Original subtitles

[Moonlit Reunion]

[Adapted from Fuhua's novel, Mrs. Mei's Way of Love]

[Episode 22]

[Changming, Changxi Palace's Leader]

Mr. Changming.

Zhuyu,

Shuangjiang has shared with us

everything you encountered at the Xuanjian Division.

On your journey to Chang'an,

you not only solved the mystery for the Division,

captured the demons,

but also located the Demon Market.

You have lived up to our expectations.

Well done.

So the Demon Market does exist in Chang'an?

Yes.

But I only entered briefly,

and I haven't found

a way to get back in since.

It's already remarkable

for you to achieve this alone.

At the very least, we now have proof

that everything we heard was true.

Word is, Chang'an is abuzz with rumors,

bat demons, the ink tiger, and the like.

The Demon Market

has truly committed countless evils.

Looks like our descent from the mountain

can no longer be delayed.

Mr. Changming, you're absolutely right.

We must descend the mountain and eliminate this evil at once.

I've already prepared several demon-exorcising formations.

Exactly.

We simply cannot allow them to continue their wicked deeds.

Then let's head down and purge the demons immediately.

Agreed.

Everyone.

The ink tiger

has nothing to do with the Demon Market.

This was someone's doing.

What?

Zhuyu, what are you saying?

How could a human summon demons?

Someone was behind all this.

Zhuyu, what do you mean by that?

Someone has been practicing dark arts,

using an ink demon to draw countless lesser spirits

for personal gain.

I happened to witness it myself.

Senior brothers, whether you descend the mountain or not,

is a crucial decision.

It's not my place to interfere.

But the ink tiger

was indeed not the work of the Demon Market.

Dark arts?

Since there's no demon unrest in Chang'an,

should we

still descend the mountain?

Seems there's no need to rush.

I'll take the chance to prepare more formations,

just in case.

Mr. Changming, what do you think?

Yes.

Eradicating the Demon Market won't happen overnight.

We'll need to plan carefully.

OK.

Let's set this matter aside for now.

Since Zhuyu has returned to the palace,

I have another matter to discuss with you all.

Zhuyu is Master's most favored disciple,

gifted and deeply skilled in the arts.

And now,

he understands the Demon Market better than any of us.

I intend to appoint Zhuyu

as Chief Steward

to help me oversee Changxi Palace.

Him?

He's not worthy.

Mind your tongue.

Mr. Changming.

I'm still inexperienced.

Please reconsider your decision

and appoint someone else.

Zhuyu, I understand

your concerns.

I've already…

Mr. Changming,

I've come back for two reasons.

First, to explain the ink tiger incident,

and second...

to accept my punishment.

What?

Why?

I've received Master's guidance for many years.

If Changxi Palace ever needs me,

I will never turn away.

Nor will I forget the mission I've carried all this time.

However...

during my days in Chang'an,

I gave my heart

to someone.

Please grant me permission

to leave the mountain and marry her,

to spend a lifetime together.

Master,

if you were still here

and knew what I've done today,

would you be disappointed in me?

Young man,

[Siqing, Changxi Palace's Leader] is this what you want?

Why?

To eat it.

Wait, did you just say you want to eat it?

I haven't had meat in ages.

Since you caught it first,

it's yours.

Young man,

for someone at your age,

you carry yourself with the poise of a true gentleman.

Since you've met me, and it too,

I'd say the three of us were brought together by fate.

Allow me to enlighten you.

Radiance rises, and evil retreats.

See?

That's no ordinary pheasant.

It's a wicked pheasant demon.

Quite bold you are.

Looks like you've got potential.

Hungry?

Why didn't you eat your fill?

My parents are dead.

I live alone in the village.

Another child without parents.

There's no one else around?

There are.

But...

No one really sees you.

Since that's the case,

why not come with me?

Think it over.

Be my disciple,

and this is yours.

Your disciple?

What do you even do?

You're a cautious one.

I'm Siqing, a Celestial Master of Changxi Palace.

And what does that place do?

It's a fine place.

We drive out evil and bring peace.

We do good work.

Master.

I am but unworthy.

Though I wish to banish evil

and protect the innocent,

I've broken our rules,

unable to let go of worldly ties.

Master.

What are you sneaking a bite of?

Zhuyu, I figured you were training at Shuiqin

and you'd be back right about now.

Just dug up this beggar's chicken.

Perfectly cooked.

Come.

Come on.

Zhuyu.

Have a bite.

What's wrong?

I was reading the other day.

The book said

cultivators must restrain their appetites.

How odd.

You used to be so endearing.

Now you're getting dull.

I know you're free from worldly desires

and gifted in cultivation,

but you're too obsessed with books.

Alright then.

Let me

give you a little lesson.

Let me ask you,

what does it mean to follow the Tao?

Books speak of

heaven's way, earth's way, and the human way.

They call it the natural path.

No striving, no grasping, just stillness.

Only a heart free of burdens can follow the Tao.

Tell me, why do you seek it?

You don't even know your reason.

Then all your so-called cultivation

is just empty ritual.

Everyone walks their own path.

Take me, for example,

I'm obsessed with roast chicken.

But does that stop me from running Changxi Palace

or slaying demons? Not at all.

Then...

Master, how should I pursue the Tao?

That's something you must discover for yourself.

No need to rush.

To walk the Tao, you must first calm the heart.

The Tao follows nature and flows where the heart leads.

As for your path,

once you finish this chicken...

you can take the rest of your life to find it.

Go on, eat.

Smells good, doesn't it?

Thank you, Master.

Help yourself.

I've still got plenty.

Zhuyu.

You've lived on the mountain since childhood,

never once leaving Changxi Palace.

It's only natural to be dazzled

by Chang'an's splendor.

But if you're willing to reflect

and let go of distractions,

then I'll pretend I heard nothing at all.

A single thought of emotion

arises from the heart.

How can it be changed?

Since I've already fallen for someone,

today,

if I falsely admit fault against my will,

when faced with life and death in the future,

Senior Changming, how could you believe

that I wouldn't choose gain over loss,

or abandon righteousness for survival?

You've knelt here for days, yet still show no remorse.

If that's the case,

even as the Leader,

I can no longer shield you.

According to the rules,

any disciple wishing to leave the palace

must enter the White Night Formation

and endure the piercing ritual of the Divine Birds of White Night.

From that moment on, you will have no ties to Changxi Palace.

Thank you, Mr. Changming.

Such a traitor.

His cultivation should be abolished.

Mr. Changming, why are you still covering for him?

He was Master's most cherished disciple.

I had hoped to guide him as well.

But who would've thought he'd stray so far?

Since I am the Leader,

I must act with impartiality.

You've already given him a chance.

Now he's bewitched by some woman.

So disgraceful.

Showing partiality

compromises order.

Can Zhuyu truly…?

Changxi Palace has always been fair.

Zhuyu admitted he's fallen for someone,

and now insists on leaving.

Who could show favoritism now?

But Senior Changming...

Yes.

If anyone else had such thoughts,

they'd be thrown into the White Night Formation at once.

Yet Senior Changming gave him a few extra days,

hoping he'd reflect.

But rules are still rules.

Is Zhuyu really going to…?

Don't worry. The Formation won't take his life.

He won't escape the pain.

They say the White Night piercing is pure agony.

Like blades and ants gnawing at the soul.

A disciple tried to leave ages ago.

After the formation was cast,

his injuries never recovered.

In the end, he took his own life.

That is...

Tomorrow, once he enters the formation,

the Divine Birds will come.

They're highly sentient.

Anything else you want to ask?

No.

You've said it all.

Then...

Let's head back.

Alright.

Cat Lord's getting married!

Did you hear?

She's tying the knot!

Really?

Who's the man?

Rumor has it she's marrying a mortal.

A mortal? Seriously?

Even Cat Lord's settling down.

The Cat Lord is marrying someone,

so when will you marry me?

Rumor has it, you got betrothed in the human realm.

Is that true?

It's strange.

You spend all day in the Demon Market,

how do you know so much about the human realm?

No secret stays hidden forever.

We've heard the news. Just tell us.

Is it real or not?

What does it matter

if it's true or false?

What does my marriage

have to do with you?

You, the Cat Lord, getting married,

of course, concerns the Demon Market.

Since ancient times,

when has a Cat Lord ever wed a mortal?

Exactly.

It's ridiculous that you're getting married.

Totally unacceptable.

Then tell me.

What's so wrong with it?

Where in demon law does it say

Cat Lords can't marry?

It's just never happened since the Market was founded.

So if no one's done it before,

does that mean I can't?

My Lady,

ever since you took over as Cat Lord,

your actions have always been at odds with others.

You are always trying to blaze new trails,

but that doesn't always lead to a good outcome.

Elder Jin, you sound

as if you've held a grudge against her for some time.

Well,

that was a slip of the tongue.

Since everyone has no objections,

then...

My Lady.

I must object.

Do you truly not care?

Mr. Shu.

I stand by my decision.

If I'm wrong, I'll bear the consequences.

My fate is mine alone, not for others to decide.

Mr. Shu,

perhaps it's time you reconsider your stance.

After your marriage, about the Demon Market...

Rest assured, everyone.

Matters of the Demon Market

must never be shared with mortals. That's the rule.

And it still stands.

I want to truly experience

what mortals go through,

even if only once.

[Duke of Wu's Mansion]

Zhen.

Zhen, is that you?

Zhen.

I heard you.

Then who else could it be so early in the morning?

So you do know it's early.

And instead of sleeping in,

you're here reading?

And not even a decent book,

just some nonsense.

I believe

that in life,

one ought to read more.

Why the sigh?

What exactly is Mei Zhuyu up to?

He said he was returning to Qu,

but why hasn't he come back yet?

What if he's been deceiving you?

Spouting empty promises

with no intention of coming back

and just vanishing into thin air.

Empty promises?

Your usual tactic.

Me?

Have you forgotten

how you used to deal with

those suitors who came seeking your hand?

Zhen,

it's not that I doubt you.

It's just...

Even the masters say,

too much wrongdoing

invites retribution.

Father, can't you wish me well for once?

He will return.

He said within ten days.

It's already been twelve.

Indeed.

Twelve days have passed.

[Portrait of the Exalted Siqing at Changxi Palace]

Senior Zhuyu.

Senior Zhuyu.

It's my fault. I've been confined

and was only just released.

And the moment I got out,

I heard about you.

I was worried sick.

They say you've been kneeling for days without eating.

So I stole a few mantou.

Have some.

No need.

Senior Zhuyu,

are you truly leaving?

Since I've broken the vow,

I must make a choice.

Besides,

she's still waiting for me.

What's so special about that woman?

Is she really worth all this sacrifice?

She's worth it.

She truly is.

I don't understand.

I didn't either, once.

I used to believe

my purpose in this life was simply to uncover the past,

to hunt demons and banish evil.

For eighteen years,

that belief

weighed on my heart every moment.

Beyond that obsession,

I saw no joy

in this world,

nor anything to look forward to.

I thought my life

would always be that way...

until I met her.

Do you know

the moment I first saw her?

That day...

when I returned to Chang'an,

she was riding, swift and fearless.

And I haven't been able to forget her since.

Later,

our paths became entangled.

When I was alone,

I often wondered

if

this was fate.

Senior Zhuyu,

all these years, I've always felt

we seemed close, yet never truly connected.

You appeared detached.

I...

never imagined you carried such a heavy burden.

How can one claim detachment without knowing the world?

I saw her

and suddenly felt

this world was truly beautiful.

Beyond dwelling on the past,

I finally

began to long for

the days ahead.

So I believe

she's worth it.

I cannot let the one I love

face the dangers of Chang'an alone.

I must return to protect her.

I won't let what happened eighteen years ago

happen again.

The rules are clear.

Any disciple wishing to leave here

must enter the White Night Formation.

Only after enduring the birds' piercing through the body

may they depart.

Zhuyu,

to enter the White Night Formation,

you must carry no weapons.

What kind of formation is this?

Zhuyu,

are you sure you can endure it?

It's only physical pain.

Nothing I can't handle.

Senior Changming, there are too many of them.

These birds

are supposed to pierce through the body? That's insane.

Once the Formation begins,

it cannot be reversed.

Senior Zhuyu!

Finally, it's over.

Senior Zhuyu!

Senior Zhuyu!

Senior Zhuyu!

What's happening?

I've never heard of the Formation delivering a second punishment.

Was something done wrong?

Mind your words. They are Divine Birds.

They do not make mistakes.

Such a strange occurrence

must be a sign of Heaven's wrath.

Why did he faint?

Senior Zhuyu, wake up!

They mustn't come a third time.

He won't survive it.

Yes, once or twice is bearable,

but a third time? That's unheard of.

I'll give you ten days.

Righteous intent breaks all barriers.

The Changxi Mace?

Ms. Wu,

what brings you to patrol with me today?

Shu has been on leave.

You're managing Ruyi Pavilion

and helping him with the bookstore.

It's a lot on your plate.

It's my place to care for you.

It's too noisy at home.

I couldn't stay.

Is Mr. Wu still troubled by Mr. Mei's absence?

Why hasn't he come back yet?

Could something have happened to him?

With Mr. Mei's skills,

it's unlikely he'd run into trouble.

But if he doesn't want to return yet…

Ms. Wu, how can you stay so calm?

What else can I do?

Throw a tantrum and cry?

Looks like our Cat Lord

really does care.

Come on, place your bets!

[Chen Er Gambling House] Final call, no more bets!

It's been days,

and Mr. Mei still hasn't returned.

Honestly,

it's plain as day.

He's clearly run away from the wedding.

We've all been there.

We know how this goes.

Exactly, right?

Bet on the runaway groom!

Bet!

That gambling house has opened a new round

betting on whether Mr. Mei will return for the wedding.

Let's go place a bet too.

No man, but we can make a profit.

Not a bad deal, if you think about it.

Ms. Wu.

Bet on runaway groom!

A young lady just joined in.

What?

[He Flees]

[He Returns]

Miss, don't hesitate.

Mr. Mei hasn't come back in over ten days.

Clearly, he doesn't want to marry.

Precisely.

Bet on that.

Go for it.

It's a sure win.

Why?

You still think he'll return?

I hope he comes back soon.

Really soon.

He won't.

She's going to lose the bet.

She doesn't stand a chance.

Come on.

I'm betting on that.

Shi!

Shi!

Shi!

Shi, wake up.

This is just…

Truly terrifying.

I'd only heard of them.

This is my first time seeing these Divine Birds.

Shi.

Careful.

He's still alive.

How is that even possible?

From this moment on,

you are no longer of Changxi Palace.

Thank you for your care over the years.

May you have a life of peace,

free of all sorrow.

Zhuyu,

after such punishment,

why not rest here for a couple of days before leaving?

That won't do.

He's no longer a disciple.

He cannot stay to recover.

No need.

There's someone waiting for me in Chang'an.

I must hurry back.

No need to rest.

Fine.

Before you leave...

there's one more thing.

The Changxi Mace must stay.

Yes.

It was Master's gift to you.

But what he left behind

was meant for a disciple of the Palace,

not for you,

who abandoned his sect for worldly desires.

Indeed, the Mace belongs to the Palace.

It must remain here.

Is my chicken ready?

Master, I haven't finished my work for today.

Do you think I'd make you

do this for nothing?

Hurry.

What's in it for me?

I'll trade you a magical artifact for your chicken.

Master.

This is your personal belonging.

You should be the one to keep it. How could I accept it?

I'm getting old.

It's time I decided what comes after.

Master.

Just teasing you.

Since that battle three months ago,

my internal injuries haven't healed.

I suppose it's just my age catching up.

The Changxi Mace is my trust in you.

From now on, you'll bear the duty of slaying demons.

Master, even if you wish to entrust the Changxi Mace,

I am not the one worthy of it.

Senior Changming is the rightful successor of the Leader.

That has nothing to do with the Changxi Mace.

It's merely a magical artifact

used to slay demons and banish evil.

Besides, Changming is diligent in cultivation

and upright in character.

He wouldn't mind.

The duty of a Celestial Master

should never be bound by a single weapon.

I'd rather you take it to witness the vastness of the world

and experience the bonds and trials of the human realm.

♪Mortals walk divergent paths as different kinds♪

Here, take it.

Go on, give it a try.

♪Yet I crave for an overly meddlesome redemption♪

♪Offering the mundane world an excuse♪

♪To imprison yet also to enlighten♪

It hasn't accepted a new master yet.

You must be sincere.

Connect with it wholeheartedly.

♪I gaze heavenward, treading the starry river♪

♪Rushing to the night scene of Chang'an in haste♪

♪With flesh and blood, I'll slay all evil spirits♪

♪Just as it should be, tempered in the flames of karma♪

♪Only then is it deemed worthy of me♪

♪Will it be pure, or stained?♪

Not bad.

♪You and I, amidst the melody♪

♪Become midnight wanderers♪

♪Our figures merging into a blaze with those around♪

Impressive.

From now on, it's yours to keep.

♪At this restless moment♪

♪Wandering through three thousand glowing lights♪

♪Watch me quell these upheavals♪

I understand.

The Changxi Mace holds Master's will.

You can't bear to part with it.

But it still belongs to Changxi Palace.

♪Watch me quell these upheavals♪

You must consider the greater good.

♪Blossoms drift, and the world grows pale♪

♪Memory brews a bitter tale♪

♪Vows of forever fade in the breeze♪

♪Without you, all fades into nothing♪

♪Past joys and sorrows tangle in dreams♪

♪The deepest pain is parting's gleam♪

♪A lifetime vowed to share with you♪

♪Yet still beyond my reach, it flew♪

♪Petals drift, then fade from sight♪

♪How is falling for love not right?♪

♪Moonlight chills the breath I keep♪

♪I hold you close, but silence runs deep♪

♪Petals drift, then fade from sight♪

♪How is falling for love not right?♪

♪Your glance flickers, memories bloom♪

♪How can I find you through the gloom?♪

♪What hope survives beyond the doom?♪