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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 34

Xiao Yue, try and guess what my biggest regret in my life is.

Missing out on the chance to take Hu Wei Li head on

because Great General Wan led the army to defeat the Tartar King?

Wrong.

The victory in war isn't achieved by the valiance of one person

but the collaboration of all soldiers.

My uncle took on Hu Wei Li

and I the Left Virtuous King.

It doesn't matter who defeated the Tartar King.

What matters is that we worked together to achieve the final victory.

Li Ji's death?

Wrong again.

Even if I didn't kill him, he would have been killed anyway.

A true man holds himself upright and has little regret.

The deed is done, but I don't have much regret about it.

Since it is neither, I am not making anymore guesses.

What I regretted the most is...

not having told you who I really am when we first parted at Crescent Fountains.

The first man that I met and parted at

the fountains was actually the Ninth Lord.

What are you thinking about?

There are quite a lot of crazy people in the desert.

Who would wander about the desert in broad daylight playing a flute?

It's either a criminal who broke the law in Nan Dynasty as well as the desert

or someone who refused to be regulated by law.

They would all gather in the desert.

All sorts of people are here.

It's normal to have a couple of crazy people here and there.

But this man is skilled player of the flute.

A light tune as such is played with a hint of sorrow.

Let us go and have a look at the crazy man.

It turns out that the crazy man is the Ninth Lord.

Ninth Lord!

Ninth Lord.

I didn't expect to see you here.

We are here to visit our child.

Our child had grown much but we haven't named him yet.

I gave him a pet name without your permission.

I named him Yi.

We all call him Yi Er.

Yi?

'Yi' could mean concealed and secluded.

It could also mean outstanding.

This is a good name. It will make a good formal name.

We'll call him Wei Yi then.

I've already ordered my men to bring Yi Er here from the Celestial Mountains.

Would you like to meet him now?

We won't make it back until sunset tomorrow if we take a trip there.

It would take us too much time.

Xiao Yue, please bear with this for a bit longer.

If it were some other matter, I wouldn't mind a delay.

But I mustn't allow anything to go wrong when it comes to our child.

I understand.

I have already tolerated it for so long now.

Why wouldn't I be able to wait just a few days more?

Don't worry. We will reunite with Yi Er very soon.

I will wait to hear from you then.

Ninth Lord! How do we look for you when we get to Houmo?

Xiao Yue would be able to find me once you get into the city!

How do you know that the Ninth Lord will be in Houmo?

Isn't Houmo the nearest city around this area?

I made a guess, that's all.

Xiao Yue...

What would you like to do first when you see Yi Er?

I would like to hold him tightly in my arms.

I would like to kiss him.

I would like to see him smile and cry.

I would like to take him to visit Papa and my wolf brother.

Then I would like to take him running carefree in the desert.

You have him on your mind day and night. You must have missed him.

Haven't you?

I can't deny that.

He distracted me with something that I've thought of for so long.

What is the matter?

I have a feeling that

all our dreams will soon come true.

- Your Majesty. - You are all dismissed.

Yes.

My dear.

Since you entered the harem

we have gotten along with each other like any ordinary couples.

You once said that

you are the happiest when our family is together.

But since you have fallen ill this time

you refused to visit me and neither will you see Pian Er.

What is on your mind, my darling?

What are you afraid of? Tell me.

I will agree to all your requests.

Your Majesty.

I am terribly ill.

Even I refuse to look at my own face in the mirror.

My beauty has withered.

I am no longer beautiful.

I'm afraid that if you should see me like this

it would rid you of all the beautiful memories you have of me.

My dear...

No matter how ill you might be

you will always be my most beloved concubine.

You have always been frail and sickly.

Yet you risked your life to give birth to Pian Er for me.

Why would I be put off by your sickly face?

My husband... Why would you force me so?

Why do you have to see me in such a state?

My concubine is a beauty that will rock the foundation of a nation.

Everyone is aware of it.

Now that you have fallen ill

not only is your beauty intact

but also more deserving of tenderness.

My dear, why have you cried again?

I have been thinking about our Pian Er for the past few days.

I would like to beg Your Majesty to bestow him with a feudal territory

so that he may stay far away from Jian-An

and all this power struggle in the imperial court.

What makes you think in such a manner?

Perhaps it is because I saw where the Li family ended up.

Perhaps it is because I had fallen so terribly ill.

I think that nothing is more important than the safety of my family.

Your Majesty, look at where the Li family ended up.

They were once so glorious.

Li Da, Li Que, and Li Ji...

Which one of them wasn't an important official of Nan Dynasty?

But none of them ended well.

General Li Da couldn't die fighting on the battlefield.

Chancellor Li Que died wrongly accused.

All three commanders in the same family

all died from the power struggle in the imperial court.

Both Li Da and Li Que killed themselves.

General Li Ji... he died for no reason.

How could I not be disappointed and terrified?

The Li family indeed served me well.

I... have failed them.

I have made Your Majesty upset.

I am not upset.

My heart aches for them.

Now that I come to think about it

I have indeed spoiled the Wans.

People's desire for power has no limits.

The more authority I gave to them

the more they tried to form their own fractions and rid their opponents.

I will take you to see Pian Er.

Your Majesty has yet to agree to my request.

Appoint him as a feudal king?

Pian Er is still young.

It is too early to decide that now.

In order to ensure the safety of Pian Er

I must take him far away from Jian-An.

Your Majesty...

I have also been thinking for the past few days

about Wei Wu Ji and Xin Yue.

I also feel so upset for them.

Wei Wu Ji could have truly been set up by someone to kill Li Ji.

It's possible that the next victim would be Wei Wu Ji.

I would like to see...

who would dare lay a finger on Wei Wu Ji.

They did it.

They set you up.

They framed you.

They made you into a victim.

I want them to pay for what they did to you.

Wei Wu Ji deserves to die.

And even more so for the Wans.

His Majesty's favor for Wu Ji has surpassed that of any other officials.

His love for Wu Ji's son has also surpassed that of all other princes.

The favor of an emperor will fade.

Wei Wu Ji is now Nan Dynasty's Warrior of War.

That is why His Majesty spared him from death against all opposition.

Once the day comes when he is no longer favored

he will also be sentenced to death for a trivial matter.

I watched Wu Ji grow up.

Should His Majesty really sentence him to death for a trivial matter some day

I would never stand by without helping him.

All in all, Wu Ji is still my family.

Your Highness is right to care for your kin but you also have to weigh your options.

- Wait here for me. - Yes.

Your Highness. Senior Princess.

You may rise.

Your Majesty and the Senior Princess are in such a good mood to admire flowers here?

The rain has subsided and the view is quite spectacular here.

I've heard that you were ill.

Why are you also in the mood to admire flowers here?

I just happened to pass by.

But I can tell that you are in a joyful mood.

Is it because the Li family is no longer as powerful as

they used to be in the imperial court

and the Wans have also cut off ties with Wei Wu Ji?

By doing that, the Wans are now an unfaltering power.

Madame Xiang, you seem to be a different person after you fell ill.

You seem to have lost good judgment of what to say and what not to say.

Wu Ji was raised by the Wans.

He is a member of the Wan family.

What is that about cutting off ties with him?

Those were the rumors that I heard.

Others have been gossiping.

But I think that His Majesty seems to believe in those rumors.

The imperial family and the Wans are already deeply connected.

Do you really think that His Majesty is unaware of

who he should be closer to and who to distance away from?

His Majesty puts the nation first.

That is definite.

But His Majesty is also aware of who is truly genuine

and who is putting on an act.

It seems that Madame Xiang has also put in good words for Wu Ji?

No matter how the Wans hurt him, Wei Wu Ji refused to betray General Wan.

However, the death of General Li Ji made him see the truth.

He is now thoroughly disappointed.

Have you said enough?

But once Wei Wu Ji makes a comeback

it will be the downfall of the Wans.

Xin Yue and I are like sisters.

I have found Pian Er the most reliable support of all.

Take care.

It seems that she really plans to win Wu Ji over

to take the position of Crown Prince for her son.

I thought that she would clean up her act after Li Ji is dead.

Who knew that she would act more aggressively to win Wu Ji over?

Although her words are harsh

they do make sense.

His Majesty puts the interests of Nan Dynasty as his priority

so if Wu Ji could conquer lands for him

his favor for Wu Ji would never fade.

Qin Xiang plans to win Wu Ji over to take the position of Crown Prince for her son.

That is not an impossible dream.

Great General Wan, this isn't just about your own feelings

but also the safety of the Wans.

Wu Ji was raised in the Wan family.

I believe that he would never hurt the Wan family.

He knows where to draw the line!

Would he? Would he really know what he should do?

Fine. Even if you believe that he won't do anything to harm the Wans

can you be sure that others won't use him to do so?

Besides, Li Ji's death has given him a reason to hate us.

If we don't get rid of him, he would only stir up unpredictable trouble for us.

I know him the best.

Even if he is forced into distress

he would never turn on us.

Is that so? He ignored our needs for the sake of Xin Yue.

Now, he has a son as well

so who would he spare for the sake of his wife and son?

Wan Qian, I watched Qu Ji grow up.

I also saw how he distance away from the Wans as he achieved more success.

He has already forgotten who raised him

and taught him archery as well as horsemanship.

All he cares about is a woman.

Why would he still remember his uncle?

I believe in Wu Ji.

Only you would ignore the interests of your wife and children

to put your nephew first!

Everyone is evil

but only Wei Wu Ji is kind!

A kind person who won't betray and hurt you!

Please appease your anger, Senior Princess.

My brother-in-law is just too soft-hearted.

After all, they share years of kinship.

Kinship?

Isn't there any between us?

I am from the Imperial Zhao family

but all I did was scheme and plot for the Wans.

I poured my heart out to seek the best interests for your family!

But you always put your nephew first!

Anyway, I'm afraid that I cannot agree with Your Highness.

There is no rush.

We can take our time in deciding how to handle Wei Wu Ji.

Wu Ji.

Have you made any arrangements in regards to Yi Er?

I didn't see you take any action.

You don't seem to have any news?

You know that the commanders who accompanied us here

especially Sima Lie and Wan Ang...

they represent the authority of the Wans.

They have been spying on us.

Since His Majesty used me to curb the power of the Wan family

I've been considered their future obstacle.

That's why I have to be even more careful now

to prevent any possible accidents.

In order to protect their own benefits and power

they are capable of doing anything.

Don't worry.

I won't let Yi Er be in any danger.

Nothing will go wrong

with the arrangements I've made for our reunion.

I understand.

Meng Shan, you'll be in charge of drawing up the shifts of the guards.

We'll discuss the details if there are any problems.

Yes, Sir.

General, there are glimpses of remaining Tartar troops in Agesar regions.

Don't worry about them. Leave them alone.

General, we should...

The remaining soldiers of the Tartar army aren't considered a troop.

They fled before the war

and were afraid to be punished, so they ended up as bandits.

It is the duty of the local authorities to arrest the bandits.

It is the tribes who should be taking care of that matter.

It has nothing to do with us.

We must not let any of the remaining Tartar soldiers run free.

We have to pursue our enemies

and defeat them completely to establish our authority.

We go to war in order to protect our homes.

Arresting a few bandits will not establish any military authority.

I think that we shouldn't ignore them.

We have to send our troops to wipe them out

so that they couldn't grow in numbers and become a future threat!

Who is the general here?

Stop trying to command anyone.

When you're capable enough to command a troop

I will take your advice then.

He isn't my father's son so he isn't on our side at all.

- My father raised an ingrate! - Wan Ang!

If Wu Ji doesn't share the blood of the Wans

he would have killed Wan Ang ages ago.

How could he possibly still throw his airs about?

Listen up.

My command is not to send out any of our troops.

I will obey your command.

Great General Wu Ji, I will take my leave first.

- General. - Sir, bad news.

- What happened? - Last night, Wan Ang took his men

- to attack Agesar, but hasn't returned. - There is no news of them either.

This jerk has no respect for military discipline!

When he gets back, I'll have him deported back to Jian-An!

What is it? What happened?

Wan Ang violated the military order. He took his men to Agesar.

We'll have to see if he gets to come back here alive.

Agesar's unique geography was formed by years of strong winds and scorching sun.

Dust devils and rock walls form a labyrinth.

I heard that there used to be a city in it.

But as the environment is too hostile to live in

everyone eventually vacated the city.

The city is now in ruins.

The locals called it Moersu 'Devil City.'

Miss Xin Yue knows this place?

If you run into sand storms

the winds make sounds that resemble cries of evil spirits.

If the bandits are smart enough to lure Wan Ang into that city

I'm afraid that his entire troop will be wiped out.

Wan Ang must be sick of staying alive!

You're both to pick out the most elite of all soldiers

- and we'll set out to rescue them. - Yes, Sir.

Wu Ji, I will go with you.

No. Xiao Yue, I'll need you to keep an eye on our barracks.

I don't trust anyone else.

Don't worry. I could get around thousands of Tartar soldiers.

Do you reckon that a few hundred bandits could harm me?

You have to promise me that whether you managed to rescue them or not

you have to retreat before sunset.

I will.

General, we are all ready.

Wu Ji... Be careful.

- Get ready to leave now. - Yes!

We'll be able to see Yi Er soon.

General, this is the ruins of the city of Agesar.

There are howls of wind even in broad daylight.

No wonder it is called Moersu 'Devil City.'

- General! - How is it?

We found many bodies of our men in the city.

Wan Ang must have already been ambushed by the Tartars.

It must be the remaining Tartar soldiers.

Sir, should we enter the city immediately to rescue them?

We mustn't! This is a very dangerous geographical location.

The Tartars know this place a lot better than we do.

They are hidden, but we are out in the open.

We must not act rashly.

Meng Shan, Yan Guang.

You will take two separate routes

and attack from both sides

to lure out the enemies.

I will sneak in with the troops.

Move it!

Save me!

We'll head over there!

Move it!

Go after them!

Save me!

Let's go!

Move it! Hurry up!

Let's go.

What's the matter?

General!

General! What happened?

General!

This place was ambushed.

It was already too late when I was about to save him.

You... This is all your fault.

If it hadn't been for you why would General Wei be shot twice?

- You're in no place to command me! - You...

It's poisonous... There's poison on the arrow!

- General! - General!

Carry him back immediately!

Hurry up!

- Hurry up! - Here!

Let's leave quickly!

Get out of the way!

Get out of our way!

How did this happen?

What exactly happened?

General Wei took the risk to enter Devil City to rescue the Marquess.

General was shot in the chaos.

But... But there is poison on the arrow.

Where is Wan Ang?

We should head back to Jian-An right away to get better physicians.

- They can prescribe him an antidote. - I just want you out of my sight!

Otherwise, I might not be able to stop myself from crippling you!

- You... - Wan Ang!

- Get the medical officer! Quickly! - Yes!

Yi Er...

Did Wan Ang and Sima Lie hinder the combat with the bandits?

The geographical location is very complicated.

I didn't see clearly.

I don't dare to assume.

Miss, you must try to return to Jian-An as soon as possible.

The two arrows are infused with two different poisons.

I apologize for my incompetence. I could recognize neither of the poisons.

Can you guarantee that the poison won't break out before we reach Jian-An?

Would the General be able to withstand days of long journey?

You may both go.

General Zhao.

Present.

Send one of your most trusted men to Jian-An to bring

the best imperial physician over.

Lock down the entire Youdu.

No one is allowed in or out of the city.

No news of General Wei's condition can be leaked.

You do know what General Wei means to the tribes of the Tartars?

I understand.

If anyone tries to sneak out or enter the city without permission

kill!

What about Wan Ang and Sima Lie?

If they should dare to stir up any trouble

Wan Ang will be helpless if you kill Sima Lie.

I'm sure you know what it means to beat the dog before the lion.

If I want to kill Wan Ang

I wouldn't choose to do it now.

I understand.

Use Great General Wei's name to summon local physicians.

Have it known that...

the woman he has with him had some poisonous fruit by mistake.

But you must make it known inconspicuously that she is Wei Shan's mother.

Yes.

My dear, I already told you that I will protect you and our child.

Stop thinking about having him appointed as a feudal king

and sent him away from me.

Your Majesty, there is news from Youdu.

The Marquess of Jianxi is shot by poisonous arrows and hanging by the thread.

What?

Send the best imperial physicians over!

They have to save Wei Wu Ji!

Yes, Your Majesty!

It seems that not all things go according to Your Majesty's wishes.

This is just as I had expected.

Wei Wu Ji couldn't escape from an ill fate either.

He is also but a victim of power struggle.

I'm afraid that even Your Majesty...

I would definitely have him cured!

Nothing must happen to him!

I am sorry.

You may go now.

Yes.

This way, please.

General Zhao.

Present.

These local physicians are not allowed to leave after entering the city.

Group the physicians into two teams.

Have them await orders outside the room.

They must come when summoned.

Understood.

- Miss Xin Yue! Please don't do this! - General Zhao!

General Zhao, I can't express how grateful I am to you.

I could only stay indebted to you.

Miss Xin Yue is truly devoted to General Wei.

I witnessed it all.

Miss Xin Yue remained calm in such times of panic.

You have taken all things into account that I couldn't think of.

I am deeply impressed.

I would do my best to carry out every instruction that Miss Xin Yue gave me.

I will take my leave now.

Thank you.

Ninth Lord! How do we find you in Houmo?

How do you know that the Ninth Lord will be staying in Houmo?

Isn't Houmo the largest city in this area?

Wu Ji... If this is something that you plotted with the Ninth Lord

I would surely refuse to speak to you for an entire year.

How dare you frighten me so?

No...

As long as you are fine I won't hold this against you.

I won't be angry at you.

As long as you are going to be fine...

As long as you are going to be fine...

Can all the physicians stand by outside the room first?

Yes.

Miss Xin Yue, all the famous imperial physicians from all tribes are here.

But I can tell that you have other plans in mind.

Could you be waiting for someone else?

The Ninth Lord is also in the desert.

After we let out the news

the Ninth Lord should know that I am looking for him.

But he has yet to show up.

Could there by any obstacles keeping him from getting here?

I hope that the Ninth Lord would arrive soon.

Could the both of them have planned this together?

Is that why the Ninth Lord isn't in a hurry to show up?

Is it to make it seem believable?

Miss Xin Yue, there is also a physician sent from the desert.

As said, no one is to go near the room when physicians are giving treatment.

- Yes. - Yes.

Please come with me.

What exactly have you planned?

Did you get your men to disguise as bandits?

Xin Yue, don't worry.

Let the Ninth Lord diagnose his condition first.

Why was he shot with two arrows?

Ninth Lord, something must have gone wrong.

Wasn't he shot by your men?

Isn't this the poison that you planned to use on him?

The poison on the right is mine.

But the other one was shot by someone else.

I don't care who shot him.

All I ask is for you to cure Wu Ji of the poison.

Ninth Lord...

These are the arrows that shot Wu Ji.

What's the matter?

Aren't you skilled in medicine?

You could surely come up with an antidote for this poison, right?

Miss Xin Yue.

I panicked.

I'm sorry, Ninth Lord.

- I shouldn't... - Xiao Yue.

You don't have to say all that.

The poison on this arrow is called the 'Seven-day Plague.'

It take seven days for the victim to die from the outbreak of poison.

The symptoms are similar to that of a plague.

Seven-day Plague consists of seven different poisons.

The antidote also consists of these seven poisons.

In the making of this poison

it needs to be made in a certain order.

As for the antidote, it has to be made in the reverse order.

Can you be sure about the order?

I couldn't be sure yet.

Judging by the victim's symptoms I could make out the antidotes of

commonly seen poisons.

As for Seven-day Plague, although the order in its making might differ

the symptoms are very similar.

Therefore, I find it hard to make a decision right away.

Can he try the antidotes?

If he takes the antidote that was made in the wrong order

what will happen to him?

It will aggravate and speed up the outbreak of the poison.

He will die from the poison in less than seven days.

Why?

Why would this happen?

Why did things come to such a state?

What was your original plan?

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