Original subtitles

[Episode 12]

Come on.

Chang Xuan!

Corps Commander!

It's all about money, isn't it?

You should've said so. I'll pay you.

Stay back! Don't come any closer!

I'll kill her if you come any closer!

Get back! Or I'll kill her!

And that money... it was meant to be our pay!

I earned it! I risked my life for it!

You people, all dressed up in gold and silk,

got rich off our blood, off our sacrifices!

You never once treated us as human beings!

If I'm going down, this woman is coming with me!

- No! - Corps Commander!

- Chang Xuan! - Yu Chang Xuan!

Who the hell told you to shoot?

Get him treated!

Hurry!

Where's the medic? Get the medic!

Get a medic, now!

- Corps Commander! - Corps Commander!

- Chang Xuan! - Chang Xuan!

Chang...

Are you hurt?

You got injured.

It's nothing.

Master Chang Xuan.

Thank you for your help.

How is your wound? Are you all right?

Worried about me?

It was so dangerous today.

Why did you save me?

What do you think made me do something so foolish?

Honestly, don't you know that?

Sorry, I've got plans.

I should get going.

Ye Ping Jun.

You can't refuse what I'm offering.

So why bother?

What do you think made me do something so foolish?

Ping Jun.

- Xue Ting. - Ping Jun, are you alright? Are you hurt?

I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine.

I heard about what happened today.

Ping Jun.

We need to talk.

Ping Jun.

I'm sure you've felt by now how Yu Chang Xuan feels about you.

Xue Ting,

I have something to tell you.

I had no choice but to pretend to be a couple with Yu Chang Xuan to make Miss Zi Yi jealous.

There was a lot of gossip around at the time.

I didn't tell you because I was afraid you'd misunderstand.

Please believe me.

There was nothing between him and me but using each other.

Maybe you were using each other before,

but now you're on his mind.

I was just as shocked by what happened today.

- I really didn't know... - Ping Jun.

Let's get married.

- Xue Ting-- - I was going to propose after you graduated.

But I can't wait any more.

I want us to have the wedding once you graduate.

Ping Jun, in sickness and in health,

I, Jiang Xue Ting, will never let you down,

and I'll never forget your mom's kindness.

Ping Jun.

Master Chang Xuan is back.

Mother, still up this late?

How could I sleep after everything that happened today?

I'm fine. Don't worry about me.

Chang Xuan, how is your wound?

Got two stitches. It's almost healed.

Don't worry.

Tell me the truth.

That Miss Ye--

Mother, the Yu Army's reputation is at stake.

If that soldier in the hospital killed someone over their embezzled pay,

things won't end well.

No matter who it was today, I had to save them.

No matter what, you are engaged to Zi Yi.

If the engagement falls through, we'll be a laughingstock.

Mother, that's impossible.

The engagement won't fall through.

Miss Ye probably doesn't think much of me.

Mother, whatever it is, let's talk tomorrow.

Let Chang Xuan get some rest.

Get your head straight.

Let's go.

Rest early.

You too.

Was I out of control today?

You risked your life to save her for the Yu Army's reputation.

No.

I did lose control today.

Over Ye Ping Jun.

When did it start?

Maybe it was the first time we met, she had the guts to bet with me.

Maybe...

it was that night she went with me to see Yang Shi Ying.

Or maybe,

it was when she argued with me for those refugees

she didn't even know.

But you said it yourself

that getting lost in love makes one lose control and reason.

People stop being themselves.

Smart people become fools.

Schemers end up sacrificing their own interests and still can't break free.

I also told myself

it was just a passing fling I'd forget.

But Ye Ping Jun...

She's lingering in my mind.

I can't get any peace.

Chang Xuan,

Miss Zi Yi...

Rui Tong.

I want to keep the girl I like by my side.

Is it that hard?

Chang Xuan, he's finally awake.

Clear-headed.

We can question him now.

How could this happen?

We don't know either.

Master Chang Xuan, someone slipped into his ward and switched his infusion bottle.

The fluid he's on is highly toxic.

We did everything we could, but he didn't make it.

Chang Xuan, why would anyone assassinate an ordinary soldier like him?

Did you get a look at the one who did it?

If you have any last wishes, I'll fulfill them.

I went to the hospital director for an explanation,

and I overheard them saying the embezzled military pay from this hospital

is hidden in a medicine warehouse

on the city outskirts.

They said silver dollars were nothing.

That place has...

the real treasure.

That place has the real treasure.

You say I embezzled the gold mine.

But you catch a thief with the goods.

Where are they?

Do you have the stolen goods?

The real treasure.

Rui Tong. Go to the medicine warehouse on the city outskirts.

Search carefully.

Handle with care.

Chang Xuan, it's right here.

All utensils are for melting gold.

This must be where the gold was hidden.

But the gold has already been moved.

Feng San Li and his nephew are both under arrest.

We've questioned every one of their men, and they're all too scared to make a move.

So, who could have secretly moved the gold?

Obviously, it's someone willing to protect Feng San Li at any cost.

Father.

I need to talk to you.

Come in.

What is it?

All these years, only two things in your study have never changed.

The white jade Guanyin statue where you burn incense for my brother.

And the bullet Uncle Feng took

when he shielded you back then.

It hit him in the head,

putting him into a coma for two months.

He and I fought side by side through blood and fire.

We saved each other's lives.

I can't just forget that.

So,

because you can't let go of that old bond,

even with the Yu Army standing on the brink,

you're still covering up his crimes?

So you found out.

For as long as I can remember,

you've always been fair with your men.

You reward the ones who earn it,

and punish the ones who don't. No favorites.

But this time,

you pushed Uncle Feng's nephew out to take the fall.

And then you helped him move the stolen gold and cover up his crimes.

You think he'll get off scot-free?

That the central government will just let it go?

I don't believe you don't know

that if the Yu Army is caught hiding gold, they suspect us of ulterior motives.

Isn't that exactly what the central government fears most?

Do you want the Army Inspector sitting right in front of you holding you accountable?

No one is perfect.

Your Uncle Feng has his flaws,

but he is brave and has achieved great military feats.

I owe him my life.

I should repay it.

Do I still call him uncle?

Feng San Li has been breaking the law,

engaging in corruption, and trampling on human lives for years.

Are these crimes all capital offenses?

Haven't you done enough for him?

You paid your debt to him long ago.

But what about him?

He used your loyalty to him as a shield to line his pockets,

doing whatever he pleased.

He is completely out of control.

Now,

the only way to warn others is to bring him to justice.

Otherwise, cleaning up the Yu Army is nothing but empty words.

People will see us as a scattered mess,

a mere rabble,

an army with no honor.

Is there no other way for your Uncle Feng?

If a military bandit who abuses power

and treats human life like dirt can be pardoned,

who will ever trust the Yu Army?

We'd lose every soldier's trust.

Morale will collapse completely.

Set the precedent

and the central government and every warlord, big and small,

will come at us like wolves smelling flesh.

The Yu Army will be waiting to be devoured.

Uncle Feng,

my father asked me to give you this.

Father.

Brigade Commander Feng has confessed.

He is now on the train to Beijing.

I see.

You won't blame Chang Xuan, will you?

Bing Wen, this is the first time I've felt old.

It's time for me to step back.

Only someone as impartial as Chang Xuan

can thoroughly reform the Yu Army

and clean out those corrupt, useless old relics.

He can make it because you support him

and will clear the way for him.

I was too soft-hearted regarding Feng San Li.

Now I believe Chang Xuan has the vision and the ability

to give the Yu Army a fresh start.

Your trust is the best support for Chang Xuan.

Bing Wen, you and Chang Xuan have always been close.

With your assistance in military affairs,

I'm confident in letting Chang Xuan take over the army.

I am an orphan.

I have no parents.

You didn't mind my background,

brought me into the Yu family,

and even married Jin Xuan to me.

I can never repay that kindness in this lifetime.

Do you know what I value most in you?

You never meddle in politics, never chase fame or profit,

and you know gratitude.

Like a bullet in the chamber.

Then the trigger will always be pulled by you.

That performer's skills are really good.

Yes.

- Lan Qing. - Lan Qing.

Master Chang Xuan hasn't been around here in a while, has he?

Have you heard?

He took a blade for Ye Ping Jun.

A man like that, so high and mighty, bleeding for her.

I never noticed Master Chang Xuan had those kinds of feelings for Ye Ping Jun.

That's because you're blind.

I saw it ages ago.

That girl is quite something.

A few tricks and she had Master Chang Xuan wrapped around her finger.

Not like a certain someone, wasted years waiting,

only to end up as a little plaything to keep others amused.

♪ Pink hands so fine ♪

♪ Gold-branded wine ♪

♪ We've severed for years long ♪

♪ Wrong, wrong, wrong ♪

♪ Spring is as green ♪

♪ In vain she's lean ♪

♪ Her kerchief soaked with tears ♪

♪ And red with stains unclean ♪

[Nanhuai Army Headquarters]

[Respectfully submitted by Jiang Xue Ting]

[Writer: Jun Guan]

Rui Tong.

Come to my office.

How come the last stroke on both characters "evil" flicks outward?

Because the same person wrote them.

[Respectfully submitted by Jiang Xue Ting]

- Should we arrest him right away? - No.

Not yet.

I want to see who's behind Jiang Xue Ting.

[Meditation Hall]

Master Chang Xuan, the lamp-lighting and offering ceremony will begin tonight.

Will the offerings be the same as in previous years?

This year, I'd like to have a layer of gold applied to each Bodhisattva statue.

Thank you for your patronage of our temple all these years.

You've been holding the deliverance rites for my brother.

His memorial tablet is also enshrined in your temple.

So, thank you, Abbot,

for making sure his tablet swept and cleaned regularly.

Master Ming Xuan has long since entered the Pure Land.

He will surely watch over the Yu family,

turning misfortune into fortune and bringing blessings at all hours.

The Bodhisattva sees all beings as equal.

This is a sacred Buddhist place.

I wouldn't presume to be treated as an exception.

Here to pray for your father?

Yes.

And you?

For my elder brother.

How is your injury?

Thanks to you, Miss Ye, it's nothing serious now.

I heard they've finished investigating

the soldier who attacked us?

The one who embezzled soldiers' pay was an old subordinate of my father's.

They fought side by side for over 20 years.

I never thought people could be this heartless.

Trust and loyalty, however much there is,

amount to nothing but thin paper when it comes to profit.

The world can be cold, but you're different.

You hold power,

but you haven't let it cloud your conscience.

Does that mean,

in your eyes,

I'm a good man?

You protect this land.

So I'll pray that the Yu Army can bring the people true peace.

That means far more than whether I think you're a good man.

I'll take your words to heart.

Maybe if we'd met at a different time,

or in a different place,

we could have gotten along peacefully.

What?

Couldn't we get along well?

At most, not so hostile toward each other.

Master Chang Xuan,

I'm grateful you saved me,

but your presence has completely disrupted the life I had.

You and I are worlds apart.

Being able to talk like this is already more than I could ask for.

I had just begun to warm,

and now your words have plunged me back into an icy pit.

I sincerely wish you all the best in the future.

But from now on,

let's not have any more contact.

Too late.

What did you say?

Nothing.

I've just made a wish to the gods

that we'd be good friends for life.

Focus when you pray.

I'm very devout.

Back in Tokyo, Jiang Xue Ting had close ties with Shang Hong Wen,

editor-in-chief of Nanhuai Press.

Under the banner of standing up to warlords,

Shang Hong Wen recruited a bunch of young idealists to work for him.

But in fact, he's secretly working for local warlords,

writing articles to go after their political rivals.

All for profit.

Where's Shang Hong Wen now?

By the time I went to arrest him, he was already gone.

But don't worry.

I've ordered all land and water routes in Nanhuai to be locked down.

Good.

We can't let him get away.

Yes, sir.

A talent like you has always been admired.

And now you're going to marry a beautiful bride. We're all jealous.

If it weren't for your wedding, I wouldn't have accepted your resignation.

Thank you all for looking after me these past months.

Once Ping Jun graduates, we'll hold the wedding.

I'll send everyone an invitation and treat you all to a good drink.

- We'll be there for sure. - Congratulations!

- May you two find your happy ending. - Thank you.

A lifetime of happiness to you.

Bring me more wine.

Bring all of it.

Master Chang Xuan, you've had enough.

I said I want wine!

Wine!

Go and get Miss Lan Qing.

Yes, sir.

Where's my wine?

You're drunk.

More will only make it worse.

Give me the wine.

I made you some pear soup. Drink it and sober up.

Leave me alone.

I've never seen you like this.

What happened on earth?

How could I let you marry someone else?

I will never let you marry anyone else.

Ye Ping Jun.

Ye Ping Jun.

Ye Ping Jun...

Here.

- Bing Wen. - You're back, Bing Wen.

- Mother. - Come quickly.

Jin Xuan is on a lucky streak today.

She's won several rounds already.

Then let me get in some of that luck.

- Mahjong. - Mahjong again!

Look at your luck!

Madam, the rock sugar bird's nest soup is ready.

Here, put it down here.

Watch out!

Sorry! Master Bing Wen, are you all right?

Master Bing Wen, Miss Jin Xuan, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Did you get burned?

I'm fine.

You...

Quick, go get the burn ointment.

Yes, right away.

I'll go take care of it.

Madam, Master Chang Xuan is back.

So what? Auntie Zhu, what are you so nervous about?

But he's blind drunk. They had to carry him in.

Watch his feet.

- Madam. - How did he get like this?

- Get a basin. - Yes.

- And some tea to rinse his mouth. - Careful.

Easy.

- Hold him up. - Mom, careful.

How did he drink this much? Where's the basin?

Here.

How did he get this drunk? How?

Rinse your mouth. Come on.

Did he swallow?

Why is he like this?

He hasn't drunk like this in a long time.

Madam.

I have no idea.

Don't go.

I won't let you go.

"Don't go?"

He's just like something out of the plays I read.

He's definitely lovesick, drinking his sorrows away.

Is this what you read in your room all day?

I...

Hush, you. Come with me.

He had way too much.

I'll go make him some soup to sober him up.

Mother, me too.

Come in.

Is Chang Xuan all right?

He's heavily drunk.

Mother is looking after him.

How's your burn?

Is it serious?

It's fine. Just a small burn.

This burn ointment is better than the stuff from regular pharmacies.

Use this.

Jin Xuan.

Don't worry too much about Chang Xuan.

Something's probably weighing on him.

I'll talk to him in a couple of days.

Remember to apply some ointment.

Once Ping Jun graduates, we'll hold the wedding.

I'll send everyone an invitation and treat you all to a good drink.

- We'll be there for sure. - Congratulations!

May you two find your happy ending.

[Respectfully submitted by Jiang Xue Ting]

[Writer: Jun Guan]

But from now on,

let's not have any more contact.