Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III: To Chang'an]

[Episode 13]

[Yongzhou Prefecture Office]

Lu Lingfeng.

Are you really under imperial orders

to search for the auspicious beast?

Why does it look like

you're taking your whole family

on a sightseeing trip?

Who are you?

What's it to you?

General Ding.

What are you doing here?

[Yongzhou Prefecture Office]

The Grand General is here.

Grand General.

[Yongzhou Prefecture Office]

You'll be leading the expedition

to Mount Zhongnan.

It's a heavy responsibility.

I will do my utmost to find Bai Ze.

Miss Pei…

Miss Pei is skilled in painting.

After entering the mountains…

I understand.

But the journey is too arduous and difficult.

If you wear yourself out,

how will I explain it to Minister Pei?

Just stay.

I...

Miracle Doctor Fei,

my eye started hurting again

last night.

You have to treat me.

That acupuncture of yours

works pretty well.

How about I treat you after we return

from Mount Zhongnan?

That won't do.

It hurts so much.

I can't wait.

Madam Yingtao's martial skills are impressive.

I've witnessed them.

But this journey is on behalf of His Majesty

to find Bai Ze.

They'll venture deep into the mountains,

travel by day, and camp by night.

It's not convenient for a woman.

And you, boy,

why are you tagging along?

I'm going to protect my master!

If he needed your protection,

he wouldn't be Lu Lingfeng.

Well...

Now that you're the captain,

do your duty properly.

Otherwise,

I'll discipline you on your master's behalf.

Grand General,

maybe I shouldn't go either.

You're going.

His Majesty said,

for this kind of mission,

you must personally take part.

General of the Right Imperial Guards, Ding Heng.

[General of the Right Imperial Guards, Ding Heng]

Yes.

[Records Officer, Chen He]

Records Officer, Chen He.

Yes.

Military Officer, Wei Qi.

[Military Officer, Wei Qi]

Yes.

[Cavalry Officer, Huo You]

Cavalry Officer, Huo You.

Yes.

Join the team

to assist Yongzhou Prefecture in finding Bai Ze.

This is also His Majesty's will.

-Yes! -Yes!

Chief Administrator Du,

any objections?

None.

Good.

Then let's escort Lu Lingfeng out of the city together.

As you wish.

This…

Xijun.

I…

It's alright.

We'll find another chance.

You need to be careful.

I shouldn't have listened to you.

This is getting ridiculous.

It's not over yet.

What?

If I'm not mistaken,

that should be Her Highness's carriage.

Greetings, Grand Princess.

Greetings, Grand Princess.

Lu Lingfeng.

Your Highness.

His Majesty has entrusted the search for Bai Ze

to Yongzhou Prefecture.

Yet Du Ming appointed you as the leader.

Do you know why?

Su Wuming.

You must know why.

I think

it's because Chief Administrator Du

trusts Official Lu.

What else?

W-What else?

I'm too dim

to see anything beyond that.

Su Wuming,

you're becoming quite slick.

Lu Lingfeng,

let me make this clear to you.

If you find Bai Ze,

the credit goes to Chief Administrator Du.

If you fail to find it,

the blame falls on you

for not trying hard enough.

Y-Your Highness,

I didn't mean it that way.

Did I allow you to defend yourself?

Step back!

Yes.

Lu Tong,

you've brought

quite the elite force.

The appearance of Bai Ze

is an auspicious sign for the Tang Empire.

His Majesty has ordered the Right Imperial Guards

to assist Yongzhou Prefecture.

Thus, Ding Heng and the other three officers

will cooperate with Lu Lingfeng.

Chancellor Cui,

four generals of the Imperial Guards—

that's eight sharp eyes.

Surely at least one of them

will spot the auspicious beast.

That's what he means, right?

Grand General, your subordinates

surely wouldn't fabricate things, right?

However,

it's possible

that for the lure

of gold and rank,

someone might take desperate measures.

Defying Heaven's will

invites divine punishment.

Should something like that happen,

it would surely harm

the Tang Empire's fortune.

Therefore,

I can't allow anything

that endangers the Tang Empire's prosperity to happen,

can I?

The Grand Princess truly cares for the country

and takes responsibility without hesitation.

Li Nai'er.

Yes.

I appoint you

as Commander of the Princess's Guards.

Join the search for Bai Ze immediately.

Keep an eye on these people

so they don't deceive their superiors

or commit acts against Heaven's will.

Yes.

Your Highness,

she's a woman.

What of it?

Back then, Princess Pingyang

made glorious military achievements for the founding of the Tang Empire.

And Empress Wu Zetian

is blessed by Heaven

and revered by all nations.

I am a woman too.

What?

A woman can't witness

the Tang Empire's auspicious beast?

I do not doubt Bai Ze's existence.

I just won't allow

anyone to fabricate lies,

deceive the Emperor,

and fool the people.

But it might be inconvenient

for Commander Li to go to Mount Zhongnan

as the only woman in the team.

No need for your concern, Grand General.

Huo Jing.

[Huo Jing, a hunter]

Yes.

Huo Jing was born to a hunter's family in Mount Zhongnan.

She can accompany me

and serve as a guide.

Officers,

we'll go up

the mountain from here.

Wait.

You're the guide,

but have you never been deep into Mount Zhongnan?

I'm a hunter from this area.

Of course I have.

Then why don't you know

that taking the Heartbreak Cliff route

would save us four hours' climb?

There really is a shortcut?

Yes,

but it's quite steep.

I didn't want to tire you, officers.

You'd rather take the long way. Are you stupid?

Look at us.

Which of us looks too weak

to handle a steep cliff?

Me.

I am.

I think Ling Ji was just trying

to look after a weak scholar like me,

right?

Take the shortcut.

General Ding.

On this mission,

the leader should be Official Lu.

Even though you're the General of the Right Imperial Guards,

it's not your place to give orders.

Official Lu.

Please.

Huo Jing,

you'll guide us for now.

Lead the way.

We'll take the shortcut into the mountain.

General Ding,

why are we following his orders?

It doesn't matter.

The depths of Mount Zhongnan are perilous after all.

If a guide or some official

falls from a cliff,

wouldn't that be quite normal?

Where's the path?

Tell me where the path is!

We need to leave the horses.

Climb this narrow path to the top of the cliff,

and we'll have entered the depths of Mount Zhongnan.

Ling Ji.

Is this the right way?

It is the right way,

but

after we climb this cliff,

we'll go through a dense wood

and then a stretch

of cliff-side trail—

very hard to pass.

Beneath the most dangerous spot, the drop is immeasurable.

That's why I originally planned to take you all...

You scoundrel!

Why didn't you say so earlier?

Who gave you the right to hit him?

What business is it of yours if I hit him?

We are both hunters,

bound by the same fate.

He is a guide, not a slave.

You should've respected him,

but instead you insulted and hit him.

Aren't you afraid

he'll lead you into a den of wolves or a tiger's lair

to get you torn to pieces?

What did you say?

Do you have a death wish?

Stop it, all of you!

Stop! Stop!

Commander Li, you're a heroine no less capable than a man.

Your martial arts skills

are truly remarkable.

Official Huo, you showed mercy to a woman,

never using a killing move.

Official Lu,

w-why don't you say something?

We are here by the Emperor's decree

to search for Bai Ze in the mountain.

We are a team and must not

fight among ourselves.

Huo You,

Ling Ji is the guide hired

by Yongzhou Prefecture.

You shouldn't have abused him at will.

Apologize to him.

Lu Lingfeng.

Ling Ji,

how exactly is the path ahead?

Though dangerous,

if we are extremely careful,

we can make it through.

It really does save

four hours of mountain travel.

Then I'll take the lead with you.

Please, Ding, cover the rear.

Wait a moment.

If you ask me,

better let General Ding

lead with the Imperial Guards.

Their martial arts are superb.

Climbing cliffs

is nothing to them.

As for me,

I'm clumsy.

I'll walk behind Commander Li.

If I can't make it up,

I'll trouble you to give me a pull.

Official Lu,

you'll cover the rear.

You won't let me give orders,

but what are you doing?

I'm the so-called Criminal Investigation Scholar,

but actually,

I'm just Official Lu's personal secretary.

A secretary's job

is to offer him advice.

Su Wuming is indeed a burden.

He's afraid that if I'm in the front,

I won't look after him,

and he won't be able to climb up by himself.

In that case,

Ding, please

lead the way up front.

Alright.

What are you up to?

Keep your eyes wide open.

The two girls from the Princess's Mansion—

you must ensure their safety.

Leave the horses.

Lead the way.

This is the only way up the mountain.

Come up. This path is passable!

Let's go.

Let's go.

The peak of Mount Zhongnan

has breathtaking scenery

with an unobstructed view.

Chang'an

is truly a blessed land.

It's not only surrounded by eight rivers,

but once you leave the city,

there are green mountains everywhere.

How beautiful

Chang'an is!

How magnificent

the Tang Empire is!

What is that sound?

General,

could that be Bai Ze?

Maybe Bai Ze really

exists in this mountain.

What do you mean "maybe"?

It definitely exists.

Ling Ji saw it with his own eyes.

Didn't you, Ling Ji?

Yes.

Yes.

You, the guide,

can't you tell

what kind of wild beast that was?

It's... it's a tiger.

A tiger?

Officers, please be careful.

The tigers here are very fierce.

Since we've already met tigers,

we'll surely find Bai Ze soon.

Official Lu,

there are tigers ahead.

Let me take the lead.

I will lead.

Su Wuming,

I'll go with General Ding.

You stay in the back

and follow closely behind Commander Li.

Let's go.

Come on.

No need.

Lu,

in the past, you and I

both served under the Grand General.

We both helped suppress the Tanglong Coup.

For this mountain expedition,

no matter who finds Bai Ze first,

we will share the credit.

What do you say?

Bai Ze is just a legendary creature.

How could we possibly find it?

If you don't believe Bai Ze exists,

why did you take this assignment?

Her Highness ordered me to join this search

to prevent anyone from using

the tales of the auspicious beast

to deceive the people.

Haven't you noticed?

Some have already begun to waver.

When there is a wise ruler,

Bai Ze appears.

That's what common people believe.

Are you on Her Highness's side or not?

Looks like it's going to rain.

This is the path I mentioned.

If it rains, it'll be slippery and more dangerous.

Ling Ji,

from your experience,

how long until it rains?

About 15 minutes.

And it'll be a heavy one.

What a scene! Mount Zhongnan before the rain.

Su Wuming.

If Xijun were here,

she'd definitely paint this.

Yeah.

If only she could've come.

A view like this—

Yingtao would love it too.

Enough admiring the scenery.

Are we pressing on

or going back to the woods

to camp until the rain stops?

Since we're already here,

we'll advance in the wind

without hesitation.

Great minds think alike.

Then everyone, put on your rain gear.

Once it starts raining,

the path will be muddy and slippery.

Be extremely careful.

Official Lu,

to search for Bai Ze for His Majesty,

you do not fear danger at all.

It's truly admirable.

Do as Official Lu said.

Put on your rain gear properly.

-Yes. -Yes.

Yes.

Ling Ji,

lead the way.

Okay.

General, please go ahead.

I need to relieve myself.

I'll catch up soon.

Lu Lingfeng,

didn't I tell you to cover the rear?

Be careful!

Let's go.

Watch out!

Stop staring at your feet,

and you won't be so afraid.

Fear causes you to slip.

Thank you, Commander Li.

You be careful too.

It's so slippery.

Don't touch me,

you shameless scoundrel!

Huo Jing!

Commander Li,

be careful!

Huo Jing!

What happened?

Huo Jing fell off the cliff!

She didn't fall.

It was him!

He pushed Huo Jing down.

No.

That female guide

slipped and fell by accident.

Step back.

Stop!

Lu Lingfeng, get out of the way!

Let me kill this lecher!

General,

I really didn't push that female guide!

You're lying!

I heard Huo Jing myself.

She said you groped her.

You must have molested her from behind!

I didn't!

I just caught up

and heard her scream.

Then she drew her weapon and charged at me.

Unfortunately, she was a bad fighter.

I blocked twice with my sword.

She lost her footing

and fell off the cliff!

You killed Huo Jing!

Pay with your life!

Stop fighting!

If the ground gives way,

the consequences will be dire!

Su Wuming has a point.

Go to a safe place first.

Then settle this.

No!

I must kill this lecher

to avenge Huo Jing!

Commander Li,

do you want me to die with you?

A ghost!

A ghost!

General!

There's a ghost!

Where?

Over there.

Isn't it just a corpse in the wild?

When this woman was alive,

she must have been pretty.

Let's go.

Huo You!

These Imperial Guards

are all vulgar and disrespectful men.

They even make lewd comments about an old lady

who died in the wilderness.

Now you must believe

that he killed Huo Jing, right?

I...

Huo,

you and I will duel right here.

If you defeat me, you may kill

or torture me as you wish.

If you lose,

I will cut off your head

to avenge Huo Jing!

Don't!

Commander Li,

you are only one person,

and there are four of them.

How can you possibly defeat them?

Su Wuming!

Are you suggesting

that we Imperial Guards would gang up on her?

That's not what I mean.

I mean…

Then cut the crap!

Commander Li,

Huo You is injured.

If you want a duel,

I, Ding Heng,

will fight with you.

Ding.

Didn't we come to Mount Zhongnan

for something important?

Commander Li.

Did the Princess send you here

to challenge people to duels?

General, calm down.

We've got a mission.

We're here to find Bai Ze.

Let's get out of this place now.

This place

is too inauspicious.

Ling Ji.

Officer.

Anywhere else to take shelter from the rain?

There's a temple ahead.

What kind of temple?

I don't know

its exact name.

Wild beasts show up around here.

We usually skirt the area.

We don't fear wild beasts.

If there's a temple,

there must be shelter from the rain.

Hurry up and lead the way.

Lu,

let's first go to the temple to rest.

When the rain stops,

we'll look for Bai Ze again.

What do you say?

Alright.

Get ready to move.

Okay.

Get your things.

Yes.

That's the place.

What kind of place is that?

It looks a bit strange.

Structurally,

it doesn't look like a regular temple

or Daoist shrine.

Judging by its appearance,

it doesn't look empty.

It's not empty.

Someone lives here.

They specifically take in travelers

who need a place to rest.

Let's go!

Let's go.

Ling Ji,

go knock on the door.

Yes.

Is anyone inside?

We need shelter from the rain!

Move aside!

What's the point of yelling?

With such heavy rain,

can anyone hear you?

Just go straight in.

Is anyone here?

Open the door!

Open the door!

Who's it?

Come out!

You old crone,

you gave us a fright!

If you hadn't come,

how could I have scared you?

You…

Huo You.

Put down your swords.

What do you want?

Madam,

we are travelers in the mountains,

just passing through here.

Caught in the storm,

we'd like a place to stay.

Is that possible?

That depends on whether the temple master agrees.

Go inside.

Wake up.

We've got visitors.

How did so many people

show up at once?

Sir,

tell me,

what kind of temple is this?

What deity do you worship?

What deity do I worship?

Can't you tell?

Then I'm afraid

I cannot take you in.

Get out, all of you!

You old fool,

do you know who you are talking to?

I don't care who you are!

Listen.

Every table and chair in this temple,

every meal and cup of tea,

is a gift from the deity.

If you don't recognize the deity,

how can I possibly let you stay?

This is…

Huo You.

Where is Su Wuming?

Here. Here I am.

I feel like I've heard

those words before.

Enough chatter.

Look.

A dragon's head, deer antlers,

and a pair of wings.

What kind of deity is this?

Hold it higher.

Bai Ze!

Su Wuming,

don't speak nonsense.

How is that nonsense?

When I first saw this temple,

I immediately thought of the records

in "Wonders of Mount Zhongnan" from the Jin period.

During the reign of Emperor Ling of the Later Han,

the Yellow Turban Rebellion

threw the country into chaos.

The people donated gold and silver

to build temples in Mount Zhongnan

for the Four Auspicious Beasts,

praying for a wise ruler

to end the turmoil.

Later, in the Sui dynasty’s revised

"New Wonders of Mount Zhongnan,"

Emperor Yang

sent men deep into Mount Zhongnan

to search for the temples of the Four Auspicious Beasts.

They found that three of them had already fallen into ruin.

Only

the Bai Ze Temple was still standing strong.

So he ordered it to be repaired.

A small temple deep in the mountains

is nothing unusual.

But for a temple of this magnitude,

it must have been built with imperial funds.

Sir,

am I right?

You are right.

This place is indeed the Bai Ze Temple.

This is the statue of Bai Ze.

It was first built during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Later Han.

Emperor Yang of Sui

later had it gilded anew.

This is truly marvelous!

Although we have not yet seen Bai Ze,

we've entered the Bai Ze Temple first.

I'd say success

is within arm's reach.

I'll pay my respects to the statue.

Wei Qi is absolutely right.

We shall all pay our respects.

I'll pay respects too.

Please.

Please help us find Bai…

Make room.

I'll pay my respects too.

I'll pray for safety.

Sir, how should we address you?

Because I cultivate here,

the hunters and woodcutters

all call me Hermit Baize.

This is my wife, Zi.

Since this is the Bai Ze Temple,

have the two of you

ever seen Bai Ze?

Bai Ze

is a divine beast.

[Hermit Baize] [Zi]

How could ordinary people see it?

So you're saying

there's no Bai Ze in Mount Zhongnan?

Since you've entered the Bai Ze Temple,

you're no longer ordinary people.

If you want to see Bai Ze,

you only need to stay

in my temple for a few days.

When the weather clears

and golden light shines through the clouds,

Bai Ze will appear on its own.

Really?

Of course.

This is its temple.

It often comes

to walk in this hall.

Otherwise,

why would I have

built the temple gate so tall?

It's to make sure the auspicious beast, Bai Ze, can enter.

General,

did you hear all that?

Whether it's true or not,

tonight,

we need to stay here.

No problem.

The east and west wing rooms are clean.

There are two more rooms upstairs.

My wife and I occupy one,

and the other is empty.

Do you have any food?

We're soaked and starving.

Yes.

We have fine wine too!

Let me tell you,

you should all thank him.

Otherwise, I would never

bring out the wine

to entertain you bunch of strangers.

Zi,

put down the doll

and go cook.

Alright.

Everyone, please wait a moment.

Meanwhile, you can enjoy some folk tales from the temple master.

You know folk tales?

More than that.

Whenever he has free time,

he tells fascinating stories.

Every traveler who rests here

praises him for it.

Wonderful!

To be honest,

since I was a kid,

I've loved listening to folk tales.

Sir,

what story will you tell us tonight?