Original subtitles

♪Heavens strike with thunderous wrath♪

♪Mountains and rivers shatter before my eyes♪

♪Endless splendor cultivated through lifetimes♪

♪Turns to dust between my fingers in an instant♪

♪When the line between good and evil is clear♪

♪Countless souls drift into the boundless wilds♪

♪Carrying the spirit fire forward♪

♪I defy fate♪

♪Just to remain by your side♪

♪Falling into love's abyss♪

♪Like heavy rain pouring down♪

♪Drunk on romance♪

♪In a blink, love and hate vanish into illusion♪

♪Falling into endless love♪

♪Stirring waves upending a lifetime♪

♪Even if this life leads to ruin♪

♪I still choose to be entangled with you♪

♪Through all lifetimes♪

[When Destiny Brings The Demon]

[Based on the JJWXC novel "When Destiny Brings The Demon" by Fu Hua]

[Episode 11] [I think I've Become a Hopeless Romantic]

But

why is there

Fengshan bloodline here?

The Fengshan Clan

has always pursued bloodline purity.

But over the years,

some have

defied their elders, run off,

and had children with outsiders.

Shi Qianlv

has gone to great lengths to gather people of the Fengshan bloodline.

He is playing a long game.

But what could Shi Qianlv possibly do

with those people?

It's for his own selfish desires.

I told you before

that people in the Gengchen Celestial Palace are all the same.

They will do anything for cultivation.

Right now, we just need to find out

where the Shi family took those children,

and we will know his true motives.

But the only one who knows about this

is Master Yan.

We have no choice but to wait for his return.

After all, no one even knows where he is.

Why wait?

He will come back to me of his own will.

Please elaborate, Grandmaster.

I will ruin the Yan Residence

in Yan Huan's disguise,

and that old man will have no choice but to return.

How does it feel to be used

as a breeding vessel,

living in constant manipulation?

Am I really living at all?

Even when I pretended to be a wastrel lost in wine and women,

my family still refused to leave me alone.

Living such a miserable life,

I might as well be dead.

I'm nothing more than a walking corpse.

You would rather live in disgrace

than die with dignity?

Easy for you to say.

I wanted to end it all, too,

but it's not that easy to take my own life.

You haven't been through what I have.

You won't understand.

Once everything is over,

I will end it for you.

Then that would be best.

So the Grandmaster wants to cause unrest in the Yan family

to lure Master Yan back early?

He makes the plans,

and I carry them out.

This is a big project.

I don't think we'll be able

to shop and snack like this again

anytime soon.

Tingyan, you are starting to use words

I don't understand again.

Never mind.

Those accessories look great!

Come.

What do you think?

I'll try another one.

This one's nice.

Really?

Is that Ye Ruling?

- Why is she here? - Let me see. How about this one?

The woman next to her looks like...

Liao Tingyan!

Isn't Liao Tingyan already dead?

Let's take a closer look.

Between these two,

which should I choose?

What is it? What are you looking at?

Nothing.

Tingyan, this hairpin is very pretty.

I really like it.

Help me pick some more.

I will be right back.

Oh no, he's from the Shi family.

Canglan?

What are you doing here?

If I hadn't followed you in secret,

I doubt you would've ever told me

that Liao Tingyan was still alive.

You used a firefly to track me?

Canglan,

don't do anything to Liao Tingyan.

I'm sure there will be a way to have the best of both worlds.

How can I count on someone

as soft as you to save our people?

Ye Ruling,

I'll go my own way from here.

Let's see who reaches the goal first.

What are you doing?

Keeping you in check.

Do you realize

that if Sima Jiao catches wind of this,

both of us will end up losing everything?

Mr. Li, you're finally here.

This way.

We've been waiting for you.

[Songbird Pavilion]

Sir, you're here.

Go away.

Sir...

Stop!

Sir...

Go away...

What a weird man!

Young Master, maybe we've made a mistake.

Was that really not Liao Tingyan?

Let's go.

That was close.

When did I turn into an otter?

Looks like the Grandmaster is here, too.

[Yan Residence]

Grandmaster, did you step in to protect me just now?

Did you get hurt?

No.

Good thing you were there.

You turned me into an otter just in time,

or I would've been spotted and captured by people

from the Shi family.

What happened today feels off.

It seems someone has leaked your whereabouts.

Who was with you earlier?

I went out by myself.

Ruling was with me.

You're getting bolder and bolder.

Now you even dare to lie to me.

I was afraid you'd be suspicious

of Ruling if I told you the truth.

She is, after all, the Mistress of the Yin Palace.

She could be colluding with the Shi family.

No,

Ruling would never betray me.

I trust her.

Besides, nothing serious happened, right?

It's all been resolved now.

Nothing serious?

I saved your life.

I gave you my blood.

If you're injured or in danger,

it wastes my blood.

So the bottom line is you don't want me wasting your blood, huh?

Rotten Sima Jiao,

always trying to scare me.

By the way,

if you're such a good liar,

let's see how you're going to trick people now.

Sima Jiao, remove the Truth Spell now!

Mr. Yan,

about Xian...

Hey, say something, will you?

I will find out where they are.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir,

for granting me freedom.

You're letting us go because you understand

our suffering, right?

I see today as the day of my rebirth,

and I dressed up to welcome it.

That's great.

But this pink outfit

doesn't quite brighten you up.

Even when making small talk, I blurt out my real thoughts.

It's so embarrassing.

How rude of you!

You're in no position to comment on my clothes.

I'm so sorry.

Grandmaster, could you please

remove the Truth Spell for me?

I know people in Chiyan City are at lower realms

and can't see the spell mark on my forehead,

but if I keep blurting out

whatever's on my mind,

they're going to think I'm weird.

Maybe they'll even

beat me up one day, you know?

As I said, it's a punishment.

If someone's willing to save me the trouble and give you a beating,

that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

What kind of schoolkid behavior is that?

So you're pleased with what I did,

since you called me a "schoolkid."

"Schoolkid" isn't a compliment.

It means you're childish, petty, and ridiculous...

Liao Tingyan, shut your mouth already!

At this point,

you might as well keep going.

I wouldn't dare...

I said that because you made me.

If you remove the spell,

I'll shower you with all the flattery you want.

Fake flattery is boring.

I have no interest in it.

Greetings, sir.

Sir, may I stay here?

I have no one else to rely on.

I'm willing to stay and serve you day and night.

No need.

I'm not used to having someone around.

Isn't that right?

You seem pretty used to it to me.

You fell asleep with me in your arms last night.

So you sent us away

because of this young lady?

That's right.

She's the only one I want by my side.

Happy?

"Happy" isn't the word. More like shocked.

Where are you going with this?

This wasn't in the script.

I think you're so secretly delighted

that you're starting to babble nonsense.

Lady, I'll tell you the truth.

I'm actually an otter,

and he's not the real Mr. Yan. I...

What she means is

that I no longer wish to be Young Master Yan,

and that I want to live by my own rules.

I get it.

I will forever pray for happiness for you and the young lady.

See? If you don't lift the spell,

it'll backfire

and ruin your grand plan.

I don't know about any "grand plan."

All I know is someone called me a schoolkid.

And the Truth Spell will last another five days.

Are you cursing me in your head right now?

Yes.

Then I'll add another five days.

So you're giving me a taste

of my own medicine

by trapping me here?

Stay here and reflect on what you did.

And stop thinking about parting ways with me.

I will find a way

to earn Sima Jiao's trust quickly.

I won't let our plan be hindered.

You'll find a way?

You've been in Chiyan City for days

and still haven't figured out how to activate

Liao Tingyan's extreme-cold nature, have you?

I've hit the mark, haven't I?

Ruling, stop fooling yourself.

At this point, our only option is to take

Liao Tingyan's core.

There is another option.

Kill Sima Jiao.

Easier said than done. Do you even realize what he's capable of?

You don't stand a chance.

An opportunity will come.

Ruling,

please, get your priorities straight.

Grandmaster.

Did you tell the Shi family

where Liao Tingyan was?

I have never revealed

a single word to anyone.

Then why did you come to Chiyan City looking for us?

I was worried about Tingyan's safety,

and I didn't believe you had truly killed her.

So I resorted

to using a firefly to track her down.

Please forgive me, Grandmaster.

If I find out you have divided loyalties,

I will kill you without hesitation.

I would not dare.

I wonder what Mr. Yan is up to today.

First, he dismissed all the concubines.

Then he ordered everyone to take inventory of Master Yan's property.

It's pretty alarming.

Miss, I heard from a concubine who left the residence

that Mr. Yan was very fond of you.

We're both servants here.

- Could you put in a good word for me, your big brother... - Big brother?

And help me become a steward or something?

If there's anything you need in the future,

I'll help you, too.

Thank you, big brother.

But judging by your looks, you're more like my uncle.

I'm only in my early twenties.

I'm so sorry.

I saw your receding hairline

and thought you were over 50...

Sorry, I mean no offense.

I'll let it slide for Mr. Yan's sake!

You're so rude!

Miss?

Sore throat?

Maybe you're just too tired.

Get some rest.

I'll get back to work.

Can everyone please stop talking to me?

I've offended so many people in just one day.

Grandmaster.

What are you doing?

Looks like it's working.

I don't have to worry anymore.

If I can't hear, I don't have to answer.

Interesting,

Liao Tingyan.

Whether you praise me or scold me,

- I can't hear you. - There's a pond behind you.

You don't

actually think this makes you look good, do you?

You did that on purpose, didn't you?

You're trying to mess with me.

I warned you

there was a pond behind you.

You didn't listen.

What could I do?

You're going to such lengths

just to amuse me now.

And you've been putting

a lot of effort into playing tricks on me today, schoolkid.

If you want to keep this up,

I'm all in.

So do you?

No.

Pull me up.

Let's go have some fun with the steward here.

Sir,

Master Yan's belongings are all here.

Go to the bank and take all the money out.

Well...

And tell the servants outside

they can take whatever they want from the chests

in the courtyard.

Then they can leave the residence.

Sir,

those are Master Yan's most prized treasures.

I...

Understood.

What is Mr. Yan trying to do?

I wonder where Master Yan is now.

This won't do.

I must send someone to get the news to him at once.

Hopefully, when he hears it,

he will hurry back.

There are no jewels, gold, or silver

in these chests.

How come they're the most popular?

Miss,

there's something you don't know.

People in this city are mostly at low realms,

but Master Yan is a great admirer of immortal arts.

These are all magical artifacts he has collected

from all over the Celestial Palace.

Magical artifacts?

Yes.

Look.

This is the Sound Channeler,

and this

is the Mirror of Reversal.

It can

briefly reflect the opponent's spells back at them.

This is a pair

of Lovebond Plaques.

If you carve

two people's names on them,

the two will fall in love.

I've long been infatuated with a pleasure house's top courtesan.

I plan to carve both our names on them.

The top courtesan?

I don't think you're worthy of her.

You... You've gone too far!

Sorry.

I didn't mean to say that out loud.

I'll apologize.

When I apologize, I mean it, too!

I don't want to hear it!

When is Sima Jiao

going to lift the Truth Spell?

Mirror of Reversal?

Sima Jiao,

we need to talk.

About what?

How much longer do you plan to let

the Truth Spell make a fool out of me?

Could you please remove it?

It's really causing

serious trouble in my life.

Do you admit you were wrong?

Why did you

lie to me in the first place?

I've already explained.

I had my reasons.

Why do you have to force me to tell the truth?

What's wrong with wanting a little privacy?

I can't even keep my own thoughts

to myself.

It's really exhausting!

I can't stand empty pleasantries

and lies,

so I don't want anyone

to hide anything from me.

♪No one reaches, no one hears...♪

Grandmaster.

♪Fall like fireworks...♪

I know you've always been surrounded by lies.

I know deception makes you feel lonely.

But what about me?

In this world,

everything feels unfamiliar to me,

and no one understands me.

♪Even if my very soul were to vanish...♪

The truth is, we're both lonely.

But can we not try to read

each other's mood this way?

There are many ways to know

what someone truly thinks.

♪Mad love blooms a lotus in the heart...♪

So please,

stop punishing and tormenting me.

You can't keep making me

so uncomfortable just because it's fun.

So you think

I'm doing this for fun?

What else could it be?

For the bigger picture?

To make sure your plans don't fail?

♪Snow not gone, flame not out♪

♪Prism of three lifetimes♪

♪You, untouched by moon's regrets♪

♪No one reaches, no one hears...♪

The most upsetting part

is that everything you just said

is exactly what you really think.

Then why don't you tell me what you really think?

♪Memories fade♪

♪We wander the mortal world in search...♪

I want to hear the truth.

♪Cycle back to raging flames♪

♪Even if my very soul were to vanish...♪

I'm doing this

because I cherish you so much...

♪I would never regret the day I met you...♪

...that I don't want you to be harmed in the slightest.

♪Mad love blooms a lotus in the heart...♪

If you dare use

such foolish trinkets on me again,

you'll be an otter for the rest of your life.

What on earth did Sima Jiao mean by that?

Could it be

that he has romantic feelings

for me?

No...

Someone like him

couldn't possibly fall for anyone, right?

But that look in his eyes

was so sincere.

Ugh, I'm so confused.

You're drunk.

Impossible.

I can hold my liquor.

I've only had one cup.

How could I be drunk?

You were human before,

but now you're an otter.

Your tolerance is naturally different.

Did you prepare all this food for yourself?

Who else could it be?

Well,

I prepared it to celebrate us freeing

most of the people in the Yan Residence.

Grandmaster, you should join me.

What are you doing?

Sleeping with my body pillow.

Don't you also like holding me

in your sleep when I'm a little otter?

What, are you shy?

Who said I'm shy?

Even the Truth Spell can't rein you in.

You lifted it?

Thank you, my dear Grandmaster!

My mood has finally gone from cloudy to sunny!

Your mood?

The truth is, we're both lonely.

But can we not try to read

each other's mood this way?

I feel

like my mind has been taken over by something strange.

Have I become what she called

a "hopeless romantic"?

Are you the only one from Serene Vale who likes making up

words and phrases?

What does "dear" mean?

It's a polite, universal form of address.

I usually use it for people I'm close to.

But it can also be

for the most annoying clients.

There are many ways to know

what someone truly thinks.

♪Falling into endless love. Stirring waves♪

♪Upending a lifetime...♪

So do you see me as the former

or the latter?

Of course I don't hate you.

No lie. That's the truth.

The truth, huh?

Are you feeling unwell?

No.

Drink this, and you'll sober up.

I'm too lazy to drink it myself.

♪I defy fate just to remain by your side...♪

Here.

♪Pouring down♪

♪Drunk on romance. In a blink♪

♪Love and hate vanish into illusion...♪

Why am I back in human form?

♪Upending a lifetime♪

♪Even if this life leads to ruin...♪

Why are you looking at me

with such a happy smile?

When did I

smile at you?

You're imagining things.

I'm leaving.

Guess I was overthinking it.

Sima Jiao is still the same cold man.

Grandmaster, where are you going?

To kill someone.

Is that your catchphrase?

Grandmaster, don't be rash!

Have you come to take my life?

Exactly.

Grandmaster, a word, please.

What are you doing?

Grandmaster, the person you want to kill is Mr. Yan?

What's wrong with that?

The news of a son's death is probably

the most effective way to lure that old man back.

Can we not be so violent?

Can't we handle this a little more humanely?

For him, this would be a kind of release.

How can death be a release?

Isn't there another way?

Then what do you suggest?

Just stop him from being used

as a breeding vessel.

Why don't we help him elope with Ms. Qing'er?

That would still hinder the Yan family's plan

to strengthen the Fengshan bloodline.

And Master Yan would still return.

You want to drag Mr. Yan out of the mire?

Don't bother.

It will only be a waste of effort.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

I believe we can do it.

Trust me, Grandmaster.

You really won't turn back until you hit a wall.

We won't know until we try.

I'll go help Ms. Qing'er get ready, then.

Have you heard?

Mr. Yan suddenly dismissed all his concubines

and gave each one a huge relocation fee.

He gave each of them a relocation fee?

It's true!

No.

He formally divorced them.

Not only that,

he even divided up the family assets among the servants

and let them all go.

Really?

I knew it. Things are a complete mess now.

What do you think he's up to?

Why is Mr. Yan suddenly acting so recklessly?

I don't get it.

Have you heard?

Mr. Yan is planning to elope with Ms. Qing'er, a courtesan

he used to secretly meet at the pleasure house.

He's thrown away everything in the Yan family for her.

- Is that true? - Of course it is.

When Master Yan returns, there will be a real show to watch.

Definitely.

[Yan Residence]

[Master Yan]

What has gotten into you?

I heard while I was away

that you'd been making a mess at home!

You squandered the family fortune

and dismissed all your concubines,

and now you want to elope with a courtesan?

If you keep this up,

how will the matter I entrusted to you ever move forward?

What matter?

Tell me.

You actually forgot what I told you?

Useless fool!

Those cheap women out there

have completely bewitched you.

Listen,

from now on, you're not allowed to go out again!

I'll get you a few more concubines

so you can have more children.

Otherwise,

our family will be in misery,

and you won't live in comfort either!

Who

are those children for?

You...!

Has the pleasure house

rotted your brain?

You haven't even called me Father once since you came in.

You're a disgrace!

You want me to call you Father?

I don't think you deserve that kind of respect yet.

You!

Who are you?

You're not my son.

I am your ancestor.

Insolent brat, how dare you insult me?

Tell me the truth behind the flame-shaped birthmark

on Yan Huan's back.

The Yan family and the Sima clan both belong to the Fengshan lineage.

Every few generations,

someone in the Yan family is born with Sima blood,

and they will have that flame-shaped birthmark on their back.

And what do you do with such people?

When a child like that is born,

they will immediately be sent to that place.

If their bloodline power is strong enough,

they will stay there permanently,

and our family will be rewarded with great benefits.

If their power is weaker,

like my son Yan Huan's,

they will be allowed to return home.

What is that place?

Baifeng Mountain.

Where is it?

I don't know.

Emissaries come to pick them up.

We can't go near.

We can only stay outside.

If I want to get to Baifeng Mountain quickly,

how do I do that?

You'll have to wait.

The emissaries from Baifeng Mountain contact us, not the other way around.

At the end of each month,

they come

to the residence to check for pregnancies.

If there's a newborn,

they will examine

whether the child belongs to the Fengshan bloodline.

If they do,

they will be taken to Baifeng Mountain immediately,

and I will go along as well.

So all that is needed is a child?

Not a problem at all.

Have you memorized

everything I taught you?

I even practice it in my sleep.

Grandmaster.

Nianjiu,

after you keep Master Yan confined in the residence,

I need you to do something else for me.

You can refuse politely

by saying...

Uh...

This doesn't look right.

What did you say?

How is it wrong to do something for me?

If the other person insists,

just keep declining politely

by saying...

I don't have the time.

And if I tell you to make time?

Then you can be more direct

and give a firm refusal.

No, I can't.

Nianjiu,

are you tired of living or something?

What kind of poison have you been feeding him?

My apologies, Grandmaster.

I just

taught him a few ways

of speaking and dealing with people.

You mean you taught him how to betray his Grandmaster?

I wouldn't dare.

That's quite an accusation.

Grandmaster,

this really has nothing to do with Ruling.

I was the one pestering her to teach me

how to be a better person.

The first lesson I learned

from her

was how to say no to people,

because I wanted

to stop acting

like some domesticated animal,

obedient to everyone about everything.

Instead of learning from her,

you should have come to me to learn how to be a person.

Grandmaster,

stop giving Nianjiu a hard time.

I need to go find Mr. Yan now.

Why don't you turn me back into a human?

Tingyan.

You're toast.

So the otter was Tingyan?

In a few days,

I'll be going to Baifeng Mountain with Master Yan.

Return to keep watch

on the Shi family and the Eight Palaces for me.

If anything unusual happens,

report to me immediately.

Understood.

If I can make a contribution to this

and gain Sima Jiao's trust,

then whether I choose to kill or use him later,

I may be able

to break the Immortal-Demon Barrier faster.

Grandmaster,

let me go with Nianjiu.

Fine.

Report to me immediately

if anything happens.

Understood.

Mr. Yan.

Please come with me.

Ms. Qing'er and your daughter are waiting for you.

No,

I'm not going.

I can't put them in danger.

They'd be better off

staying far away from me.

Pull yourself together.

Your father has told us about Baifeng Mountain.

My Grand...

My young master is very powerful.

You can count on him to take care of things there

and ensure your safety.

We've already paved the way for you.

From now on, you can live however you want.

How can I possibly live a carefree life

after going through something like this?

The Fengshan bloodline

will one day drag me back

into tragedy.

He's right.

♪Autumn winds sigh♪

♪Moon and stars dapple the sky♪

♪Brushing the loneliness of bygone days♪

♪Candlelight flickers low♪

♪Shadows sway♪

♪Shimmering in the night♪

♪With a brush I draw♪

♪The color of light♪

♪To warm your frozen soul♪

♪Memories anchor here♪

♪Longing is engraved♪

♪Yet cannot be touched♪

♪Following♪

♪The veins of gravel♪

♪I turn into spirit fire♪

♪Burning away♪

♪All these karmic ties♪

♪To save you♪

♪To save me♪

♪To cross over all suffering, I'll break through♪

♪The laws of heaven♪

♪The vortex of reincarnation♪

♪What of life and death?♪

♪To save you♪

♪To save me♪

♪To redeem all beings, I'll let pass♪

♪Right and wrong♪

♪Rumors and tales♪

♪To seize fate♪

♪With my own hands♪

♪For you♪

♪For me♪

♪For the healing of wounds♪

♪I'll stir the murky seas♪

♪And strive against the heavens♪

♪To protect the vastness♪

♪For you♪

♪For me♪

♪For the light of dawn♪

♪I'll face promises♪

♪Like a moth to a flame♪

♪And use my body to shine♪

♪On even more♪