Original subtitles

[Fate Chooses You]

[Episode 12]

[Chongling Valley]

Who's there?

Found him.

Junior!

What exactly happened?

I rushed to Nine Absolutes Cave

as soon as I got the letter,

but by the time I arrived, the fight was already over.

How exactly did Li Si die?

Has the missing tablet been found?

Junior,

where are you rushing off to?

Junior!

Young Sect Master,

are we still following her?

Yes.

[Qingsheng Residence]

Master is meditating

and not receiving visitors.

Move aside!

Who let you in?

My master is in seclusion.

Junior, after you.

What's wrong with you guys?

He's dead?

Don't waste time.

Just come at us all at once.

[Mingzhu House]

How is she?

Miss Lyu was badly frightened earlier,

and her heart condition flared up.

She just took some medicine and has fallen asleep.

I'd like to see her.

Be quiet. Don't wake her.

With skills like that, they actually dared to chase us?

They really had no idea what we're capable of.

What's wrong?

Is the medicine taking effect?

Seems like it.

Then we need to find a place to rest quickly.

Once night falls, it'll be even more troublesome.

Huai Qing said you had gone to sleep.

My mind is unsettled.

I can't sleep.

"The horses raise their hooves and neigh in sorrow.

Flags wave, and the sound of drums shakes the sky.

Sharp blades meet the front line

as urgent military dispatches arrive in haste.

This body is not worth sparing—

what matters is to answer the nation's peril.

We ride deep into the enemy lines without hesitation.

If sacrifice is demanded, so be it."

Did you write this?

It was Mr. Li who wrote it.

Don't overthink it.

Dr. Zhu

will definitely cure your illness.

I just can't figure it out.

Figure out what?

Mei,

could someone who writes such poetry

really be a bad person?

Could he be someone who seeks immortality?

Immortal Xin.

Why are you here?

Just making a living.

I've got to know a bit of everything.

I'm just here to see him.

Don't mind me.

The heavens are vast and the earth is boundless.

May you have good fortune, wealth, and prosperity in all things.

Now that you've set out, do not look back.

On the road to the southwest, there's a guiding light from the heavens.

Immortal Xin, you are not from around here, are you?

We have a custom here:

when someone dies, you have to call out to their grave,

scattering joss paper while calling out.

Like you just did?

Yes.

Legend has it that

at the turn of day and night,

if one keeps walking southwest—

not turning back at mountains

and not detouring when meeting rivers—

one can reach

the place where immortals live.

There, the paths are paved

with gold,

the rivers flow with fine wine,

and the carts are not drawn

by mules or horses,

nor even by humans,

but by celestial phoenixes.

Across the mountains and fields grow endless ears of grain,

which yield abundant harvests even without watering.

The immortals don't need gold,

nor do they need to eat.

With a wave of the hand they summon clouds,

and with a turn of the palm they bring rain.

A journey of 1,000 li takes but an instant.

Besides, they live in the heavens,

so you can't really find them by going southwest.

That's why it's a legend.

These folktales are all

things ordinary people make up themselves.

They shout whatever comes to mind,

and after shouting it out,

it feels as if they've truly gone there.

Actually, Li Si was a decent person.

If he hadn't been confused for a moment,

he wouldn't have lost his life.

I remember you guys

came to Chongling Valley together, right?

Were you friends?

Kind of, I guess.

Alright.

How about this?

You give me a bit more money,

and I'll shout some auspicious words

so he can go on his way smoothly and peacefully.

Then take this.

This is enough. Enough.

Warrior Li,

look ahead!

The road to the southwest is flat and wide.

Immortal terraces and pavilions rise in countless tiers.

There's no illness, no suffering, and no pain.

Granaries stand full, and the fields are heavy with grain.

You're finally awake.

You've been asleep for a whole day.

Where am I?

The medicine took effect, and you fainted.

I carried you on my back for a full 2 li

before I finally found

this kind household

who was willing to take us in.

Let's rest for a couple of days before we get back on the road.

It's not safe in the valley.

I need to get back as soon as possible.

So it's because you missed Immortal Xin.

Alright.

Once you've got someone you care about,

you really do become different.

One day, when you get married

and have someone who truly understands you,

you won't need my company anymore.

I can then step aside and retire in peace.

Gentleman from the Central Plains, you are awake.

We're leaving.

Thanks for the care. Just a small token of appreciation.

This...

This is too much.

Wait here for a moment.

Gentlemen!

Gentlemen!

Please have some fruit.

No need,

thank you.

Alright, I'll give it a try.

You are from the Central Plains?

Yes.

I like people from the Central Plains.

When you come by to rest and have tea,

you give us a lot of food and cloth,

and even sweets.

I like sweets the most.

Where is your sword?

Sword?

People from the Central Plains are all martial heroes—

always carrying long swords at their waists,

very impressive.

When I grow up,

I also want to go to the Central Plains

to learn swordsmanship.

This kind of long sword doesn't suit you.

Here,

this suits you better.

Thanks a lot.

Thank you very much.

This is for you guys.

Tea leaves,

refreshing and thirst-quenching.

You can drink it on the way.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That way is the direction to the Central Plains.

Everyone, come on in.

Hurry up. Come on.

You've had a long journey.

Please come inside.

Guests have arrived. Quick, bring the tea.

Got it.

Please come inside. Please.

Please come inside.

Please.

Let's go.

Let's go.

The medicine has already taken effect.

I assume that when we get back,

Su Taiyi will be able to

renew my bones for me.

With me in Chongling Valley,

you don't need to go back with me.

Go find something for me instead.

What is it?

After bone renewal

comes blood renewal.

I once read in an ancient book

that there's a magical artifact abandoned by deities

that can be used for blood renewal.

A magical artifact belonging to deities?

Even if it really exists,

it's probably already been

occupied by the Youhu Clan.

Alright.

I'll make a trip to Fangwai Mountain

for you.

Okay.

Another group of immortal sect disciples?

Are they also going there

for tea?

What's wrong?

Let's go back.

Hand over the jade tablet,

and we'll spare your life.

You killed my senior and junior brothers,

yet you expect me to hand over the Gongshan Jade Tablet?

In your dreams!

Senior Bai.

Here are the lychee pastries from Lingnan.

As you instructed,

they are all made with Lingnan lychees.

I personally watched the shop owner pick them,

so I guarantee each one is juicy.

This whole journey—

first by carriage,

then by boat—

was anything but easy.

But don't worry,

I wrapped them all carefully

in oil paper for you,

so not a single lychee's skin was damaged.

Thank you for your hard work.

Next time you need anything done, come to me again.

I guarantee good work, few complications, and low prices.

This is exactly the taste.

I didn't expect you to still remember it, Senior.

Where did you buy these, Senior?

A friend wrote to me a few days ago,

saying he was traveling south along the Yangtze River

to tour the Yong region

and would happen to pass through Chongling Valley.

So I asked him to bring some pastries

from Tianyuan Mountain for you to try.

That's really thoughtful of you, Senior.

We are fellow disciples.

Don't mention it.

Tianyuan Sect and Xin Xie Manor

share the same origin.

Back then, it was because Senior Uncle Xin Xiong

had a dispute with Master

that he took you away from Tianyuan Sect

to establish a new sect.

Over the years,

the two sects haven't interacted much,

so we've indeed grown somewhat distant.

But it's okay.

Junior, if you

encounter any difficulties in the valley,

feel free to ask me for help.

Rest assured, Senior Brother.

I won't hesitate to ask you.

By the way,

was that senior expert next to you

in the dining hall that day

sent by Senior Uncle to protect you?

He's from Chongling Valley.

From Chongling Valley?

A doctor?

I don't know about that.

Mr. Lu is very impressive.

His magical powers are superb,

he paints ink paintings beautifully,

and he knows a bit of medicine.

It seems there's nothing he doesn't know how to do.

When I first entered the valley,

I fell so ill

that I couldn't even drink water without vomiting.

I almost lost my life.

It was Mr. Lu who saved me.

Not only did he take great care of me,

but he also taught me the Fish Drinking Technique.

So,

you two first met in the valley?

Yes.

And the very first time you met,

he was already that kind to you?

Mr. Lu doesn't put on airs.

He's kind to everyone.

An extraordinary man indeed.

Divine Doctor Su.

Why are you here?

I came to visit Junior Xin.

Your Tianyuan Sect and the Xin Xie Manor

split long ago.

She has nothing to do with you.

Calling her "Junior" like that—

how affectionate you sound.

All disciples of the immortal sects are one family.

There's no distinction between us.

No distinction?

Then how about I take your Tianyuan Sect's

Immortality Pills and distribute them to others?

Would that be alright?

Don't come here again.

Our Nine Absolutes Cave is a forbidden area.

This Xieyun Cottage

is a forbidden area as well.

Divine Doctor Su.

The last time Senior Bai went to Nine Absolutes Cave

was to save you.

Let him speak for himself.

It was true that I broke the rules last time,

but it was also true

that I worried about your safety, Divine Doctor.

Oh? So you can predict the future

and knew I'd be in danger that day?

Or are your eyes

always watching our Chongling Valley,

so even the slightest movement

couldn't escape your notice?

The sun is scorching today,

so your temper is flaring, Divine Doctor.

I'll come visit again

some other time.

Don't bother coming again.

Looking so shifty,

he's obviously not a good person.

If you need anything,

just tell Changshou.

Make yourself at home here.

No need to feel constrained.

Thank you, Divine Doctor.

By the way, Divine Doctor,

I was under a Spell of Utterance before,

and I'd throw up whenever I drank water.

But I suddenly recovered that day.

I could eat and drink

normally again.

Divine Doctor, could you

take my pulse and see

what exactly is going on?

You recovered suddenly?

Then there's no need to take your pulse.

So you know how I recovered, Divine Doctor?

How else?

It must have been pure luck.

Don't overthink it.

When Lu Qianqiao comes back,

he will tell you

exactly how you recovered.

Xin Mei.

How old are you this year?

Are your parents and other relatives still alive?

When do you plan to get married?

Senior,

why are you asking this out of the blue?

You're a good girl.

The more I look at you, the more I like you,

so I wanted to show some concern for you.

By the way,

all the other sects

came in groups

of fellow disciples.

Why is it that your sect

sent you here alone?

Where is your master?

Isn't he helping you?

My master

doesn't know I came to Chongling Valley.

Got it.

So you sneaked out.

In truth, it's because

the Jianmu Heavenly Ladder was destroyed,

and ascension for humans is now impossible.

My master is a Great Completion Realm cultivator.

Though he never had an obsession with becoming a deity,

without a goal to strive for,

his moral sense has become unstable

and his cultivation has stagnated.

Now his lifespan is nearing its end.

I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left.

That's why I came here this time

without telling him—

I wanted to use the jade tablet to exchange for the elixir

to extend my master's life.

But now, the tablet's gone.

I've ruined everything.

Have you ever thought about

why your master hasn't

come to get the elixir himself

even though he's dying?

I've met Xin Xiong

a few times before.

Your master—

he's hotheaded and a bit rough around the edges,

but he's upright and honorable.

He did me a great favor back then,

so I offered to give him the Gongshan Jade Tablet.

Who would have thought

that he not only refused it,

but nearly smashed it.

In the end,

I had to shamelessly pester him

before he reluctantly accepted it.

You're filial,

wanting to seek immortality for your master.

But have you ever thought about

whether he himself

actually wants immortality?

Can't you just find a place

to sit for a while?

Cai En is dead, and the jade tablet is gone.

How can you still be so calm, Young Sect Master?

What do you mean gone?

The Gongshan Jade Tablet

had never been in our hands to begin with.

Li Si,

Xin Xie Manor,

and that Cai En—

they each had

one of the Gongshan Jade Tablets.

Now that they're lost—

you know what it's called?

It's called "gathering the scattered into one."

It's just that they went

from the hands of 3 people

into the hands of one person.

Young Sect Master, you mean...

As long as we find the person who killed Cai En,

we can recover all 3 jade tablets at once.

Actually, this might even be better.

It saves me from having to search for them one by one.

Anyone who wasn't outside Nine Absolutes Cave that day

could be the murderer

who killed Cai En.

We are naturally innocent.

That person from Xin Xie Manor

went there with you,

so presumably he isn't a suspect either.

There was also Bai Zongying.

He was also outside Nine Absolutes Cave that day.

Bai Zongying?

I'm not so sure about him.

Those two have no idea of

Senior's whereabouts.

Senior was rescued.

If she's safe,

she should have returned to the sect.

Could it be that we took different paths

and didn't run into each other?

My daughter has been poisoned by snake venom

and urgently needs

a high-grade Ghost Needle Lotus for detoxification.

Could someone please have mercy

and save my daughter?

Miss.

Miss, please save her. Mi...

So it's fake.

What are you talking about, Miss?

It was you who poisoned her yourselves,

wasn't it?

We have no idea what you're talking about.

Lianxin!

Lianxin! Wake up, Lianxin.

Darling!

Father!

-Darling! -Father!

Darling!

It's you again.

Let's talk somewhere else.

Why don't you think about it carefully?

This place is full of Ghost Needle Lotus,

so why would they still beg for medicine?

Enough nonsense.

Gentleman!

Gentleman!

Are you okay?

Come here.

Here, Lianxin.

Careful, it's hot.

Be careful.

They've been herb farmers for generations,

making a living

by growing herbs.

Now that the heavenly ladder has been severed,

the immortal sects are trying to achieve immortality

through pills and elixirs.

Chongling Valley wants to refine elixirs,

and the court demands medicinal supplies,

so they've set up a pretext

and imposed an "Immortality Tax" on these herb farmers.

Coincidentally,

the Ghost Needle Lotus they grow

is one of the spiritual herbs

used for making pills.

The Ghost Needle Lotus

is nourished by heaven and earth.

Two inches is considered low-grade,

5 inches medium-grade,

and only when it grows to 10 inches

can it produce a needle lotus,

which counts as high-grade.

To refine the Immortality Pills, the requirements are extremely strict—

only high-grade ones are usable.

So they poisoned their own children

with snake venom,

not to extort money,

but to pay the tax?

Taste this.

Their water supply has gone bad.

It's bitter and astringent,

so it can't irrigate

Ghost Needle Lotus that meets the required standards.

That's their problem.

But when you think about it,

isn't their problem also,

in a sense, this family's problem?

The Immortality Tax carries collective punishment.

If they can't pay it,

the whole family will be forced into hard labor—

even the kid cannot escape it.

They truly had no other option,

so they had to resort to scam in front of a pharmacy.

There are only a few

pharmacies in town.

How many times could they possibly get away with it?

The pharmacy owners aren't their target.

They're after passersby like you.

The pharmacies know their situation,

so they won't expose them.

What a pretentious excuse.

If that was the case,

why didn't they

poison themselves with snake venom

instead of doing it to their kid?

Times are tough.

People's hearts

have grown colder than before.

A child can still win a bit of sympathy—

if it were an adult,

most would likely just ignore them altogether.

Why are you still following me?

This is the only way out of the village.

It is said that Tianyin Mountain

is a prominent immortal sect,

best at expounding doctrines

and resolving doubts.

I happen to have a question

I'd like to ask you about.

Please go ahead, Miss.

What is the path of your Tianyin Mountain?

The Path of Severing Emotions.

What is the Path of Severing Emotions?

The great path is emotionless.

It gives rise to all things.

The sun and moon revolve beyond it,

while day and night alternate within it—

unceasing

and without deviation.

It is so because there are no personal feelings in the heart,

and no favoritism in action.

All living beings

and all things are like dust in our eyes—

that is

the Path of Severing Emotions.

Then what is it that your master

sent you down the mountain to find?

To find my path

and overcome my tribulation.

That's not it.

It should be to find your emotions.

You were born extraordinary,

with exceptional immortal perception.

From a young age,

you knew that in 20 years,

all your loved ones would die.

Have you ever thought about saving them?

Fate is already set.

It cannot be forced.

But where there is feeling, there will be the urge to force it.

Since you've never had emotions,

how could you understand

what "the great path is emotionless" means?

If you think I'm your "emotion"

or your "tribulation",

then your idea of "emotion"

is far too narrow.

You clearly know everything.

You can see the suffering of this world

and hear the cries of misery everywhere.

You have the power and ability

to change all this—

yet you sit aloof on your lofty perch,

watching coldly,

and call it fate.

This is not some "path."

It's hypocrisy!

You may appear merciful,

but in truth, you are cold-blooded and heartless.

You cannot even resolve

the suffering right before your eyes,

yet you claim you want to save me?

I'm warning you one last time—

stop following me.

You may appear merciful,

but in truth, you are cold-blooded and heartless.

You cannot even resolve

the suffering right before your eyes,

yet you claim you want to save me?

This is not some "path."

It's hypocrisy!

♪ I believe Heaven sees all ♪

♪ Its wrath shines upon demons ♪

♪ But who will show me mercy? ♪

♪ I believe I'm innocent ♪

♪ Turned into dust and scattered away ♪

♪ I accept the blame of numerous accusations ♪

♪ I offer no defense ♪

♪ I accept this as my only choice ♪

♪ I accept this trial of love fate has given me ♪

♪ I take in both love and hate alike ♪

Master.

Master?

Master!

Master.

Master!

I'm here.

Master.

A letter has arrived from Chongling Valley,

saying the Immortality Pill is about to be completed.

Master,

you can be saved.

When are we setting off?

Setting off?

Where to?

To Chongling Valley.

Master, your time is almost up,

and the Immortality Pill happens to be almost ready.

They can prolong your life

and make you immortal.

This is great news.

We're not going.

Why?

I lost my jade tablet.

It was hidden in the chicken coop.

I found it.

I haven't been feeling well these past few days.

I can't walk.

Perfect timing.

Chongling Valley has plenty of doctors.

They can treat your illness.

Anyway, we are simply not going.

Why?

Master, don't you want to live forever?

My disciple,

do you like the sun?

Master, it's the wine talking again.

Just tell me whether you like it or not.

Of course I do.

Its light nourishes all things

and shines upon every corner.

Everything in the world lives by its grace.

What if the sun

stayed in the sky forever?

Forever?

All things must come to an end.

Only when the sun sets can the moon rise.

As I walk down the mountain,

others will walk up.

My disciple, you still have much to learn.

As I walk down the mountain,

others will walk up.

My disciple, you still have much to learn.

Immortal Xin, do you want this?

Where did you get this Gongshan Jade Tablet?

I've only got this one piece.

I wanted to sell it for a high price,

but I heard yours had been stolen.

Since we have a good relationship,

I thought I'd offer it to you first.

The price is negotiable.

Do you know what the Gongshan Jade Tablet

is for?

Of course I do.

To exchange for the Immortality Pill,

to live forever.

Then why are you selling it for money?

The Immortality Pill is a divine medicine.

Your immortal sects don't even have enough for yourselves.

How could I ever get a share?

Besides, I'm so poor—

what's the point of living that long anyway?

In fact,

there's a small problem with this jade tablet.

Let me see it.

Tell me if you're buying it first.

Let me see it first.

This is not a Gongshan Jade Tablet.

How is it not a Gongshan Jade Tablet?

Legend has it that to prevent these jade tablets

from being forged, Divine Doctor Su

specially obtained a piece of

ancient sinking jade from Gongshan.

This jade

is smooth and warm, with crystal-clear essence.

There's definitely no second piece like it in this world.

After making 30 jade tablets,

there were some leftover scraps

that got tossed into the back mountain,

and I happened to pick them up.

The materials were limited,

so it's a bit small,

but there are definitely no quality problems.

So you do know it's small.

The size is different, for starters.

As long as the material's the same, it's fine, right?

Besides, everyone knows

you have one.

So if you take this fake one,

no one will suspect a thing.

100 taels.

100 taels for

a chance at immortality—

it can't be a loss.

How many more do you have?

I want them all.

Just this one piece.

This matter is not as simple as you think.

You hang around Chongling Valley all day.

You should know that

someone has already died because of this.

You are a mortal

with no magic,

yet you possess a great treasure.

It's inevitable to attract greedy wolves.

Be careful, or in the end,

you may not gain the fortune you seek, but instead lose your life.

It's not like that. I...

This is the last time.

Don't sell this anymore.

But

the Gongshan Jade Tablet is a piece of jade after all.

It can't be worth less than even one tael, can it?

You said so much just because you didn't want to pay, right?

You're saying

the magical artifact she used is similar to mine?

Yes.

She usually uses a machete.

When wielded by spiritual energy,

it transforms into

a moonlight-like magical artifact,

which is exceptionally sharp.

Senior Bai.

What a coincidence.

It's not a coincidence.

I was waiting for you.

Junior, you should recognize this magical artifact.

Back then, our Grandmaster traveled through the wildlands of Cangwu

and, with his profound skills,

he slew the Sun-Moon Two-Headed Beast.

That demon had a bird's head and a serpent's tail,

two heads on one body, and wings on its ribs.

Its feathers were dazzling—

half blazing like the sun,

the other half pure and bright like the moon.

Our Grandmaster slew it,

took its core, plucked its feathers,

and refined them through secret methods.

In the end, he forged 2 magical artifacts:

the Sun Splendor and the Moon Splendor.

I inherited the Sun Splendor

from my master.

Junior, as the eldest disciple of Xin Xie Manor,

did Senior Uncle

pass the Moon Splendor down to you?

It is indeed as bright as the moon

and as cold as the wind.

Senior,

what exactly are you trying to say?

Half a month ago,

an odd incident took place in the capital.

To avenge her husband,

a female cultivator surnamed Xin

killed 4 court officials

in succession.

Afterward, even under a joint manhunt by the immortal sects,

she still managed to leave unscathed.

A friend of mine who saw her said

she used

a moonlight magical artifact similar to mine.

I'd like to know—

was that female cultivator in the capital

you, Junior?

It wasn't me.

I have never been to the capital.

Junior, you

left your sect a long time ago,

yet you only arrived at Chongling Valley a few days ago.

How could the journey have taken so long?

I made a trip back to my hometown.

I originally wanted to visit my aunt,

but when I got back,

I found out she had already passed away.

So I stayed in Wei County

to handle her funeral affairs.

Later, due to excessive grief

and getting caught in the rain along the way,

I fell ill and fainted.

Fortunately,

a kind landlady saved me,

and I stayed at the inn for a few extra days.

That's why I arrived late at Chongling Valley.

If you don't believe me, Senior,

you can go to Safe Haven Inn at Wuli Slope

outside Wei County and ask around.

The landlady and the staff there

can all vouch for me.

I believe you.

Since you said so, Junior,

of course I believe you.

Besides,

I'm not yet married,

and I don't have a husband.

That was presumptuous of me.

Sorry for bothering you for so long.

I should leave now.

Wait a minute, Senior.

You brought me delicacies from my hometown.

The food is precious,

but your kindness is even more so.

I truly don't know

how to repay you.

Please accept this fragrance pendant as a gift.

I made it myself.

It's made of ebony,

has a delicate, subtle scent,

and can repel insects and mosquitoes.

Thank you, Junior.

Grandmaster.

Master.

Grandmaster is back.

Miss Xin.

[Clear Sky, Fresh Air]

They brought it upon themselves.

You once told me, Master,

that in this world there are broad paths

and narrow trails.

The broad paths are easy to travel, while the narrow trails are difficult.

Yet what people seek

most often lies along those narrow trails.

Therefore,

if they want to get through,

they have to risk their flesh and blood,

suffer broken bones,

and get bruised and battered.

That's driven by human greed.

What does it have to do with me?

I taught you medicine

so you could make a living

and save lives.

I taught you the principles of being a decent person

so you could grow into someone of integrity and ability,

not so you could twist words to evade guilt!

You say that those who seek immortality

are all walking the narrow trail.

Then tell me—

what about those ordinary people?

Why should they lose their lives

for your pursuit of immortality?

Is everything they seek

also on that narrow trail?