Original subtitles

"The Killing of Three Thousand Crows"

"Episode 17"

This is where Master Qi lives.

Why is he with them?

Jiu Yun!

Bad news!

Bad news!

I know.

With that intense demonic miasma,

I can't even take a nap.

Now that they are here,

I should meet them myself.

Welcome to my crude lodge.

How may I help Your Highness?

I saw your painting earlier.

The artwork is astonishing.

So I made up my mind to see you in person.

I came without any hesitation.

Your Highness.

I appreciate it.

Please.

Who would have thought...

a lowly sage like myself...

is able to get the attention of the Crown Prince of Tian Yuan?

I am afraid if the higher sages know about this,

they would be frustrated with jealousy.

May I ask where is your hometown?

Do you have your own training ground?

I have no training ground.

The world is vast.

Wherever the fun and joy are,

that is where I'll be.

I've been on my own.

I am used to the leisure.

Come.

That is such a shame.

Have you thought about visiting Mount Xiangqu?

Of course.

Of course that would make me miss the honour to meet Your Highness.

Regretfully,

I've always been...

cut off from the ties with sage's land or paradise.

Usually,

I do some drawings, I don't practice any mystic arts.

So naturally,

no greater sages will bat an eye at me.

Is that so?

The purpose of my visit today...

is to make friend with you.

Will you grant me my humble request for today?

Do tell, Your Highness.

I hope you would take off your mask.

Talk to me with your true look.

Your Highness,

is there a reason for doing that?

Because...

you look very much like someone I used to know.

-Your Highness! -I want to see if you are him.

It hurts!

Fine!

And you want to be friends?

Let's see if you like this.

Your Highness.

So, does my face...

look like that friend you used to know?

Your beard is a little...

A minor spell as disguise.

You look strong and handsome.

You are nothing like my friend.

I apologize.

I am used to fooling around with my friend.

He liked to pull pranks on me.

Which is why I mistook you for him.

Your Highness.

It seems like your friend...

was an interesting person.

Please forgive my rudeness.

How about this?

Move out from this lousy hut.

I will arrange a spacious villa for you in Gao Capital.

As a token of apology.

Sure.

I will move out tomorrow.

As for the Pageant for Consort,

I'll prepare a special seat for you.

Sure, great.

You are an interesting person yourself.

Be sure to attend it.

Certainly.

Miss.

Are you here to get a portrait from my master?

No, I am here to gather some herbs.

I see. I know where some grow.

Let me show you the way.

It's all right, I know my way around.

Stop laughing.

I was almost compromised because of his request.

But you are fine now.

What did he say?

He said that...

he wanted to invite you to the capital.

He prepared a spacious villa for you.

And he invited you to be...

a special guest of the Pageant of Consort.

Okay.

This is what you wanted, isn't it?

I know you all too well.

You came all the way to Gao Capital because of Qin Chuan.

She wants the Crown Prince dead.

The pageant is the best opportunity.

And you started drawing here to bait her out to you.

You are clearly living in denial.

You won't face her as Fu Jiu Yun,

but Master Qi instead?

Who said I am here for her?

She can do whatever she wants.

I don't care if she gets herself into trouble.

I don't care if she gets herself killed in the end.

You are throwing a tantrum.

-Can I take your word for it? -Yes, you can.

I am leaving her to her fate.

-So why are you in Gao Capital? -I am...

Why can't I be here for my own agenda?

Did you notice...

the demonic miasma emitting from that prince...

are just as strong as the energies sealed inside of me?

This is the second time I've met him, I can't be wrong.

So that demon is in Gao Capital as well?

Yes.

It could be inside the royal palace.

It could be right next to the Crown Prince of Tian Yuan.

This is bad.

I went through painstaking effort...

to master only a portion of the sealing spell your master used.

I merely subdued the energies inside you,

but if that demon is in the city...

You need to be careful.

The slightest mistake could break the seal.

But you have my back.

Right.

I went to Mount Phoenix.

That theatrical sage is weak.

He is not Fu Jiu Yun.

Neither is he the man who fought me.

Is that so?

Are you sure...

he wasn't putting up an act?

He was acting.

He was acting high and mighty.

I merely pulled a prank on him...

and he almost wet himself.

What about Zuo Zi Chen?

He shows his better side to me,

but that self-righteous look never goes away.

It was extremely boring.

He is willing to be your overseer...

because of Mount Xiangqu...

and also Fu Jiu Yun.

The murderer of his father...

as Fu Jiu Yun?

No.

Fu Jiu Yun holds no grudge against Chancellor Zuo.

The killer took from Fu Jiu Yun...

the Spirit Lantern.

All those from Mount Xiangqu...

are all vile and treacherous.

But every target counts.

The killer's next target...

will be you.

Lure her out and you will draw Fu Jiu Yun from his hiding.

Fu Jiu Yun is really in Gao Capital?

Madam.

Is something the matter?

Zi Chen's it's been a long day of work for you.

You must be tired.

The Crown Prince...

and Xuan Zhu is...

I know what is going on in your mind.

-As for the matter at hand... -Madam.

His Highness has given the order.

Both and Xuan Zhu will be accommodated with a mansion.

It's right next to Duke Li's manor.

I know that house.

Great, this is great.

-That is not what I meant. -Madam, it's all right.

I understand.

I am going back to my room.

Zi Chen.

Overseer Zuo.

What is wrong with you?

Or should I say...

Li Yuan's wish...

is your command now?

I am His Highness' overseer.

His Highness has order for me, and I must obey it.

I had no other choice.

With your knowledge,

should you be selecting bride and fetching arrows for him?

Or are you...

interested in the beauties of that pageant instead?

I am tired.

Goodbye.

Your Highness, the Pageant for Consort...

has nominated 22 candidates.

I have arranged for them to stay in the House of Blossoms.

I also ordered Supervisor Li...

for the foreign candidates to learn the customs of Tian Yuan.

How is the construction of House of Blossoms?

They've worked day and night, it's almost completed.

The dancers sent by Bashu are nothing special.

Even the wine is tasteless.

I think they are not interested in that 16 cities in our agreement.

Your Highness, I've been wanting to a question.

Do tell.

This Pageant of Consort,

was its purpose to display the strength to other nations...

or does Your Highness really plan to select...

a bride from the candidates?

A consort for a crown prince should come from noble families.

Only those with beauty is qualified for the title.

I understand.

What do you think about Xuan Zhu.

Her background and appearance are decent enough.

However,

Li was destroyed three years ago.

Marrying her could mean bad omen.

Dismiss.

Bad omen?

Is this how you speak about your homeland?

You seem quite calm about this matter.

I am the overseer of Eastern Palace.

It's my duty to consider every aspect for the good of Your Highness.

As for who will ultimately become the consort,

it's up to Your Highness to decide.

Zuo Zi Chen!

Losing your father must have caused you great grief.

He was shot from great distance,

even his spiritual energy was taken.

Such cruelty.

You are efficient when it comes to work,

but it's been over a month since the investigation started.

Why hasn't there been any progress so far?

Do you really not know who the real killer was?

Your Highness.

If I have tracked down the killer,

I wouldn't have the time to make preparation for the pageant.

Losing my father is heartbreaking to me.

I was arrogant,

I refused to enter his presence.

Thus I have my differences with my father.

Now that I regret my action,

my only wish is to carry out the will of my late father.

I must do whatever within my reach...

to make contribution to the demons for Your Highness' sake.

This is the only service I can carry out...

in the name of my father.

I am glad to know you are pulling yourself together.

I am worried the killer at large...

would use this pageant as opportunity to cause troubles.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

I have make detailed precautions for the pageant.

No one...

shall harm you.

Take this.

Come again next time.

Chuan?

-Chuan! -What's wrong?

Master Qi is in the city.

It's Master Qi!

We need to get a place before we miss the chance.

-What? -Enough questions.

You couldn't get us his autograph yesterday.

We can't miss the chance again.

-Come on, little girl. -Let's go!

Hello, everyone.

Master Qi!

Master Qi!

Master Qi!

Hello!

Master Qi!

Master Qi!

Master Qi!

Make room for one another.

Boss, where have you been?

Miss Chuan, did you have a fight with someone?

It's worse than that.

The three of us went asking for autograph.

Let me see it.

I was merely a cucumber away...

to reaching his soft and delicate hand.

He even looked at me. I am sure of it.

Even with his mask on,

I already felt suffocating.

You were suffocating because of that fat girl pushing you.

Enough about that fat woman.

It brings me nothing but rage.

I watched as Master Qi give her his autograph.

He even touched her hand!

Maybe he only likes to give his autographs to young ladies.

But why didn't he look at Qin Chuan instead?

Are you saying Qin Chuan is worse than that overweighted girl?

Yes.

That proves that...

Master Qi is blind as a bat.

Call me old all you want, but do not slander Master Qi.

Master Qi!

You are still impressive as always!

Come on, let me have a look.

Just a look.

It's Master Qi's signature!

Hello, everyone!

Thank you!

Not only did he signed this,

he even smiled at me.

This isn't fair.

Keep your tags with you, don't lose it.

Keep it safe with you.

You can't enter the Pageant of Consort without your tag.

Hold it, don't lose it.

Keep it safe, don't lose it.

What? We only get one set of meal with a tag?

The weather is so hot and we have to dance.

And you won't even let us eat more.

How are we supposed to perform?

Be patient, my ladies.

The delivery from the restaurant will be here soon.

Who knows what is taking it so long?

The food is here!

I am sorry for being late.

The food is here.

-I got here first! -I get the fish!

Take it easy, everyone gets her share.

-Be patient. -Have patience.

Don't fight, everyone gets it.

Here you go, ladies. Everyone gets her food.

-Where is my fish? -Food for everyone here.

-Is there any fish here? -Let's eat over there.

Okay.

Why are you here?

Miss.

I am here to deliver your meal.

Madam Liang told me...

you are not used to the food here.

So I made some roasted chicken.

It's specially for you.

Eat it without the others seeing, don't let them know.

Okay.

Miss, may the odds be with you.

You are the most beautiful of them all.

So you will certainly become the consort.

I'll send you some chicken tomorrow, all right?

Grow round and strong, just like me.

You didn't know?

The Crown Prince of Tian Yuan...

likes girls with chubby figure.

Thank you for this.

You are welcome, enjoy your food.

I will finish it.

Chuan, what is the best delicacy you can make?

Sweet-and-sour ribs.

But I haven't seen you make it.

I used to make them more often in the past.

I heard Master Qi is not living in the commander's manor.

The Crown Prince granted him the house.

Really?

All the ladies are going crazy just to send him food.

Yes.

If he east so much food every day,

he will die from heart attack.

Hurry up.

Old Lady Guo.

Do you have some osmanthus cream?

She just finished slicing the fish, her hands are covered in stench.

The stench alone is enough to make Master Qi cry.

Fine.

Stop messing around.

I don't want to deliver food to him.

Chuan, just trust me on this for once.

Not getting his autograph may have been hard on your feelings,

but you can't deny you have great cooking skill.

-She is right. -But that is not the point.

The point is, he has been eating exquisite meals for days.

He will love these light flavoured cuisines.

Listen,

you two are his loyal fans.

Why aren't you sending him the food and asked me to do it instead?

I...

I tried! But he only...

sees the young ladies.

You are the youngest lady in our restaurant.

There are plenty of young ladies on the street.

-I... -Boss.

Young lady.

I'll give you one qian of silver.

Deliver the food for me.

In your dreams. I am sending meals myself.

That meagre amount of money can't buy off my heart.

It should at least be one tael of silver.

Boss, do you have chopsticks here?

-No. -We don't have it.

-I am no going! -Just go on.

Off you go!

What did you bring?

I brought meatballs in broth.

Roasted quails and crystal agar.

They are nothing of grandeur actually.

Savoury abalones and shark fin.

Braised venison and bamboo sprouts.

That looks delicious.

The foods are indeed impressive.

But Master Qi is a painter.

Compared to the food,

perhaps beauty is his priority.

This girl here has a delicate figure.

What did you bring?

Vegetables, carrot, and some fruits.

Gather around! I have good news for you!

Everyone, listen to me!

The registration will only cost you one qian of silver.

Hand over the money and food.

Master Qi...

will surely finish every delicacy you brought today.

Should any the cuisines pleases him,

we will give away a special gift for the winner.

Come on, line up!

Don't push!

One at a time! Line up!

-Me first! -Don't push!

Line up!

Please, line up!

Thanks to heaven.

It would be wasteful to throw the food away.

Since Master Qi won't be eating you, then I shall.

You look so scared just now.

Are you here to make a delivery too?

What? You won't send it inside...

but start eating the food yourself?

Sweet-and-sour ribs.

How do you know I like this cuisine?

You like sweet-and-sour ribs too?

Do you have a friend who likes sweet-and-sour ribs?

Delicious!

This is delicious!

This is the delicacy I wanted.

Come with me.

Is it delicious?

Yes.

I could taste's my lover's passion in it.

Join me.

Sir.

Master Zhang.

I wasn't expecting this.

This manor had always been empty.

This it the first time I've seen so many girls...

and they are all waiting to send you the food they made.

I am terribly sorry.

I apologize for the nuisance.

That is not necessary.

However,

it seems like...

you already have a beautiful bride in your life.

If the other girls out there see her,

their hearts will be shattered.

Sir, you misunderstood.

She...

She is my favourite little servant.

She has followed me for years.

She knows the foods I like...

far better than anything the other girls would know.

You are my favourite little servant.

I am glad you have a servant to take care of you.

I was afraid you couldn't acclimate...

to the food and climate of Gao Capital.

The Crown Prince would have punished me for it.

Sir, don't worry.

Right here,

both the house and food are pleasant.

I am glad to hear that.

I will order my men...

to get rid of the food they sent here.

Sure. Thank you for the help.

After you.

That was a long conversation.

The food could have gone cold.

Where are you going?

We haven't finished the food yet.

Fu Jiu Yun.

You...

Chuan, how heartless of you.

You released the tiger on me.

Then you drugged me.

And you left in that cold tavern room.

What about you?

You came to the vibrant city of Gao Capital on your own.

-What were you planning? -The man named Master Qi...

who tricked me...

must have been you, Fu Jiu Yun.

It was me.

I am a very petty person.

The only person...

to have changed my song and live...

is you.

Your Highness.

So you knew I am in Gao Capital all along?

Not only that,

I also know you went to Mount Phoenix...

to peek on Master Qi.

Let me guess.

You prepared the coloured contact lens.

You even bought a wig?

The Sogdhian Whirl is too hard,

you could make do with the dance of Li.

I told you not to interfere with my mission.

Don't worry.

I didn't come to this place for you.

And I am not here for the Spirit Lantern.

I will continue to be Master Qi while I am here.

And you can keep working inside that kitchen.

-Let's not get into each other's way. -That's what you say,

but what exactly is your motive?

I bet you want to tell me...

you are here to see the pretty ladies.

I am here to see you.

I want see you get into trouble...

seeing how you are all alone in this city.

I want to see try everything you have...

as you fall into the abyss,

yelling to rebuild your nation...

or perhaps...

you would ask Lord Jiu Yun for help.

I am sorry to disappoint you.

Even if I do fall into the abyss,

I will find a way to survive...

and live on.

And what you said just now,

I hope you remember, Fu Jiu Yun.

Be it Fu Jiu Yun...

or Master Qi,

these are merely names.

Last time,

I couldn't be there for you.

This time,

I will hold on to you.

♪ The city and the lantern convey my longing ♪

♪ Our fated dreams were built together ♪

♪ Drizzling rain ♪

♪ The hell flower blooms ♪

♪ The promise we made was forgotten ♪

♪ I will follow you until the end of my life ♪

♪ The vibrant scenery and your looks ♪

Stay here and keep him safe, is that clear?

♪ Falling from the cliff together ♪

♪ Right from the start, right where it began ♪

♪ The words that you have spoken ♪

Miss Qin Chuan.

The man you want me to look after is gone.

What?

This is all I found.

♪ Time passes in an instant ♪

♪ The fleeting rain ♪

What does it mean?

I don't know.

Could it be that he is in love with you...

and he wants to follow you to the end of the world?

I didn't ask for him to love me.

Besides,

I don't want him to find me.

You still went to see her.

She is smart.

She saw through my disguise.

You clearly made it happen on purpose.

Fu Jiu Yun, I don't get it.

You said so yourself. You won't interfere.

But why did you let her know you are here?

Isn't it good?

Good? It's not good at all.

Being Fu Jiu Yun has its limitations.

I might as well become Master Qi who is free from attachments.

Enjoy the drama and see the beauties.

And she gets to free herself from burdens.

Don't be silly.

You are a greater sage.

Now you are hiding your face behind a mask because of her.

Is that any way to talk to your master?

You are too immersed in your own play.

Listen to me.

The Pageant of Consort is merely three days away.

She will make her move.

Are you...

going to let her risk her life?

Just as I said.

she can get herself killed any way she wants.

I will be...

the man who observes.

I want to see what she is capable of...

without me by her side.

So in the end, you are still going.

-Sure I will. -But as whom?

Fu Jiu Yun or Master Qi?

Brother, I have a request.

Can we not start a fight during the pageant?

Fine, I understand.

I won't pick a fight with anyone.

You are rant the most out of all the sages I know.

Just drink your wine.

I've ranted for centuries and that never annoys you.

The Pageant of Consort is today.

You are all hand-picked beauties.

Stand straight and don't slouch.

Confirm the songs you'll use one last time.

Do not eat on the stage, get ready.

Do you really want to be the consort?

Come on! Look at yourselves!

Do you know what time is it now?

Why are someone still not here?

Where is the girl who came from Persia?

Where is she?

Find her now!

Don't be so lazy, find her.

Find out where she is.

Thank you.

"House of Blossoms"

Look.

Brother.

I am sorry for being late.

It seems like I missed something.

Those Li dancers you sent me are much better.

I can tell just by one look.

Yes.

Don't bother.

Enjoy the performance with me.

Yes.

So?

Do you find any of them outstanding?

They are trying to show off their beauty.

But Your Highness is a man with power.

They are faltered by your fearsome aura.

From what I see,

they are nothing but clowns.

Judging by your tone,

their dancing and faces mean nothing to you.

Beauty...

is a matter of perspective, I will comment on it.

But their dancing skill...

is far beneath the dancers of Li.

And in terms of guts,

theirs are nowhere near yours.