Original subtitles

There is a very shallow wound on the deceased's left shoulder.

It was caused by a sharp blade.

This dagger that was in Wang Lu's hand matches the murder weapon.

However, the wound wasn't fatal.

The true cause of death was the poison on the blade.

Poison?

Yes.

The dagger also matches the deceased's scabbard.

I am guessing it belongs to the deceased.

In a moment of desperation, Wang Lu must've drawn the dagger.

-Then he took a stab! -Stop!

After that,

the poison continued to spread through his body.

By the time Liuli Xian arrived at the scene,

he was already dead.

Moreover, this poison is the Nine Beasts--

Nine Beasts Frost Poison!

It is made up of nine types of poison

and refined in an ice-cold pond for three years.

It is an extremely expensive poison!

Keep going.

Look at him. It's clear from his build that he is no ordinary person.

His teeth were filed flat.

His fingertips were worn out.

Does he seem like a disciple of Lingjian Sect?

I've heard rumors that some people in the north kidnap infants

and remove all their distinguishing features.

Then, they put them through decades of training to be assassins.

They are known as sacrificial warriors.

Do you know what they are?

As the name suggests, they were born to be sacrificed.

They are to die if they fail in a quest.

If he is this sacrificial warrior,

was he here to kill Wang Lu?

How would I know? Was I there?

How could we possibly guess who his target was?

Wang Wu is right. She wasn't there.

That is why there is something fishy about this.

They failed at their quest, but I cannot guarantee

that he is the only sacrificial warrior on Lingjian Mountain.

Before we know their true intentions,

I hope you will all be mindful and be on guard.

However, you must not alert the enemy.

I agree!

Wang Wu's disciple was meritorious for killing the enemy.

Why don't we reward him with magical treasures?

Guanhai, your favoritism is blatantly obvious.

Can't you be more tactful?

Is he to be rewarded for murder?

I'm afraid it will be hard to convince the majority.

What will we do?

The poor child is still kneeling out there!

The thought breaks my heart.

Your own disciple is kneeling too. Aren't you concerned about her?

All right, that's enough.

I'll take it from here.

We'll consider it an accident.

No punishment, no reward.

Wang Wu, what do you think of that?

Answer me.

Clean up your own mess. It has nothing to do with me.

Hey, you...

No way!

-What? -What is it?

What's wrong?

I have urgent business.

I need to go.

-Wang Wu! -Wang Wu, are you mad at me?

Of course, she is. You stole her speech.

It's all your fault!

All right.

Do you know what to say when you see your master?

Don't worry, Seventh Elder.

You gave me a second-tier Melting Cloud Pellet.

I'll definitely sing your praises!

Why are you touching that?

Do you have a brain?

What's wrong with you?

How dare you take what's mine!

Maybe I should come back another day.

Wait, Seventh Elder.

You are the seventh elder. You must keep your word.

Besides, you gave me a gift.

I'll feel guilty if I don't help you.

But Wang Wu seems to be furious.

It's all my fault. I displeased her as soon as I returned.

She values those who are close to her.

She must be terribly upset that her disciple suffered an injustice.

She didn't want you to find out,

so she's keeping it to herself and is suffering on her own.

That's enough. Why don't we talk inside?

Are you touching that?

Is my tile going to help you attract qi or reach the Golden Core Stage?

Are you trying to infuriate me?

She's playing mahjong!

You said you were one player short and dragged him here.

Why do you keep yelling at him?

Don't defend him.

He has turned my entire hand into trash.

I suspect you two are cheating!

Green Dragon.

Wang Wu, you said you had urgent business.

-It was mahjong? -Isn't mahjong urgent business?

It's at least more important than my waste-of-space disciple.

Master, I have pride too. Please leave me some dignity.

You're here?

I thought Sect Leader kicked you out. Eight of Characters.

You...

Even if you don't care about me, you shouldn't stop others from doing so.

Wang Wu, I didn't know he was your disciple.

Now that I know,

-I certainly won't punish him. -Four of Sticks.

I am greatly indebted to you.

Your disciple is my disciple.

No, he is our disciple.

Look, I have brought our disciple back to you safe and sound.

Four of a kind.

Impressive, Master.

You...

Who asked you to return him? Why shouldn't he be punished?

Are disciples of Wuxiang Peak the type to bend the rules?

Master, isn't Wuxiang Peak's philosophy to bend the rules when possible?

You're right.

So what are you doing here?

Go take a bath.

Seventh Elder, be the judge!

What kind of master makes a disciple take baths all day?

I suspect it was my handsome looks and eight-pack abs

that caught her eye.

Nonsense.

You're one pale, flabby chicken.

But you just said you haven't seen it.

Five of Dots. Next.

Stop arguing. This is all my fault.

I came to apologize, Wang Wu.

Why are you apologizing for his mistake?

He'll be spoiled rotten.

West Wind.

So how do you plan on punishing Wang Lu?

Seventh Elder, how can you say that?

I was going to help you!

Why are you siding with her against me?

I'm dead either way. You might as well kill me now.

Sure, beat him to death.

Don't you like to fight?

Ao Guanhai, arrange a public match between Liuli Xian and Wang Lu.

A deathmatch.

Wang Wu, stop joking!

Xiaoliuli is my successor disciple.

She isn't weak!

-Wang Lu hasn't even begun cultivating. -So?

Are you looking down on him because he's in the Kinesthetic Stage?

Kinesthetic?

I assumed he was at least at the Qi Refining Stage!

-Do you two think I'm invisible? -It's decided!

The match will be in ten days.

Lu Li, say something.

Someone might get killed.

Wang Wu, I think...

I think you're absolutely right!

A public match is very fair.

Lady Owner.

You're the one I trust the most here.

Please say something for me. I'll reward you.

What's that?

Are you bribing me?

I suggest you give up on that.

I wouldn't betray my dear friend for a little bit of money.

Continue.

-One of Dots. -Wang Wu, please reconsider.

There are plenty of ways to punish a disciple.

We don't have to risk their lives.

Stop!

Let Wang Lu decide for himself.

Match or no match?

Think carefully before answering.

I'll have the match. I'm not scared.

Very well.

Since you have made up your mind, I can only wish you luck.

The last tile!

Everybody...

Self-pick win!

Consecutive win, all one suit, and winning the last tile!

That's 320 points! Pay up!

You're going to empty my vaults.

Master, you told me to play.

Master, take your time counting money. I'll be leaving first.

I'll need to prepare for a match against Liuli Xian.

Go on.

Wang Lu, I urge you to reconsider.

-Wang Lu! -Wang Lu, reconsider it!

Wang Lu!

I'll be leaving too.

Please rest assured.

I will warn Xiaoliuli to be merciful.

Everybody else has left.

Why are you still here?

Shameless.

As if I could leave.

How clever of you.

It's best to settle debts no matter how close we are.

All right, be honest with me.

What did you say by using Secret Voice

to make him suddenly change his mind?

Match or no match?

Think carefully before answering.

If you don't have the match, I'll tell Elder Fang He

that an Outer Court disciple frequently sneaks into Cangjing Library.

Who knows what shady business goes on in the middle of the night?

I'll have the match. I'm not scared.

Despicable.

You certainly are the shameless Fifth Elder.

You know me so well.

We can still play with just the two of us. Keep going!

"Wang Lu, Successor Disciple of Wuxiang Peak

deliberately started a fight.

This is a grave and malicious offense.

His punishment is as follows.

Wang Lu, Successor Disciple of Wuxiang Peak

and Liuli Xian, Successor Disciple of Qingyun Peak

will have a public deathmatch in ten days."

Deathmatch?

"Only the victor may remain to cultivate in Lingjian Mountain.

No appeals."

-No appeals? -No appeals?

"Only the victor may remain in Lingjian Mountain."

What does that mean?

That means the loser will be kicked out of the sect.

-Kicked out of the sect? -Kicked out of the sect?

That can't be!

Liuli Xian has been here for eight years and has reached the Hollow Core Stage.

Wang Lu has only been here for two years

and he's the only successor disciple who doesn't learn any spells!

He hasn't even reached Qi Refining Stage!

He will obviously lose!

-That's right. -That's right.

This punishment is...

fantastic.

Your hair is so supple today.

-Wang Zhong, let's go. -This is too much.

An aid?

Do you think you're an archer? Why do you need aid?

How am I supposed to fight an actual successor disciple?

Aren't you an actual successor disciple?

Then, you must be determined to win.

Man is the master of his own fate!

You will defeat Liuli Xian!

No way!

You need to leave me with something today.

I don't have anything I can leave you with except for these clothes on me.

Are you finally going to make a move?

Master, my life is at stake. Can you take this seriously?

Fine.

I'll teach you the first lesson.

Do a horse stance.

Breathe through your belly.

Cradle your head with your hands.

Jump high, squat low!

That is the method.

The mantra is...

"Sir, spare my life!

I won't do it again!"

I've had enough!

Very well, Wang Wu.

I knew it.

You tried all possible means to steal the Xiaoyun Ancient Coin from me

to prevent me from passing the challenge.

Then, you stole Sect Leader's Golden Seal and framed me for it.

You only accepted me as your disciple,

so Sect Leader will waive your debt! But it has been two years!

I've done nothing but take baths.

You never taught me any martial arts skills.

Third Elder was right.

Your behavior is dishonorable.

You neglect your duties and gorge yourself with wine.

You are the disgrace of Lingjian Sect.

Those praises hit the nail on the head.

There are ten days left.

That's enough time for you to write a will.

You finally speak the truth.

You would love nothing more than for Liuli Xian to kill me.

Then, you'll be rid of me once and for all, right?

You're wrong.

What?

I had planned on having fun with you before getting rid of you.

You want me to serve my head on a platter?

You wish!

Your life may be at a dead-end, but I'm not going to the grave with you.

I don't need you to cultivate my way to immortality.

What was that sound?

What are you doing?

Did you die by my master's hand?

Take a left outside the door. That'll be her room.

Have a good night.

Wang Lu.

Lady Owner?

Did my master kill you?

I played eight rounds of mahjong with her

and have no more energy left.

Starting tomorrow, you're with me.

Did my master betray me?

No.

You possess an excellent physique and a bright mind.

You were born for martial arts.

I want to impart my special Winding Steps technique to you.

You are in the Kinesthetic Stage

and haven't officially begun cultivation yet.

By training with me, you'll be able to strengthen your body,

speed up your progress in the Kinesthetic Stage,

and gain some tricks to save your life.

What do you think?

That's wonderful, Master!

It's just that I think regular martial arts...

won't be able to defeat Liuli Xian.

Will it be too late to run later?

If you don't want to learn, I'm going back to sleep.

I do, Master!

Take a bath tomorrow morning. Wait for me in the back mountains.

Another bath?

Break your promise and you'll gain ten catties.

You're even outsourcing his education.

You're hopeless.

You deliberately forced Seventh Elder to arrange the match, didn't you?

No.

Guess what?

I discovered cricket fights during my time in the mortal realm.

It was so interesting!

I want them to fight for our entertainment.

Wang Lu seems healthy and energetic.

The medicinal baths you made him take these two years

are starting to take effect.

Now you're sending him off to be a living sandbag.

Would I believe you?

You don't have to tell me. My father once told me.

When you were training for Wuxiang Bones,

you clung to him every day and begged to be abused.

The worse your beatings were, the happier you were.

My poor father.

He spent so much strength and energy on you.

He had to take tonics worth thousands of spirit stones.

His Qingyun Peak has an abundance of elixirs and cures.

You plan on having me teach martial arts to your disciple

and having Liuli Xian activate his meridians.

That is cunning.

You've put a lot of thought into it.

You and your nonsense.

I don't know what you're saying.

Right.

There's another full moon tonight.

Will you be all right?

Eight rounds of mahjong are exhausting.

You're welcome to come and play again.

Xiaohai? Were you following me?

Be honest with me.

Did you agree to the match with Liuli Xian for my sake?

For your sake?

Yes, you are quite attractive,

but I can't believe you're even more narcissistic than me.

I agreed to the match because I made a bet with my master.

If I win, she'll give me a third-tier immortality treasure.

Wang Lu,

I'm not kidding around.

If your master used me to threaten you,

I can come clean to Sect Leader.

I trespassed on Cangjing Library and secretly studied martial arts.

At worst, I'll be kicked out of the sect.

You don't have to put your life on the line for me!

That's enough. You should go. I have a business to attend to.

Business?

Since you're already here, stay and be his training partner.

Lady Owner?

She promised to teach me Winding Steps.

I promised to share 70 percent of the profits after I win.

Enough chitchat. Let's get started.

As the name implies,

Winding Steps is a footwork technique that relentlessly winds around a target.

It can be used for offense and defense.

If it is used offensively,

it can be sly and unpredictable.

If it is used defensively,

it can be adaptive and resilient.

If you want to master Winding Steps,

there are four stages you must pass first.

What is the first stage?

The first stage is

awareness of Heaven and Earth.

Everything in the world has its place.

When you attack, you need to know where.

I'll make it simple.

When you close your eyes...

Close your eyes!

When you close your eyes

and can't see a thing,

you are still able to accurately sense

how far away the enemy is

and the enemy's location.

One move is enough to unerringly subdue the enemy.

Start practicing.

Are you kidding? Hopscotch?

-Are you doing it or not? -Yes.

Xiaohai, you go first.

Come on, hurry up. You're up first.

Close your eyes.

Jump.

Xiaohai!

-Are you all right? -Wang Lu.

I could die!

Very good.

You will need to work together to complete the second stage.

Awareness of the sun and moon.

If my guess is correct,

the first stage is offense,

while the second stage is defense.

Awareness of the sun and moon means that when we are on the defensive,

we need to be ready to adapt to the enemy's ever-changing tactics.

Right?

You sure are clever.

Since you've already figured it out,

you can get started.

Are you kidding me? Hacky sack?

Play on your own!

Mere fireballs can't hurt me.

Xiaohai, let's go.

That hurts so much.

What should we be aware of this time?

-Nothing but yourself. -You...

Awareness of self?

That's correct.

The highest state of adaptation is countering change with constancy.

As the sun and moon continue their cycles,

the world remains motionless.

No matter what tactics the enemy employs, you must remain unperturbed.

That means...

Stability.

COCKFIGHTING

Cockfighting?

You can play with him. I'm out.

SCREAMING

Very good.

You just barely passed the first three stages.

If my guess is right,

the fourth stage must be the absence of self.

Correct.

Once you have a grasp on the first three stages,

-Let's make a new plan. -heaven and earth, sun and moon, and self,

and have mastered these skills,

you will reach the fourth stage.

Martial artists who have reached the highest state

won't allow themselves to be controlled by fear or anger.

Immerse yourself in the process

and attain the state of absence of self.

Flow like water and leave no trace.

Then, you will become

a true Winding Steps master.

You don't understand?

All right.

I'll demonstrate.

Jump, jump, jump a rope

Merrily in the spring

Hop, hop on each foot

As fast as you can sing

Jump, jump, jump a rope

Merrily in the spring

Hop, hop on each foot

As fast as you can sing

Good.

Watch where you step.

Go!

Be careful.

Congratulations.

You are close to mastering Winding Steps.

It's all thanks to your cooperation.

Don't be so modest.

I've seen the progress you've made in the past two years.

Whether it is your physique

or spiritual energy,

they are vastly different compared to two years ago.

I believe Fifth Elder's methods are effective.

That's nonsense.

I achieved everything on my own.

My unreliable master doesn't deserve any credit.

Either way, it was wise of you to learn Winding Steps.

It can be used for offense or defense.

It can save your life in dangerous situations.

Is that a compliment or insult?

I'm just happy for you.

All right.

This should be enough training for today.

There's a place I want to take you to.

Where?

Wang Lu.

Liuli Xian is a successor disciple.

She is pure and innocent.

This is inappropriate behavior.

We should leave at once.

Wang Lu?

Wang Lu!

This is unbefitting of a man of honor.

I cannot accompany you on this.

Who's there?

Wang Lu.

I'm not on your side this time.

I suggest you stop before it's too late.

Liuli Xian is a beautiful girl, but you can't do this to her.

Besides, she is very good at martial art skills.

If she wasn't busy covering herself up,

she would've had us roasted on a grill

even if we were armed with Winding Steps.

Wang Lu,

don't lose your life before the match even begins.

Don't let...

Don't let yourself be known as a pervert.

Only you and I know that this happened.

I don't think anybody else found out.

Just don't do it again.

You don't need to write a reflection letter.

"Today's whereabouts.

Ate fried rice, fried shredded pancakes, and fried noodles.

Training.

Ate naan, shish kebabs, and roast chicken. Took a bath."

Were you observing her?

Know yourself and the enemy to be victorious.

There's no downside to knowing more about her.

"First weakness.

Poor digestion. Frequently suffers from indigestion.

Second weakness.

Suffers from hair loss.

Third weakness.

Extremely uncomfortable with others knowing her waist size."

So you weren't being lecherous today.

You wanted to learn about Liuli Xian's weaknesses.

According to The Art of War,

"The best is balking the enemy's plans, the next best is attacking in the field,

and the worst policy is besieging walled cities."

If I don't prepare or do my research,

then a genius like me would be no different from ordinary men.

I understand now.

You haven't resigned yourself to failure.

You plan on defeating Liuli Xian with strategy.

According to The Art of War,

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."

Who would bother with ganking if talent points can be used to attack?

Wang Lu, you are truly surprising.

You can stop worrying now, right?

Liuli Xian is not a young girl,

but her growth was stunted.

Be it intellect or profession...

It's difficult to harbor ill will against her.

Profession? What does this have to do with profession?

You wouldn't understand.

Come with me somewhere tomorrow.

-Where? -Down the mountain.

Well...

What is it?

You drag your feet every time I ask you to go with me.

Are you afraid the elders will say I'm a bad influence on you?

No, I'll go with you.

Don't worry, I'm with you.

I'll protect you.

Pastries! Delicious pastries!

The two of you have been following me the whole way.

Talk! Why are you being so sneaky?

Was it also the two of you

who tried to steal my snacks at Qingyun Peak?

I'm going to tell my master

and have you two kicked off the mountain!

How lucky for us that those two became our scapegoats.

I'm so touched.

Liuli Xian is usually so lovely,

but she becomes so scary when in a rage.

Things will be even lovelier in a bit.

Liuli Xian, you're mistaken. We just happened to pass by.

We weren't following you!

Do you think I'm an ignorant child?

Liuli Xian, how about a meal to calm you down?

Who wants to eat with you?

Besides, Feng Ling isn't here today.

I don't have money for a meal.

What are you saying?

As your junior, it's only right that I treat you to a meal.

This meal is on us.

-Do you like the food? -Yes, it's delicious!

Do you like the food?

Liuli Xian, if you like the food here, I can treat you more often.

Really?

Do you need something from me?

Wang Lu.

You said things will become even lovelier.

What will happen?

Wait and watch.

Today, those two

will likely die a pleasurable death.

A pleasurable death?

IMITATOR

Why do you have my Imitator Talisman?

This is Imitator Talisman

and this is Imitatee Talisman.

These two talismans must be used together in order to work.

Stick the Imitatee Talisman on yourself,

then stick the Imitator Talisman on the target.

The target will mimic your speech and actions.

-Why are you copying me? -Why are you copying me?

-I'm not! -I'm not!

The timing is slightly off because I am demonstrating by myself.

I seized the chance earlier.

IMITATOR

Are you in awe of me?

That's perfectly fine.

I'm amazed with myself too.

How can I be so perfect?

Wang Lu?

What are you doing?

The show is about to begin.

How can you keep eating when you're so fat?

Lose some weight.

What's going on?

-What happened? -Liuli Xian, calm down!

What are you doing?

We're just eating. Why are you so mad?

Assassins! Run!

Six-Rod Light Prison!

Zhu Qin, use Spell-breaking Eyes!

Subtitle translation by Renee Luk