Original subtitles

(The tassel crowns the knight. The sword is snow white.)

(In the silver saddle, he rides like a shooting star.)

(He kills a man within ten steps. Invincible he is all the way ahead.)

(He would leave once it's done. No trace of him is to be found.)

=Sword Snow Stride= (Season 1)

=Episode 26=

What?

His Highness is in a bad mood.

He's got many maids,

but in his heart, there's no one,

but Jiang Ni.

What about you?

Me?

I'm a mere maid.

His Highness doesn't treat me differently.

What's your feeling for him?

Are you worried

that I'll fight for him with Jiang Ni?

I used to be a death guard.

Now,

I'm a maid for His Highness.

That's all.

Have you

ever loved him?

A death guard can't love anyone.

Do you know Cao Changqing?

Over the past twenty years,

he has been among the top three martial artists.

Who doesn't know him?

Cao Changqing is talented in martial arts and chess.

He used to be a celebrity of West Chu.

After West Chu was destroyed

and Liyang ruled the world,

he assassinated more than twenty important officials

of Liyang.

He went to the capital three times

and broke into the imperial palace twice,

having confronted emperors of two generations.

In the best case,

he was only fifty steps away from the emperor.

He failed to kill the emperor, anyway.

If Cruel Cat Han Diaosi hadn't protected the emperor,

Cao Changqing might be able

to kill the emperor.

Even without Han Diaosi,

there would be other masters around.

The distance of fifty steps was like a natural moat.

After being hunted for more than twenty years,

Cao Changqing has been alive

and among the top three.

He's quite strong.

What's the point of bringing him up?

Why did Cao Changqing try to kill the emperor?

Maybe

his family members or friends

were killed in the Battle against West Chu.

Or maybe he misses his old nation

and wants to avenge his old friends.

So what?

Under such circumstances,

he may keep you safe.

You're going to send me away?

I've thought about it carefully.

For North Liang,

Xu Xiao can use every possible trick.

Maybe he'll make use of your identity.

So, you're going to send me away?

It's just a suggestion.

Cao Changqing's whereabouts are always unknown.

It's not easy to meet him.

Even if we meet him, I'm not leaving.

Why?

Who knows what kind of man he is?

Maybe he's a psychopath who only kills.

Cao Changqing is known as Elegant Cao.

He looks elegant in a black robe.

Why would he be a psychopath?

What if he charges for protecting me?

I'm too poor to pay him.

I'm not leaving.

It's dangerous to stay around me.

I'm not scared.

I have the Divine Token.

You lent it to Senior Li, didn't you?

I'm not leaving, anyway.

Who knows what trick you're playing?

Even if I have to leave,

I'll kill you first

so that I'll feel relieved.

All right.

You're not leaving.

No matter what Xu Xiao is up to,

I'll protect you.

It's hard to tell who the protector will be.

Let's make a deal, then.

You won't leave

before you kill me.

Before I kill you,

you mustn't die.

Deal.

Childish.

Put them in the carriage behind.

General Ning.

I'm afraid

the female assassin hasn't given up.

During the trip,

please pay more attention.

I get it.

Why are you wearing so little?

I don't feel cold today.

Today,

half of the scholars of Jiangnan

are gathering in Baoguo Temple.

Have you thought about how to argue with them?

I may not be able to debate with them.

But it's easy to make trouble.

Senior.

Mm.

Would you like some?

Other things in the Lu Family are poor,

but the porridge tastes good.

No, thanks.

Uncle?

You asked to see me, Your Highness?

Yes.

For one thing,

I'd like to bid farewell to you.

I must say thank you for my stay in your mansion.

We're relatives by marriage.

Don't stand on ceremony.

For another,

I have something to ask you.

Go ahead.

Are there family rules in your family?

Fengnian.

If there aren't,

I can set some for you.

Did someone in my family

annoy you?

I've heard

that even your servants

have disrespected my sister these days

and all her living expenses have been deducted.

If you're too poor to raise my sister,

my family

can send money to her every month

to relieve you of economic pressure.

Is that true?

Yes.

Master, you're nice to Her Ladyship.

But servants here

often pull a long face at her.

Who?

Tell me their names.

(Mansion of Lu)

I'm sorry.

I will kowtow and apologize to her.

We don't need any disrespectful servants.

You're no longer hired!

Xu Zhihu has a bad reputation.

I'm not the only one disrespecting her.

This is your pay.

Off you go.

She disrespected Lady Zhihu.

Shall I go and kill her?

His Highness

has his plan.

Don't act on your own.

Never mind.

No matter what others think of you,

you're the daughter-in-law of our family.

If anyone disrespects you again,

don't hesitate to tell me.

You always take good care of me, Uncle.

I know that.

Anything else?

Why?

Over the years,

you've treated my sister as your family member.

I will

never forget this.

We have

our family rules.

You don't need to thank me.

I'll take my leave, then.

I'm going to see him off out of the town

and come back soon.

Wait a second.

Senior, when we first met,

I said

that I wanted to experience your Snakes in Sleeves.

When His Highness stayed in my mansion,

if I fought you,

I would be disrespecting him.

Now you're leaving.

Do I

have the honor

to fight you?

Bring it on.

Now?

You proposed that, didn't you?

It's my luck

to fight the God of Sword.

Please wait a moment.

I'll take a bath, get changed,

and burn incense for my sword.

Only in this way

can I do the best swordsmanship

and have no regret.

Go ahead.

I'll be waiting for you.

Wait.

Mm?

What else do you want?

It takes a while for your bath, right?

Right.

Get me some more porridge.

Ah?

Can I have a salted egg?

Sure.

Leave without me.

I'll catch up after I fight him.

We'll be waiting for you in Baoguo Temple.

Wait.

You were just assassinated the other day.

How about leaving together with Senior?

Miss Hehe had a sneak attack.

Now we're on guard.

She won't have a chance anymore.

Besides,

Baoguo Temple isn't far from Yangcheng

and there'll be a gathering of scholars.

She won't assassinate me there.

The debate is starting soon.

Let's go and quarrel with them.

Go, go, go.

Where's Senior Li?

We're leaving first.

He'll meet us in Baoguo Temple.

There are two monsters in the carriage.

Oh.

His Highness's Hukui.

They don't bite people. Get in there.

No, no.

I'd like to sit here.

Get out of town through the north gate

and ride to Baoguo Temple at top speed.

(Ancient Pavilion)

(Baoguo Temple, Yangcheng, Yangzhou)

So many people?

Are there always so many people in a gathering?

The debate is a literary event.

Scholars only take some maids.

Other servants

have to wait here

in case of disturbing the scholars.

They think they can be isolated by a mere wall?

It's the common practice

for debates of scholars.

Let's get in.

Wait a minute.

Young men here all have literary talent.

I'm sure we'll hear many new viewpoints.

Yeah.

Your Highness.

Is everything all right?

No one has stalked us.

We're out of the town, at last.

Get into Baoguo Temple with me.

This place is too crowded.

No one of the Lu Family will take part in the debate.

It's safer to stay in the Temple.

Go away.

Young Master and ladies,

wish you good luck

and a long life.

I like your blessing.

Reach out your hand.

Keep it carefully.

Thank you.

In the backyard of the Temple,

there are watermelons in the pool.

Watermelons?

Free for scholars to quench their thirst.

They're sweet.

Go have a taste.

All right. Thank you.

Go. Let's get in for the watermelons.

I haven't seen Xu Fengnian yet.

He's outside the Temple.

I rode very fast

and arrived before him.

Look.

That's indeed Mr. Wu.

Let's stick to our plan.

If we see dregs of West Chu around Xu Fengnian,

(Cranes and Clouds) you'll kill them

and I'll kill Xu Fengnian.

Let's wait and see.

You're using White Fox's blade to cut the watermelon?

She's not here, anyway.

Come over.

Let's give her some watermelons later.

My Lady, it's too cold.

Don't eat too much.

A piece of melon will be all right.

Do you still need the peels?

What can they be used for?

They can be pickled.

She won't take it.

The watermelons are prepared for scholars.

If she takes any, she'll be expelled.

She's a poor girl,

begging for a living.

Her grandfather is paralyzed in bed.

Without her,

he would have died last winter.

Considering her poor life,

monks here acquiesce in her begging in the Temple.

You know her?

I once taught her to read.

In such a poor family,

how will reading help her?

She can't be reasonable unless she reads.

Now that she's in a poor family, she can't have a chance of survival

unless she saves herself.

Why don't you eat the watermelons?

I can't eat them, either.

They're for scholars, aren't they?

I'm not a scholar.

What are you, then?

A poor man.

If you sit beside me,

you'll be mocked by famous scholars.

I'm a loser.

I'm used to being mocked.

You're a glamorous loser, then.

It's just a fake appearance.

Are you here for the debate, too?

I'm too poor to take part.

Then why did you come?

I came to read the book.

Read in the Temple?

Mm.

Scholars often donate money to the Temple.

Sometimes, they donate books, too.

When I often come,

I can borrow some books from the monks.

Why do they donate money?

For fortune, luck, or marriage.

They pray to the Temple,

instead of books?

Look at the pool.

Wisdom and extrication are sought

in Buddhism.

What does it have to do with throwing coins in the pool?

They don't care about Buddhism.

All they care about is quick money.

Aren't they bartering the trunk for the branches?

Now that you think so,

you can't be a loser.

- Amitabha. - Amitabha.

Master asked me to pick some coins.

Go ahead.

Monks here are good.

They're benevolent.

Her Ladyship said the debate would start momentarily.

We should go.

Mm.

Are you really not going?

I'm not going.

Or I'll be kicked out.

Let's go.

Ah!

Dirty girl!

Who allowed you to pick the coins?

Monks here said it was all right to pick several coins.

How dare you talk back!

Freeze.

How dare you talk back!

It's more interesting than the pitch-pot game.

- Yeah. - Hit her.

I won't pick the coins.

I don't dare to do that anymore.

It's too late to beg for mercy.

She just picked a few coins.

Do you need to hurt her like this?

Who do you think you are, poor man?

Chen,

I'm all right.

It doesn't hurt.

You were hit, right?

Who are you?

I'm from North Liang.

North Liang?

Xu Fengnian?

He hasn't come yet.

He has arrived, I guess.

Then why hasn't he come for the debate?

In Baoguo Temple,

what can be more important than today's debate?

Everybody saw that.

You tried to hit me with ill intentions.

I had to pull out my blade and fight back.

I was only trying to hit them.

Stop lying.

This is the debate

where all scholars of Jiangnan are gathering.

How dare you do violence!

Aren't you scared of national laws?

Do you know

that I killed Liu Liting?

- It's him? - It's him?

It's been a few days,

but I haven't been arrested yet.

Because of the hospitality, I guess.

It'll be all right if I kill one more person.

What does it have to do with hospitality?

Don't!

You want to save her?

Can you kill all her family?

You can leave after you kill her.

But this girl can't.

The woman's family doesn't dare to take revenge on you.

But what about this little girl?

After I leave,

if you dare to give them problems,

I'll come back.

Do you get it?

What's your name?

I am

Chen Xiliang.

Chen Xiliang.

Do you know

the topic of today's debate?

(Scholar Chen Xiliang) Kings and overlords.

What is a king and what is an overlord?

Kings practice benevolence.

Overlords perform hypocrisy.

Now that you understand, do you dare to debate with them?

I'll go to the debate with you.

If anyone thinks you're not qualified,

I have the blade, anyway.

Go home first.

No. I'll go with you.

Then wait for me at the gate.

Take off your shoes and air them.

Mm.

Go ahead.

I'll go with you.

I thought you would reject me.

I'm not an idiot.

Only when everybody knows

that I'm your minion

can she and I stay alive.

You know who I am?

Didn't she just say?

You're Xu Fengnian from North Liang.

I'm the most famous playboy

and the most domineering loser.

It would be better

if there were more losers like you.

Kings focus on virtue.

Overlords focus on power.

Overlords can exploit the boundary

and become rich.

(Deliberation) But they rule by force.

They use severe punishment and laws

to rule the world.

Overloads are superior while ministers are inferior.

(Deliberation) Then they can unify the world

and establish a big nation.

But when they behave like this,

they easily get brutal.

They'll lose their families

and human relations.

Their reign will be overturned.

Their rites will collapse, too.

(Deliberation) Kings, however,

(Deliberation) rule the world by benevolence.

They instruct people with loyalty.

They don't hurt people and they're virtuous.

The world will be at peace and people will live a happy life.

Nonsense!

Who's he?

He's so rude.

Let me say it again more gently.

What he just said

was rubbish.

What...?

Why did he say that?

Xu Fengnian!

You respect kings and disrespect overlords.

That's nonsense!

Don't stare at me.

I can't debate.

He'll talk on my behalf.

Not everyone is qualified

to talk in the debate.

Go make a speech.

If anyone wants to stop you,

I will stop him.

What I'm going to say

is very simple.

If a nation can be managed,

virtue will be beneficial.

If people can be helped,

the force will be beneficial, too.

Because overlords

reinforce the kings.

Total nonsense!

Kings and overlords together?

Such ambition

will only ruin the foundation of Confucianism.

If all people only seek for money and fame,

we'll be crying for five hundred years.

Without benefits for the people,

how would crying help?

Now, people have little food to eat.

Whom can they cry to?

Absurd.

Ridiculous.

What a debate it is!

Yeah.

Debates are often held.

But what else have you done,

except cherishing the memory of the so-called ancient prosperity?

You take quotations from classics

and sound honey-lipped.

But will such quotations provide more food

or more clothes for our people?

You only debate, but never take action.

You do harm rather than good. Debates ruin the nation.

It's you who started it!

How dare you!

Gross nonsense.

It's recorded in the books.

He's so rude.

Be nice.

You...

Who are you?

I'm Xu Fengnian from North Liang.

He's the man who killed a person on the street.

He killed Liu Liting.

Xu Fengnian? It's him?

Yeah. It's him.

He should pay with his life. I hear he's a playboy.

You don't understand words.

But you're scared of my blade.

You continue.

I've found some veterans that fought the war against West Chu.

They will check on

the girls behind Xu Fengnian.

Don't bother.

You're scared?

Before the war started,

I visited the capital of West Chu

and I saw the Consort of West Chu.

That girl

looks exactly like her.

She's the princess of West Chu?

Yes, I guess.

Your cousin was killed by the royal family of West Chu?

Exactly.

Then what are you waiting for?

Take action.

You go kill the princess of West Chu

and I'll kill Xu Fengnian.

Do you think my family will offend North Liang

for you?

You no longer dare to take revenge?

What are you going to do?

If I kill the dregs of West Chu,

I may infuriate Xu Fengnian.

By then, I'll give you to him

to calm down North Liang.

My family has been prospering,

not only by taking revenge all the time.

We've also learned

to keep a low profile.

You're betraying me!

Action.

Seeking benefits

may not be antithetical.

The pursuit of virtue without laws

will only cause chaos in the world.

You worship the ancient world.

But great changes have taken place.

Human hearts are no longer what they used to be.

If kings don't make contributions,

incorruptible officials would be more effective.

Is this the way North Liang is ruled?

He made a good point, I think.

Your Highness,

you're going to be the enemy of scholars in the whole world?

Don't exaggerate it.

Jiangnan isn't the whole world.

You can't represent all scholars, too!

Uncle?

This is Liu Liting's wife.

She has held the debate

to assassinate you, Your Highness.

I've captured her for you.

Should I say thank you?

Everybody,

please wait in the backyard.

We'll apologize to you later.

Let's go.

What a killjoy!

Your Highness, you fell out with scholars of Jiangnan.

I guess

the royal family will let you take over North Liang without concern.

You're done with the big event.

Let's talk about the minor event.

What is a minor event?

The national fortune is a big event.

The family hatred is a minor event.

She...

Who's she?

She's my maid.

Your Highness, you know

the feud between my family and West Chu, don't you?

She's innocent.

As long as you leave her to me,

we'll support you in becoming the Lord of North Liang.

If anything happens in the court,

we'll have the message

sent to you.

The maid or the support of a clan?

It's not hard to make the choice, is it?

It's not.

But I won't give her to you.

Don't you persuade him?

Uncle, I've kept in mind

your kindness for me these years.

In other cases,

I would be on your side.

But I never persuade Fengnian

when he has to make a choice.

I just support every choice he makes.

Or what kind of sister would I be?

Don't worry, Your Highness.

I won't kill you.

After I take her down,

I'll see you off personally.

I don't think I can defeat you.

As long as you give way,

we'll make compensations for you.

A piece of advice for you, too.

If you dare to hurt her,

I'll spend my whole life ruining your family.

I'm serious.

In the Battle against West Chu,

a lineal son of your family died.

But if you want to ruin your family

just for your cousin,

is it worth it?

Without my cousin,

I would have been dead.

Oh, I see.

Let's fight, then.

Hey.

Go away!

What?

Do you also want to get in for the debate?

I'm waiting for someone.

Go away!

I promised Chen to wait for him here.

Sir,

the debate is over.

Please leave.

Stop him.

(Baoguo Temple)

(Baoguo Temple)

You haven't learned martial arts for a long time, have you?

Do you also think I'm a genius?

You're indeed a genius.

Wang Chonglou gave Dahuangting to you.

But he can't teach you the marrow of blade artistry

or the Heart Arts.

In such a short time,

you can fight like a master.

In the future,

you may be among the top three martial artists.

I also think you can do great swordplay.

Now that we appreciate each other,

shall we not fight?

Give her to me

and I'll let you go.

What can you offer?

Like I said,

my family will support you in taking over North Liang.

It's not enough.

Tell me what you want, then.

Among Xu Xiao's six adopted sons,

who's the most horrible one?

You know that, don't you?

Chen Zhibao.

Kill him for me

and I'll give her to you.

Chen Zhibao is greatly supported by North Liang Army.

He has excellent martial arts and heart arts.

It's hard to kill him.

Before Chen Zhibao is dead,

how can I take over North Liang?

All right.

I promise you.

You'd better write it down.

Do you have paper and a writing brush?

There are some in the Temple.

Leave the Temple

to join Ning Emei and the others.

The Temple is besieged.

You can't go out!

Turning Water into Sword of Sword Immortal of Tangxi.

I thought it referred to sword casting.

It refers to sword casting

as well as swordplay.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

I won't hurt you.

Your Highness.

Snakes in Sleeves?

The God of Sword taught you that?

You just started to learn it?

It's the best you can do, isn't it?

Get out of the way!

Who?

It's our family business.

Please don't interfere.

Sir,

what are you doing?

One step to the left.

Horizontal brandish.

Defense with the scabbard.

Two steps back.

Defense again.

You can read minds?

Stab.

Withdrawal and horizontal defense.

Three steps back.

I'll take four steps back.

I don't read minds.

I just offered the best solution.

You insisted on taking one more step back.

When you threw the little stone,

you figured out

that I would lose like this?

When you calculate with human minds,

you never lose.

You are...

Cao Changqing.

(Cao Changqing, Elegant Man in Black)

I remember your cousin.

He was killed by soldiers of West Chu.

Now I'm going to be killed by you.

It's like a destined ending.

He's dead?

He's just in a coma.

Mr. Cao, thank you for helping us.

I'm Cao Changqing, a guilty minister of West Chu.

Greetings, Your Grace.

Your Grace, Lu Baijie wanted to kill you

to take revenge.

He had the right reason.

So, I stopped him

but didn't kill him.

However,

you're the princess.

Xu Fengnian takes you as his maid.

You've been humiliated,

and I feel as if I were humiliated, too.

My heart is burning with grief.

I didn't know

that you were stranded in the hands of our enemy.

I'm guilty.

Luckily, here we meet again.

I'll kill Xu Fengnian to avenge you.

You get the wrong person.

Your Grace, you may not remember.

When I was a Chess Master in the imperial palace,

I met you.

It's been a lot of years.

I may mistake everyone else,

but I'll always recognize you.

Your Grace. Your Grace, be careful.

Your Grace,

be careful.

Mr. Chess Master, come after me.

Don't fall, Your Grace.

Here I am.

Mr. Chess Master.

Please wait, Your Grace.

Let me kill him first.

Mr. Chess Master,

he's nice to me.

You've been deceived, Your Grace.

♪ The flower of pain ♪

♪ Blooms in my heart ♪

♪ I made a bet with the dawn ♪

♪ That you'll answer ♪

♪ Forgive this tragic end ♪

♪ Moved by the moment we met ♪

♪ In spite of thunder and lightning ♪

♪ In spite of my falling ♪

♪ When we are apart ♪

♪ I'll collapse ♪

♪ Capture an image of the memory ♪

♪ After all these ups and downs ♪

♪ The vanity ♪

♪ Who will open it again ♪

♪ It's worth it ♪

♪ It's enough ♪

♪ Drowned in sadness ♪

♪ Just to see through ♪

♪ I will whisper love to you ♪

♪ For a lifetime ♪

♪ End the worry in the world ♪

♪ It's worth it ♪

♪ I'll be there for you all my life ♪

♪ After the moments of beauty ♪

♪ You are my reason to be ♪

♪ If there is a way ♪

♪ To start over ♪

♪ Will you still remember me ♪