Original subtitles

Heaven Official's Blessing

Episode One

What... what is happening?

Such a large commotion.

Who is ascending?

Which new official has ascended?

Such a large impact.

My divine palace!

It usually only shakes once or twice at the very most whenever someone ascends, but look at today's situation...

Are the heavens about to shake into collapse?

There has not been such a great disturbance in thousands of years.

This ascending person must surely have an unparalleled talent with excellent cultivation.

A fortunate fate! Incredible luck!

Incredible, incredible!

Which divine being could it be?

Several hundred years ago, the ascension of that Crown Prince of Xian Le was also like this...

Peh peh peh! Why are you mentioning him? Don't bring him up!

– That's bad luck! – Exactly!

Let us go.

Let us go and see who it is.

Let's go.

Ah... not again! Why is it him again?

Congratulations, Your Highness.

Upon ascension, you've achieved the first place in this year's contest for

for "The Heavenly Official Most Anticipated to Be Banished to the Mortal Realm."

Although it's a first place, it hardly seems to be something to be pleased about.

As the winner, you will receive a hundred merits.

Huh?

Please include me in the next contest!

Then do you know who placed second?

It's too hard to guess.

Given my ability, I should be able to sweep the top three placements.

Almost correct.

There is no second place.

You have left all other competitors in the dust.

Then who was the winner last year?

There wasn't any.

Because this contest started this year.

Or to be exact, this started today.

All right, it seems my luck isn't too bad, to be just in time for this.

Do you know why you won?

By overwhelming support?

Your Highness, please look at the bell over there.

What bell?

Exactly.

There was supposed to be a bell.

But the quake caused by your ascension made it fall off the tower.

It even fell on a passing heavenly official.

So how is the situation now?

The bell is still under repair.

I was referring to that heavenly official.

It was a martial god who got hit.

He broke the bell in half with ease.

Now look at that golden palace.

Ah... this time, I see it.

You are not supposed to see it.

There was nothing there originally.

During your ascension the quake destroyed several palaces.

There was no time to complete all the repairs,

so we had to put up some temporary ones.

So, I'm responsible?

Yes, you are responsible.

Have I already offended many officials so soon?

It is not irreparable.

How to fix it?

Easy.

You just need 8.88 million merits.

I know, you don't even have a tenth of it.

I can't afford even a ten-thousandth of it.

Don't worry. There is always a way.

In my case, the way will most likely be a dead-end.

I have a plan.

Do, you still remember the password for the Spiritual Communication Array?

Yes...

– Not again! – Why is it him again?

Come, place your bets.

– This time we're betting on how long the crown prince will last before he gets banished again. -

- – Is everyone here?

- – His Majesty has an urgent matter in the north that requires someone's help to handle.

– I bet on one year. -

– A year is too long. -

Would any of the martial gods be willing to send two martial officials from your palaces?

I have heard that His Majesty is not in the north.

Ling Wen Palace must be recruiting help for someone else.

Your Highness, it is not impossible to gain merits quickly.

Recently, a large group of worshippers have been praying for help in the north.

Praying that heavenly officials will come and pacify the evil ghosts' malice.

His Majesty cannot currently spare time for the north

and General Ming Guang is also occupied.

If Your Highness is able to assist,

then the merits from the worshippers' offerings will all be yours.

Is this not His Highness the Crown Prince?

– How many times is it now? – Not again...

How did he ascend again?

Your Highness is back again?

How many times is it now?

– That's right. – I bet that this time he won't last even a year.

– A year is too long. – Last time, he was banished within one incense time*!

T/N: Time for an incense stick to burn down is ~15 minutes.

– I bet three days! –You're overestimating him!

Just now, Ling Wen said that His Majesty wanted to recruit help.

Is it actually for His Highness the Crown Prince?

It must be. Right now, the one most lacking in resources is Xie Lian himself.

– No incense offerings, no temples, no worshippers. – Such a heavenly official, the laughingstock of the three realms!

See? I said no one would lend help.

Hello everyone, I'm back again.

Your Highness' ascension this time certainly caused a huge commotion.

It's all right.

Your Highness is indeed all right.

But I am not all right, though.

Your Highness, that bell...

I heard about the bell. I am terribly sorry that it hit you.

Hmph!

If I may... how should I address you?

His Highness has forgotten even this?

He has forgotten?

Your Highness, that is General Xuan Zhen.

Xu-Xuan Zhen? He is Mu Qing?

Who tore down my palace?

Come out!

You destroyed it?

Right, you just wait…

The one who destroyed your palace is right here.

Go ask him yourself.

It's me. I'm sorry.

Your Highness, that is General Nan Yang.

I know. But he doesn't seem to recognise me.

No. He usually stays in the mortal realm,

and did not know that you have ascended again.

Everyone, my deepest apologies.

I will compensate for all the losses.

Please give me a little time.

Hmph!

You had better keep your promises, Your Highness.

I have official business to attend to.

If there are no other matters, I shall take my leave now.

– I also have things to do. – I'll go ahead and leave now.

– I'm leaving. – Me too.

Sorry.

If Xuan Zhen had not said anything,

it would still have been possible to recruit some help.

It's fine. I'm accustomed to being alone.

Then do you need spiritual weapons?

No need.

I have been banished twice. All my spiritual powers are gone.

I won't be able to use the spiritual weapons in the mortal realm.

All right.

This matter is of great importance.

Please, Your Highness, be careful.

Should you encounter any trouble, feel free to contact me at any time.

Ling Wen Palace will assist you to the best of our abilities.

Here are the details of the task.

Does Your Highness have any questions?

Ling Wen, thank you for your help on this.

I am merely doing my job.

If you wish to offer thanks, wait for the Heavenly Emperor's return

and then thank him personally.

Okay.

Then, I wish Your Highness a smooth journey with the Heavenly Official's blessing.

No paths are bound.

Did you hear? There was another incident on Mount Yujun.

Ah? Another disappearance?

Isn't it so?

Aiya. When will it come to an end?

Another girl has gone missing.

Chance Encounter Inn

Honoured guest, this way please.

Please be seated.

A pot of tea, thank you.

Okay.

Oh, may I ask,

have there been any strange occurrences in this area lately?

This... nothing, nothing.

Your Highness?

Your Highness?

Ling Wen?

Your Highness, good news!

Two junior officials from the Middle Court are willing to assist you.

They should be arriving shortly.

Junior officials?

Ling Wen...

They don't seem like they're here to help me.

More like they're here to take my head.

Did you trick them into coming?

Ling Wen? Ling Wen?

If I may... the two of you are...?

Nan Feng.

Fu Yao.

I'm not asking for your names...

Thank you both for your willingness to help.

May I ask which heavenly official's palace do you serve?

Na Yang Palace.

Xuan Zhen Palace.

S-So, is it your generals who sent the both of you here?

My general is unaware of this.

My general also does not know.

Then, do you know who I am?

You are His Highness the Crown Prince.

You are the righteousness of the mortal realm.

You are the center of the world.

Did he just roll his eyes?

Yes, throw him out.

Based on what? The one who should leave is you!

Wait, wait.

Are you really willing?

There's no need to force yourselves!

I. Am. Willing!

Then let's get down to business.

Around this Mount Yujun, there is a legend

that says that there is a Ghost Bridegroom living in the mountain

whose appearance is hideous and whereabouts are eerie

and particularly likes to kidnap new brides.

Over the last hundred years, 17 brides went missing.

Nearly 100 of those in bridal processions were killed.

This matter originally would not have reached the heavenly realm,

but coincidentally, the 17th bride's father is an official.

Upon first hearing the legend,

he carefully chose 40 skilled and gallant bodyguards

to escort his beloved daughter to her wedding.

And yet his daughter still went missing.

That official loved his daughter as deeply as his own life.

In great rage, he gathered a group of his friends in power,

prayed for divine intervention with great effort and offerings,

and placed a huge bounty on the Ghost Bridegroom.

All these caused great unrest in the north

and this gained the attention of the heavenly realm.

Our goal this time is to capture this Ghost Bridegroom.

Are there any similarities among the missing brides?

They range from rich to poor, pretty to plain, wives to concubines.

To sum it up, there is nothing in common.

Has anyone seen this Ghost Bridegroom?

No.

If no one has ever seen the Ghost Bridegroom, how would you know if it's really him and not something else?

Ghost Bridegroom is just a way of calling it.

But you do have a point.

It's getting late. Let us find some accommodation first.

– Which family is she from... – Sending off a bride at this juncture?

That is...

Really...

Such a pity for this girl.

Are there people who are still unafraid to die, daring to send off a bride now?

– They've all been taken away. – Hope they will be all right.

They are all too bold.

– She's really too pitiful. – Something isn't right about these people.

Let's go take a look.

All of you, stop! Stop quickly!

Who is it?

Go away!

Miss, they just want to use you to lure out the Ghost Bridegroom.

Don't be fooled by them!

Go away!

What is that?

It's a fake...?

Oh... so it's you again!

You bitch, always ruining my plans!

If you had been willing to pretend to be a new bride,

I wouldn't have to resort to using a wooden head as bait!

What an ugly girl.

Fu Yao, do not speak this way about a girl.

Isn't that Xiao Pengtou and Miss Xiao Ying?

It really is...

This Xiao Pengtou and his gang of hooligans are always involved in illicit acts.

Lately they are fixated on the bounty offered by the official to catch some "Ghost Bridegroom".

You... you all shouldn't listen to him!

Mount Yujun is too dangerous! Don't go!

He... he just wants the bounty!

What's wrong with earning some money?

Aren't we also conveniently eliminating a problem for the people?

Exactly! The bounty even seems to be too little.

But... but doesn't this seem like a suicide mission?

Earlier when we asked you to disguise as a bride, you refused.

Now when we are on our way to catch him, here you are blocking our path.

What do you want?

Yes! Tell us!

– refusing to let people go. – What do you mean by all of this?

Could it be that the Ghost Bridegroom your beloved?

What nonsense are you talking about?

You go to Mount Yujun every other day.

I'm sure everyone has seen it before.

–That's right – Ah... this...

Tell us the truth. Where's your lover?

I don't know.

You... you all stay away!

What a bully!

I've heard that this Ghost Bridegroom's face is covered in bandages, his features incredibly ugly.

He and you...

You.. Who... What are you?!

Hmph!

This person is using evil sorcery! Get him!

Hm? Come on.

Not fighting anymore?

Y-Y-You've won today, but you had better watch your back!

Just you wait and see!

Remember to pay for the post.

Got it.

Miss, are you injured?

You... what are you doing?

Miss, you...

Ah! Pervert!

...Your skirt's torn...

That's why you should mind your own business in the future.

Taking the initiative to help and then being misunderstood by others. This kind of thing really only happens to you.

All right, the bill is settled, you can leave now.

Thank you, innkeeper.

Oh right, do you know the way to the nearest Ming Guang temple?

Ming Guang temple? We don't have a Ming Guang temple here.

None?

How can this be?

However... there is a Nan Yang temple.

It's only 5 li from here.

T/N: li (里) – unit of length, equals 500 m, so 5 li = 2.5 km

Once you exit the town, turn right and you'll be there.

Strange... The north is definitely General Ming Guang's territory...

Yet there is only a Nan Yang temple.

Nan Yang-zhenjun* governs the south-east.

*T/N: zhenjun is a respectful address for deities.

It's unusual to receive such generous offerings here in the north.

Hmph!

Not bad, not bad. Truly deeply loved and respected.

I have a question... but...

If you don't know whether you should say it, then don't say it.

Actually, what I wanted to say is that I don't know who might be able to answer...

Is his Highness the Crown Prince asking about the classic anecdote of the temple of Nan Yang?

Anecdote?

You be quite!

Hmph.

A long time ago, General Nan Yang was once called General Ju Yang*.

T/N: Ju Yang = perfect masculinity

But at that time, a foolish ruler mistakenly wrote Ju Yang with the characters for gigantic masculinity*.

*T/N: penis euphemism

And this led to the name change for all the temples of Ju Yang,

and so one mistake proliferated.

The wrong character has long since been corrected.

What's the use of it?

To this day, aren't most of the worshippers at the temples of Nan Yang women?

And each comes shyly with their blushing face.

Enough with the mockery!

If you're that bored, go sweep the floor!

What did you say?!

Hmph!

Didn't your general used to serve His Highness the Crown Prince in the past? Serving tea, fetching water, sweeping the floor and changing sheets?

Listening to you, one might think that the Palace of Nan Yang Palace was trying to help His Highness the Crown Prince settle his grievances!

Your general certainly is ungrateful.

When the Crown Prince ascended, he even brought his generals with him.

When the Crown Prince was banished, your general immediately disavowed any ties

and refused to let anyone mention these ugly events.

Your general is the pot calling the kettle black.

Said to be the Crown Prince's devoted bodyguard,

yet in the end, he also broke faith with the Crown Prince and threw him aside.

The two of you...

Don't eat that!

It's dirty! Don't eat it!

Stop!

One, His Highness the Crown Prince that you two speak of happens to be me.

I haven't even said anything, so don't use me as a weapon to attack each other.

Two, since you two came here to assist me, whom should we actually be listening to?

You.

Good!

Then let's get down to business.

Who can lend me some spiritual power? I need to contact Ling Wen.

What about your own power?

Mine is insufficient.

Your Highness?

Is everything going well in the north?

Were the two junior officials of help?

It's fine. Both have their virtues and are talented and worth nurturing.

That is good.

The north is General Pei's territory, offerings are abundant.

If there is a need, you can stay temporarily at any of his Ming Guang temples.

We haven't found any Ming Guang temples yet,

so we are resting in a Nan Yang temple.

No Ming Guang temples? Now this is strange.

Regarding the Ghost Bridegroom, is there any more information?

Yes.

The result of its rank evaluation is ready.

It ranked third among the rankings of Malice, Menace, Wrath, Devastation,

just below a Devastation.

If it were permitted to go its way, it will surely cause great harm and countless deaths.

We request that Your Highness to resolve the matter quickly.

Taking this long to evaluate a ranking.

The efficiency of the Palace of Ling Wen is really too low.

So the Ghost Bridegroom is a Wrath.

Its danger cannot be underestimated.

We must resolve this quickly.

Do you have any thoughts?

Since the Ghost Bridegroom is interested in brides, then [we should] use a bride to lure him out.

But fake people and illusions are useless against Wrath-ranked ghosts.

A live person still must be used.

Not all brides have disappeared.

There must be some other conditions.

Whatever.

Let's find a woman to act as the bait and try it out first.

No.

If we are not careful, the helpless woman would surely die.

Hmph, if we can't use a woman, then do you wish to use a man?

Where can we find a man willing to dress up– er...

Huh?

Ah?

If I were the Ghost Bridegroom

and if someone sent this kind of woman to me...

You would destroy that town?

I would kill this woman.

I can only say– luckily, I'm not a woman.

Y... Young Master.

You are...

You are that person from yesterday.

Oh! No, no, please don't misunderstand!

I-I don't have this kind of fetish.

This is only to lure out the Ghost Bridegroom, so...

Young Master, I'm really sorry about yesterday, I misconstrued your actions.

I heard from the tea stand owner that you are resting here,

so I brought some food here, to thank you for helping me.

It was no trouble, Miss. Please don't take it to heart.

Young Master, I know how to alter clothes and help with makeup and styling.

Why don't I help you dress up as a bride?

This...

How's the situation?

The sedan bearers have been hired at a high rate, and all are locals.

They know some martial arts, are familiar with the routes and capable of protecting themselves.

Your Highness should be more concerned about yourself.

They are indeed here to snatch the bounty.

This Xiao Ying, refusing to help us but willing to help the outsiders.

Right, Xiao Peng?

Hmph!

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

T/N： This is is a Chinese idiom by Daoist Zhuangzi which suggests "to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger".

Let's see who can beat whom!

Let's go!

Mn, follow them!

Let's go!

Miss, how do you feel about marrying at this advanced age?

Regretfully, this group of escorts is missing something very important.

Everything should be all here. What else is missing?

Two maids, as dowry.

Hmph!

You should just pretend the family is poor and unable to buy maids.

All right.

Speaking of which, where are we?

We've been on Mount Yujun for a while now.

New bride,

Why?

Shhhh!

New bride,

Do you hear laughter?

I didn't hear anything.

New bride sitting on the red flower sedan,

Neither did I.

So it's purposely only letting me hear it...

Eyes brimming with tears,

S... Something's not right.

While crossing the hills,

Don't stop. Pretend nothing is happening.

With no smile under the bridal veil.

He's singing.

Singing what?

Eyes brimming with tears, while crossing the hills,

with no smile under the bridal veil.

New bride,

What does it mean?

Is it warning you not to smile?

It could be a trap.

New bride,

Or perhaps, only when the bride weeps, things happen.

New bride sitting on the red flower sedan,

No matter if I weep or smile, what is the worst outcome?

Being kidnapped.

That's right.

Eyes brimming with tears,

There is something I must tell you.

What is it?

While crossing the hills,

Ever since I got on the sedan, I've been smiling.

With no smile under the bridal veil.

Wolves! These are wolves.!

Why are there wolves on Mount Yujun?

Looks like it's a spell array.

The keystone of the spell array has to be found.

Nan Feng, Fu Yao, can the two of you hold the line there?

A whole pack of brutes, not worth mentioning!

Ghosts!

What happened?

Don't come out!

It's binu!

I hate these things!

Once you fight them, there's no end to it!

Once we're exhausted by them, we're finished!

The Palace of Ling Wen didn't mention this?

Not at all.

How many are there?

About a 100, perhaps more.

More than 10 would already be troublesome!

More than a 100?

To drag things out would be trouble.

Strangle them to death.

Didn't you say that you don't have spiritual power and can't use any spiritual weapons?

All things have exceptions.

You two go first.

What?

As long as you encircle the sedan, more creatures will come.

The fight will never end.

Get these people out of here.

What about you?

I'll stay behind to meet this Ghost Bridegroom.

If you had the time to debate,

why not settle this group first and then come back and help?

This way. Let's go.

Who is it?

In the Central Plains, there was once an ancient kingdom called Xian Le.

Xian Le had a crown prince called Xie Lian.

xiān yuè liúlí yìng liúfāng shèngshì guāngjǐng

The dazzling glaze of Xian Le reflects the glory of its prosperous age

The Crown Prince cherished the common people and cultivated with a singular heart.

It is said

that there were legends widely spread among the people.

báiyī shàonián rú fēiniǎo nì kōng jiànglín

The youth dressed in white descends from the sky like a diving bird

In a surprising glimpse seen at the Great Martial Avenue,

fēng juǎn huā luò yù miàn shì jìng zhào gū xīng

The petals curled by the wind as they fall, [his] beautiful face like a mirror illuminates the lone star

fú gǔxùn yī shǎn fú guāng lüè yǐng

Against the ancient teachings, a glint, swept past a fleeting glimpse

the Crown Prince saved a young child falling from a tower before the eyes of the masses.

At Yinian Bridge, with one vehement sword stroke,

he cut down a Menace ranked ghost within 3 questions.

yīniàn huā shù rào xiāng yún

A singular thought of flowering trees encircling the fragrant clouds,

yīniàn suí jiàn yǐng

A singular thought following the shadow of the sword

qīng niān táohuā xiàng xiān tíng

Reaching towards the Heavenly Court with lightly picked peach blossoms,

diàn shǎn jīng léi míng

Inspiring lightning and thunderstruck awe

qiě shǐ bái jū niǎn guò xì wù huàn xīngyí

Though time flies, things change, and constellations shift

jì cāngshēng yī huā yī jiàn yī yuàn rénjiān xìng

How fortunate for the mortal realm that what remains is one flower, one sword, and one wish to help the world

The Heavenly Emperor was impressed.

He said, “This child's future is immeasurably extraordinary.”

The crown prince ascended as a youth

and entered the ranks of the immortals.

ànyè shēnsuì cáng duōshǎo yōu lǜ yǎnjīng

The dark night is profound, concealing countless faint green eyes

yín dié piánxiān wǎnruò tiáotiáo lián tiānxīng

Fluttering silver butterflies are like stars dancing in the faraway sky

xūyú jiān xié huāngshān yě jìng xún shēng mì yǐng

Instantly, taking to the wild trails of the barren hill in pursuit of a voice and a shadow

However the good times did not last.

yuè huá lín lín liú zhào jūn zòng lǚ shuāng yì gūxíng

The glistening moonlight shines on him, footsteps determined despite hardships and frost

During a nation-wide catastrophe in Xian Le,

the Crown Prince secretly descended to the mortal realm, in a futile attempt to save the country.

yīniàn huā shù chuīmò yún

A singular thought of flowering tree blows apart the ink-dark clouds,

He was then banished to the mortal realm.

I think it's a good thing that Feng Xin and Mu Qing left.

zhòu yǔ sù huā jìng

A heavy rain cleanses the white flower

– No matter how deep the devotion, there is no future in staying. – The shame of the heavenly officials, the laughingstock of three realms.

shíjiān hǔpò zhōngliú huàn fù táoyuán zhī jìng

Time flows in amber like an illusion, traveling to the gate of paradise

Later when Xie Lian ascended again, didn't he get banished within one incense time?

wù chén yún míng jiàn liǎn què fúchén qíng jì

The fog settles and the dark clouds fade away, the dust floats in the clearing sky

dǐ bùguò yī huā yī jiàn yīrén yǔzhōng lì

None can compare to one flower, one sword, and one man’s gift of a bamboo rain hat

liúliàn huā shù yì lián jūn

Wistful for the flowering tree and missing you,

zhù wàng hòu yuǎn xìn

I long await your news from afar

rèn fánchén súshì xiào wǒ

Let this mortal, mundane world laugh at me as it will,

shān jiān qí cháng míng

Still within the mountain I pray for everlasting light

qùxiàng wèi yánshuō céngjīng fánhuā sì jǐn

Past whereabouts once unsaid, now flowers in full bloom brilliant as a brocade

yè huǒ jǐn yī huā yī jiàn yīshì yǔ jūn xíng

Extinguishes the flames of hell, one flower, one sword, one lifetime, I’ll walk with you

If you don't know why you should live,

then live for me.

tīngwén tài cāngshān nàn fù gùguó zōngjī

Heard it’s difficult to find the traces of homeland upon Mount Tai Cang

duàn bì lián cán yuán chéngchí fēi shā yáng lì

[All that’s left is] broken walls and ruins, city turned into gravel and went with the wind

fánhuá fùmiè rén miàn chéng yì zhànhuǒ chuāngyí

Prosperity destroyed, left with only faces scarred by the plague and devastation of war

chōusībāojiǎn yīshēn mí

A nameless ghost with a mystery shrouded in cocoons,

wúmíng què yào qīng yíng

Its brilliance still glimmers

yīniàn huā shù chuīmò yú

A singular thought of flowering tree blows apart the ink-dark clouds,

zhòu yǔ sù huā jìng

A heavy rain cleansing the white flower

shíjiān hǔpò zhōngliú huàn

Time flows in amber like an illusion,

fù táoyuán zhī jìng

Traveling to the gate of paradise

wù chén yún míng jiàn liǎn què

The fog settles and the dark clouds fade away,

fúchén qíng jì

The dust floats in the clearing sky

dǐ bùguò yī huā yī jiàn yīrén yǔzhōng lì

None can compare to one flower, one sword, and one man's gift of a bamboo rain hat

liúliàn huā shù yì lián jūn

Wistful for the flowering tree and missing you,

zhù wàng hòu yuǎn xìn

I long await your news from afar

rèn fánchén súshì xiào wǒ

Let this mortal, mundane world laugh at me as it will,

shān jiān qí cháng míng

Still within the mountain I pray for everlasting light

qùxiàng wèi yánshuō céngjīng

Past whereabouts once unsaid,

fánhuā sì jǐn

Now flowers in full bloom brilliant as a brocade

yè huǒ jǐn yī huā yī jiàn yīshì yǔ jūn xíng

Extinguishes the flames of hell, one flower, one sword, one lifetime, I’ll walk with you

chuānxíng yú tiāndì jiān

Whether crossing through heaven or earth,

wéi yuàn zhúyī shuāng yǐng

My only wish is to chase our twin shadows