Original subtitles

Ruoye, grab something solid and reliable!

I didn't ask you to grab San-lang!

Oh no!

Here, gege.

– Don't let it fly away again.

– Thank you, San-lang.

Gather!

Gege, you can perform such complicated magic! It's fascinating!

San-lang, don't panic.

Sorry, it's just safer this way.

Bear with it for now.

Go again! Don't grab a person this time!

Get away from me! It's disgusting!

Get lost!

Why are you up here, too?

Ask your stupid, white silk scarf!

I told you not to grab people. Heavenly officials count as people, too.

You two, bear with it, too.

Ruoye, Please don't grab the wrong thing this time.

Go!

Don't count on that thing!

Come up with something else!

Hang on tight! Let's give it one more chance.

Spare the bystanders, please!

It's tight enough this time. The other end's really heavy!

Gather!

This really is a heavenly official's blessing.

Quick, let's take shelter in there!

Heaven Official's Blessing

Episode Seven

Those two god-forsaken people...

If I catch them, I will definitely...

Definitely what?

*T/N: 1 jin = 600 g

Swallow a few more jin* of sand?

Shut up!

Gege, what are you thinking about?

Those two walk strangely.

They definitely aren't ordinary people.

That white-robed woman should be the Guoshi* of Banyue.

*T/N: Goushi = A role analogous to that of a state advisor

Then who is that black-robed woman?

Could she be the Fangxin-guoshi of the two [known] evil cultivators?

Impossible.

The Fangxin-guoshi is a Guoshi of the Kingdom of Yong An.

Their lives are separated by almost a hundred years.

How do you know so much about the Kingdom of Yong An?

To be honest, I've collected scraps in the Kingdom of Yong An.

The point is, if the Guoshi of Banyue was aiming to trap us here, she has succeeded.

Then, do we just stay in here and wait for the storm to pass?

It's the only thing we can do.

Oh yeah, Nan Feng, during the storm just now, why didn't you use the Thousand-jin Drop*?

*T/N Thousand-jin Drop: A technique of dropping/hitting something with great force until it's driven into the ground.

I tried! It didn't work!

We are very far North-west.

There isn't a single Xuan Zhen temple within a hundred li* radius from here.

*T/N: li = unit of measurement equivalent to a length/distance of 500 m.

My general takes care of the South-east, his general watches over the South-west.

Our power is limited when we are out of range.

That's weird, these are really hard rocks.

How is it possible to carve out a cave like this?

The people from the Nanyang palace really take after their boss.

They all make a big deal whenever they see anything.

The people of the Kingdom of Banyue made a living off herding animals.

If they met with a sandstorm in the night, they would often carve out caves into the rocks.

Sometimes, they would even use dynamite.

AHHHH!

Who's there?!

Who are you?

We-we are just ordinary merchants.

The storm outside was too severe, so we came in here for shelter.

If you really are ordinary people, why are you sneaking around and hiding here?

We were just peacefully seeking shelter here when you people burst in.

And there was fire coming out of your hands.

Who knows if you're a person or a ghost?

We were too scared to make a sound.

You little brat!!

Tian Sheng, don't speak such nonsense.

Uncle Zheng, it's not nonsense. They're definitely the suspicious ones here.

It's all a misunderstanding.

I am the owner of a shrine. These are... both members of my shrine.

They were just using unconventional guarding techniques.

In other words, you are ordinary merchants, we are ordinary Daoists.

In order to hide from the sandstorm, we came across each other by coincidence.

So that's how it is. We are all ordinary people.

With every journey across, more than half disappear.

You all were brave enough to come here.

How can you say you are ordinary?

The rumours are mostly over exaggerated.

As long as you find the right guide, you won't enter the ancient Kingdom of Banyue

and you will be able to reach your destination and return safely.

That's right! We have a local to guide us.

We were able to avoid a lot of sand streams.

When the wind started to pick up just now, he brought us in here to hide.

Right, A-Zhao ge?

I was just doing my duty.

Let's just hope that when the winds stop, the camels and the luggage are also fine.

They'll be fine.

So look, Daozhang.

This was all a misunderstanding.

We have troubled you just now. We apologise.

Gege.

Huh? What is it?

I think that rock you're sitting on has writing on it.

Huh?

This is...

Banyue script.

Can you read Banyue script?

To tell you the truth, before the appearance of the evil cultivator of Banyue, I've also collected scraps there.

I'm actually interested to know where you haven't collected scraps.

Ignore him. What does it say on the stone slab?

General...

What?

This stone slab is a tomb for a General.

San-lang, you can read Banyue script as well?

I was interested in it. I know a few characters.

That's great! Come closer. Let's read this together.

General... This recounts the story of a General's life.

A General from the Kingdom of Banyue?

A General from the Kingdom of Zhongyuan.

The Kingdoms of Banyue and the Zhongyuan were perpetually at war.

Why would they erect a tomb for a General from Zhongyuan?

Because this person was very unique.

The stone slab refers to him as a General, but he was actually a Lieutenant.

Back when the war between Zhongyuan and Banyue was raging strong,

he lead soldiers at the front lines.

Then did he win a battle and get promoted to General?

That's not it.

He started out with leading a 100 soldiers.

Then, he led 70 soldiers.

And after that, he led 50 people.

He kept getting demoted...

Officials can be demoted over time?

As long as they don't make a mistake, even if they don't get promoted, they wouldn't get demoted, right?

Could someone so unsuccessful actually exist on this earth?

This kid...

The world is so big. There is nothing like too bizarre that exists in it.

Let's continue.

The reason this Lieutenant was demoted so many times, was because he often interfered on the battlefield.

What do you mean by "interfered"?

Stopping their enemies from attacking their citizens

and also stopping their own soldiers from doing the same.

They got demoted every time they interfered.

By the end, he was demoted until he couldn't be demoted further.

Stopping soldiers from attacking citizens?

He was saving people, what's wrong with that?

Right! He did nothing wrong.

That's right! What did he do wrong?

Hmph. It was very wrong.

An official must fulfill their duty.

Since this person was a soldier, he should have remembered the duty of a soldier at all times.

On the battlefield, bloodshed is inevitable.

If he were to protect both sides,

it would only result in annoyance from his own side and ridicule from the enemy.

In the end, he wouldn't be able to do anything.

But he really did save people and they erected a monument for him!

This monument being here, isn't it proof that this Lieutenant died anyway?

According to historical records, didn't the Kingdom of Banyue still disappear?

Was there any purpose to the things that he did?

But... but...

You're too naive, kid.

Am I right, daozhang?

But the Lieutenant did save people.

You're right. He died.

He died at the hands of his own people, right?

Not exactly.

It says here that one time the two sides clashed.

While they were fighting, this person's shoelaces weren't tied correctly and he tripped himself.

He fell and...

and he was trampled to death by the two sides of red-eyed, blood-thirsty soldiers and cut to death by the flurry of swords.

Hahahaha!

Is this funny to you?

No, no.

It's just that his death was a little...

Hahahaha!

Though this Lieutenant was very liked amongst the army, he was popular with some people.

They saw him as a General and erected a monument for him.

People found that this tomb was very interesting.

If you bow 3 times in front of it, you'd be able to find fortune in adversity within the Gobi desert.

Really?

Really.

Does the stone slab really say that?

I made it up.

They've laughed enough. It wouldn't hurt to worship it.

Naughty.

What's this!

There are snakes!

How are there snakes here?

Isn't it normal for there to be snakes in the desert?

Be careful of its tail, San-lang!

These tails look odd.

Gege, look.

It's a scorpion-tailed snake after all.

Scorpion-tailed snake?

It's an animal from the Kingdom of Banyue.

It has the body of a snake, the tail of a scorpion and a very strong poison.

One of the reasons the evil cultivator of Banyue could become a Guoshi,

was because they could control these snakes.

Control?

There is more than one snake! Everyone, let's get out of here!

Ah! Snakes!

So many snakes!!

There are some over there, too!

Snakes...!

Get out!

Run, run!

– Run, quick!

– Quickly!

Run, quick!

Why did bowing to the tomb bring us into danger, instead?

Yeah! The more we bowed, the more unlucky we became!

Just like that stupid cultivator!

What happened?

Uncle Zheng!

Uncle Zheng!

What's wrong?

What strong poison!

Well done.

A-Zhao ge, uncle isn't going to die, is he?

Those who are infected with the scorpion-tailed snake are bound to die within 2 shichen*.

*T/N: 1 shichen = 2 hours

Then what should we do?

Is this an antidote?

It's something to secure his life for now.

It will buy us 12 shichen at most.

Aren't we just waiting for death?

Is there really nothing that can save him?

There is.

There is an herb called the Shanyue plant.

It will be able to cure the scorpion-tailed snake's poison.

A-Zhao ge, why didn't tell us earlier that there was an antidote?

The person infected with poison can be saved, but someone else has to die.

Obviously he wouldn't want to bring it up.

What?

The Shanyue plant only grows in the ancient Kingdom of Banyue.

No wonder so many people risk their lives to get in there.

Yes.

Then... Then what do we do?

Scorpion-tailed snake's poison...

This was the goal of the Guoshi of Banyue, then.

Ling Wen, I want to ask you something.

Ling Wen?

Can you two enter the Spiritual Communication Array?

I can't.

I can't either.

Me too.

They even blocked our Spiritual Communication Array.

What in the...

Watch out!

Daozhang!

Everyone be careful! There might still be snakes around here!

Daozhang, are you all right? Is it bad?

San-lang.

Don't worry, it's not that bad.

Gege, bear with it for a bit.

No need. The scorpion-tailed snake's poison is strong.

Be careful not to get infected, too.

He might not have even gotten bitten.

What were you grabbing around for? Don't add trouble.

But, what if he really got hurt?

It's okay, San-lang.

It really doesn't hurt anymore.

Really.

Thank you.

We should all check for bites, everyone.

If you find any injuries on your body, bandage them up as soon as possible.

Daozhang-gege, your hand...

I'm okay.

"Okay" my ass!

You were infected with snake poison! It would be best if we went back up–!

Ahem, went back.

What? You're leaving?

Then, what are we supposed to do?

Daozhang, please don't leave us behind!

Now that the Spiritual Communication Array is blocked off, we do need to get back and report this.

We need to save these people first.

We'll go into the Kingdom to get Shanyue plants.

We'll get them back to you in 12 shichen.

Only...

We need this young man to help guide us.

But, if we lose him...

Would it be all right if Fu Yao stays to protect you?

What?

As long as A-Zhao agrees to go.

I agree.

The Kingdom of Banyue is actually very easy to find.

As long as we follow this path, we should be able to get there.

We're counting on you, A-Zhao.

Yup! Please.

Then, let's go.

Are you suspicious of this A-Zhao?

It might just be that I'm over-thinking it.

Nevertheless, it's better if we bring him out and keep an eye on him.

How long have they been gone?

A-Zhao said the Kingdom of Banyue isn't far. They should be there already.

I'm worried that Uncle Zheng won't be able to hold on until they return.

Me too.

I need to go the bathroom.

Me too.

I do too.

Hmph.

We're here.

So this is the Kingdom of Banyue.

These city walls are really high, but it doesn't look larger than a city.

Wouldn't it take only a few days to invade this kingdom?

Don't underestimate this little desert kingdom.

They might not have a population larger than a thousand, but everyone here was a soldier.

They were all brave and aggressive, so they were very hard to fight.

You sure know a lot, Daozhang.

I'm just–

Wait. There's someone there.

I just looked away for a second. How have they disappeared?

Do we need to search for them one by one?

It's the Guoshi of Banyue.

Ask those friends of yours to help you find them.

No. I just like asking you to do it. Aren't you happy?

Why would I be happy? Let's hurry up.

Gege, do we need to make a move first?

Let's wait until they leave.

Time is limited. We have to find the Shanyue plant first.

If we challenged them right now and she calls those legendary Banyue soldiers over, it would definitely mean trouble.

What's wrong?