Original subtitles

♪The blade dance causing ripples to spread across the lake♪

♪Waving the banner amidst the storm and rain♪

♪The snow is not bothered by the sadness and the happiness♪

♪Blazing through the desert with the rein in hands♪

♪Young and inexperienced, it is apparent♪

♪Bold ambition interspersed with recklessness♪

♪Mind not the predestination♪

♪Solving all the problems that fate presents me♪

♪From all the trials and hardship♪

♪Spawn the vast courage♪

♪The journey to seek glory and justice♪

♪Is not in vain♪

♪One smile is all it takes to get what you're thinking♪

♪A ballad to our journey♪

♪Pursuing the dream of our youth♪

♪We take everything as it comes♪

♪The distant land might be dangerous♪

♪But what's life without an adventure?♪

♪Youths are supposed to dream big and be sharp♪

♪Every struggle in life has taught us♪

♪That we shall do what we can wherever we go♪

♪Together, another journey awaits♪

[The Blood of Youth]

[Episode 27]

Soon,

everyone in the capital will know

that there is a young man in town.

He's not only handsome

but also has an extraordinarily elegant demeanor.

He trounces those of high power and helps the weak.

He even contributed to disaster relief.

Basically, a living deity.

How's your calculation?

That pawn shop called Luoze House

that we have in Bai City, Qingzhou

has closed down.

Butler Liang.

Am I very prodigal?

Your extravagance...

Isn't quite enough.

Let alone your father,

you can't even compare to that promiscuous brother of yours.

Back in the day, your brother's expenses at the brothel

in just one night

could measure up to the value of two retail stores.

However,

he brought shame to the family.

You, on the other hand,

will definitely impress your father, Young Master Chunfeng.

Enough, enough.

Seems like I should try to spend more money.

Otherwise, the position of the head of the family

will eventually end up being mine.

This...

Your Highness.

Almost there.

[Qianjin Gambling House] Lei, Miss Ye.

-Mu Chunfeng? -Mu Chunfeng?

Are you surprised for us to reunite in Tianqi City?

Surprise?

This is a shock!

Chunfeng.

I didn't hear from Xiao Se that you'd be coming.

The moment

I heard of Xiao Se's return to Tianqi City,

I thought to myself

that I could definitely be of help somehow.

So, very quickly,

I took the initiative

to rush back

without any delay.

How's that?

Such a great friend I am, right?

If that's the case.

Is your eldest brother fully recovered?

More or less.

That's a relief.

It was worth Lian...

To have given you

their snake-baiting potion.

It's a good day.

Let's not think about sad things today.

We have time ahead of us.

Some debts

will have to be paid back eventually.

Understood.

Xiao Se is waiting upstairs.

Hurry and go inside.

Come.

This way, please.

The third son of the Mu family from Yunjian City, Qingzhou,

Mu Chunfeng, is here for the banquet.

Mr. Xiao.

We meet again.

Mu Chunfeng.

Why did you greet him first?

It was us

who were friends first.

Mr. Xiao is the host today.

It's natural that I should greet

the host first.

Nice to meet you too, Miss Sikong.

By the way, why are you here?

It's because...

I left them a note

before leaving

Qiushui Fishing City.

I said to meet again in Tianqi City.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Mu.

No need to thank me.

You know.

There are three kinds of businesses that the Mu family would turn down.

What businesses?

Businesses that harm people,

businesses that bring loss,

and businesses that are too unprofitable.

This is a big business, so I'm willing to take it.

Furthermore, my old man

did not stop me anyway.

Seems like your eldest brother

hasn't been cured.

Nonsense!

There's no such thing.

Isn't the Mu family

the richest in Beili?

Why did you come empty-handed?

Would Your Highness even need any more

worldly things like the money?

Of course, I brought

a better gift.

Over here, please come in.

Please come in here.

Please, come in.

Please.

After you.

Please.

This way, please.

The salt merchant Li's Residence, Grand Entertainment House,

Gongsun Pawn Shop, and Technicolor Clothing Parlor.

The Four Great Merchants of Tianqi City

and their dependents

are all here.

Here, please.

Mr. Xiao.

Do you like my gift?

I will be sure to help Mr. Mu

in becoming the apprentice of the Divine Healer.

That's what I was hoping to hear.

Xiao Se.

The Divine Healer that Mr. Mu mentioned

can't be Hua Jin, right?

Of course it is.

Hua Jin?

Your Highness.

Where should he

be seated?

The top seat on the second floor, of course.

But...

It's against the rules.

Rules don't matter.

When the head of the Mu family

used to visit the palace,

His Majesty welcomed him personally too.

Furthermore, Mr. Mu

brought me a great gift today.

It's natural that he deserves

a top seat at my banquet.

Over here, please, Mr. Mu.

Sure.

Much obliged.

This banquet of ours

is looking pretty good.

Look.

Half the seats are filled already.

Can we start yet?

Not yet.

It's far from enough.

Still?

The most important people

aren't here yet.

A bunch of useless beings!

A mere third young master of the Mu family

was enough to intimidate them.

After the banquet,

I will meet them personally

to get things straight.

Never mind.

These dishonest traders

are way more cunning

than we are.

Xiao Chuhe is good.

He is still

the same man

who can bring me surprises.

Look at the time.

The banquet should start soon.

He wouldn't start so soon.

None of the guests that he's expecting

is there yet.

All of the Four Great Merchants have arrived.

Over the past two years,

they've been under the protection of Lord Chi.

If they are not left without any choice,

they will never

attend the banquet.

Lord Chi can help them

reap the biggest benefits.

And the Mu family

is able to take all of that away

just overnight.

Your Highness.

Would Lord Chi show up then?

No.

In Tianqi City,

no matter how rich they are,

merchants will only be merchants.

The true aristocrats

don't even take them seriously.

Ministers of the Six Ministries.

The Seven Censors of the Imperial Censorate.

The Court of Judicature. Longtu Pavilion.

The fact that they're unresponsive

proves that Tianqi City

has yet to acknowledge

the return of the prince.

Second Master Tu.

It's almost time for the banquet to begin.

What's wrong?

Is everyone getting anxious?

They might get the impression

that they may be

too insignificant

or too unimportant

for the Sixth Prince

to start the banquet.

What do you think, Your Highness?

They're here.

Marquis Lanyue?

Lei, Miss Ye.

Nice to meet you.

Greetings, Marquis.

Greetings, Marquis.

Please come in, Marquis.

Please.

Marquis Lanyue has arrived.

Marquis Lanyue is here?

This Qianjin Gambling House of mine

is so privileged!

Oh...

Seems like His Highness

was not waiting for Marquis Lanyue.

Well...

Miss Ye.

[Qianjin Gambling House] Since your father could not be present today,

I will go ahead

and take the spotlight today then.

Guests should attend the banquet with a gift.

Are you planning to gift

this good sword of yours to Xiao Se?

I'm not a tasteless man.

The gift that I brought

would be the most valuable gift of all.

Calling me a gift

is rather disrespectful,

don't you think?

This is...

He's been an imperial official for 50 years

and has remained upright and honest.

He's neither affiliated with any parties nor noblemen.

He found his foothold in the government

with his righteousness

and heart for the people.

The honest admire him, and the corrupt fear him.

During Imperial Court proceedings,

His Majesty sits on the Dragon Throne

while he has a Crane Seat.

He doesn't need to kneel or stand.

He's the role model for all scholars in the nation,

the head of the government?

Your Highness.

I'm really baffled.

The Grand Preceptor, Dong Zhu.

To think that this gambling house of mine

is housing the greatest scholar ever.

How did you do that?

I have a sword

called Blood Sight.

It was also Uncle Langya's

saber in battle.

Years ago, the Grand Preceptor

went to war with the army.

At the moment of life and death,

Uncle Langya saved him with this sword.

A life-saving debt is the heaviest of all.

But you're exchanging it

for a meal with the Grand Preceptor?

No.

It is not him that I'm aiming for.

I'm aiming for all civil and military officials.

-Welcome, Grand Preceptor. -Welcome, Grand Preceptor.

You're very much like

your father.

You're flattering me, Grand Preceptor.

I used to hold you in my arms when you were little.

Grand Preceptor.

I can't remember that very well.

Of course.

Back then,

you were but a baby.

Grand Preceptor.

Chuhe is waiting inside.

Let's go in.

Sure, let's go in.

Over here.

Welcoming our guest!

Beili's Director of Nation-cum-Grand Preceptor, Official Dong Zhu,

has arrived.

-Grand Preceptor. -Grand Preceptor.

Grand Preceptor.

You're back?

Yes, I'm back.

It's good to have you back.

Good to have you back.

After all, Tianqi City

is your home.

But...

You're better than before.

As expected, getting some experience out there

was necessary.

Child.

You must learn to understand

your father's painstaking intentions.

I will keep that in mind.

In the bleak autumn wind and chilling weather,

the dew turns into frost on plants.

This name of yours

may sound a little melancholic,

but it's also very poetic.

Grand Preceptor.

Let's take a seat.

Yes, let's be seated.

Have a seat, please.

Very well, very well.

Marquis Lanyue?

Father.

Marquis Lanyue

is the current Director of Nation.

If he's in attendance,

then we...

Marquis Lanyue may be the Director of Nation,

but he rarely interferes with imperial matters.

This is even more so

after the case of Lord Langya's act of treason.

His Majesty has since

abstained from granting authority to his brothers.

Let me think.

Sir, sir!

Why the hurry?

What happened?

Something big happened indeed.

After Marquis Lanyue,

someone else arrived too.

Who?

Grand Preceptor, Dong Zhu.

What? Grand Preceptor Dong Zhu?

Get my palanquin ready, hurry!

Please, everyone.

Come on, come on.

[Qianjin Gambling House] Here.

After you, please.

Sure.

Please.

Let's go together.

Sure, together.

Long time no see, Uncle.

Minister of Revenue,

Official Li Ruochong, has arrived.

Minister of Justice,

Official Zhou De, has arrived.

Minister of War,

Official Wu Jingcheng, has arrived.

Minister of Personnel,

Official Xuan Dechong, has arrived.

Minister of Rites,

Official Xu Weicheng, has arrived.

Xiao Se.

All civil and military officials are here.

When are the two princes coming?

Before,

we didn't have much time.

Now,

they are running out

of time.

Why would the Grand Preceptor

attend a banquet like that?

He'd even skip state banquets

pretending to be sick.

This isn't merely

about his attendance at a banquet.

This is all part of Chuhe's scheme.

He took advantage of the two Directors of Nation

to spur

all civil and military officials in the capital.

If they can cause a big scene,

they can force us to give in.

Within two hours,

the ministers of the Six Ministries,

the Four Great Merchants,

and even the Mu family of Qingzhou

as well as Grand Preceptor Dong Zhu

came for him.

Lord Yong'an

has too many tricks up his sleeves.

Yeah.

Every time we think

that we found his weakness,

he'd always find a way around it.

I expected Marquis Lanyue to show up,

but I didn't expect the Grand Preceptor to show up too.

These two individuals,

who claim to be neutral,

attend a banquet like this.

How intriguing.

But apparently, even now,

Xiao Chuhe has not started the banquet yet.

Xiao Chuhe

is still stubborn as ever.

What?

Must Lord Chi

and Lord Bai arrive

before he finally starts the banquet?

Does he assume

that Dong Zhu can force me to attend the banquet?

Ridiculous.

Your Highness.

Are we going then?

Chong must be more upset than I am.

After all, he has always been

a respectful pupil.

For Dong Zhu to be present

and him to be absent.

That would be rude.

In my opinion,

we shouldn't go.

Otherwise, it would be as if we're admitting defeat.

If we don't go,

at least, it shows that we don't care.

Oh, Zang Ming.

The truth is...

We have already lost.

Then, Lord Bai

has no reason not to show up.

No.

The best reason he has to be absent

is my absence.

If I'm absent,

he can choose to do the same.

So, we are...

Not going, of course.

I'm not afraid of crossing Dong Zhu.

Chong would be the most upset right now.

I'd gladly watch him suffer.

Who else chose to be absent?

I will be sure to appoint them to higher positions.

Only the Supervisor of Astronomy is absent.

Supervisor of Astronomy?

Chuhe.

No matter how good the tea at Qianjin Gambling House is,

it's not good to have too much of it.

Grand Preceptor isn't saying anything,

but people will accuse you of disrespecting

the Grand Preceptor.

Just wait for a little longer.

How long?

When will we start?

About an hour later.

You're waiting for those two?

They're not coming.

They won't admit defeat so easily.

Forget it then.

Second Master Tu.

Your Highness.

Start the banquet.

The banquet...

Wait.

I didn't say I was coming,

but I didn't say I won't be coming either.

Why rush to start the banquet?

Can't you wait for me?

Your Highness.

State Preceptor.

Marquis.

I may not be interested

in feasting and drinking,

but I suppose I should have a taste

of Lord Yong'an's feast.

Oh, State Preceptor.

Grand Preceptor.

Grand Preceptor.

It's been a while

since we last met.

Tell me about it.

State Preceptor.

You're always absent at the Imperial Court.

You only showed up on occasions

like festivals

and state banquets.

Meanwhile, I attend the Imperial Court daily

yet never show up to banquets.

Who would've expected our reunion

to happen within Tianqi City's

biggest gambling house?

May I know why you have come?

Because of friendship.

Such a coincidence.

Coincidental, right?

I'm Li Fansong,

a disciple of Zhao Yuzhen of Mount Wangcheng.

I'm Feixuan of Mount Wangcheng.

-We pay our respects, Supervisor Qi. -We pay our respects, Supervisor Qi.

Please rise.

Elder Yin once wrote

to say that you're coming

to sit in at the Directorate of Astronomy.

You two

are the next generation leaders of Mount Wangcheng.

It's an honor to have you

at the Directorate of Astronomy.

Thank you, Supervisor Qi.

But before that,

we have another favor to ask.

What is it?

The one holding the banquet at Qianjin Gambling House

is an ally of Mount Wangcheng.

We hope to ask you

to attend the banquet.

I could not rescue your master

and I feel guilty about my old friend.

As such, I can fulfill

Mount Wangcheng's request and let you sit in

at the Directorate of Astronomy.

However,

for me to attend the banquet,

you must give me

a good reason to convince me.

Because the friend

who is hosting the banquet at Qianjin Gambling House

is closely related

to our master's wife.

If she was in Tianqi,

she would have come

to invite you personally.

Your master's wife?

State Preceptor, Grand Preceptor.

Please have a seat.

Please, Your Highness.

Marquis.

Please, State Preceptor.

Grand Preceptor.

Now, you can wait

for another hour.

No need.

The residences of the princes are not far.

I believe they would have heard the news

when Supervisor Qi was on his way here

with the young Taoist.

Welcoming our guests!

His Highness, Lord Bai, has arrived.

His Highness, Lord Chi, has arrived.

Are you all starving?

Why are you so early?

Can't you wait for me a little?

-Greetings, Lord Bai. -Greetings, Lord Bai.

-Greetings, Lord Chi. -Greetings, Lord Chi.

Please rise.

You two.

Long time no see.

Long time no see, Chuhe.

Chuhe.

You got tanned and lost weight.

Since you're home,

don't leave anymore.

Rest up at home.

Don't worry.

Since I'm back,

I won't leave anytime soon.

That's great.

I initially thought

that you wouldn't be coming today.

Something came up at home

hence there was some delay.

With you traveling out there for years

and finally returning to the capital,

as your brother, of course I'd come.

Chuhe is quite influential.

The Four Great Merchants

and all civil and military officials are here.

Even Grand Preceptor and State Preceptor are here too.

How can I not show up?

Regardless of your wishes,

you're here now.

So you're my guest.

Please have a seat.

With you?

Of course not.

My seat is over there.

Start the banquet.

The banquet begins!

Here, Official Li.

Come, come.

It's been a long time since we met.

Let's enjoy ourselves today.

Everyone, cheers.

(Cheers.)

(Official Liu.)

(Here, Zhao.)

(Such a rare occasion.)

(Here.)

Grand Preceptor.

(Let me fill your cup.)

(Come, come.)

(No need to be so formal.)

(You're being too formal.)

Uncle.

Yu.

(Here.)

(Please, sir.)

(Cheers to you.)

(Here.)

(Down it, down it!)

Grand Preceptor.

I think his intentions

are very obvious.

In just a moment,

he should be summoning the ones

he wishes to speak with.

The topics of discussion

and the deals made

would be the greatest secret

of this banquet.

But he loves

to give surprises.

Grand Preceptor.

What thoughts do you have

after meeting him again?

He is like

the untamed foal.

When we met,

judging from his expressions,

I thought he'd changed.

But it seems

that the foal

has just grown up.

Look at the two over there.

They had so many conflicts

overtly and secretly.

But now, they're sitting together

and having a meal.

Yeah.

I remember

that it's been a long time

since we last ate together.

Did we ever sit together

for a meal?

Yes.

Back then,

only you and Chuhe

among all our brothers

didn't call me a blind man.

I remember.

I wonder

if the one up there

still remembers.

If he does,

shouldn't he invite us

for a drink up there?

If you want to, go ahead.

But if you raised a cup to him,

he probably

wouldn't even look.

How dare he?

Who is that?

Is she Chuhe's lover?

You're here.

Was it tiring to travel

from Three-Gaze City?

Yes.

Upon arrival,

I see Your Highness's

grand banquet.

Sorry.

What is your goal behind hosting this banquet?

To tell them that I'm back.

They can choose to follow

or defy me.

I will not rope in

anyone here today.

It's all up to their own decisions.

You are the mighty Sixth Prince.

You can do that

but you must remember

who paved the way for you.

I did not forget

and will never forget.

Everyone.

Done with your drinks?

Yes!

-Yes! -Yes!

-Yes! -Yes!

Then let me raise my cup

to all of you.

Cheers!

-Cheers to Lord Yong'an. -Cheers to Lord Yong'an.

Cheers to Lord Yong'an.

What...

His Highness...

His Highness...

What's wrong?

What happened to His Highness?

What's wrong?

What happened?

His Highness is trying to...

This...

What's wrong, Zang Ming?

Lord Yong'an unveiled

the stone wall at the top of the Qianjin Gambling House.

The word "libation" is engraved on the wall.

[Libation]

Drums.

Strings.

Lend me your sword.

(Dew on scallion leaves)

(dries out easily in the sun.)

(Yet tomorrow morning, it will fall on the scallion leaves again.)

(And humans, once dead,)

(will never return.)

(To the land where souls gather,)

(all, no matter virtuous or ignorant,)

(will eventually return.)

(Death urges on so hurriedly)

(that human life cannot be extended.)

Tang.

(Hence, it makes no room for hesitance.)

(Dew on scallion leaves)

(dries out easily under the sun.)

(Yet tomorrow morning, it will fall on the scallion leaves again.)

(And humans, once dead,)

(will never return.)

(To the land where souls gather,)

(all, no matter virtuous or ignorant, will eventually return.)

(Death urges on so hurriedly)

(that human life cannot be extended.)

(Hence, it makes no room for hesitance.)

[The lotus leaf has floated to the heavens, but his noble spirit is eternal on earth]

Tang Lian.

Rest in peace.

This is Zhancui.

The highest kind of mourning dress among all Five Mourning Garments.

Your Highness.

Let's leave for now.

All of Tianqi City's prestigious families and imperial officials

are here.

He wouldn't act recklessly.

If you could see this sight

for yourself,

you'd know what it means

to be reckless.

This is comparable to charging into Tai'an Hall

with a sword.

Serve the last dish.

Last dish?

Last dish?

Last dish?

I have no idea either.

Yeah.

According to royal banquet specifications,

all the dishes have been served.

Why is there a last dish?

What... what is this?

(I don't know.)

(I've never seen it before.)

Tofu rice.

What's tofu rice?

Doesn't sound appetizing,

Master.

At the place where my martial brother lived,

when someone dies,

their family

will prepare a tofu feast.

They'd invite the friends of the deceased

for a meal.

There will be no meat

but a variety of dishes

made from tofu.

And the most important dish of all

is what you see before you,

tofu rice.

Tofu can bring longevity.

The deceased has passed on.

But those who are alive remain.

I hope

that after you eat this tofu rice,

starting today,

you can all live

a good life in Tianqi City.

In Qingzhou,

if you are invited to a tofu feast,

you are not allowed to reject it.

After all,

the deceased deserves our respect.

What do you all think?

Come.

Let's eat.

Come.

Grand Preceptor.

Marquis.

If I'm not mistaken,

you're from the South, right?

Yes.

In my hometown,

after someone dies,

we all eat a bowl of tofu rice.

But after coming to Tianqi,

it's been years

since I've had tofu rice like this.

When I die,

I hope everyone

can have a bowl of tofu rice as well.

Come on.

Let's eat, let's eat.

Let's eat, let's eat.

Zang Ming.

Bring it to me.

You can eat all you want.

Longxie.

Let's go.

What are you trying to do?

Why aren't you eating the tofu rice?

What does your eldest martial brother's death

have to do with me?

You will soon find out

what it has to do with you.

Interesting.

Trying

to kill me here?

Is that a challenge?

Fairy Rui.

Please leave for now.

I will be sure to give you

an explanation about Lian.

Do as I say here.

Fine.

His Majesty has arrived.

-Welcome, Your Majesty. -Welcome, Your Majesty.

You're back.

I'm back.

I heard that you're fully recovered.

Yes.

That's great.

Have you eaten?

We're about to end the banquet.

Do you have any food left?

I

am hungry.

We only have tofu rice left.

Give me a bowl of that then.

I've heard from Lanyue

about his experiences during his travels.

So, Chuhe,

did someone pass away?

My eldest martial brother did.

You've grown up.

I will not lecture you anymore

like I used to.

Just do whatever

you wish to do.

Okay.

Rise, all of you.

I did not intend

to neglect you.

It just has been too long

since I last met my son.

So,

I do not want any distractions

while we speak.

I hope you can all understand.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Let's go.

Your Majesty.

Hua Jin.

Would you like to stay?

Some of my friends are here,

and I've not met them in a while.

Fine, then.

Later,

tell Yueli to escort you to the palace.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Depart.

-Our regards, Your Majesty. -Our regards, Your Majesty.

You may all leave.

He is still the one and only favored son

within Tianqi City.

He has always been.

Come rest for a moment at the Directorate of Astronomy.

My pleasure.

Please, Grand Preceptor.

Please, State Preceptor.

Back then,

when I went to Xueyue City for you,

you refused to leave.

Why are you back now?

I like to make my own choices.

I am aware of what happened

to your martial brother.

Regardless,

I will be sure to make the culprit

pay for what he has done.

Okay.

Zang Ming.

They must think

that we are silly.

Yes.

Exhausting ourselves of all favors

to invite the State Preceptor,

the backbone of the country.

Organizing such a grand banquet

yet turning it

into a funeral.

♪The silent temple♪

♪We still have a long way to go in the martial arts world♪

♪The falling snow♪

♪Only clouds know the warmth of the cold moon♪

♪The roaring fate♪

♪At last, we see the light at the end of the tunnel♪

♪Everything is just a flash in the pan♪

♪Waiting for the ride to the highest heaven♪

♪The ethereal fog♪

♪Fame and fortune do not matter to an enlightened person♪

♪I face the sun♪

♪To have a pristine soul in this polluted world♪

♪Travel far♪

♪And overcome challenges life throws at me♪

♪I do not waste my youth away♪

♪Like blade and sword, relying on each other♪

♪We are devoted friends♪

♪How strong our bond is♪

♪No dream is small♪

♪Despite the conflicts and the feuds♪

♪We sing proudly♪

♪Youths ought to be fearless♪

♪Visiting all corners of the world♪

♪With our youthful spirits♪

♪Traveling freely with friends♪

♪It won't be lonely if I have my confidants♪

♪Travel far♪

♪And overcome challenges life throws at me♪

♪I do not waste my youth away♪

♪Like blade and sword, relying on each other♪

♪We are devoted friends♪

♪How strong our bond is♪

♪No dream is small♪

♪Despite the conflicts and the feuds♪

♪We sing proudly♪

♪Youths ought to be fearless♪

♪Visiting all corners of the world♪

♪With our youthful spirits♪

♪Traveling freely with friends♪

♪It won't be lonely if I have my confidants♪