Original subtitles

[Episode 28]

When your Lord is ready, he will show up.

I don't care if he killed Jin Zhen Ping,

or if he can keep his lousy official post.

I just want him to stay alive.

Count me in.

What? You're interested in that rare poison, Old Souls at First Glance?

Just like you,

I want Zhan Zhao to live.

The Tang Sect has aided the wicked in recent years,

causing deaths and injuries.

Now it has fallen into such a state.

My father said long ago...

With my weak and timid nature,

I am not fit to be the master.

No.

You are not weak, Tang.

You just want to keep

your youthful innocence.

I understand.

I can't keep running away.

But I really don't know...

how I should face

the moribund Tang Sect.

It is a collapse.

But also a rebirth.

Let yesterday

be a thing of the past.

The Tang Sect led by you

hasn't taken its first step.

Zhan,

have you forgotten?

The first step I took...

was helping Shao Ji Zu destroy the ledger.

But that first step...

was still following your uncle's old path.

Only when the old case is settled

can the Tang Sect cut ties with the past.

I promised you,

I would plead for the Tang Sect.

You have my word.

Except for the person who concocted the Seven-Day Drunken Dream,

who must provide an explanation to the innocent people who died,

the rest of the Tang Sect disciples...

won't be implicated.

The old case is closed.

Si Ming is finished.

From now on, the Tang Sect will no longer be coerced.

What kind of path you take now...

it's up to you.

Without him,

I'm afraid

I wouldn't have dared to face the past,

nor would I have agreed to

put on an act for Jin Zhen Ping.

In my heart,

I have long considered him a friend.

San Lang is already dead.

How dare you ask for the antidote?

You think that with Jin Zhen Ping dead, everything is over?

Weren't you going to report this?

- Why haven't you gone yet? - You...

I'm going to report it right now!

You're the one who killed San Lang.

You made Zhan Zhao do it!

The two of you are accomplices!

I killed him?

If you hadn't played so many tricks

and just handed him over to the law,

at least he would still be alive.

You were too clever for your own good. You are the ones who killed him!

Enough, stop the act.

I've long seen through the true faces of all of your family.

The reason you haven't reported it yet

is that you're glad he's dead, right?

One less problem. No need to go to court

and tarnish the reputation.

What a pity,

I'm still here.

Hand over the antidote and I'll leave.

Otherwise, I'll take all of your scandals and spread them everywhere!

Don't try to fool me.

Bai Yu Tang.

Bai Yu Tang!

When my Lord returns and sees such a scene,

won't he be angry?

One can only be angry...

if they are still alive.

Father.

[Linglong Manor]

Father.

Brother.

My Lady.

Clean clothes are all ready.

When Madam heard you were back,

she told us to prepare everything you like to eat and use.

I got it. I'll go over after I freshen up.

Father.

Why must you do this?

You lied to me before.

You brought me back just to marry me off.

I'm sorry.

But for the sake of the Huo family,

I...

have no choice.

Brother! Brother!

Let me out!

Brother!

Brother!

Let me out!

Open the door.

Ling Long, eat something.

[The Capital]

Zhan Zhao, Fourth-Rank Imperial Guard,

requests an audience with Your Majesty.

I understand.

What is recorded in that ledger...

are the misdeeds of Xiangzhou officials,

but they must be widely connected to high-ranking court officials.

[Cultivate Light, Uphold Reverence] You didn't want to involve Prince Hui.

So,

you rushed back to the capital to report.

But Prince Hui is royalty.

These people...

He can offend it.

As for you,

I might not be able to protect you.

Furthermore,

I might not even choose to protect you.

You clearly understand this.

That's why...

You didn't want to involve Prince Hui,

nor did you want to involve Kaifeng Prefecture.

Instead, you risked your life to see me.

Zhan Zhao,

you are forcing me

to expose the court's own scandals.

I forgive you for acting solely,

but the case of Lord of Xiangyang's rebellion

has not been investigated.

By acting like this,

aren't you alerting the enemy?

Uncle Bai, let's play Herb Duel again.

I'm not. I can't beat you anyway.

Are you sick?

Don't be afraid. When my dad returns, he will definitely cure you.

I'll give all my herbs for your treatment.

Young Master,

come out quickly.

Ignore that person.

He's a vengeful ghost seeking debts.

He'll eat you.

Look.

Can this needle technique be used to detoxify?

This is...

The Jin secret technique.

Heavenly Root Moon Cave!

People say this technique

can bring the dead back to life.

However, the principles of it are extremely complex.

I heard that in the Jin family,

only the Fourth Lady had some understanding of it.

With just the two of us,

even in a lifetime,

it would be difficult to study and master it.

We have to try.

Father, Ling Long still refuses to eat.

She is determined not to marry Shao Ji Zu.

Sacrificing Ling Long for the Huo family...

I cannot bear to do it.

Ling Long is my daughter.

Do you think I'm not heartbroken?

Father.

I am willing to bear all the Huo family's future fortunes alone.

Let Ling Long stay away from clan disputes,

and live a free and easy life.

All fortunes?

Can you inherit the Linglong Eye for her?

Master.

The young lady said she has agreed to the marriage.

She is eating right now.

Ling Long. Have you really thought it through?

I haven't and I never will.

Then why...

Regarding the Baihua Sect, were you lying to me too?

So it was all for Zhan Zhao.

You just want me to get married, right?

As long as it saves Zhan Zhao,

I'll marry him.

After I finish eating, I'll go see Great-Aunt.

Feng Er.

Go with her.

[Great-Aunt Huo, Linglong Manor]

Great-Aunt!

Ling Long!

Are you doing well?

I'm fine, I'm fine.

When Feng Er went to find you, he told me you've gained many skills.

When I heard that, I was happy for you from my heart.

On this journey, I have indeed seen a lot.

- And I even made two good friends. - Is that so?

I came back this time

to ask you a favor.

Father.

Shao Ji Zu sent word.

He said that in a few days,

he will come to take her away.

The wedding date hasn't arrived yet.

How can he take her to his manor?

Acting in such a manner,

where does that leave Ling Long's reputation?

Truly absurd!

This is indeed inappropriate.

Keep a close eye on her.

We will discuss this further later.

Yes, sir.

Regarding the antidote, I can help you send a messenger pigeon to ask the Baihua Sect.

However,

I must give you a piece of advice.

If you cannot escape this engagement,

and the fate of the Huo family daughters,

then do not fall for Zhan Zhao.

The fate of the Huo family daughters?

Was it the same for you and my auntie?

I thought that since you and Shao Ji Zu met at 16,

you were childhood sweethearts.

That would be better than your auntie and me, who were forced to marry total strangers.

But now it seems...

he is not a good match either.

Could it be that back then...

Auntie also left home to escape her marriage?

She also wanted...

to escape her fate.

In the end,

I suppose she did escape it.

But the price...

was her own life.

The Huo family sacrifices its daughters.

Is this marriage alliance...

to win over the noble and the powerful?

Xuanqing Palace and Qingshan Sect...

are just two insignificant sects.

The Huo family has no need to rely on them.

But it is precisely such petty sects

that have left the Huo family with no other choice.

Regarding the marriage,

it wasn't the Huo family choosing them.

It was they...

who chose the Huo family.

They are all after the Linglong Eye.

The fate of the Huo family's women is all tied to this Linglong Eye.

I've heard since I was a child that our family possesses such a treasure.

But I have never seen it.

What exactly is this Linglong Eye?

Child,

if you have made up your mind to escape your fate,

then the secret of the Linglong Eye has nothing to do with you.

While you were away,

though I worried about your safety,

more than anything, I was glad you finally escaped.

Since you already got away,

you shouldn't have come back.

Leave us.

The more stubborn you are,

the less likely Father will let you leave.

You must humor him first,

then find another way to escape.

I knew you would try some tricks to escape.

But I didn't expect your brother and your Great-Aunt would both help you.

What did she say to you?

She didn't say anything.

Father,

I really won't marry Shao Ji Zu.

I have no wish to fight you,

so I can only apologize to you later.

Father!

With so many of you here,

is there really no way at all?

If there were a way to cure the poison,

how would I dare hide it from you?

Even Master Tang here is helpless as well.

Bring me the Day-Long Cocoon.

You want to use it for Lament Pill?

Let me tell you,

Lament Pill cannot cure Zhan Zhao.

And you've been out of practice for years.

- How could you-- - That's my business.

My herbs. I can use them however I want!

Old Chief! Sir!

The Chief is still alive.

Where did Zhan Zhao go?

I don't know.

He made my life a living hell.

Might as well have killed me.

You want to die that badly?

Why don't I grant your wish now?

You wouldn't dare.

You've scoured all the medical books,

but you haven't found a way to save him, have you?

Hand over the antidote!

Is this how you beg for a favor?

If I'd known you'd give up your blood feud for him,

why would I have bothered to flee?

Little Seventeen.

I have an idea.

Kneel down and beg me now.

Maybe...

I'll consider helping you save him.

Even now,

when you're in such a state,

all you think about is revenge

and humiliating me.

I'm not a good person.

But you are.

Kneel down and beg me.

I'll help you save him.

A man's dignity is worth its weight in gold.

How can you kneel to such a scoundrel?

He's lying to you.

He has no way to cure me.

If even Lament Pill can't cure it,

how could he...

produce an antidote?

Bro. What does this notice say?

Jin Xue Wen's murder case is being retried.

The real killer is someone else.

Jin Xue Wen?

Isn't that a case from 15 years ago?

- It's been so long. - Yes, 15 years.

I can't believe they're retrying a case from so long ago.

Moreover, the accused is the chief of the Jin family, Jin Zhen Ping.

Aren't they great people, all known for saving lives?

What great people?

It says here that even the plague back then will be thoroughly investigated.

I'm afraid it's inseparable from the Jin family.

You're all missing the point.

The notice says that the Jin Xue Wen case has uncovered many wrongful cases.

The court is sending an imperial envoy to Xiangyang for a full investigation.

This is what's truly rare.

Look! It's Jin Zhen Ping!

He deserves it!

My San Lang is young and smart. A rare talent seen once in a century.

My San Lang is young and smart. A rare talent seen once in a century.

Have you seen my San Lang?

Mr. Xu.

Have you seen my San Lang?

- Mr. Xu. - A rare talent seen once in a century.

- Mr. Xu. - My San Lang is young and smart.

A rare talent seen once in a century.

- Mr. Xu! - My San Lang is young and smart.

Mr. Xu!

This is for you.

Do you think I'm a child?

Why give me this?

Haven't you always wanted an eagle kite?

It's far worse than my brother's.

It's a gift, don't be so picky.

Fly it into the sky.

All your worries and misfortune

will vanish into thin air.

I'm not a child anymore. Who'd believe in such things?

If I fly it into the sky,

will it cure your poison?

What? Sweet water?

You're injured, so don't drink alcohol.

For you.

When you risked everything to return to the capital to see the Emperor,

you didn't really believe there would be justice, did you?

Then why don't you keep believing in your sword?

I did believe.

But are we necessarily right?

Not everyone is like us,

possessing martial arts skills.

What can most people believe in?

What can they hope for?

I still want to try to believe...

that what they believe in,

and hope for actually exists in this world.

Try to believe?

Yes.

Try to believe.

And I don't dare not to.

If justice truly vanished from this world,

wouldn't it be tragic?

Though sometimes trying to believe

feels like a massive gamble.

[Cultivate Light, Uphold Reverence] Guard Zhan.

Rise and speak.

Your Majesty.

If I only focus on the Prince of Xiangyang's case

while ignoring the suffering of the people,

even sacrifice justice for the people of Xiangzhou

to pave the way for my investigation,

then how am I different...

from the officials listed in the ledger?

Your Majesty,

the people of Xiangzhou have suffered long enough.

We cannot let them keep suffering.

Rise.

Take the pieces.

If the pieces in your hand...

are more than mine,

I shall grant your request.

Fortunately,

this time,

I was right again.

You make it sound so easy.

In my view, your trip to the capital was quite harrowing.

There is one thing I don't get.

When you took Jin Zhen Ping to the Yaksha Temple,

you clearly intended to kill him.

Why did you change your mind?

I'm not reconciled to this.

I couldn't let Jin Zhen Ping die like that.

What is retrieved by the sword...

is justice for the living,

not for the deceased.

The innocence of the deceased

must be like a kite flown high in the sky,

visible to everyone.

The outcome now,

did it bring you more peace of mind...

than simply killing Jin Zhen Ping?

I think I understand now.

You aren't loyal to the court,

- you're using it. - My Lord!

My Lord!

- My Lord. You're finally back. - Hey, genius.

On this trip to the capital,

I brought you pastries from Kaifeng.

You can eat them back at the inn.

Why didn't you take me back?

I really miss Zhang Long and Zhao Hu.

You miss them?

Well, they miss you too.

Once our mission is complete,

we can return to the capital.

When I return, I will order the Imperial Academy of Medicine to find you a cure.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Don't mention it.

As for Si Ming,

the men I sent out earlier have reported.

They found traces of him in Wanshan County.

I checked his records.

He did indeed serve as a clerk there.

Your Highness!

Your Highness. Please don't take Zhao Zhi Er back.

Without him here,

we won't be able to investigate.

Why can't you investigate without him?

Because my Lord was poisoned,

I'm already feeling quite depressed.

If he leaves too,

I'm afraid life will lose all its joy.

I'm afraid I won't be able to care for my Lord,

which will affect the investigation.

All right.

Since you're so essential,

you may stay for a while longer.

Remember,

don't cause Lord Zhan any trouble.

Yes, Your Highness. Don't worry.

[Jiao Mansion] Ling Long.

Aunt.

I asked you here today

because Si Yuan has something for you.

This belonged to your auntie.

When she came to town,

I saw her carrying it with her.

After she passed away, this item went missing.

A few days ago,

Si Yuan had it retrieved from Shengyun Stronghold.

Only then did I realize

it had been taken by Jiao Chao Gui.

This crack on the top...

He must have tried to hack it open with a sword

when he couldn't open it.

Si Yuan had a craftsman repair it,

but this was the best they could do.

The letters left in He Bo's manor must have been written by someone else.

Among these letters, there are three markings.

Aunt,

did Auntie ever tell you

where she had been before she came to Tanxi Town?

I think she said...

she had been to Wanshan County.

The Huo family has no relatives in Wanshan County.

But Great-Aunt said Qingshan Sect's Lin family once sought a marriage alliance with us.

Auntie's visit to Wanshan County might have been to break it off.

Could it be that she brought it from the Lin family?

It's all possible.

My Lord, the case is solved! I've figured it out.

We were puzzled before about

how Auntie Huo learned the plague.

Now we know the Lin family might be in league with the Lord of Xiangyang.

And since she visited them,

could she have learned about it from the Lin family?

To Wanshan County.

Are we really going to Wanshan County?

Just go. What are you howling about?

You don't understand. Wanshan County has a bad reputation.

A few years ago, Prince Hui and I visited there.

The streets were full of beggars.

His Highness kindly gave alms,

but was swarmed and chased by the mob.

We barely managed to escape.

I'm still a bit shaken now.

Let's go. We need to prepare.

Let's get some inconspicuous clothes for everyone, and some food.

Let's go.

Bai?

You're already in disguise?

Dressing simply would have sufficed.

No need to go this far.

What are you talking about?

Zhu Zi, from now on,

the task of watering it is yours.

If it dies, I'll hold you responsible.

Let's go. Hurry.

What is that?

Once it's grown,

I'll reveal the answer.

What are you laughing at?

The Jinmao Rat has transformed into a gardener.

Am I not allowed to laugh?

Your Highness.

The names from the ledger

are all here.

You have a remarkable memory.

I am merely dedicated to serving Your Highness.

Since I've brought you back to the manor,

I won't be too

harsh on you.

Rest assured and stay here.

There will be a time...

for you to use your talents.

I, Qiu Han,

thank Your Highness.

I will devote my whole life to you!

Your Highness.

I have heard that Zhan Zhao and his party are heading toward Wanshan County.

I have also made some arrangements,

hoping to assist Dong Jun.

Rise.

You may leave.

Yes.

Your Highness,

I shall take my leave.

Your Highness.

What Si Ming just said

seemed to be from the heart.

The officials on this list...

They only served us

because they were controlled by the ledger.

It was also he...

who personally destroyed the foundation he built.

My nephew there...

has already made a move against the people on the list.

I have already known about his plan

in Wanshan County.

There is nothing brilliant about it.

Fortunately, Dong Jun is there.

He'll keep it under control.

Indeed.

Please rest assured.

With Shan Gui and Dong Jun there,

our grand plan will be as stable as the mountain.

Stable?

Zhan Zhao has already ruined half of my domain!

Alright, alright.

Blackie.

Shouldn't we stop focusing only on the Central Plains?

Shouldn't we...

shift our focus toward the northwest?

Your Highness, do you mean...

The letter that Liu Hong Yi intercepted earlier,

it was a generous gift from them.

Then we should...

return the favor.

We should also...

prepare some gifts for them.

Perhaps one day,

they might actually be of help to us.

I understand.

I'll see to it right away.

[Wanshan County]

Zhao Zhi Er,

is this what you called a dangerous place?

Did we walk into the wrong place?

This place is surrounded by mountains and lacks arable land.

Aside from weeds and rocks,

it has nothing.

It seems it was indeed a backwater back then.

To have such a bustling market now...

it shows that the local officials

has governed this place well.

Who lost their purse?

Is this your purse?

- No. - No?

Who lost their purse?

Is this your purse?

Then I'll hang it here.

I've only read about this in books. No one picks up lost items on the road.

I've finally seen it with my own eyes today.

[Wanted Order] This is...

Mo Dao?

Interesting.

Xiuluo Cult belongs to Lord of Xiangyang.

By doing this, the magistrate is clearly defying Lord of Xiangyang.

Indeed. He actually dared to issue a warrant for Xiuluo Cult.

He is quite bold.

With only the manpower of a small county,

can he really match Xiuluo Cult?

One look and I know you aren't locals.

You don't know how capable our Magistrate Hu is.

Ever since he took office,

the local bandits and bullies,

no matter how vicious,

they have all been dealt with.

This is an old notice.

Xiuluo Cult fled long ago.

They don't dare come here to cause any trouble.

Sir,

do you know where the Lin family of the Qingshan Sect is?