Original subtitles

(Episode 1)

Alright, don't worry. See you tomorrow!

Okay, bye.

What took you so long?

I just dropped off a client.

Mr. Zhu, would you like some water?

He's here.

Mr. Zhao, I didn't expect you to honor us with your presence.

My apologies, I just dropped off an important client.

I'll punish myself with three drinks in a bit.

Alright, have a seat.

Today's gathering is to announce

the promotion of Yang Ling to North District Manager

to assist Mr. Zhu.

I hope you both will work together and achieve great things.

He closed the recent office building deal with Mr. Wang.

He's very capable and also the top salesperson in the new store this year.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

I won't let you down.

Keep up the good work.

(South District Manager, Mr. Zhu)

Yang, right?

- Yang Ling. - I've heard a lot about you.

Mr. Zhu, you're too kind. You're a senior.

We juniors have much to learn from...

I'm no senior.

I'm just an old wave.

The old wave will eventually crash on the shore.

Mr. Zhu.

Yang didn't even start in this field.

He used to study at the police academy.

But he's smart and knows how to get things done.

You went to the police academy?

Why didn't you become an officer?

Why are you selling houses here?

I didn't make it in.

Although this industry is different, the principles are the same.

At the end of the day, it's all about making a living, right?

- Exactly. - That's true.

Mr. Zhu, let me toast to you. Please take care of me moving forward.

It's a shame. You're overqualified.

Let me give you some advice.

The North District is full of overseas elites.

Whether you passed the police exam or not doesn't matter,

but you must get your Certificate of Putonghua Proficiency.

Clear and precise pronunciation.

Practice more.

As a salesperson, if your Mandarin isn't good,

you'll come across as unprofessional.

How can you do sales without speaking proper Mandarin?

Mr. Zhao, am I right?

Mr. Zhu, the meat is done.

Oh, is it? Let's eat.

Indeed.

Mr. Zhu, you are right.

I'll practice diligently and make improvements.

Here's a bottle to toast you,

to thank you for your guidance and for pointing out my shortcomings.

Mr. Zhu, after this, shall we both toast Mr. Zhao together?

Absolutely, Mr. Zhu.

- Down it. - Come on.

Here, Mr. Zhao, here's a toast to you.

Mr. Zhu, let's also toast our brothers and sisters here.

Come on.

Cheers.

After this, I'll treat everyone to a second round

and we can play a murder mystery game.

Drink up!

Come. Let's go for a cross-cup drink.

Go for a cross-cup drink.

I'll drink cross-cup with Mr. Zhu.

Mr. Zhu!

- Take it easy. - Let me help.

Mr. Zhu, are you okay?

In sales, if you can't hold your liquor, that's not professional!

Exactly!

You scared me just now.

I thought you were going to smash that bottle over Zhu's head!

Don't talk nonsense.

Assault is illegal.

I can only call a cab to send him home.

He's our leader, our senior. We should show respect.

We've arrived.

Let's go!

This place looks great.

(DM)

Welcome to the world of Dafeng.

Please, have a seat.

Yang Ling, what are you doing?

Get over here.

Get over here.

- Come on. - Coming.

- Let's get started. Hand out the scripts. - Come.

This prop work is really impressive.

I just took a look. It's excellent.

Let's team up.

Detective, count me in.

Alright, everyone.

(Guardians of the Dafeng)

I am the DM.

Please open to the first page.

This world

has academies,

sects,

celestial realms,

and demon kingdoms.

You may disdain the chaotic world,

struggle against unyielding rules,

and be entangled by love and duty.

You know where you come from but not where you'll end up.

Are you Yang Ling or Xu Qi An?

Welcome to the world of Dafeng.

(The Constable of Changle County Yamen, Xu Qi An)

Where am I?

Am I drunk?

This murder mystery feels too real.

(Dafeng's Capital)

The universe is vast and ever-changing.

Just because you don't know something doesn't mean it doesn't exist, right?

No! Brother, don't go!

I was confused at first too. I didn't know how I ended up in this place.

But over the past few days, my mind has cleared up.

Do you know about time travel and parallel worlds?

Brother, I know it's pointless to tell you these things.

Because this is way beyond your understanding.

But don't be nervous. Yes, don't be nervous.

Look at this.

All you need to remember is that my name is Yang Ling.

I am absolutely not the so-called prisoner, Xu Qi An.

Can you understand?

Are you going to eat or not? I'm giving it to the dog.

No. Brother, come back. Let's talk some more.

No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to call you stupid.

I'm sure you can understand.

I'll explain it right away. You'll understand soon.

You just need to trust me. Believe in yourself!

No...

Is this painting not clear enough?

(Imperial Astronomer)

Nine stars aligning...

He should get it now, right?

As the stars align, strange omens fill the sky

and the world is shrouded in mystery.

In our terms, it was a massive magnetic disturbance,

like ripples in time and space,

that created a dimensional rift.

I was sucked into this rift.

No, I traveled through the rift.

Even I don't understand it.

What is going on?

Xu Qi An, someone wants to see you.

You have half an incense stick's time.

Come closer.

Who are you?

(The Second Son of the Xu family, Xu Xin Nian)

It's me.

Come closer, we don't have much time.

The soldiers escorting you to the border took 300 taels from me.

That's all the silver our family has left.

Go in peace.

Don't panic.

I can only help you this much.

If you make it out,

head north

and never return to Dafeng.

Who

are you?

What are you talking about, Qi An?

Qi An?

If the world didn't have me, Xu Xin Nian,

Dafeng would be in eternal darkness.

Xu Xin Nian?

Qi An, this is Dafeng's capital.

Pretending to be mad won't work here.

Dafeng? What is Dafeng?

What dynasty is this?

Forget it, just tell me what I did to get exiled.

How serious is it?

It's not you.

It's my father.

Three days ago,

while transporting imperial tax silver to the Ministry of Revenue,

my father encountered an incident.

A total of 150,000 taels of tax silver vanished into thin air.

Demons!

The court is in chaos.

The Emperor was furious and personally decreed that

my father will be executed in five days.

Our entire family will be implicated.

Male relatives are to be exiled to the border,

and female relatives

are to be sent to the Imperial Music Bureau.

This is Hell Mode.

What's wrong?

I can't feel my legs.

Wait.

Isn't he your father? Why am I being exiled?

What about you?

I am protected by my mentors from the Yunlu Academy.

Naturally, I avoided exile.

But even so,

I've been stripped of my titles and reduced to a commoner.

You're right.

The Xu family

is like hell now.

I really have to go.

If you can't escape,

try to live

as long as you can.

Wait.

What now?

Come here.

Can you get your hands on the case file?

- Case file? - The file of the missing tax silver case.

Qi An, why do you want the case file?

I've exhausted all my resources and still have no solution. You don't...

I want to figure it out before I die, or I won't be at peace.

Alright.

- I've read the files. I'll tell you. - Write it down.

Can you even read, you brute?

Stop wasting time and get on with it.

Alright.

Let go.

Hurry.

Come.

Qi An, don't tell anyone the file came from me.

Okay, I won't.

This time, I really have to leave.

Take care.

Give me your hand.

- Give me your hand. - Here you go.

Stay alive.

I'm leaving.

Whether you live or die depends on this.

A demon's doing?

There are demons in this Dafeng?

Are you a fool? Go check over there!

Yes.

(Chen Han Guang)

I've led my men to investigate thoroughly.

Within 20 miles along the river, we detected no demon aura.

There are no traces on the riverbank either.

No traces?

This case is full of mysteries.

Perhaps we're looking in the wrong direction.

This...

Why don't we go to Yunlu Academy to seek guidance from a master?

Your Lordship, what are you suggesting?

Do you distrust the Astronomical Bureau's aura-detection technique?

Lady Cai Wei, I spoke only out of urgency.

I meant no offense to the Astronomical Bureau.

We have only two days left.

His Majesty has commanded us

to recover the tax silver before Xu Ping Zhi's execution.

My Lady, you'd better hurry up.

Lord Yang, it's the Gengzi Year,

a time for Dafeng's triennial capital assessments.

Every official is on edge during the assessment period,

and countless officials have already been dismissed.

Look, this case has landed on my desk.

If it remains unresolved for too long,

how can I face His Majesty?

Wait, where are you going now?

You civil officials have your assessments,

the Night Guardians are no exception.

To be honest,

this case is also a test for me from Lord Wei.

Understood.

Any new findings from Xu Ping Zhi?

That brute is just crying out about being wronged.

He doesn't even know how the tax silver was lost.

I've already read Xu Ping Zhi's aura.

- He wasn't lying. - He wasn't lying?

The transportation route was decided by Xu Ping Zhi at the last minute.

What sort of demon could be causing this mischief?

Besides, I've checked thoroughly.

There is no trace of demons along the river or on the banks.

What demon is this?

It can actually block the Astronomical Bureau's aura-detection technique.

This demon must be extraordinarily powerful.

Impossible.

There can't be a demon.

The demon theory is just speculation from the capital's officials.

I can't let it cloud my judgment.

I'll analyze it myself.

There's still hope.

Why would a demon steal tax silver?

Do they even use money?

No.

Demons are transformed animals.

They probably want to buy pet food.

You're drifting off-topic.

Let's start from the beginning.

The silver fell into the river and then exploded.

Explode?

Explode?

Why would silver explode?

Explode?

Hey, someone!

Anyone here?

What's with all the yelling?

What's with all the yelling? Do you want to die?

Brother, I need to see your superior.

I need to see you lord.

Our lord?

You are a prisoner. What makes you think you can see anyone?

Look at yourself!

Who are you to meet our lord?

You dodged?

I'll break your legs.

I have important clues about the missing tax silver case.

If it gets delayed, it's on you.

My Lord, the prisoner Xu Qi An has been brought in.

Greetings, My Lords.

Xu Qi An, when you were imprisoned three days ago,

you never said you had any clues.

Where did this sudden clue come from?

Don't tell anyone the file came from me.

Okay, I won't.

Earlier, Xu Xin Nian came to see me and gave me the file.

Xu Xin Nian?

Yes.

(First, I must be truthful.)

(Only honesty can make others willing to listen to me.)

And then?

- My Lord! - Kneel.

Who told you to stand up?

I've solved the case.

Stand and speak.

Alright.

Lay it on me.

This case of the stolen tax silver wasn't the work of a demon.

Rather, someone used the guise of a demon to commit a man-made crime.

You'll need to explain this clearly.

This case isn't as complex as it seems.

According to the guards' testimony,

my uncle left Guangnan Street at half past five in the morning.

At that time, there was an unusual celestial phenomenon,

as though a demon was appearing.

There's unusual activity on the mountain ahead! Move out!

Hurry!

My Lords, did you notice anything suspicious?

What do you mean?

May I ask, My Lords,

how much 150,000 taels of silver weighs?

Stop wasting time.

Just say it.

1 jin equals to 16 taels.

So, 150,000 taels weigh 9,375 jin.

Your Ladyship is indeed exceptionally intelligent.

Your calculation is precise.

It's remarkable.

And what of it? What does this prove?

It proves that the timing doesn't add up.

Are you suggesting that

9,375 jin of silver couldn't have been at Guangnan Street at that time?

Exactly.

Guangnan Street is 30 miles away from the city gate,

passing through four bustling marketplaces.

With the burden of 9,375 jin of silver,

how could a mule cart leave the city gates

at half past five in the morning

and reach Guangnan Street by a quarter past seven in the morning?

But the tax silver did reach Guangnan Street at quarter past seven.

That's because the tax silver was fake.

Ridiculous!

The case files record eyewitness accounts.

When the cart overturned, white, glimmering silver spilled into the river.

How could it have been fake?

Seeing isn't always believing.

As far as I know, there's a material

that looks exactly like silver in both color and texture

- but is vastly different in weight. - What material?

- Metallic sodium. - What?

Metallic sodium?

- Bring it here. - Give it to her.

Give it to her.

I've never seen such a thing before.

Why don't you show me today?

Take out that metallic sodium of yours.

This metallic sodium is extremely difficult to refine.

I can't get it for you.

Difficult?

How so?

It requires electricity

and extremely high temperatures.

Both are needed at once.

You handle the refining, and I'll take care of the rest.

My Lords, please wait a moment.

This step takes some time.

(Four hours later)

My Lords, please wait a little longer.

This step also takes some time.

My Lady, pass me a flame.

The next step requires electricity.

This step will release some toxic gases.

We should wear protective gear.

Stop!

This material looks almost identical to silver.

But it is much lighter than silver.

If someone used this to counterfeit silver,

wouldn't it be enough to fool everyone?

If this material was what was transported,

it all makes much more sense.

But if the silver was swapped for this sodium,

why did it explode?

My Lords, please step back.

Not far enough. Keep moving.

Still not far enough. A bit more.

Back up.

Alright, good enough!

This...

Metallic sodium explodes when it comes into contact with water.

No wonder even Astronomical Bureau's aura-detection technique

couldn't sense a demon.

The mastermind covered the real silver on top to mislead everyone

while the rest of the load was sodium.

Your name is Xu Qi An?

Impressive.

You're very impressive.

Even if the silver was fake,

where did the real silver go?

Metallic sodium has another characteristic.

It degrades over time if left unused.

This means there's only one possibility.

The tax silver was swapped when Yudao Guards took custody of it.

In that case, we now have a direction for the investigation.

Servants, prepare the carriage.

Servants, prepare the carriage.

I must head to the palace and report to His Majesty.

No need for such trouble, Lord Chen. I'll go with you.

No, no, it's no trouble at all.

Hold on tight.

- My Lord! - Help!

Don't forget your promise, My Lord!

Wait, people can fly in Dafeng?

I'll just wait here.

I'm afraid His Lordship can't find me when he returns.

Don't just stand there.

Sit down.

You've been working hard these past few days.

How about

we have some tea?

No, no, no tea for me.

Look, I'll be pardoned soon.

Once I'm out, I'll treat you all to a drink.

Fine, I'll wait back in the cell. There's no place to sit here anyway.

Here, eat this.

Thanks.

Why can salt turn into metallic sodium?

I once read an alchemy manual in an ancient text

about turning salt into metallic sodium.

Which ancient text?

High School Chemistry,

published by the People's Education Press.

But that manual has long been lost.

However,

I still remember the contents of the ancient text.

Tell me quickly.

Oops.

I can't recall it clearly right now as I'm in such a dire situation.

You're quite the smooth talker, aren't you?

Holding out for a better deal won't get you anywhere.

Why don't you take me as your apprentice?

Given your rank,

asking for a criminal like me should be no issue, right?

You're a martial artist. You want to become a sorcerer?

Sorcerer?

Being a sorcerer is my lifelong dream.

I greatly admire skilled masters like you.

Then tell me the contents of the alchemy manual.

The manual is incredibly complex.

If I only recite it to you, I'm afraid you won't understand.

How dare you!

Across the Nine Provinces,

the sorcerers of the Astronomical Bureau are unrivaled in alchemy.

H, He, Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne,

Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar, K, Ca.

- Are you messing with me? - No, that's the incantation from the manual.

Stop eating it. Give it back to me.

I already took a bite.

Wait, My Lady, won't you reconsider taking me in?

The Astronomical Bureau only accepts virgins.

How do you know I'm not one?

Save it.

What's wrong with just drinking a little?

Even my mother didn't restrict me like this! Why should you?

- Ci Jiu! - How's your family?

- Right. - Ci Jiu is back.

How's it going? How's your family?

Thank you all for your concern.

Please don't ask further.

What's wrong with Xin Nian? What's with the long face?

He won't tell us anything. It's okay to tell us a little detail.

This must be serious.

Xu Qi An.

You've helped the Magistrate solve the tax silver case.

You're free to go now.

Thank you, My Lord, for uncovering the truth and clearing my name.

Get lost.

Wait, why am I the only one?

I have a family, don't I?

My Lord, what about my second uncle?

Darling.

I'd rather die

than be sent to the Imperial Music Bureau.

My dear, I've wronged you.

(Xu Ping Zhi)

Today, we can face death together as husband and wife.

In the next life, I'll repay you even if I have to be your horse or ox.

But our children

and my nephew have to suffer.

(Xu Ling Yin, Xu Ling Yue)

Mother, when can we go home?

Soon.

We will

leave with your father.

My dear...

Darling...

Darling...

Xu Ping Zhi, come out. Sign here, and you can return home.

Darling!

I, Xu Ping Zhi,

have lived a life loyal to His Majesty and the nation,

with a family of loyal martyrs.

Even if it means death today, I...

Who opened the door?

What does this supposed to mean?

Are you leaving or not? If not, you're staying locked up.

I'll leave.

My dear, come out quickly.

Mother.

Which way?

This way.

Wrong way.

Second Uncle?

I'm way too young to be your uncle. Move along.

Sorry.

- Second Uncle? - Are you mad? Get lost.

Wrong person.

What does my second uncle look like?

So we're free to go now?

Yes.

This case was really difficult.

This was my first time seeing one like it.

Darling.

Are they lying to us?

This is quite strange. Let's leave this place of trouble now.

Wait!

My Lord.

What are your orders, My Lord?

Lord Xu.

Here's your official robe. Please keep it.

Reinstated to my post?

My Lords, may I trouble you to enlighten me?

My dear, please get up.

According to Dafeng's law,

if a family elder breaks the law,

the younger generation may atone for them.

- Our son, Nian. - Nian?

- It's Nian. - Our good son.

It was your nephew, Xu Qi An.

He helped the magistrate solve the tax silver case.

He was just released.

He should be waiting outside now. Go reunite with him.

Qi An?

Lord Xu, farewell.

Xu Qi An?

That foolish nephew of mine?

Haven't had enough of prison yet?

Get out of here! Stop squatting around!

Brother, never see you again!

It's so hot, even in ancient times.

Ning Yan!

Ning Yan!

Well done!

I forgot you're only at the Refined Essence level now.

I hit you too hard.

Second Uncle?

Ning Yan, take this money and buy something good to eat.

Don't tell your aunt I have secret savings.

Take it.

Qi An!

Qi An, did you bring me candy?

Qi An just got out too. How would he have candy for you?

I still like Qi An the best.

Qi An, you haven't handed over this month's allowance yet.

Mother will scold you again.

(Xu Ling Yue, the eldest daughter of the Xu family.)

Ning Yan.

This time,

thank you.

You little brat, from now on, you're staying in the side courtyard.

Without my permission, you're not allowed to step foot in the Xu Residence!

Not even half a step! Do you hear me?

Don't look down on the poor and young.

The vicissitudes of life can be unpredictable.

Don't regret it.

You brat!

Get out here! Think you're so clever, huh?

You little punk, come out!

Aunt, you must have suffered.

This is what they call true family in times of trouble.

We're all one family.

I will call the shots today.

From now on, Ning Yan will eat with us.

After all, we're close, we just need to add an extra pair of chopsticks.

What do you say, dear?

Very well, dear. You're truly considerate.

Ning Yan, hurry up.

Thank you, Aunt.

Ning Yan is also a considerate person.

I'll make another decision today.

The Xu family has survived the calamity. Let's have a good meal together.

- Let's eat. - Alright!

- Let's go home. - Aunt, let me carry it.

You must have suffered, Aunt.

Come, let's go.

(Xu Residence)

Lu.

My home may be gone,

but yours remains.

I hope that you and Yun

can live carefree lives as chicken in the future.

Go on.

I, Xu Xin Nian,

could read at three,

recite poetry at five,

study the classics at ten,

and entered Yunlu Academy at fourteen.

At 18, I passed the imperial exam.

The world marveled

at the prodigy of the Xu family,

erudite and talented beyond compare.

Father,

Mother,

please forgive me

for ending my life.

- They are back. - Aunt Ma.

It's all fine now. The Xu family is fine.

- This is for you. - Here, take this.

We're fine now.

Xu Ping Zhi!

Xu Ping Zhi!

I was calling you. Are you deaf?

Is this our Yun and Lu?

Yes.

Why is the door open?

Nian.

It's Nian.

I knew Nian wouldn't abandon us.

He'd come back for us.

Nian.

If the world didn't have me,

Xu Xin Nian,

Dafeng would be

in eternal darkness.

- Nian! - Ci Jiu!

Ci Jiu!