Original subtitles

[Respect Copyright, Everyone's Responsibility]

[The Eternal Fragrance]

[Adapted from Shisilang's novel, The Eternal Fragrance]

[Episode 2]

Who's there?

It's you...

It's you!

You followed me again!

Followed you?

I have no money for an inn, so I can only stay here.

I was here first anyway.

When did you get here? What did you hear?

I slept

until the aroma of roast chicken woke me.

Sir,

have we met somewhere before?

I'm Lei Xiuyuan, an exam applicant.

I think we've never met.

We're here for the exam too.

Fate brought us together. Let's journey together

and look out for each other.

- Great idea... - No way!

Who are you? What's your motive?

Speak properly, Xiaobangchui.

Quiet!

First your brother, then the academy exam.

As if I'd believe you. Speak!

Chufeng Academy is the safest place in the world.

It remains neutral through immortal feuds

and mortal wars alike.

My brother is in danger.

Only by getting into the academy can I save him.

You said your master's lost.

Why take the academy exam suddenly?

I…?

I need to improve my skills to find my master.

Me too.

Only strength

can protect the ones I love.

Why keep staring at me?

I'm not that tomboy.

Xigu Village lies in Gaolu.

Since you're from Gaolu,

do you know Mr. Lei, the military commander?

Gaolu is long gone.

I have no country, no home left.

No country, no home…

I'm just like you,

homeless and stateless.

Your clothes are torn. My sister can sew.

Let her mend them for you.

No need.

We have trials tomorrow. Better look decent.

Your Highness.

[Young Ye Ye]

Hurry, take off your robe and give it to him.

Yuan, Mr. Lei died defending our realm.

As his adopted son,

you must safeguard His Highness like him.

Do you understand?

Are you truly unfamiliar with Mr. Lei?

I'll say this one last time: I do not know him.

Forget the torn clothes.

Hurry undress and get some sleep.

Don't you remember why we came to Lugong Town?

My apologies.

I must've missed my old friend so much

that I mistook you for him.

[Lugong Town] The spirit root test begins.

Fire Spirit Root. Pass.

You're amazing!

You'll definitely rank first.

What's a single Fire Spirit Root?

Spirit roots correspond to the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth.

Most folks have mixed spirit roots,

two or three kinds combined.

Only those with extraordinary talent

possess a single spirit root.

Anyone with a single spirit root

is a rare cultivation prodigy.

Single Wood Spirit Root.

Let's go.

Excuse me.

Illusion talisman cheating!

Kick him out and blacklist him for life.

Top Metal Spirit Root.

Metal Spirit Root.

Pass.

Wait a minute.

Could it be another illusion talisman trick?

Lei Yuan, it's really you.

All those born with a Metal Spirit Root

are destined for extraordinary immortal cultivation.

Come study under me.

I will pass down all my knowledge without reserve.

No need.

What's a Metal Spirit Root?

I don't think he can be better than you.

That old man must be senile.

There is always someone stronger.

We should treat gifted folks with courtesy

and recruit them early.

Your Metal Spirit Root sounds so powerful.

Lend me some of it.

Spirit roots cannot be lent to others.

I…

- Your turn. - I…

She's calling you.

No spirit root detected.

Please check again.

Check more closely.

She truly has no spirit root at all.

Please check more closely!

Maybe my spirit root is hiding somewhere!

Please.

Check again.

Xiaobangchui, hold your breath!

W-What's that?

Dual weak spirit roots with Wood primary, and Earth secondary.

Pass.

Thanks.

Your meridians are sealed. No spirit roots can be detected.

Passed.

Clearly, it's a fox spirit's doing.

Riyan lives inside her.

Lei.

What's up?

Metal Spirit Roots are incredibly rare.

May I see yours again?

No time.

Wait!

We can team up

for tomorrow's trial

to get into the academy faster.

I don't care about the academy.

Then why sit the exam?

Who exactly are you?

Spirit or ghost,

come out now!

Or

I'll shave all my hair off,

so you'll have nowhere to hide.

Wait.

Are you really a girl?

You'd sacrifice your own hair.

You're that Qingqiu fox.

[Riyan, Nine-Tailed Fox]

I'm a Nine-Tailed Fox with a thousand years of cultivation.

My name is Riyan.

Ri as in sunlight,

Yan as in blazing flame.

Riyan.

A thousand years of cultivation? Sounds powerful.

Why'd you hide inside me?

Only because your ma...

I mean, you're such an unlucky fool.

I'm willing to aid you. Show some gratitude!

Come on! They were chasing you,

and you hid on my head!

Wait!

You saw everything when I went

to the latrine and bathed!

My spirit body's injured, and all my senses shut down.

Besides,

what's there to see anyway?

Your spirit body's hurt? Is it that bad?

It's nothing much.

Might take three to five years to heal fully.

Three to five years? That's ages!

Will you pay rent for hiding here?

Ignorant girl!

I've condescended

to rest in your hair.

This is an honor for you!

Old spirit,

you've grown shameless with age!

So it's you.

How many lovers have you ruined for centuries?

What do you mean?

[Little Matchmaker] I match people up and build goodwill.

You two know each other?

When you live long enough,

you're bound to meet shady folks.

Right, stinky fox?

He is here.

Xiaobangchui,

who are you talking to?

No one at all!

Come, I need to talk to you.

Really?

[Lugong Town]

[Yange Hall]

Thanks.

Don't just stare.

Here,

have some meat.

Trying to test me?

Here. Drink some water to cut the grease.

Drink with me.

Still plotting against me.

The truth-telling spell doesn't work.

You poisoned the water too.

Your head's spinning, right?

You took my soul-bewitching powder,

so your head is buzzing,

and your tongue won't cooperate, huh?

Yeah.

Good. Tell me.

Why are you getting close to me?

Stop struggling. Tell the truth.

After my money?

Or my master?

Who's your master?

Not after my master.

Then what?

I... I need to survive

to save my brother.

Save your brother? None of my business.

Won't talk, huh?

Then meet your end.

Excuse me,

pay the bill before fighting, and take it outside.

Otherwise, you can't afford

to break all these teapots and cups.

Thirty liang for this tea?

You're robbing us!

Can we... put it on credit?

Sorry, no credit here.

[Mr. Yan, Owner of Yange Hall]

He's a natural opera performer!

Truly outstanding.

And he's got quite a temper.

I like that.

Mr. Yan. If you like him,

I'll sell him to you. Interested?

He masters both literary and martial arts,

the finest talent in Lugong Town.

The price is merely a meal,

plus leaked trial questions. What a bargain!

Why hasn't Xiuyuan come back yet?

He has a single spirit root.

Some mentor might have recruited him

on the spot.

You'd better worry about yourself.

This trial is said to be tougher than the previous ones.

By rough reckoning,

less than ten percent will pass.

Even I fell for such a low trick.

Look, these exam questions are five years old.

I told you they were unreliable.

Yange Hall has stood in Lugong Town for centuries,

yet nobody knows Mr. Yan's true background.

How dare you buy exam questions from him?

What a crafty old thing.

I need to bring up a big shot

to make him give out all the questions.

Just some gifts, please accept them.

These are predicted two-choice test questions sorted

from past records.

Your Highness, here you are.

I'll open this for you.

No...

This is way too much!

It covers astrology, divination

and cultivation arts from every school.

If you master all of this,

I'm sure you'll pass the trials.

This isn't just food.

It's pure silver! Such extravagance.

This suits me perfectly.

Where's Lei Xiuyuan?

Why isn't he with you?

He...

he is staying right where

he ought to be.

Flower Fairy, where are you?

[Miaoqing]

Flower Fairy? Demon Lord?

Records of Immortals and Demons in the Sea of Illusory Love?

Save me!

Xiaobangchui!

Help me!

Get me out of here!

This place is pretty nice.

Stay here, or you'll bring me troubles.

If you don't save me, I'll never let go.

You!

Let go of me!

Your Highness.

Help me!

Please! Your Highness!

Leave her be.

Let go!

Watch out!

These assassins can't see a thing.

Your Highness, run!

They've come to kill you!

Stop them!

Let me go!

Who dares stir up trouble here?

Where are they?

Thank you for saving us

and chasing the killers away.

You said

they were targeting me.

It doesn't matter who they targeted.

All thanks to Your Highness,

sheltered by heaven,

we've all got a share of your fortune

and made it out safe.

Is Lei Xiuyuan the one you are looking for?

Yes.

He's got the Gaolu clan mark.

Gaolu was destroyed long ago, and our whole clan was killed.

To let me escape,

my mom sent Lei Yuan, Mr. Lei's adopted kid,

to pretend to be me

and lead Wugou's and the Longming Sanctuary's killers away.

He was only eleven,

six months younger than me.

Only Mr. Lu was with him.

We all thought he died.

Turns out

he's alive.

Get lost.

I want to survive

and find my brother.

So pitiful.

But none of my business.

What? Save Lei Xiuyuan?

Who said she'd obey every word

I say?

I don't mean to refuse,

but this guy

is unlucky, and I fear it will taint your luck.

Nonsense!

Tongzhou's luck

won't be ruined by some wild guy.

No. He's a walking bad luck magnet.

Think about it.

He alone brought death to his entire village,

and even crossed the Longming Sanctuary.

How ill-omened that is!

No need to worry about that.

Just get him out,

and I'll let you join the trial with me.

Do I have to go rescue him?

Can't we just bribe Mr. Yan?

You think I haven't thought of that?

I tried bribing him ages ago,

but he wouldn't accept

whatever I offered.

If even you can't sway him,

I stand no chance at all.

[Yue Law] The Yue Law states clearly:

Human traffickers get 300 cane blows, and two years of hard labor.

Lugong Town is part of the Yue State, so…

Since Your Highness wants him,

I'll bring him back safe and sound.

Hold your needle!

Sir! Sir!

Oh, no.

Even if he is being stubborn,

you can discipline him,

but he doesn't deserve death.

There is a Longming Sanctuary's toxic mark on his nape.

I meant to cure him with the golden needle.

But you burst in,

and the needle struck the Fengchi acupoint.

Now he's paralyzed in the face.

He can't speak properly today.

It's all a misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding?

You may use the front door,

yet flew in through the window.

To tell you the truth,

I came here specially to visit you.

Oh? Want to sell yourself to my hall too?

About the unfinished opera from yesterday,

I came to ask how it ends.

You know Records of Immortals and Demons in the Sea of Illusory Love?

Sure, I've read over twenty versions.

Which version do you like best?

The one marked Yan.

It states the Flower Fairy giggles, turns around,

lifts her skirt,

and kicks the Demon Lord straight off the Immortal Execution Platform.

So satisfying, utterly stirring!

A kindred spirit!

Let's talk inside.

Alright.

Make tea for our guest.

Don't sit there like a log!

Brew the finest tea.

This way, please.

Why not stay here and partner up with me?

Let me tell you, with great stories in hand,

we can dominate all realms.

Sounds great!

But I have to take the academy exam

and find my family.

You…

What's wrong with you? So clumsy!

Can't even serve tea properly.

What? Want to beat me?

Look.

Mr. Yan,

I run my business

by one rule:

top quality, fair prices, honest to both young and old.

He is far from qualified.

Look. I'll take him back to train properly

and bring him back to you, alright?

Let's go.

Don't bother over such trivial matters.

I'll train him myself.

Think about it.

You're swamped with work and still writing stories

for us fans.

How could I let you waste time on this?

I'm taking him away now. Come on.

Stop.

Xiaobangchui, that's not fair play.

I bought him with my money.

You can't just take him away as you please.

I'll pay you back the food cost.

No need.

Rare goods once sold, no refunds.

I'm taking him away no matter what.

Go!

You can't take him away.

You're not going anywhere today.

You!

Run!

I'm returning him unharmed.

The trial's starting. Get over there.

You helped me?

No problem. Let's take the trial together.

That's great to have Your Highness with us.

If you ever harm me again,

I'll skin, dismember and sell you by weight.

Your Highness has magic treasures,

Lei Xiuyuan has spirit power,

and I've got wits.

We will be unbeatable.

Let's go now.

Only by slaying the host can I force the fox spirit out.

Move.

It's time.

You have 24 hours from now.

Make it out of this valley

before noon tomorrow,

and you'll pass the second trial.

The trial begins.

What are you doing here? Get away!

Let's go.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Anyone here?

Tongzhou, are you still mad at me?

Tongzhou,

Xiaobangchui

isn't on our side at all.

I was afraid she'd slow us down.

Still, you shouldn't be so reckless.

If you do this again,

I'll send you back.

Alright. I won't do it next time.

Don't send me away.

Anyone here? Make a sound!

Oh, no. I lost my powerful ally.

It's freezing cold.

Why is it so frigid?

We must get out of here soon,

or else…

Bless me.

This will work.

The ancient Zhurong Stone.

Xuanshanzi really splurged a fortune on this.

Tongzhou, you're amazing!

Let's go.

Never thought someone so young

could wield an ancient spirit treasure.

Truly an extraordinary talent.

He is using Xingzheng Hall's supreme treasure,

so he's got a huge edge over other examinees.

- Li, that's not right. - Stop arguing.

Let's check the others.

There may be someone stronger.

No way,

not this again.

♪I trade all the mortal world's splendor♪

♪For a fleeting moment with you♪

♪Our fates intertwined, embracing yet fighting♪

It's you.

♪The hardest bond to balance♪

Where's His Highness?

How should I know?

Stay alive. I'm retreating.

Bro... jump with me!

All limbs intact, thank heavens I had a cushion.

Can't attack openly, or the academy will find out.

Lost your wits?

It'd be easier if he really lost his wits.

Say something. Are you alright?

Speak to me.

You're actually fine.

Are you

cold?

Obviously, snow and ice are everywhere.

Of course, I'm cold.

What? Trying to trick me again?

Don't move.

Why's my whole body warming up?

You're channeling your spirit power to me?

No wonder I took a fancy to you, Metal Spirit Root.

Putting others first, so kind and righteous.

Those examinees are quite hopeful.

Two more trials left.

If I kill her now,

the fox spirit may reveal itself to save her.

Now's the chance to shatter her meridians.

[The Eternal Fragrance]

[Adapted from Shisilang's novel, The Eternal Fragrance]

♪It's me, blinded by longing♪

♪Every glance lands on you♪

♪Fire and water clash, yet we cling inseparably♪

♪Lotus broken, threads still bind us♪

♪My heart calm till you stir storms and rain♪

♪You are my destined rival♪

♪Winters pass, springs come; bound for lifetimes, fate ties me to you♪

♪Mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, I follow no one but you♪

♪Bitterness brews sweet bliss, drained in one sip♪

♪Love and feud balance out, I'm yours alone♪

♪Fated foes, fate plays tricks; you complete my five elements♪

♪Burning love, unbridled hatred, they suit each other well♪

♪If you don't leave, I'll never abandon you♪

♪We'll dwell in mortal dust, stay side by side till the end♪

♪Sometimes I throw petty fits♪

♪I blame all troubles on you♪

♪Though distant on the surface, our souls resonate as one♪

♪We wander far, parted to separate corners♪

♪Yet my heart still leans toward you, my foe♪

♪I sigh and laugh, defeated in this game of affection♪

♪Winters pass, springs come; bound for lifetimes, fate ties me to you♪

♪Mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, I follow no one but you♪

♪Perhaps endless tangling is our silent bond♪

♪Love and feud balance out, I'm yours alone♪

♪Fated foes, fate plays tricks; you complete my five elements♪

♪Burning love, unbridled hatred, they suit each other well♪

♪If you don't leave, I'll never abandon you♪

♪We'll dwell in mortal dust, stay side by side till the end♪