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 31] [The more we keep secrets, the more we look like a couple]

In tales of the supernatural,

fairies always love all living beings.

But you're only devoted to me.

You're devoted to one individual.

Who exactly are you?

What's your goal?

What does Your Majesty think?

So beautiful, are you trying to bewitch me

and bring down my reign?

Does this face of mine really look so wicked?

Then you must want to use the dynasty's fortune to cultivate.

But you chose me, a foolish emperor.

I am no demon.

Nor is Your Majesty a foolish emperor.

I know you took the throne so young,

unable to rule in person.

Many wished you harm, scheming for power.

You only played the fool

to make your enemies drop their guard

and keep your throne secure.

How could you possibly know this?

All Your Majesty needs to know is this:

No matter how many enemies surround you,

I will always stand by your side.

This is how you slipped into my dreams, isn't it?

Your dreams?

Your Majesty has dreamed of me?

Since you so want to know my purpose,

then I shall tell you.

We were once demon lovers,

our fates bound across three lives.

But Your Majesty died too soon,

so I had to follow into the mortal realm

to find you again.

What kind of demon lovers?

I was an otter, and Your Majesty was a black serpent.

Absurd.

If it were true,

show me your true form.

It's late. You still have morning court tomorrow.

You should rest now.

No rush. We have all the time in the world.

Keep your words.

Our days together are just beginning.

Mother was right:

trust your own heart.

You two may go.

I have matters to discuss. Please reveal yourself, Madam.

So you've received my little gift.

Yes. News just came from the prison.

Wei Xianyu is dead.

Then will you join hands with me?

Of course.

I am willing to work with you,

each of us getting what we need.

I've also heard

that demon lady was wounded at the banquet.

That must have been your doing.

More than just wounded.

I've planted a trace of my aura

in her demon core.

It will flare up bit by bit.

Fed by the grudges of men,

her core will swell.

Once it's out of control, she'll help us

kill Sima Jiao.

Your Majesty, this incense soothes the mind

eases pain,

and relieves your headaches.

How is Madam Yan?

I changed her medicine today.

But it seems

Madam Yan

is using her own secret remedies.

Let her do as she wishes.

Your Majesty, punish me.

For what offense?

I told Marquis of Nanyan about Madam Yan,

but failed to learn

what was planned at the banquet.

That put Your Majesty in danger.

Your Majesty bore no grudge,

saved my parents, and even kept me in service.

But I have been useless.

I've told you many times:

your parents are my subjects.

Saving them was no favor to you.

He has not suspected you

of anything.

That proves you've done well.

Just keep hiding your identity.

Thanks for Your Majesty's great kindness. I'll take my leave.

Your Majesty, this was presented by Madam Yan.

It's a record

of Marquis of Nanyan pulling strings in Liyang.

Why would she have it?

By offering this to Your Majesty,

Madam Yan is showing her loyalty.

Your Majesty, Minister Chen seeks audience.

Let him in.

Your Majesty.

Grave news!

What is it?

The jailers say Wei Xianyu is missing,

vanished as if into thin air.

Declare to the world he has died in prison.

So...

that was Your Majesty's doing?

Yet the jailers swear since last night

there's been no disturbance.

How did Your Majesty pull it off?

Sima Jiao, what are you doing?

You call his name in your dreams,

yet wouldn't let him stay the night.

It's thanks to you that Wei Xianyu confessed

about the Marquis.

That account book in Sima Jiao's hands

will surely aid him.

Thank you both for saving me.

You escaped this time,

but beware the Marquis' men.

Beware of him?

What do you mean?

Aren't you sent by the Marquis?

Fool.

He meant to kill you.

Without His Majesty and Madam Yan,

you'd already be a corpse.

No way.

My family are still with him.

He must know

I could never betray him!

Only the dead keep silent.

Since he cast you aside,

why would he spare your family?

Marquis of Nanyan! I swear I'll make you pay in blood!

If you pledge to His Majesty,

he'll help you avenge them.

Rest easy.

I'll tell His Majesty

everything I know.

Had you not warned me to save Wei Xianyu first,

he'd already be dead.

What brings you here?

Have you found You Yan?

Yes.

Nianjiu followed Beauty Tong's demonic energy.

Though he found no trace of You Yan,

he did discover before her downfall,

Beauty Tong had met with Marquis of Nanyan.

The Marquis...

He ordered Wei Xianyu to assassinate Sima Jiao.

Was he colluding with You Yan?

Highly possible.

If the Marquis seizes the throne,

then Sima Jiao

will never achieve whatever he seeks

as emperor.

Dream on!

And I uncovered something crucial.

Hearing is false and seeing is true.

Come with me.

But... Madam Yan was just resting here.

[Hushan Hall] Jiang Cha, guard Ziquan Palace with them.

Let no one know Madam Yan is absent.

Yes.

Chi Anhe and I

searched every corner of the Pavilion of Destiny.

What the Hu Kingdom emperor

most fears You Yan coveting

is the worship ritual.

And this is the very site of that rite.

A barrier woven of spiritual power in the mortal realm?

Clearly this rite

is a key part of Sima Jiao's plan here.

He must know something we don't,

and rushed to stop it.

Then You Yan aiding the Marquis

must also be after this rite.

We cannot let them succeed.

Even the Spirit Fire can't break this barrier.

There must be more to it.

If I can enter,

I may learn Sima Jiao's true plan.

If only Sima Jiao

can regain his memory now,

then all will be clear.

But he has lost his memory,

and we cannot break this barrier.

[Hushan Hall] Who knows what he and You Yan truly plot.

Why make him remember?

Better he just stay an emperor.

Yet whatever he and You Yan seek

is tied to that throne.

So I'll help him hold it steady.

As for You Yan, he's a master of hiding.

But we can use

the Marquis as bait

to drag him out.

Madam,

one thing puzzles me.

That demon lady just entered Sima Jiao's side.

Why is she

so blindly devoted to him?

You may not know this.

Sima Jiao and Liao Tingyan

were demon lovers in a past life.

This life, they're fated to tangle again.

If that's so,

why not make use of it

to our advantage?

You mean

to press Sima Jiao in court?

An official proposed

digging a canal

between the Lan River and the Chi River.

But the cost was far too great,

so I shelved it.

If we hang this

on Sima Jiao,

and brand him a foolish tyrant,

it will serve us well.

But we'll need your help, Madam.

Speak freely.

I'll stir pressure in court,

forcing Sima Jiao to order the canal.

While it's being dug,

you need only create a disaster.

Excellent.

The grudges of the people will fester,

topple his throne,

and swell Liao Tingyan's demon core,

so she'll finish him for us.

Marquis of Nanyan is really a master of deceit.

Just now in court,

he went on and on about building the canal.

He put on such an earnest face

that I almost believed

he was a loyal minister serving the realm.

I suspect

he means to trap Your Majesty

in a dilemma.

I grew up under his teaching.

There isn't a single trick of his

I don't know.

I'll wait and see

what new tricks he dares try.

Your Majesty stayed at Ziquan Palace all night,

then faced court affairs at dawn.

Perhaps you should rest.

No, I'll stay at Ziquan Palace,

see when she returns.

You think I'm so easy to fool?

Nothing but lies.

If I came here myself,

I knew Madam Yan was inside.

I dare not deceive.

The madam truly isn't in the palace.

You...

Stop.

Your Majesty.

Si Xian, such temper.

This must be Marquis of Nanyan's daughter.

Here to pick faults with me?

Your Majesty,

[Noble Consort Si Xian] I only thought

Madam Yan is far from home

and having just endured such misfortune,

she must be unsettled.

So I came especially to visit her.

But this maid kept...

Still, no need to use force.

Yes.

Don't hurt yourself.

Weren't you to dine with me tonight?

Yesterday His Majesty refused me.

Why the sudden change today?

Go prepare now.

Understood.

I'll return now to ready myself for Your Majesty's visit.

Let's go.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

I especially prepared this tea for you.

It restores energy and calms the mind.

Having a headache again?

Yeah.

Dealing with Noble Consort Si Xian's father in court by day,

and coaxing her in the harem by night,

how can you not have a headache?

And you weren't idle either.

I came to Ziquan Palace

and found you nowhere.

Where were you?

I didn't know Your Majesty would come so early.

I shouldn't have gone to the Imperial Garden to practice.

But I came last night.

I couldn't sleep,

so I wandered the Imperial Garden.

And I got lost.

Madam, His Majesty searched for you

many times in the garden alone.

Well, I fell down a well. Do you believe me?

Deceiving the emperor is punishable by death.

Choose your answer carefully, Madam.

I don't wish to lie to Your Majesty.

May I simply not speak?

Have you thought of His Majesty?

He worried over you so much.

He waited here all night.

He feared you might never return,

feared Si Xian

would seize on your absence.

So he kept it quiet,

only sent men to search in secret.

Why won't you tell me?

If your head still aches,

let me massage it for you.

No need.

I made Your Majesty wait all night.

That was my fault.

But I want you to know,

all I've done is for you,

not for anyone else.

I never doubted your heart.

I only wish you can be more open.

Forget it.

Do you know

why I wept the first time I saw you?

No.

I've waited for you nineteen years,

fearing I'd never see you again.

I have so much to say,

so much to ask...

Where have you been all these years?

Sima Jiao?

Sima Jiao!

Then why don't you ask?

Seeing Your Majesty

living well here now,

that's enough for me.

My headaches come from you.

You must answer for them.

Physicians have tried for years

and found no cure.

Yet you can ease it.

Even now,

you test me still.

You always keep secrets from me,

and won't let me wonder.

So many worries,

no wonder you ache.

I am the emperor.

How dare you be so bold with me.

Even if you forbid it,

I've been bold so many times.

And you rather like it,

don't you?

At last, you smile.

So your mood is lighter.

You wished only for my happiness,

yet I...

What is it?

I shouldn't have used Si Xian to provoke you.

Even without her,

there are concubines aplenty.

Behind each woman in the harem

stands a faction with its schemes.

Though I must balance them,

I've never touched a single one.

But...

you are different.

What makes me different?

You are the one

who wants nothing from me,

the one who visits me in dreams.

Time for dinner.

Won't you eat with Si Xian tonight?

No.

The Marquis forced me to build the canal.

Let Si Xian take that as my reply.

If the Marquis really colludes with You Yan,

then this canal is far from simple.

What's he scheming now?

About the canal,

if we build it, the people suffer.

If we don't, transport suffers.

The Marquis' pressuring me,

hoping to trap me in a dilemma,

leaving me no way out.

It does sound like

there's no winning move.

But Your Majesty looks calm,

so you must already have a plan.

I've ordered

the canal designed to suit the land,

cutting costs by thirty percent.

As for labor,

we'll pay fair wages to willing hands.

It may take longer to finish the canal,

but its benefits will last for ages.

The canal is truly a blessing for the nation.

Your Majesty should follow through,

perhaps even gain more than expected.

You are Heaven's chosen.

Heaven itself will aid you.

You demon lady's sweet talk

only clouds my mind.

I told you,

I'm a fairy.

Even if you want stars from the sky,

I'll pluck them down for you.

I don't want stars.

I only want a clear and steady court.

That alone will satisfy me.

If possible,

I'd rather be an ordinary man,

enjoy life's simple pleasures,

carefree and free.

Here, my lord.

Smells nice!

Still,

I've known since birth

that I bear the weight of Hu Kingdom.

All I wish is to keep this land safe.

Then let me see to your peace and comfort.

So you may have both:

the warmth of everyday life

and the throne.

Grand Preceptor, can't you see farther?

The canal will divert the Lan River,

stop the yearly floods,

open the north-south waterway,

and bring wealth to the counties along it.

It will bless future generations!

Future generations?

Shouldn't you look to the present?

Since the late emperor's passing, Yan Prefecture has suffered drought.

Countless go hungry,

families ruined,

even children eaten by parents!

And now you want a canal?

Such a massive work,

how many laborers will be dragged into it?

And so what?

Some sacrifice

for glory lasting millennia.

Which weighs more?

My lord, you are wrong!

The people are the foundation.

Strong foundation makes a stable state.

Drain the people

will enrage Heaven and man!

When the people rebel,

what legacy remains?

Enough, Grand Preceptor.

You've grown too old,

confusing right and wrong.

Better retire to your hometown.

Hey!

Your Majesty,

the canal has been debated for days.

Please, give a ruling.

Your words show

such devotion to the people,

such tireless concern.

Sharing Your Majesty's burdens,

toiling for the people,

that is my duty.

For this,

I will give my all,

serve until death.

Uncle, your diligence

puts me to shame.

Why not

just take my throne yourself?

Your Majesty is now the ruler of a nation.

How can you still joke like this?

Without the worship ritual,

how can I call myself emperor?

Please, mind your words.

No need to take it so seriously, Uncle.

All right.

Since the Marquis insists,

then let it be built.

See Your Majesty off.

Send Chi Anhe and two demon generals

to help Sima Jiao with the canal.

You'll use the power of the Immortal-Demon Ruler

to aid a mere mortal emperor?

He's not just any emperor.

He's my sweetie.

Fine.

But seriously,

what is your true aim?

Sima Jiao told me

Marquis of Nanyan is pushing hard on the canal.

It must be a scheme

he and You Yan have plotted.

Then let's play along,

see what they're plotting.

Might even draw You Yan out.

Avoid farmland and villages.

That was Her Majesty's order.

Understood.

What... what's happening?

This flash flood is strange.

Why would it cross high ground to hit the village?

It must be You Yan's doing.

Tingyan warned us

the villagers' safety comes first.

I'll go after him.

You guys stay here and guard the people.

Yes, sir.

This useless body...

He caught up so fast!

Oh no, he got away.

Nianjiu,

did you find You Yan?

He escaped.

Tingyan was right.

The canal project

is no doubt a trap set by You Yan.

No wonder.

Anhe and I were working.

Everything went smoothly.

But just as we neared completion,

the dike was destroyed,

and the flood burst out.

We nearly lost it all.

Madam...

Liangchen.

I'm sorry.

Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

Madam, were you having a nightmare?

It seems...

the demonic energy You Yan left in me

has begun to stir.

Your Majesty,

urgent reports have arrived from every province.

The canal was finished overnight!

Overnight?

Yes.

Villagers saw divine figures

guiding the flood into the channel.

And at once the canal was formed.

The officials' reports

even included drawings of it.

Now the people believe

it's due to Your Majesty's blessing,

a great fortune for all.

I told you,

I'm a fairy.

Even if you want stars from the sky,

I'll pluck them down for you.

She really did pluck a star for me.

At least hide yourselves better next time.

Got it.

Grandmaster...

He's not dead.

Really, you guys.

Why barge into the palace?

I finally got Sima Jiao to trust me,

and now he'll start doubting again.

Your Majesty,

when we were working on the canal,

a sudden flood struck.

It was indeed You Yan's doing.

He possessed Bi'an's body.

But...

but I failed to catch him.

He escaped again.

We'll need another way to trap him.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

Once Grandmaster regains his memory,

perhaps we'll know his plan.

It's too late.

Sima Jiao hides things from us all.

This must be deadly serious.

I must learn his plan soon.

Next time,

send word to me first.

Don't barge into my chambers.

I... I just missed Grandmaster.

And you didn't miss me?

Of course I did!

If I didn't,

why would I bring you your favorite

Spirit Dew?

Thoughtful of you!

Earlier...

was someone else here?

No, no one.

You must've dreamed it.

Sima Jiao!

Is it because

of that past-life bond she spoke of,

that I feel so at peace beside her?

But maybe,

at her side,

there are things I don't know.

You must've all heard

the tale of the canal forming overnight.

Marquis,

what say you?

Surely it was Your Majesty's blessing.

A fortune for the people.

And the rest of you?

It must be Your Majesty's blessing, a fortune for the people!

Good.

Then we are agreed.

But speaking of blessings,

since Madam Yan came to me,

everything has gone my way.

Even this canal's success

seems owed to her.

Indeed.

All thanks to Madam Yan.

Your Majesty's Heaven's chosen, blessed without limit.

How can the credit go to her?

Why not?

Or do you, Grand Minister of Works,

have another explanation?

I...

What say you, ministers?

If so...

Your Majesty!

It proves

Your Majesty's Heaven's chosen,

and Madam Yan a goddess descended!

Madam Yan's a goddess descended!

Your Majesty's Heaven's chosen!

You promised me it.

Why have you failed it?

Are you upset about the canal?

It's more than that!

My daughter is suffering.

Now everyone out there

calls that demon lady a goddess.

I don't even know

are you helping me,

or helping Sima Jiao?

Of course I stand with you.

Though the canal didn't cause disaster as we wished,

the rest proceeds as planned.

I'll feed on the grudges of the people

to swell Liao Tingyan's demon core,

bend her mind,

and have her kill Sima Jiao for us.

If she resists,

she'll have to burn away all her power.

Either way, we'll see him dead.

Your plan is so thorough.

Why come to me again?

I need you to gather

a hundred boys and girls.

You might as well

hand my head to Sima Jiao yourself.

Don't be hasty, Marquis.

I'll conjure a great drought,

and use those children for the rite.

Drought and their deaths

will throw the people into chaos.

I never thought

you'd be more ruthless

than that demon lady.

Great deeds

need sacrifice.

We'll use that disaster's resentment

to feed her demon core.

Then...

Then,

I'll back your petition

to brand Liao Tingyan a demon, right?

Exactly.

I'll face the court openly,

but if anything goes wrong,

I'll take the blame

for killing children and spreading lies!

Don't you trust me anymore, Marquis?

Before the canal,

I did trust you.

But now,

I'm not so sure.

We'll discuss it later.

You're just a mortal, after all.

Fine.

If you don't follow my plan,

I'll make the choice for you!

What's this?

Look! Dead birds everywhere.

Why are they falling?

What's happening?

They're dead!

How...?

I'm not hurt.

Then whose blood is this?

The demonic energy in me has driven me to kill?

♪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♪