Original subtitles

[The Vendetta of An]

Mr. Long,

I've never had a serious illness

or chronic condition.

Why do I have

to come for my pulse check

every month?

You were born with white hair.

Only at this age

has it fully turned black.

Ancient texts say

being born white-haired means you'll face hardship for half your life.

No one can command

the workings of fate.

Your father and I both hope

you grow up safe.

So what if half my life will be spent in hardship?

What matters is the rest brims with sweetness.

True.

So young,

yet already so enlightened.

Thank you, Mr. Long.

I'll be going now.

"Half a life of hardship, half a life of sweetness."

The worry

is you might have only the half of hardship...

[Episode 9]

I have to go.

Where are you going?

Gu Yu was taken by Huben.

Barring surprises,

they'll hold Gu Yu in Hidden Soldier Alley.

Therefore,

I must infiltrate Hidden Soldier Alley

and rescue Gu Yu.

You must be joking!

You're just hurt,

and you want to risk your life again? Have you gone mad?

He's right.

You haven't even recovered yet.

Going into Hidden Soldier Alley now

is as good as a death sentence.

He's right.

And consider me too.

You just found a safe place for me.

If after you leave,

and Huben comes after me again...

What can he do?

He's all brawn and no brain.

He won't be able to deal with them.

I'll let you have it right here and now!

But on the other hand,

compared to you,

I'm better suited to fight and kill.

I must be the one

to enter the enemy's lair.

No.

I must go.

If anyone knows Huben the best,

it's me.

Why are you staring at me?

Get back to work!

I...

Come in.

You're heading into Hidden Soldier Alley.

Can I help

with anything?

Or

is there something

I can do for you?

Actually,

I do require some preparations.

First,

to enter Hidden Soldier Alley,

I'll need Huben's custom gold coins.

Qingyi has one.

Go get it.

If he refuses,

you're to order

the death of every Huben member

who has seen my face

on the night of the raid.

Well...

What if

he agrees?

He won't.

Move it!

I'm not forcing you to kill.

I just want you to understand

that this is a ruthless world.

Some blood

must be spilled.

Maybe you'll face moments like this

in the future.

When that time comes,

you'll know what to do.

Second.

I need

a new identity.

Xiaoqing's

already handled that.

That's a massive

and showy sign.

Are we sure we can trust the physician's medical skills?

Got it.

[Taiyiji Clinic]

What's all the...

Come in. Get inside.

The door...

The members of Huben

have been acting with discretion.

Few come and go

in Chang'an.

Our people have been watching for quite a while.

Only this man here

fits your criteria.

His name is Wang Xing.

His age and build are similar to yours.

He knows no martial arts.

His moves are as clumsy as yours.

He has no close friends.

But he's married.

His wife

resides in Chang'an.

Did you get everything out of him?

Of course.

You can trust me to get the job done.

Not enough yet.

Question him again.

Bring his wife here.

If his answers don't match,

break a finger

and give it to him.

That's the only way to secure

reliable answers.

You heard him.

Weigh your words carefully.

If there's even the slightest error...

You might have ten fingers,

but that won't save your wife

from breaking.

You're animals!

Even if you ask me a hundred times,

I'll still answer

the same.

Come at me all you want!

But

if you lay a hand

on my wife...

I'm talking to you!

Let me!

So, when do we

bring his wife here?

All these passes

were seized

from Wang Xing.

He's a skilled forger.

Even I

nearly missed the flaws.

He's an expert.

No wonder

Huben transferred him here.

Hidden Soldier Alley

always stations experts

to forge papers and identities.

Now the new emperor has put Huben Army on the wanted list.

If the Huben Army within the City

wish to make any further move,

they require custom travel passes

forged for any movement.

Something must have happened

to the previous forger.

Now,

people from outside will be brought in to fill the gaps.

Where's Wang Xing's gold coin?

I almost forgot about that.

You didn't forget.

You wanted it for yourself.

Remember.

These coins will bring death

if used anywhere else.

They're only for coming and going in Hidden Soldier Alley.

Huai'an.

You're injured,

and you insist on taking this mission alone.

I'm worried.

Don't worry.

I bought you

a flatbread stall

outside the alley.

If something happens, I'll contact you.

But not you.

The stall is too close to Hidden Soldier Alley.

You can't go there.

You'll work at the physician's hall in the meantime.

- That's not necessary. - No.

I...

I feel

safer

if I'm with you.

Last time I delivered a letter,

I caused trouble for you.

I need to vet

all my people.

Now,

I only have a few trusted ones who can be used.

I can't take care of him too.

And that Wang Xing as well.

Get him out of here as soon as possible.

The physician's hall may not be safe either.

Then,

why don't I watch over that Wang Xing?

You?

Yes.

You just need to tie him up securely.

I'll watch him

and bring his meals.

That's simple enough.

But where will we hold him?

Well...

The place...

Where they locked me up before.

I'll just do as you guys did

and put him there.

All right.

It's settled, then.

If you

mess this up,

and Wang Xing escapes back to Hidden Soldier Alley,

the whole plan will fall apart.

And I'll lose my life.

Don't worry.

Your life is in my hands.

Safe and sound.

Master.

You just escaped death once,

and now you're going to risk it again?

Have you thought this through?

Huben Army was built by my father's own hands.

What they can do,

I've learned by ear and eye.

What they can't,

I've taught myself much.

I know what I'm doing, Mr. Long.

I've sealed your wounds

with fish maw

and covered them with a skin film.

You look no different from anyone else.

No one will notice

unless

they get up close.

You were born with white hair.

As you

aged,

the white

turned black.

Both your father and I

share one wish.

We only hope

you live safely

to see your hair turn gray once more.

My boy,

come back alive.

[Taiyiji Clinic]

Don't look at me like that.

When everything's settled,

I'll dye my hair black again.

Is the Hidden Soldier Alley

you mentioned

here?

No.

Did you bring the clean clothes

I asked for?

Yes.

They're in the carriage.

Huai'an,

what exactly are you looking at?

I'm wondering

how badly I'd be hurt

if I tumbled down this mountain.

Are you joking?

If you fall from here,

you wouldn't survive...

Xie Huai'an!

Huai'an!

Huai'an!

Are you all right?

Have you lost your mind?

Did you actually want to die?

Xie Huai'an,

why did you do that?

Have you lost your senses?

If you die, what'll happen to me?

Who'll protect me?

That's why I was trying

to find the right spot.

These injuries

will be useful

inside Hidden Soldier Alley.

Come on.

Help me up.

Are you all right?

What's that in your hand?

They call this Bitter-After.

It grows in the north, and is extremely bitter in flavor.

I observed Wang Xing.

He has a habit of chewing on this.

The taste is certainly bitter.

I don't believe you.

It can't be that bitter.

Let me try it.

This is incredibly bitter!

Why would anyone like to chew this stuff?

Bitterness refreshes and relieves fatigue.

The people in the north chew it

to stave off the cold.

It's not that bad.

Why do they call it Bitter-After?

People in the old days chose their words for a reason.

Once you chew it, the stalk's gone

and all that's left is the bitter taste.

That's inauspicious.

All right.

Beyond here lies the territory of Hidden Soldier Alley.

I'll travel the rest of the path alone.

Can you two

not look so gloomy

for once?

Fine.

What wishes do you both have?

I won't die

before I grant them.

What wishes can I have?

I just hope

you get justice soon,

reunite with Bai Wan,

and enjoy calm days.

I can't bear to see you exert yourself like this.

Same here.

I don't expect to be emperor when I return.

I entrust my wishes

to you.

I hope

you take revenge

and wipe out all of Huben.

And live an ordinary, peaceful life.

All right.

I'll take your blessing.

I'll be back.

Halt.

Wait for the contact.

Make way.

You're chewing the wrong part.

The bottom part is the bitterest.

What's that to you?

Why are you up and busy so early?

It's becoming warmer.

[Li Sangeng] If I don't clean up soon,

these alleys will stink

before long.

[Di Lu] There's no hurry.

Take your breakfast first.

Di Lu,

are you

waiting for someone today?

There's a newcomer.

I'm just about to fetch him.

Why?

Something wrong?

Isn't there a general locked up in the alley?

Mr. Wang Pu

warned us

to stay alert.

That general is a man of rank.

Someone might come to rescue him.

Do check this newcomer

carefully.

How do I check him?

You're smarter than I am.

I'll do whatever you tell me to do.

He's been standing here long enough.

Hurry and take him away.

Wang Xing?

Come with me.

Everyone,

stop a moment.

This is Wang Xing.

Xing,

what do you think of the paper?

It's too thick,

and the color is wrong.

The pulp needs to be finer.

Don't soak it too long.

Or else,

the paper will go too soft.

Wang Xing.

Our new fellow.

He'll be in charge of

all travel permits here.

- Alright. - Got it.

Xing,

work can wait.

Come with me.

The last man who did this job

was known as Ren.

He died of illness last month.

He lived here

and worked here.

Do you mind staying here?

No.

I'm fine with it.

Good.

Then

this will be your station.

Everyone outside

will follow your instructions.

But

some procedures can't be skipped.

Show me your permit from the Capital.

All right.

Check his travel pass.

[Travel Pass] See when he set off

and from where.

Every prefecture

and sub-prefecture he passed

has left its seal.

Go through the seals one by one.

If he arrived

more or less on time,

there should be no issue.

But if the timing is far off,

take heed.

All right.

I'll get to it.

I just don't understand.

You're so smart,

but you ended up

collecting trash.

What was Wang Pu thinking?

You ask me?

Who am I supposed to ask?

[The eighth day of the twelfth month in the fourth year of Wencheng's reign,]

[Inspector of Chang'an, Cui Lunian]

Guards.

You should've arrived three days ago.

The weather's been clear.

Why are you late?

Explain yourself.

Answer the question.

Speak.

Where did you get this wound?

I met a man

on the road.

He said he knew me

and forced me to forge a pass.

I refused,

and we fought.

In the end,

I stabbed him a few times when he let his guard down

and killed him.

I fainted after that.

That delayed

my trip.

Why didn't you

report it?

I didn't dare.

Who did you kill?

Liu Ziyan.

You killed Liu Ziyan?

He was the Huben Army's top killer.

You killed him?

Di,

I'm telling the truth.

When I met him,

he was badly wounded

and nearly done for.

How many times did you stab him?

Where did you stab him?

The first stab

was aimed at his chest,

but he grabbed my dagger.

I pulled it out

and stabbed a few more times.

I was afraid he'd survive.

So maybe

ten stabs.

Where's the body?

In the forest

thirty li south of the city.

I panicked

and dumped the body

before running.

Watch him.

I'll be back.

- Yes. - Yes.

What?

You hang around

that garbage collector all day

and don't mind his stink,

but when you're here,

you're picky now?

They smell completely different.

How was it?

Have you checked?

How many wounds?

I have.

Eleven stab wounds.

Done by two different groups.

Here, look.

These stabs

have clean edges.

The blade went in and out fast.

Skilled hands.

They should be

from our people.

As for these wounds,

they're serious,

but they avoided all the vital spots.

The real fatal wounds are nine.

Two to the chest,

the other seven to the abdomen.

Judging by the cuts,

the stabs were forceful,

but the depth varies.

Their edges are rolled back.

That means

the blade didn't go in or out cleanly.

Whoever stabbed him meant to kill,

but wasn't used to handling a weapon.

As for the wound on the arm,

shallow inside and deep outside.

Likely caused

when he grabbed the blade

as the attacker tried to pull it back.

Could it have been staged

after death?

A dead man can't grab anything.

Someone would've to

press his hand

onto the blade.

But if so,

the force wouldn't be even.

Therefore,

you wouldn't get such a clean cut.

Carry on.

Keep writing.

I'm just looking.

[By Guo Zi'an]

Your handwriting looks good.

Impressive.

You're way better

than Ren.

Di.

- You... - Sit.

Don't be nervous.

I came here

to apologize.

I was too rash before.

I'd like to buy you a drink

and dinner tonight

to calm your nerves.

What do you think?

I told you I'm fine.

Yes.

More than fine.

You even killed Liu Ziyan.

That was something many wanted

but couldn't do.

Xing,

you've got both brains and brawn.

You have a bright future.

Whether I have a future isn't the point.

What matters

is I didn't lose my life.

What kind of talk is that?

Alright then.

Meet you at the mutton soup stall by the street entrance tonight.

I'll buy you a good drink.

I think I'll pass.

It's settled.

I'll introduce you

to a friend.

I've prepared

a gift for you.

You'll like it.

Alright.

See you tonight.

I'll hurry and finish this work.

Go on with your tasks.

I told you.

You're different

from the rest of them.

How am I supposed to eat it when you put it on the ground?

How about this, lad?

Put it on my leg.

Leave the rest to me.

On your leg?

After I leave,

you'll find a way to drop the bowl,

break it,

take a shard,

cut the rope,

and escape.

I pity you,

but I'm no fool.

Lad,

I can't reach the bowl.

Think of something yourself.

You can

lean your whole body over,

then

press your face to the ground,

like a dog.

I've done it before.

You can do the same.

Wang Xing.

There are two people in Hidden Soldier Alley

you must befriend.

Do you mean

General Fengshan?

I've never

even met him.

The first is

Li Sangeng.

The calmest man in Hidden Soldier Alley.

I noticed your travel pass

was overdue by three days

because he reminded me.

If you don't say it,

he'll never know it was my idea.

What?

You hold a dagger to his neck,

and try to blame it on me?

That's all in the past now.

Exactly.

It's all in the past.

No need to bring up old matters.

The second person

is me.

Di Lu.

The warmest man in Hidden Soldier Alley.

Everyone here

is my friend.

If you ever need anything,

just give me a shout.

Sure.

Thank you, Di.

Don't be so courteous.

The more you thank me,

the more naggy it seems.

Wang,

care to tell us

what kind of person you are?

Just get him drunk, and you'll find out.

No.

I'm not a good drinker.

Just like

Di said,

I'm probably the luckiest man

in Hidden Soldier Alley.

After all,

I faced Liu Ziyan

and lived to tell the tale.

Liu Ziyan?

Speaking of him,

I must pour a cup for you.

Here, Wang Xing.

Who would've thought that after Liu Ziyan was gravely injured,

he happened to run into you,

happened to know you,

and forced you to forge a travel pass?

Sangeng,

the cup is full.

What a coincidence.

I wouldn't believe it

unless I saw it with my own eyes.

Sangeng,

I know you're cautious,

but I've looked into it.

Stop being so suspicious.

Come on.

Sit.

He's like that.

He sees enemies even in a pile of garbage.

Don't blame him.

You two have a toast,

and let this matter rest.

It's all in the past.

Come on.

Sangeng,

if you need a travel pass,

come to me.

If there's garbage,

I'll take it.

Xing,

don't blame me for that day.

I was just scared.

Huben Army

is like rats in the street now.

I have to keep my eyes open.

That's enough.

You're drunk. Don't talk nonsense.

You don't understand.

The Huben Army was glorious once,

back when General Liu was still alive.

Not anymore.

General Fengshan wants to push for reform.

That's huge.

I can't help with anything.

I'm just afraid

that one day this alley will be raided,

and every Huben member

won't be able to escape.

I only hope

they can live just one more day.

Come.

Drink.

♪Huainan is good♪

♪A safe haven♪

♪The mountains and rivers stretch on like our affection♪

♪A devoted soul sings here♪

♪I brave the snow to see you off♪

♪I await your return, though my temples may turn to frost♪

♪My devotion endures as long as water flows♪

Am I the one drunk,

or are both of you drunk?

My place is over this side.

This way.

Let's go.

Di,

why are you suddenly

singing this tune?

It doesn't sound like

a tune from Chang'an.

I used to

know someone

who lived in the place from this song,

Huainan.

I used to

deliver messages for him.

I had to go to this remote village

every time.

It was exhausting.

Then,

word came from above that he'd betrayed us.

I was given the task

to kill him.

But when I got there,

there wasn't even a trace of him.

Only those who've died once

can be truly free.

To be honest,

before he turned against us,

I actually liked him.

Di,

why did you try to kill him?

Xing,

liking someone

has nothing to do with

killing them.

In the end,

the only person you can afford to like is yourself.

Keeping yourself alive

matters more than anything.

If I didn't take the job,

I'd be the one dead.

I haven't had enough.

Come to my place and let's drink more.

Let's drink more.

This is it.

Sangeng, bring the liquor.

Over there.

That's enough.

You're plastered.

- Come. Careful. - Liquor.

I should get going.

Don't go.

Let's drink some more.

It's rare for us to be this happy.

You're an interesting man.

Let's drink.

Come on.

Maybe not today.

Your head will hurt tomorrow.

Drink some water.

I don't want water. I want liquor.

Xing,

I prepared a gift

for you.

Drink a little more with me.

If not,

I'll give it to someone else.

Sangeng,

you too.

Drink with us.

Let me tell you.

I...

Xing,

when did you

get that wound?

Liu Ziyan stabbed someone recently.

It was a man

Huben Army have been ordered to kill.

I heard

the blade was driven in from the neck.

It was the right side of the neck.

You almost

had me there.

Good thing you're here tonight,

Han Ziling.

♪Let the past fade away into the mountains and fields♪

♪Surname and given name are all lost in the dust and smoke♪

♪The moon in the forest wanes in the midnight night♪

♪In a hazy moment♪

♪The most familiar dream surfaces again♪

♪Though far away, my thoughts remain♪

♪Everything in the world is at our fingertips♪

♪And I am waiting for the day the mist clears♪

♪Snow falls all over Chang'an♪

♪Who drifts farther and farther away♪

♪The moonlight flowing through my fingers♪

♪Cannot bring back your face♪

♪Blood spreads across these years♪

♪I am willing to burn like a blazing flame♪

♪To exchange for the full moon in the human world♪

♪Who holds the chess and looks down upon the world♪

♪In laughter and conversation♪

♪The hidden blade is too obvious♪

♪Though far away, my thoughts remain♪

♪Everything in the world is at our fingertips♪

♪And I am waiting for the day the mist clears♪

♪Snow falls all over Chang'an♪

♪Who drifts farther and farther away♪

♪The moonlight flowing through my fingers♪

♪Cannot bring back your face♪

♪Blood spreads across these years♪

♪I am willing to burn like a blazing flame♪

♪To exchange for the full moon in the human world♪