Original subtitles

(Zhan Zhao Adventures)

(Episode 32)

Lord Hu, please don't say that. You're doing this for Wanshan County.

You're just trying to protect us from harm.

Lord Hu, your wound...

It's nothing serious.

I'll be fine after a few days.

Zhu Ming Yuan has been hiding in our county office for years.

He worked with the Xiuluo Sect to commit serious crimes.

It was an oversight on my part.

As the magistrate here, I've let you all down.

I sincerely apologize to everyone.

We don't deserve this apology from you, Lord Hu.

Everyone in this county knows

that you've already given it your all

to protect Wanshan County.

- Yes. - You're not a saint.

Nobody can be perfect all the time.

Isn't that right, everyone?

- Yes. - Yes.

Watching a citizen of Wanshan County die right in front of me

is proof of my own incompetence.

I'll give out three months of my salary

to support the widow's household expenses.

Sister-in-law, the Yao family has lost their pillar.

Life will be tough for you now.

If you ever need help in the future,

just let me know anytime.

Sister-in-law, don't worry.

We'll be here to help you from now on.

Yao died helping the county capture the criminal.

The county will definitely give him the justice he deserves.

Just follow the usual customs and take these few hundred taels of silver.

After this, you...

Did Luo Chang Shui kill Zhong Shou because you ordered him to?

Did Zhong Shou and the physician both die by your hand?

Yes.

I did it all.

How did you find out about our plan to identify someone?

Everyone, head home for now.

About this matter, I promise to give you all a proper explanation.

Time to leave. Everyone, just head back.

- Time to leave. - Break it up.

Come on, let's go.

Let's go.

I need to talk to you.

Come with me to the study so we can talk in detail.

Those two Xiuluo Sect members fought to the death.

I couldn't do anything to capture them alive.

I couldn't help but watch as they took poison right in front of me.

I'm sorry. I broke off your lead in the investigation.

As long as the people are safe.

Shouldn't you get that wound looked at?

It's fine.

I have a few important words I need to say to you.

We failed to identify the culprit.

And innocent lives were lost in Wanshan County.

That means there's still a traitor among us.

You need to pay close attention to the people around you.

Who do you suspect?

That steward from the prince's manor has been acting suspiciously lately.

He often sneaks out alone.

Even Ming Zhu Er can't explain what he's doing outside.

That's pretty suspicious.

Zhao Zhi Er is someone close to Prince Hui.

He can't be the traitor.

What I'm about to say next might upset you.

But I still need to warn you.

Zhan Zhao, don't you think you let your emotions get the better of you?

Wasn't Zhu Ming Yuan's lesson harsh enough?

The person Zhao Zheng De identified as Zhao Yue An,

was it Shao Ji Zu?

No.

He pointed to Huo Feng.

Just as I thought.

Do you know why I insisted on having all three of them present before this?

Shao Ji Zu serves Prince Xiangyang,

yet not a single rumor has reached the Huo family?

The Huo family agreed to the marriage,

was it because they had no choice, or...

Or because they wanted to use the power behind Shao Ji Zu?

Have you ever really thought about that?

If the Huo family is tied to Prince Xiangyang,

someone will definitely use your friendship with Huo Ling Long

to make a big deal out of it.

You'll get dragged into it too.

I know.

You don't care about fame, fortune, or climbing the ranks.

But you need to think carefully.

If you get dragged into this,

who else would dare to take on Prince Xiangyang's case?

If we let the corrupt run wild,

the people of Xiangzhou

will never have hope again.

I thought you had some great insight.

But turns out you just believed what Zhao Zheng De said.

The identification plan has already been leaked. How can it still count?

Why wouldn't it count?

Is the At First Sight poison attacking you again?

Where's your brother?

He went back to Linglong Manor.

Zhan, my brother told me himself that he's not Zhao Yue An.

What did you find? Why do you say his identification doesn't count?

I searched him from head to toe,

and interrogated him for a long time.

I didn't find anything,

but I just have a feeling he's not telling the truth.

Investigations rely on solid evidence, not just guesses.

Earlier, both of us were so fixated on Shao Ji Zu

that we let Ling Long chase after her brother alone.

Honestly, that was too reckless.

About identifying these people,

we've let our friendship

cloud our judgment.

We're not as clear-headed as Xiao Chen, who's not bound by the friendship.

Lady Huo, you let your brother go.

Are you sure it wasn't because you were hiding something from us?

Otherwise, why didn't you bring your brother here to confront Zhao Zheng De

to clear his name?

Zhan,

I hurried back

because I wanted to tell you what my brother said.

But now, it seems like

there's no need.

You interfered with the identification plan.

- Now you're trying to drive a wedge between us! - Bai!

How am I driving a wedge between all of you?

I'm just telling the truth.

Before this, because of your brother's case,

Zhan Zhao had already offended a lot of colleagues.

Do you realize how many people in court are waiting for him to slip up?

You're not part of the bureaucracy,

how could you understand what Zhan Zhao is up against in court?

People like you only ever think about yourselves.

Zhan Zhao, do you believe me?

I could've saved that civilian just now.

Enough.

You're so reckless,

always resorting to violence at the slightest disagreement.

How can I trust you?

After all we've been through together,

it took only a few words of provocation from him to draw us apart.

Very well.

Zhan Zhao.

Very well.

Are you okay?

Bai really does hold a deep grudge against me.

That slap

wasn't light at all.

Plus, when I was chasing Zhu Ming Yuan earlier,

I already got hurt internally.

- Now my energy is all over the place. - Young Master,

Young Master, did you guys have a fight?

Why did Huo and Bai storm out looking so angry?

You guys got here just in time.

Help them mediate this fight and stop them from leaving.

Sleek Rat, where are you going?

Bai, don't go!

- Bai, I'm begging you. - Bai!

- Bai! - Bai, I'm begging you. You can't leave.

If my young master offended you in any way, I'll apologize on his behalf.

But he is poisoned severely. You can't just leave him like this.

Bai, People say things they don't mean when they're mad.

If you stay, I won't argue with you ever again.

You can have all the plums.

And also, I'll be your servant for a few days.

I'll serve you like you are my master, okay?

I'm begging you.

Here.

Why did you use your internal energy to help me recover?

Don't you care about your own life?

When you risked your life to save someone earlier,

you didn't think about yourself either.

I wasn't thinking that far ahead.

All I cared about was protecting your witness,

and keeping my people safe.

Zhan Zhao,

Let me speak for the people of Wanshan County.

I hope you don't take their complaints to heart.

Don't hold it against them.

Don't worry.

I didn't take it personally.

Before I took office, I heard a lot of rumors,

like Wanshan County was full of troublemakers.

But after coming here, I realized

the people's ferocity was all just an act.

They just had too many hard days. They were scared of being poor.

What happened to Yao today

shows how kind they really are inside.

Once life got better in the county,

they made an agreement among themselves.

Anyone who died because of county matters

would receive a token of care.

That money was pooled together by every household, little by little.

Ever since they set this rule, it has never changed.

It's still going strong today.

Everything about Wanshan County,

I've seen it all myself.

The county's progress today is all thanks to you.

Do you really think so?

Are you doing this on purpose?

You just want me to praise you more.

I'm not falling for it.

Young Master, Bai and Huo have both left.

Didn't you stop them?

I did everything I could.

It didn't work even when I almost knelt down for Sleek Rat.

Huo left with Sect Leader Tang too.

Zhao Zhi Er is watching over Zhao Zheng De now.

Xiao Chen, I need to hurry back.

Move back to the yamen. At least you'll have someone here.

No need to go through all that trouble.

Tomorrow morning, I'm taking Zhao Zheng De to Xiangyang.

Xiangyang?

The imperial envoy has already arrived in Xiangyang.

Once I bring him back,

I can ask the envoy to use Lady Jin's old case

to arrest Zhao Yue An.

Young Master, I'll move back tonight, then.

Your young master has things to handle, you should stay at my place.

Don't make things harder for him.

Listen to Xiao Chen.

- I'll take my leave now. - Alright.

Don't be upset. Come.

I'll keep you company to cheer you up.

Lord Hu,

why aren't you worried at all?

Worrying won't solve the mess we're in right now.

You need to have some patience.

After tonight,

things might turn around.

Leader, Dong Jun has given new instructions.

I made the antidote for the Peacock Gall poison on your hidden weapons

when I was 10.

Your poison won't work on me.

Why don't you have a taste of the Tang Sect poison instead?

I was worried you wouldn't block it.

I've upgraded my hidden weapons.

There's no poison on the surface.

The good stuff is all hidden inside.

Isn't that fun?

Actually, I should thank you guys.

You finally pointed us in the right direction.

Now we know who Dong Jun is.

Last time you tricked Zhi Hua, at least you gave us a heads up.

Now you're getting bolder.

You dragged the two of us into such a big act without saying anything.

- We have great teamwork. - Zhan, how did you spot his flaw?

He didn't just want to win, he wanted to play the saint.

He was so arrogant that he thought he could predict everything.

He even thought he could control people's hearts.

Like he could toy with the people's will.

But he didn't realize his biggest flaw

came from that very arrogance.

I found this when I searched Zhao Zheng De's body.

During the identification, the Xiuluo Sect took advantage of the chaos

to slip this into his hand.

As soon as he entered Wanxing Tower, he was threatened.

That's why he identified Huo Feng.

Even without Prince Xiangyang's threats,

he still wouldn't betray Shao Ji Zu.

When he was identifying people, his eyes were full of tears.

That's when I realized that when he agreed to come back with us,

his plan was to protect Zhao Yue An.

As long as Zhao Zheng De is alive,

for Shao Ji Zu, he's a threat.

Honestly, I really wish tonight could stay calm and peaceful.

I hope nothing happens.

I really hope I'm just overthinking things.

Do you know what happens if you fail an assassination?

Those two from Wanxing Tower today have already been silenced by Dong Jun.

If you don't start talking and give us something important,

I won't hesitate to hand you right back to Dong Jun.

Do you really think you know everything about Dong Jun's entire plan?

Why are there only four of you here today?

Where's your new leader?

Didn't Bai say it already?

They were just putting on a show.

Why do you still look so down?

It's all because of my young master.

Now he even changes clothes behind my back.

He still thinks that if I can't see the rash,

I won't worry about him.

All this time, you've been putting on a brave face for Officer Zhan.

But you wipe your tears alone behind his back.

It must have been hard on you.

If you ever feel upset again,

you can always talk to me.

I ran all over town

to buy this just for you.

Try it.

It's delicious.

Looks like it's going to rain again.

Whenever it rains, these leaves close up.

I've already figured out the trick.

As for the rest, I'm saving them for my young master.

Alright. You really treat your young master well.

Save this plum for him too.

Speaking of which,

you've been with Officer Zhan for 10 years now.

His Highness mentioned it once

that when your family was in trouble, it was Officer Zhan who saved you.

Yeah.

How did Officer Zhan save you?

Do you still remember?

I can't really remember.

All I remember is when I opened my eyes,

I was already with the young master.

So all these years,

Officer Zhan never mentioned what happened back then?

He has never said a word.

I guess he doesn't want me to feel sad.

Why are you suddenly asking about this?

Here's the thing.

While working on the Siming case,

His Highness and I were sorting through the prefecture's case files.

And we found a record of your family's case.

I always knew you lost your family at a young age.

I thought it happened during the famine.

But turns out...

It was Yaksha.

It was Yaksha who killed my whole family.

Yaksha?

The one who fights evil and protects the innocent?

I see a lot of people in Xiangzhou worship him,

like he's some kind of God.

How can someone who kills innocent people be a God?

He's the monster who murdered my whole family!

Who is it? Come out!

Young master.

It has been 10 years.

You've grown so much.

Ming Zhu Er. Do you know him?

Yaksha. He's the Yaksha who killed my whole family!

- Ming Zhu Er, what are you doing? - Zhao Zhi Er. Take him inside.

- Calm down. - I'll fight him to the end!

You've been fooled by Zhan Zhao, that liar.

- Let go of me! I'm going to kill him! - Let's go.

Calm down. Let's go.

Move aside!

- No way. No! - I said, move aside!

- Move aside! - No!

No!

- Let me out. - No.

Zhao Zhi Er. Watch him. Don't let him out!

Don't you dare bother Ming Zhu Er again.

Then just kill me.

Killing me is the only way to shut me up.

Your sword hasn't tasted blood in ten years.

Yaksha's sword must be rusty by now.

How could it still kill anyone?

Zhan Zhao.

As long as I'm still breathing,

I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he learns the truth.

- Let me out! - You'll get yourself killed!

- Are you letting me out or not? - No! Not even if I die!

- Let me out! - No!

Let go of me!

Ming Zhu Er.

I've carried the blame for your family's murder for ten years.

I don't want to carry it anymore!

Zhan Zhao, that hypocrite,

he never had the guts to tell you the truth about what really happened.

So listen up now!

The one who killed your family back then was...

Let go of me! Young Master!

I need to see the young master!

If you dare say another word to him,

I'll kill you myself.

Do you want to gamble your worthless life with me?

It's up to you.

Now that's the Yaksha I remember.

Young Master!

How is he still alive?

Didn't you say he was dead?

What did he mean just now?

Who was the one who killed my family?

Say something! Who killed my whole family? Tell me!

Hurry up, tell me!

Tell me!

Don't believe a word he says.

Don't believe him.

Don't be scared.

I'll protect you.

I'll always protect you.

Young Master.

Young Master.

Young Master.

Young Master, wake up!

Zhan Zhao!

(Hu Xiao Chen)

It's been ten years.

Zhan Zhao's acting skills

are even better than mine.

When it comes to solving cases, he's getting more and more cunning.

I'm working on a new poison right now.

I'll need at least a dozen live subjects to test it properly.

You promised me before

to get me test subjects. When are you giving them to me?

I'm testing poison

so I can serve you better.

Once my poison is perfected,

not just Zhan Zhao,

even the Gods themselves would be dead.

I don't need you to take out Zhan Zhao.

About what I promised you, I'll make it happen.

Alright.

But Zhan Zhao already knows who you are. What...

Whether my identity is exposed or not won't affect the bigger plan.

What you said in front of Ming Zhu Er

was enough to turn things around.

Tonight, Zhan Zhao

can't really call himself the winner either.

What a shame.

Two of my men got caught by Zhan Zhao.

I won't let them fall into Zhan Zhao's hands.

I've been planning this move for a long time.

Just one last step to go.

Those two men of yours

are just what I need.

Tang. Hurry up.

The poison in Zhan Zhao's body is acting up.

Now, we can only use the Tiangen Yueku acupuncture technique to treat him.

Let's see if we can suppress the poison in his body.

Bai, that acupuncture technique targets the most dangerous pressure points.

- Neither of us has ever actually tried it before. - Hurry!

If we don't do it, he won't make it through the night.

Give it a try.

Tang!

I heard you caught two Xiuluo Sect bandits.

I'm here to take them.

Who told you that?

Was it the new leader of the Xiuluo Sect?

You're in such a hurry to take them away

because you're afraid they'll spill how you incited the Xiuluo Sect

to commit crimes in Wanshan County, right?

Wang Heng and Liu San Lang both died by your hand.

A few deaths in exchange for peace in Wanshan County.

Then their deaths were justified.

Without me, Wanshan County wouldn't be what it is today.

Everything the people have is given by me.

I have the right to decide their fate.

Go ahead, make your move.

I know I'm no match for you.

But you'd better think it through.

If you fight me now and disrupt the treatment,

you'll end up killing Zhan Zhao.

Haven't made up your mind yet?

Are you really willing to risk Zhan Zhao's life to save those two henchmen?

If my young master wakes up and asks, I'll take the blame.

I just want him alive.

Take those two with you and get out!

Take them away!

This last needle

goes into the Baihui point.

This point is where all the body's meridians come together.

Once the needle goes in,

even the slightest mistake

could mean death.

Your Highness, you wanted to see me?

Perfect timing. Join me for breakfast.

Come.

Wait.

You headed to Wanshan County, right?

And you didn't even bring any guards with you.

Weren't you worried Dong Jun might mess up?

I already discussed it with Dong Jun.

Besides, you value Dong Jun so much.

He must have some real skills.

This mess in Wanshan County

has changed hands so many times.

But he's the only one who can keep it steady for me.

Zhao Zheng De

has already been escorted back to Xiangyang.

Yes.

Should I

spare him or not?

I need your answer.

I don't really care

if he lives or dies.

He just has ties to some things from before.

If he talks,

it'll definitely cause trouble.

But right now, the authorities haven't made any moves.

That means he's keeping his mouth shut.

If we act now,

and things go south,

he might spill everything.

Alright.

No more soft-heartedness.

You also haven't lost your perspective

just because you're involved.

You are calm and steady.

Very good.

Ever since you were born,

I claimed you had died young.

I took you away from the manor,

had you changed your name twice because of me.

You've suffered a lot.

It was all for Father...

For your ambitions, Your Highness.

What's to complain about?

Back then,

I had no other choice.

The descendants of the founding emperor were all watched by the court.

If I hadn't secretly sent you away back then,

and had you handled things for me,

we wouldn't be where we are today with this grand plan we've built.

You know

what I expect from you

is much more than those who grew up in the courtyard.

I won't let you down, Your Highness.

Sit down.

The guests from the northwest should be arriving soon, right?

Time to bring them inside so we can have a talk.

About this matter...

Zhan Zhao is still in Wanshan County.

So we can't get anything out of the county.

The gifts prepared in the manor aren't impressive enough.

I'm afraid those guests

will think we're not sincere.

It's fine.

Just wait two days.

Let Dong Jun handle the trouble.

Why hasn't the Huo family's girl been brought back yet?

Perhaps Huo Feng said something

and managed to stall it again.

But secrets will never stay hidden forever.

Don't worry, Your Highness. Everything needed for the wedding is ready.

That's great.

Go ahead and eat. The food is getting cold.

Zhan.

Where's Ming Zhu Er?

He stayed by your side all night.

Once he knew you were alright, he left.

Did he mention anything about last night?

He just stayed with you and cried all night.

Slowly.

I'm sorry.

- Last night I... - Enough.

You don't need to explain yourself to me.

I can't bring myself to scold you.

But that person outside will give you his piece of mind.

What kind of physician grinds medicine like that?

Stop.

I can't call myself a physician.

With a stubborn patient like you,

it must be my past life's good karma that saved me from dying from anger.

Yesterday, we asked you

if the poison had acted up. How did you answer?

Huo, what did he say?

He said he was just pretending.

But he didn't even tell us when he knew Ming Zhu Er was in danger.

Instead, he went to the yamen alone.

What are we to you? You kept everything a secret from us.

Do you think you can't count on us

or do you think we'll just hold you back?

I have a personal beef

with the Xiuluo Sect leader.

- So... - So you're afraid you'll drag us into it.

Anyone timid would never be your friend.

Well said.

The three of us are always living on edge.

But you risked your life without a second thought.

Do you want to die that badly? Here.

Drink this bowl of poison right now.

You'll drop dead instantly. It'll make things easier for us.

I really don't get you.

You drink poison and still smile so happily.

My friendship with Hu Xiao Chen is over.

But I still have you two as friends.

Looking at it this way,

that's enough for me.

It feels like I've won.

I'm not good at comforting people.

Yesterday, we managed to save your life,

- but... - The medicine is bitter enough.

No need for harsh words.