Original subtitles

Subtitles and Timing brought to you by the Bloody Romantics @viki.com

♫ In this elaborately written letter, ♫

♫ all the words of love are filled with you. ♫

♫ The flowers within ten miles blossom elegantly for you. ♫

♫ I perform the zither, ♫

♫ as if you are standing behind me. ♫

♫ The rain falls while I foolishly wait for you. ♫

♫ Use these deep, shallow, near, and far distances ♫

♫ to add a touch of poetry to our regrets and entanglements. ♫

♫ This bitter, sweet, dream-like, and fantasy-like origin of our intertwined fates ♫

♫ is so that we can pleasantly drink this alcohol under the threat of swords and knives. ♫

♫ Use this lifetime, these moments of encounters ♫

♫ to trade for just one short instant when you can be with me. ♫

♫ These words, sentences, sentiments, and intentions contain hopes ♫

♫ that you and I can listen to the rain as we stand under the eave. ♫

[Bloody Romance]

Gong Zi is not feeling well, so he is resting.

What are you doing here?

City Master,

Gong Zi said that he had to ask me some details about my mission.

That's why he asked me to come to Tingzhu Courtyard.

Is it necessary to dress this way just for him to listen to the details of your mission?

This is Tingzhu Courtyard's way of saying,

I am of low identity. So I didn't dare disobey.

Then, please tell me how Gong Zi is feeling unwell.

I am skilled in medicine. I can help treat Gong Zi.

Gong Zi just said to me,

he does not want to see either of you today.

What if I say... I must see him?

Then I obviously do not dare to stop you.

What does Gong Zi mean by this?

I...

I don't dare say.

Speak!

Gong Zi just says that you, City Master, are a beauty that's like no other.

If you really want to disobey Tingzhu Courtyard,

then... it might be Torture Chamber Master's

last time seeing your beautiful face.

You...

Fine. I won't trouble Gong Zi today.

Since Gong Zi says that the assassin isn't in Tingzhu Courtyard,

we'll go elsewhere to look for him.

You don't think the two of us can defeat them?

Seeing the way he controlled the gu fireflies,

he should be gravely ill. Our chances of winning should be quite high.

Then why didn't you let me fight?

Because he still could have ruined your beauty.

I'm not scared!

I've lived lying so low that I'm already ashamed!

The words he said were meant for me.

I'm the one who's afraid. I care.

Then tell me.

What should we do from now on?

Continue inquiring about that Grand Tutor you mentioned last time,

Yue Qingya.

Since his identity is known by half of the Jianghu realm,

it shouldn't be too difficult to meet him.

I really don't know when these arduous times

will end.

Gong Zi, you're awake.

Why are you here?

I...

Where's Cha Luo and the rest of them?

They've left already.

How did you hold them back?

I...

I said that...

you called for me to come to Tingzhu Courtyard

to wait on you.

Cha Luo may be simple-minded,

but you've also managed to deceive Xing Feng.

That isn't easy.

Gong Zi, please protect Chang An.

What has your Shadow done that he would need my protection?

Since you've come to Tingzhu Courtyard to wait on me,

leaving your shadow outside waiting is to be expected.

Just head back together with him.

Yes.

Your shadow didn't do anything.

I trust that you can also take care of his injuries.

Thank you, Gong Zi.

Take him back.

If you need clothes, in the cupboard outside there are some of Yue Ying's belongings.

Yes.

But... don't you...

I'm fine.

You don't have to pretend to care about me.

This world is about repaying your debts.

Since you saved my life yesterday,

come to Bi'an Chamber in three days. I'll have a reward for you then.

Yes. Thank you, Gong Zi.

Gong Zi said you didn't do anything.

So what happened is now all in the past.

Little Sister, you're back.

Greetings, Sister Wan Xiang.

Little Sister, are you still blaming me for the previous incident?

It was all because of Guihua City's rules.

I was also just trying to survive. Please don't hold it against me.

We're all the same. I won't hate you.

That's good.

Just now something major happened within the city. Someone tried to assassinate the City Master.

Did you know about it?

Chang An and I were in Tingzhu Courtyard all night.

City Master visited once and told us.

Your shadow has the smell of fresh blood on him.

Could it be that your injury from last time hasn't healed yet?

Yesterday, I made my master upset so I was punished.

I didn't get permission from my master, so I didn't dare bind it.

Is that so?

I have embarrassed myself.

But my Er Yue said,

you and your shadow were on the swing.

And you two were extremely intimate.

You needn't worry. I've already taught him a lesson for speaking irresponsibly.

If the girls of Guihua City fall in love with their shadows,

it is indeed a crime worse than death.

Then, I thank you, Older Sister.

What brought you here this time?

Nothing in particular, I just happened by.

I saw your swing was so nice, I couldn't help but sit on it for a while.

Since you're the star of Tingzhu Courtyard

and you're busy, I won't bother you anymore.

My courtyard doesn't have a servant and the stove is cold.

The next time you come, I'll have some tea ready for you.

Next time then.

Tell me. What did she mean just now?

Master Wan Xiang has always been one to seek favor by overpraising.

She's offended you before, too. Now that she sees you are close with Tingzhu Courtyard,

she is afraid.

But she didn't sound scared to me!

She saw us playing on the swing together,

yet she didn't tell City Master, but came to tell you instead.

This was both a warning and her greatest expression of goodwill.

She is quite smart.

Not everything can be plotted in this world. Don't learn from her.

Wan Xiang said you are injured.

Where are you hurt?

Let me wrap it up for you again.

You punished me yesterday.

Yesterday, I was out of line when I advised you to keep your distance from Tingzhu Courtyard.

Then, you must use this iron stick to punish me.

If we don't do this, people will eventually discover that my injury was not caused by you.

Don't worry. The first thing Shadows learn upon entering Guihua City is to endure a beating.

I'm used to it, so it won't hurt that badly.

I can't see the wound, you just need to help me with finding its location.

I can handle the rest myself.

Cha Luo definitely ordered people to search house-by-house.

It will be too late if we delay this any longer.

Chang An...

Chang An!

Chang An.

You tried to assassinate Cha Luo.

Was it to help create a chance for me to escape?

Cha Luo and I

have an old grudge to settle.

It was for revenge that I came to Guihua City.

My surname is actually Xie. I'm the stableman

of the famous sword casting family of Xie Tingyun in Jiangnan.

That day, Cha Luo brought people and rushed into the Xie manor,

and herded tens of people from my Xie family into the courtyard,

and wanted Master to hand over Empress Wu Zetian's decree which she had left for Princess Taiping.

She said that the decree was sealed with a millennium iron seal.

That the seal had no words on it and was smaller than the palm of a hand.

That it was called the "Wordless Decree" and is able to command all the land.

Master said that the Xie family is only capable of forging swords

and has never had anything to do with Empress Wu.

He pleaded with Cha Luo to forget about the past generation's grievances and to let the Xie family off.

Cha Luo laughed harshly and stabbed Master in the chest,

pinning him to Xie manor's doorframe.

Just like that, the whole of the Xie family, including Young Master,

were all killed by Cha Luo.

That was the sixth day of April.

Young Master was not even seven years old.

His seventh birthday was only two days away.

City Master is indeed inhumane.

But you also said that you were just that family's stableman.

Why would you suffer so much and even possibly sacrifice your life?

Before going to the Xie family, I was roaming the streets,

starving for one meal and eating well the next.

It was Master who saved me.

I still remember that

when Master first saw me on the streets,

my feet were covered in broken blisters from frostbite

and on the snow were my bloody footsteps.

He bent down and took a look at me,

his eyes watered.

He took off his shoes and gave them to me.

Afterward, he brought me to the Xie Manor and said to me,

"From now on, you are a part of the Xie family."

He also gave me a name,

taught me the Xie family's martial arts, mental cultivation,

and gave me new clothes to wear.

What is your name?

Xie Huan.

My name is Xie Huan.

If not for Master, I would not have had a name.

Maybe for a lifetime,

I would be called, "Temple Boy" or "Little Baldie."

Xie Huan.

Turns out your name is Xie Huan.

[Bi'an Chamber]

Gong Zi.

Rebirth Pool was built only after my mother came to Guihua City.

It's the same as Southern Xinjiang's Xuanji Forest.

When she was alive, she loved sitting there playing the zither.

She always sat on the floor and was barefoot.

She said that she had always played the zither that way.

How are your zither playing skills?

Chang An taught me over half a month previously, but I only have amateur skills.

Play a song for me to hear.

Gong Zi, which song should I play?

Choice is yours.

Then, what about Yuji Yin?

I'm not familiar with this song. You start the tune first.

Subtitles and Timing brought to you by the Bloody Romantics @viki.com

She did so much for me. I should do something for her.

No one cares about me!

I care about you.

If I wasn't your master, would you still treat me this well?

In any case, I will not forsake you.

Wan Mei failed in her mission, send her to the Rebirth Pool!

Shadow Chang An failed in serving two masters in a row!

Send him to the torture chamber!

Just now... what was I playing?

Don't move. I have no interest in you.

But there is something at my feet.

That is a gu blood insect.

Earthly Assassins can only get one if they've killed ten people. One can increase your fighting skills by ten years.

Your foundation is really weak. You can't even withstand one gu blood insect.

Fine, hold on a little longer. I will clear your energy flow.

You are really soft-hearted but hard-tempered.

People like you are a rarity in Guihua City.

That's weird.

You're clearly blind.

But why do I always feel like you are observing me?

My eyes have recovered.

Only you and Yue Ying know this.

I'm willing to tell you this

because I believe that you won't tell anyone else, including Chang An.

I understand.

That song that you played a while ago was no longer Yuji Yin.

It was the voice of your heart.

Others have stepped on you for so many years.

The sound of your zither tells me that you are not satisfied.

So what? I've struggled for so long,

but I am still merely a chess piece here in Guihua City.

Once I fail a mission, I can't even choose the method of my death.

It looks like you don't understand yourself fully.

Then let me show you

what more the sounds of your zither reveal.

Gu fireflies can feel people's true intentions.

Why not open your eyes and see

what they looked like once you reached the ending of that song?

You want to stand in a high place. Even for just one day,

you want to look down from high above.

That is your true self.

I heard Cha Luo brought people and surrounded Tingzhu Courtyard.

Did she harm you, Gong Zi?

I had palpitations at that time and was unconscious.

She and her shadow executed a plan

that scared Cha Luo away.

It's my failure. I deserve to die.

I was the one that told you to go to Nanjing. I don't blame you. You can get up.

I have just bestowed upon her two gu blood insects as her reward.

She couldn't take it and fainted.

She should regain consciousness in an hour.

Gong Zi, it seems

that you are especially fond of her.

I gave her the gu blood insects to make Cha Luo more vigilant.

- That is... - Internal conflicts are the best way to contain Cha Luo's energy.

After thinking about it,

using Wan Mei as the target is the most suitable.

Can she defeat Cha Luo?

There's no harm in trying. If she fails, it is no loss to me.

Oh, yes. I played my xiao flute to make her reveal her true intentions.

I realized that she has developed feelings for her shadow.

That would result in a death penalty in Guihua City.

It is even more so in Cha Luo's eyes.

Her shadow tried to assassinate Cha Luo.

I'm curious about his identity. Go and investigate it for me.

Gong Zi does not admit that he is fond of you,

but he has broken rules many times because of you.

Once a female gu insect has been successfully trained for more than ten years,

it can indeed attract some low-level gu insects.

But she... How did she ingest Nine-Lives?

The taste is right.

Why?

Gong Zi, time to take your medicine.

I've put you in a tight spot. You were once a poison specialist,

but I've forced you to be a doctor.

I am more than willing.

How much longer will I live?

Just tell me the truth.

If you don't overexert yourself,

refrain from getting angry at other people and take it easy,

altogether you'd have five or six years.

What if I overexert myself and get angry at other people?

At the most... three years.

All right. I understand.

How did your investigations in Southern Jiangnan Xuanji Palace go?

Your palpitations are caused by your mental cultivations.

You just need to be treated with Nine-Lives to recover fully.

I swear that no matter what, I will find Nine-Lives and save you, Gong Zi.

You said this four months ago.

But up to now, we have not found Nine-Lives.

Life and death depend on fate.

I don't want to hold on to unrealistic hopes anymore.

Chang An.

Master, you're awake? You were sent back by Miss Yue Ying yesterday.

She said that Gong Zi bestowed upon you two gu blood insects.

They thought that you would regain consciousness an hour later but you did not, so she sent you back.

I only felt pain at that time.

But I feel much lighter now that I've awakened.

What about you? Has your injury gotten better?

I'm fine.

It turns out this is a photinia tree. It's not quite the same as the one by the entrance to my village.

I only recognized it after seeing its flowers in bloom.

Last night, the south wind was blowing. During the night so many blossoms opened.

You can make dishes with the photinia flowers.

Before, in the medicine field, I would catch water snakes

and use an earthen jug to make soup. Then I'd sprinkle the photinia flowers on top.

The smell was fragrant. Every time, Xiao Ba would lick the bowl clean.

I didn't only catch water snakes, I also caught cicadas.

I'd wrap them in noodles. If there was no oil, I would roast them by the stove.

They're crunchy and tastes good, too!

My family was very poor.

Once we finished eating the stored grain in winter, by Spring, we would be so hungry our eyes would turn green.

Sometimes I was so hungry, I even cooked the grass by the road!

Don't laugh at me!

Chang An, I won't leave.

In the past, living was difficult but I still survived.

I shouldn't be so weak now.

You'd have a better life outside.

But...

But in here, there's you.

But I...

If you can accomplish your task,

then we can leave together. If you can't,

I'm willing to die with you here.

Han Xiu lived his life in wealth and comfort, yet he was unhappy.

I think... I am stronger than him.

I won't let you die. I always keep my word.

Miss Yue Ying.

Pack your things and set out with me.

To go where?

Southern Xinjiang. Tingzhu Courtyard will pay the reward for the mission this time.

Yes.

I came to Guihua City with the previous City Master, Lan He, when I was six years old.

When I was eleven, I made my first gu insect.

That gu is called "anti-sex."

After giving it to a man he can't perform for the rest of his life. He'll become even more of a eunuch than a eunuch.

I watched the previous City Master Lan give this gu insect to the Deputy City Master, Cha Ru.

She then tricked Cha Ru into planting it in Cha Luo's Shadow.

At that time, Cha Luo was like you, chosen by City Master Lan,

and she enjoyed the limelight. Her shadow

is the current Torture Chamber Master, Xing Feng.

Bring two months of clothing! Come to Tingzhu Courtyard in an hour!

Yes.

Please have some tea.

Grand Tutor Yue, what's wrong?

There shouldn't be anyone listening here, right?

Oh, do you have many things that cannot see the light of day?

Like for example, secretly meeting the City Master of Guihua City.

Grand Tutor Yue, you must be joking.

Guihua City is accepted by the Imperial Court. This meeting doesn't need to be held in secret.

You should say that Guihua City

is the shadow department of Empress Wu.

Empress Wu was the one who accepted it.

But it was the previous king who gave us to City Master Lan to ensure our survival.

The previous king loved Lan He a lot.

He knew she was from the Jianghu realm and was afraid she'd be bored inside the palace.

So, he gave her Guihua City to play with.

No matter what, it was still the previous Emperor's edict. It cannot be defied.

The female assassins of Guihua City are loyal to Empress Wu.

Just based on this, there is no reason for Guihua City to exist.

Grand Tutor Yue, are you threatening me?

Don't forget. The person currently living inside Guihua City's Tingzhu Courtyard

is Prince Ning.

This is the reason why I came to see you.

He is just a blind man! There is nothing he can accomplish.

Grand Tutor Yue, why do you care so much about him?

My nose has always been able to smell danger.

Also, it's never been wrong before.

Since you have already said so much,

how about you make things even clearer?

I, Cha Luo, am a straightfoward person. I do not like beating around the bush.

All right. I want to know about Prince Ning's affairs. Everything.

This... isn't difficult.

It's just that... you wouldn't betray me, would you?

You don't have to worry. Although I've worked in the Imperial Court for many years,

I still understand the loyalty that is highly valued in the Jianghu realm.

With your assurance, I won't have to worry then.

But what is my reward for doing this?

City Master, you are so wealthy.

I'm afraid it'll be hard to move you.

Grand Tutor Yue, you're an intelligent man.

I'm sure you know what I want.

All right! From now on, Guihua City

will only have Chuixing Tower; there will be no Tingzhu Courtyard!

[Xuanji Forest]

This is the real Rebirth Pool

where my mother grew up.

Subtitles and Timing brought to you by the Bloody Romantics @viki.com

♫ I've never acted with proud indulgence. ♫

♫ See how the fallen flowers look so ignorant. ♫

♫ Your words “I will wait” prompt the racing of my heart. ♫

♫ I will wait for the wind and rain to brew this fragrant wine into a gentle drift. ♫

♫ I've never inexplicably fallen into disgrace. ♫

♫ I sigh that time is an elegant swan goose in flight. ♫

♫ I will use my lifetime of pain and loneliness ♫

♫ to welcome the simultaneous ring from the zithers into the night. ♫

♫ Who worsens the ache in my heart? ♫

♫ My heart's warmth will make these autumn leaves concentrated. ♫

♫ When will you grow drunk in the autumn wind with me, ♫

♫ so that I will be able to walk out of my dreams? ♫

♫ The zither music evokes feelings of desolation and cheerlessness. ♫

♫ Of a lifetime, the moon is always high, the dew is always heavy. ♫

♫ Alone, I foolishly sit among the blue ocean waters, ♫

♫ while the conifer plants grow in exuberance. ♫

♫ Who worsens the ache in my heart? ♫

♫ My heart's warmth will make these autumn leaves concentrated. ♫

♫ When will you grow drunk in the autumn wind with me, ♫

♫ so that I will be able to walk out of my dreams? ♫

♫ Who worsens the ache in my heart? ♫

♫ My heart's warmth will make these autumn leaves concentrated. ♫

♫ When will you grow drunk in the autumn wind with me, ♫

♫ so that I will be able to walk out of my dreams? ♫

♫ So that I will be able to walk out of my dreams. ♫