Original subtitles

Mr. Jing, I hope that you are well

You traitorous scoundrel, finally caught in the trap!

You shameless rat!

Take him away!

Dongfang Shuo

are you planning to

kneel like this all night?

I'm just

waiting for a word from Your Majesty

You call this waiting?

You're making a scene. You're protesting!

I dare not

I have stated everything I wanted to

express to Your Majesty moments ago

Indeed

he once helped eliminate the Dou clan

and led his disciples to fight in battles against the Xiongnu

But I also rewarded him!

He never appreciated it!

Sure, he is meritorious

But that doesn't mean he can mobilize against the authorities

But, Your Majesty

hasn't this matter already been investigated?

Someone deliberately set him up

As an imperial official

Jing Kui admonished Your Majesty for the turmoil

caused by the collection of vehicles, which showed his loyalty

Of course, it was Your Majesty's decree, and I dare not criticize it

But even if Jing Kui has a different opinion

he shouldn't end up on the national wanted list and being beheaded

So, what do you think I should do to handle this matter?

I implore Your Majesty to issue a decree immediately to release him

By doing so, Your Majesty will appease and win over people's hearts

And when the country encounters difficulties someday

as long as Your Majesty calls

there will still be many heroes like Jing Kui

who will step forward to serve with loyalty

Secondly

it will demonstrate Your Majesty's

broad-mindedness and infinite graciousness!

Very well. Tomorrow

Tomorrow in court, I'll settle this down

Get up now

You don't expect me to issue a decree in the dead of night now, right?

I dare now

Sincerely, may Your Majesty live and reign long!

I'm tired

You may leave

Thank you for Your Majesty's great favor

I take my leave now

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Your Majesty, you can't spare Jing Kui's life!

If Your Majesty pardons Jing Kui

and releases him back into society

it's like setting a tiger free, which will invite endless troubles

What are you doing? Are you trying to compel me?

I am well aware that

Jing Kui is a potential threat

Initially, I gave him a position in the court

to keep him in check

and prevent him from stirring up trouble among the people

Sage Li Shaojun once made an enlightening remark

In today's world

there are two Emperors

One is me

the Emperor in the palace

The other is Jing Kui

the Emperor among the people!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, it's time for you to take the elixir

Your Majesty, please

Your Majesty, starting tonight

you need to start another seclusion in the Alchemy Chamber

- How many days will it take this time? - At least five days

- Servants. - At your service

Spread my order. Starting tomorrow

I will be in seclusion in the Alchemy Chamber for five days

and no one can disturb me

- Violators shall be executed. - Understood

Your Majesty?

Both of you may take your leave now

- Understood. I'll excuse myself. - I'll take my leave

Mr. Jing, they said you're the Emperor of the underworld

You don't look like much to me

His Majesty gave me a five-day deadline to catch you

and on the very first day, you've walked right into the trap!

Listen carefully, Jing Kui!

You're already at death's door

and no one can save you

Decide how you want to die. I'll grant you that

You two are pretty complacent

Well, let me tell you

I am tough

Even if I'm going to die

I'll take a few people down with me

You, the damned intriguers bringing calamity to the country and people

deserve to die thousands of times

Yeah, I am taking you two down with me

If you don't believe it, just wait!

Damn it, I'll kill you!

Just wait for your impending death penalty!

I'm waiting!

- Who else came today? - Lord Dongfang came

What did he come for?

He just came to check on that prisoner and left

Take this

You don't have to check. It's all gold inside, all for you

Well… what can I do to assist you?

Put this in his food

Sir, that prisoner hasn't eaten since he arrived yesterday

What about water? He can't go without water, right?

- Yes, he drank water. - Put it in

Lord Qiankun, let's go

They're lower than the animals!

Lord Wei

even if I have to die in front of His Majesty today

I must strongly advise His Majesty to release Jing Kui immediately

Lord Ming, there's no need for you to intervene

Let me go and plead with His Majesty

No, it's my duty as a censor

Guys, don't argue. Let me handle this!

Even if His Majesty kills me

it will cost only the death of a roughneck

You are more valuable than me

Your Excellencies

what are you doing here?

I, Wei Qing, and two other of His Majesty's servants seek an audience

Your Excellencies, please go home

Chamberlain Yang, what do you mean?

These days

Li Shaojun has kept His Majesty in the Alchemy Chamber

passing on knowledge of attaining immortality

When will His Majesty come out?

Uncertain. I asked Li Shaojun's disciple

and he said his master mentioned it would take at least five days

- He's doing this on purpose! - I'll break in!

Hold on, General Gan

His Majesty decreed that

trespassers would be executed without mercy

Even Her Highness the Empress

- cannot enter without permission. - Well

Come on, cheers!

How dare you?

- How dare you drink on duty? - I am sorry

Greetings, General Wei and General Gan

- Go and open Lord Jing's cell. - Yes, sir

Don't worry

If anyone asks

say that Princess Pingyang took away Lord Jing

and will return him in five days

Understand?

Understood

Greetings, Your Highness

Careful

I sincerely appreciate Your Highness's rescue

Let's go

Mr. Jing!

Mr. Jing!

Mr. Jing, what's wrong with you?

Qiankunzi and Wang Huai'e poisoned me!

What? Damn it!

- Mr. Jing! - No. There's no time

Let me… let me talk to Brother Dongfang

Mr. Jing

Tell Luo Qi that

I owe her a lot

in this life

and I'll repay her

in the next

Tell her to live it up

And

And my son

From now on, his surname should be Dongfang

Surname

Surname, Dongfang!

No!

Jing Kui, as a court official, had his shortcomings

And he is indeed way too stubborn

However, his loyalty and righteousness were unparalleled

In crucial moments, he stepped forward

annihilating the Dou clan, capturing Liu Hao, and fighting the Xiongnu

He risked his life and fought bravely

He was a rare, kind, and upright man of our Great Han

I tracked him back this time

because I wanted him to continue to serve the country

Yet

you have defied my earnest intentions

and forced this loyal man to his death!

You have truly disappointed me!

We are now aware of our guilt

I decree a one-year salary suspension

and three-month confinement to reflect on your misdeeds

Yes, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, I have something to say

Minister Dongfang, please express your thoughts

I think

the punishment for Qiankunzi and Wang Huai'e is excessive

For these two

miserly, avaricious

profit-oriented, and base persons

fining them months of salary

is more heartbreaking for them

than destroying their ancestral graves

So, Minister Dongfang

what would be the lighter

more appropriate punishment for them?

Your Majesty

Jing Kui's wife and son are now missing

and there is no one to hold his memorial tablet at the funeral

Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to restore their salaries

Instead, penalize them by having them act as Jing Kui's sons

mourning, wearing weeds and holding the memorial tablet in the funeral

Good. I approve

On behalf of the late Mr. Jing

I extend gratitude to Your Majesty

After enduring such a humiliating insult

how can you still be in the mood to drink?

This is far from the humiliation

that Han Xin once endured

I can't bear it!

I just can't understand!

His Majesty despises Jing Kui so much

and always wants to tear him apart

But after we killed him

His Majesty backed out

His Majesty simply wants to get rid of Mr. Jing

without bearing infamy for killing a meritorious general

His Majesty can also appease the public and win their support

Yeah

If Jing Kui's disciples stir up a disturbance

it will be a huge trouble

I see

His Majesty is using that two bastards as scapegoats

What's the big deal about being scapegoats?

Others wouldn't have the chance even if they wanted to

Think about who we're taking the blame for

We're the scapegoats of His Majesty!

I can't accept this

His Majesty is clearly taking Dongfang Shuo's side by doing so!

Don't be such a fool

His Majesty clearly

regards us as his most important confidants

His Majesty will compensate us handsomely

for the grievances this time

Only making them mourn for Jing Kui

is way too lenient!

It's a hopeless situation

This is as far as we can let off steam

I just can't wrap my head around it

If the Emperor knows these two are evil

why not just eliminate them?

Shuo already explained this to us

Keeping the treacherous officials to hold the loyal ones in play

Keeping the loyal officials to deter the treacherous ones

His Majesty is getting more and more cunning

The matter concerning Jing Kui is over

Ministers

please express your thoughts

on the future plans for our nation

Your Majesty

the conquest of the Xiongnu and the unification of the country make

your military and political achievements outshine the sun and moon

So, I request Your Majesty to offer sacrifices to heaven on Mount Tai

and erect monuments

to commemorate your great deeds for generations to come

This is very much to my liking

Ministers

offering sacrifices to heaven on Mount Tai is not only about me

but about memorializing the enduring contributions of each of you

The prosperity of our Great Han today

owes much to the significant efforts

of every minister present

Your Majesty truly possesses keen judgment

Your Majesty, I suggest that

the scale of this sacrificial ceremony shall surpass all previous ones

to demonstrate the grandeur and prestige of Your Majesty

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty

this imperial sacrificial ceremony dates back to the times of Shun

But Shun merely

lit a large fire near the Gongbei Stone

at the summit of Mount Tai to communicate with the heavens

seeking divine protection. Although subsequent rulers

expanded this ceremony's scale

they all kept it in a reasonable range

Only Qin Shi Huang

expanded it so relentlessly that a single ceremony

cost as much as ten years of the country's tax revenues

Instead of gaining divine favor, Qin Shi Huang incurred heavenly wrath

and public resentment, leading to disastrous consequences

Therefore

this sacrificial ceremony on Mount Tai

should be controlled in scale

lest we follow the disastrous path of Qin Shi Huang

Your Majesty, I find Ming Fei's words unacceptable

Speaking only of

political and military accomplishments

His Majesty is the most unprecedented of all rulers

So, the scale of this ceremony

must surpass all previous ones

to highlight that His Majesty

is an unmatched ruler throughout history!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, Lord Ming Fei's advice is sound

Shun only lit a fire

yet ushered in an era of peace that resonates through the ages

On the other hand, Qin Shi Huang exhausted all resources

only resulted in national collapse and everlasting infamy

Your Majesty, which path will you choose to follow?

Your Majesty is an unprecedented sage Emperor

and the reincarnation of the celestial red dragon

Your Majesty needs not to emulate any predecessors

Your Majesty only needs to

leave imperishable and unrivaled feat for future generations to admire

Qiankunzi

you pull the wool over His Majesty's eyes, spew misleading words and

- instigate His Majesty to squander. What are your intentions? - You

Dongfang Shuo

you accuse Qiankunzi of

deceiving me and spewing misleading words

What do you take me for?

Do you think I am a gullible and fatuous ruler?

Your Majesty, Lord Dongfang makes sense

When the ruler is close to virtuous advisors, prosperity prevails

When the ruler is surrounded by the wicked, chaos ensues

- This is an immutable truth of all times! - Very well

Then let me ask you

is Great Han currently flourishing or in disarray?

Winning is hard, but governing is harder

Your Majesty has just created a favorable situation

yet you indulge complacently, refuse to progress

and even keep sycophants as confidants, pay no heed to reality

lend credence to superstition, and squander the nation's resources

If things go on like this, the current peace and prosperity won't last

Ming Fei

how dare you curse the longevity of our nation and my reign!

If Your Majesty not come to senses, you'll surely suffer the backfire

Ming Fei curses Your Majesty and deserves to die thousands of times!

I care not for my life

All I care about is the prosperous era His Majesty has just initiated

which, unfortunately, will be ruined by you traitorous villains

You will stand condemned through the ages!

How audacious, Ming Fei!

You shall not be so arrogant in the court!

- I will not spare you! Guards! - At your service

- Behead Ming Fei! - Your Majesty! - Shut up!

If you speak in favor of Ming Fei

I will behead you as well!

Your Majesty!

Come to your senses!

Take him out! Behead him!

Your Majesty!

I fear not death!

I'll die admonishing Your Majesty!

Lord Ming! Lord Ming!

Lord Ming!

Your Majesty

Where is Sage Li?

Your Majesty, Master went out to gather herbs

and hasn't returned yet

Gathering herbs? Where did he go to gather herbs?

I don't know, Master didn't say

Your Majesty, you're here. Greetings, Your Majesty

- You're back, Sage Li. - Yes

Your Majesty

about your inquiry yesterday

- I was just about to report the answer to Your Majesty. - Wait

Go on

I communicated with the heavens last night

and reported Your Majesty's situation to Taishang Laojun

Upon hearing that Dongfang Shuo

was obstructing the grand sacrificial ceremony of Your Majesty

he immediately reported it to Jade Emperor

What did the Jade Emperor say?

The Jade Emperor was furious and immediately summoned

the God of Fire to the Hall of Miraculous Mist, reprimanding him

Jade Emperor also ordered him to command Dongfang Shuo not to

cause trouble and to assist Your Majesty honestly

What did the God of Fire replay?

He replied that

Dongfang Shuo is a reincarnated being

Only by regaining his memories from his previous life

can he restore his sanity

Jade Emperor decreed on the spot

instructing Taishang Laojun to give me

the recipe of the Refined Resurrection Elixir

so that I can refine the elixir as soon as possible

to help Dongfang Shuo recover his memories

Can you… cure Dongfang Shuo

and make him listen to me forever?

I have the celestial elixir now

Please rest assured, Your Majesty

I'm counting on you, then

My Lord, Madam has returned

I heard about it on the way

Now

Liu Nan is dead

Mr. Jing is dead

and Lord Ming Fei is also dead

Who will be the next?

His Majesty still

had a trace of regret for Jing Kui

but he seemed

utterly indifferent to Ming Fei

This is so bitterly disappointing

Greetings, Your Majesty

Minister Dongfang

as a fortune-teller

have you predicted

what I've hastily summoned you here for?

I am too dense to predict this

It seems even

the renowned Genius of the East

would have moments when the brain can't function!

Indeed

- Please rise. - Thanks, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, it's not a fortuity that my brain can't function

It has been malfunctioning lately

I'm scattered about a lot of things

True, it seems you've become aware of it yourself

Do you want to know the cause?

Please enlighten me, Your Majesty

- Sage Li. - At your service

- Go ahead and tell him. - Understood

Brother Dongfang

it's mainly because you've spent too much time in the mortal realm

tainted by its impurities, leading to blockages in your senses

If you don't clear and enlighten yourself soon

you might end up completely befuddled!

Is it really that serious?

Sage Li has long said that

you are the Chunyang Prodigy

sent by Jade Emperor to assist me in achieving greatness

However, your prolonged stay in the mortal realm

has nearly depleted your celestial energy

Does that mean I, Dongfang Shuo

will become a complete mortal?

If that's the case, it's my fortune

No

I still need you

I won't allow you to become a mortal man casually!

Don't worry, Brother Dongfang

By the order of my Master

I have specially crafted the Refined Resurrection Elixir for you

As long as you take one pill at the appointed time each day

within a month, I guarantee you regain your smarts

restoring your divine essence!

Attendant

Please have it, Brother

Your Majesty

this drug is obscure

so I dare not consume it

If it turns me into a tumbler

I could get over it

But what if it turns me into a fool?

Brother, are you suggesting that this elixir is poisonous?

I may know a person's appearance but not his true mind

- not to mention you're not even a person. - You!

In front of His Majesty and all other officials

how would I dare to poison it?

Your Majesty, whether this drug is poisonous or not

I refuse to take it

Dongfang Shuo

if I ask you to take it

will you?

Your Majesty

must I really take it?

This is a tremendous blessing for you

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo refuses to take the elixir

mainly because he still harbors resentment towards you!

He does not want to serve Your Majesty anymore!

Dongfang Shuo

At your service

Do you

also want to follow in the footsteps of Ming Fei and Jing Kui

and leave me?

No, I have no such intention

Then

- take it. - Yeah

This will prove your unwavering loyalty to me!

Yeah

Your Majesty

if you insist, I will

take it

Brother, please

Alright, don't have to check it

No one can doubt

Dongfang Shuo's loyalty to me

Ministers, His Majesty's been waiting for you

Greetings, Your Majesty

Please rise

I, along with these ministers, have come to take the elixir as ordered

Attendant

No need

Your Majesty

Dongfang Shuo has been taking the elixir in front of Your Majesty

for three days

proving his unwavering loyalty

From now on, he can take it on his own without supervision

- Sage Li. - At your service

Give Dongfang Shuo a month's dosage of elixir

He can take it at home from now on

Yes, Your Majesty

Attendant, bring the elixir for my Brother Dongfang

Brother Dongfang, please take it

Make sure to take it on time

What if

I haven't regained my memory after a month?

Then, take it for another month

Brother Li, please prepare another month's dosage for me in advance

so I won't miss a dose

Rest assured, Brother

I will immediately craft another month's dosage for you

which will be delivered to your residence in seven days

Thank you, Brother Li

Dongfang Shuo

your sincerity

brings great joy to me!

As long as it pleases Your Majesty

I will do anything

It's truly unexpected

how heartless His Majesty is towards you

It seems like His Majesty is going to discard all his loyal officials

No, slaying all his loyal officials

What are you planning to do then?

There's nothing I can do

I don't hope for anything anymore

When His Majesty forced me to swallow the first pill

the ties and bond between us were long severed

So, what are we waiting for?

Pack your things. Let's head back to our hometown!

But, by leaving like this

Sister

we might meet a tragic end

just like Mr. Jing