]

It seems

not many people have faith

in our City Lord.

- This is mine. - Song Yanhui can split

a droplet with his sword.

Do you realize how good he is?

I'm betting on Song Yanhui!

[Song Yanhui] No-Sword City has long been in decline.

This orphan came out of nowhere.

[Zhuo Yue'an] How could he possibly beat Song Yanhui?

Not a chance!

What do you mean by that?

Age brings wisdom!

Even the previous old City Lord

was wounded by him.

Really?

You can tell he's no ordinary man.

What is he doing here?

Sir, I haven't seen you before.

Is this your first time

at Tianxia House?

I suppose it's my second time.

Pardon my poor eyesight.

What brings you here this time?

Poor eyesight?

Sir,

these people

have noses like hounds.

As soon as someone

with even a hint of money walks in,

they'll act

like they've found their prey.

They'll fix on that person,

and within two hours,

they'll have uncovered his identity, his background,

and exactly how much

he can afford to lose.

Then they'll plan carefully

to drain every coin from him

before he leaves Tianxia House,

down to the last scrap of his wealth.

Isn't this

how you all cheated me

out of everything back then?

Ding,

what nonsense are you spouting?

Sir,

please don't

listen to him.

Who do you plan to bet on this time?

I have no interest

in gambling.

I'm just curious

about what

all this means.

Ah,

it's

about a major event in the martial world.

Zhuo Yue'an, an orphan from No-Sword City,

is challenging Song Yanhui,

the Lord of Wushuang City.

You can bet on Zhuo Yue'an to win

at odds of one to one.

If you wager 100 liang

and he wins,

you'll get 200 liang.

You can also bet on Song Yanhui to win.

If he does,

100 liang

will get you 300 liang.

Of course,

you can also bet

on a draw.

If you guess right,

you'll get 200 liang.

Why does Song Yanhui's win

pay more?

Young man,

you are too naive and clueless.

You'd best go home now.

This casino

is no place

for lambs like you.

You...!

Sir,

it's because

fewer people

are betting on him.

After all, the former Lord of Wushuang City

was already defeated

by Zhuo Yue'an,

and Song Yanhui's reputation

isn't much bigger

than Liu Yunqi's.

I see.

But

more importantly,

everyone loves a good story.

From a sect nearly forgotten by the world

emerges a swordsman unknown to all.

He defeats the chief disciple of Wushuang City,

the Four Swordsman of Lunwu Hall,

Elder Jian Shanyue,

and the former City Lord, Liu Yunqi.

Isn't that

an inspiring tale?

And if he

goes on to defeat the current City Lord,

Song Yanhui,

won't that make

the perfect ending?

How does one place a bet?

The minimum bet is three liang of silver,

and the maximum is an entire city.

All right,

then I'll bet three liang of silver.

After all that talk,

you're only betting three liang?

Then who are you betting on?

[Zhuo Yue'an]

Myself.

I'll bet on him.

Really?

I've never heard of him before.

I've trained in swordsmanship for years,

and I'm still no match for Song Yanhui.

The old City Lord is already formidable,

so this Zhuo Yue'an

must be even greater.

Fine, I'll bet on him then.

He knew I was watching him all along.

No,

not only that.

He also recognized me.

You made the right choice.

Take it.

Master Ji specifically instructed

that this lead be given free of charge.

But it's top secret.

You mustn't share it with anyone.

Would your master really be so generous?

[No new leads]

What does this mean?

So your lead is

that even you

have no new leads on Tang Lianyue?

And you call yourselves all-knowing under heaven?

Get lost!

[No new leads]

- Sir. - Buns!

- Here's your pancake with bone broth. - Fresh...

- Please enjoy. - Meat buns!

Pancakes with bone broth!

Pancakes with bone broth!

Scented sachets and trinkets!

Pancakes with bone broth! One copper coin each!

Yes, sir.

Wushuang City

is a city that never sleeps.

If you get hungry at night,

eat right here.

Sir,

would you like to try our pancake with bone broth?

Only one copper coin each.

No,

thank you.

[Grilled Meat Pancakes with Bone Broth]

All right then.

Night has fallen,

yet it's getting even livelier.

Naturally.

Our main city

is Wushuang City.

Its first City Lord

helped Emperor Tianwu found his empire

and was granted

great autonomy.

Even Sihuai City

has never had a curfew.

So of course,

the nights here are lively.

Sir,

you must be here to watch the duel, right?

Have you found a place to stay?

My home is just nearby.

Three copper coins a night.

Someone's been killed!

Someone's been killed!

- Hurry. - What?

- Run! - What happened?

Someone's been killed!

What...

what's going on?

- Why is everyone running? - Sir.

What happened?

Wushuang City has sent out hundreds of Sword Bearers

to hunt for Zhuo Yue'an.

They're killing anyone they see.

Run!

Sword Bearers?

I came just in time.

But it seems I won't get to watch

the duel tomorrow.

Hurry up...

I don't think they're really after me.

Since Song Yanhui agreed

to the duel,

he won't go back on his word.

If these people are stirring up chaos

and killing people,

it must be to tarnish Song Yanhui's name.

It seems there are traitors

within Wushuang City.

They are trying to use this chance

to take the City Lord's seat from him.

Keep up!

Run!

Hurry!

Are you Zhuo Yue'an?

I am.

He never thought he'd actually

run into Zhuo Yue'an himself.

What are you doing here?

I came to watch the commotion,

but it seems

I've become part of it now.

Should we go straight to the duel tomorrow,

or find Su Muyu

tonight?

There's no rush.

Let's find an inn to stay at.

Then we'll go watch the duel tomorrow.

Trying to give Su Muyu

a surprise, are you?

Father, you...!

Wait.

What's that smell?

What's wrong?

Stop the carriage. We're getting off.

The inn is still some distance ahead.

Why get off now?

Father, lend me a light.

All right.

Are you here to burn incense

for someone who passed away?

You look so serious all of a sudden.

Is there something wrong with Sihuai City?

If there really is a problem,

then it's

a grave one.

People who come to Sihuai City

always act in ways I can't make sense of.

But since you've been generous with your silver,

I'll

wait here a while longer.

Take this pill.

Then drive the carriage

and leave at once.

- What? - You and I have shared

a journey together.

I don't wish to see you die here.

If you can't get out of the city,

find a safe place

to hide.

Huh?

Do as she says,

and you'll live.

Yes.

I understand, madam.

What exactly has gone wrong?

This city

has been poisoned.

Poisoned?

This entire city?

What kind of poison could be so powerful?

It's Blossom Ash.

Its toxicity is mild,

but if one stays long in air

tainted with Blossom Ash,

an ordinary person

will fall unconscious,

while a martial artist

will temporarily lose inner force

and be as good as crippled.

Blossom Ash

spreads widely,

but to poison an entire city

takes years of preparation.

When we first entered the city,

I did not smell

its scent.

Now, halfway through our route,

it's everywhere.

All those years of planning

were leading to this day.

Sihuai City is

about to change.

You're wrong.

Wushuang City

houses only smiths and sect disciples.

Most people

live in Sihuai City.

To seize Wushuang,

one must first take Sihuai.

So,

it is Wushuang City that faces the real upheaval.

Father,

is there any way you can

find Su Muyu quickly?

No problem.

There are others from Blood River here?

Could it be...?

Didn't you say only you came?

I said I came alone from Blood River,

but as for those in Nan'an City,

I can't be sure.

Find a deserted place

and meet up with them.

Will taking this make me all right?

It will only ease the effects for now.

The scent of Blossom Ash

is getting stronger.

We need to find a place

where I can set up an Array of Death in Thirty Feet

to block out the poison.

All right.

Let's go.

Someone's poisoned the city.

Who could it be?

Why is it so quiet today?

You find that strange?

Sihuai City

has never had a curfew.

It's the most famous sleepless city around.

Interesting.

There should be more people

from the martial world here recently.

What's happening?

Don't go.

Sir...

Blossom Ash.

[Floral Poison: Blossom Ash]

Sir,

at a time like this,

you still have the heart to read?

I need to find a way

to break the Blossom Ash Array.

Isn't it a bit late

to start reading now?

No, it's not.

Not until the flame of this candle

burns out completely.

Did they really think they could

harm me with such a petty trick?

Sihuai City has been sealed off.

Did you know about this?

Master,

this has nothing to do with me.

I know it doesn't.

You're bold,

but not that bold.

Who did it?

I don't know.

I received two carrier pigeons,

both sent in haste.

One message said

someone was hunting for Zhuo Yue'an

in Wushuang City's name,

which was clearly an attempt to smear

both the city and you, Master.

The other said

a strange poison had appeared in Sihuai.

Ordinary people have fallen unconscious,

while martial artists

have lost their inner force.

They can't summon any strength at all

and can only send word through carrier pigeons.

Blossom Ash?

Summon Jian Shanyue.

Elder Jian

has announced his retirement.

The one truly in charge of Lunwu Hall

was never Jian Shanyue,

but Jian Wudi.

Jian Wudi has been in seclusion for years,

so he handed most of his authority

to Jian Shanyue.

But Jian Wudi's place of seclusion

is not in Wushuang City.

It's

in Sihuai City.

Master,

what should we do?

I'll go to Sihuai City myself.

Master,

let me go with you!

Jian Wudi has been in seclusion for many years.

If Lunwu Hall is trying to extend its reach into Sihuai City,

it won't be easy.

Tianxia House

is involved in this, isn't it?

My dear disciple,

you thought Tianxia House was loyal to you,

but it seems they had

other plans all along.

I'll go find Lord Haoyue

and get some answers.

If this spear

were thrust into my back,

it wouldn't be so bad.

Master,

I may be useless,

but I'm not a monster!

That's exactly why

I can't bring myself to cast you out.

Do you understand?

Wushuang City is not so lofty

as to stand apart from the world.

But even if it is

no longer peerless under heaven,

the spirit of our forebears still endures.

Do you think what's happening here

is spontaneous

or the result of someone's careful design?

The papers I took from the Wanjuan Tower

had been switched beforehand,

but their contents were genuine.

So my coming here

is something someone wanted to happen.

And you're willing to be used like that?

Since the contents were true,

this is something I must do.

If someone wants to use me,

they'll just have to pay the price.

Fair enough.

And since it's irritating

that so many eyes

are watching us in the dark,

let's use this chance to see

who's really behind it.

Miss Bai?

Your beloved umbrella.

You brought it?

Thank you.

Of course.

I figured you'd need it.

Even if it's not for fighting,

it can at least keep off the rain.

Then take this for protection,

Miss Bai.

All right.

Mr. Zhuo,

you've gained quite a reputation lately.

I thought I was the only one who came

to watch the show.

Watch the show? We're all

about to lose our lives.

Fortunately, before I set out,

my eyelid kept twitching,

so I made extra preparations.

It's only

a few minions.

We've been through much worse.

A bit of internal chaos in Wushuang City...

I can't believe the Patriarch of Blood River

is actually so careless.

Take a careful breath.

Do you notice anything strange?

There's a faint floral scent.

In this season,

what flowers could still be blooming in Sihuai City?

Sihuai City

is not Xueyue City.

We don't have that kind of romance here.

Floral scent?

All I've smelled on the way here

is wine and meat.

It's poison.

It is poison indeed.

It just hasn't fully taken hold yet.

Once the scent thickens

and it feels as if you're standing in a sea of blossoms,

that will be the perfect time

for them to carve you up.

The Five Poisons?

Yes, and they're the supreme kind that only a direct heir

of the Wen clan

can raise.

Go.

I've heard

they're even stronger than those

of the Five Poisons Sect.

I've seen

Wen Hujiu's Five Poisons.

His centipedes

had two heads.

♪Like fate, winding with the tide♪

♪Who can ford this river of night?♪

♪Where's the far shore we chase all our lives?♪

♪Surrendering all hues for a glimmer of light♪

♪Through joy and sorrow♪

♪Still I can't let go♪

♪Longing keeps me awake at night♪

♪My heart no longer my own♪

♪No one can escape from love♪

♪How many hidden feelings♪

♪Sink in silence deep?♪

♪Searching through the endless nights♪

♪Struggling on the edge of love and pain♪

♪Shadows crossing shadows♪

♪Whose name hides in your eyes?♪

♪When the wind blows, ask not when I shall return♪

♪Ask not when I shall return♪

♪Like fate, winding with the tide♪

♪Who can ford this river of night?♪

♪Where's the far shore we chase all our lives?♪

♪Surrendering all hues for a glimmer of light♪

♪Through joy and sorrow♪

♪Still I can't let go♪

♪Longing keeps me awake at night♪

♪My heart no longer my own♪

♪No one can escape from love♪

♪My heart no longer my own♪

♪No one can escape from love♪