Original subtitles

[Fate Chooses You]

[Episode 9]

Master, be careful.

Master, let me help you.

You call this place... Nine Absolutes Cave?

Master.

Master.

Don't you have the incredibly powerful,

always battle-ready,

divine weapon Nine Absolutes Sword?

I just borrowed the name

and called this place the Nine Absolutes Cave.

Isn't it majestic?

You're living a good life here.

Where is the Immortality Pill?

It's over there.

It's still brewing though.

It's cold

and chilly in this cave.

I rely on this furnace to warm my quilt

to help me fall asleep.

Come over and have a drink.

This is a sixty-year-old Luosang wine.

We buried it together back then.

I just took it out a few days ago.

Such good Luosang wine!

I must have a few sips.

Come.

Lu, come sit.

Master.

Here.

Uncle Chu Ying.

Such great wine!

Come, Master.

Master, Master.

Come, Uncle Chu Ying.

Xin Xiong, as a Great Completion Realm cultivator,

rarely meets his match.

Even when he left Tianyuan Sect

to build Xin Xie Manor,

he was able to single-handedly elevate

Xin Xie Manor to the ranks of the Twelve Immortal Sects.

It's a pity that

there is a decline in talent and there are no successors.

After guarding this coveted spot for many years,

only two disciples remain.

They don't even know etiquette.

When they see their elders,

they don't even know to greet them.

No manners at all.

I pay my respects to Senior Uncle from the Qingshan Sect.

I worry for Xin Xiong.

I wonder if this Xin Xie Manor

will still be able to hold out

after he's gone.

Xin Xie Manor is a quiet, sparsely populated place.

It's not as lively as the Qingshan Sect.

But my master is healthy

and has the Immortality Pill to sustain him.

He's not worried about what happens after he passes away,

so there's no need for you to worry too.

If you have free time in the future,

the Qingshan Sect is always welcome

to come and give advice.

I heard that the Qingshan Sect

is tucked away in a corner

and relies on renting

other sects' land.

It is also the only one among many sects

that doesn't test for immortal perception.

You can join as long as you pay.

Then why didn't you join them?

I have no money.

You...

Bai Zongying from Tianyuan Sect

pays respect to all seniors and fellow Taoists.

Asking for a scolding.

What's wrong?

You like him?

No, no.

Then who is he?

He's a senior from Tianyuan Sect.

I've seen him a few times,

but he doesn't know me.

You are just into him.

Dr. Zhu.

Taoist Bai.

Is your master not coming this time?

My master is in seclusion.

He ordered me to go ahead.

Once Divine Doctor Su

sets the time for opening the furnace,

our sect's Elder Cang Fengzi

will come in my master's stead.

Okay.

Everyone.

I believe my junior

has already told you the reason

for gathering everyone here.

I will not repeat it.

Now, please

report your respective

Gongshan Jade Tablets.

The Wang family of Jinqiu has 1 jade tablet.

But my father is old,

and I am also seriously ill.

So,

I would like to request 2 Immortality Pills.

If anyone is willing to sell their jade tablet,

the Wang family

will not only offer a handsome reward,

but if you have any requests in the future,

our entire family will also assist you.

The Lingxu Sect originally

only had 1 jade tablet.

But I had a close friend

whose time was running out

and he unfortunately passed away.

But before he died,

he gave me his Gongshan Jade Tablet.

Thus,

I now have 2.

I am a Captain with the Dongyou Army.

I have 1 Gongshan Jade Tablet

and want to exchange it for an Immortality Pill

for my Lady.

Xin Xie Manor also has one.

Continue.

Sun Moon Cavern

has 5 jade tablets.

Our dynasty has 6 tablets.

Wait.

I remember at first

the imperial family only had 3 tablets.

How did it become 6?

Master Fu is an immortal,

so you might not understand.

There are still many people in this world

who are loyal and love their country.

Qingshan Sect,

1 tablet.

Lingji Mountain,

10 tablets.

That's not right.

Lingji Mountain should have one less than

Sun Moon Cavern.

Why instead of having fewer,

there are actually 6 more?

It could have dropped from the sky, or we picked up on the road,

or we bought it with money.

It's none of your business.

If you're not convinced,

go buy them with your own money.

Zigai Mountain

has 3 tablets.

Senior.

There...

There are 30 tablets by now.

Are there really that many?

Tianyuan Sect...

20 tablets.

How many?

20 tablets?

Tianyuan Sect,

20 tablets.

You really have the nerve to claim that.

If that's what you're saying,

should I be thanking you

for leaving 10 for me?

Why don't you say

you have 30 tablets instead?

You might as well take them all.

Why did we even come?

Chongling Valley only said

Gongshan Jade Tablets can be exchanged for the Immortality Pills.

They never said we had to state their origin.

Tianyuan Sect

will definitely present these 20 tablets.

If Master Fu has any doubts,

you can come find me later.

Or I can find you,

if you prefer.

T-That won't be necessary.

I was just curious

and asked casually.

Record it.

Tianyuan Sect

has 20 Gongshan Jade Tablets.

Everyone,

that's all for today.

My master still needs time to refine the pills,

so we cannot yet determine

the exact time for the Pill-Tasting Conference.

But please rest assured,

it won't take too long.

Today, our valley

has prepared guest rooms for all of you.

You may leave,

or you can stay in the valley for a while.

That's what he said?

No way!

Y-You actually believed him?

I mean...

Let me tell you.

When he was a prince,

I knew

he was no good.

I know him too well.

What nonsense!

You were busy performing back then.

How did you have time to know him?

The palace is

only so big.

What secrets could it hide?

Besides,

at that time,

I was already an eighth-grade musician.

What a high-ranking official!

Don't be so sarcastic,

will you?

Can't you talk properly?

When I was 8 years old,

my parents sold me to the palace.

If it weren't for

my good voice,

I would have been castrated

and sold as a eunuch.

Later, I followed my master

to learn medicine

and built this Chongling Valley.

To be honest,

I've seen a lot

in my life, haven't I?

But I've never seen

anyone so

shameless.

Have you heard the term, "Master of the Four Realms"?

His honorific title?

He gave it to himself.

He brags about his magnificent

and graceful brushwork.

Guess what?

It's as ugly as it gets.

Let me tell you,

his handwriting is so bad

that I write even better with my foot.

Right.

A-And he also brags about his painting skills,

saying it can stir up storms

and subdue the spirits.

It's all gibberish!

Right.

Maybe it should be pasted on the door to guard the house,

or hang it by the bed to ward off evil.

It's disgusting to even look at it. The living and the dead would shun it.

You don't have to always compare yourself with him.

I'm not trying to compare.

I just don't understand.

Seriously,

what did you see in him back then?

Why did you insist on taking him as your disciple?

I mean,

back then, I had begged you for so long,

but you completely ignored me.

You said you'd only take him as your disciple.

In the end,

I only became an honorary disciple.

This...

It's been so many years.

Why mention him again?

I don't really care.

I just feel it’s a real shame for you.

All right.

You are doing well too, aren't you?

Chongling Valley has been thriving

for all these years.

Even the Twelve Immortal Sects

have to show you some respect too.

Don't mention them to me.

What I despise the most

are those bastards.

It took the human race only

a few thousand years to evolve from a primitive state

to building their own cities

and developing their own civilization.

In just a few thousand years,

we learned to make paper

and keep written records.

We invented the compass

to navigate the seas.

We know how to manage and think.

We created

a splendid civilization.

But do you know

when

this development stagnated?

It was when cultivation appeared.

The power of a cultivator is limitless,

capable of doing anything.

It was precisely their arrival

that completely destroyed

the progress of human civilization.

You might find it hard to imagine

that it took our species

only a few thousand years to reach

this level of development.

But now, tens of thousands of years have passed,

and the lives of the commoners

remain the same.

With their faces to the soil and their backs to the sky,

they practice slash-and-burn farming

and remains at the mercy of the weather.

Be it flood or drought,

as long as a disaster strikes,

the commoners

have no escape.

In today's world,

everyone is committed to personal cultivation.

Everyone feels that

entering an immortal sect to cultivate

is the best way out.

They constantly delve into alchemy,

breakthroughs, ascension, and immortality.

Under such a trend,

people only focus on

personal cultivation,

and no one cares about

the well-being of the ordinary people.

This way,

the path for the human race is growing ever narrower.

Then why are you making the Immortality Pill?

Narrower and narrower...

There are too many people in the valley,

and they refuse to leave.

We don't have enough guest rooms.

Will you stay here?

Yes.

Then you shall stay here.

Where are my two friends?

They are patients.

Patients all stay at Mingzhu House.

If you want to find them,

you can go over and ask.

Okay, got it.

Are you clear about the rules in the valley?

What rules?

The use of magic is prohibited in Chongling Valley

Got it.

I'm not done.

Who allowed you to leave?

Then keep talking.

Well,

the room you assigned me

won't do.

There are dense forests and many birds in this area.

I'm afraid the noise in the morning

will keep me awake.

Change it for me.

I can't.

What kind of attitude is that?

It can't be changed.

You little brat.

I bet you're doing this on purpose!

[Mingzhu House]

This place is so much better

than the room I am in.

We've arranged

with Dr. Zhu.

Tomorrow afternoon,

he will personally examine Miss Lyu.

At the Wei hour,

I'll come to pick you up.

Cunsu Hall is over there.

Meals are free.

If it's inconvenient for you,

you can have someone deliver the meals to you.

Do you two

have any other questions?

No.

Thank you.

I'll go back now.

Thank you for your trouble.

Take care.

You're welcome.

Take good care of the patient.

Miss Xin.

Where are you staying?

I live near Li Ying Garden.

I know.

I heard all the cultivators

are staying there.

Did you know each other before?

W-We just met.

His name is Huai Qing.

He's Dr. Zhu's disciple.

He's very nice.

He's nice to everyone.

Nice to everyone?

Yes.

Come on in,

have a seat.

Lu.

No.

You go back first.

I need a break.

Xieyun Cottage.

Don't get lost.

Okay.

Okay.

Why am I here again?

Wasn't I just here a moment ago?

Senior.

Senior!

How do we get to the pantry

at Li Ying Garden?

♪ Honor and disgrace; rumors and prejudice ♪

♪ Everyone has their own take ♪

♪ Fingers coated in blood and disasters brought about ♪

♪ Were never what I wanted ♪

♪ The great way is fading away, besieged by mysterious traps ♪

♪ Who dares to treat life and death as nothing? ♪

♪ In the blink of an eye, the body collapses, and the soul is destroyed ♪

♪ The fire starts raging across the land ♪

Senior, are you also here for

the Pill-Tasting Conference?

I'm a friend of Su Taiyi.

You are Divine Doctor Su's friend.

Then I should call you Senior.

I'm Xin Mei from Xin Xie Manor.

May I know your name, Senior?

Lu Qianqiao.

"Qian" as in one in a thousand, "qiao" as in tree.

So you are Mr. Lu.

I recognize this place now.

You don't need to see me off.

Thank you, Mr. Lu.

I'll take my leave now.

What a small world.

Sobered up so quickly?

Guess who I just saw.

Was it Xiaotao, Xiaohong,

or Chunxing, Qiuju?

None of them.

It's Miss Xiahua from Wei County.

The one who beat the drum in Wei County

to seek justice for her father.

It was you, Lord Lu Huai,

who presided over the case.

I was the one who picked her up.

From the office's entrance to the hall,

it's only a few dozen steps.

You actually managed to hook her up?

What do you mean by "hook up"?

Our relationship is pure

and innocent.

She's recuperating in Chongling Valley now,

staying in Mingzhu House.

I'll go accompany her for a few days.

Coincidentally,

you also met Immortal Xin.

You should try harder,

and maybe you can rekindle your romance.

Have a good time.

Wait for me!

Hurry up!

Coming!

Is it like this?

Add a sword!

Right, right.

Make the face thinner.

Make it thinner.

Draw it well for me.

Okay.

And here.

Have you seen the woman in this painting?

You know this crazy woman too?

I was at home,

teaching my wife a lesson,

when she rushed in and

beat me up.

Look, she loosened my teeth.

Then she just turned and left,

without even giving me half a coin.

Which way did she go?

That way.

What, did she beat you up too?

Miss.

Do you think it's her?

I don't know.

We'll just do whatever

our benefactor says.

Where else can we find a job

this easy and profitable?

Is there a customer?

Have a seat.

It's hot today,

and it's right at noon.

I see you've had a long journey.

You must be exhausted.

How about a bowl of barley tea?

It's the best way to quench your thirst and cool off.

Have you seen this woman?

No.

Just kidding.

You've seen her?

When? Where is she?

This is a teahouse

where people can come to rest.

You came in and started questioning,

like an official

interrogating a prisoner.

You didn't even order a pot of tea.

How am I supposed to host you?

Bring me a pot of tea.

Although herbal tea quenches thirst,

asking for information

is tiring.

You must order a pot of Biluochun.

Is this Biluochun?

Yes.

Our exclusive recipe.

Naturally, it's different from elsewhere.

Please enjoy.

I ordered the tea,

and paid the silver.

You can tell me the truth now, can't you?

Well, I’ll have to give that some thought.

Our teahouse is a hub for travelers.

There are many people who come and go.

Many just have a sip of tea,

rest their feet, and then leave.

There are so many faces,

so I have to recall carefully.

Then bring another pot of tea.

Thank you, Miss.

That woman is slender

and is about the same height as me.

She has delicate features,

a gentle voice,

yet possesses a certain tenacity.

She loves to use a sword.

That sword is special.

It looks like a crescent moon and is very pretty.

I think...

if that sword were to take your life,

it should be quite easy.

What did you say?

Grandmaster.

I, as the Master,

have everything prepared.

When the time is right,

I will renew your bones for you, Grandmaster.

I've already prepared

a set of animal bones.

It's being nourished in the cold spring in the back mountain.

Animal bones?

Animal bones...

might be

the closest thing to human bones,

they afterall are not of the same origin.

They simply cannot merge

with human flesh and blood.

I'm afraid it will cause other illnesses.

For example, weak constitution, a body that easily feels cold,

and severe heartache.

It's okay.

I know.

Then why would you still, Grandmaster...

If I don't use animal bones,

should I go find a set of

actual human bones?

Rest assured.

I know what I'm doing.

Dr. Zhu.

Dr. Zhu!

Acute cough and wheezing!

Coming!

Master!

Master, you dropped your shoe!

Feeling better?

Much better.

Thank you, Dr. Zhu.

No problem.

Just rest well.

Okay.

[Shunxin Residence]

These are fruit sent by Chongling Valley?

Yes.

This is all they have.

I really can't live like this anymore.

Young Sect Master,

[Xu Feng from Lingji Mountain]

the Immortality Pill is about to be unsealed.

We will soon return to the sect.

1 Gongshan Jade Tablet

exchanges for 1 Immortality Pill.

The Tianyuan Sect reported 20 tokens.

With the 10 tablets I reported,

that makes 30 tablets.

Exactly enough to distribute.

Young Sect Master,

Sun Moon Cavern's capabilities shouldn't be underestimated.

They have 5 tablets.

On this train of thought,

the imperial family has 6 tablets,

while Bai Zongying has 9 tablets left.

Do you think they have 、 enough to distribute?

Young Sect Master,

don't worry about others.

The Sect Master has made it clear.

This time,

he asked you to exchange those 4 jade tablets,

but you reported 10 all at once.

Tianyuan Sect only has 5 tablets,

but Bai Zongying dared to report 20.

If I reported anything less,

wouldn't it be an embarrassment

for our Lingji Mountain?

Then...

What are we going to do about the rest?

Look.

What is this?

Bank notes?

This land in Zigai Mountain,

owned by Cai En, is leased.

The lease is about to expire.

They haven't renewed the lease,

nor have they moved out.

Why do you think that is?

Think about it.

Those two mortals

were dressed in rags.

I have no idea where

they got that jade token.

Xu Feng.

Let me ask you,

why do people want to live forever?

Why?

For a carefree and happy life, of course.

Even if they live forever,

can they be carefree?

You're brilliant, Young Sect Master.

But this is still not enough.

I have my ways.

Go.

Give this letter

to that female disciple

from Xin Xie Manor.

Tell her

that I'll be waiting for her

right here.

May I ask,

are you Immortal Xin Mei from Xin Xie Manor?

Who are you?

Our Young Sect Master would like to have a word with you.

Immortal Xin,

would it be convenient for you to go to Shunxin Residence for a chat?

It's not convenient.

I'm not feeling well today.

Then when will you have time?

Our Young Sect Master

is from Lingji Mountain—

He's even waiting for you!

Auntie,

do you want a queue number?

It's a dozen numbers earlier than this.

Two taels of silver

for one.

I'll take it.

Alright.

Here you go.

Go inside.

Miss Xin?

Miss Xin!

It's you, Zhang Dahu.

Yes.

Are you here to see a doctor, Miss Xin?

Not feeling well?

Tell me about it.

I have been

walking through this valley for years.

I'm practically half a doctor.

I just can't drink water recently.

I throw up as soon as I drink water.

Then you can't line up here.

This is Dr. Zhu's clinic.

He specializes in colds, emphysema,

and heart and chest diseases.

You seem to be having some digestive issues.

You should see Dr. Liu.

He's good at treating your sort of issues.

I'll take you there.

Dr. Liu?

Yes, Dr. Liu.

Just right ahead.

Let's go that way.

Let's go.

Senior Liu.

You're here again.

Delivering a letter to Senior Zhang.

Come here.

Right here.

Dr. Liu

specializes in regulating the spleen and stomach.

But he as he gets older,

he only does rounds on the 7th and 9th

of each month.

Isn't today

the 7th?

His queue numbers

were snapped up two months ago.

Don't worry.

I have a way to get you in.

Get in?

How?

Your illness came suddenly.

We have to make an exception.

Here's the plan.

In a bit,

step on my shoulders

and we'll climb over from here.

Don't worry.

In our Chongling Valley,

the use of magic is forbidden.

I don't need magic for this height.

She flew that high?

Let's go!

Miss Xin.

Stop walking.

This is the place.

In a moment, Dr. Liu

will come out of there.

As soon as he comes out,

you rush over

and lie on the ground.

Don't worry. Trust me.

No doctor will just ignore you.

What's with the "ah"?

Are you afraid of looking foolish just to get treated?

Do you want your life or your pride?

But...

It's just that getting an appointment with Dr. Liu

is so hard.

By the time it's your turn, you might already be dead.

Listen to me. Follow me.

Oh no.

My stomach hurts.

Maybe I ate something bad

last night.

I need to go to the toilet.

I'll be right back.

Don't go.

What am I supposed to do without you?

My lady.

Didn't I tell you already?

As soon as he comes out,

just lie on the ground and scream in pain.

The physicians in our valley

all have a heart of gold.

They won't ignore you.

Be sure not to hesitate.

Why am I sweating so much?

Mr. Lu.

Master, slow down.

Wait for me, Master!

Master, your shoes.

Master, your shoes!

Master!

Master, your shoes.

Master!

I heard you brought a patient back.

Where is she? Let me take a look.

I taught you all your medical skills.

What are you hoping to look at?

All the more I must take a look.

I want to see what kind of patient

could receive

personal treatment from

of the Grandmaster of Chongling Valley.

Master, your shoes.

By the way,

you're sure she's a young woman,

right?

Grandmaster, please.

There's just something about this girl that I really like.

How old is she?

About your age.

A cultivator?

She looks like such a sweet, delicate girl.

I thought...

you liked the bright and charming type.

Will you still see her?

Yes.

Spell of Utterance.

Yes.

Master.

What is the Spell of Utterance?

The Spell of Utterance is a kind of magic

where whatever you say becomes law.

No matter how unreasonable the request is,

the one under the spell

will follow all instructions to complete the request.

It reminds me of the cold case

that shocked the Yong region back then.

It was a young, wealthy man who was

under influence of the spell.

In broad daylight,

he slit his own throat.

It's said that this kind of magic

has been lost for many years.

I didn't expect

to see it again today.

But this sort of magic is extremely powerful

and has many restrictions.

First,

the spellcaster's cultivation level

must be much higher than the victim's.

Second,

it's easier to take effect when the victim

is completely off guard.

The only way to break it is to

kill the person who casted the spell.

But she is still in the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Looking at the whole Chongling Valley,

there are many whose cultivation is higher than hers.

If this spell

was not cast in the valley

but on the way here,

it will be hard to find who was behind it.

So what exactly are

her symptoms now?

A large amount of water is seeping out of her body.

I tried to feed her water,

but it worsened the symptoms.

So it seems,

before we find the spellcaster,

we still have to feed her water.

Fish Drinking Technique.

You taught me that.

Is anyone here?

Is anyone here?

I didn't expect

to meet you here, Mr. Lu.

I was actually going

to see Dr. Zhu Yu.

But the line was too long.

Then a guy

who knows Chongling Valley well

brought me to

the backyard of Suwen Hall.

He said I could wait there

for Dr. Liu, who specializes in

the spleen and stomach.

And then...

And then you had to lay on the ground

to get the doctor to examine you.

Many people do this.

You are not the first.

Give me your hand.

Let me check your pulse.

Mr. Lu, you also know medicine?

A little.

Your condition is stable now.

But until we find

a permanent solution,

you can't drink any more water.

Can't drink any more water?

Mr. Lu,

what exactly is wrong with me?

It's not an illness.

It's a spell,

called the Spell of Utterance.

Spell of Utterance?

You can understand it as absolute obedience to the spoken word.

Once this spell is cast,

the victim will follow every order

of the spellcaster.

Think carefully.

When did your body

first start

having problems?

If you put it that way,

it must have been in Pingxiang Town.

I was just passing through,

and then a

crazy man

ran toward me.

Judging by his appearance,

he didn't look like he was from the Central Plains.

He looked like he was from North Xiang.

He told me

the water was poisoned

and told me not to drink it.

At the time, I thought

I had just met a madman.

Thinking back on it,

I haven't been able to drink water

since then.

But I’ve done nothing

against this madman.

Why would he want to harm me?

He might not be the spellcaster.

When casting the Spell of Utterance,

sometimes

the spellcaster doesn't need to be present.

People, animals,

even a green leaf

can serve as a medium for the spell.

I didn't notice it

at all back then.

The Spell of Utterance

can only be cast by a higher-level cultivator

on a lower-level one.

Your powers are weak.

It's normal you didn't feel it.

How can I break the spell?

Please advise me, Mr. Lu.

Kill the spellcaster.

Is that the only way?

That's the only way.

Then I'm doomed.

I... I can't even imagine

who would want to harm me.

And

if I can't find the spellcaster,

does it mean I can never drink water again?

Since you consider me your senior,

I won't let you die.

Do you have a way, Mr. Lu?

Yes.

Mr. Lu,

where are we going?

Qiyue Lake.

The Qiyue Lake in Chongling Valley

has crystal clear water

and extremely dense spiritual energy.

It's extraordinary.

The spiritual plants here

grow very well

because they are watered by the pool.