Original subtitles

If it's about the recruitment, Prince Man-ho has to come in person.

I am here to talk about the recruitment.

You'll have to beat me first, or there will be no talk.

My father hated the Qing troops.

How would he surrender?

Prince Man-ho would go to meet the pirates alone.

That gives us a chance to kill him using someone else's hands

What? To launch an attack on the Heroes' Den now?

Prince Man-ho is asking the pirates to surrender.

They'll take it out on him when they see our war junks.

It can't be done!

What nerve! Who are you to talk back to me?

You are not in a position to comment on operations.

Read it very carefully.

This is the appointment letter with Prince Man-ho's seal on it.

I've been appointed Acting Commander-in-Chief

and I am in charge now.

That means you have to do whatever I say,

or face disciplinary action.

Weigh anchor!

Father...

We have to find his killer.

Chief Cheng was adept at martial arts.

He could have dodged the saber.

Unless...he's disabled before the attack.

Chief Cheng...

Po-tsai...

It's poisoned.

Cheng Yat has turned senile.

He used to command the seven seas.

Yet old age had turned him into a coward.

If he could reach a reconciliation with the Qing troops,

the Siamese pirates I lead would be wiped out by the Qing troops.

I won't let Cheung Po-tsai surrender,

nor will I let love rekindle between him and that woman.

He's mine.

No other women can take him away.

What are you doing here?

Prince Man-ho? You are still alive?

Po-tsai, it's your doing! You didn't actually kill him!

Sis Kiu, hear me out.

He killed your father and yet you let him live?

Sis Na, Cheung Po-tsai didn't actually kill Prince Man-ho!

What?

Shek Kiu wants to take disciplinary action.

He'll be given three stabs!

Ready...

Your father saw you as his own son.

Instead of avenging his death, you betrayed him.

So you really are the killer.

It's a setup.

It's to lure me out.

You killed Chief Cheng,

and framed it on Prince Man-ho.

You did it to sabotage the recruitment.

But justice always prevails.

However watertight, evil plans never work out in the end.

You think you've caught me with your clever plan?

I didn't lose to you.

I just fell victim to my love.

Cheung Po-tsai, you made use of my love for you.

You knew I would do anything to save you.

Your trick worked. Are you happy now?

Yes, I did use your love for me.

But avenging my father comes first.

I have to be ruthless.

Watch out!

Master Po, be careful.

It's poisonous.

Cheung Po-tsai, you may not have loved me

but at least you hate me.

You will spend your life going to the ends of the earth to get me.

For revenge, you can never let go of me.

Father, I'll take good care of Sis Kiu.

Brother Yat, we'll meet again in our next life.

Chief, go in peace...

Go in peace.

Cheung Po-tsai, my son.

I spent my life commanding the seven seas.

I have made my name, my dragon saber has killed countless men.

I have lost many brothers and the surviving ones must be exhausted.

Fighting without end can only mean sea burial for all of us.

Po-tsai, you are now the commander.

Winning the fights is not your most daunting task.

It is persuading everyone to accept the recruitment.

Po-tsai, you are the commander.

Whether we should accept it,

we shall follow your order.

My life is linked to yours.

I only have faith in you, Prince Man-ho,

that surrender means incorporation, not extermination.

I swear to Heaven.

If I go back on my word,

if it turns out to be extermination,

let arrows rain on me.

Bravo...

(Wong's Residence)

Atom: tn the...

The credit doesn't go to me alone.

It goes to everyone, to your contributions,

especially you, Brother Yat-hin.

It really baffles me, how did you have the table turned on those rascals?

To play a rascal.

Do you really find your uncle hopeless?

Do you really find your brother a traitor?

Do you really find me despicable?

Fight using your wits.

My work's already done in the study

...or face disciplinary action!

Weigh anchor! Full speed...

Hold it...

I have an appointment letter with Prince Man-ho's seal, too.

I've been appointed Acting Commander-in-Chief .

I have full authority here!

Take it easy.

There really are two appointment letters.

One authentic, one fake.

The proof lies in the imprints.

It's chipped.

It's your trick!

Though I am just a maid,

I know that a chipped imprint is invalid.

Siu-fu's appointment letter is the authentic one.

Commander, we await your order!

Good!

Prince Man-hung, Prince Man-leung and Fok Yee-tai were hopping mad.

Thinking about it still cracks me up.

What Honourable Wong did was so exhilarating It beats punching them in the face.

Brother looked so hateful, I was really shocked.

My only regret in this recruitment mission is that I couldn't witness how you...

took the three idiots for a ride.

Cheers... Cheers...

Highness, I say your greatest regret should be giving up your love for the recruitment.

Ha Sim, you've been with me for so long,

you should know I'd never look back.

However, I am not without regrets this time.

I'll make it clear with him.

It's not possible between him and me.

I too will make it clear with him.

It's not possible between you and me either

(So intuitively the image is locked,)

(following the lead of the heart beat...)

The recruitment has a happy ending,

no more unnecessary deaths for the navy or the pirates.

I can go back to the Hong Kong in 2015 very soon.

(echoing the voices of our hearts.)

(My heart will never change)

(no matter how long we'll be apart)

(I close my eyes and see your face,)

(like we're destined to meet again, life after life.)

(Like the sea is close to the sky, wherever they are, whatever the time.)

(No matter how far apart, our memories will link us together.)

I should be happy

yet deep down I have pangs of regret.

Do I miss the place...

or the people I've met here?

(Who has left me with these innocent memories?)

(However fast time flies,)

(there'll always be a return to the very beginning.)

(This heart will never change)

(no matter how long we'll be apart.)

(In both worlds we'll overcome the trials)

(with vows to meet again, life after life...)

(Like the sea is close to the sky, despite the changes in life.)

(No matter how far apart, I can tell it's you by your voice.)

(This heart will never change)

(no matter how long we'll be apart.)

(I close my eyes and see your face,)

(like we're destined to meet again life after life...)

(Like the sea is close to the sky,)

(it can withstand the test of time.)

(No matter how far apart, our memories will link us together.)

(I pray in the tender of the night,)

(I call out your name in my heart...)

(Will we ever meet again?)

(This heart will never change)

(no matter how long we'll be apart.)

(I close my eyes and see your face,)

(like we're destined to meet again, life after life...)

To handle a hopeless relationship with a rational mind...

I am pleased that I could handle it so neatly.

These two relationships will form my fond memories when I am back in Hong Kong.

Still, I know they will always be recalled with traces of regret.

(Huben General in Triumphant Return)

(A Great Blessing to the People...)

His Highness is the very definition of a man

a man that walks tall.

We never expected a triumphant return when we started out on the expedition.

I bet on the right man.

Though a businessman, I am given a hero's welcome, too!

Even this foreigner can ride on his turncoat.

What turncoat? Coattails!

Oh.

I am the greatest winner.

I have done nothing. Yet I can bask in his reflected glow.

Highness.

Brother Man-ho.

Congratulations, Your Highness, on your success in the recruitment!

I look forward to seeing your great career ahead.

Brother Man-ho, you overcame all the odds and proved your mettle.

It's a valuable lesson for me.

We'll both go for it.

Sire is hosting a victory banquet for you in the royal garden.

Great!

Come on, don't cry. Don't irritate Sire.

He's my son. How will I find him irritating?

He's born prematurely.

He's not yet a month's old and yet he can cry so loud.

He's like me when I was small.

Sire, his full moon is coming.

What about the full moon banquet?

Make it big.

A son at my age is a sign of longevity.

He's born prematurely and so weak in constitution.

He needs the auspiciousness boost.

Thank you, Sire.

Sire, Prince Man-ho is waiting in the royal garden.

We'll leave the full moon banquet for later.

Man-ho is returning in victory.

He deserves commendations.

Sire is leaving.

Sire.

Man-ho, you have not disappointed me.

You beat the pirates at war and struck fear into them.

They couldn't wait to submit themselves to surrender.

It's not easy to manage so well with power and reward!

Sire, the credit goes to you.

I am grateful for the kindness granted.

At ease.

You have another person to thank for.

Your mother Lady Shun.

Mother.

When you got malaria in your southern expedition,

she begged for quinine for you.

When you went to the pirates alone for the recruitment,

she prayed around the clock for your safety

I've failed my duties as a son. I got you worried about me.

All I asked is for you to be safe.

Now you are back safe and sound, I am contented.

Guangdong will have peace from now on.

It's time for just rewards.

Sire, just rewards, and just penalties.

Impartiality is the way to win the troops' loyalty.

Sire, you were lenient to Fok Yee-tai and let him redeem himself.

Instead of being grateful,

time and again he thwarted my operations in Guangdong.

No one in the Navy is convinced of his leadership now.

Sire, please demote him to a 5th rank official.

Sire, allow me to explain...

Sire, he did serve the navy with total commitment.

Give my order, Fok Yee-tai will be demoted to a 6th rank officer.

Sire, Fok Yee-tai may not be good at operations,

but he's kind to the soldiers.

Give my order, Fok Yee-tai will be demoted as a 7th rank officer.

Sire, Fok Yee-tai...

Give my order, Fok Yee-tai be demoted as an 8th rank officer.

Sire, thank you for your leniency.

Highnesses, please, stop it...

You are too kind, I am not worthy.

Stop pleading for me...

Or I may be demoted to a city gate guard in the end.

Man-ho, who else impeded your efforts in the southern expedition?

Let me get rid of them as well.

Brother Man-hong and I didn't see eye to eye in Guangdong.

But those were just disagreements between siblings.

I'll try to persuade him with Sire's teachings,

I am sure I can turn him around.

Good! You have sibling bonds in mind.

This is what a great ruler needs. I am relieved.

Sire, you just said just rewards.

May I recommend a candidate

to replace Fok Yee-tai as Admiral of the Guangdong Navy?

You already have a candidate in mind?

He's loyal. Were it not for his loyalty,

the mission could have ended in failure.

Sire, please appoint Ngo Siu-fu as Admiral of the Guangdong Navy.

Granted.

Highness...

Thank Sire.

Thank you, Sire, for your kindness!

Cheers...

I used to be disrespectful, please forgive me, Admiral.

You...

Admiral, you are forgiving.

I slapped you once, please don't bear it in mind.

Brother Yat-hin, please, don't embarrass me

What? Now you are an admiral, you won't be teased?

That's not what I mean.

So you're now high and mighty?

Please, stop teasing me.

Oh, so you aren't easy-going at all.

No...Highness...

What? Siu-fu, now you are promoted, you won't be teased?

Sure you can...

If you say so.

GUYS, keep it going.

We are out of wine. Let me refill it.

Trying to slip away?

Brother Yat-hin, your reward is not forgotten.

You are given the exclusive right

to trade with foreigners in the three provinces you said.

I was never worried if you might not treat me well.

Aunt, when did you come to Beijing?

Shuk-kwan...

Uncle, I kept asking you about Aunt on our journey to Beijing.

Yet you just hemmed and hawed.

Indeed, what happened between you two after the ball?

How come she didn't come with us?

I said it's a long story.

We are out of wine. Let me refill it.

Don't bother. I have the bottle.

Brother Yat-hin, I am all ears.

Well, I took her back to our room after the ball,

I thought it'd be a kiss-and-make up night for us. But...

What is she doing in the bathroom?

What takes her so long?

Shuk-kwan...

What do you mean?

You think I'd be grateful to you for dancing with me at the ball?

You didn't do it out of love, but out of jealousy of the other men.

Whatever. As long as I see you as my woman, alright?

Wong Yat-hin, don't be so naive.

I won't forgive you so easily.

What do you want?

On your knees.

I've kept count of all the wrongs you've done me.

One slap for one count.

If you want to patch up with me... get down on your knees.

Now you want to settle the scores with me?

On my knees and be slapped?

True men don't kneel.

No way will I...

I meant to give you another chance.

Fine. You and I will go our separate ways.

Shuk-kwan...

Wasn't that woman unreasonable?

She saw too highly of herself.

True men don't kneel.

Such spitefulness has cost her a family. What's the point?

Now she got what she asked for, a broken family.

Ha Sim, I did the right thing, right?

Where are you going?

To go pray to Buddha, that you the uncaring husband won't die a lonely man.

How can you curse your own uncle?

Wing-yu, where are you going?

To get my medication.

How could you be so mean to Shuk-kwan?

You are making my palpitation come back.

Siu-fu, where are you going?

To apologise to my wife.

I told her you were a good man.

Honourable Wong, a relationship is not a business deal.

Why be so calculating?

Highness, we are true men.

Wives are replaceable.

Women can't be spoilt.

Consider yourself lucky if a woman will let you spoil her.

Trust me, Brother Yat-hin,

or it'll become the greatest regret of your life.

Sheung-sheung?

Shuk-kwan, I shouldn't have brought you here.

I didn’t know it would end up like this.

Anyway, now you and that Wong Yat-hin finally had a clean break.

Shuk-kwan...

Why? And I called myself smart!

How could I be so stupid?

I loved Shuk-kwan and yet I let my pride rule,

and insisted on playing the tough guy.

She really was the best woman in the world.

I hurt her again and again.

Yet she still wouldn't leave me.

Just to get on my knees and how hard can that be?

A few slaps won't kill.

Yet I only had my pride in mind.

Now you got what you asked for.

I am doomed, and I'll die a lonely man.

Shuk-kwan, how could you pass away before seeing me for the last time?

Did you want to prove that your death would fill me with remorse?

Prince Man-ho was right.

Spoil a woman when you are allowed to.

It's your loss if you won't.

It'll become the greatest regret of your life. Shuk-kwan...

Was that Shuk-kwan?

Shuk-kwan...Is it you?

Shuk-kwan, it really is you.

You are still alive.

Let go of me...

Why did you lie to me?

Do you know how heartbroken I was when I thought you were dead?

I am not Chu Shuk-kwan.

Chu Shuk-kwan no longer exists.

She's dead.

Please don't say that.

I know, the tombstone is meant to show me I can't live without you.

No. It's for telling myself,

I have put myself in the embrace of God.

The worldly past no longer concerns me.

That includes you as well, Wong Yat-hin.

I know how wrong I was.

It's too late now.

I should face my mistakes and take the slaps!

Forget it, I won't slap you.

I've given you up. It's too late mow.

I was heartless, I asked for it.

I was coldhearted, I asked for it.

I was ungrateful, I asked for it.

I didn’t keep my word, I asked for it.

Stop it...

I killed my wife, I asked for it...

Stop it...It hurts...Are you mad?

True men don't kneel.

Shuk-kwan, have mercy on me.

Let's start anew, alright?

Not that easy...

Stop it! Doesn't it hurt?

Yes, it hurts...

but my heart smarts even more.

Do I owe you from a past life or what?

Not just in this life, in my previous and future ones as well, I owe you without end.

I was scolded and slapped,

so could you go back with me now?

But I promised to devote my coming 3 years to the church

to help raise money for its extension works

Just a church, no big deal.

Let me buy the church as our house in Beijing.

I'll get some land and build them a dozen in return.

What about my tombstone?

You are right, Chu Shuk-kwan no longer exists.

You are now Mrs Wong Yat-hin.

Let's go back.

Man-ho, you and Sire now have good rapport,

I really am pleased.

But bear this in mind, don't get carried away.

Mother, you know he won't. You don't have to...

Man-jing, Mother means me well.

Mother, don't worry, I won't get carried away.

Highness, Sire wanted me to tell you this.

He means to host a banquet in the royal garden for the titled Cheung Po-tsai

to give him the honour.

Really? Sire is perceptive indeed.

It'll show the court's generosity.

It'll help in the recruitment of other pirates in future.

Let me pass it to Cheung Po-tsai tomorrow.

You are now a man with a very big heart.

So what Ha Sim said was true?

The credit should go to Miss Wong from the West?

Mother...

Ha Sim, what a big mouth.

The credit goes to Miss Wong.

She's the reason why Uncle and Aunt have patched up so quickly.

So Miss Wong is here.

Lady Shun, greetings.

Come on, at ease.

Thank you, Highness.

You are all my son's great help,

I should thank you instead.

This lady in a Western dress, what's your name?

Highness, my name is Wong.

Wong...what an accomplished lady.

You must be from a distinguished family.

Lady Shun, you are too kind.

Modest and gentle...

Man-ho, no wonder you like her so much.

Miss Wong? I like her, Miss Wong?

Mother, you are mistaken.

Mistaken?

Ha Sim, so she's not the Miss Wong you said

Highness, she's not Miss Wong.

She's Mrs Wong, my uncle's wife.

Highness, the Miss Wong you said is not here.

This mother can't wait to have a daughter-in-law.

Kill...