Original subtitles

Well,

this year, not a single drop of rain

has fallen

in these small countries east of the Ape Mountain.

The people couldn't stand it anymore.

So they all ran towards the Ape Kingdom.

Normally,

to prevent enemy infiltrators,

the Ape Kingdom should not have accepted any more refugees.

But when people are pushed to desperation,

they'll try any means possible.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn,

there was this man who,

to save his life,

actually

managed to climb

for two days and two nights

over the most dangerous border...

The Ape Mountain.

You know,

when someone is starving,

even rotten food tastes good.

But, after all,

he was still mere mortal flesh.

And then?

And then?

I heard

he was bitten to death

alive.

If what you say is true

and that monster is so terrifying,

wouldn't our Ape Kingdom have been in an uproar long ago?

Exactly.

That's where you're wrong.

Word is, these Rotten Ones

begin to decay from the belly.

Since they're usually clothed,

you can't always tell just

by looking at their faces.

For all you know,

they could be right in the crowd.

It's just that

we

Haven't noticed them.

Excuse me,

I just want to ask...

Why is everyone still awake in the middle of the night?

What are you all gawking at?

What?

What rock did you crawl out from?

How can you not know this?

Gawking?

This is our most important affair.

We're here

to pay homage to the True Ape Deity.

The Ape Deity protects us and keeps us safe.

The Ape Deity?

May I ask,

where exactly

is your Ape Deity?

The Ape Deity has descended!

The Ape Deity blesses us!

The Ape Deity blesses us.

The Ape Deity blesses us.

The Ape Deity blesses us.

The Ape Deity blesses us.

Hey, man.

Is your Ape Deity's attire

deliberately so unique?

What's going on?

Run! Run!

Careful!

That's disgusting.

Close the net!

Miss.

What does this mean?

[Anecdotes of Ape Mountain]

Greetings, Your Highness.

You may rise, Mr. Yuwen.

Is this the master from Taiji Village?

Yes.

You flatter me, Your Highness.

I am truly from the village.

"Master"

is too generous.

Let's go.

Xuan Cheng.

I haven't seen your master in years.

How has he been?

Reporting to Your Majesty,

my master has been cultivating in seclusion at home.

He's fine.

This time,

I am here to search for the Ape Deity

under his master's orders.

Your Majesty,

it seems

Daoist Yanyi had already foreseen

this catastrophe.

That must be why

he sent Young Master Xuan Cheng from afar

to help our kingdom

overcome this crisis.

The White Ape

is the true deity of our Ape Kingdom.

Throughout generations, every heir to the throne

has been chosen by him.

That is why our kingdom

has prospered for ages.

But now,

the Rotten Ones have invaded.

Even the Ape Deity has been corrupted.

It is inauspicious.

Please rest assured, Your Majesty and Mr. Yuwen.

Grant me a little time.

I will do my utmost to uncover the cause

and not fail you.

Your Majesty,

do you have any further instructions?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty?

Seeing you,

I feel an immediate closeness.

Xuan Cheng,

you are young and capable,

skilled in subduing demons and practicing the Dao.

I will

entrust this matter to you.

Alright.

Rest assured.

[Prime Minister's Residence]

Who could

have possibly hurt you?

Miss,

are you thinking of

taking me down as well?

Exactly.

Don't let me see you again.

Miss,

I will fetch you a clean set of clothes.

Please, please, please.

Young Master Xuan Cheng,

treat my residence

as if it were your Taiji Village.

Please,

don't feel constrained.

Alright.

Master.

Master.

I suddenly have an urgent matter

to attend to.

Make yourself at home.

Mr. Yuwen,

please do as you wish.

You're back?

Do you bring the purple gauze dress?

Help me dress.

No, I...

I'll take your life!

It was a misunderstanding.

A complete misunderstanding.

Look, you...

Why did you hit him that hard?

You don't recognize him yet, do you?

Let me introduce him.

He

Is Daoist Yanyi's

favorite disciple,

Young Master Xuan Cheng.

He came specifically to our kingdom

to save us.

How could the savior of the Ape Kingdom in its darkest hour

be such a lecherous and tyrannical scoundrel?

Me? Lecherous?

You think I'm lecherous?

Just you?

Me?

Why not me?

What's the problem?

You tell me!

- You lecherous brute! - Based on what?

Shut up!

- Which of your eyes saw me being a lech? - I'll beat you, believe me!

The bigger picture matters!

It's alright, it's alright.

Right now,

the Rotten Ones have appeared.

Even the Ape Deity has been corrupted.

We must quickly devise a countermeasure.

Father.

He slaughtered Rotten Ones and the Ape Deity on sight,

without investigating anything.

If not for me, you'd already be food for that Rotten Ape.

Besides, did I even need to kill it?

Look closely.

Its entire body had already decayed.

It was a corpse long ago.

That's just your word.

- How do you prove it? - Fine.

Let's make a bet.

Let me tell you,

that Rotten Ape is now in the dungeon.

Alright.

A bet it is.

The bigger picture matters.

What exactly did you do to it?

Rest assured.

I just cast a calming spell on it,

so it could

remain peaceful for a short while.

Take a good look.

And see if there's even a trace of life left.

Is there a heartbeat?

How could this be?

To the southwest, there is a small state

skilled in witchcraft and go poison.

Those afflicted by the go poison

become bloodthirsty living dead.

It follows the same principle.

You mean

those people were all poisoned?

Exactly.

Is there a cure?

No cure.

No cure.

Danger!

Ms. Jingmo.

The Grand Commandant's Residence is surrounded by Rotten Ones.

Let's go.

Impressive. You learn well.

Careful!

Your Highness,

you're here, too?

Yes.

The Grand Commandant is stationed at the frontier.

I'm worried about Yanran's safety.

Help!

Help!

Are you alright?

Yanran,

are you alright?

Your Highness.

I'm fine.

Thank you, Young Master,

for saving my life.

Young Master, where are you going?

Your Highness,

I'll leave her to you.

Your Highness!

There are more and more Rotten Ones.

We're outnumbered.

We must find a way to escape.

Block the doors first.

This can't go on.

Are there reinforcements?

No.

Where are they going?

Follow them, and we'll know.

Quick!

Your Highness.

Where is Yanran?

She's already back at my residence

and is perfectly safe.

Wait.

This is no ordinary fog.

It's an extreme cold fog that never disperses.

This place is a forbidden zone of the Ape Kingdom.

No one has ever walked out alive.

We can only chase after them this far.

Why would the Rotten Ones gather here?

Could this be their nest?

I see.

Sunlight

causes these Rotten Ones to burn.

Before dawn,

they must flee to cold, shadowy places,

and then come out again after nightfall.

You're finally back.

I was so worried about you.

Young Master,

are you injured?

I'm fine.

Thank you, Young Master, for saving my life.

Taiji Truncheon.

Hunyuan Hook-and-Rope.

Master Xuan Cheng's skills are indeed extraordinary.

You're worthy of being Daoist Yanyi's disciple from Taiji Village.

Your Highness,

you flatter me.

If the Rotten Ones return again,

what should we do?

At present,

these Rotten Ones seem to hide by day and act by night.

We must quickly devise a strategy.

Otherwise, once night falls,

it will be difficult to keep them under control.

Exactly.

If we want to wipe them out completely,

we must be prepared before nightfall.

And right now, the Rotten Ones

are gathered in the extreme cold lands beyond the cold fog.

We can only set an ambush

before the fog

to stop them.

The troops of my residence

may not be enough to handle so many Rotten Ones.

How many troops do you need?

Name it, Your Highness.

Father.

My precious daughter,

are you hurt?

No.

I'm perfectly fine.

That's good.

Father,

why did you

return so suddenly this time?

Your subordinate

greets

Your Highness.

I was guarding the frontier.

When I heard

my residence was attacked by Rotten Ones,

I

Rushed back overnight.

Grand Commandant, please rise.

Grand Commandant.

No need for formalities.

If not for your timely aid,

my residence

might not have survived this calamity.

Mr. Chong,

this matter is urgent.

Take your men to the palace immediately

and protect my father.

Leave the Rotten Ones to us.

As you command.

Yanran,

where is the sachet I gave you?

Perhaps I lost it.

You

you're always so careless.

Don't lose it again.

Alright.

Yesterday, His Majesty summoned me

to present memorials.

Why are the gates closed today?

His Majesty is unwell

and needs rest.

He ordered that

no one is to be received.

Why are the Commandant's men at the gates?

With the Rotten Ones running rampant,

His Highness specifically ordered us

to protect His Majesty.

Good.

Tie it tighter.

Alright.

This time it's really tight.

Alright.

Here.

It's done.

Young Master Xuan Cheng.

Have some water.

Thank you, thank you.

Have some fruit, too.

You've worked so hard.

Let me massage your arms for you.

Well, this... this...

Hey, man,

the Grand Commandant's daughter,

Miss Chong, saw how hard everyone's been working,

and brought food to visit you all.

Come, share it.

Let's thank Miss Chong.

- Thank you, Miss Chong. - Thank you, Miss Chong.

Come, share it.

Take some, take some.

Share it around.

Thank you, Miss Chong.

Here, thanks.

Take one.

Yanran,

it is dangerous here.

Be good and return to the camp to wait for everyone,

alright?

I'm heading back.

Release.

Shoot.

Fire.

My Prince!

Where's our

backup?

I don't know.

We're about to break.

Almost dawn,

they'll retreat.

Hold on.

I have a plan!

What?

They won't make it out.

Come on!

Come on.

Come here.

Come here.

Good job, soldiers.

To keep the Rotten Ones from

returning,

stay vigilant tonight.

You defeated the Rotten Ones.

You're

heroes to our people.

Survive tonight,

and we'll

have a feast.

Thanks, Your Highness.

Why

are you so careless?

You can't afford to get hurt.

You're the hope of Ape Kingdom.

It's done.

About that.

Mr. Yuwen.

Don't worry.

I've got this.

To business.

The Rotten Ones in

the Fog Cave are cleared.

The origin is still

unknown,

so we can't relax.

Look.

What is it?

Ebony hairpin.

The neighboring country

is rich in ebony, a

common hair ornament

for their women.

So, those

Rotten Ones are

refugees from there?

As you said,

this is

indeed suspicious.

Oh. I was

called to the palace, but blocked by

the Grand Commandant's

men yesterday.

With

Rotten Ones rampant

and His Majesty gravely ill,

I'm worried.

I must investigate

this.

Mr. Yuwen,

may I join?

No.

No need.

Who am I?

None other than Mr. Yuwen.

Father,

be careful.

You doubt me, too?

Father.

Oh, Jing Mo.

Come here.

Actually, I have a powerful weapon.

It can summon

divine forces in crucial times.

Only we

know where it's hidden.

If anything happens,

you can use it to save me.

I'm off.

Bye, Mr. Yuwen.

What was that?

Nothing.

Oh.

Something else is odd.

Chong Yanran's sachet.

And its

scent isn't

just on her.

Father.

Last night

I led the troops

and wiped out the Rotten Ones.

I didn't let you down, did I?

This time,

I should earn

your praise.

Everyone in Ape Kingdom

supports me now.

But I'm still

troubled.

Because you never acknowledge me.

Why should

the King of Ape Kingdom

need the beast's approval?

Now,

Ape Deity

is a scourge on Ape Kingdom.

I'll be

the hero who destroys it.

Father,

don't worry.

I'll make

you proud.

The meal is

late today.

Go in.

Your Majesty,

it's time to eat.

Your Majesty.

What smell?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What's wrong?

Old man,

mind your own business.

Your Highness,

I'm afraid

we'll be discovered soon.

What are

we going to do?

Don't worry, Mr. Chong.

It's inevitable.

So why not strike first

and raise an army?

But we don't

have the royal tally.

If Xuancheng and Jingmo get it and

rally troops against us,

we might struggle to cope.

Besides,

Our Rotten Ones

are nearly gone.

Some gains, some losses.

Mr. Chong,

In a few days,

I'll make Yanran the Queen.

You just be

the Royal Father-in-law.

Thanks, Your Highness.

How's the injury?

It's fine.

Soldiers,

it's late and cold.

His Highness has prepared wine and food

to warm you up.

Good.

Good.

Come on, get the wine.

Come on.

So much wine.

Miss Jingmo.

Xuancheng.

Here.

No need.

Take it.

Yeah.

Cheers.

Refreshing.

Sister Jingmo,

Xuancheng.

I'm off.

Yanran.

Xuancheng,

there you are.

You always find me.

Well.

You talk.

I'll check there.

Wait.

Xuancheng,

you fought without

armor yesterday.

I had this made for you.

Try it.

No.

Miss Chong.

No.

It's too much.

Oh.

This sachet.

Father

says it's for luck

and safety.

Wear it,

and come back safe.

No, really.

Just try it.

- Wear it. - It's too much.

No, really.

- It doesn't suit me. - Just try it.

Quick!

Get the torch!

Rotten Ones!

Rotten Ones!

Isn't that my prince's guard?

Could my prince be involved?

Protect Miss Chong.

Rotten Ones!

Run!

They've grown stronger.

Their evolution must

have a reason.

- I'll get to the truth. - Survive first.

My Prince.

My Prince.

What's going on?

So, it was you.

Your end is near.

Save strength

for the road to hell.

Father.

Jingmo.

Father.

What's wrong, Father?

Father!

It's Jingmo.

Your Jingmo!

Father.

Jingmo.

He's one of them now.

Jingmo.

Jingmo!

Father!

Jingmo.

Jingmo.

My Prince.

Please,

spare them.

My Prince.

I beg you.

Jingmo.

Father.

Father.

Go!

It's the sachet.

Hurry!

You go.

We came together,

we leave together.

Leave me alone!

Jingmo.

I know you're hurting,

but

you must survive.

And I believe

your father

wants you to live.

There's no way out.

We'll find one.

Go.

Go.

Jingmo.

Jingmo.

My dear daughter,

stop crying.

After today,

you'll be our lord's wife.

Father,

I'm begging you.

Please stop.

You and His Highness

have done so many evil things.

How many people will suffer?

Father.

My dear daughter.

I did all this

for you.

Father,

if you don't agree to my request,

I swear I will never marry him.

What did you say?

My Lord!

My Lord.

Xuan Cheng and Jing Mo broke into the fog,

and their whereabouts are unknown.

Alive or dead,

we must find them.

Yes.

You're awake?

We are now in a cave

beyond the cold fog.

Take it.

Let's go.

Let's find another way out.

I'll carry you.

Gu bugs?

Hurry!

Xuan Cheng, look!

Xuan Cheng, what's wrong?

Don't come over!

Kill me.

Kill me!

Xuan Cheng!

Xuan Cheng, what's wrong?

Kill me!

Kill me!

No!

You said we'd come together and leave together!

There must be a way!

You said...

Xuan Cheng!

Xuan Cheng!

Strike his Baihui acupoint.

It can briefly knock him unconscious.

Who are you?

Xuan Cheng!

Hit his head.

Hurry.

Grand Commandant,

the fate of the realm is already sealed.

Why are you sighing here?

I don't know why,

but I cannot

shake this sense of unease.

Look.

Our Army of the Rotten

is not even afraid of sunlight now.

What is there to worry about?

Your Highness,

you are absolutely right.

Your Majesty, you are absolutely right.

The auspicious hour is near.

Your Highness,

please proceed to the White Ape Temple

for the coronation.

He's awake.

Do you remember me?

Gu Doctor,

is he alright now?

Who is she?

Do you remember

the Southwest Kingdom where go poison is used?

She's the Grand Gu Doctor there.

He's fine now.

So,

you made those Rotten Ones?

You are the origin of the Ape Kingdom's disaster?

You were poisoned by the go poison.

When go bugs enter a body,

they erode and control the host,

turning it into a bloodthirsty Rotten One.

But the Rotten Ones themselves are not truly frightening;

What is frightening is malicious hearts.

Once the Rotten Ones are controlled by someone with evil intentions,

the consequences become uncontrollable.

That is why this technique is forbidden in our kingdom.

A year ago,

I was taken here this way

and forced to create these Rotten Ones.

His Highness forced you?

No matter what, you are still an accomplice.

Now I am in this state,

and it is the retribution I deserve.

Yet humans have a natural desire to live.

Jing Mo.

Do you want to know how to deal with these creatures?

The key is the go bugs.

They can enter any living being

through a wound,

corrupt the flesh, and bring it back to life.

This is a type of go.

There are millions

of such bugs,

all stemming from the same mother bug.

By awakening the mother bug with a bone flute,

all the bugs will obey it,

living and dying at its command.

Only by killing the mother bug

can all the bugs be destroyed.

Where is the mother bug?

I know.

I think I saw this bug in the dungeon.

It should be inside the Rotten Ape's body.

Let's go find it now.

The Rotten Ape

is now under His Highness's control,

and the entire Army of the Rotten obeys him.

With just the two of us,

we'll need

to make a careful plan.

Actually, I still hold a divine artifact

that can summon

heavenly soldiers in a critical moment.

Its location

is known only to us.

Heavenly soldiers?

[Prime Minister's Residence]

Jing Mo,

if you find this letter,

I would be greatly relieved.

You haven't forgotten

the treasure-hunting games we played when you were a kid.

When you see this letter,

I'll likely no longer be in this world.

A secret decree arrived late at night from His Majesty,

saying the Ape Kingdom has fallen into grave peril

and that we may not survive this.

Twenty years ago,

there was in fact another Young Lord in the royal palace.

At the age of two, he narrowly escaped assassination

and was rescued by the master of Taiji Village.

To protect him, His Majesty

entrusted the master to raise him with care

and keep his identity secret.

That young lord

is Xuan Cheng.

Mr. Chong.

Yes?

Is Yanran feeling better?

Yanran is fine now.

She was only badly frightened.

Please rest assured, Your Majesty.

Congratulations, Mr. Chong.

After tonight,

you'll be called Royal Father-in-law,

right?

Thank you, Master.

Father,

take a good look.

From now on,

I will be your pride.

I am your only son,

the Crown Prince of the Ape Kingdom,

its future ruler.

What is Xuan Cheng, that illegitimate son,

compared to me?

If you don't give it to me,

I'll get it myself.

The Ape Deity has given his decree.

The Young Lord

is the chosen one of the Ape Kingdom.

Welcome,

our new lord!

- Welcome the new lord! - Welcome, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, please bestow the tally!

Here comes the Sacred Sovereign!

May heaven bless the Ape Kingdom!

May heaven bless the Ape Kingdom!

May heaven bless the Ape Kingdom!

Where is the royal tally?

I am asking you, where is the royal tally?

I don't know.

The royal tally is here!

He's still alive?

Stop boasting

and calling yourself a wise ruler.

You murdered your father and slaughtered the city;

Your crimes are heinous.

And what can you possibly do to me?

Young Lord,

this ends here.

With just the two of you,

you dare challenge me?

Today,

I would like to see whether you can even

make it out of the White Ape Temple alive.

Be careful!

Be careful!

Your Majesty,

it's...

Send more men.

Make sure they have no way to escape!

Yes!

You guys,

Follow me!

- Yes! - Yes!

It's the bone flute!

I'll cover you!

Go!

You are just like your father,

always meddling.

Miss Chong!

Yanran!

Miss Chong!

Yanran!

Yanran!

Yanran!

Yanran!

Yanran!

Your Highness,

we grew up together.

I know

all of this

was never your true intention.

You were only

seeking

that small measure

of genuine love

and favor.

Young Master Xuan Cheng,

Jing Mo,

I beg you.

Please spare my father

and His Highness.

Please

give them

one more chance

to change and make amends.

Stop talking.

Stop talking.

Yanran!

Wake up!

Wake up!

Yanran!

All of you

will die with Yanran!

I did not expect

we would live to see tomorrow's sun.

Of course.

After the darkest night, dawn will always come.

Heaven and Earth, the cosmos;

All things, in yin and yang.

No matter how dark the night,

keep the light in your heart.

[After this battle, the Ape Kingdom suffered heavy losses.]

[Jing Mo led the people in rebuilding their homes, ]

[while Xuan Cheng departed in haste, ]

[with another evil land awaiting his restoration.]

[Three years later, they met again.]