Original subtitles

Episode 10

Boss, the Protective Formation is ready.

The barrier is open.

Get ready.

It's time.

You're Xuan Hui?

That's me.

Hmm.

Little Kitty.

On New Year's Eve in the seventh year of the Ren'an era,

a great fire fell from the sky and burned half of Chang'an.

It took three days and three nights for the fire to be extinguished.

So many citizens were injured that it was impossible to count.

There were 1,069 deaths.

There are many strange things about this case.

Firstly, when the Heavenly Fire fell in Chang'an,

no amount of water could put out this mysterious fire.

Secondly, the fire burned for three days.

There were many casualties,

but less than half of them died from the fire.

The coroner examined the corpses,

but he didn't find any wounds.

Thirdly,

according to civilians' statements,

many had seen shadows of demons wandering around.

But when they were asked for details, no one dared to speak.

They even overturned their statements.

All of that proves the case to be abnormal.

Or even demonic.

There has been a longstanding legend about a Demon Underworld in Chang'an.

It's indeed the Demon Underworld causing chaos.

Shu.

- Wu Zi Shu. - Wu Zi Shu.

What's wrong?

Shu.

Lady Liu likes demons?

That's…

very different.

But do demons exist in this world?

I guess so. I saw one at the Liu manor.

The White Serpent should show me one to prove his nonsense.

Speak of the devil.

It's another snake?

This…

Shu

- How is he? - He's fine.

He's in a state of shock now.

He just needs a few days' rest.

It was indeed a bit intense today,

but Shu has always been calm.

Why was he so intimidated?

Lord Shu is a book after all.

Maybe he was afraid that the thunder would set him on fire.

After all, the evil spirit's bone

carries an evil aura.

Ling Xiao.

Is he fine?

I've checked just now.

There's no sign of an evil aura in him.

Cat Lord channeled the thunder today.

It must've consumed a lot of her energy.

Fortunately, it's over now.

We can rest for a few days.

I'm afraid we won't be able to.

Why not?

Boss, have you forgotten what day it is tomorrow?

The Sky Lantern Festival?

Mm.

I'm not going.

You mean… there's a Demon Underworld in Chang'an?

It's in the palace's secret records, so it can't be a groundless rumor.

We need to be more careful from now on.

Let's see if we can find any clues to verify this.

All right.

But Zhuyu, where are you going?

It's the Sky Lantern Festival today.

All clans and officials are going to the Imperial City to release lanterns.

Are you leaving me alone?

I'm so busy, yet you're so free.

It's raining so hard. Can't you at least help?

You haven't earned a cent! How dare you still eat?

Is it my fault that it's raining so hard?

Besides, it's not that I don't want to earn money.

- But I don't know how to do anything else. - You…

Dump the water for me!

You're still eating? Put it down!

You… Hmm?

- Isn't this Little Zhuyu's house? - Uh…

Young Master Mei Si.

Wenhua, does a Changxi Palace master live here?

- No. - Hey.

Who are you?

I heard there's a master here who exorcises demons.

Are you a master of Changxi Palace?

That's me.

Duke Wu's Manor

Lady Wu.

Lady Wu?

Today is the Sky Lantern Festival. You can't stay in bed.

It's time to get up and wash up.

Lady Wu.

It's almost three o'clock.

No matter what, you should get up and eat something.

Her Majesty has arrived.

Lady…

Your Highness.

Zhen'er. Where are you going in such a hurry?

As Duke Wu's second daughter and my only sister,

you should act elegantly and naturally to set a good example.

But look at you.

You're being too natural.

Your Majesty, don't be angry.

It's good enough that Lady Wu is here.

The festival is only held once a year.

It's a rare opportunity.

You should make a wish.

Isn't setting off lanterns to make a wish like catching the moon in the water?

It's impractical.

Impractical?

When you were young, you fell sick and was in a coma for three months.

If I hadn't made a wish to God

at the Sky Lantern Festival for you to recover from your illness,

you wouldn't be able to roam around like you do now.

You're right.

Do you have any wishes, Lady Wu?

Peace for the nation.

Peace for the nation?

It's already a relief if you don't cause chaos for us.

Your Majesty.

Noble Consort Mei.

Greetings to Your Majesty,

Noble Consort Mei and County Princess Qinghe.

I heard that you've solved

two more old cases in the past few days.

You've really made our family proud.

It's my duty.

Commander Mei.

Do you know what day the Sky Lantern Festival is?

It's an auspicious day for citizens to make wishes.

Don't worry, Your Highnesses. I've already explained it to him.

So, Zhuyu, do you have any wishes?

I only wish for good crops and peace for the nation.

Peace for the nation?

Commander Mei's heart is with the nation.

You're indeed a gentleman.

Sis.

Don't let your favoritism show so obviously.

Even if you don't normally pray to the gods,

you should still respect them at critical moments.

Especially since you're at the age of getting married,

you should pray sincerely.

Let the sky lanterns carry your wishes up to the sky.

When God sees it, he'll surely arrange

a good wife

and a good husband for you.

Only if last-minute praying works.

You…

I mean, I'll pray very sincerely.

This is so big.

This is pretty too.

This is made of cloth, and this is made of paper.

It's just a sky lantern.

They're trying so hard.

They're choosing beautiful lanterns,

thinking its appearance

will catch God's eye.

It's just the playful mindset of the youth.

But Cat Lord, you're only in your twenties.

You should ask yourself

why you don't have the same spirit.

It's the spirit of the youth.

You've been a snake demon for centuries. Why are you so interested?

Do you think I want to be here?

After all, I'm the daughter of a minister now.

I have to put on an act.

Hey!

Lady Hu Zhu.

Master Shuang Jiang, aren't you celebrating the festival?

Shh!

I'm looking for a demon.

Did you just say

you're looking for a demon?

Mm-hmm.

Today, Young Master Mei Si said

he thinks he saw a demon's shadow.

As a precaution,

I came out to inspect the area.

But I didn't find anything out of the ordinary on my way here.

- Is your hand okay? - Watch out! It's a demon!

I'm sorry, Lady Hu Zhu.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

I'll continue my search then.

Hey. Master Shuang Jiang.

It's a rare occasion.

Why don't you make sky lanterns with us?

Master Shuang Jiang, make sky lanterns with us.

Yes, we've made a lot.

- Yes. - Let's go.

Uh…

- Come on. - Come on.

Commander Mei, may I have a word with you?

What is it, Lady Xie?

I've heard a lot about you lately.

They say you're the best of the young generation.

The Bureau of Mystic Investigations is back on track.

It's all thanks to you.

Everyone's just flattering me.

You're a righteous man.

I have something to say to you.

Do you have a case to report?

Uh…

No, that's not it.

After hearing about you so much, I can't help but feel attracted to you.

I admire you a lot.

Actually, you may not know this,

but my father is usually very strict.

Unless it's an invitation to a banquet, it's hard for me to meet outsiders.

Parents shouldn't restrain their children's freedom.

However, this matter

isn't under the jurisdiction of our bureau.

No.

Actually, my father is great.

He takes care of his family and the young generation.

As a Ministry of Personnel official, he has many disciples.

It's good for their career.

I want to ask you

if you're willing to be my father's disciple

and become part of our family.

Our bureau is separate from the six ministries.

If I get involved with other ministry officials,

I'll be suspected of collusion.

Moreover, the cases under the Bureau of Mystic Investigations

are different from the others.

Forget all of that. What about me, then?

What about you?

You're such a handsome man.

I was attracted to you even when we first met.

What I want to ask is…

Are you interested in me?

Oh.

Thank you for your compliment.

But I'm not interested.

Do you hate me?

I've only seen you a few times.

Why would I hate you?

I have an outstanding family background.

Why aren't you interested?

I'm sorry.

Hey.

Can't you make it clear to me?

I just think that if you really like someone,

such external factors shouldn't matter.

I don't have feelings for you.

Don't misunderstand, Commander Mei.

I'm well-educated on women's virtues.

My family is strict too.

I won't pester you.

I'm not as ill-mannered as County Princess Qinghe.

It doesn't matter if she's ill-mannered or rebellious.

Everyone has their own way of living.

Lady Wu is outstanding in her own way.

Are you not interested in me

because you want to marry the county princess?

I just don't agree with what you said.

It seems like the rumors aren't true.

You and County Princess Qinghe seem to be very close.

You're already so arrogant

after getting promoted to be a bureau commander.

- If I tell Father to criticize you, you... - Hey!

Lady Xie, be nice.

Don't throw a tantrum.

Why are you here?

You planned this together to embarrass me.

Lady Xie, what's wrong?

Lady Xie is timid.

Go easy on her, Your Highness.

Stop scaring her.

I'm not.

She just…

delivered a message on behalf of Mr. Xie

to compliment Commander Mei.

He says he has a bright future.

Mr. Xie is indeed the Vice-Minister of Personnel.

He has better taste than other mediocre officials.

Young Master Mei.

Would you like to see the lanterns with me?

Sure.

Master Shuang Jiang.

Do you have a wish?

Hmm…

To slay demons.

How do you write the word "slay" in "slay demons"?

The "slay" in "slay demons"…

I don't know.

Don't you have a serious wish?

Serious?

Hmm.

Get rich

They're coming.

So? What did you wish for?

Of course, it's to be with Lady Liu.

Mei and Liu will finally be together

Mei Xiaosi, you're setting off so many lanterns.

It's a long journey to the sky.

I'm worried something might happen to them.

That's why I'm sending so many lanterns.

God must at least see one of them.

I don't know if God will see it,

but Lady Liu has.

I wonder what Lady Liu wished for.

- Xiaosi. - Wu Zhen.

Huh?

That's Lady Liu's lantern.

You'll get used to it.

Wu Zhen.

At least Lady Liu was thinking of me when she set off her lantern.

Aren't you going to set off a lantern?

I'm not a kid. I don't believe in lanterns.

What's the big deal?

Even a big guy like Huang Yi set off two lanterns.

He said he wants to start a family.

A gentleman doesn't fight.

Huang Yi.

Rather than making a wish on a lantern,

it'd be faster to find a matchmaker.

Don't Chang'an people say

setting off lanterns is the most effective?

Lady Wu, do you want to make a wish?

Sure.

Wu Zhen.

One word from him and you agreed to it?

I urge you to set off a lantern every year,

but you ignore me.

Make a wish.

Since you got this lantern for me,

I'll wish you a long life.

I wish Lady Wu good health.

May your wish come true.

- May you be safe and sound. - May you have a bright future.

May your path be bright.

- May... - Wait.

Are you two writing a poem?

Can you make a proper wish?

Write it properly.

Peace

Tranquility

Harmony

Peace and harmony for the nation

Peace and tranquility

May the Demon Underworld be blessed with peace and tranquility.

May the human world have peace and harmony.

Peace and tranquility

Ruyi Pavilion

Peace and harmony for the nation

Mei and Liu will finally be together

Look.

- Look, that one is high up. - Look!

- It's nice. - That one is pretty.

- It's nice. - Yes.

Look.

This lantern seems strange.

No.

This is…

It's a demonic spell.

A demon is controlling the lantern.

It doesn't seem right.

Lady Hu Zhu.

What did you say?

I said your sky lantern is great.

Of course.

I'm a master, after all.

Make another one then.

All right.

Someone set off

such a majestic lantern in Chang'an.

I don't even have one like that.

That's right.

I've never seen such a huge lantern.

I wonder whose lantern it is.

What's going on?

There's a fire.

There's a fire! Run!

Stop looking!

Run!

Run!

Run this way! Hurry!

Lady Liu.

It's Xuan Hui.

How did he escape from the Demon Prison?

He's coming for me.

Wait.

There are too many people. We don't want any casualties.

- I'll take care of the lantern. - All right.

The lantern has demonic power.

I think Xuan Hui is nearby.

I'll go look for him.

- Be careful. - Okay.

- Huang Yi. - Wu Zhen, why are you...

Get the Patrol Guards to take everyone down.

Don't hide in the building.

Also, notify the Fire Surveillance Bureau. Hurry.

Yes, Your Highness. Let's go.

Don't panic. Go this way.

Hurry. This way.

Go down here. Hurry.

Help!

Why is there such a big fire?

Yes. Did you also see that lantern just now?

Who set it off?

It's so big. Something could easily go wrong.

That was so dangerous.

- The festival is ruined. - Yes.

I didn't get to set off my lantern yet.

Your Majesty.

The Fire Surveillance Bureau is aware. They'll arrive soon.

Relay my orders.

All families at the festival must do a headcount.

There can't be any more trouble.

Also, notify the whole city.

To prevent any more misfires,

no one is allowed to release wishing lanterns.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Hurry, this way.

Go this way. This way.

Lady Liu.

Lady Liu!

This way, everyone. Hurry up!

This way. Yes, this way.

Excuse me.

Have you seen County Princess Qinghe?

Have you seen the county princess?

With Her Highness's martial arts and quick wits,

she should've come down long ago.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

Lady Xie.

- Have you seen County Princess Qinghe? - Yes.

On the west side of the gate tower. She pushed me down.

And then? Where is she?

I don't know.

When I turned around, the fire exploded.

Commander Mei!

What are you doing?

Lady Wu might still be up there.

I've known Wu Zhen for years. She's no ordinary lady.

With her skills, it's very unlikely she's trapped.

And the Fire Commander is coming. It's no use for you to go up there.

Even so, I can't let anything happen to her.

Hey! Come back!

Xuan Hui, where do you think you're going?

It has been six years, right?

There's no light in the Demon Prison.

I can barely remember how long it has been.

How did you escape from the Demon Prison?

Why are you attacking Cat Lord?

You really care about the cat.

Don't talk nonsense to me.

It has been so many years.

You're still the same.

You didn't even greet me.

Greet you?

I did.

That's not the greeting I'm talking about!

Let me tell you.

I can totally defeat you. Don't force me.

You're the Snake Lord. Don't abuse your power.

This isn't abusing my power.

It's just an elder teaching you a lesson.

Nonsense.

What kind of elder would keep locking their junior up in prison?

Locking you up in prison is nothing.

You hurt Cat Lord today.

If you insist on resisting arrest, I can even kill you.

Are you really going to kill me?

For an outsider,

you're going to kill me?

Father!

Sis!

Sis!

Don't leave me! Sis!

Wu Zhen! Wu Zhen!

Wu Zhen!

- It's them! - Wu Zhen.

I've given Commander Mei medicine.

It'll ease his pain and calm him down for now.

But he needs to rest for a while.

After all, the gate tower wall is high.

He fell while carrying Your Highness, which badly injured his leg.

I'm afraid he'll be left with a chronic condition.

Mingzhuang.

I remember Father has a collection of expensive herbs.

Take the Imperial Physician to see if there's anything we can use.

Was that Xuan Hui tonight?

Yes.

That black snake should be in prison.

How did he get out again?

Snake Lord is taking care of it. We'll know when we catch him.

Hmm.

Boss, you can't.

Translated by Chloe Chow